Candidates Forum - tonight

 

You are invited to attend . . .

 

Who:         The North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods (NACN)

 

What:        Candidates Forum on North Austin specific issues

 

When:       Tuesday, April 26, 2011

                  6:30 p.m. doors open – "Meet and Greet" with Candidates

                  7:00 – 8:35 p.m. Candidates Forum for North Austin

 

Where:      Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Road, Austin, TX

 

Why:         North Austin has specific needs in the areas of crime, panhandling, traffic and neighborhood infrastructure, and expects City leadership to address these concerns with cost effective, sustainable and compassionate solutions.

 

Background:

All candidates have been invited.  The following are scheduled to attend.

Place 1: Chris Riley (incumbent), Josiah Ingalls

Roger Chan and Norman Jacobson were invited but have chosen not to attend.

 

Place 3: Randi Shade (incumbent), Kris Bailey, Max Nofziger, Kathy Tovo

 

Place 4: Laura Morrison (incumbent), Eric Rangel

Toby Ryan was invited but has chosen not to attend.

 

The questions for this forum are specific to North Austin concerns and have been compiled from over 150 responses to the survey that was published in February by NACN.

 

This forum is a joint effort of the member neighborhood associations in North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods. It will be moderated by the president of Gracywoods Neighborhood Association, Francoise Luca.

 

NACN members:  North Austin Civic Association, Walnut Creek Neighborhood Association, North Creek / Georgian Acres Neighborhood Association, Quail Hollow Neighborhood Association, Mockingbird Hill Neighborhood Association, Gracywoods / North Park Estates Neighborhood Association

NACN is a a grass-roots coalition of neighborhoods in 78758 and 78753 working to create community-led change, mentor businesses and communities, and fix neighborhood issues in our area. More details on the NACN three year plan can be found at:  http://northaustin.weebly.com/nacn---thinking-forward.html or visit: http://www.main.org/nacn/

 

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It's My Park Day - Saturday, March 5th

Tomorrow - Saturday, March 5th we need you to help us Mulch!

 

It's My Park Day!

We will gather at 9:00a at the entrance to the North Star Green Belt on Bittern Hollow.

(This is one block north of Parkfield and Bittern Hollow. The same place we have the 4th of July Parade - under the power lines and next to the water fountain). Volunteers will split up into groups to mulch, trim and spruce up our green belt.

 

This is an annual event sponsored by the City of Austin, Parks and Recreation department and the Park Foundation.

 

Just come out and have some fun for a few hours on Saturday morning. Bring the kids . . . not your pets . . . and join us to do a little spring cleaning in our greenbelt.

 

We have a job for everyone. We need volunteers to pass out supplies and food, as well as volunteers to mulch, paint and clean-up trash. There are small tasks for everyone and great fun and fellowship too!

 

GWNA will provide some of the basic supplies and light refreshments. We encourage volunteers to bring their own work gloves, shovels and hand clippers, if possible. Be sure to mark your tools with your name. We could also use a couple of volunteers with pick-up trucks to help haul mulch and supplies.

 

Please call Bill Glass, 836-3330, if you can help out or have any questions.

 

This is a fun way to meet neighbors and help our environment.  Family groups, youth groups and scouts are welcome to come earn service hours, and afterwards, enjoy some Double Dave Pizza !

 

Thanks for all your support !

 

Francoise Luca

President,

Gracywoods Neighborhood Association

 

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March GWNA Meeting - Tuesday

 

Join us on Tuesday, March 1st at 7:00 p.m. at

Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ - (look for our green sign)

11908 North Lamar Boulevard

 

for our monthy meeting of the Gracywoods Neighborhood Association.

 

Main Topics:

 

* * Crime Watch * *

 

It's My Park Day! - Saturday, March 5th

 

Please stop by and meet your neighbors and help us make this a great year.

 

See you there,

Francoise Luca

President, GWNA

president@gracywoods.org

 

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Got questions for City Council

.

