window on windsor august 2014
DESCRIPTION
Newsletter for Windsor Park Neighborhood Association, Austin, TXTRANSCRIPT
Published Monthly by the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association • Austin, Texas
WINDOW on WINDSORVol XXXIII No. 8
August 2014
Windsor Park Neighborhood
Association Meeting
Saturday, Aug 9 at 10 a.m.
Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Dr.
We serve LOCALFair Trade coff ee
from Trianon Roasting Co.!
Windsor ParkContact Info
Website: www.Windsorpark.info
Email:president@
windsorpark.info
Newsgroup: groups.yahoo.com/group/windsorpark/
Follow us on Facebook!
WindsorParkAustinTx
Submissions to the newsletter are due by the 15th of each
month. Email them to:
LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE FOG OF GROWTHby Martin Luecke, WPNA President
No less than seven city council and mayoral candidates made an appearance at the July WPNA meeting, dutifully pretending they were very interested in what we do on Saturdays at ten in the morning. I know that sounds crass, but I can’t help but think they are all required by their decision to run for offi ce to suddenly attend meetings like ours. My question always is: where were you last year?
Until the 10-1 city council system was voted into existence, none of these candidates ever attended a single WPNA meeting. Granted, most of them don’t actually live in Windsor Park, but when you look you will fi nd only a few involved in some kind of community leadership predating 2012.
Don’t get me wrong. I am happy there are people actually wanting to put themselves through the torture of electoral politics. All the glad-handing and toothy smiling and intent listening are, I’m sure, excellent skills. But after witnessing the very short political messages from these candidates, I had one question: where is the leadership?
Austin is in the middle of an extraordinary period of change, some of it not so pleasant, and what we need are people who know something about where to take this city. With 110 people moving here every day, we are offi cially overrun by our coolness, and we need representa-tives who have some sort of grasp on reality. All this unfettered growth, with the real estate market going insane, along with property tax values, is a runaway train. But that’s econom-ics. What about survival?
It is bad business to talk about our biggest problem of all: water. None of these candidates have a true idea of how precarious our water situation really is, or they would be talking about it. Even with the rainy winter and spring and summer Lake Travis is still two-thirds empty with no recharge in sight. And don’t look now, but Round Rock is about to turn on a nine-foot straw in that empty lake. Terrifying. It is clear our growth must be slowed due to our lack of water. It is the only democratic way to stem this unsustainable expansion.
So when you see candidates out and about, ask them what they plan to do about our lack of water, and see if they have any ideas regarding steering us from disaster. Hopefully some-body will demonstrate some leadership.
Donate to a good cause in our Windsor Park Community! See windsorpark.info for details.
August - page 2
2014 Habitat Challenge Open to All: New Urban Habitats and Previously NWF Certifi ed HabitatsJeanette Swenson
Thanks to those of you who have already newly certifi ed your yard as a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) certifi ed urban habitat for the 2014 Wildlife Austin Habitat Challenge! Windsor Park now has at least 150 certifi ed yards, and we can pride ourselves on transforming Windsor Park into a green urban habitat. The basics are: Provide water sources, food sources from native plants, shelter/cover, nesting places. Windsor Park is an older neighborhood, and our yards already have most of the four. If you have a creek, it’s a water source! To certify your yard as a new habitat, request a City of Austin pre-paid application before November 15, 2014. Call 512-978-2606 or go the website: http://www.austintexas.gov/department.wildlife-austin. This year, Wildlife Austin is encouraging public spaces to certify. For example, our churches, library, fi re station, and commercial areas are all eligible. Last year, WPNA certifi ed the splash pad landscaping. This year we will certify the native landscaping at the Bartholomew Park Pool, installed by PARD. Take a few minutes in your yard to complete your application, return it to Wildlife Austin. You can also certify directly at National Wildlife Federation: www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife and pay the $20.00 fee.
