Texas State Representatives Demand COVID-19 Vaccine Priority for Service Workers

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Texas State Representative Vicki Goodwin is spearheading an effort to prioritize COVID-19 vaccines for “those whose occupations require them to interact with people” — including teachers, grocery store workers, and food service workers. Vaccines are currently available to Group 1A, which is direct healthcare providers, residents at longterm care facilities, and those over 65 with chronic healthcare conditions. (The next group, Group 1B, is those over 65 or over 18 with a chronic healthcare condition.) Representative Goodwin delivered a letter signed by several other representatives to Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt, calling for the prioritization of these service workers, more equitable distribution to areas with Black and Latino populations, and more reporting clarity to the legislature about vaccination progress.

Austin Cake Decorating Expert’s New Show
Natalie Sideserf of Sideserf Cakes (creator of Baby Yoda cake, Via 313 pizza cake, and Willie Nelson’s head in cake form) is returning to the airwaves as a judge on Cakealike on Discovery+. In the show, teams of cake artists will attempt to create life-sized cake replicas of celebrities (the first episode, which aired January 4, includes a team from Austin). Sideserf is no stranger to TV, having previously hosted Texas Cake House on the Food Network.

Oregon-based Coffee Chain Expands to Round Rock
Black Rock Coffee is opening its second Austin location in Round Rock starting today, January 8. It will be located at 17220 N. RM 620 Rd, Suite 100 with drive-thru and carryout available.