The North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods (NACN) has created a survey to gather your questions for the upcoming City Council candidates.

 

NACN invites you to take this short survey by clicking on this link: 

https://app.icontact.com/icp/sub/survey/start?sid=1297&cid=176761

 

NACN will be hosting a "Candidates Forum" later this spring, and they are inviting all of North Austin to submit questions and to attend.

 

Thank you for participating in the survey!

 

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February Association Meeting

 

Join us on Tuesday, February 1st at 7:00 p.m. at

Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ - (in the Chapel)

11908 North Lamar Boulevard

 

for our monthy meeting of the Gracywoods Neighborhood Association.

 

Meet your neighbors and help us plan for a great 2011.

 

See you there,

Francoise Luca

President, GWNA

president@gracywoods.org

 

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CRIME ALERT: Mail Thefts & Car Break-in's

This crime alert is real. 

Our friends in the Walnut Creek Neighborhood (IH35 to Lamar, north of Braker) are reporting increased criminal activity this last weekend.

 

Car Break-in's: 

This weekend 16 cars from just 10 properties in a one mile area of Walnut Creek were broken into.  In most cases, the windows were smashed and GPS, electronics and other valuables were stolen. Please read the previous post for ways to protect your vehicles and property!

 

Mail Thefts:

Suspicious persons are driving the neighborhood taking out-going mail and mail left overnight.  Items taken are Netflix movies, government checks and outgoing mail with out-going checks.  Please pick up your mail everyday.  Do not leave mail in your mail box over night.  Consider sending out mail at the post office or other secure location.

 

Call 911 if you see any suspicious activity. 

 

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ALERT: Recent Car Break-in

Take, Lock, and Hide . . . so Your Car is Safe

ü  Always lock your car, even when you will be gone a few seconds. Don't leave any window open or even cracked open, including vent/wing windows and sunroofs.Set any alarm or anti-theft device. If you have one, use it!

ü  Unload your valuables immediately, including your phone and garage remote. Do not store valuables in your car any longer than necessary, and certainly never overnight.

ü  Take anything that might tempt a thief: loose coins, docking station, loose cables, CD. f you have an after-market stereo/CD-player with a removable faceplate, remove it. Without the faceplate, the unit is less attractive/useful to many thieves, and harder to "fence". If the unit can be pulled, pull it!

ü  Opportunity. Stop and double-check before you step away from your car. Did you miss anything that might tell a thief to take a second look? Remember without a clear prize in sight, a locked and possibly alarmed car will likely be bypassed for an easier "target of opportunity".

ü  Also, APD is advising us that its a good idea to back your car into the drive, especially if its an SUV, so the back window is against the garage, and to mount motion-detector lights above your garage.

 

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January 4th - GWNA 1st meeting of 2011

Happy New Year!

 

On behalf of the Gracywoods Neighborhood Association we wish you and yours the a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

 

Join us on Tuesday, January 4th at 7:00 p.m. at

Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ - (in the Chapel)

11908 North Lamar Boulevard

 

for our January meeting of the Gracywoods Neighborhood Association.

 

Meet your GWNA officers and members, and help us plan for a great 2011.

 

See you there,

Francoise Luca

President, GWNA

president@gracywoods.org

 

 

 

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November General Meeting

Please Vote on Tuesday!

Early voter turnout in Austin has been positive.  County election officials estimate about 22.54% of Austin voters participated in early voting.  Precinct counts are not yet available.  (Our goal for the Gracywood precincts was to turn out 50% or our registered voters.  It can still happen.)  

 

Gracywoods Neighborhood Association - November Meeting

The Gracywoods Neighborhood Association will be hosting our regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 2^nd at 7:00 at the Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, 11908 N. Lamar Blvd. 

