Crestview Neighborhood Association

Traffic Calming Open House - July 9th, from 6 - 8pm

2009-07-06T16:34:00.003-05:00

There is a Traffic Calming Open House THIS Thursday, July 9th, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Wozniak Hall at St. Louis Church.

The Traffic Calming working group will be there with Peter Marsh, the city traffic engineer. You'll see maps and examples of the traffic calming devices and get to answers to all your questions.

Arroya Seco Community Cleanup - June 27

2009-06-22T13:32:00.003-05:00

Please join us for the First Annual Arroyo Seco Community Cleanup on Saturday, June 27, 2009, organized by your neighbors in Brentwood and Crestview and trash bags provided by Keep Austin Beautiful.

9:45 AM: Meet Up at Brentwood Elementary School dumpster area (along Arroyo Seco)
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Clean-up along Arroyo Seco between Woodrow and Theckla Terrace (south of Koenig Lane).

Tips for Volunteers:
* Dress Appropriately (leather closed-toe shoes, tennis shoes, or boots), long cotton pants or jeans, wear bright colors that can be seen by drivers, and bring and wear gloves. A hat, long-sleeves, and sunscreen are recommended.
* Come hydrated and bring water to stay hydrated.
* Be Alert! Avoid dogs, cars, snakes, poison ivy, fire ants, etc. Do not handle dead animals. Avoid handling materials which may be hazardous or, especially for children, sharp. Exercise caution around the wet, marshy, or sloped areas.
* Children Welcome with a Supervising Adult.

For further information and reminders about this event, contact:
micheleholt@grandecom.net and/or join the Crestview Gardeners Group by sending an email to crestview-gardeners@googlegroups.com.

Pictures from the Crestview Ice Cream Social

2009-06-22T12:37:00.006-05:00

Crestview Ice Cream Social 2009

The Crestview Ice Cream Social was a great success, with an estimate of over 200 served! Thanks to the people at the IGA for donating the Blue Bell ice cream. We went through 13 gallons! Thanks to the Little Deli for allowing us to use the space in front of their restaurant. Thanks to the "friends down the street" (Chele, Randy and Nate) who provided musical entertainment. Thanks to The Alamo Drafthouse, the Austin Children's Museum, and Austin Duck Tours for donating prizes for the raffle drawings. Thanks to Susan and Rob Burneson for staffing a table on the oral history project and for the neighborhood gardeners making the veggie swap table a success. Lastly, thanks to all those who showed up to mingle with your neighbors and celebrate our special Austin community on a hot almost-summer day!

Here are some more pictures sent in by Alex on Pasadena.

Commander's Forum - June 9th

2009-06-04T09:30:00.001-05:00

Austin Police Department - Central West Area Command

You are cordially invited to attend our Commander's Forum. We want to share information and discuss those issues and concerns that are important to you. Our desire is to open lines of communication in order to improve the quality of life within your community.

Tuesday June 9th, 2008
6:30pm - 8:30pm
McCallum High School
5600 Sunshine Drive
Austin, TX 78756

Agenda
6:30pm - 6:35pm Introduction/ Central West Area Commander
6:35pm - 8:00pm District Representative Breakout Sessions
8:00pm Adjourn

For more information, please contact Sergeant John Spillers, 974-5708.

What’s your take on Zero Waste?

2009-06-02T12:28:00.003-05:00

The City of Austin recently passed a resolution approving Zero Waste as a comprehensive way to manage the nearly one million pounds of waste going into our landfills each year. To achieve Zero Waste goals, the City is striving for a 20% reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfills by 2012, a 75% reduction by 2020, and a 90% reduction by 2040. In order to reach these goals, we need help from you.

The City wants your opinion to help shape and improve city programs, facilities and outreach to make Austin a leader among Zero Waste communities. Please take five minutes of your time to participate in our Zero Waste survey. The survey will be available through the month of June.

