January - March 2005 SLNA Scoop Archives

03/24--Neighborhood Trash Cleanup on Clawson 4/9
Come Talk Trash With Your Neighbors!

And pick some up, too! The South Lamar Neighborhood Association is doing its part to Keep Austin Beautiful by taking part in the annual "CLEAN SWEEP ACROSS AUSTIN". This time around we're picking up trash again on Clawson Road from Lightsey to Fortview and also a little part of Lightsey and Del Curto. Join us! And while you're there, let us know if there's a stretch of road you think needs attention.

After the hard work I will hand out tickets to the festival at Fiesta Gardens for free food and drinks with live music. See http://www.keepaustinbeautiful.org for details.

Date: Saturday, April 9th
Time: 9 am
Meet at: Corner of Southridge and Clawson

Bring gloves, if you have them. Trash bags will be provided.
Questions? Call Chad at 916-8707. See you there!

03/18/05--Rainwater Collection Barrels Now Available
From the City's website:
Rainwater collection barrels are available again!

To purchase a barrel from the City of Austin, bring your water/utility bill and photo ID to 6014 Techni Center Drive (near MLK & 183) on the scheduled sale date (see website below for map). Payment is accepted on the day of the sale by check, money order, credit card or exact change.

Pickup dates are currently scheduled for:

March 19, 2005 from 9:00am - 12:00pm
May 14, 2005 from 9:00am -12:00pm

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rainwater.htm
 

03/12/05--Tsuami Relief Bake Sale Pt 2 Sunday 3/13
Neighbors,
The turn-out of baked goods was so immense that, even after a great day of sales this morning, tons of goodies remain!!

Therefore, Taco Xpress has agreed to let us continue the campaign on their front walkway on Sunday, from 9AM to 2PM!!

So if you missed us Saturday morning, you have another
chance on Sunday (or you can come back for more) !

Jennifer Marine will update www.tsunamibakesale.org with how much has been raised, so remember to check it out next week.
Re-MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SUNDAY MORNING:

SWEETS FOR SRI LANKA!!

Bake Sale for Tsunami Relief
SUNDAY, March 13th
9am to 2pm
 

03/05/05--Tsunami Relief Bake Sale on Saturday  3/12
Come buy some goodies or volunteer to help! All proceeds benefit tsunami victims in Arugambay, Sri Lanka.

Tsunami Relief Bake Sale Benefit
Saturday, March 12
9AM - 1PM
South Lamar Shopping Center (1000 block of S. Lamar)

We'll hold a meeting to make signs and coordinate on Friday the 11th at 6pm at the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center at 1702 S. 5th St.

If you'd like to bake something, please wrap your baked goods so they're ready to sell. Items can be dropped off at my house (2505 Del Curto Rd.) before the sale, at the planning meeting Friday evening (see above) or brought the day of the sale.

If you'd like to sell, we're signing people up in one hour slot
increments, starting from 8-2 (extra time for set-up and
breakdown). Email or call me to sign up (texajen @ gmail.com or 447-0415).

If you simply want to come buy something and feed your sweet tooth, by all means, COME!!!

And if none of these options work for you but you still want to
help, buy some undies and drop them off at my house.
Seriously. Underwear in all sizes and bras are desperately needed by the people over there, according to my friend in
Colombo. Think about it! I'll be mailing out a box at the end of
the month.

For more information and updates and financial disclosures after the sale, visit http://www.tsunamibakesale.org

A big shout out to Krista UmScheid Mt. Joy for help with publicity, Ridgway Printing for banner donation, Wendy Cook for website development, T.H. Worthington for great location, Megan Parke and Theresa Melomo for help organizing, and of course, to everyone who's volunteered thus far.

thanks,
Jennifer Marine


03/03/05--Garage Sale at Unity Church Sat 3/5
This announcement came in from our good neighbors at Unity Church:

Garage Sale to benefit:
Greyhound Rescue Austin, Austin Siamese Rescue, & Pet Food Bank of Austin/Travis County

Saturday, March 5 . 8 a.m. -2:30 p.m.

