Here’s what you need to know to get caught up in Austin this week:
1. Airport adds recycling receptacle
In an effort to improve recycling, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Friday revealed a new "Pour it Out" receptacle that allows passengers to dump liquids from a bottle or container before placing it in recycling. Wet recyclables are considered contamination and go to the landfill instead. The airport hopes to eliminate 63 tons of waste in a year through this new program.
2. New park climbing wall unveiled
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department's Nature and Science Center opened a new 20-foot outdoor climbing wall over the weekend. Located at 2389 Stratford Drive, the climbing wall is paid for through a $20,000 grant the department received.
3. Feedback sought on Grove at Shoal Creek’s master plan
What would you like the parks around the Grove at Shoal Creek to look like? The mixed-use development's master plan is being developed and includes 16.25 acres of park space. The first of three community meetings to solicit input on how that space will be used will be held Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Bryker Woods Elementary School, 3309 Kerbey Lane, Austin. More information can be found
here.
4. Average home rental rates decrease year over year
A new report finds the median monthly rent for a three-bedroom single-family home in the Austin/Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area dropped by 2.3 percent year over year. Real Property Management LoneStar and RentRange, the two companies behind the report, said the average monthly rent for the first quarter of 2017 in Austin was $1,614. That is higher than the national home rental rate of $1,379, according to the report.
5. Free pet rabies vaccination clinic this Saturday
Austin Animal Center hosts a free rabies vaccination clinic for pets from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at Richard Moya Park, 10001 Burleson Road, Austin. The vaccinations are for dogs and cats 12 weeks and older. Texas law requires owners or handlers of dogs or cats to get their animals inoculated with the rabies vaccine, according to the city of Austin’s Animal Services Office. www.austinanimalcenter.org