 

This will be our last business meeting of the year.  We will elect officers for 2011.  Please visit our "Friends of Gracywoods" Yahoo Group files for a meeting agenda and the minutes from our last meeting.  (See File Folders)

 

All our GWNA meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.  The first 30 minutes of this meeting will be reserved for GWNA business. (Reports, NNO update, and election of officers.)

 

At about 7:30 p.m. Alan Graham, President of Mobile Loaves and Fish, and City of Austin staff will present more information about the proposed Homeless RV Park.  The meeting will be conducted in a town hall fashion.  Anyone with questions or comments may sign-up to speak for 2 minutes. You may also submit your questions prior to the meeting by sending us an email to: president@gracywoods.org. 

 

We will post the minutes from this meeting and the notes from the Town Hall meeting for those who can not attend.

 

We look forward to a positive, productive and respectful meeting.

 

Thank you,

Francoise Luca

President, Gracywoods Neighborhood Association

www.gracywoods.org

 

 

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Homeless Resources in Austin

There are several resources for the homeless in Austin to find temporary and/or permanent shelter.  It is important that the community be aware of these different strategies and the resources available to address the problems of the homeless in Austin.

 

Here are some programs to look at as we continue our dialog on homeless services and issues in North Austin.

 

http://www.integralcare.org/

 

http://www.austinhomeless.org/

 

http://www.lifeworksaustin.org/site/c.jqLSIXOBKpF/b.1504599/k.F339/LifeWorks__Austin_Texas__Shelter_for_Homeless_Children.htm

 

http://www.austinstreet.org/

 

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/housing/helpful_links.htm

 

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No excuse

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

  

Voting in Austin is so easy! 

You can vote by mail.  You can vote early.  You can vote on Election Day. 

And yet our voter turnout is miserable.  Why? 

What's a legitimate excuse for not voting? 

 

What about, "I don't have a ride."  

No problem. Gracywoods has volunteers who will drive you to the polls for early voting or on Election Day.  Just email us at info@gracywoods.org.

 

Or another common excuse is: "I don't have time." 

Really?  Are you so busy, you will not have time to make it to the bank, the grocery store, or church in the next two weeks? Are you totally booked between Monday, October 18, 2010 and Friday, October 29th, Monday – Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or on Sunday, noon and 6:00 p.m.  

Surely, you can spare 5 minutes to run into a polling place and cast your ballot.  There will be no lines, I assure you!

 

How about this excuse? "I'll be out of town." 

Ok, you can call (512) 238-VOTE to request a ballot by mail before you "leave town".  Or download an application at:  http://www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election/pdfs/app_ballot_by_mail.pdf

 

Here are the best excuses. "I am not political" or "I don't care who wins."

That's okay. You don't have to care about the taxes you pay, how your tax dollars are spent, or our roads or traffic, or healthcare or the environment.  When you don't vote, you let a few voters who do care, determine how your money is spent and what kind of education your children or grandchildren will receive.

 

Fellow Americans, we really need to get over the excuses and just do it!

 

I challenge Gracywoods' precincts number 258, 268, and 218 to turn out and vote.  Let's shoot for 50% voter turnout.  I know you are laughing at this number, but why?

• Voting is free. 
• Voting is convenient.  
• Voting is important.  
• Voting is our constitutional right. 
• Voting is a duty of free people. (Even Americans!)

Surely, at least 50% of Gracywoods residents can find 5 minutes over the next two weeks to vote!

 

Just do it.  Vote early. 

Show our City Council, County Commissioners and State Representative that North Austin is paying attention and engaged.

 

For more information on Voting in Travis County visit:  http://www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election/

 

  

Important announcement: 

On Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ, we will be hosting our monthly neighborhood meeting.  Our special guest will be Alan Graham, president of Mobile Fish and Loaves, and City of Austin staff.  We will be discussing the proposed Homeless RV Park near The Domain.

 

Join us to discuss homeless issues in North Austin and what services will be provided by Mobile Fish and Loaves.

