| |||||
|
Monday, July 18, 2011
Special Meeting on Wednesday, July 20th
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
July Monthly Meeting Tonight
Austin, TX 78753
Friday, July 1, 2011
Monday - 4th of July Parade
Join us for Gracywood's 4th of July Parade
Monday, July 4th, 2011
9 am - Bittern Hollow entry to greenbelt (at the water fountain)
Come decorate your non-motorized bikes, strollers and wagons in American colors.
9:30 am - Parade along park path towards Parkfield and back to water fountain
APD will also be presenting "Bike safety tips".
10 am - Live Music, awards, iced watermelon, cupcakes and mingling
* * * Cupcake Contest * * *
Bring decorated cupcakes to share and for judging.
Bring a neighbor, chairs, and your red, white and blue spirit!
JOIN US
To volunteer contact: Bill Glass 836-3330
* * * * * * NO FIREWORKS * * * * * *
#
Friday, May 13, 2011
Vote on Saturday
Saturday, May 14th is the election day for Austin City Council. The ballot is very simple. There are only three races on the ballot and no other decisions to make.
Here is the sample ballot:
Place 1, Austin City Council
__ Josiah James Ingalls
__ Chris Riley
__ Roger Chan
__ Norman Jacobson
Place 3, Austin City Council
__ Kathie Tovo
__ Michael "Max" Nofziger
__ Kris Bailey
__ Randi Shade
Place 4, Austin City Council
__ Laura Morrison
__ Eric J. Rangel
__ K. Toby Ryan Hill
You must vote in your precinct on Saturday. Here are the most likely locations for the Gracywoods area. You can also go on-line for more precinct locations:
http://www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election/20110514/polls.asp
| 258 | McBee Elem. School |
| 1001 West Braker Ln. | |
| 263 | United Christian Church |
| 3500 West Parmer Ln. | |
| 266 | Senior Activity Center |
| 2874 Shoal Crest Ave. | |
| 267 | Great Hills Baptist Church |
| 10500 Jollyville Rd. | |
| 268 | Grant AME Worship Center |
| 1701 Kramer Ln. | |
| 108 | Copperfield Elem. School |
| 12135 Thompkins Dr. | |
| 109 | Parmer Ln. Elem. School |
| 1806 Parmer Ln. | |
| 110 | River Oaks Elem. School |
| 12401 Scofield Farms Dr. | |
| 111 | Westview Middle School |
| 1805 Scofield Ln. | |
| 112 | Dessau Elem. School |
| 1501 Dessau Ridge Ln. |
Please exercise your right and privilege to vote.
P.S. More people attended the Capital 10K marathon than are expected to vote on Saturday. This is a sad statistic. Gracywoods and North Austin, let's make a difference!
Francoise Luca
President, Gracywoods Neighborhood Association
#
Friday, May 6, 2011
You are invited to our Spring Fling
May 7th - this Saturday
GWNA Spring Fling & and Potluck Dinner
What: Pot Luck Dinner in the park
Who: Neighbors in Gracywoods, Walnut Creek NA, Quail Hollow and apartment communities along Metric Blvd., families, friends and guests
When: Saturday, May 7th 6:30p - 8:30p
Where: By the water fountain in the North Star greenbelt. Bittern Hollow entrance of the greenbelt - under the power lines - next to the water fountain. (same as 4th of July parade)
Why: Meet great people. Enjoy tasty treats. Learn some dance steps from GWNA resident and dance instructor David Cantu, who will be demonstrating the two-step and the swing and giving us lessons!
Bring: A dish (cover dish, appetizers, chips/snacks or dessert) enough for about 6-8 people to share.
* * Bring a folding chair or blanket and drink. (No alcohol, please.)
* * Lemonade, tea, paper plates and utensils will be provided.
If you don't cook, no worries, store bought goodies are fine . . . or just come - watch and meet some fun people. Your presence is our treat.
For questions or to volunteer to help, please email us at president@gracywoods.org.
See you there!
#
Monday, May 2, 2011
May Meeting & Early Voting
Tuesday, May 3rd - Gracywoods Neighborhood Association Monthly Meeting
Join us
Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at
Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ
11908 North Lamar Boulevard
(just north of Ross' Cafe)
Free parking, interesting topics and good neighbors.
