Allandale Neighbor

Tiny Angel Graffiti Tag

For those wondering about the little angel image painted around the neighborhood like graffiti, here the flyer explaining it. I have included a photo of the image painted on the corner of my driveway to the right. Click here to read the letter that accompanied the 

flyer about the image left at my door. It was delivered a few weeks ago. The angel image is small but apparently getting noticed. What do you think about it. Feel free to leave your comment about the new graffiti.

Do Not Steal the Turtles!

I posted the following from Linnea regarding removing turtles from Northwest Park back in May. There has been some recent discussion on the listserve about someone collecting turtles at the park over the weekend. Tom

Linnea Lemon

Several reports have drifted my way of turtles being removed from the pond in Northwest Park.

I spoke to PARD and Tim Cole of Austin Reptile Service. Both shared the following:

NNO is next Tuesday, October 6

View Click to view map of 2009 Allandale National Night Out block parties in a larger map

The 25th anniversary celebration of National Night Out is Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 6:00-9:00p.m. It is a great way to visit with neighbors and build awareness for neighborhood safety. Check to see if there is a NNO party on your block or send an email to allandalereporter@yahoo.com to have your NNO party listed. 

National Night Out is designed to:
* Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
* Generate support and participation in crime efforts.
* Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations.
* Send the message that your neighborhood is a safe place to live.

State Board of Education forum is on Saturday, October 3

The next State Board of Education forum is on Saturday, October 3, from 11:45am-1:15pm at the Yarborough branch library, here in Allandale (2200 Hancock Drive). 

The SBOE has 15 districts, and we've invited the expected major party candidates, Republicans and Democrats, from that district which includes all of Allandale, and adjacent neighborhoods.  Candidates will file in December of this year, with the primaries to be in March, and the election in November, of 2010.

it's Your Northwest Park Day! On Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 9am

Join us for an opportunity to volunteer and keep your neighborhood Beautiful! It's the right time of the year to cut down the cattails from the pond; it'd be great to get the canoes again.  Other volunteer opportunities include: Painting, brush removal from rock wall on west side of pond, trash pickup, edging around pond, removal of debris from island. Cleanup starts at 9:00 a.m. We plan on finishing by 1:00. For more information about Sunday's clean up contact Malcolm St. Romain. See you Sunday!

Minutes from September 2009 ANA General Meeting

General Membership Meeting Minutes Allandale Neighborhood Association
24 September 2009
DRAFT

The regular General Membership meeting of the Allandale Neighborhood Association (ANA) was held on Thursday, September 24, 2009, at 6:30 pm at Covenant Presbyterian Church, the President being in the chair and the Secretary being present*.  The minutes of the previous General Membership meeting (26 March 2009) were read and approved.

*Members Present:  Allan McMurtry, President; Joe Reynolds, Treasurer; Mary Jean Matus, Secretary; Donna Beth McCormick, Vice President; Paulette Kern; Peggy Maceo; Dan Diener, Diane Swinney; Laura DiCarlo; Mat Thompson; George Roman; Cynthia Keohane.

I.    Welcome

Fred Clement, Director of Administration Covenant Presbyterian, welcomed the ANA to Covenant Presbyterian, and invited anyone interested to a tour of their new facility after the meeting.

II.    Treasurer’s Report

Joe Reynolds gave the Treasurer’s report:

Current Balance$16,281.06Business$7,747.60Savings$6,534.00CD (12-17 mos)$2,000.00Net inflows/outflows 1/1/09 - 9/23/09:  $ - 1,467.16.

Joe presented a draft annual budget to be presented to the Executive Committee (EC) at the next EC meeting for their consideration/approval.

Allandale Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting tonight!

The Allandale Neighborhood Association will be having its General Membership Meeting Thursday, September 24, 2009, at 6:30. In addition to the regular meeting agenda, the membership will elect members to the Executive Committee. Please plan on attending. The meeting will be at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive. 

Agenda:
Read Minutes
Treasurer's Report
Tree maintenance
Bylaws
Replatting Issues
New Business
Old Business
Election of officers and EC
Adjourn

Is a neighborhood matching program a good idea?

An article in today's Austin American-Statesman reports the City is considering a proposal that would have neighborhoods share in the cost of neighborhood projects. Some people are against the idea. They argue that is why we pay taxes. Read "Proposal: City, residents could team up on area projects. A 'matching program' for sidewalk work, speed bumps would stretch city dollars, officials say," by Marty Toohey and leave a comment to this post (click on comment link below) on what you think about the idea. Allandale residents had some experience with this approach with the Northwest Park tree planting project that volunteers participated in the Spring.

Great Northern Dam Update

The modernization of the Great Northern Dam should be complete around Thanksgiving. The new sidewalk and maintenance road are mostly complete as are the spillway and large portions of the retaining walls. The City of Austin has temporarily closed part of the path between 

Shoal Creek Blvd. and the construction site. Folks are still able to reach the pedestrian bridge over MoPac by going through the neighborhood to Great Northern Blvd. and then using the new sidewalk to reach the pedestrian bridge.

Stephanie Lott
City of Austin

Web site redesign

I have just completed a redesign of this web site. In addition to the new layout, I have added a calendar, created a few more categories, activated a commenting feature, and added links to the Allandale Yahoo database. Your feedback is welcomed (leave a comment). My objective is to migrate the web site to include user-submitted entries. 

Sarah Pierce playing HAAM Benefit at 6:00

Just a quick note to let you know that we will be performing at the Austin Hilton - 500 East 4th Street - today (September 22nd) at 6P. We'll be in the lobby and will be playing in support of The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians - HAAM. HAAM Benefit Day is a uniquely Austin event where businesses donate 5% of the day's proceeds to HAAM to support local musicians' health. We are proud to have been invited to be a part of this day of celebration and want to invite you ALL to come out and help us make the day a complete success. We will be joined by Kim Miller with Karen Mall and Will Taylor (5P) and then the incredible Tejana Dames will close the show at 7P.

Violet Crown Fall Festival - November 14

On Saturday, November 14, join us to celebrate the Brentwood and Crestview communities at the Violet Crown Fall Festival. The event will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Crestview Shopping Center, 7100 Woodrow Avenue.

Austin Interactive Town Hall Meeting

Austin Energy Interactive Town Hall Meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the Council Chambers in Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second Street from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm.

On Thursday Night's ANA General Membership Agenda

Progress on detention pond project

Here is a photo of a walkway recently added to the Great Northern detention project as a part of the improvements. The entrance to the Far West bridge over MoPac from Shoal Creek is closed but people can still enter using this new walkway. Half way up is what looks to be an small overlook area. Assuming it will include a bench when finished, it should be a nice place to hang out and enjoy the outdoors.