For those of you who have certifi ed over the past fi ve years and always ask if you need to re-certify, you don’t. Your yard is certifi ed for life. However, the 2014 Habitat Challenge has a new opportunity – FREE – for you, and it contributes to our 2014 yard count. Best news is that it focuses on making sure that our yards are pollinator gardens. Pollinators are in decline, and providing basics to your yard will attract pollinators to our neighborhood. The basics are: provide a SHALLOW water source; have a diversity of nectar/pollen sources; safeguard your pollinator habitat by removing or preventing invasive plants and avoiding pesticides; and provide shelter for nesting and overwintering. (I checked my yard and found that it’s already qualifi ed as a Pollinator Garden after I added shallow sources of water.) To certify your already-certifi ed yard: request the Pollinator Garden Requirements for Neighborhood Habitat Challenge 2014 from Wildlife Austin: [email protected]. Complete the form—it’s a daunting 4 pages of mostly checklists, so I’m not printing it in Window on Windsor, but will have copies at WPNA meetings. Submit the form to [email protected] by November 15, 2014. To complete the application you will need to know your watershed: http://www.austintexas.gov/GIS/FindYourWatershed. If you have questions, please contact Jeanette Swenson, [email protected] or call 512-627-1295. Thank you for taking the extra steps to continue to upgrade our urban habitat.
Conversation topics forAugust 2014
FREEto the public!
Monday, August 4 at 7:00 PM
Monday, August 18 at 7:00 PM
https://www.facebook.com/LifetreeAustin
Monday, August 25 at 7:00 PM
Building 400 at Hope Lutheran Church (Corner of North Hampton and Northeast Dr.)
Monday, August 11 at 7:00 PM
Getting past the pain of an absent dad
Why would a caring God bless some and not others?
Facing unresolved
family issues
Turning disasters into opportunities
Understanding radical Islam
How a Hollywood millionaire walked away from it all
DAVID THORESENREALTOR Certified Residential Specialist
Experience
Knowledge
Professionalism
A PLR Affiliate
August - page 3
August 2014 Yard of the MonthSara Jane Lee
The August winners are Jason and Lauren Hicks of 1601 Glenvalley Drive. Earlier this year they revamped their front yard removing a giant hedge and adding xeric plants. They replaced the St. Augustine in one part of the yard with small grey rocks. Low concrete walls divide the yard into sections and provide a small somewhat private space allowing the Hicks to sit and watch the world go by. They also have large steel planters near the house. Large concrete slabs provide a walkway and divide the yard between St. Augustine grass and a xeric garden. Steel bands are used to edge the lawn and divide the garden space into smaller areas. Matthew Gatewood Designs planned the garden, helped with planting, and installed the concrete walls, steel planters, and the walkway.
They love the two 60-year-old Live Oaks in their yard and are grateful to the owner who planted them instead of Arizona ashes. Since Jason is a cactus and succulent fan, they had Spineless Prickly Pear as well as Yuccas, and small Agaves. They added Manfreda, Bamboo Muhly, Ghost Plant, Firecracker Fern, Mexican Feathergrass, Sedum Autumn Joy, Red Aloe, Horsetail Reed, and several Cacti in pots; these include Golden Barrel Cactus and Pencil Cactus.
Since many of the plants are fairly new, Jason waters about once a week if it has not rained. They hope that by fall, they will not have to water them.
They advise those who still have Arizona ashes to plant oaks and other good shade trees in addition to the ash trees. That way when the ash craters, there is already a replacement tree growing there. Plant varieties appropriate to Austin’s planting zone. Plant tender specimens in pots so that they can be moved to protected places during cold weather.
Jason and Lauren will receive a $50.00 gift certifi cate from our sponsor, Shoal Creek Nursery, 2710 Hancock Drive.
Do you like a certain yard, or yards, in the neighborhood? You can nominate more than one. Tell us. We cannot visit every yard in the neighborhood every month. We may not have seen your great yard. Don’t be humble. We love to get nominations. To nominate a yard or yards, e-mail me at [email protected], call 928-0681 or write WPNA YOMC, P O Box 16183, Austin, Texas 78761.