Unity Church of Austin
2806 Del Curto Road

Pets Welcome!

Raffle items, including a Wallybed & Pet Supplies

This is just in time for Spring Cleaning! We will be happy to accept your donations for our garage sale - donated items will be accepted up to and on Friday, March 4. There will also be a couple of boutique tables that will have specialty items for sale -
antiques/jewelry/etc. These items will be sold on eBay if they do not sell at the garage sale. Of course there will be lots of garage sale items and pet supplies.

You will receive a 10% discount on your purchases if you bring donations of pet food for the Pet Food Bank of Austin/Travis County.

If you would like to donate any items or to volunteer, call Liz White (453-7737) or Marnie Reeder (288-0068)/e-mail:
starbright60@webtv.net.

The website for information and location for the Garage Sale is:

http://www.greyhoundrescueaustin.com/gra/food-bank.htm

Pet Food Bank of Austin & Travis County-Donations accepted in
March -

During the month of March, Unity Church of Austin will be collecting items for the Pet Food Bank of Austin and Travis County. This is a food and pet supplies bank for dogs, cats, and other species in need. Participating groups are: Youth Options' Project Phase, Animal Trustees of Austin, House Rabbit Resource Network, ATA's East Austin Project, Services for the
Elderly, Austin Metropolitan Ministries, and Wildlife Rescue.

Many member groups have volunteers who pick up and distribute the food. The Food Bank also makes its supplies available for disasters and emergencies locally as well as statewide.

Donations needed: Dog and cat food (wet, dry or treats), bird and rabbit food.

Wish list (other than food): Crates, dog & cat toys, dog & cat beds, towels, scratching posts, kitty condos, collars & leashes, dog house/igloos, containers for food, plastic barrels for food
collection, and volunteers for food transportation.

For more information or to volunteer, please call: Liz White, 453-7737 or Marnie Reeder, 288-0068 or e-mail:
starbright60@webtv.net.


02/28/05--APD SW Commander's Forum March 9th 7PM
Neighbors,
I just received this from our APD District Representative, Officer Robert Barboza:

The Austin Police Department Southwest Commander's Forum
meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2005 7PM at the South Sub Station, 404 Ralph Ablanedo. (Go south on Congress, east on Ralph Ablanedo just before Slaughter Lane.)

Due to the popularity of the format of the last Commander's
Forum, we will continue discussing problems and projects in this manner.  All available District Representatives will attend this forum and will participate in discussions with forum members. Please prepare a list of the most serious problems and potential projects in your neighborhood so that we may discuss ways to help you and your neighbors quickly and efficiently solve these problems.

I look forward to seeing each of you at the next meeting.  Feel free to contact Arlene Lozano if you have any questions at 974-8241 or e-mail your questions to arlene.lozano@ci.austin.tx.us.

Sincerely,
Lt. Tomie Saldana
Southwest Area Command
974-6299

Anyone is welcome to attend these meetings. But if you are unable, and have an issue you would like brought to their attention, please get in touch with me prior to that evening so I can (try to) represent your concern!

Carol Gibbs
SLNA President
442-8060
 

02/03/05--February 12-Brush and Litter Pickup
Hello All,

Come help me clean up the corner of Del Curto and
Cinnamon Path on Saturday, Feb. 12th between 10:00am
and Noon -- before the poison ivy comes back in the spring.

This work session will focus on the brush and overgrowth as well as litter -- along the sidewalk and in the creek bed.

Bring your work gloves and yard tools like loppers, rakes, shovels, edgers (nothing electric). We'll supply the leaf bags and trash bags.

The official Spring SLNA Cleanup will be on April 9th, along with Keep Austin Beautiful's Clean Sweep - put it on your calendar now!

If you have ANY suggestions for streets that need cleaning up in the neighborhood, please email me and I'll schedule it.

Thanks for helping keep our neighborhood clean!