  

 

Francoise Luca
President, Gracywoods Neighborhood Association
president@gracywoods.org

 

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Celebrate National Neighborhood Night Out - Gracywood Style

Come join us for National Night Out on Tuesday, October 5^th at a block party near you!

 

Gracywoods will be hosting 18 block parties throughout the neighborhood as part of this city-wide event.  Come meet your neighbors and learn about our area's neighborhood watch – GracyWatch.

 

Tuesday, Oct 5^th we will be serving up hot dogs from 6-8p.  Please bring a chair, a drink and a snack to share.  Enter our drawing for a $50 Lowes gift card and a free GWNA membership.  Come make some new friends, and help us make Gracywoods / North Park Estates a safer place.  Look for the yard signs at these locations:

 

Block Party Locations (Host & Invited Streets):

• 11702 Barchetta  = Barchetta | Swearingen
• 11818 Carshalton  = Carshalton | Hyacinth | Doonsebury
• 11707 Knollpark  = Drayton Dr | Drayton Cir | Knoll Park Dr
• 1205 Knollpark Cr  = Knollpark |  Knoll Park Cir
• 11900 Cherie Dr  = Cherie
• 1402 Gorham St  =  Gorham | Lance
• 1609 Kimmerling Ln =  Kimmerling | Rickem | Braewood | Meadowfire
• 12014 Lincolnshire Dr. = Lincolnshire | Garnaas
• 1701 Pheasant Roost  = Pheasant Roost | Prairie Hen Cir | Prairie Hen Cv | Prairie Hen Ln | Woodwind
• 1907 Rainy Meadows  = Rainy Meadows | Tallowfield | Heatherglen | Prairie Knoll | Lochridge
• Gracywoods Nursing Home II (on Bittern Hollow across from church) = Rosethorn | Snowfinch | Snowgoose
• 1215 Gemini  = Gemini | Sterling Hill | Knoll Park | Parkfield
• 1012 Huntridge = Huntridge | Huntridge Cir | Silbury | Rebecca | Minda Dr | Minda Cir
• 1008 Gemini  = (East of Austin Park) Gemini | Space Lane | Apollo
• 11503 Circle Bend Dr = Circle Bend | Titian | North Bend to Eubank | Austin Park
• 840 North Bend  = North Bend (from Eubanks to Lamar) | Titian Dr | Satellite | Orbit | Albury Cove
• St. John's Episcopal Church =  Parkfield | Braker | Bittern Hollow | Quail Hollow Neighborhood
• Space Circle (@ Baldimar's)

 See you Tuesday! ! !

 

Francoise Luca
President, Gracywoods Neighborhood Association 
president@gracywoods.org

 

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Crime Statistic for the area

Please call 311 or 911 to report suspicious activities or emergencies.

 

July 2010

Offense	9-Jun	10-Jun	9-Jul	10-Jul
Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon	2	0	1	1
Assault	4	4	0	3
Sexual Assault	0	0	0	0
Assault with Injury	3	10	6	12
Burglary of Residence	3	10	4	12
Burglary other	0	0	0	1
Burglary Vehicle	9	7	13	18
Criminal Mischief	10	4	4	11
Drug Possession	0	0	0	0
Family Disturbance	10	9	13	9
Gang Activities	0	0	0	0
Other	37	37	43	30
Theft	3	2	5	6

Source:  www.KrimeLabb.org

 

 

To join our Gracywood's Neighborhood Watch or to receive more area Watch information, please email us your name and phone number to:

info@gracywoods.org.  We will invite you to our GracyWatch yahoo group.

 

Thanks for being a good neighbor.

 

Francoise Luca

President

Gracywoods Neighborhood Association

 

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August General Meeting

Important Meeting Tomorrow:

 

Tuesday, August 3rd at 7 p.m.

Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ

11908 North Lamar

       "in the Chapel"

 

Join us to discuss crime, safety, and the future of our neighborhood.

Bring a neighbor.

 

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