Citizens of Austin, the Mayor's Book Club has made its 6th annual selection and your compulsory reading assignment for Spring 2007 is Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana by Stephanie Elizondo Griest. A part of the Austin Public Library's Keep Austin Reading program, the goal of the Mayor's Book Club is "to to develop a community experience through reading and discussion of a shared book." No need to mail book reports into City Hall, reading Around the Bloc really isn't compulsory, but it is highly recommended. more ›

Austin's Public Information Office yesterday released details of the city's holiday schedules, reiterated below: City administrative offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, and Monday, Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday and Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, for New Year’s. Pay-As-You-Throw customers will receive services as normal for garbage, recycling and yard trimming collection. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility will be closed the week of Dec. 26. Normal schedule will resume on Tuesday, Jan.... more ›