From the opening of a state-of-the-art car vending machine to a plan to address affordability in Austin, here are five things Southwest Austinites should know about this week, Feb. 13-18.
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Renae Hernandez, a first-grade teacher at Oak Hill Elementary School, is in the running to win the Rather Prize.[/caption]
An Oak Hill Elementary School teacher is in line to win the $10,000 Rather Prize, which was created by newsman Dan Rather. If chosen, Renae Hernandez would put the money toward the implementation of a literacy training program called "Blast" for kindergarten through second-grade teachers. The winner will be announced during this year's SXSWedu, the educational innovation conference of South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals. You can cast your vote here.
- Community Impact Newspaper has put together an Austin-area last-minute planning guide for Valentine's Day. Whether it is a drive-in movie or a hangover party, this guide has you covered.
- Carvana's fully automated car vending machine is now open in Southwest Austin. The structure is the third of its kind in the U.S. and allows customers to pick up their purchased vehicle on-site.
- The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and its coalition partners announced Thursday an action plan to improve affordability in Austin. The plan touches on key issues, such as affordable housing, improving the permitting process and creating better access to health care.
- A bill was introduced last week to lower speed limits on unmarked roads in Texas from 30 mph to 25 mph. The state legislator behind the bill, Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, hopes it will reduce the number of traffic fatalities throughout the state.
