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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

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ERCOT prepping for winter electric demand

The grid operator has been closely watched since mass outages in 2021.

News

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's vice-presidential chances

A prolific fundraiser, the border governor is a Trump loyalist.

Politics

Texas kids losing Medicaid insurance in overwhelmed system

Lapsed coverage means kids miss emergency medical care.

Texas' strongest THC gummy hits the market

It's 50% stronger than the strongest legal edibles previously available.

Health

When that funny co-worker does stand-up

We asked the comedian about whether Austin is funny.

We all have a funny co-worker, but very few of them get a comedy special on Amazon Prime.What&#x27;s happening: Brian Gaar performs at 7pm Monday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at the Far Out Lounge" data-vars-click-url="http://www.thefaroutaustin.com/eventDetails.html#-NjPl8-IWoFXyh9Hh5oY" data-vars-content-id="6535949d-65f1-4b38-b4db-8c5351acf52e" data-vars-headline="When that funny co-worker does stand-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.thefaroutaustin.com/eventDetails.html#-NjPl8-IWoFXyh9Hh5oY" target="_blank">at the Far Out Lounge</a>.

Things to do in Austin this week

Things to Do

Here&#x27;s what&#x27;s on tap, including picks for those of you staying in town over Thanksgiving.🌳 Experience &quot;Forest Bathing,&quot; an immersive outdoor experience, at Pease Park&#x27;s Kingsbury Commons <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from 4-6pm Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-with-gratitude-a-forest-bathing-experience-tickets-690383203747?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" data-vars-content-id="26d14954-df55-4292-bf0c-62fed2f30470" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Austin this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-with-gratitude-a-forest-bathing-experience-tickets-690383203747?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank">from 4-6pm Tuesday</a>. Free.

Illustration of a the bottom half of a turkey in running shoes

What to do this weekend in Austin

It&#x27;s shaping up to be a gorgeous weekend, and there&#x27;s plenty to do around town. Here&#x27;s what we&#x27;re eyeing for some fun:Check out performers from the Women in Jazz Festival on Friday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at the Elephant Room" data-vars-click-url="https://elephantroom.com/event/5286417/655976496/women-in-jazz-festival" data-vars-content-id="362f0943-63c7-43c0-b58b-d92fcc259fe2" data-vars-headline="What to do this weekend in Austin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://elephantroom.com/event/5286417/655976496/women-in-jazz-festival" target="_blank">at the Elephant Room</a> starting at 9pm. $7.

Illustration of a cherry pie with "weekend" cut out of the crust. 

Aspiring chefs to make debut at Playground ATX

The new site will help aspiring restauranteurs to test their concepts.

Business

Playground ATX, a restaurant launchpad that will rotate culinary talent every six months, opened this week at 5001 Airport Blvd.Why it matters: In a city facing endless restaurant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/09/22/austin-24-hour-diners-disappear" data-vars-content-id="09336038-030d-4f81-8b13-32839b0281ed" data-vars-headline="Aspiring chefs to make debut at Playground ATX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/09/22/austin-24-hour-diners-disappear" target="_self">closures</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="longtime favorites" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/01/25/south-austin-panaderia-closing-la-mexicana" data-vars-content-id="09336038-030d-4f81-8b13-32839b0281ed" data-vars-headline="Aspiring chefs to make debut at Playground ATX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2022/01/25/south-austin-panaderia-closing-la-mexicana" target="_self">longtime favorites</a>, hospitality veterans Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky and Katie Kim say the new concept will help aspiring restaurateurs test and refine their ideas before attempting to open their own brick-and-mortar spaces.

When to rake in Austin

The benefits of leaving your leaves might be more than you think.

Fall is here, and leaf season is upon us.What&#x27;s happening: If you aren&#x27;t already dealing with leaves in your yard, you will be soon.

Illustration of a fall leaf holding a pumpkin spice latte. 

Where to get that turkey to go

Here are four spots that offer Thanksgiving meals.

