The Allandale Reporter

Court Hearing Tomorrow

A reminder that tomorrow is the court hearing on Allandale's lawsuit against the City regarding the Northcross development. The hearing is scheduled for 2:00 PM, at the Travis County Courthouse at 11th and Guadalupe. You are encouraged to join us. We want to make the point that responsible city government matters to folks in and around Allandale. For those of you wanting the details of Allandale's case, click here to read Allandale's response to the cross-motions submitted by the developer, Lincoln Properties, and the City of Austin regarding our motion for summary judgment. In a nutshell Allandale's position is the city did not adhere to its own laws when it approved the site plan that included a Wal-Mart Supercenter with a garden center.

Visit the Haunted Slough

submitted by Liz Shelby

For the past 10 years, my neighbor, Marianne Sexton, a local artist, has created the Haunted Slough of Shoal Edge Court in my yard. She makes outstanding (and scary!) figures that are nestled in the trees wrapped in different colored lights. We began the Haunted Slough when our children were young to put the fun back in Halloween. It is free and our gift to the community. We would like to invite Allandale neighbors to come. It is held Halloween night from 7 – 10. If the slough is too spooky for the young ones, the “upper yard” has apple bobbing (on strings), glow in the dark sidewalk chalk and a homemade witch’s brew. For some pictures of previous Halloween’s visit www.mariannesexton.com and click on events. Location: 5604 Shoal Edge   Court (one block south of Allandale off of Shoal Creek)

Liz Shelby

Photos of Masquerade Ball posted

If you couldn't make it to the Allandale Masquerade Ball and Silent Auction Saturday night here it is in pictures. Unfortunately it's not video so you don't get to hear the music from the Leroi Brothers - the perfect party band, or a scratch and sniff so you don't get the aromas from the wonderful food prepared and served by Russell's Bakery, or an interactive so you don't get to dance. Pictures are the best we could do so you will just have to come to next year's Ball for the full experience. The events team lead by Laura Slaughter did a fantastic job organizing this year's Masquerade Ball and the Caswell House was the ideal venue.

There were over 30 items donated to the silent auction from various individuals and local businesses. The items ranged from jewelry to tango lessons to dining gift certificates to bar stools to pool time at Slick Willies.   People who participated in the auction benefited from some really good deals. Many thanks to the contributors and to Marlene Meador who took the lead organizing the Silent Auction.

Court Hearing this Thursday, November 1

This Thursday, November 1, 2:00PM, at the Travis County Courthouse at 11th and Guadalupe, Allandale's motion for summary judgment will be heard. Please come. We would like a show of support from the neighborhood to make the point that responsible city government matters to us.

The motion for summary judgment is the case Allandale brought against the City. It's asking the judge to rule on whether Lincoln Properties' site plan violated city code which requires a public review process when a conditional use such as Wal-Mart's garden center is included as part of the development.

Great Northern Repaved

Late last week city crews resurfaced Great Northern Boulevard. The new surface is asphalt and very smooth to walk and cycle on. As of Saturday they had not put down the striping for the hike and bike lane. A side benefit of the resurfacing is it cleared out the grass and weeds that had grown up along the curb. Not only does it look nicer it's safer for the non-car traffic.

The Knights Make It A Clean Sweep Against Elgin

McCallum’s Varsity finished the week with a win over the Elgin Wildcats 36 to 29, making it a clean sweep for all three of the Knight’s football teams. Both the Freshmen and Junior Varsity defeated the Wildcats earlier in the week.

At the varsity game the Wildcats looked like they were prepared to defend their home turf when they jump out in the lead on their first possession, but the Knights came back and scored on both of their next possessions. Both touchdowns were either set up or made by long passes from Kevin Lusson to Vincent Ellis and Van Franks.

Brentwood Tavern Invited Back But It's Too Late

Yesterday the Austin Chronicle reported that the new owner of the Farmer's Market is asking Brentwood Tavern to stay. Unfortunately, the owners are no longer interested. "It's too little too late." The web posting, "Farmers Market Owner Invites Brentwood Tavern to Stay," by Lee Nichols includes the letter Paz Dhody sent to the Austin Chronicle in response to the Chronicle's article about the closing. In the letter, Paz talks about the status of the other tenants at the Farmer's Market and his plans for the property. Tomorrow night is the Tavern's closing party.

COATS FOR KIDS 2007 DISTRIBUTION DAY AND DONATIONS

Keeping the Children of Central Texas Warm, One Coat at a Time

WHAT: Coats for Kids 21st Annual Distribution Day, where over 30,000 new and gently used warm winter coats will be given out to the children of Central Texas. If you are interested in donating a coat please take them to any area Jack Brown Cleaners on or before, Wednesday, December 5th. For more information on how to receive a coat or how to volunteer for the event go the Junior League's website www.jlaustin.org or call 512-467-8982 ext. 231.

