Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and soon Cedar Park residents will have a new opportunity to get in on the action.

The details: Apex Pickleball Club is aiming to open to the community Jan. 1, according to Nathan Parodi, Apex’s director of sales and marketing.

The 49,000-square-foot complex will feature 16 pickleball courts, professional coaches, locker rooms, private party rooms, a pro shop and a restaurant and bar called PickleDilly’s. Parodi said the restaurant will likely be open by mid-January.

The facility will also offer classes, tournaments and special events.

• 501 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park

Cedar Park City Council appointed a new temporary member to serve in its Place 6 seat at its Nov. 20 regular meeting.

Council appointed Petri Darby to the seat vacated by Heather Jefts in late October. Darby will serve out the remainder of Jefts’ term, which is set to expire in May.

More details: Darby works as the vice president of brand, creative and communications for the Charles Butt Foundation, and has served on multiple school district councils, bond steering committees and campaigns during his 11 years in the city. He is also the chair of Make-a-Wish Central & South Texas and serves on the board of Cedar Park’s Economic Development Sales Tax Corp.

Nonprofit organizations and churches will host free Thanksgiving meals across the Austin area, including events in Dripping Springs, Bastrop, Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown and more. Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved by reaching out to organizations directly. 

United Way for Greater Austin:  United Way for Greater Austin will host its annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing, providing the community with turkey and trimmings. 

• Nov. 25, 4-8 p.m.
• Free
• 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is moving forward with a set of permanent rules designed to prohibit the sale of consumable THC products to anyone under 21 years old.

The overview: The proposal is similar to emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, which are currently in effect and prohibit Texas alcohol retailers from selling intoxicating THC products to minors. The state health department adopted similar emergency rules in October.

The context: The existing and proposed THC rules are the result of a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

Earlier this month, federal lawmakers approved a ban on most consumable THC products, which is set to take effect in November 2026. The ban is part of a federal funding package that became law Nov. 12, ending a 43-day federal government shutdown.

Next steps: Texans can weigh in on the TABC's proposed permanent rules during a Dec. 11 virtual public hearing or submit written public comments through Jan. 4.