Austin-based dating app offers "Ex-boxes" to dump unwanted belongings from past relationships

Reader bee ware

Courtesy Bumble

Bumble, the women-first dating and social networking app, has always been known for its innovative approach to modern human connection. Now, the company is offering a way to, well, disconnect, announcing the opening of new pop-ups around the country to house the unwanted shrapnel of relationships gone bad.

Aptly named ‘Ex-Boxes’, the idea is that Bumble users can drop off their ex’s belongings in preparation for a fresh start this year. And they aren't skimping on size, either: The 5,000 square foot pop-ups will open next month in New York, Austin, and Los Angeles, with plans to expand globally later this year.

While the Ex-Boxes stop just short of accepting your actual Ex at drop-off, a release from the company states they did, in fact, explore this option with their internal legal team. Nonetheless, the pop-ups will happily accept your ex’s clothes, shoes, pictures, love letters, journals, records, furniture, concert ticket stubs, and even unused miles and future dinner reservations.

A Bumble spokesperson stated, “According to our recent survey, 98 precent of respondents say they wish they had a place to get rid of their ex-partners' things and 99 percent said still having some of their ex’s belongings around keeps them from moving on. These pop-ups are a physical embodiment of giving our community the fresh start they need on their dating journey.”

If this sounds too good to be true, that's because it is: The aforementioned release states that this is, in fact, an April Fool's Day announcement. (And reader, it was in very small print at the very bottom of the email: We were fooled ourselves!).

"Although we can’t take everyone’s ex’s things, we do know breakups are an inevitable part of dating," the release states. "Sometimes the hardest part of ending things can be trying to get back to what you consider 'normal' afterward, without thoughts of the person intruding every so often and making you sad all over again. In a recent Bumble survey, 70 percent of people said they feel positive about the romance that lies ahead this year, highlighting their look forward to a fresh start in 2023."

This survey, at least, appears to be legit, compiled from research conducted by Bumble using internal polling between October - November 2022 with a sample of 14,300 global Bumble users.

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These 5 major arts organizations are packing Austin's summer calendar

Summer Calendar

As the days get longer and Austinites' schedules start looking a lot more fun, our premier arts organizations start kicking off their summer programs. Whether you're a regular visitor looking for something new, or completely clueless but ready to jump in, there are plenty of opportunities this summer to break the mold. Take a class or see a movie with friends; it's as involved as you want it to be.

The following five arts organizations offer year-round programming in Austin, often at little or no cost. The summer schedules generally run through the end of May to August or even September. Most require RSVPs.

ACL Radio and The Long Center: The Drop In concert series
Thursdays, May 25 to August 10
It's hard to keep track of all these events, especially a month or more out. The Drop In, a free outdoor concert series held annually by ACL Radio and the Long Center, addresses this calendar fatigue with a timed-release schedule. On Fridays, the organizers announce the artist, and members get to RSVP; on Mondays, RSVPs open up to everyone, and the concert is held that Thursday. This process happens weekly, and will include 21 artists over the course of the series, including some Austin names like Urban Heat, Moddy Bank$, and Thebrosfresh.

Announcements will be made weekly by email and on social media. Sign up at thelongcenter.org.

The Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria: Art school classes
Starting May 27, dates vary by class
We don't all have the time or funds for an art degree, but art school at the Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria can make an artist out of any Austinite. Classes cover pottery, drawing, sound art, even smartphone photography, and more, for a well-rounded course list. Artists who are just starting out might consider "Intro to Art: 2-D," which invites artists to try several different media over seven classes, while some classes like "Advanced Watercolor Techniques" could be good for people who actually did go to art school. There are more than 100 in-person classes for adults and children of various ages in the summer programming, and seven adult classes are available online.

Classes are open to members only, but annual memberships ($50) can be bought at a 20 percent discount using the code ARTSCHOOL. Visit thecontemporaryaustin.org to browse classes.

Paramount Theatre: "Summer Classics"
May 27 to September 2
Summer feels like a good time to catch up on all those film classics you haven't seen, but it's not a time for planning. The Paramount Theatre is doing the work with more than 90 titles slated through the first few days of September, with creative scheduling blocks like "I’m Sure ChatGPT Will Turn Out Just Fine," featuring The Terminator and Robocop on June 11. Partner organizations are helping with curation, including Hyperreal Film Club, We Luv Video, and UMLAUF Sculpture Garden. Some of the screenings will celebrate anniversaries, Pride Month, and more, and some will invite special guests.

