Holiday events top the Northwest Austin to-do list for the next week, Dec. 14-19

Austin City Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

Now is the chance to help your local community succeed. Become a Patron by contributing to Community Impact Newspaper and gain daily insight into what's happening in your own backyard. Thank you for reading and supporting community journalism.

By Emma Whalen | 10:07 PM Dec 13, 2017 CST

Celebrate the holidays and learn about nonprofit organizations this weekend and early next week.

THURSDAY

1. Watch a performance of "The Nutcracker"
Northwest Austin-based nonprofit Austin City Ballet presents the 17th Annual "Austin Children’s Nutcracker" at the Texas School for the Deaf. Performers range in age from 8 to 18 years. 7:30 p.m. (Thu.-Fri.), 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. (Sat.) Admission varies. 1102 S. Congress Ave., Austin. www.austincityballet.org

2. Experience Shalom Austin’s “This is Hunger” Exhibit
“This is Hunger” is a nationwide mobile exhibit organized by MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, a national nonprofit organization aimed at ending hunger in the U.S. The exhibit brings an educational multimedia presentation on issues surrounding hunger. Registration is required. 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Free. Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin. www.thisishunger.org

FRIDAY

3. Attend a baroque Christmas concert
Ensemble VIII, a baroque and renaissance voice ensemble presents, “Vivaldi Gloria—Christmas with Ensemble VII.” The performance features Ensemble VII’s vocalists backed by a chamber orchestra. 7:30 p.m. $10 (student admission),$35 (general admission), $45 (priority seating).St. Louis King of France Catholic Church Chapel, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin. www.ensembleviii.org

4. Celebrate the holiday season with kid-friendly event
Catch Air's Anderson Mill location hosts a Cookies & Crafts with Santa event that includes snacks, crafts and photo opportunities with Santa. 4-7 p.m. Admission varies by age. 13450 N. US 183, Ste. 107, Austin.
www.catchairparty.com/location/austin/

MONDAY

5. Enjoy more holiday festivities
Winter Wonderland at The Circuit features a 1-mile circuit of lights, a skating rink, a petting zoo, movies on the lawn and a tunnel of lights. Attendees can ride carnival rides and watch live music performances. 6 p.m. $16. Circuit of The Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle. www.thecircuit.com/winter-wonderland

TUESDAY

6. Give blood during a Red Cross blood Drive
The Red Cross puts in extra effort to attract blood donors during the typically slow month of December, a news release stated. A donation drive is hosted at the Doubletree Northwest Austin Arboretum hotel, but donors can also make appointments online. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free.Doubletree Northwest Austin Arboretum, 8901 Business Park Drive, Austin. www.redcrossblood.org

By Emma Whalen

MOST RECENT

Travis County adds 3,069 new coronavirus cases over past week

Travis County has added 3,069 new confirmed cases over the past week from July 6-12.

A sign directs voters inside Ridgetop Elementary School in North Central Austin. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)

11.8% of voters in Travis County have voted early since June 29, exceeding 2018 primary numbers

More than 97,000 Travis County residents have voted in person or by mail. The turnout far surpassed the combined early and Election Day totals in the 2018 primary run-off election.

Travis County updates Tesla incentive package, pushing for $1 billion-plus investment from the company

Poised for a possible July 13 vote, Travis County has released a refined incentives structure proposal with electric carmaker Tesla.

The Williamson County and Cities Health District confirmed 37 additional coronavirus cases July 10, bringing the total to 3,654. (Community Impact Staff)

37 new cases of coronavirus, 1 death confirmed in Williamson County on July 10

Currently, 103 patients are hospitalized, 32 are in intensive care and 16 are on a ventilator.

The species that tested positive for West Nile Virus is Culex quinquefasciatus, or the southern house mosquito. This species has a flight range of about one mile. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus near southwest Williamson County Regional Park

There have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Williamson County since 2017.

Williamson County sees 844 new coronavirus cases this week

Between July 4 and July 10, Williamson County also reported 9 additional deaths.

Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath announced in a June 30 State Board of Education meeting that students will be taking the STAAR in the 2020-21 school year. (Courtesy Pixabay)

Education organizations call for STAAR requirements to be waived another year

Gov. Greg Abbott waived the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, testing requirements in March of earlier this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

With a clinical background in internal, pulmonary and critical care medicine, Corry has been with BCM for 20 years. He now focuses primarily on inflammatory lung diseases, such as asthma and smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. (Graphic by Ronald Winters/Community Impact Newspaper)

Q&A: Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. David Corry discusses immunity, vaccine production amid COVID-19 pandemic

Rapid development and distribution of a vaccine worldwide and successful achievement of herd immunity will be key players in determining the lifespan of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. David Corry, a professor of Medicine in the Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology Section at Baylor College of Medicine.

Repeated violators of Round Rock's emergency face coverings ordinance will now only face a maximum $200 fine. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Round Rock lowers mask fine, GTX Jet Skis opens in Georgetown: Business, community news from Central Texas

Read the latest Central Texas business and community news.

The new partnership will provide on-site, same-day testing and results for assisted-living facility staff and their residents. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

State announces partnership for increased COVID-19 testing for patients, staff at assisted-living facilities, nursing homes

These test sites will help the state work toward the goal of processing up to 100,000 tests in the first month.

The city of Austin has sent three samples of algae from Lady Bird Lake to The University of Texas to test them for toxins. (Jack Flagler/Community Impact Newspaper)

University of Texas researchers will test Lady Bird Lake algae for harmful toxins

Last summer, five dogs died in Lady Bird Lake after coming into contact with the toxic blue-green algae.

Former Cedar Park Police Department Chief Sean Mannix is pictured in this 2015 file photo. (Community Impact Newspaper file photo)

Cedar Park police chief moves to Burnet, driver's license offices reopen: Most popular news this week from Central Texas

Read the most popular Central Texas news from the past week on Community Impact Newspaper's website.