🌱 Students' Volunteer Tutoring App + $4.6M In Cleanup Contracts

Happy Friday, y'all! Elaine Thompson here, your host of the Round Rock Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening in town these days, including:

• $4.6 million approved to continue cleanup of ice storm Mara's damages.
• Poker pro lost a hefty $50,000 at Round Rock poker lodge.
• Round Rock ISD students created a free tutoring app.

But first, today's weather:

Only in Texas, would we be in shorts yesterday, and in jackets today!

Cloudy, a shower; cooler. High: 58 Low: 51.

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Here are the top stories today in Round Rock:

1. At Thursday's meeting, City Council approved $4.6 million in expenditures for the cleanup of the ice storm. A $3 million contract with TFR Enterprise will cover: brush collection and grinding and disposal services. A $1.5 million contract with Austin Wood Recycling will include hauling and grinding brush services. A $115,286.25 brush chipper was purchased. Mayor Craig Morgan said the city is about halfway through its initial brush pickup promise and will continue to finish up the project within several weeks. More details at City of Round Rock.
2. Poker pro and "political polling guru" Nate Silver lost about $50,000 at The Lodge Card Club in Round Rock. Tuesday was a day of approximately $28,000 in profits for Silver, but then his luck turned around on Wednesday during his hands with Jamie Kerstetter, Mariano and Brad Owen. After about five hours of playing, Silver ended up with a $47,000 loss. (PokerNews)
3. Three Round Rock ISD students created a free online tutoring space, where young tutors can log volunteer hours for their services. Anriuddh Mishra, Nikhil Devaraj and Aaditya Ganesan addressed the open market for online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and brought to fruition a tutoring app: Educationist. The trio's inspiration to start this app was Ganesan's observation of "severe inequality in education" in India. Their passion is to keep going and change education from being a commodity and instead, encourage a "love for learning." Watch the creators themselves on Round Rock ISD Facebook.

Today in Round Rock:

• Antique Gallery Round Rock Meets Austin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce at Antique Gallery Round Rock (11 a.m.)
• 2023 Round Rock Classic Kansas State vs. LSU ($33 +) at Dell Diamond (1 p.m.)
• Make Your Bed Duvet Cover Contest at IKEA (3 p.m.)
• Bean Bag Baseball at The Enclave at Round Rock (3 p.m.)
• Round Rock Men's Soccer vs. Manor at Round Rock High School (4:30 PM)
• Round Rock Ladies' Soccer vs. Manor at Round Rock High School (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• "The third annual Round Rock Baseball Classic is Feb. 24-26, pitting No. 1 LSU, Iowa, Kansas State and Sam Houston in a round-robin tournament at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas." Visit NCAA for where and how to stream the games!
• Round Rock ISD students and parents: "Use Home Access Center (HAC) to check grades, attendance, and schedules, set grade notifications, view and print report cards, request a transfer, contact staff, and more." (Round Rock ISD Facebook)
• Bus tour of Black history: "Dive into history and explore Round Rock’s past this Saturday, Feb. 25, on an educational and exciting bus tour hosted by the Round Rock Black History Organization!" (Round Rock, Texas – City Government Facebook)
• Infant formula recall warning! "The following has been recalled due to a possible health risk: Company: Reckitt Brand Name: Enfamil ProSobee Product Description: Enfamil Prosobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula in 12.9 oz containers" (Williamson County and Cities Health District Facebook)
• View Round Rock art exhibits: "Saturday Feb. 25th 10am - 3pm Open House @ Downtowner Gallery 10am-12pm Artist interviews, Coffee & Donuts 1pm-1:15pm Welcome Speech by Charlie Favret, President of Round Rock Arts 1:15- 1:30pm Awards Ceremony 1pm-2pm Drinks and Snacks 2..." (Round Rock Arts via Facebook)

Photo of the day:

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Featured events:

• The Life Story of Buddha Shakyamuni (February 25)
• RAD Talent & Singing SOULdiers at The Lucky Rabbit - 2/25 (February 25)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Elaine Thompson

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Round Rock Patch newsletter? Contact me at RoundRock@Patch.com