Sincerely,
Chad Hymel

01/27/05--Tsunami Bake Sale Update
Just a quick note to everyone who's written to me (on list and off-) about volunteering for the bake sale in Feb. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch, but I am keeping a running list of everyone who's contacted me and I so appreciate your willingness to help. I've been a bit snowed under with a new job and now our whole family is sick!

The dates for the sale have been moved to the weekend of Feb. 19 and 20. I guess the next step might be a meeting? On an exciting note, I was contacted by someone from News 8 Austin earlier this week wanting info about the sale. Could be some great publicity!  I'll be in touch soon offlist.

thanks,
Jennifer
447-0415

01/27/05--SLNA will help Habitat For Humanity on 5/7
We are scheduled to help build a house on May 7. The following is information from the Volunteer coordinator. The next step is to go through an orientation. The following explains how to do that.

-----------
Everybody who volunteers with us must go through an orientation. You can either do this online at www.ahfh.org. It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Or they can come to an in person orientation that takes place the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next one will be Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

-----------

I just realized that the above doesn't say where to go for the in
person orientation. Please let me know if you need that information.

Ann Lacker

--

01/26/05--FREE Tax Preparation & E-Filing
FYI:

From: "Elizabeth Colvin" <Elizabeth.Colvin@foundcom.org>
Subject: Austin's Community Tax Centers to put Millions in Workers' Pockets

Austin's Community Tax Centers Offer FREE Tax Preparation and FREE Electronic Filing

"It's like getting an extra pay check!" says Sharon S., a single mother who counts on receiving her Earned Income Tax Credit to get ahead on bills. She usually pays $250 to get her tax return prepared, but this January she'll keep her whole refund because she's using one of the new Community Tax Centers.

The IRS estimates that 14,000 Travis County taxpayers qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit but do not claim it. That means $24 million does not enter the Austin economy and goes unclaimed by those with the greatest need in our community.  The Community Tax Centers will help low-income workers claim that money - for FREE!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS FREE SERVICE?
Wage earners and retirees who are raising one or more children and who earn $40,000 or less a year
Wage earners and retirees with no children who earn $20,000 or less a year

CAN I GET FREE ELECTRONIC FILING FOR A FAST REFUND?
YES! The Community Tax Centers use the same electronic filing as paid preparers-without all the fees.

CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
Yes, you may call 2-1-1 or 973-9203 (select option #2) between 8:30 and 5:00 to make an appointment to get your taxes done. The Tax Centers also welcome walk-ins! Interpreters are available upon advance request for
hearing-impaired.

WHERE CAN I GET MY TAXES DONE FOR FREE?

FIVE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS OPEN 5-6 DAYS A WEEK...

SOUTH: Foundation Communities, 3036 S. 1st Street
Mon. - Thurs. 9:00 - 9:00, Fri. - Sat. 9:00 - 4:00

SOUTHEAST: Dolores Catholic Church, 1111 Montopolis
Mon., Tues., Thurs. 1:00 - 8:00, Fri. - Sat. 1:00 - 5:00

EAST: AISD Family Resource Center at Allan Elementary, 4900 Gonzales 
Mon. - Thurs. 3:00 - 8:00, Saturday 9:00 - 5:00

CENTRAL: First United Methodist Church, 13th St. and Lavaca
Mon. - Thurs. 9:30 - 6:30, Fri. - Sat. 9:30 - 2:30

NORTH: WorkSource, 6505 Airport Blvd.
Mon. - Thurs. 1:00 - 8:00, Fri. 9:00 - 4:00, Sat. 9:00 - 1:00

For more information: visit www.claimandsave.org or call 2-1-1.

The Community Tax Centers are a program of Foundation Communities, an Austin nonprofit that provides affordable housing and services to low-income families, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, United Way Capital Area, WorkSource, and local social service agencies and financial institutions.  Major funding for this program is provided by the Silverton Foundation.

