Quantcast

How to get free access to 3 Texas libraries outside Austin

FEEDING THE READING ADDICTION

Photo by Shunya Koide on Unsplash

We all know that Austinites can get their free library cards at the Austin Public Library. But did you know you can get access to libraries that aren’t just in the APL system? For the libraries in Wells Branch, Round Rock, and Houston, you only need to be a Texas resident!

Having access to multiple library systems throughout Texas isn't as excessive as it might seem. First, you gain access to books that may not be as easily available from one library system to another. Second, it can be a great cost-saving measure; personally, I saved over $550 in 2022 by using public libraries instead of buying new or used books.

If you read a lot of ebooks or audiobooks, Libby is one of the best apps to find thousands of titles for free. If Libby’s waitlist is too long for a title in Austin, it might be easier to find the same title in Round Rock or Houston for a shorter wait. Additionally, you might find books in another system that aren't offered by APL. Sometimes, APL has a majority of a series online but is missing a few titles, and another library system will have what you're missing, which saves you from purchasing a random audiobook or ebook.

Here’s a quick refresher on how you can apply for an Austin Public Library card, and how you can join three additional awesome library systems outside the city. Let's all make it a goal to read a little more this year, shall we?

Austin Public Library
Austin residents, those who live in the Full Purpose jurisdiction, and students at any k-12 school (including daycare, private, charter, and home schools) in Travis County can apply online for a library card for free. After completing the online application, you can visit any library branch with your valid photo ID and proof of residence to complete the registration. Adult resident cards are valid for three years from their issuance date.

Round Rock Public Library
All Texas residents can apply for a free library card in Round Rock. For those who can visit the new library building in person, all you need is a valid Texas ID or a valid government issued ID and proof of Texas residency. Just for Round Rock residents who can’t make it to the library in-person due to a disability, illness, or inadequate transportation, the library offers a wonderful Library At Home service to deliver materials to your private residence.

Wells Branch Community Library
This is another library where all Texas residents qualify for a card for free, but you do have to apply in person with a valid ID and proof of residency. As a note, this library is a part of the Central Texas Digital Consortium, which is the same association that several other Central Texas cities use for their ebooks and audiobooks.

Houston Public Library
This library is special in that not only can you apply for their card without needing to live in Houston, but you also can apply online! You’ll get instant access to hundreds of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, and more with their digital MY Link card. And if you’re ever in the Houston area, you can bring your valid Texas ID to any of their branches to get your hands on a physical card, if you're the type that loves to collect them.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Austin household bills are 25 percent higher than the national average, report finds

LIVING IS EXPENSIVE

We already know how expensive it is to live in Austin. With rent prices on the rise and a six-figure salary not going as far as it used to, it’s no wonder why people would rather move to the suburbs than live in the city. Now, a new tool explores just how pricey the average Austinite’s household bills are in comparison to the national average. Spoilers: it’s not a pretty picture.

The average Austin household pays $2563 monthly for their bills, which adds up to $30,756 a year. When compared to the national average, which is $24,552 a year, the Austinite household is paying $6,204 more per year, or 25 percent more. Their findings show Austin is the No. 33 most expensive Texas city for household expenses, so at least we’re not at the top of that list.

If you look around at other Austin-area cities, like Pflugerville, the average household is paying $2,358 per month for their bills, which is only 15 percent higher than the national average.

In Round Rock, however, the average household there pays more than they would in Austin proper, at $2,606 a month, making them the No. 30 priciest city for household expenses in Texas. Additionally, Round Rock residents pay $6,720 more per year in household bills than the average American household.

