Give Your Input on Trash & Recycling
The City of Austin’s inviting people to a workshop tonightto talk trash and recycling. The city’s looking for input on its Solid Waste Management Master Plan. That plan outlines the programs, infrastructure, staffing, and funding needed for Austin to reach zero waste by 2040, the city’s goal to drastically reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Tonight’s workshop is from 6:30 to 8 at Fiesta Gardens.
Bush Center Groundbreaking Today
Former President George W. Bush will break ground on his presidential center at Southern Methodist University in Dallas today. Friends, supporters and officials from President Bush's administration will be on hand, as well as some protesters. The Bush Presidential Center, scheduled to open by 2013, will include a library and a policy institute. KERA's BJ Austin reports anti-war protesterswill be in a designated free speech area, away from the ceremony.
Shade, Riley Seeking Re-Election
Austin City Council Members Randi Shade and Chris Riley have announced they will seek re-election in May 2011. The two first-term council members made the announcements yesterday. Monday was the first day an office holder could solicit or accept political contributions, according to the City of Austin election calendar. Candidates for city offices can formally file for a ballot position in February.
Mexicans Seeking Shelter from Violence
Hundreds of Mexicans are seeking shelter near the Texas-Mexico border from drug cartel violence. Julian Aguilar, a reporter for our political reporting partner, the Texas Tribune, reports people are fleeing Ciudad Mier, a city not too far from Roma, Texas. The town was reportedly overtaken by the Zetas drug cartel early this month. Many refugees are staying at a community center in a nearby Mexican city, something similar to a shelter for disaster victims. Here's an excerpt from Aguilar's article:
Sharing space with foam mattresses, boxes of basic food staples and pallets of bottled water are seniors in wheelchairs, babies sleeping on floors and shell-shocked parents watching their children play — multiple generations swept up in the mass exodus from the small agricultural town.
Leonid Meteor Shower
Tomorrow if you are up in the wee hours of the morning like me, take a look up! The Leonid meteor shower peaks late tonight through early tomorrow morning. On his weather blog, News 8 Austin's Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons says it's not supposed to be incredibly active but may be worth the wait:
Although it's not expected to be the best of shows with only about 20 meteors per hour forecast, we will have clear skies here at home and all it takes is one "shooting star" to make a wish, right? Fortunately, no fancy equipment is required. All you have to do is look up.