🌱 Longhorns Headed To NCAA Tournament + Free Events For All Ages

Hello and good morning, everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend (and got to enjoy the refreshing, sunny weather!). It's Jessica, back with your new edition of the Austin Patch newsletter, complete with the most important local news and community updates.

Grab your morning java while we cover:

• Longhorn Men's Basketball Team is headed to the NCAA Men's Tournament!
• A vending machine selling ... old Austin relics? Keep scrolling for the scoop.
• The largest climbing gym in the Southwest officially landed in Austin.

But first, today's weather:

Decreasing clouds. High: 68 Low: 45.

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Here are the top stories today in Austin:

1) A recent survey shows that 73% of Austin ISD employees spend well over 30% of their salary on housing. The continually rising cost of living in the city is causing many teachers and staff members to leave Austin and consider leaving their jobs. KUT has more on what the district is doing to combat rising housing costs – check it out.

2) The University of Texas' Men's Basketball squad won its second-ever Big 12 Championship! The team is now headed to Iowa for the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will take on 15th-seeded Colgate on March 16. Head over to KXAN to learn more about what to expect from the Longhorns at March Madness.

3) Austin ISD wants community input during its superintendent search. AISD hired GR Recruiting to lead and guide the process of collecting community input. Community members are encouraged to complete the live survey (here) by Wednesday, March 15. Learn more about the district's search for its next superintendent here at Community Impact.

4) Just when I thought I'd seen it all at South by Southwest, one of this year's attractions is a vending machine that sells items from old Austin establishments the city lost to gentrification. The vending machine is set up inside the Paramount Theater. It's part of a project from a Texas nonprofit, E4 Youth, that works with underserved kids across Texas to help preserve the state's history. I need to go snag a vintage Victory Grill T-shirt! KVUE has more on this story here.

Today in Austin:

• (Free) Spring Break Boogie Kickoff (Day One) featuring A Giant Dog, SUSU, Iguana Death Cult, Why Bonnie, Razor Braids & more at Hotel Vegas. (1 p.m.)
• (Free) Austin Herb Society Presents: Basic Herb Gardening at Austin Public Library, Old Quarry Branch. (2 p.m.)
• Teen X Teen: Writer's Lab Guest: Teen Author at Austin Public Library, Central Branch. (2 p.m.)
• (Free) No Sleep No Hunger Fest at Hole in the Wall. (6 p.m.)
• (Free) We Have to Go Back Party Presented by Gowalla + Funsize at Mohawk. (6 p.m.)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Alamo Drafthouse, Slaughter Lane. (8 p.m.)

Community Chatter:

• 🍖 Hot Luck Fest is BACK! Aaron Franklin's annual culinary celebration is back, returning to Austin Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-28, and tickets are officially on sale! You won't want to miss this event. (CultureMap Austin)
• 🧗‍♀️ New climbing gym: Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness is the largest and tallest climbing gym in the Southwest, complete with 55-foot tall walls, a yoga studio, cardio and weight-lifting, a sauna and more, and is officially open in Southwest Austin. (Tribeza)
• 🔈 Local company moves the needle in audio innovation: Austin-based Brane Audio is changing the laws of physics in speaker tech with its new portable speaker. Brane is hosting a few events during SXSW, be sure to check them out. (Austin Chronicle).

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Featured events:

• Cedar Park Market Days (March 18)
• Shop For Prom Attire For FREE for Leander ISD Students (March 25)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Jessica Collins

About me: Jessica is happy to call Austin her home for the past 10+ years. She loves the outdoors, arts & cinema, dining, and all of the natural beauty that Central Texas has to offer.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Austin Patch newsletter? Contact me at DowntownAustin@patch.com