Highland Neighborhood AssociationHighland Neighborhood Association Quarterly Newsletter

P O BOX 14109 AUSTIN TX 78761-4109

www.highlandneighborhood.com (Circulation of 1500 Plus)

December 2015 Winter Edition

HNA

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT Alex Schmitz 512-921-8583

VP NORTH SECTOR

Sarah Biggerstaff 512-584-5233

VP CENTRAL SECTOR

Nick Pellicciotto 415-602-1806

VP SOUTH SECTOR

Mike Librik 512-467-4493

TREASURER

NEWSLETTER ADS Joann Rees

512-452-3426

NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEWSLETTER ADS

Kitty Traylor 512-451-9479

HISTORIAN

EVENTS COORDINATOR Dorothy Johns 512-452-1728

WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Marla Schmitz 512-921-8583

AGENDA Greg Casar Austin City District 4 Park Update Marla Schmitz Election of Officers SPO Judson Chapman, APD District Rep (out on Emergency Medical Leave)

HNA WINTER MEETING

MARCHESA HALL (Linc Center) 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 6:30 pm Social 7:00 pm Meeting

HNA boundaries are Hwy 183, N Lamar, Highland Mall, Middle Fiskville Road

Hi Neighbors, A few updates for you this quarter, on what's been going on in our neighborhood. You've hopefully seen invitations to the public input meetings for the development of our new Park - we've had one, and there are two more coming up early next year, In Feb & March. If there's one thing I've learned since working with the City, it's that if you don't ask, you don't get. So ask! This is a fairly unusual situation - most neighborhood parks are older, and difficult to modify. In our case, we have the opportunity to work with a blank slate. If you've ever taken your kids to parks in Round Rock and Cedar Park and gazed in awe at their amazing parks and playscapes, now's your chance to get something similar in Highland. In November, City Council approved the rezoning of the old furniture warehouse/homeless camp opposite ACC's main Airport entrance, on Dillard Circle. Which means we should be getting our own NXNW brewpub/restaurant sometime in the new year. I've heard rumors of a Snap Kitchen and Salt & Time butchers sharing the space with NXNW as well, but don't quote me on that. While on the topic of unsubstantiated rumors, you may have heard that the half empty strip mall on the corner of Airport & Lamar was sold in April of this year, to the same guys who bought the Linc. While their plans aren't finalized, and they won't share secret business deals with me until the ink is dry, they have confirmed that we will definitely be leasing the main space to a Texas based grocery chain. Which one exactly, they wont say... yet. Hopefully I'll have a more substantial update by the December HNA meeting. In HNAs last public meeting, membership voted to institute online voting as an option for our members. Bear in mind that this is only an option, so if you're not interested, nothing will change for you. If you are interested, check out the membership section of our website [highlandneighborhood.com]. You can now manage your HNA membership online as well, if you prefer. I don't have a full list of speakers for our December meeting yet, but we will be meeting on December 8th at the Marchesa Hall & Theatre. We'll be in the theatre room, as the rest of the building should be hosting the Blue Genie Arts Bazaar, so you can do your Christmas shopping at the same time. See you then? Alex Schmitz, President

Nelda’s Tailor’s, Inc. Excellence in custom tailoring since 1978

Celebrating 37 years in Business

Thank You AustinThank You AustinThank You AustinThank You Austin Austin Pflugerville Highland Village Settler’s Ridge 6929 Airport, Suite 134 1101 W Pecan St (512) 451-0179 (512) 252-8886

Austin-Peel and Son

Funeral Home &

Crematory

Full Service FlowersFull Service FlowersFull Service FlowersFull Service Flowers www.austinpeel.com

(512) 419-7224 FAX (512) 419-7641

Billy F. Peel 607 E. Anderson Lane President Austin, TX 78752

Family Owned and OperatedFamily Owned and OperatedFamily Owned and OperatedFamily Owned and Operated austinpeel@sbcglobal.net

1st CLASS

COLLISION CENTER Owner: Billy Harp

6820 Guadalupe St Austin, Texas 78752 Phone: 512.458.1222 Fax: 512.458.1223 Mobile: 512.632.7424

www.1stclasscollisioncenter.com billy@1stclasscollisioncenter.com

Ask about the 5% Discount for

Highland Neighborhood

Residents

Holiday

Lighting

Contest

First Prize: $50.00 Second Prize: $25.00 Third Prize: $10.00

On Sunday, December 20th, make sure your lights are on

for the judging!