Here’s how Austin-area cities rank when compared to all cities in Texas:

  • No. 23 – Dripping Springs
  • No. 30 – Round Rock
  • No. 33 – Austin
  • No. 49 – Buda
  • No. 50 – Cedar Park
  • No. 55 – Manor
  • No. 60 – Pflugerville
  • No. 27 – Kyle
  • No. 135 – San Marcos
  • No. 153 – Del Valle

The DoxoInsights (stylized doxoINSIGHTS) Explorer is a first-of-its-kind tool that calculates the average monthly payments for 10 of the most common household bills and compares them to the national average. The bills that it tracks are the average cost of a mortgage, rent, auto loan, utilities, auto insurance, mobile phone, health insurance, cable and satellite, life insurance, and alarm and security.

According to the tool, Travis County is the No. 7 in a ranking of most expensive household bills in the state. Neighboring Williamson and Hays also rank in the top 10 most expensive counties in Texas at No. 6 and No. 10, respectively.

The top 10 most expensive counties in Texas are:

  • No. 1 – Collin County
  • No. 2 – Rockwall County
  • No. 3 – Fort Bend County
  • No. 4 – Denton County
  • No. 5 – Kendall County
  • No. 6 – Williamson County
  • No. 7 – Travis County
  • No. 8 – Waller County
  • No. 9 – Galveston County
  • No. 10 – Hays County

More information can be found on doxo.com.

Photo by Dan Winters

Award-winning photographer and beekeeper brings buzzy new art to Austin's Waterloo Park

BEE-AUTIFUL ART

If there’s one thing Austinites can agree on, it's our love for local art and honeybees. A local organization is combining both for a free, immersive experience at a cherished Austin park beginning April 23.

“Seeing Bees” is a new educational art installation at Waterloo Park that will display a series of anatomical, microscopic honey bee works by Dan Winters, a distinguished and award-winning photographer. Land conservation nonprofit Wild Spirit Wild Places (WSWP) is partnering with local honeymaker Round Rock Honey and Waterloo Greenway for the exhibit, with additional support from H-E-B and perfume designer Guerlain.

The installation will feature large format images of honey bees that were captured with a field emissions scanning electron microscope. Winters is best known for his celebrity portraits, so this latest project is entirely new territory for him. Luckily he is well-versed in the art of beekeeping; He started keeping his own bees at just nine-years-old.

Winters said in a press release that the images will provide attendees with a never-before-seen view of the insects.

“These images magnify bees to an unprecedented level with every hair in focus, allowing for a view into the complexity of the honeybee first hand,” said Winters.

“Seeing Bees” is free to the public, and there will be several free public programs and events in conjunction with the exhibit at Waterloo Park. Austinites of all ages will have the opportunity to get educated about the importance of conservation, biodiversity, and pollinators in our local communities.

WSWP and Round Rock Honey have joined forces before to raise awareness about native bees in Austin and Round Rock; In 2022 they helped pass resolutions to designate both cities as Bee City USA affiliates, joining the neighboring city of Bee Cave on the Central Texas roster.

WSWP CEO Dr. Karen Looby said in the release that her organization is proud to support the exhibit, calling it a “one-of-a-kind experience celebrating bees.”

“This exhibit provides an amazing look at the intricacies of our bees and provides insight on how they are uniquely equipped to support the health of our environment,” Dr. Looby said. “With the help of the community, we look forward to ensuring that our pollinators across Texas are supported for generations to come.”

Photo courtesy of SmartAsset

Austin-Round Rock has the best housing market for growth and stability, new study says

HOUSING MARKET REPORT

Despite concerns about housing prices and availability in the state, a new study deemed six major Texas metropolitan areas some of the best housing markets in the nation for their growth and stability. And the Texas Capitol city took the No. 1 spot.

In SmartAsset’s report, Austin-Round Rock earned its best housing market title due to its eye-watering 354 percent home price increase since 1998, which is vastly greater than any other area in the country.

Considering Austin’s population has just about doubled in the last two decades, the housing market’s skyrocketing growth was inevitable. The relocation of several tech companies to the city surely didn't hurt. Even Austin’s apartment construction has the highest growth rate in the nation.