Jessica Kingpetcharat-Bittner
Sustainability Administrator
City of Austin Solid Waste Services Department
Email: jessica.king@ci.austin.tx.us
Office: 512.974.7678
Fax: 512.974.1999

Annual Crestview ICE CREAM SOCIAL - June 20th

2009-05-29T14:30:00.006-05:00

All Crestview residents are invited to gather by the Little Deli gazebo on June 20th at 11am-1pm for some FREE ICE CREAM, while supplies last. Meet your neighbors and watch your elected neighborhood association officers work for you (scooping ice cream)! This event will take the place of the usual, 2nd Monday of each month, CNA meeting for the month of June (i.e. there will NOT be a meeting on June 8th).

There are plans to have a gardeners' seed swap, a free raffle for Austin event tickets, and a CNA membership table.

Photos from the Thing in the Park

2009-05-20T16:36:00.001-05:00

Kent Samuelson posted some photos from the Thing in the Park.

Regional Library Branch Grand Opening - May 30th

2009-05-19T09:53:00.002-05:00

Events Announcements

What's up with the MetroRail sounding its horn lately?

2009-05-18T16:03:00.005-05:00

From CapMetro's Metrorail Safety FAQs:

Will the train blow its horn in my neighborhood?
Federal law requires trains to sound horns at crossings unless a quiet zone is established. A quiet zone is an FRA-approved section of track where trains are not required to sound horns at crossings. Quiet zones are established after the installation of quad gates, which prevent vehicles from driving around railroad crossings. Quiet Zones are in effect in Leander, Cedar Park and in Austin from U.S. Hwy 183 to Downtown and between McNeil/Merriltown Road and Gracy Farms Road. Capital Metro freight and passenger trains will still sound horns in emergency situations such as when there is a car or pedestrian on the tracks. Trains also are still required to sound horns when accelerating from a stopped position.

More info from the listserv:

Marshal Garland on Grover has reported that the crossings are currently malfunctioning and the trains are required to blow their horns until they are fixed. CapMetro's contractor, Veolia, is currently working to fix the crossings, but no estimates have been provided on when the repairs will be completed (Veolia’s Director of Rail Operations, Patrick Brouard at 852-7290 or patrick.brouard@veoliatransportation.com).

Violet Crown Community Theater's Jack and the Beanstalk - May 30th

2009-05-15T10:58:00.001-05:00

Violet Crown Community Theater invites you to "Jack and the Beanstalk," a forty-five minute, interactive play consisting of talent from the Brentwood, Crestview, Wooten and Allandale neighborhoods.

Bring food, blankets, friends and family and come experience an unforgettable performance while hanging out with your neighbors.
When: May 30th at 5 PM
Where: Brentwood Elementary School's outdoor stage (near the swimming pool).

You can also catch us at the Farmers' Market on the following days:
6/3 7 PM – Farmers' Market at the Triangle
6/6 11 AM – Farmers' Market Downtown

For more information, please contact Nancy Barnard.

Sustainable Neighborhoods meeting on Anderson and Lamar Intersection - May 19

2009-05-15T09:43:00.002-05:00

The next Sustainable Neighborhoods meeting will be next Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Village Christian Apartments Activity Room, 7925 Rockwood Ln.

The meeting will explore the future of the Lamar/Anderson intersection based on feedback from the City, CapMetro and TXDoT.

This intersection is critical to the future of our neighborhoods. Crossing Lamar along this stretch is challenging for cars, bikes and people alike. The City has zoned property on both sides for new apartments and condos, but these developments would be fragmented and future residents will have no choice but to drive, contributing directly to cut-thru traffic while undermining community. The intersection could be a logical place to site a transit station, but that too would require planning and investment. A neighborhood-friendly solution for this intersection will require extensive consensus-building among neighborhoods, property owners and government agencies.

Lamar Choir Presents Take a Walk on the Wild Side - May 28th-29th

2009-05-14T11:08:00.004-05:00

The Lamar Middle School (LMS) Choir will perform its annual Disney Darlings musical variety show and fundraiser on May 28th and 29th. The theme for this year’s program is Take a Walk on the Wild Side, and features a two-act, 3-course dinner theater production performed in the LMS cafeteria. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket
prices are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Advance tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 13th by calling 841-5965.

