The Allandale Reporter

MoNAC Meeting, Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 6:30pm

Agenda:

I. Call to Order 6:30pm
Joyce Basciano called the meeting to order and had everyone in the room introduce themselves and their affiliation.

 II. Approval of the October 18, 2005 minutes
Tom Whatley motioned to approve the minutes

Edward Tasch seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Lewis Lane Development in Rosedale

Thought this might be of interest to others in Allandale.  What follows is a discussion from Rosedale's listserve that took place last week regarding the razing of buildings  for construction of new duplexes  (see photo above). However, in this case they are replacing duplexes with duplexes, albeit much larger duplexes built by Metrohouse. You can see an example of their style in the photo to the right. It's one of Metrohouse's  recent developments located on Woodrow just north of Koenig.

Say No to Super-Sized McMansions

To Center City Neighborhood Leaders:

As you’re probably aware, last Thursday Council passed a resolution directing staff to develop some SF compatibility standards/new development regulations to limit scale and avoid having scraped lots sprout super-sized McMansions that are happening all around Central Austin.  I’ve heard an estimate of 2 months for these regs to be drafted.

Movie Review - MATCH POINT

MATCHPOINT, written and directed by Woody Allen

I have never been a diligent student of Woody Allen's movies. I have, however, watched his movies for decades, starting with his directorial debut in What's Up Tiger Lily? in 1966. I thought the movie was hilarious and became an instant fan of his neurotic, self-absorbed humor. That's why I'm always vaguely disappointed when a Woody Allen movie doesn't make me laugh. I firmly believe that comedy is what he does best and that is what he ought to stick to. (continue reading MATCHPOINT)

Allandale Neighborhood Association General Meeting January 25, 2006

submitted by Kay Newell

Gretchen Vaden Nagy, President ANA, called the meeting to order.

Announcements:
The US Census is conducting a 2006 Census Test in certain portions of Travis County, Allandale falls into their test area. The US Census is looking for Census Takers; the hourly rate is $14.50. If you are interested call toll free 1-888-814-6711.

TAO of Texas has opened a new Martial Arts Institute at 805 Capitol Court, offering classes for men, women, and children. Cathy Chapaty is the instructor and can be reached at 779-5499.

FUTURE CONNECTIONS WORKSHOP

CONNECT TO THE FUTURE
ALL SYSTEMS GO!
FEBRUARY 4, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
AUSTIN CONVENTION   CENTER BALLROOM G

You're invited to attend an All Systems Go Future Connections Workshop. As we move forward on the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan, Capital Metro is again looking to the community for input on how a transit circulator system could best serve Central Austin. We also want to know what you think should come next in the regional plan you helped create. We provide the maps, markers and "transit tape," you provide your great ideas! Lunch is free for all registered attendees. Please feel free to share invitation with anyone you would like.

RSVP: allsystemsgo@capmetro.org

Allandale General Meeting Scheduled For Wednesday, January 25

Our January General Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Ralph Yarborough Library. We hope that you will find the agenda helpful. It will include:

1. Neighborhood Watch Program presented by Officer Crowder. (up to 30 minutes) 6:05-6:35

2. Realizing Our 2010 Vision and plans for Lucy Reed School presented by Dr. Forgione, AISD Superintendent. 6:35-7:05  Please click on the attached link for a copy of the presentation that will be discussed. (up to 30 minutes) http://www.austinisd.org/inside/docs/AISDHS_2010_Vision.pdf

3. Incoming ANA Zoning Chair, John Keohane. (up to 5 minutes) 7:05-7:10

4. Neighborhood Planning presented by Scott Witeman, City of Austin. Allandale is scheduled to begin this process in late Summer/early Fall. (up to 20 minutes) 7:10-7:30

5. Allandale Sidewalk Project presented by Darryl Haba, City of Austin. (up to 15 minutes) 7:30-7:45

6. Zoning request to allow a liquor store at 6800 Burnet Road presented by Sam Buford, the developer, 7:45-8:00

7. Final Neighborhood Business and announcements....

Our goal is to be done by 8:15 p.m.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you....

