The Austin Empty Bowl Project is returning Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 to raise funds to support Central Texans facing food insecurity.

What to know: Since 1997, the project has hosted annual events where attendees purchase handcrafted bowls to enjoy soup in and proceeds benefit neighbors needing nourishing meals. The nonprofit has raised over $1.4 million since its launch, as stated in a news release.

Interested participants will have two chances to get involved with this year’s event:

Austin Empty Bowl Project Preview Party
Attendees can select a bowl of their choice, hors d’oeuvres, soup, bread, drinks and door prizes.

• Nov. 22, 6–9 p.m.
• $125 per person
• Central Texas Food Bank, 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin

• Nov. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• $30 donation per person
• Central Texas Food Bank, 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin

The Shoal Creek Conservancy, the nonprofit behind Austin’s historic Shoal Creek Trail, celebrated the installation of new lighting on the Sixth Street Bridge in downtown Austin on Nov. 12. Completed in partnership with the city of Austin, the project is part of an ongoing initiative to improve safety and accessibility for trail users.

The overview: The 11-mile trail, Austin’s first and oldest, stretches from Lady Bird Lake north toward The Domain. The new lighting brightens the trail beneath the bridge and the bridge’s sidewalk above, enhancing safety and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists, said Ivey Kaiser, the Conservancy’s executive director.

A closer look: This project kicks off a series of upgrades planned along Shoal Creek Trail, including expanded seating, trash and pet waste stations, new paths and future connections to regional trails. The work is supported by Austin’s Neighborhood Partnering Program and local donors, including Whole Foods Market. The neighborhood program highlights the community’s role in shaping public spaces.

Check out these businesses that are coming soon or celebrating anniversaries in East Austin. This list is not comprehensive.

Coming soon
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross of Central and South Texas is working to open a new regional headquarters in East Austin. The new center is expected to help the nonprofit better meet a growing need for blood donations, further support military families and veterans, and provide faster, more efficient responses during natural disasters and emergencies.

Big Al’s Pizza
The owners behind Hank’s restaurant, bar and cafe will open a pizza shop next door. The business will serve New York-style pizza offered whole and by the slice alongside salads and appetizers.

Mantle Thermal Haus
The new wellness center will feature a hot sauna and natural-stone cold plunge pool alongside a fire-lit lounge, red-light recovery lounge and coffee and smoothie bar.

Flowhouse
The studio will provide dance and fitness classes for children and adults of all skill levels, including barre, pilates and yoga instruction.

Here are the top Community Impact stories in the Austin area from Nov. 10-14.

1. Johnson Development planning 1,900-home community in Liberty Hill

2. Georgie’s restaurant in Georgetown serves up fresh seafood and cocktails

3. CI Foodie: Coffee, barbecue and more dining updates in Austin and nearby

4. Georgetown scraps Berry Creek Trail project due to resident feedback

5. Three Round Rock businesses slated for southwest corner of A.W. Grimes, E. Palm Valley boulevards

6. Proposed Skybox data center moves forward in Round Rock

Texas’ power grid will likely remain stable in December and January, recent reports from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas show. However, grid conditions could become tight if a winter storm hits large swaths of Texas, driving up demand for electricity.

The overview: ERCOT, which operates the electric grid for 90% of Texas, found in a Nov. 7 report that there should be “sufficient generating capacity available” to serve customers throughout January.

ERCOT forecasts that the tightest period this winter will be from 7-8 a.m. daily, when little to no solar power is being produced. During that time, ERCOT found the chances of a grid emergency are 1.81% in December and 1.4% in January.

More details: If a severe winter storm causes demand on the Texas grid to near record levels, there is a roughly 35% chance of a grid emergency in December and a less than 10% chance in January, ERCOT reported. Texans last experienced a grid emergency in September 2023, and the grid withstood three cold snaps in early 2025.