Disney Darlings is the main fundraiser for the LMS Choir and provides needed equipment plus cultural and academic enrichment recommended by the Texas Education Agency. Under the direction of former Lamar choir student and University of Texas graduate, Michelle Barrientes, the Scottie Singers, Top Dawgs and Doggie Dames groups have excelled in competitions, received superior scores in UIL and other sight-reading contests, performed at the Texas State Capitol and in Washington, DC, and were recognized by Austin Mayor Will Wynn and the Austin City Council as they proclaimed March 20, 2007 “Lamar Middle School Choir Day” in the city of Austin. The LMS Choirs also include the 6th grade Purple Pups and extra-curricular Pop groups.

These talented students depend on the ongoing support of the Lamar and surrounding communities to further their musical and academic journeys. The annual Disney Darlings program is their way of showing gratitude to all who make this happen each year.

CNA 05.11.09 General Meeting Minutes

2009-05-12T10:06:00.003-05:00

Officers present: Eddie, Deanna, Dave, Jerry, Tim, Don

A quorum of Association members was present (20) and an election for officers for the executive committee was held. All candidates were nominated without opposing candidates, and all were voted for unanimously by members saying "aye". The following residents have volunteered to serve for the June '09 - May '10 year:

Eddie Gary - President
Paige Hill - Vice President
Tim Ramirez - Treasurer
Don Tucker - Secretary
Kat Correa - Newsletter Editor
Deanna McMillen - Place 1
Heidi Goebel - Place 2
Tonia Scaperlanda - Place 3
Marcus Boruff - Place 4

Heartfelt thanks were given to those officers who had served in the past and were stepping down, to those who volunteered to serve this term, and to all members who showed up to participate in the election.

A Community Mosaic viewing - May 14th

2009-05-07T17:38:00.000-05:00

Stop by the Lions Club (1103 Justin Lane) on Thursday, May 14, 7:30 p.m, to see "A Community Mosaic," the Brentwood/Crestview neighborhood film which premiered at the Wall of Welcome dedication in March 2008.

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to attend.

We'll also have copies of the film and a neighborhood history booklet, which is based on the neighborhood history display at past Violet Crown events, including last Saturday's Violet Crown Thing in the Park.

For more information about the film, booklet, or Voices of the Violet Crown, our ongoing oral history project in the neighborhood, please contact me at nimbus@austin.rr.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Susan

HEB Earth Day Reusable Shopping Bag Giveaway, April 22

2009-04-15T17:38:00.004-05:00

H-E-B CELEBRATES EARTH DAY BY GIVING AWAY 300,000 REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS

FOUR HOURS ONLY - 3 P.M. – 7 P.M.

H-E-B plans to celebrate Earth Day statewide in a big way by encouraging its customers to keep going green. On Wednesday, April 22, the retailer will give away 300,000 reusable shopping bags with plans to eliminate 1.5 million plastic bags from circulation. The program is taking place simultaneously at all H-E-B stores across Texas where the company will give away 300,000 reusable shopping bags statewide in a four-hour period.

For further details see the flyer.

THE CRESTVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU!

2009-04-09T11:22:00.007-05:00

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTIONS ARE MAY 11TH, 2009

For more than 25 years, CNA has steadfastly served the Crestview neighborhood. In the last year alone, CNA has coordinated with the city on deciding Vertical Mixed Use zoning, met with the Zoning and Planning Commission on the site plan for Crestview Station, coordinated with the City and Tree Folks to plant 98 new trees along Morrow, cooperated with Sustainable Neighborhoods and the list goes on! CNA works hard to represent and protect your interests!

If you are interested in keeping Crestview a great place to call home, your support of the neighborhood association is critical, and it makes a big difference.

