What does Fort Worth's Magnolia Avenue, the Concho River Walk in San Angelo, and Downtown Georgetown all have in common? They were designated Great Places in Texas!

Great Places in Texas recognizes the Lone Star’s Great Places – neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces – and celebrate how planning has played a vital role where we live, work, and play. The program promotes and recognizes great places while celebrating stories of exemplary planning that have resulted in stronger and healthier communities. Do you have a place in your community that has a great planning story? Submit it today! There is no application fee.

Download the Application and Learn More about the Process and Criteria

Deadline for Applications: December 14th

Patrick Walsh, Director of Planning for the City of Houston, lost his courageous battle against glioblastoma brain cancer on Friday, November 23, 2018. He was 45 years old.

Pat found his professional passion in urban planning, and spent the past five years as Director of the City of Houston's Planning and Development Department, proudly serving both Mayor Parker and Mayor Turner. Pat was the driving force behind the passing of Houston's first general plan, Plan Houston. He was also involved in the first update to the City's Bike Plan in decades, ensuring improved facilities for Houston's bike riders for many years to come.

Houston's dog owners know Pat as the founder of Paws on Patios. In 2011 he led the campaign to change the City's health codes to allow four-legged friends on restaurant patios. Pat loved dogs and spent many happy hours running through Memorial Park with Goose.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Julian Walsh Trust that has been established for Julian's future educational needs, sent to 1834 Marshall Street, Houston, Texas 77098 or make a donation to a charity of your choosing. A celebration service will be held at the Emancipation Park Community Center on December 14, 2018, at 10 am.

Due to an unforeseen circumstance, the 2019 APA Texas Chapter Annual Conference and Short Course for Elected and Appointed Officials will now take place on November 6-8, 2019. Please mark your calendars! Visit the conference website at www.APATX19.com for more information about #APATX19. Featured speakers are already available on the website.

Title: Planner and HIstoric Preservation Officer

Hayden Brodowsky has worked for the City of Abilene for two years, one year as a planner and one year as an intern to the Assistant City Manager. Originally from Lancaster, California, Hayden is a recent graduate of Abilene Christian University and is currently obtaining his Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. Hayden enjoys project management or any projects that require public engagement.

Congress is racing to complete ongoing work on a number of pressing issues, including appropriations, before the end of the year. The FY 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) bill, still needs to pass both chambers of Congress before December 7 to prevent a partial government shutdown.

View more info here!

APA is excited to announce that our new, online education platform, APA Learn is now available! Start your new learning experience browsing the catalog of over 375 courses with topics ranging from A(ffordable housing) to Z(oning). If you’re looking to log AICP Certification Maintenance credits, APA Learn’s seamless CM logging feature will come in handy. APA members also receive special pricing. Wherever you are in your planning career, APA Learn has the right education at the right price to help you make great communities. Learn more

Earlier this year, APATX announced its partnership with Chet Garner, creator, executive producer, writer, editor and host of of The Daytripper, to assist in increasing the exposure of Great Places in Texas - and to tell the planning story. Last month, Chet visited Downtown McKinney which was named a Great Place in Texas in 2017. During the video, Chet interviews Guy Giersch, Historic Preservation Officer with the City of McKinney, to learn why this place is unique. The video has gained over 68,000 views!

In October, Chet posted a video visiting Downtown Bryan, which was named a Great Place in Texas in 2018. This video has gained over 56,000 views!

Is AICP certification high on your to-do list? Your next opportunity to apply for AICP certification is December 3 — through 28. Apply by the early-bird submission deadline of December 10 and, if your application is denied, you'll be able to address noted issues and resubmit for the same exam. Use the AICP Guide Part 1: Certification Application to set yourself up for success. Questions? Email aicpexam@planning.org.

APATX also has many resources including "Top Ten Tips for Passing the AICP" to help you prepare for the AICP exam. Stay tuned for information regarding workshops and exam scholarships!

Be sure to stay engaged with your fellow Texas planners and watch out for opportunities to earn entries into monthly drawings for a gift card!

Log your eligible actions here! The list of eligible actions per month will be updated on the first of the month and shared frequently throughout the month on the Chapter's social media platforms!

• Review and comment on proposed amendments to the APA bylaws by December 7.
• Nominate for APA Student Project Awards and Outstanding Planning Student Organization Awards by December 12.
• Take the survey on planning skills for small communities by January 31.