*****************************
Elizabeth Colvin
Program Director, Community Tax Centers
Foundation Communities
3036 South First, Suite 102
Austin, Texas 78704-6382
phone: 512.447.2026 ext. 11
fax: 512.447.0288
Elizabeth.Colvin@foundcom.org
www.foundcom.org
www.claimandsave.org
 

01/08/05--SLNA Tsunami Relief Bake Sale?
How about a bake sale fundraiser for Sri Lankan tsunami victims as a first project?!!! We could host it at Wireless Toyz (I've already called and the owner, Bill, kindly said yes) or Taco Express (Maria said yes too) or both.

An old friend of mine, Nazreen Phillips, lives in Colombo - and
while she and her family are fine, parts of Colombo and surrounding areas have been devastated, as we all know. A couple of years ago, I reconnected with Nazreen and old classmates of mine from the Philippines (my father was in the military) through another Yahoo group. People on that list live all over the world. Here's an excerpt from an email of hers (her husband's name is Dominic):

"...Really this is the most extraordinary situation, it's almost
like a brave New World. Just can't explain it, you have got to be here. As mentioned in my earlier email we do have a plan as to how to use the pledges that have been coming in from my good friends and family - basically it's concentrating on an area we know and love, in this instance Arugumbay ( a fishing/surfing town on the east coast where my uncle has a guest house called Hideaway. His guest house is fine, being situated on the land side and almost 200 meters from the beach. Not so, for most of the sea side resorts and fishing
huts/ villages).

Well, what a band of us would like to do is collect funds to re-
house and rehabilitate at least four of the fishing huts and get the fisher folk on their feet and fishing again. Good people that we have known for thirty years who have now lost everything.

We think this the most effective way of doing something with meaning and of course being able to follow assistance through to the very end. It goes without saying that every iota of monies passed to us for this purpose will be accounted for in minute detail.

Most of my like-minded Sri-Lankan friends are doing the same. Each taking an area where they have a vested interest, be it family, land , business, or just a favourite part of this wonderful island that we call home.

Of course there is more than enough aid coming in, but the monies might be slow in being implemented. And what generally happens is large costal towns and obvious areas are targeted whilst small communities/ those little secret costal towns ( think boracy island in the late 70's. ) end up being by-passed or the aid just does not come quick enough. Of course a sizable amount of the aid is used up for administration (naturally) or ends up being pocketed by politicians and people who are in charge of managing the monies. This has certainly been the tradition...

So if you are willing to have faith in Dominic and myself, and a
significant number of our friends and people who are out there,
traveling the roads, clearing the roads, writing, taking pictures,
delivering aid, - really this has been the most amazing private
enterprise/grass root undertaking, this relief operation, here,
since Monday the 27th of December.

If you care to, or choose to, please send us your contributions or anyone with language skills: tamil and singahlese, and counseling skills, do fly over. We all desperately need you. We'll let you know where to send your contributions in a couple of days.

It goes without saying, that there are tons of NGO's and aid
organizations who will welcome your help. It's up to you.

More than anything thanks so much for the care, concern and genuine feeling of wanting to help."

This could be a very cool way for us as a neighborhood to reach out and establish a connection with ANOTHER neighborhood on the other side of the world! Not to mention the fact that we'd be helping people in dire need get back on their feet, all the way through to the end. I could find out the names of people involved over there from Naz and give us regular updates on their progress.

We could do a bake sale several weeks from now to give ourselves enough time to get organized, BAKE! and drum up some publicity...This is also when donations at large might be dropping off too, even though the need will still be strong. Kids could help too!

What do y'all think?

For more information on my friend Nazreen, here's the website for their art gallery and her husband's photography site. He's done stuff for Time, Newsweek, etc.

http://www.barefootgallery.com/
http://www.dominicsansoni.com/

Please note: I don't want to "hijack" the volunteer idea with this
project if people don't want to get involved. If the neighborhood
would rather focus on something local, that's fine, but I'm inspired enough that I'm still going to proceed with plans either way. :)  I'm at 447-0415.

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer

> I'd be interested in any volunteer service project done as a
neighborhood
> group – the only trick is finding a date that I can fit into my
schedule.
> Keep me posted. The longer the lead time the better.