Five other Texas metro areas also earned spots in the top 10 best housing markets, making it pretty clear why the Lone Star State has the sixth highest property tax rate in the U.S. Two west Texas markets, Midland and Odessa, ranked No. 2 and No. 7, respectively, with similar growth rates of 256 percent and 226 percent.

Dallas-Plano-Irving ranked just behind Odessa at No. 8 with a 213 percent growth rate. Home prices in Austin’s Hill Country neighbors San Antonio-New Braunfels have tripled since 1998, a 204 percent increase, earning them the No. 9 spot. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land rounded out the top 10 with a 203.90 percent growth rate.

The top 10 best housing markets for growth and stability are:

  • No. 1 – Austin-Round Rock
  • No. 2 – Midland, Texas
  • No. 3 – Boulder, Colorado
  • No. 4 – Fort Collins, Colorado
  • No. 5 – Kennewick-Richland, Washington
  • No. 6 – Rapid City, South Dakota
  • No. 7 – Odessa, Texas
  • No. 8 – Dallas-Plano-Irving
  • No. 9 – San Antonio-New Braunfels
  • No. 10 – Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land

The report looked at home value data from 400 nationwide metro areas between 1998 and 2022. Overall, home prices have grown an average of 154 percent since 1998.

Other Texas housing markets that earned spots in the report include Waco (No. 13), Fort Worth-Arlington-Grapevine (No. 14), San Angelo (No. 15), College Station-Bryan (No. 18), Sherman-Denison (No. 19), and Abilene (No. 20).

In a similar analysis of the worst housing markets for growth and stability, 13 out of 20 on the list are located in Michigan and Ohio. No Texas cities appear on the list.

The full report can be found on smartasset.com.

Photo by Cosmic Timetraveler on Unsplash

Austin's apartment construction rate is the highest in the nation, says new report

LAND OF MANY HIGH RISES

If you think new apartment buildings have been popping up nonstop all around the city within the last couple of years, you’d be right. The Austin-Round Rock metro area is experiencing one of the biggest apartment construction booms in the nation, in an effort to alleviate an ongoing affordability crisis.

But while increasing multi-family housing is solving part of the problem, long term it keeps homeownership out of arm’s reach for younger Americans. That’s according to a new report from apartment rental “matchmaker” and marketplace Apartment List.

Austin has spent decades building more housing for its residents, and 2022 saw the highest number – 18.3 – of new unit permits being issued per thousand residents. Austin’s rate is three times larger than the average rate in 50 of the largest American metros.

The top five cities that had highest number of new unit permits issued per 1,000 residents in 2022 include:

  • No. 1 – Austin (18.3)
  • No. 2 – Raleigh, North Carolina (14.9)
  • No. 3 – Jacksonville (14.1)
  • No. 4 – Orlando (10.7)
  • No. 5 – Houston (10.5)

In Apartment List’s comparison charts, 2021 saw the biggest-ever leap in Austin-Round Rock area housing units permitted for the year, with 24,000 single-family permits and 26,000 multi-family permits issued.

2022 saw a dramatic decrease in both housing options with 3,000 fewer multi-family permits being issued for the year, and 4,000 fewer single-family home permits.

Furthermore, a majority of those housing permits issued last year were not in the city, but in the surrounding area. Only 43 percent of 2022’s housing unit permits were issued in Austin proper, which is a six percent increase over 2021. This spells out the struggle for affordability the inner city has experienced in recent years.

The year that had the most housing permits issued in Austin proper versus the surrounding area was 2013, at 57 percent. Those percentages have dwindled into the 40s since then, with 2021 being the lowest in the last decade.

Austin’s apartment construction boom has not shown signs of slowing, even with concerns about single-family home buying, according to the report. The city has topped the per-capita permit activity ranks for six consecutive years, and has never been outside the top three since 2006.

The full report can be found on apartmentlist.com.