Judges: Nancy Hall, Lois Owen, Connie & Mary Kinnard

Highland/Skyview NeighborhoodHighland/Skyview NeighborhoodHighland/Skyview NeighborhoodHighland/Skyview Neighborhood

Plan Contact TeamPlan Contact TeamPlan Contact TeamPlan Contact Team

If you enjoy watching the City Council on Austin Public Television, and are interested in learning about land-use and zoning, you might want to be on this team.

If interested, contact Alex Papavasiliou

alex.papavasiliou@gmail.com (there is a limit of 16)

Gethsemane Lutheran Church “A RECONCILING IN CHRIST MINISTRY”

200 West Anderson Lane Austin, Texas 78752

(512) 836-8560 www.gethsemaneaustin.org

email: gethsemaneaustin@sbcglobal.net

“Called By Grace. Led By Faith.“Called By Grace. Led By Faith.“Called By Grace. Led By Faith.“Called By Grace. Led By Faith. Welcoming All to Share God’s Love”Welcoming All to Share God’s Love”Welcoming All to Share God’s Love”Welcoming All to Share God’s Love”

2014 ADVENT CHRISTMAS SEASON2014 ADVENT CHRISTMAS SEASON2014 ADVENT CHRISTMAS SEASON2014 ADVENT CHRISTMAS SEASON December 2, 9, 16: Advent Wednesdays

12:00 noon Eucharist 5:30 pm Soup 7:00 pm Eucharist

December 6: St. Nicholas Day December 13: St. Lucia Day

December 19: Distribute Gifts to T A Brown Families December 24: Christmas Eve

12:00 noon Eucharist 7:00 pm Family Worship Candle Lighting Santa Lucia, Apples 11:00 pm Candle Lighting Santa Lucia, Apples

December 25: Christmas Day 8:15 am Swedish Julotta 9:00 am Fellowship 9:30 am Eucharist

CHILDREN’S MINISTRYCHILDREN’S MINISTRYCHILDREN’S MINISTRYCHILDREN’S MINISTRY Good Beginnings Never End

(512) 339-6335 www.glcmchildcare.org

December 18: Christmas Program All ARE WELCOME

PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM

(School closed December 24, 25) Ages 6 weeks - 5 years (PK)

Full time MWF/TTH 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. MDO available for 2 yrs - PreK

Hot Lunch and Snacks Provided Daily Administrative Leadership Team:

Valerie Johnson, Director Darlene Krenek, Angelica Lundquist & JaMilla Arnold,

Assistant Directors

Groomingdale’s of Austin

A new experience in pet care

Call Tomay or Lori at

(512) 524-1484 Visit us at 1108 Koenig Lane

Austin, 78756

www.groomingdalesofaustin.com

Open Sundays All Breed Dog Grooming

GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD

SEPTEMBER 606 Amesbury

Volunteering to do the Christmas Lighting Contest every year as well as supporting HNA events.

OCTOBER 609 Amesbury

New renovations to their home and yard (a new fence, a little garden bed around the new mailbox, a bench by the door, and solar lights that light up in the evening).

NOVEMBER 100 W Lisa

Supporting HNA projects and events! —————————-

The Good Neighbor Award recognizes neighbors in the following categories: ▪ Property improvement

▪ Neighborliness and caring ▪ Neighborhood safety

▪ Neighborhood improvement, beautification and preservation ▪ Neighborhood organization and participation

To nominate a neighbor call Kitty Traylor

512-451-9479

“A small body of determined spirits, fired by an

unquenchable faith in their mission, can alter the course of history.” Ghandi

"If you want to sacrifice the

admiration of many men

for the criticism of one,

go ahead, get married."

KATHRYN HEPBURN

MPORTANT DATES

COMING UP November 30, 2015 Bulk Collection December 7, 2015 Large Brush Collection December 8, 2015 Winter Meeting December 20, 2015 Holiday Light Judging March 8, 2016 Spring Potluck

ADVERTISING IN THE HNAADVERTISING IN THE HNAADVERTISING IN THE HNAADVERTISING IN THE HNA QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERQUARTERLY NEWSLETTERQUARTERLY NEWSLETTERQUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TO PLACE AN AD CONTACT:

Kitty Traylor at 512-451-9479 or newsletter@highlandneighborhood.com or

kittytraylor@gmail.com

I can design an ad for you from a business card at no charge, or you can send it in a jpg form.

Small $30, Medium $60, Large $90 The deadline for placing an ad is the 10th of the month in February, May, August, and November.

Please send checks to: HNA, P O BOX 14109, AUSTIN TX 78761-4109

If you need an invoice, please let me know!

