On Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, Mayor Adler declared November as Austin Art Month. The proclamation was made in an effort to support the local arts scene and promote organizations that are hosting art-related events for the community in November.

The visual arts scene is growing fast and becoming a visceral part of the city. The proclamation aligns with the booming entertainment industry and promotes the local art scene.

“Austin is a creative, innovative city. We’re good at doing things in new ways, and art helps us see the world in new ways. The creative arts are absolutely vital to who we are as a city and what we can offer the world, so I’m proud to declare November Austin Art Month,” said Mayor Adler. Continue reading →

Free DACA Renewal Clinics:

Saturday, September 30^th 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Where: KIPP Academy, 5107 S. I35 Frontage Road

Call 512.478.0546 ext. 200 for information and to make an appointment.

Organizations Doing the Work:

Equality Justice Center (EJC)

Your donation to the EJC will help the cost of processing 200 DACA renewals for people that fall 200% below the poverty line. The cost of a DACA renewal is about $500, making a fundraising goal of $100,000.

Donate now at http://www.equaljusticecenter.org/what/daca.html

University Leadership Initiative (ULI)

University Leadership Initiative is hosting a free DACA renewal Clinic on Sunday September 17^th from 9am-2pm to help complete renewal applications.

Volunteer or donate to ULI:

• Access to printing for DACA and know your right packets
• Folders to store DACA packets after their completed
• A portable projector to give Know Your Rights presentations
• Both immigration attorney volunteers and regular volunteers
• Promotion for both events

To donate, contact Joseph Ramirez at joseph.ramirez159@gmail.com

American Gateways

American Gateways has a fundraising goal of $20,000 to serve the 30 low income appointments already made and to allow for at least 10 more applicants.

They are holding outreach clinics to schedule low-income persons for DACA renewal assistance.

To donate, contact Rebecca Lightsey at rebeccal@americangateways.org>

Texas Monthly: Austin a “Fairytale Land Where Violence Rare”

Austin Has the Lowest Violent Crime Rate in Texas
“It’s long been noted that Austin is something of a fairytale land where violence is rare, and at least compared to the rest of the state, that tends to bear out. Although Austin’s violent crime rate of 287.7 per 100,000 is slightly up from 2013, it’s grown at a much slower rate than any comparably safe city over the past couple of years, putting Austin in the top spot for safe Texas cities. The murder rate is down; the number of aggravated assaults are down; the reported rapes are up significantly (which, as we noted earlier, doesn’t necessarily mean anything about the amount of crimes committed), and the number of robberies is up slightly. Generally speaking, though, Austin is still an extremely safe city.”

In Fact, Austin One Of Safest Cities in Country

Continue reading →

On September 11—the National Day of Service and Remembrance—Mayor Adler is asking Austin to help those whose homes were flooded by Hurricane Harvey by delivering new cleaning supplies to the Austin Convention Center where Keller Williams, the Austin-born, Austin-based real estate company, is turning its annual convention into a mega-relief effort. Every day, thousands of Keller Williams agents will be staging from the convention center, delivering cleaning supplies to affected communities, and helping people clean up their damaged homes.

Keller Williams is asking people to deliver the following cleaning supplies to:

Austin Convention Center
Exhibit Hall 3 (Trinity and 2nd Streets)
Monday, Sep. 11 – Thursday, Sep. 14
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

*** Keller Williams agents are accepting donations curbside at Trinity and 3rd Streets, so folks don’t need to park.

Supplies needed:

• Multipurpose Cleaner
• Chlorine Bleach
• Disinfectant Spray
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Buckets
• Plastic/Latex Gloves
• Leather or Heavy Duty Work Gloves
• Heavy Duty Garbage Bags
• Scrub Brushes
• Sponges
• N95 Respirator Mask & Dust Masks
• Brooms
• Mops
• Dust Pans
• Paper Towels

9/11 Day is the nation’s largest annual day of charitable engagement, with nearly 30 million Americans taking the time each September 11 to volunteer, support charities, and perform simple good deeds. To learn more about the 9/11 Day of Service visit 911day.org.

The people of Texas have learned that they can count on Austin. Now, as thousands of people face the reality of the floods, let’s give them the help they need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC1mmQDx3vQ