Joe Hernandez, (512) 657-8895 COMPLETE REMODELING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR NEW ROOFS/ROOF REPAIRS FENCING AND DECKING TILING , PAINTING [email protected] References available
PLUMBING WATER HEATERS LEAKY FAUCETS DRAIN REPAIRS ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT REPAIRS CEILING FANS LIGHT FIXTURES HOUSE LEVELING
the neighborhood REALTOR
TROY HANNAABR, CRS, GRI, SRS, MBA
512-659-7093
BUYING, SELLING, LEASING ANDPROPERTY MANAGEMENT
If the job calls for fast professional printing or duplicating, you need:
G&F Discount Printing Austin, TX 78723
512-929-0585
August - page 4
FASTER INTERNET UNBELIEVABLE PRICE
• Up to 50 Mbps download• Up to 5 Mbps upload • Cable modem rental included • Antivirus included• Use all of your devices online at once
• HD included• DVR service and receiver included• Local broadcast channels • Pay-Per-View Access
Power 50 Internet Digital Basic TV
Offer expires 12-31-14. Services subject to availability, please contact Grande for details. Offers only apply to first-time residential customers. $59.99 Promotional Offer price is for 12 months and includes Power 50 Mbps Internet service with one cable modem rental and Digital Basic TV service with one HD/DVR receiver rental and service. Prices increase by $5 for months 13-24 and an additional $5 for months 25-36. Prices revert to then current applicable retail rate in month 37. If you change or disconnect any or all of the services at any time during the 36-month promotional period, the bundle pricing will no longer apply and Grande’s then standard monthly rates will apply to remaining service(s). Monthly offer rates subject to applicable surcharges, equipment taxes, franchise fees and other government imposed charges. Installation, taxes, fees, additional receivers, equipment, additional services or features not included. Bundle also available with a CableCARD however interactive features are not available. Actual Internet speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. A credit check and/or deposit may be required. Not valid with any other offer and may not be transferred or redeemed for cash. Other restrictions may apply. © 2014 Grande Communications Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.
Call today 512-220-7001 Or go online to sign up mygrande.com/power
per monthfor 12 months
$5999ALL FOR ONLY
With Grande Internet service you can get the speed to support everyone’s online needs at once. In a household with multiple wireless devices make sure you have the power of
Grande Internet to keep everyone online and running smoothly.
Debby Reynolds512-699-2130debbyreynolds512@gmail.comwww.turnerresidential.com
DELWOOD REALTOR AND RESIDENT
August - page 5
August 2014 Mueller UpdateRick Krivoniak
Greg Weaver, Executive Vice President of Catellus Development Corporation recently shared the Northeast Austin School Initiative Summary, now available on the WPNA website. It summarizes the February 2014 public workshop and March 2014 “Day of Big Ideas” summit, and has the results of the northeast Austin Schools Community Survey.
Greg invites the WPNA community to stay engaged as work continues with AISD and others to determine new, public educational options for northeast Austin. Catellus has established a dedicated email address, [email protected], for your questions and comments as well as any new ideas you may wish to share.
From the Mueller Livewire:Mueller was recently featured in the Urban Land Institute publication, “Building for Wellness: The Business Case.” The publication highlights 13 projects of varying types and scale that were developed with health and wellness in mind. The report features Mueller’s transit-oriented design, residential networking and social scene, and green building standards.
TIME featured Mueller in a recent article titled, “Is This America’s Smartest City?” The article highlights Mueller as a green planned community and expands on the success of the Pecan Street Project.
Detroit Public Television will feature Mueller and the Pecan Street Project in a national documentary that looks at the future of electricity. “Beyond the Light Switch” includes interviews with Brewster McCracken and several Mueller residents. The documentary is planned to air later this fall. Visit their www.dptv.org/programs/documentaries/beyond-light-switch/ for more information.
The next Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Plan Implementation Advisory Commission meeting is Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 6PM in Meeting Room 1 of the Carver Library, 1161 Angelina Street. Please send Mueller-related questions & comments to [email protected].
APF $10,000 Challenge for Playscape ShadesJeanette Swenson
Austin Parks Foundation has offered a matching grant for Phase Two of the Playscape shade installation. They will match up to $10,000 of all donations received for playscape shades between July 7 and September 30, 2014. So, spread the word to your neighbors, local businesses, your employers; buy a Windsor Park T-shirt; consider a personal multiple donation to WPNA Playscape shades. Donate via PayPal by going to the WPNA website: Windsorpark.info; send a check to WPNA Treasurer Rebecca Carpenter: WPNA, PO Box 16183, Austin, Texas 78761; or donate at WPNA meetings.
Also, we are looking for creative fund raisers at the invitation of Frost Bank. They have offered to hold a fundraiser at the Mueller branch and include their client base.