Visit austintheatre.org to see the full schedule of films, join the fan club, and more.

Waterloo Greenway: Free community events
June 5 to August 18
The Greenway is undergoing some changes this summer, but throughout the longterm projects, it's still offering lots of free programming for diverse audiences. The first several events for summer celebrate Pride Month, with workout classes, a discussion on identity, performances, and more. Then, the rest of the schedule through August is more varied, addressing different topics pertaining to conservation for kids and adults in different ways. There will also be two outdoor movie screenings, with more fun included like live music and themed snacks.

These free classes are open to everyone. Visit waterloogreenway.org to see the schedule.

Texas Performing Arts
June 10 to August 6
Texas Performing Arts recently announced a new season starting on September 7 with a staging of The Book of Life, but there are a few more events to fill up the summer before it kicks off. A few iconic shows including the long-awaited Hairspray and a rare joint concert by soul singers Gladys Knight & Patti LaBelle will sweep Austinites off their feet. Most of the programming would happen in any season, but two shows are made in collaboration with Summer Stock Austin, a student theater collective: The Wizard of Oz and Grease.

Check texasperformingarts.org for event listings, which vary in type, price, and venue.

Peek inside the $50 million renovation at this popular Hill Country resort

Staycation anyone?

If you've been looking for the perfect excuse to book yourself (or a loved one) a staycation, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort has got you covered.

Located about two hours from Austin, the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort announced via an official press release that the extensive $50 million dollar renovations are now complete.

In addition to updated luxury amenities in every guest room at the resort, visitors will find brand new wood floors in guest rooms, updated tech for guests to use during their stay, and a brand new emphasis on Texas artwork, featured inside the hotel lobby and guest rooms.

For the techies out there, guests can expect an LG 65-inch class 4K smart ultra high-definition TV in their room, in addition to marble countertops, tilework, toilets, vanity lighting and more in their bathrooms.

Another neat detail in most (keyword most, not all) of the renovated bathrooms at the Hyatt are walk-in showers. Some of the new Texas artwork featured at the Hyatt will include graphic sketches by a local Hill Country artist, and photos and artwork paying tribute to the Hyatt's historic significance as the location of the Rogers-Wiseman ranch.

Renovations aside, what can first-time guests expect from a visit to the Hyatt Hill Country? For starters, you really don't have to leave the resort to get a nice meal — the Hyatt has five restaurants onsite, including their main dinner spot, the Antler's Lodge, which also pays tribute to the Rogers-Wiseman ranch with its wild-game centric menu.

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort is also famous for its 5-acre water park, featuring a lazy river (ideal for the upcoming hot Texas summers.) They've also got the Windflower Spa and a 27-hole championship golf course on the premises.

"As we celebrate the 30-year anniversary of our beautiful resort this year, we are thrilled to offer an enhanced product paired with the premier service and experiences our guests have come to know and love over the years," says Steven J. Smith, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, via release. "We look forward to welcoming travelers, groups, and our local community to experience the updated Hyatt Regency Hill Country for an unforgettable getaway they will cherish for years to come."

Here's what the Austin airport's record-breaking summer could mean for ongoing expansions

Summer Travel

As Memorial Day approaches, staff at Austin's airport say they're getting ready to see another record-breaking summer travel season. So what does this mean for projects that are in the works and what's already been done to accommodate growth?

Officials with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said last summer, around 7.7 million passengers traveled through between May and August. Airport spokesperson Elizabeth Ferrer said that number is expected to increase significantly this year.

"Our biggest crown jewel short-term that we are excited to be starting off is the west side expansion. So on the west side of the terminal, we are going to be adding over 84,000 square feet of space. It's going to be on three levels," Ferrer said.

Other expansions include updates to TSA's machines to allow for an easier check-in as well as updates to baggage processing systems. However, larger projects are in the works.

As far as the West Gate expansion, a groundbreaking will happen this summer, and its completion is expected in about three years' time. It will include three new gates for the airport.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

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