TRAVIS COUNTY
AUSTIN
Airport to offer carbon offsets
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will offer carbon offsets to help make air travel more sustainable.
Through the Good Traveler program, a $2 contribution purchases carbon offsets for 1,000 miles of flying. Air travelers may select what projects their contribution funds, with options such as funding wind farms; a forestry project offsetting 344 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent; the Colorado Delta Restoration project; or offsets reducing emissions from deforestation in the Congo and Zambia.
The program was launched a year ago by San Diego International Airport. Austin’s airport is among the first to pilot the program’s expansion.
To participate: www.abia.org; thegoodtraveler.org.
— American-Statesman staff
HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY
Unity breakfast on Jan. 14
The Huston-Tillotson University Alumni Austin Chapter will host its Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 14.
The breakfast will be in the Davage-Durden Student Union dining hall at Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The featured speaker will be San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor.
Tickets are $50. To purchase tickets, visit htu.edu, click donate and type "MLK breakfast" into the comment text field.
For more information: 512-914-5902.
— American-Statesman staff
WILLIAMSON COUNTY
HUTTO
Mayors forum Wednesday
The Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a regional mayors forum at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center, 1600 Innovation Blvd.
Featured speakers at the luncheon include mayors Doug Gaul of Hutto, Jesse Ancira Jr. of Taylor, Dale Ross of Georgetown, Matt Powell of Cedar Park, Jeff Coleman of Pflugerville and Round Rock Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Morgan.
The registration cost is $15 by Friday or $20 at the door.
To register: bit.ly/2j4CCzv.
— American-Statesman staff
HAYS COUNTY
BUDA
Fire departments receive grants
The Buda Fire Department recently received a $7,500 grant for new emergency response equipment through the Helping Heroes program by Flint Hills Resources, a refining company that has a fuel terminal in Buda.
The South Hays Fire Department/Hays County Emergency Services District #3 was awarded $1,000 through the same program.
“Buda Fire Department is honored to receive a Helping Heroes grant from Flint Hills Resources,” Buda Fire Chief Clay Huckaby said in a statement. “Grants such as these allow us to acquire life safety equipment that will better prepare the department to protect the community in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.”
Flint Hills Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries, and the Koch Pipeline Company have awarded $700,000 in such grants across Texas since starting the Helping Heroes program in 2012. Applications are accepted annually and recipients are selected by a team of safety experts.
“The Helping Heroes program gives us the ability to say thank you to our very deserving first responders,” said Kevin Coon, Flint Hills Resources’ Buda terminal manager, in a prepared release. “These individuals risk their lives to help keep our community safe and we are very grateful to them.”
— American-Statesman staff
SAN MARCOS
Library hosts free yoga class
The San Marcos Public Library, at 625 E. Hopkins St., will host a free yoga class at 6 p.m. on the first Thursdays of the month from January to April.
Classes are available to all skill levels, and children are welcome. No registration is necessary.
For more information: 512-393-8200.
— American-Statesman staff
BASTROP COUNTY
First Friday Art Walk continues
The monthly First Friday Art Walk will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday in downtown Bastrop.
Various galleries, artists, restaurants, shops and small businesses will participate in holiday festivities, including live music and refreshments.
Featured artists and events include jewelry creations by Dawn Sears at Donna’s by Design, 926 Main St.; an art show at the Lost Pines Art Center, 1204 Chestnut St.; a one-year anniversary celebration at Studio Espavo, 924 Main St.; and Mary Foley at the Branding Shop, 1010 Main St.
During the art walk, child care for ages 7 and younger will be offered at the First United Methodist Church of Bastrop, 1201 Main St., for $15 for the first child, $5 for the second and free for additional siblings. Dinner is provided, and reservations are required by calling 512-321-2201.
For more information on the art walk: bastropdowntown.com.
— American-Statesman staff
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