LUIS’ Corner Barber Shop

6807-A Guadalupe St. (Corner of Airport & Guadalupe)

Austin, TX 78752 512-323-0602

Senior Citizen Discount Old Fashioned Walk-In Barber Shop

Locally Owned Referrals Appreciated Now 4 Barbers Here To Serve You

Tuesday - Friday: 9:00 - 6:00

Saturday: 8:30 - 4:00

SECOND CHANCE SECOND CHANCE SECOND CHANCE SECOND CHANCE CONCRETECONCRETECONCRETECONCRETE

We Cover Ugly Concrete! Don't tear it out! Cover it with Beautiful Sierra Stone.

512-779-0040 secondchanceconcrete@gmail.com

Call Jerry today for a FREE Estimate

We also do Garages and Acid Staining, Driveways,

Inside/Outside Patios, Around Pools

Highland Neighborhood Park Master Planning Has Begun!

On Tuesday November 17th, The City of Austin Parks Department, together with consultants Norris Design and Asakura Robinson, kicked off the Highland Neighborhood Park and Reznicek Fields public engagement process with an open house and presentation at Reilly Elementary School. We had a large turnout with over 50 residents of all ages. A huge thank you to all our volunteers who passed out fliers in the neighborhood to spread the word! Residents were really excited about a park in walking distance and the opportunities for this site, including increasing access using the trail along Waller Creek and the shady strip of large heritage trees running through the middle of the property. Special thanks to John Lawler with Councilmember Casar’s office for his attendance and interest in the project. The chosen location – 401 W. St Johns , located right in the middle of Highland neighborhood– has been used as sports fields for several decades by the University Hills Optimists, and will now be formally recognized as a neighborhood park by the City. Creating this park provides an amazing opportunity to have new equipment and features tailored to the wants and needs of a part of Austin severely lacking in park amenities. Everything onsite must be razed, so picture it as a blank slate and let us know what you imagine for its future! After a presentation from Robert Deegan of Norris Designs there was an open house and short survey to understand the amenities and uses the community envisions. The slides from the presentation and the survey are online. PLEASE GO ONLINE AND FILL THE SURVEY OUT!!! You can find the survey link onhttp://highlandneighborhood.com/park/ orhttp://www.austintexas.gov/department/highland-neighborhood-park-and-reznicek-fields-master-plan.The survey closes December 6th, so, if you want your input to be a part of the new Highland Neighborhood Park, go fill it out now! The future meeting dates will be February 10th, 2016 and March 23, 2016, location TBD. There will be a children’s table at the meeting, so bring your kids and let us know what they want at the park. In February Norris design will present some different concepts based upon the survey results, which should be interesting and exciting! We’ll review and give feedback on those concepts and meet again in March to review the Draft Master Plan. When you fill out the survey you can sign up for updates. You can also subscribe to the HNA park website for updates from us. I’ll be speaking at the December HNA meeting so come to hear a little more about the current activity on site and future plans for the park, and stay to do a little shopping at the Blue Genie Arts Bazaar. The Marchesa Hall holds this art bazaar which features local and regional artists with unique and amazing Christmas gifts, and we have the good fortune of being able to walk out of our meeting room straight into the free market. See you there! (And fill out the survey!) Marla Schmitz Friends of Highland Neighborhood Park

Kids Presentation

HNA BUDGET REPORT

December 8, 2015 Joann Rees, Treasurer

BALANCE FORWARD $1,659.71

Income: 1) Membership Dues…….....….....................$150.00 2) Ads in Newsletter……...…..........................690.00 3) School Fundraiser……………..…...……….120.00 Total Income $960.00

SUBTOTAL $2,619.71

Expenses: 1) Worley Printing……….…..……...……......$547.00 2) T. A Brown School……………………....….120.00 3) Reilly School………………………………...120.00 4) Garage Sale Ad………………………………...25.50 Total Expenses $812.50 BALANCE December 8, 2015 $1,807.21

2015 School Fundraiser for T A Brown & Reilly

HNA matched the amount collected and gave each school $120.00. Those contributing were: Joann & Art Rees, Kitty Traylor, Damon Howze, Dorothy & Johnny Johns, Robert Deegan, Reyne Telles, & Marilyn & Gary Pickens.

Virginia Morales, Joann Rees, Cheryl Bowie, Kitty Traylor

Kitty Traylor, Assistant Principal Celines Gauthier, Joann Rees

MALLOW SWEET POTATO BAKE (Taste of Home)

Ingredients

• 6 large sweet potatoes

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple,

undrained

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, divided

• 1/3 cup orange juice

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 2/3 cup miniature marshmallows

• 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Scrub and pierce sweet potatoes.