Photo by Holly Stratton on Unsplash

Test your cake decorating skills at this Austin suburb's sugar arts competition

SUGAR RUSH

Bakers and sugar enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are not gonna want to miss this local competition. Round Rock’s “That Takes the Cake!” sugar arts show and cake competition will be decorating some amazing treats and classes for the general public on March 31.

The competition is led by Capital Confectioners, a Greater Austin nonprofit that connects hobbyists and professionals in a network of people interested in sugar arts.

Competitors will bring their decorated cakes and sugar arts to enter in any of the four contests: the child/junior category, the divisional competition, the sugar showpiece, and the tasting contest. Winners will be chosen by a panel of industry renowned judges, and will be awarded medals, cash prizes, and more.

Several classes and challenges will also be available for spectators to participate in during the show's three-day weekend. Attendees can learn how to decorate cartoon-themed cakes, cookies, or learn how to craft sugar flowers.

For the challenge portion of the show, visitors will test their skills in real-time as they take on themed mystery cake decoration contests. Winners of the challenges in each session will win a $50 cash prize.

“That Takes the Cake!” will kick off March 31 and run until 6 pm on April 2 at the Round Rock Sports Center. More information about the show and competition can be found on their website.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Dip your toes into these 7 Austin pools with passes, snacks, and summer events; plus more top stories

hot headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From hotel pools, to museums, to a show-stopping Hill Country rental, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Dip your toes into these 7 Austin pools with passes, snacks, and summer events. The city is getting unreasonably hot again; It's time to start planning poolside hangs, which are even better with a cocktail.

2. Breathtaking Hill Country hideaway is one of Vrbo's top 10 vacation homes in the country. The retractable floor-to-ceiling glass windows are a nice touch in this $400-a-night house.

3. 6 Austin museums are offering free admission for military families all summer long. These organizations want to help military families spend more time together without breaking the bank.

4. Space-inspired screenings invade Austin Film Society ahead of Wes Anderson's upcoming release. Austinites looking forward to the June 16 release of Asteroid City can soak up the inspirations and watch a sneak peek screening.

5. Texas ranks No. 2 best state to start a small business in new report. The state's tax framework makes the finance side of running a business relatively easy.

4 Austin-inspired cocktail recipes to whisk you away from the Texas heat this summer

SIP SIP

Now that summer weather has arrived in Austin, we can tell you’re thirsting for some new drinks to try. And with World Gin Day coming up on June 10, we’re sharing a few recipes from local Austin restaurants (and Austin’s favorite Topo Chico!) we hope you’ll enjoy.

The following recipes feature some of our favorite ingredients or mixers we’re loving at the moment. Whether your drink of choice is a cocktail or mocktail, we’ve gathered four bright and bubbly beverages to help whisk you away from the Texas heat. And if you prefer to drink them rather than make them, three of these lovely libations can be found on the seasonal summer menus at their respective restaurant.

Aba’s Rhubarb Rose Gin and Tonic
This cocktail was created by Senior Beverage Manager Thomas Mizuno-Moore.

Ingredients:
½ oz lime juice
¼ oz honey syrup
½ oz Fruitful Mixology rhubarb liqueur
¾ oz Brockmans Gin
¾ oz Hendrick’s Flora Adora
2 oz tonic water
Rosebud tea, for garnish

Directions:

  • Combine lime juice, honey syrup, Fruitful Mixology rhubarb liqueur, Brockmans Gin and Hendrick’s Flora Adora in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake until cold.
  • Add tonic water to the shaker, then strain over fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass.
  • Garnish with rosebud tea and enjoy!

Blueberry Sparkler Mocktail by Topo ChicoBecause everyone needs a good go-to mocktail recipe in their life.Photo courtesy of Topo Chico

Blueberry Sparkler Mocktail by Topo Chico
This beverage might not be gin-themed, but it does make a great refreshing mocktail. If you don’t have Topo Chico Sabores on hand, you can substitute it with sparkling water.