MAY MEETING AGENDA
Spring Fling- Dance in the Park – May 7th
May 14th Elections
4th of July Parade
Crime Watch
EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN
Austin will hold local city elections on Saturday, May 14th ;
Early voting is between May 2nd- May 10th -At the Asian Shopping Center on North Lamar
This year's election will be for Place 1, 3 and 4. Candidates are:
Place 1: Chris Riley; Josiah Ingalls, Roger Chan, Norman Jacobson
Place 3: Randi Shade; Katie Tovo, Max Nofziger, Kris Bailey,
Place 4: Laura Morrison, Eric Rangel, Toby Ryan
Vote today!
Need a ride to early voting? Email us at: president@gracywoods.org
For more information contact the Travis County Elections Division at (512) 238-VOTE (238-8683).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I VOTE tee shirts & yard signs
Remember those red tee shirts GWNA made for the protest rally? They're back!
We will have a few red tee-shirts available for $10 each. We will also take orders if we don't have your size. (Cash or Check), to order email president@gracywoods.org
and now . . .
Red & White "I Vote" yard signs
A limited number of yard signs are now available. Please pick one up at the neighborhood meeting. (A suggested donation of $3 per sign would be appreciated from non-GWNA members.)
To place orders please contact us at: president@gracywoods.org
The decisions of city, county, school board, and community college officials, local officials, affect your daily life probably more than state and federal officials. They are the people who
· decide tax rates
· decide to build infrastructure like roads, sewage systems, and electrical lines
· determine new building codes
· decide zoning issues
· fund police and fire departments
· develop and maintain parkland
· fund economic programs for small businesses and industries that create jobs and revenue
· determine environmental policy (water, air, land)
· determine how to get rid of your trash
· help protect your neighborhood from crime and vandalism
· provide health and human services
· provide clean drinking water, water to clean, and water to grow your plants
· provide rules and enforcement to make sure you remain healthy in public environments
· decide the quality of education and workforce training
Who Are These Locally Elected Officials
and What Do They Do?
COUNTY
Travis County Commissioners Court (County Judge, 4 Precinct Commissioners)
Chief policy-making and administrative branch of county government: sets tax rate, determines fees for many county services, determines how collected revenues are distributed to provide county services
Travis County District Judges (17)
Preside over criminal (felony level) and civil cases
Travis County Courts at Law Judges (8)
Preside over criminal (misdemeanor level) and civil cases
Travis County Justices of the Peace (5)
Preside over criminal (Class C misdemeanor level) and civil cases (where amount in dispute is less than $200)
Travis County Probate Judge (1)
Presides over probate cases
Travis County Sheriff
Law enforcement within the county
Travis County Constables (5)
Serve arrest warrants, enforce all state and local laws (may arrest those in violation of those laws)
Travis County District Attorney
Prosecutes felony criminal cases
Travis County Attorney
Prosecutes misdemeanor criminal cases
Travis County Clerk
Tracks and maintains criminal misdemeanor, civil and probate records
Organizes and holds city, county, AISD, ACC, federal, state elections
Issues and maintains marriage licenses
Maintains and posts County Commissioners' Court meeting minutes
Travis County Tax Asessor-Collector
Assess, collect and disburse property taxes
Register and title motor vehicles
Register eligible citizens to vote
Travis County Treasurer
Provides for the safekeeping of all county funds, chief custodian of county finances
Receives, accounts for, and disburses all money belonging to the county
Paying agent/registrar for county registered bonds
Processes cash bail bond checks and juror payments
CITY
City Council
Mayor (at large)
Council Members (6 places, all at large)
Determines property tax rate to support city services and city budget
Decides city ordinances (taxes, zoning, solid waste management, code compliance, etc.)
Oversees Austin Police and Fire Departments
Hires City Manager
EDUCATION
Austin Indendent School District
Board of Trustees (6 district members, 1 at large member)
Determines property tax rate to support public schools
Hires superintendent and sets strategic goals for school district
Austin Community College
Board of Trustees (9 district members)
Determines property tax rate to support ACC
Hires president and sets strategic goals for community college district
Prepared by North Austin Coalition of Neighborhoods, April 2011.
Contact: Ann Teich, Vice President of North Austin Civic Association, annteich@austin.rr.com.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Candidates Forum - tonight
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/
#
Friday, March 4, 2011
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
#
Sunday, February 27, 2011
March GWNA Meeting - Tuesday
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Got questions for City Council
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!
#
8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time
with theYahoo! Search movie showtime shortcut.
Monday, January 31, 2011
February Association Meeting
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
CRIME ALERT: Mail Thefts & Car Break-in's
Sunday, January 9, 2011
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.
#