City officials formally dedicated the new pedestrian plaza next to Waterloo Park in recognition of Pike Powers, the attorney and lawmaker credited for his role in the growth of Austin's economy and technology ecosystem.

What happened: The plaza's dedication came months after City Council voted to rename a stretch of "Old" Red River Street in downtown's Innovation District to honor Powers, who died in 2021. Sponsor Mayor Kirk Watson called Powers "an influential leader in Austin’s tech boom" and a key reason for the city's rise in economic prominence—particularly for his roles in bringing technology initiatives like the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Consortium and SEMATECH to Austin.

The details: Years after it was closed to vehicle traffic as part of Red River Street's realignment, Pike Powers Plaza will now serve as a public gathering and event space adjacent to Waterloo Park. The city recently solicited public feedback on its potential uses and improvements, and final options for the plaza's future will be presented later this year.

Austinites can find a curated collection of independent magazines, art books, journals, design goods and stationery downtown at Tomo Mags.

The details: Tomo Mags was founded by Vico Puentes and began inside a restored school bus that traveled to different galleries, universities and coffee shops around Austin. In December, the concept opened its brick-and-mortar.

The Tomo Mags bus still makes appearances around the city. Those interested can find its schedule on the shop’s Instagram page.

Quote of note: “Tomo Mags is for creators, collectors, students, students of life and anyone who loves discovering something new,” the shop's website reads.

• 411 Brazos St., Ste. 101, Austin

While some individuals are interested in coping with experiences by enrolling in traditional one-on-one therapy sessions, others may be drawn to healing alongside a community.

Austin-based running club Good Grief has shaped an experience for community members to find solace in staying active while working through their grief with people going through similar situations.

The inspiration: The club was founded by Samantha Hendel who received news in 2022 of her mother’s lung cancer diagnosis. While trying to make sense of the news, a week later Hendel was notified her father had received a colon cancer diagnosis.

To cope with the news, Handel started running in addition to going to therapy. She said while run clubs were popular in the city, she wasn’t finding an exact space like the one she was looking for.

The local impact: Today, the group averages 100 people every Monday morning at Noble Joe’s Coffee Co. in South Austin.

Noble Joe Coffee Co., South Shore Eatery, 1620 E. Riverside Drive, Austin

Central Texas dentists have been feeling the effects of a nationwide shortage of dental hygienists, facing difficulties filling vacant positions to serve a growing number of patients

Zooming out: A 2019 study by the Texas Department of State Health Services projected that the demand for dental hygienists would outpace supply from 2018 to 2030. In Central Texas, the shortage of dental hygienists was projected to increase by 116.4% from 2018 to 2030, according to the report.

What they're saying: “As the population increases, new patients are coming into practices in Austin,” said Dr. Shailee Gupta, local dentist and member of Capital Area Dental Society. “Without the proper number of hygienists to go with these practices or community centers, there's no way to be able to meet that demand.”

The approach: To help counteract this shortage, Austin Community College opened an expanded dental hygiene clinic at its Eastview Campus this fall, nearly doubling the program’s annual cohort of students from 18 to 34.