What’s Up, College Station?

In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” Transportation and Mobility Planner Carl Ahrens shares how his childhood passion for SimCity and early experiences with traffic congestion inspired his career in urban planning. The conversation centers on Biketober, an 8.6-mile community bike ride on Saturday, Oct. 10, highlighting the longstanding Sister City relationship between College Station, Bryan and Greifswald, Germany.

The grant-funded event features a casual, family-friendly ride with a stop at the City of Bryan's Farmers Market, along with food trucks, music, and educational safety activities. Ultimately, the event aims to foster community connection, celebrate German culture, and showcase cycling as a practical option for everyday travel.

Ahrens also highlights safety tips like wearing helmets and performing pre-ride checks, while encouraging residents to gradually swap vehicle trips for active transportation.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” Assistant Director of Economic Development Brian Piscacek discusses the City's new "Shape College Station" survey campaign. The interactive survey lets residents vote for and submit their preferred new businesses — starting with restaurants — and updates live every 24 hours to help guide local retail recruitment.

While top-voted concepts like Waffle House and In-N-Out are not guaranteed to open, the real-time data helps economic developers demonstrate local demand to businesses, developers, and site selectors. Piscacek emphasized that retail recruitment requires strategic outreach and patience, as bringing new "eatertainment" and family-friendly concepts to a growing community often takes years.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” University and Community Relations Manager Barbara Moore discusses the upcoming College Station Christmas Parade on Dec. 5. The event offers a feel-good opportunity for residents and local organizations to showcase their community spirit and celebrate the holiday season together.

Registration is open and is completely free for local businesses, schools, and community groups, though early registration is strongly encouraged before the Nov. 6 deadline.

Moore explains that planning for the annual tradition begins months in advance and requires extensive coordination across city departments, including police, fire, and traffic operations.  The parade welcomes entries of all sizes — from decorated trucks to marching groups — with the only strict rule being that no duplicate Santas are permitted since the official Santa makes an appearance.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” Parks and Recreation Activities Assistant Patrick Lewis spotlights family-friendly outdoor activities at the Gary Halter Nature Center and Lick Creek Park, including free wildflower seed giveaways, camping, and a beginner-friendly Dungeons & Dragons campaign.

A season highlight is the Haunted Hike, an after-dark adventure featuring local cryptid themes, festive trail activities, and spooky s'mores designed for ages 13 and up. Patrick emphasizes his personal pride in serving his hometown and creating memorable experiences for local families through these engaging community programs.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” Deputy City Secretary Ian Whittenton discusses the role of local government committees, boards, and commissions, as well as the upcoming election season. He highlights how resident involvement provides essential input to the City Council on key community issues, ranging from solid waste management to housing initiatives.

Whittenton also details the application process and details for the upcoming CBC 101 informational seminar hosted at City Hall, and provides critical election guidance, including key registration deadlines, early voting dates, and resources for prospective voters.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” Visit College Station Events Coordinator Sadie Martinez discusses the launch of the inaugural College Station Restaurant Week, running Aug. 24-30. Featuring eight local restaurants, the event offers diners a special three-course Prix Fixe menu at set prices to showcase the area's diverse culinary scene.

Additionally, 10% of proceeds will benefit the Brazos Valley Food Bank, allowing community members to give back while trying new dining options. The initiative aims to drive foot traffic to local businesses and establish a lasting tradition for College Station.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” the Gary Halter Nature Center's Laurie Brown discusses local birding and conservation efforts, highlighting College Station's designation as one of 16 Bird Cities in Texas. She also explains how staff played bird calls and lit up trees to lure roughly 25,000 migrating purple martins away from dangerous urban spots to safer roosting areas in John Crompton Park.

Laurie covers city programs tackling invasive plants, the seasonal "Lights Out" migration drive, and ways residents can get involved through local hikes and the iNaturalist app.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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In this week’s episode of "What's Up, College Station?,” Neighborhood and Community Relations Coordinator Taitelyn Morris-Wise breaks down what students need to know before moving, including lease tips, City ordinances vs. HOA restrictions, and the importance of neighbor relations.

She also highlights key civic engagement initiatives such as Citizens University, the Future Leaders Program, and support for local HOAs, while previewing the upcoming Neighborhood Partnership Workshop for volunteer neighborhood leaders.

>> Read the Accessible Transcript

The "What's Up, College Station?" podcast is available weekly on Podbean, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon/Audible. Please subscribe, rate, and recommend!

If you have a suggestion for a future topic or interview, email ckillian@cstx.gov.

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