Allandale Green Update

2008 Allandale Neighborhood Garage Sales set for May 2nd

Annual Allandale Neighborhood Garage Sales will be held Saturday, May 2, 8:00 am to 2:00 PM

Spend a day strolling the neighborhood, greeting neighbors, and maybe bag a bargain while you’re at it.

The sale includes the entire neighborhood.

Advertising will be in the Austin American Statesman, online, and posted flyers.

Suggestions:

Join with a couple neighbors – it will draw more traffic

Put signs and or balloons on major cross streets or intersections to lead people to your sale

Keep signs simple – use arrows to direct drivers

Contact coordinator by April 28^th for more info to be listed on the online map. Email: garagesale08 at fitmom daht info no spam   or call 750-8902

Flood Control Press Conference on Silverway

Just back from the flood control presentation on Silverway.  The press conference and information session will be broadcast on Channel 6.  over the next several days. Several TV  stations  were also there, so watch Channel 8 and keye for coverage.

The flood monitoring system checks the level and volume of flow hourly.  As levels increase, it sets off an alarm triggering more  intensive monitoring.  The information is provided to the National Weather Service, and the city of Austin  --- who issue weather alerts through local media.

The US Geological Survey reps pointed out that during the recent rains, the level of Shoal Creek went from 2.1 feet to 5.5 ft in 20 minutes. This was a result of 1 inch of rainfall!

It's My Park Day 2008 - Going Green

This year It's My Park Day is going green.  The Austin Parks Foundation is changing a lot of little details of the event to reduce waste.

They want to encourage everyone to bike, walk or share a ride. 

Bring your own water bottle. There will be plenty of water, just no bottled water this year.

Volunteers can sign up online: http://www.austinparks.org/itsmypark.html

- Linnea

City Meeting regarding Coyotes 4/14

Randy Farrar, Wildlife Damage Management Biologist, Texas Cooperative Extension - Wildlife Services, will be presenting a program on Suburban Coyotes and discussing the problems in our neighborhood.

This will be a great opportunity to find out what the city is doing and how we can help this growing situation. Look for an article in this weekend's Statesman for more info.

When: Monday, April 14, 2008 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Where: Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Drive

Austin American Statesman Article
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/local/coyotes.html

Supporting Documents:

URBAN COYOTE (WILDLIFE SERVICES FACTSHEET).pdf)
Download urban_coyote_wildlife_services_factsheet.pdf

(See attached file: COYOTE ATTACKS_AN INCREASING SUBURBAN PROBLEM.doc)
Download coyote_attacks_an_increasing_suburban_problem.doc

(See attached file: TCE MANAGING SUBURBAN COYOTES.pdf)
Download tce_managing_suburban_coyotes.pdf

For the Love of Trees

Wednesday, March 19th - Free Seminar: For the Love of Trees, 7 - 9 pm
Garden Center at Zilker Botanical Garden

• ISA Certified Arborist, Jerry Naiser, will discuss Tree Varieties for Central Texas. Learn about shade and ornamental trees that love the challenge of living in the various soils found in the Austin area and will tolerate the temperamental climate. He will discuss selecting the right tree for the right location, which includes considering: rate of growth, longevity, deciduous or evergreen, and size.
• Do you know how to Correctly Plant a Tree or Shrub? How big should the hole be, fertilize, soil amended, water schedule? Gain knowledge of the principles needed to ensure the plant’s health and success.
• Discover the correct way to Prune Trees and Shrubs. The fundamentals will be covered. Is there an ideal time to prune? Where do you make the cuts and why? What tools are needed? Do you need the black tar stuff?
• This FREE seminar is sponsored by the Travis County Master Gardener Association in partnership with the Texas AgriLife Extension. For more information call 512-854-9600 and ask for the Master Gardener’s desk.

It's My Park Day 2008 - Site Update

Registration for It's My Park Day continues. Please sign up ASAP so we have enough water and snacks for everyone.

Update from Sharon Blythe, the Austin Memorial Park Clean up coordinator:

"We are going to do leaf ranking and pickup and other activities. There will be plenty to do. We will have tents setup for shade also. If folks cannot stay the whole time and want to showup for just a while that would be great also.

Please contact her if you have any questions: email blytheinaustin at yahoo dot com or phone 789-6152

Please help us spread the word on the 2008 clean up.

"Some things are obvious when pointed out, but still merit being said."

Great Quote

Learn More about Flood Control Equipment with the experts

What: Display of flood management equipment
When: Information session: Friday, March 21, 2008 - 9:30 - 10:30 AM; News Conference: 10:30 AM
Where:  Pedestrian Bridge on Silverway, on the west side of the creek.

From Watershed protection:

"I'm hoping you can help me spread the word to residents in your neighborhood about a small event we're hosting on Friday, March 21, at 9:30 a.m. at the pedestrian bridge on Silverway Drive, on the west side of the creek. The City of Austin together with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Weather Service will be holding a brief news conference about the installation of 10 new flood gauges and how they will help the City prepare better for floods.

"For this news conference, the USGS is preparing an impressive display of their stream monitoring equipment including a monitoring boat, a field truck and a model gauge. They will also have a laptop to show people how to look up real-time data from individual gauges on their web site. We thought that residents from the neighborhood might be interested in walking down and seeing the equipment and talking to the USGS representatives between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., when the news conference starts.

"We should have all the equipment removed by noon.

Ed note: The Watershed department mailed courtesy notices to the residents along Silverway today. (3/12)

If you have any questions about this event, contact:

Public Information Specialist Senior
City of Austin
Watershed Protection and Development Review Department
512-974-2799 (phone)
512-802-7456 (pager)
Stephanie.lott@ci.austin.tx.us

Real-time date from flood gauges available on the web

Look up real-time data on the flood gauges here:

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/fews/water_level.cfm

There are two USGS gauges on Shoal Creek: the one at Silverway is #08156675 and the one at 12th St. is # 08156800.

The City of Austin also has creek level gauges in the Shoal Creek watershed at W. 45th, Shoal Creek Blvd., Arroyo Seco, W. 12th St. and Foster Lane.

Interesting stuff!

14th Annual Rosedale Ride has something for the whole family

The Rosedale Ride is an annual bike ride benefiting Rosedale School, the Austin Independent School District's only school for children with multiple disabilities. The Rosedale Foundation has raised over $300,000 for Rosedale School since 1999.

Open to cyclists of all abilities, the ride offers different courses to suit anyone. This year the Rosedale Ride has four courses to choose from: a Kid’s Fun Ride; or courses of 20+, 42+ or 62+ miles. The ride begins and ends at Samsung, winding through the gently rolling countryside east of Austin.

The 2008 Rosedale Ride is Saturday, March 29th, and is followed by entertainment, food vendors, silent auction and more...

More information and registration here: http://www.rosedaleride.org/ride/index.html

Register here: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5553

Packet Pickup & In-Person Registration

Rosedale School on Thursday, March 27th between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM or Friday, March 28th between noon and 8:00 PM at Rosedale School. This is not only a great way to learn more about the School, but it is also a good opportunity to check out the array of goodies available in the Silent Auction.

Directions to Rosedale School: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2pz2au

Day of ride: Register on the morning of the Ride, starting at 7 AM. Be sure to allow time for the 8:30 AM start

For more information contact:

Angela English, LPC, LMFT
Accessibility and Disability Rights Coordinator
Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities
512-463-5741

website: governor.state.tx.us/disabilities

ADA Listserve: listserv.tamu.edu/archives/texadac-l.html