1. Town Square Northwest Austin: Vintage town takes seniors back in time
Tucked into the Plaza 183 shopping center lies a portal back through time for the elderly in Northwest Austin with old-timey shops, classic tunes and a 1950s Cadillac.
Town Square Northwest Austin is an adult day care center that provides care for senior individuals. The facility specializes in assisting those with cognitive degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, but is open to all seniors, owner Emily Rollins said.
With its focus on memory recall, Town Square invests heavily in reminiscence therapy, Rollins said. The reminiscence approach presents seniors with objects, movies and activities they engaged with in their formative years to recall memories.
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2. Austin-area leaders push for expanded mental health training, resources
Amid persisting concerns over mental health issues, Austin-area leaders are looking to get more community members and city workers trained on responding to mental health incidents.
The local Community Advancement Network coalition is pushing to get at least 1,000 Austinites trained in mental health first aid, or MFHA. Mental health first aid courses take about eight hours and educate people on how to assist those who have a mental health problem or are experiencing a mental health-related crisis.
City Council will vote May 18 to formally support the CAN initiative. Through a resolution from District 2 Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, council would also call for the city to increase the number of its employees—especially those in public-facing roles—who are certified in the mental health response program.
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3. New Georgetown H-E-B opening June 7
Georgetown’s new H-E-B in the Wolf Lakes Village neighborhood, located at 1010 W. University Ave., will open June 7.
The new 121,000-square-foot store will replace the 67,000-square-foot location at 1100 S. I-35, which will remain operational until the new store opens. The site features a two-story True Texas BBQ restaurant, which will have seating on both levels.
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4. Williamson County cities making pitches for bond funding
As part of the Williamson County Citizens Bond Committee’s mission to analyze the county’s infrastructure needs, its members have been meeting with city and county officials throughout May to hear requests for project funding. The committee, composed of nine members appointed by the Williamson County Commissioners Court, plans to bring a recommendation to the court by June 27.
As of May 9, the cites of Georgetown, Jarrell and Florence have brought requests for road and park projects to the committee in addition to projects proposed by county staff to address needs within Williamson County’s Precinct 3.
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5. Here’s how ACL Fest 2022 proceeds will transform Austin’s parks
Local parks in “every corner of Austin” will soon get a facelift thanks to the $7.2 million the 2022 Austin City Limits music festival generated for the Austin Parks Foundation, Mayor Kirk Watson announced May 9.
The music festival—led by production company C3 Presents—has generated over $55 million for Austin’s parks in the past 18 years.
The Henry Madison Cabin in Rosewood Neighborhood Park will be restored with ACL funds. The cabin—built in 1863—honors Austin’s first African American City Council member.
Austin’s first all-abilities playground will be built at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park. All-abilities playgrounds have features that support children with special needs.
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