VMU in Today's Paper

There is a good article regarding vertical mixed use development in today's Austin American-Statesman, "Neighborhoods oppose three Austin projects that would boost density." One of the projects mentioned is just down the road on Koenig. The article is particularly relevant as a team of ANA representatives will be going before the Planning Commission tonight to argue against the VMU project on Burnet Rd where Antique Marketplace is. In general, neighborhoods don't appear to be against the idea of VMU but the projects being proposed by developers are considered too dense for the infrastructure to support. In Allandale's case, ANA had already supported the mixed use development originally proposed by Carr Development two years ago when it included owner-occupied units at almost half the density that is now being proposed by Ardent Properties.

Masquerade Ball Tickets

Music, Food, Neighbors, Fun - Saturday, October 27th. You can buy your tickets online here or email allandalemasqueradeball@yahoo.com and we'll deliver.

McCallum Drops A Heartbreaker To Manor

submitted by Tom Davis

McCallum hosted the Manor Mustangs last Friday night at House Park before a Homecoming crowd, but after both teams fought hard for the first three quarters, Manor pulled out ahead and handed McCallum a loss 42 to 28.

Brentwood Tavern is Closing October 25th

submitted by Tom Linehan

It has been mentioned on the newsgroups and confirmed in today's Austin Chronicle and on statesman.com,  Brentwood Tavern will be closing on the 25th due to their inability to work out agreeable lease terms with the new property owner, Paz Dhody. Dog Almighty has already closed it's location there leaving Lightsey Farms as the remaining tenant on the property. According Lilly Rockwell's article on statesman.com, Lightsey Farms will be moving out soon as well.

October Issue of Allandale Neighbor

Another edition of the Allandale Neighbor arrives on your doorstep this week. Here are the issue highlights:
- ANA Masquerade Ball
- Update on the lawsuit
- Know your deed restrictions
- Austin Real Estate Market
- White Rock Flooding Project
- Union Pacific Idling Trains and More
Profiles on AOMA, the Light Bulb Shop, Birds Barbershop and Next-to-New and more plus our the businesses that support our neighborhood, our advertisers. If you have not received the newsletter yet, you can read it here. Many thanks to the newsletter team for their hard work.

McCallum Comes Up Short Against Determined LBJ Team

The Knights traveled to Nelson Field last Friday night to do battle with the LBJ Jaguars, in a game that could determine the district championship. When the final whistle blew the Knights came up on the short end of the score 20 to 17.

Found Cat

I’m not sure if you could help but I live on Shoal Creek near 2222 and a cat turned up at my house and has been here for about a week I have attached a pic maybe you have some way to post this to maybe find its owner. I hate to turn in into the pound, it is very sweet and seem like an indoor cat because she keeps trying to come in my house.

Thank you for your time and any help would be great

Myssi Alder
206-0127

Locals that made the Best of List

Sometimes you don't realize what you have until someone comes out with a Best of List. That's the case with Allandale and this year's Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin 2007. Here are the area places, people and events that made this year's list:

Best Cheap Date Place and Best Movie Theatre: Alamo Drafthouse, Best Dance Lessons: Go Dance, 2525 W. Anderson #530,
Best Beer/Wine Selection: Grape Vine Market, 7938 Great Northern,
Best Dive Bar: Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon, 5434 Burnet Rd,
Best Afterschool Activity: KidsActing, 5811 Burnet Rd,
Best Haircut: Birds Barbershop, 6800 Burnet, 
Best Restaurant: Phil's Icehouse, 5620 Burnet Rd.,

Dressing the part - a Masquerade Ball

submitted by C Yang and Tom Linehan

In Allandale, it’s usually come as you are, but this month the ANA wants you to come as your aren’t—to the first Allandale Masquerade Ball. Masked balls were the highlight of medieval court life as a way to celebrate marriages and other distinguished family and public events. During the Renaissance, Italy moved the celebrations out to the streets in public festivals. By the 17th and 18th centuries, such costumed balls became popular throughout Europe and even Colonial America.

Originally, the masked dress was a true disguise, and guessing identities was part of the fun. Today, getting into costume is half the fun. Short of making or renting a costume that is fitting for the beautiful Caswell House, where the ANA Masquerade Ball is being held on Saturday, October 27, we have some of the best thrift shops in the area, starting with Next-To-New, which this summer moved into their new, refurbished standalone shop that used to be Harrell’s Supply and Service Center.