Gretchen Vaden Nagy
President, ANA

Austin Public Libraries

submitted by Phyllis Brinkley

The Austin Public Libraries that are used the most by Allandale residents are the Yarborough Branch on Hancock, the North Village Branch, The Austin History Library, and the Faulk Central Library  (main library downtown). You can get information about the mission, facts, history, and more on the  City's libraries at the Austin Public Library website. What follows are location and hours of operation of each along with general information about

Zoning Update

submitted by John Keohane

Neighbors,

I have now been zoning chair for the Allandale Neighborhood Association for seven days.  Today I met with top representatives of three churches along 2222. 

I just got an email from one of our 11 board members asking about my meeting at one of the churches.  I wrote a short email to the board member who wrote me, and decided to post this to the www for all to know, since I want to be as open as possible with everybody, and do not have time to individually report to board members other than the president.  Forgive me if you find this boring or redundant.

Movie Review - Glory Road

      If anyone reading this review doesn't recognize the valuable role played by college sports in the collective psyche of a community, then they haven't been paying attention to college football for the past couple of months. Even though Glory Road involves college basketball, not football, it tells the story of how one small college basketball team, in one amazing season, transformed the personal lives of its coach and players and exploded the racial bigotry that severely limited participation of Black athletes in NCAA basketball. In fact, for years Black basketball players were rarely allowed to start a game and were awarded much less playing time than their white teammates. But all that ended with the 1966 college basketball season. (Continue reading Glory Road )

Statesman Article on Urban Density

For those of you who didn't catch it, the Austin American-Statesman ran an article in Saturday's paper, "Austin charts urban population density" by Jeremy Schwartz.  The article included a color-coded map showing relative density within the city but unfortunately the map was not included in the online version. The article is relevant as we begin our neighborhood planning process, a topic that will be covered in our next general meeting, January 25th. What follows are comments from John Keohane taken from his  post to the listserv regarding the article. John is ANA's new Zoning Chair.

Movie Review - Casanova

I love movies. All shapes and sizes. But I am especially partial to romantic comedies, as predictable and stereotyped as they may be. And Casanova falls squarely within the genre of romantic comedy. But it can be forgiven its small fault of predictability because it is marvelously written and cleverly acted, with wonderful cinematography and costumes. The setting of the movie is mid-eighteenth century Italy and begins with Casanova as a young boy being bidden farewell by his mother, an actress, who promises that they will meet again in Venice one day.

Zoning and You!

Jackie O'Keefe has done a wonderful job chairing the zoning function for the Allandale Neighborhood Association.  She will still be here, and active, but she'll be moving on to other involvements, and I'll become chair on zoning.  Jackie and I met on this yesterday, and Gretchen Vaden, our President, and I talked on the phone today.

I am learning on zoning.  I look forward to Jackie's good advice, and the advice of any of you. 

Here are a few things I think I know:

Highland Park Elementary Welcome Events

WOW....great weather tomorrow for an outdoor playdate.  So, please join us tomorrow, Wed. Jan. 11 for our monthly playdate, always scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 3:00pm on Perry Playground. These playdates are for incoming kindergarteners (starting the 06-07 school year). 

The Apple at Work - 2004 AISD Bond Update

The Austin Independent School District is working hard to deliver on the promises made in the 2004 Bond Implementation Program. As a part of this effort, every school in the District will receive improvements; 73 projects are currently underway.

The 2006 Garden Chronicle

I was so impressed at Kay Newell's vegetable garden (see Diary of a Spring Garden)  that I asked her to help me out with mine. She agreed to and I plan on chronicling the experience right here.

I have a small garden plot in my backyard but have never succeeded in getting much to grow. I admit I know very little about gardening other than planting and watering. Kay's 20 years experience will change that.

Another Commuter

Hi there!

A neighbor just pointed out that you linked to my Fit City column from your web site. That's so cool! Thank you.

You asked at the end of the blurb if others in our neighborhood commute to work. My husband and I both ride our bikes to work at least once a week from our home on Marilyn to our offices downtown. It makes me feel like a kid again, zipping over creek crossings and pedaling down the hike and bike paths. We're lucky to have such easy access to the Shoal Creek trail.

Pam LeBlanc
Features Writer
Austin American-Statesman

Anyone else cycling to work? Submit your story here.

Allandale Resident Found in Fit City

Allandale resident Ken Cross is one of the people mentioned in Pam LeBlanc's Austin American-Statesman Fit City article   "Readers tell their tips for sticking with excercise routines."  Ken loads his bike up and takes the bus in the morning to get to work downtown and rides his bike back in the evening. Could be a "Dump the Pump" winner. Do we have any other commuters in the neighborhood?