Ingredients:
1 Blueberry Topo Chico Sabores
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
½ cup water
½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon slices and additional blueberries, for garnish

Blueberry Syrup Directions:

  • In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries are soft and the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the blueberry mixture to cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Once cooled, use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the blueberry mixture into a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids and set the blueberry syrup aside.

Mocktail Directions:

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 ounce of the blueberry syrup, and lemon juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled, about 15-20 seconds.
  • Fill a glass with ice and strain the mixture into the glass. Top off the glass with Blueberry Topo Chico Sabores (or sparkling water) and give it a gentle stir to mix.
  • Garnish with lemon slices and additional blueberries, if desired. Enjoy your refreshing Blueberry Sparkler!

Tillie's seasonal summer cocktailThis colorful cocktail is a lively take on a gin martini.Photo courtesy of Tillie's at Camp Lucy

Empress Gin Martini by Tillie’s at Camp Lucy
This martini recipe was developed by Paolo Lazarich, the mixologist for Abbey Row Restaurant at The Old Bell Hotel in the United Kingdom. Fun fact: Camp Lucy owners Kim and White Hanks also own The Old Bell Hotel, which is rumored to be England’s oldest hotel.

Ingredients:
3 oz Empress 1908 Gin
1 oz dry vermouth
Splash of lemon juice
Lemon and rosemary for garnish

Directions:

  • Add the Empress 1908 Gin, dry vermouth, and lemon juice to a glass and stir gently.
  • Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy.

\u200bSummertime Spritz by Dean's Italian Steakhouse There's nothing like a summer spritz.Photo courtesy of Dean's Italian Steakhouse

Summertime Spritz by Dean's Italian Steakhouse
This recipe is geared toward a mixologist who enjoys the little details that make a cocktail so unique, such as making their own oleo saccharum or curating the perfect flower as a garnish.

Ingredients:
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz strawberry oleo saccharum
¼ oz Aperol
¼ oz Giffard Abricot
1.5 oz Zephyr Gin
2 oz Brut champagne
1 each cocktail flower

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients except Brut champagne into a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously, about 15-20 seconds.
  • Fill a wine glass with ice and add the Brut. Fine strain the cocktail into the glass.
  • Garnish with the cocktail flower

Extravagant estate in West Austin hits the market for $4.25 million

ON THE MARKET

An imperial estate in the Lost Creek neighborhood of West Austin has become the latest addition to the city's stabilizing real estate market. The property was listed at $4.25 million.

The magnificent three-story home was originally built in 2009, making great use of Austin's Hill Country views that can be seen from every single room. The home spans 8,215 square feet on just over two acres of land, surrounded by lush trees and enclosed with a private gated entrance.

Natural light floods the inside of the home, highlighting intricate details and complimenting the high ceilings. The home boasts five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and three half-baths. The primary suite is reminiscent of an upscale resort, containing its own spa-like bathroom, walk-in closets, and access to a private balcony.

In the kitchen, the 60-inch wolf range is an aspiring chef's dream. The area has plenty of space and storage with its rich brown cabinets, a sub-zero refrigerator, a cabinet-mounted wine rack, two sinks, and more.

8105 Talbot Lane in AustinThe 60-inch wolf range is an aspiring chef's dream.Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

A few other highlights of the home include a game room, media room, terraces, and a resort-style pool deck with an accompanying hot tub, kitchen, and fire pit. The two-car garage also includes a guest suite above it, with a single bedroom, kitchenette, and half bath.

Looking into the property's history, it was listed in June 2022 for $4.9 million, which was reduced to $3.9 million by September. The home was reported as sold in October of that year before being re-listed for its current $4.25 million price in 2023.

8105 Talbot Lane in Austin

Photo courtesy of JPM Real Estate Photography

The estate is located at 8105 Talbot Lane in West Austin.

The estate is located at 8105 Talbot Lane, which is a brief 10 minutes from downtown Austin, and is zoned for the highly-esteemed Eanes Independent School District. The listing is held by agent Wade Giles of Douglas Elliman.