Bake 45-55 minutes or until tender. Reduce oven setting

to 350°.Cut potatoes in half; scoop out pulp and place in

a large bowl. Stir in butter until melted. Stir in the pine-

apple, 1/4 cup cranberries, orange juice and salt.

Transfer to an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking

spray. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle

with marshmallows, pecans and remaining cranberries.

Bake 8-10 minutes longer or just until marshmallows are

puffed and lightly browned. Yield: 12 servings.

PARKING ON SIDEWALKS (§ 16-5-16 PARKING

PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN SPECIFIED PLACES (A) on a sidewalk or any part of the sidewalk area, which is hereby defined as the space between the curbline or the lateral line of a roadway and the adjacent property line along any street, irrespective of whether such area has been improved by concrete, gravel or other walkways except where the Director of Public Works and Transportation has determined that such area or space may be used without conflict to pedestrian and vehicle traffic and such determination has been filed with the City Clerk and not rescinded.

HNA NEWSLETTER PRINTER BY:

Worley Printing Company Serving Austin for 30 plus years

Union Label No. 25 Typesetting & Camera Graphics

High Speed Copying Wedding Invitations & Accessories

Multi-Color Offset Promotional & Advertising Products

Letterpress Political Campaign Specialists

Full Bindery Free Pick Up and Delivery

3217 I-35 North 478-4064

AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT DATA

You can now access the last 18 months of crime information, which is updated daily, through an interactive mapping program called the Crime Report Viewer at: www.ci.austin.tx.us/police.

This site has a link for Registered Sex Offenders.

SPO Judson Chapman APD Region 1 District Representative IDA-3

Judson.Chapman@austintexas.gov

Joseph Jiles, Senior Deputy Office of the Constable, Travis County Precinct 1

512-854-7510 or 512-917-8465 Cell

HNA MEMBERSHIP FORM Complete this form and bring it to the next meeting or mail it to HNA, PO Box 14109,

AUSTIN, TX 78761- 4109. You can also pay with PayPal at our website. Dues are $15.00/year for each household. You must be a resident of this neighborhood (property ownership does not make you a resident)! We are not a Homeowners Association — you do not have to own your property to be a voting member.

Name_______________________________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________

Telephone (Home) _________________________ (Work/Cell) ___________________________

E-mail Address _____________________________________________________________________

Would you like to find out about volunteer opportunities with HNA? ____________

SIGN ON TO

THE HNA LISTSERV &

FACEBOOK@

www.highlandneighborhood.com

Stay informed about happenings in our neighborhood!

GREG CASAR CHECKING IN

Hi everyone! I hope you’re having a great fall season. Here are some quick updates from City Hall! Clean, affordable energy Just last month, the City Council chose to bring online up to 600 Megawatts of solar energy over the next few years at record low prices. Thanks to tax credits provided by the federal government, our utility professionals expect that not only will these solar purchases will save Austin Energy customers money on their bills. In the most recent budget, we successfully lowered the average energy bill for our neighborhoods, and we also changed practices that unnecessarily penalized medium-to-small businesses on their electric rates. Thanks for attending our Transportation Community Meeting Thank you to everyone who attended our community meeting on Transportation in September. Our effort to bring participatory budgeting to District 4 residents was an exciting experiment to better include directly-impacted people in decision-making. We were joined by Mobility Committee Chair Ann Kitchen and District 50 State Representative Celia Israel, who serves on the State House’s Transportation Committee, who agreed to work together towards improving North Lamar. This is a great step forward for the long-term work that needs to be done to make safety enhancements to Lamar between North Loop and Parmer. Standardizing voting hours for all City facilities In October, I sponsored a resolution to bring consistency to voting hours at City facilities during early voting, especially at locations with historically low voter turnout. Our City staff has been working hard to restore hours at City-owned facilities to pre-recession hours, and has already implemented plans to ensure all of our City facilities that are election locations are consistent with County-wide early voting hours. We greatly appreciate the hard work of our City staff to expand civic engagement and access to voting. Keep in touch! Our next office hours will be on December 4, 2015 from 1 to 4pm at the Little Walnut Creek Library. Please contact Communications Director Shelby Alexander at 512-978-2157 or Shelby.Alexander@austintexas.gov if you would like to set up a 20 minute appointment. As always, we are available at 512-978-2104 or by email at Gregorio.Casar@austintexas.gov.