Choose Austin First Fest

Hope some of you were able to get out to the Choose Austin First Festival today at the Triangle. It was a wonderful venue and a nice day for the event. Local vendors set up booths around the lawn giving away free samples and information. Clayways was there demonstrating ceramic making. Other familiar vendors inlcuded Amy's Ice Cream, Birds Barbershop, Taco Shack, Austin Java, and New World Deli, to name a few. The photo on the left is that of  John Pointer. His performance was exceptional. Others on stage at the event included Joe King Carrasco and Two Hoots and a Holler. The photo on the right was taken near the stage of a little girl and her dog. This was the 4th annual Choose Austin First Fest. If you missed it today, I encourage you to look for it next year.

Buy a Guitar for Allandale

Dear Neighbor,

My name is Roland Zamarron; I live at 5613 Woodview Ave, with my wife in the Allandale neighborhood for 4 yrs.

You may or may not have heard about the 10 foot guitars and regular size guitars of art being displayed around Austin. These guitars are designed and signed by various local artists and musicians. The guitars are going up for auction on Oct 17th to raise money for various charities. Please see the website link below for more details. http://www.gibson.com/AustinGuitarTownWebsite/

Fall Beautification Event

Preparing for you Yard Winter
October 22nd 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Shoal Creek Nursery, 2710 Hancock, Austin, TX 78731
www.shoalcreeknursery.com/

Meet Sam Moore and the rest of the professional staff at Shoal Creek
nursery for a talk about preparing for winter and a tour of the
facility. Some of you may know Sam from working with his mom at
Howard's Nursery. Everyone is welcome. Bring your questions for the
experts!

MoPac 1 Project Status Report to MoNAC

by Catherine Judd, RLA, Project Manager

The MoPac 1 project continues to progress. Currently, environmental studies (including noise and air analyses, traffic studies, etc.) are being conducted and preparation of the draft environmental assessment is nearing completion. In response to public comments made at the second round of open houses in April regarding HOV lanes and general purpose lanes, the project team is performing additional traffic and noise analyses to study those options. The team is also studying a potential connection to possible US 183 managed lanes.

Choose Austin First Fest this Sunday October 14

Choose Austin First Fest at the Triangle (45th Guad and Lamar) from 1-6 p.m. October 14th. There will be music from Joe King Carrasco, Two Hoots and a Holler, John Pointer and The Balls. There will be samples of food from some of your Favorite Austin, local restaurants; Amy's Ice Creams, Phil's Ice House, Taco Shack, New World Deli, Zen, MamaFus, Kerbey lane Cafe and Moonshine, just to name a few. It will be a great event to benefit a great cause; Fisher House, a privately run support group for families of troops wounded in the line of duty. I hope you'll come out. Adults are $10 and ALL the proceeds go to Fisher house and kids under 12 are FREE with a paid adult. We hope to see you there.

Which group do I contribute to?

submitted by Tom Linehan

Who do I give my money to, the Allandale Neighborhood Association or RG4N? The answer is CONTRIBUTE. Either way, your money will go to funding the lawsuit. HOWEVER, the monies are not pooled together. Each organization has and is responsible for their respective legal costs.

Pumpkins for Purchase

St. John's pumpkin patch is open for business. Prices are based on size and range from $3 - $16. They also have gourds for $.50-$75 and little pumpkins $.50-$1.50. Hours are M-Sat 10:00 - 8:30 p.m, Sunday 12:00 - 8:30 p.m. As you can see, they have a nice selection. St. John's United Methodist Church, 2140 Allandale.

Lamarfest!

Lamarfest 

Lamar Middle School 
October 26, 6 to 9 p.m.

Food, Games, Raffle, Music

Danke schön!

Block party, Saturday, October 6th

Howdy Neighbors,

Several Allandale neighbors are throwing a block party Saturday, October 6th, 5-9pm!! 2606 Ellise Avenue.

Click here for all info http://www.rg4n.org/node/265#attachments.

It's FREE and all are invited to join in the fun. Jon Emery and Jim Stringer will sing the night away, so bring the family, bring a chair or blanket, and relax on a gorgeous fall evening.

RG4N will be there with information, legal updates, yummy food, and they'll RAFFLE off several signed Jon Emery and Jim Stringer CD's.

All proceeds will benefit the Allandale and RG4N Lawsuit. Just 41 days left to make a difference! See you there!

Please share with your other friends and neighbors.

www.RG4N.org

Whole Foods Selling Sun Harvest

Statesman.com reported today that Whole Foods is selling Sun Harvest to Smart & Final Inc., a Los Angeles-based warehouse store chain with stores in the western states. Not sure what this means in terms of changes for Sun Harvest although Smart & Final is not a company with experience in the natural foods grocery business. Here's the company description from it's website:

"Smart & Final is the smaller faster warehouse store where busy households find great savings on   restaurant-quality food and supplies and culinary equipment. We have   everything you need for cooking, entertaining and cleaning-up afterwards."

Whole Foods acquired ownership of Sun Harvest as part of its purchase of Wild Oats.