Here are several ways you can help:

1. Join or renew your CNA membership. Dues are $10/year. Residents who are members by May 4, 2009, can vote at the upcoming Executive Committee elections, which will be held during the regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 11, 7 p.m., in Wozniak Hall, St. Louis Catholic Church.

2. Volunteer for a leadership position with the CNA. All positions are open to nominations, but five positions will be vacated next month as current members choose not to be re-nominated.
o President Open
o Vice President Open
o Treasurer Tim Ramirez
o Secretary Don Tucker
o Newsletter Editor Open
o Position #1 Deanna McMillen
o Position #2 Open
o Position #3 Dave Considine
o Position #4 Open

3. Attend the May 11th meeting and vote for your candidates of choice. Bring a neighbor!

4. Complete the Neighborhood Survey (at the bottom of this page, above the calendar)!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
o Contact the CNA Secretary
o Join the Email Group - Send an email to Crestview Neighbors

Mayoral and City Council Candidate Forum, April 13th

2009-04-08T14:52:00.003-05:00

The North Central Austin Candidate Forum, sponsored by the Allandale, Brentwood, Crestview, Highland, North Shoal Creek, and Wooten neighborhood associations, is the day after Easter, Monday April 13, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Wozniak Hall, St Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Rd.

The neighborhoods identified city planning as a unifying theme of the forum. Candidates will be asked detailed questions on how to plan for and fund the land use and transportation changes in North Central Austin required to support tens of thousands of new residents in the coming years.

The City in 2007 rezoned hundreds of acres of commercial property along Burnet, Anderson, Lamar and Airport to allow for apartments, with no hard requirement other than sidewalks for what planners call functional public open space - plazas, playscapes, outdoor dining, trails, parks and wildlife habitat - each of which serves a vital purpose in a dense urban environment.

More information, including candidate questionnaire responses, are at the forum page.

Here is a short, 3-minute YouTube video that serves as a trailer for the Room To Live initiative and the unifying theme of the forum.

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The Crestview Neighborhood Association will have an information table at the forum. Please stop by to tell us what you would like to see more or less of in our neighborhood. Bring a checkbook and pay your annual $10 membership dues (dues can be waived in extenuating circumstances)! Dues must be paid by May 4th to be able to participate in the annual association elections on May 11th! Our neighborhood is a collaborative effort. Let's join together to make it the best it can be!

CNA Officer Elections May 11th

2009-04-07T13:23:00.005-05:00

This year, the positions of the president, vice-president, the newsletter editor and 2 places on the executive committee will be vacated at the May '09 elections. All neighbors are encouraged to attend this important general meeting on the 11th to participate in the election. Anyone wishing to run and/or vote in the elections must have their membership dues ($10) paid 1 week prior to the elections. Membership forms are available in the April Newsletter. People interested in volunteering for the following term (June '09-June '10) are encouraged to peruse the bylaws for descriptions of duties of the officers and place-holders.

Brentwood Rocks Benefit Concert, April 18th

2009-04-06T15:44:00.001-05:00

Saturday, April 18th
5-7:30 pm.
Brentwood Park, outdoor stage

Join us for an evening concert in the park featuring Shining Path, Spoiled Royals, and the Brentones! Bring a blanket, and settle in to enjoy live music with delicious food offered by Galaxy Cafe, Wink Restaurant, and Freddie's Place. All proceeds benefit Brentwood Elementary. (Rain or shine- rain location the Brentwood Elementary Cafe).

for all the details, visit this site.

Violet Crown Thing in the Park, Saturday, May 2

2009-04-03T14:38:00.002-05:00

Make plans to join your friends and neighbors at the Violet Crown Thing in the Park, to be held in Brentwood Park on Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In the spirit of previous Violet Crown Festivals, this event is being organized by Violet Crown Community Works. Since 2003, VCCW has helped build and sustain community in Brentwood and Crestview by supporting neighborhood events and enhancement projects.