Food and Drink

We get it. You just don&#x27;t feel like making a turkey from scratch.<ul><li>We&#x27;re here to tell you that doesn&#x27;t make you a bad person.</li></ul>

A Texas Thanksgiving, South Indian style

A key dish is a green bean casserole paired with a naan croissant.

We caught up with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deepa Shridhar" data-vars-click-url="https://siccpalette.substack.com/" data-vars-content-id="79c21bb9-b96a-4d37-9495-ce437de4c4a5" data-vars-headline="A Texas Thanksgiving, South Indian style" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://siccpalette.substack.com/" target="_blank">Deepa Shridhar</a>, the chef behind the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Tamilian Texan Kitchen" data-vars-click-url="https://siccpalette.thetrainingkitchen.org/#splash-tabs%7C0" data-vars-content-id="79c21bb9-b96a-4d37-9495-ce437de4c4a5" data-vars-headline="A Texas Thanksgiving, South Indian style" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://siccpalette.thetrainingkitchen.org/#splash-tabs%7C0" target="_blank"> Tamilian Texan Kitchen</a>, a dinner series typically featuring a South India-meets-Texas menu, to ask about her Thanksgiving offerings.<ul><li>Shridhar, whose family is from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and who grew up in the Dallas suburb of Garland, moved to Austin in 2011 and started as a dishwasher at Jesse Griffiths&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dai Due" data-vars-click-url="https://www.daidue.com/" data-vars-content-id="79c21bb9-b96a-4d37-9495-ce437de4c4a5" data-vars-headline="A Texas Thanksgiving, South Indian style" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.daidue.com/" target="_blank">Dai Due</a> before working her way up in the restaurant industry, including a stop at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lenoir" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lenoirrestaurant.com/" data-vars-content-id="79c21bb9-b96a-4d37-9495-ce437de4c4a5" data-vars-headline="A Texas Thanksgiving, South Indian style" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lenoirrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Lenoir</a>.</li></ul>

Things to do in Austin, Nov. 6-9

Here are some of our picks for things to do in Austin this week.🎸 Learn to sing, play guitar and write songs at the Windsor Park branch of the Austin Public Library, 4-5:15pm tonight, for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beginners" data-vars-click-url="https://library.austintexas.gov/event/music/beginner-voice-guitar-songwriting-lessons-7731037" data-vars-content-id="6d050a12-233a-4173-88c9-ebe215be2688" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Austin, Nov. 6-9" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.austintexas.gov/event/music/beginner-voice-guitar-songwriting-lessons-7731037" target="_blank">beginners</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="intermediate" data-vars-click-url="https://library.austintexas.gov/event/music/intermediate-voice-guitar-songwriting-lessons-7731755" data-vars-content-id="6d050a12-233a-4173-88c9-ebe215be2688" data-vars-headline="Things to do in Austin, Nov. 6-9" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.austintexas.gov/event/music/intermediate-voice-guitar-songwriting-lessons-7731755" target="_blank">intermediate</a> learners. Free.

Illustration of a pair of Aviator sunglasses with a calendar reflected in the lenses.

Speakeasy Trona opens in East Austin

The cocktail bar's seasonal drink menu highlights tequilas, mezcals, natural wines and Japanese whisky.

We recently stopped by Trona, a new East Austin speakeasy from local restaurateur Tatanka Guerrero.The big picture: Newly formed hospitality management collective Dreamers &amp; Doers opened the concept at 1812 E. 12th St. last week.

Seven Spirits serves up cocktails, food

The new spot is perfect for an evening on the patio.

On a quest to finally see what replaced Mexican restaurant Takoba, we headed to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seven Spirits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/sevenspiritsaustin/" data-vars-content-id="df164340-531a-4a1e-83df-a3e1497badd3" data-vars-headline="Seven Spirits serves up cocktails, food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/sevenspiritsaustin/" target="_blank">Seven Spirits</a> for a cocktail and food.Details: The counter-service bar, which opened in July, is run by Takoba and El Tacorrido owner Jose de Loera.

Things to Do 🗓