Cover by Zeke Barbaro / Getty Images. Photos courtesy of the artists.
In late March, mere weeks into the pandemic that we ve carried into another year, Music Editor Raoul Hernandez launched a Q&A series with local musicians. He called it Checking In, a name that carried special resonance for him. It was directly inspired by the language we were all using in those disorienting first days of COVID-19, when the days were full of worried calls and texts and emails:
I just wanted to check in. I ve always viewed journalism as social work, he told me on Monday, as we hung around after a meeting in the Zoom room where we all live now. He said the checking-in process was sometimes overwhelming, as artists laid bare the tolls of isolation and lost income and my life is melting stress. But for musicians and music fans alike, these regular posts provided a way to stay connected to a scattered community.
Now Boarding the ATP: The
Austin Transit Partnership this week met for its first board meeting to elect officers, approve bylaws, and pass an interim budget. As the governing body of the agency created to build out
Project Connect, the board oversees funding, designing, and implementing the mass transit overhaul.
First the Pork Chop, Then Mobility: The
Austin Transportation Department began construction this week on improvements at the intersection of
North Lamar and
Morrow, which include removing the
pork chop median. The decades-old median has prevented both westbound Morrow traffic from driving across Lamar and northbound Lamar traffic from making left turns onto Morrow.
This yearâs MLK Day celebrations look different than previous years
Austinites did not let the pandemic stop them from honoring the civil right s leader.
AUSTIN, Texas - The 2021 MLK celebration in Austin was certainly one for the books, and unlike any other in our lifetime. Maybe it s because the legacy of racism manifests in the disproportionate loss of life from this virus. This MLK celebration this year feels different. Maybe it s because we watched out capitol being stormed by elements including white nationalists and the brazen attack on our government, said Steve Adler, mayor of Austin.
After the beginning of a raging pandemic, and the racial justice movement last summer many participants in today s drive-up celebration at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, had an entirely new outlook on the holiday. It feels totally different. It is a time for us to stand up and demand civil rights, said Lisa Newman, attendee.
Commemorations held in Central TX to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
By John Krinjak
East Austin Martin Luther King Day celebrations go virtual
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has taken on new meaning this year due to the pandemic and the calls for racial justice. FOX 7 Austin s John Krinjak has more.
AUSTIN, Texas - Austinites are not letting a pandemic stop them from honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorations in Central Texas are still happening Monday, but with a socially-distanced or virtual twist.
The Austin Area Heritage Council is hosting the Austin Area MLK Livestream starting at 10:30 AM Monday, and streaming on Facebook and YouTube. The focal point will be an in-car rally at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in East Austin. About 70 cars will gather, safely spaced, to watch performances and listen to speakers, all of which will be broadcast online.
In lieu of the
MLK Day, the organization will be hosting a socially distanced
MLK Day In-Car Rally at St. James Missionary Baptist Church (3417 E. MLK) on Monday, Jan. 18, at 10:30am, to commemorate Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
The rally – which Austinites are able to attend virtually via a Facebook livestream (www.fb.com/mlkcelebration) or in-person by signing up for a parking spot (registration required) – is one of several socially distanced or virtual events the Austin Area Heritage Council has planned for this weekend, including Saturday’s
Youth Legacy Scholarship Reception for high school juniors and seniors, where recipients of the MLK Youth Scholarship Awards will be recognized.