Admission to the Thing in the Park is free, and there will be fun activities for all ages, including art and craft vendors, live music and other entertainment from neighborhood groups, kids' activities, and good old-fashioned games like sack races and pitching washers! We'll also have living history displays and activities and sales of a neighborhood history film and booklet.

Bring your blanket and a picnic or enjoy great food and tasty treats from Hangtown Grill, Amy's Ice Creams, Hey Cupcake!, and others. Major sponsors include Grande Communications, The Pilates Center of Austin, Texas DPS Credit Union, Sweet Leaf Tea, Thunderbird Coffee, The Art Pad, Stepping Stone School, and Barnstormers Studio.

Proceeds from the Thing in the Park will be dedicated to seating and other enhancements for the Wall of Welcome area. Additional proceeds will benefit Voices of the Violet Crown, an ongoing oral history project in the neighborhood.

Join us for a fun day in the park! The Violet Crown Thing in the Park needs volunteers before, during and after the event, which will be held from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on May 2. The jobs aren't hard, and are fun and easy ways to meet your neighbors and do something good for your community! If you can give a couple of hours to the event, please contact Vanita Trippe (vtrippe@hotmail.com or 302-9792) or Diane Bennett (454-3259 or at Crestview Barber Shop).

We are still looking for local talent to provide entertainment during the 15-minute set changes on the music stage. If you are interested in performing, contact Sally Brannon, sally@earthkeeperesc.com or phone 970-3995.

Artists and artisans interested in a booth at the Thing should contact Mona Prater, beadornment@hotmail.com or phone 450-1167.

For more information and updates about the event, stay tuned to neighborhood newsletters, listservs, and violetcrownfestival.com.

Burnesons awarded for neighborhood oral history project

2009-04-03T09:47:00.001-05:00

Crestview residents Susan and Rob Burneson have been awarded the Mary Faye Barnes Award for Excellence for Community History Projects by the Texas Oral History Association. The award is for "outstanding work in collecting and preserving oral histories of significance to the story of the Brentwood and Crestview neighborhoods of Austin," including the production of a film, "A Community Mosaic," in 2008.

With the recent grant from Violet Crown Community Works, Susan and Rob are continuing videotaped interviews in the neighborhood this spring. If you know of someone, especially a longtime resident, who is willing to be interviewed, please contact Susan and Rob at 459-9613 or nimbus@austin.rr.com.

"A Community Mosaic" has been shown at the Wall of Welcome Dedication, Violet Crown Fall Arts Festival, Brentwood and Crestview neighborhood association meetings, a number of churches in the neighborhood, and, most recently, at an outdoor film party in Crestview. Copies of the film have been donated to the Austin Public Library (where it can be checked out), the Austin History Center, and the Brentwood Elementary School Library.

You may also purchase your own copy of "A Community Mosaic" at Crestview Barber Shop or from Susan and Rob.

We are so proud of Susan and Rob's work. This award is well deserved. Thank you Susan and Rob!!!!!

Posted by Shayla Fleshman to the neighborhood listserv

Traffic Calming – What’s It All About?

2009-04-03T09:45:00.001-05:00

By the Crestview Traffic-Calming Working Group

The name says it all. What does the word “calming” make you think about? It means “easing, relaxing, reducing tension.” It also means “not agitating, not aggravating, not upset.” Doesn’t calming sound nice? So let’s all work together to calm our traffic down.

The most recent traffic data gathered by the city shows that Crestview has a high per-trip traffic count, meaning the number of one-way trips into and through the neighborhood. Also, the average speed of all these cars is 5–8 miles over the posted speed limit. Sometimes the speed limit is 25 m.p.h. on narrow streets, and sometimes it’s 30 m.p.h. on wider streets like Woodrow and Grover. Five to eight miles over the speed limit might not be significant on a highway, but on our neighborhood streets it has become a major problem.

