Hope House has provided a home and 24-hour care in Central Texas for children and adults with profound disabilities since 1966. The organization has reached its capacity, housing 35 adults and 16 foster children, with a waiting list stretching 10-12 years.

What’s next: Hope House broke ground in September on a new 54-acre property in Liberty Hill. The campus will feature 10 family-style homes and a community center, eventually housing up to 80 disabled adults.

Get involved: To support the expansion, the nonprofit launched the Community Chest fund to raise $35,000 before its annual HopeOpoly fundraising gala on Oct. 24 in Cedar Park. Hope House is also seeking volunteers for home improvement projects, resident activities and fundraising advocacy.

Clearwater Express Wash opened its first Leander location after taking over operations of the former BB Shine's Express Car Wash.

The update: Management of the car wash changed in early October, and it reopened Oct. 16 after a brief closure. Clearwater Express operates dozens of locations across Texas.  

Clearwater Express Wash offers a variety of wash types, waxes and seals. The business can wash vehicles measuring 7 feet 2 inches or shorter. The Leander location has added blowers and ensures pickup beds are clear before the wash. 

Members of BB Shine’s Express Car Wash will be able to keep their memberships under the new management, a representative from the business said.

• 11560 Hero Way W., Leander

Travelers this October, especially those for Formula 1, should prepare for long lines at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The details: Airport officials expect possible record-breaking busy days at the airport Oct. 22 through Oct. 27. The busiest day is anticipated to be Oct. 26, the day after the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on Oct. 25.

Going forward

Airport officials recommend the following tips to travelers:

• Arrive 2.5 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before departure for international flights

• Allow extra time for checking luggage, returning rental cars or parking before joining the security line

• Use either the upper level for departures or the lower level for arrivals when dropping off passengers

There are four security checkpoints leading to all gates. The first checkpoints open at 3 a.m..

The background: ABIA recorded its busiest month ever for passenger traffic in June, servicing 2,102,853 departing and arriving passengers. The second busiest month was recorded in July, with 2,102,655 departing and arriving passengers, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

Six events are happening in the Austin area from Oct. 23-25. These events include:

• The 34th Annual Clay Festival in New Braunfels on Oct. 24-25, featuring work from over 80 Texas artists.
• The 40th AIA Austin Homes Tour on Oct. 24-25, which is a self-guided tour showcasing the work of nine local architects.
• A Día de los Muertos celebration in downtown Georgetown on Oct. 24, featuring cultural performances, live music and artisan vendors.
• The 6th annual Common Ground Arts Festival in Bee Cave on Oct. 24, hosted by the nonprofit art gallery Contracommon.
• The 43rd annual Viva la Vida Festival & Parade in downtown Austin on Oct. 24, celebrating Día de los Muertos with a Grand Procession, traditional foods and live performances.
• The 21st annual Fall Fest in Bastrop on Oct. 25, a family festival featuring train rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house and a silent auction.