Our current total of $13,394.85 does not include our donation from Grande or a commitment from Frost Bank. We are ready to sign the contract for $12,500 for the fi rst phase construction and negotiating with PARD about colors for the poles and sails for the Playscape for younger children. Thanks to Brian Block, PARD Volunteer Projects Coordinator, and Jeff Larsen, Bartholomew Park’s new PARD District Supervisor.
We have a small reserve to shade the infant swings, which will cost $17,500.
We will be re-submitting our grant to APF by the September 30 deadline. It would be great if that grant could be used for Phase 3, the larger, priciest Playscape shade.
We’re at $13,394 !!
Reaching the $12,500 mark means we are ready to shade the small playscape!Thank you, donors!
August - page 6
August - page 7
August - page 8
Jane Amschwand
Realtor®
Salt Homes, LLC
Owner/Broker
512.228.2484
Windsor Park Residentand Real Estate Broker
You have a friend at MEMORIAL UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH
HWY 290E
IH35 N Cameron Berkman Sunday School- 9:15am Worship - 10:30am Clayton Briarcliff Office # 452-5796
We would love to see you this SundayWELCOME …A PLACE FOR EVERYONEA great place to meet new friends, find needed
encouragement and discover God’s plan for you.
COMPLETE REMODELSor SIMPLE REPAIRSBEAUTIFUL DECKS
PLUMB, ELEC, ROOF- INSURED -
FREE ESTIMATESMARTIN LUECKE
512.536.0465HANDYMANSERVICES
August - page 9
2014 Northeast Austin Area Summer Pool & Splash Pad Schedule
Bartholomew Municipal Pool • 1800 E. 51st
Phone: 512-928-0014June 6 - August 24, 2014
Monday - Friday8:00 am - 10:00 am.........................................Lap Swim9:00 am - 11:00 am................................. Swim Lessons10:00 am - Noon...........................................Swim Team11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational SwimNoon - 8:00 pm......................................Slides Available6:00 pm - 7:50 pm ................................... Swim LessonsWeekends11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational SwimNoon - 8:00 pm......................................Slides Available
Bartholomew Splash Pad • 5200 Berkman
May 17 - Sep 7, 2014
Daily9:00 am - 8:00 pm .............................. Recreational Play
Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Pool • 2803 Loyola
Jun 06 - Jul 11, 2014
Monday - Friday7:00 am - 11:00 am.........................................Lap Swim11:00 am - Noon...........................................Swim TeamNoon - 8:00 pm................................. Recreational SwimWeekends 11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational SwimJul 12 - Aug 24, 2014
Monday - Friday7:00 am - 11:00 am.........................................Lap Swim11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational SwimWeekends11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational Swim
Patterson Neighborhood Pool • 1400 Wilshire
Jun 6 - Jul 11, 2014Monday - Friday8:00 pm - 11:00 am.........................................Lap Swim11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational Swim7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ........................................Swim TeamWeekends11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational SwimJul 12 - Aug 24, 2014.....................................................
Monday - Friday8:00 pm - 11:00 am.........................................Lap Swim11:00 am - 8:00 pm.......................... Recreational SwimWeekends11:00 am - 8:00 pm......... Recreational Swim
Dottie Jordan & Patterson Neighborhood Pools are free tothe public.
Entry fees are charged for Bartholomew, Barton SpringsPool and all other Municipal Pools. All fees shown are forCity of Austin Residents. Non-residents pay higher fees.http://austintexas.gov/page/pool-fees-rentals
Daily Entry Fees
Senior (62+) ................................................................$1Adult (18 – 61).............................................................$3Junior (12 – 17) ...........................................................$2Child (1 – 11)...............................................................$1Children under 1 year.............................................. Free
An 80-punch card is $34. Each punch is worth $0.50.Age Group Punches per Pool EntrySenior (62+) ..................................................................2Adult (18 – 61)...............................................................6Junior (12 – 17) .............................................................4Child (1 – 11).................................................................2Children under 1 year....................................................0
Season Swim Passes – valid March 10 – October 31
Senior (62+) ..............................................................$60Adult (18 – 61).........................................................$180Junior (12 – 17) .......................................................$120Child (1 – 11).............................................................$60Family of 4 (2 adult & 2 child/junior)*......................$350Pass replacement fee ...............................................$10* Additional family members must purchase the individualpass for their age group.
