Eclipse News

There's still time to get free eclipse glasses around Austin

Warby Parker eclipse glasses

img.warbyparker.com

We're a week away from Total Solar Eclipse day on April 8, when skies will turn dark for three to four minutes. Regardless of where you decide to view it — at an eclipse watching party around Central Texas or from the comfort of your backyard — you'll need one thing: eclipse glasses, so you don't damage your eyes, and a new wave of vendors are offering them for free.

They're pretty cheap: Supermarkets have them for $1 to $3, and you can order them online. Glasses are also being given away by venues that are hosting watch parties.

Eclipse glasses must adhere to the ISO 12312-2 standard and should block nearly all visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light. Sunglasses won't work. The American Astronomical Society has already issued a warning about counterfeits turning up, and CNN has tips on how to check if your glasses are the real thing.

Businesses and eye shops

The Violet Crown Wine Bar & Coffee Shop
On the day of the eclipse, April 8, the Violet Crown Wine Bar & Coffee Shop will be giving out free eclipse glasses to anyone who purchases a $5 glass of cava (Spanish sparking wine). This deal lasts as long as the partial eclipse, from noon to 2 pm.

Garbo's
Another last-minute option is Garbo's, which is handing out eclipse glasses at all its locations with purchase of the "Eclipse Lobster Roll": fresh Maine lobster and lemon aioli, on a black-out Easy Tiger bun. Edible gold and silver stars will be sprinkled on top. The promotion runs April 6-8, or until sold out.

El Raval
This popular new tapas destination is hosting a viewing party with a special cocktail menu from noon to 4 pm. El Raval chef Laila Bazahm and visiting chef Beigler Cruz (former head sushi chef at Uchi Austin) are cooking a Spanish omakase meal, with entertainment by a live DJ spinning Spanish and funk house music outside. Free glasses will be available. Reserve on OpenTable.

Sonic
Sonic stores are giving away free eclipse glasses with the purchase of its new Blackout Slush Float. The float is an all-black slush that is cotton candy and dragon fruit-flavored with white soft serve inside. The glasses will be given while supplies last.

Smoothie King
Some Smoothie King stores are offering free eclipse glasses to anyone who orders a 20 oz or larger Eclipse Berry Blitz smoothie.
The deal is only at participating locations where the eclipse will cross including Arkansas, Indiana, New York, Ohio and Texas.

Warby Parker
New York eyeglass retailer is giving away free glasses. Starting April 1, individuals can visit any Warby Parker location to receive up to two pairs of solar eclipse glasses at no cost, subject to availability. There are four stores in Austin, seven in the DFW area, and seven in Houston.

MyEyeDr.
Washington DC-based eye care provider is offering free solar eclipse glasses at its 438 locations across the country, including 4 across Austin, giving away the glasses while supplies last.

Hertz, Dollar, And Thrifty
Free eclipse glasses will be available—for customers only—at select Hertz, Dollar or Thrifty locations in Austin and Dallas (including DFW Airport) starting Saturday, April 6, until supplies last.

Public libraries and rec centers

The Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries project is giving away 5 million solar eclipse glasses via 13,000 public libraries across the U.S. This map shows locations.

Austin Public Library: On Saturday, April 6, a limited supply of eclipse viewing glasses will be available for free at select Fort Worth Public Library locations – one pair per person, while supplies last. Those branches are: Cepeda, Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, Menchaca, North Village, Old Quarry, Pleasant Hill, Twin Oaks, Willie Mae Kirk, and Windsor Park. The Central Library will also host an Eclipse Watch Party, with a pop-up exhibit by NASA.

City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department has been distributing 10,000 free eclipse glasses since March 11 at 20 recreation centers, four senior centers, and the Austin Nature & Science Center.

Father afield, Totality Dallas is giving away free solar glasses at City of Dallas recreation centers. Glasses are limited to four per family.

nature eclipse

put it on santa's amex

2 wealthy Austin suburbs top list of biggest holiday spenders in U.S.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Cedar Park, Round Rock, and Austin loooove to do up the holidays.

It looks like Santa Claus is going to be competing with residents in Cedar Park to see who brings the most lavish holiday gifts this year.

This festive Austin neighbor ranked No. 23 in WalletHub's annual report of U.S. cities with the biggest holiday budgets in 2024.

Residents in this well-to-do suburb are expected to spend $2,930 on their Christmas gifts this year. That's up $576 from the $2,354 they were ready to shell out in the 2023 ranking — and it bumped them up 21 spots from their previous ranking at No. 44.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Cedar Park's estimated population of 77,516 had a median household income of $118,903 in 2023. No wonder they have the extra cash to spare.

Cedar Park consistently makes the list of the top U.S. cities with the biggest holiday spenders, and now Round Rock is also climbing up the list, landing at No. 39 this year, up significantly from its previous low ranking of No. 283 in 2023.

The average holiday budget in Round Rock skyrocketed from $1,148 last year to $2,538 this year in an eyewatering $1,390 increase. You gotta spend to stay on top.

The No. 1 city in the U.S. for biggest holiday spenders in 2024 is Newton, Massachusetts, a wealthy suburb right outside of Boston, where the median income measured in 2022 was $176,373. Slots 2 through 5 were all cities in California's Silicon Valley: Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Milpitas.

Meanwhile, Austin proper landed at No. 87 in 2024 with an average holiday budget of $1,905.

Each year, WalletHub calculates the maximum holiday budget for over 550 U.S. cities "to help consumers avoid post-holiday regret," the website says. The study factors in income, age of the population, and other financial indicators such as debt-to-income ratio, monthly-income-to monthly-expenses ratio, and savings-to-monthly-expenses ratio.

Whether an Austinite's holiday budget is under $200 or more than $1,000, it's better to prioritize remaining within that budget instead of racking up the credit card bill, according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

"There are plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays and show you care without spending much money, like hosting potlucks or giving handmade gifts," said Lupo.

Other Texas cities that made it into the top 100 are:

No. 7 – Flower Mound ($3,541)
No. 11 – Frisco ($3,412)
No. 13 – The Woodlands ($3,395)
No. 15 – Sugar Land ($3,214)
No. 18 – Allen ($3,070)
No. 25 – League City ($2,897)
No. 32 – Plano ($2,658)
No. 45 – North Richland Hills ($2,484)
No. 52 – McKinney ($2,386)
No. 60 – Pearland ($2,223)
No. 76 – Richardson ($1,980)
No. 81 – Carrollton ($1,932)
No. 92 – Lewisville ($1,848)

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