CNA 03.09.09 General Meeting Minutes

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.

Violet Crown Festival Seeks Craft Vendors

The Violet Crown Festival is currently accepting applications for craft vendors, for the annual event, May 2nd, in Brentwood Park. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Mona Prater at beadornment@hotmail.com.

MetroRail Grand Opening Cancelled

The following information is outdated as of March 21st, according to the following American Statesman article.

----------------------

On Monday, March 30th, Capital Metro’s MetroRail will begin passenger rail services that extend 32 miles between Leander and downtown Austin. The rail offers nine stations with service every 30 minutes during your morning and afternoon commute (see the list of the nine stations below) and features Wi-Fi service, bicycle and luggage racks, and tables or pull-down trays.

Capital Metro will be hosting a grand opening celebration of MetroRail on Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 9AM to 7PM. Come ride and experience the train firsthand. Everyone may ride the train on March 28 for FREE. Enjoy live music at the downtown, Plaza Saltillo, Crestview and Leander stations. Please visit the Capital Metro Web site for grand opening event details and information, or you may call the Go Line at 474-1200.

Capital MetroRail Stations:
• Downtown Station-located outside the Convention Center at 4TH Street between Neches and Trinity
• Plaza Saltillo Station-located at the Plaza Saltillo at 5th Street and Comal
• MLK, Jr. Station-located on MLK, Jr. and Alexander St.
• Highland Station-located along Airport Blvd. just south of Highland Mall Blvd.
• Crestview Station-located west of Lamar between Justin St. and St. John’s Ave.
• Kramer Station-located near Kramer Lane east of Burnet Road
• Howard Station-located at the southwest corner of Howard Lane and MoPac
• Lakeline Station-located at the Northwest Park & Ride on Lakeline Blvd. at Lyndhurst
• Leander Station-located on U.S. Hwy. 183 just north of FM2243

Brentwood Elementary Used Book Sale

The Brentwood Elementary PTA Used Book Sale continues Thursday and Friday, March 12-13. We have great deals and a great selection (especially adult fiction and nonfiction).

We have: books (children and adult), magazines CDs and DVDs videos and cassette tapes

Items are priced very affordably, from $0.25 to $2.00, so that all students at Brentwood may purchase a book. Proceeds from the sale will help purchase new books and materials for the library.

We are still accepting donations! Donation boxes are located just inside the front doors of Brentwood Elementary, across from the front office, or you can bring it directly to the sale. Questions? Call or email Andrea Roberts at 323-6974 or roberts_andrea@sbcglobal.net.

Come to our sale! The community is invited on:
Thursday, March 12 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Friday, March 13 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Check in at the front office and bring your ID. Look for signs to the
library.
6700 Arroyo Seco

THANK YOU, BRENTWOOD AND CRESTVIEW!
WE LOVE YOU!

posted by Andrea Roberts to the Crestview listserv

City to host public forum to gather Comprehensive Plan feedback

Members of the Austin City Council will host a public forum on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, to seek the public’s input in the process of selecting a consultant for the new Comprehensive Plan, which will contain the City’s policies for growth and development.

The three finalist teams, chosen through a national Request for Qualifications process, made presentations to the City Council on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009.

At the March 4 forum, the City Council will gather additional feedback as well as suggestions for questions that may be asked of the three finalist teams. After compiling the consultants’ responses, Council will host another community meeting to seek public opinion on the consultants before making a final decision on April 23, 2009.

Comprehensive Plan Public Forum
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
6 p.m.
Town Lake Center
721 Barton Springs Road, Austin

Additional information on the Comprehensive Plan, including video of the three finalists’ Feb. 12 presentations to Council, can be accessed
here.

Allandale Picnic in the Park

Allandale, your neighbor, invites you to join us for a relaxing afternoon in the park on Sunday, March 29, 2009, 4-6 p.m. The Allandale Picnic in the Park will take place at Northwest Park near the pond. We will have music, food & drinks, arts & crafts and local vendors. Go here for the details. It's FREE!

Spring Fling Plant Swap

Hey gardeners and plant enthusiasts!

It's time for the Spring Fling Plant Swap! Swapping is a great way to
grow and share your backyard bounty and knowledge...FOR FREE.

View the Evite here.

Get your goodies ready:

Get your seeds bagged and labeled.
Start your rootings or cuttings in small pots.
Thin your bulbs, rhizomes, runners and bag or pot them.
Transplant unwanted / thinned plants into pots

Items acceptable to trade:

Any plants or vegetables
Gardening accessories / books
Yard art / garden decor
Pots / containers

We'll do a drawing for a gift certificate to Shoal Creek nursery, and
every swapper gets the new copy of the Austin Grow Green Guide of native
and adapted plants. Children and pets on leashes are welcome...we're in
the park after all! (Just the pets on leashes, not the kiddos, heehee).

Hope to see you all there! RSVP if you can.

View the Evite here.

Feel free to share with other neighborhoods.

Thanks so much,
Kat on Gault
kat@dukecorrea.com