More City of Austin Pool & Splash Pad information isviewable at:http://www.austintexas.gov/page/pools-splash-pads
Mueller’s Ella Wooten Pool • Mattie & McCloskey Memorial Day Weekend - Sep 1, 2014
Tuesday - Sunday1:00 pm - 7:00 pm ......................................OPEN SWIM
The Mueller Property Owner's Association owns andmaintains Ella Wooten Pool. OPEN SWIM hours are
available to the general public under the general
seasonal schedule and same fees as City of AustinMunicipal Pools (see above).
Information on Ella Wooten Pool (rules/regulations) is at:http://www.muelleraustinonline.com/pool.php
OPEN SWIM PASSES are available to non-Mueller residentsat the pool desk during OPEN SWIM hours.
Cont
act U
s President .................. Martin Luecke ........................................ 512-536-0465
Vice President ........ Karen Pagani ........................................... 512-786-7224
Secretary .................. Meghan Dougherty ............................. 512-709-4912
Treasurer .................. Rebecca Carpenter ............................... 512-670-6935
WoW Editor ............. Nicki James ................ [email protected]
WoWSponsorships .......... Chad Cotton......... [email protected]
E-mail:[email protected]
Visit the website at:Windsorpark.info
Newsgroup:groups.yahoo.com/group/windsorpark/
SPONSORS:We must receive your
content and check by the 15th in order to in clude
your sponsorship notice in the fol low ing month’s
news let ter.Mail check
(payable to WPNA):WPNA
P.O. Box 16183 Austin, TX 78761
For Questions or to send Graphic Content, contact:
The Windsor Park Neighborhood Plan Contact Team (WPNPCT) is a representative group of neighborhood stakeholders charged with being stewards of the Windsor Park Neighborhood Plan and upholding the implementation of the Plan’s vision, goals and recommendations, and to review and vote on all proposed amendments to the Neighborhood Plan. Meetings are the second Monday of each month at the Windsor Park Library (subject to change) at 6:30 p.m. Contact WPNPCT Chair Bob Mebane for more information at [email protected].
Numbers count! A strong neighborhood association advocates more eff ectively for Windsor Park! Join us today!
JOIN WPNAAll residents of Windsor Park are eligible to become voting members of the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association. If you would like to join the association, please send your dues, at the level appropriate for you, to the address below or bring them to a monthly general meeting. Memberships are renewed yearly and expire on December 31 of each year. In order to vote on WPNA positions, you must have been a member for 30 days. Business members are welcome but do not have voting privileges.
The money received for dues is used to produce our newsletter and to support our other neighborhood programs. Because WPNA is a 501(c)(3) organization, your dues and any other donations are tax deductible.
Student/fi xed income — $5/person
Standard — $10/person
Family — $15
Sustaining — $25 or more
Business/Non-Resident (non-voting) — $25 or more
Name(s): ______________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________
E-mail: ________________________________________________
Make checks payable to WPNA and mail to: WPNA, P.O. Box 16183, Austin, TX 78761Or dues may be paid by Paypal through the WPNA website!
Type Size (in.) 1 month 6 Months
Business Card
3.5 x 2 $45 $240
Quarter Page
7.5 x 2 or 3.75 x 5
$90 $480
Half Page
7.25 x 4 $180 $960
Windsor Park Library Updates and EventsWindsor Park Library hosts a calendar of events, fi lms, workshops, and discussions—free and open to the public.
EventsAugust 12, 3:30pm: Lego LabAugust 13, 5pm: Book Your Summer: Destination Outer SpaceSeptember 6, 2pm: Family Movie Matinee: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Book Club August 12, 7:00pm: Light in August by William FaulknerSeptember 9, 7:00pm: The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel
5833 Westminster Dr. • 512-974-9840 http://library.austintexas.gov/
Link directly to the Windsor Park Library branch here: http://library.austintexas.gov/locations/Windsor%20Park%20Branch
Austin Police District Representatives
East of BerkmanOffi cer James Scoggins
(512) 974-8393 | [email protected]
West of BerkmanOffi cer James Hyatt
(512) 974-5500 | [email protected]