Currently, our most common traffic problems are not one- or two-car accidents, but pedestrian injury and property damage due to drivers running stop signs and not yielding to walkers and bicyclists. Some of these drivers are your neighbors, but a large number of them are “cut-through drivers.” This means they do not live in the neighborhood, but are simply driving through Crestview on their way to somewhere else. Cut-through traffic is not necessarily a bad thing; we are in the middle
of the city after all. But remember that we also have a problem with high speed.

In summary, traffic calming will address these two issues and result in an average 20% reduction in both volume and speed of traffic. To some people, 20% may not sound like much, but let’s remember what “calming” means. We will see an overall calming effect in traffic all over the neighborhood with fewer cars, and they will be traveling at slower speeds. As a result, our streets will be a safer and quieter.

Neighborhood residents will soon be presented with the opportunity to support the efforts of our Crestview Neighborhood Association and the City of Austin to calm our traffic. A working group is nearing completion on a proposed neighborhood plan and will be ironing out the details with the City of Austin traffic engineer over the next few weeks.

After the plan is completed, the City will mail a notification letter to neighborhood property owners with information on the plan along with a ballot, and residents will have an opportunity to attend an open house to obtain more information prior to voting. Prior to the balloting, the working group plans a program of education and outreach to our neighbors. In addition to newsletter and website articles, they will be going door-to-door and staffing information tables in the area.

If traffic calming is important to you, and you would like to help get the information out to our neighbors, please notify Kat Correa, secretary of the working group, with your preferred email and number. Her telephone number is 225-4732; her email address is kat@dukecorrea.com.

We appreciate any time and talent you have to offer.

Post by Kat Correa to the neighborhood listserv.

City Mows Arroyo-Seco Ditch During Wildflower Season - AGAIN

2009-04-02T09:51:00.001-05:00

Despite assurances to the contrary, the annual wildflower genocide continues.

Baked Goods/Lemonade Fundraising Sale

2009-04-01T15:11:00.000-05:00

Please help the Violet Crown Community Theater raise money for "Jack and the Beanstalk" by visiting our baked goods and lemonade sale this weekend. This is a great opportunity to support a community event while enjoying delicious refreshments and meeting neighbors.

What: Baked Goods/Lemonade Fundraising Sale
When: Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: In front of Crestview Pharmacy/Perfecto Cleaners

Also, mark your calendars for May 30th! There will be a free performance of "Jack and the Beanstalk" at the outdoor amphitheater of Brentwood Elementary (by the swimming pool) at 5 PM.

For more information, email Nancy at okra@austin.rr.com.

CNA 03.09.09 General Meeting Minutes

2009-03-25T10:59:00.001-05:00

Terri Green from Texas Gas brought bags with pamphlets and information about rebates for weatherization and high-efficiency appliances. The bags also contained weatherization kits (draft stoppers for outlets, weather-stripping, etc.). Many of the rebates are also offered by Austin Energy. There are also federal tax credits available, for instances $300 for tankless water heaters. Energystar.gov has information on the tax credits available. There is currently a device available to allow you to refill your natural gas vehicle (Honda Civic GX) from you gas line at home overnight.

The current and proposed CNA bylaws were posted on poster-board sized paper, with the areas of changes highlighted for review by the general assembly. A motion was made to accept the proposed changes to the bylaws by the quorum with a unanimous ‘yea’ vote (no ‘nay’ votes were heard, no abstentions were called for).

Jessica Galloway from Austin Energy Green Building brought handouts with information on green programs in Austin.
- Power Saver Program – handout goes over air-conditioning rebates
- Smart Remodeling – energy improvements, moisture reduction (dehumidifiers can allow you to tolerate higher home temperatures without feeling uncomfortable), composite lumber for decks, CFL light bulbs, paints with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) [ex: FreshAir at Home Depot].
- Green By Design class – landscaping (native and adaptive) and more
The general assembly asked specific questions regarding ways to improve their particular homes. Most energy use in Austin is by residential users, so they are the main target for conservation. Unplug devices that are not being used (cell phone chargers, coffee makers, computers, etc.) as they all are consuming power even when not in use.