Milwood Neighborhood Assoc.

The Austin Independent School District and the Austin Council of PTAs present Real Talk: Education Issues in the Texas Legislature. Educators, parents and community members are invited to attend this one-hour forum with local lawmakers (Sen. Kirk Watson, Rep. Donna Howard, Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, Rep. Mark Strama) to hear their views on the public education issues the Texas legislature will address this session.

Topics Include:

• Vouchers
• School Funding
• Campus Safety
• Accountability
• Testing

The discussion takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 in the Austin High School Performing Arts Center, 1715 W. Cesar Chavez.

The 15th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk will fetch even more Guinness World Records to add to the three already won, the most recent for “Biggest Fur Ball” in 2012 at a whopping 201 lbs.

Your dog’s tail will wag, Saturday, March 23, 2013 at world record attempts for “Most Dogs Eating the Same Treat”, “Most Dogs Wearing the Same Bandana,” “Most Dogs Wagging Their Tails at the Same Time” and other worldwide canine accomplishments.

Participating pooches will enjoy the latest in dog food samples, advice from top veterinarians, games of canine skill and even a doggie psychic, all at Austin’s favorite outdoor venue, Auditorium Shores on the banks of beautiful Lady Bird Johnson Lake.

Each dog takes home a gold medal and a collector’s Mauro Garza t-shirt for his favorite human.

100% of the proceeds benefit Texas Hearing and Service Dogs celebrating its 25th anniversary of transforming shelter dogs into assistants for disabled individuals free of charge.

Take advantage of early bird discounts by registering online at www.servicedogs.org.

Email ginnie@servicedogs.org for more information.

–Information from North Austin Coalition:

The City Auditor will be posting applications for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission today Jan 18th at their website: www.austintexas.gov/10-ONE. Deadline for Applications is Feb. 22.  What is this commission? Its a group of citizens who are going to design the map that splits Austin into 10 districts. The 14 citizens will be pulled in a lottery system, but those who can fill the pool with the MOST applicants will still have a better chance of getting their applicants on the commission.  We need to mobilize.

Let me repeat that – we NEED to mobilize and get people signed up!

AGR have graciously agreed to send a speaker for our Jan 21st Town Hall meeting  to answer questions people might have on the application process for the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.  So we will hold the Town Hall from 7-9 and talk about 10-1 and what it means for our end of town.  We will turn the floor over to Ed English for the last 15 minutes, and he will answer questions on the applications process. The Town Hall meeting is at St. Alberts, Metric Blvd. 7pm-9pm, in the Parish Hall!

There are now THREE other ways to get info on the redistricting if you cannot make our meeting on January 21st:

1. Austin Neighborhood Council will have their monthly meeting next Weds at the Electric Building on Barton Springs. The City Auditor will be there to answer questions about the application. more info:  www.ancweb.org.
2. League of Women’s Voters will have a Workshop Open to the Public on Feb 2nd.  This is not a meeting, its a workshop and people can come and go any time during the workshop. The idea is for people to drop in, get help with the application, or get their questions answered.  Here is their release:  The League of Women Voters of the Austin Area is sponsoring an “Open, Nonpartisan Workshop on How to Apply for the Austin Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission” to provide information and support to those considering applying to serve on this commission.  Saturday, February 2. Carver Library, 1161 Angelina Street, 78702.  12:30 to 4:30 pm.  Come anytime during that period.  RSVPs not required.
3. The City Auditor will also be holding 5 public meetings Jan. 19th through Jan. 26th. More info here:

-Mary R
GWNA Coach

March 31 is the deadline for taking advantage of Austin Water’s WaterWise Landscape rebate which offers cash back to customers who replace thirsty grass with native plants and permeable hardscape.

If you’re tired of watering and mowing your lawn, it may be time to consider a landscape makeover. Austin Water has revamped our popular WaterWise Landscape rebate which offers cash back to customers who replace thirsty grass with native plants. The rebate also covers installing permeable hardscape (any area such as decomposed granite, gravel, paving stones, mulch, etc., that allows rain to penetrate into the soil but will not require any supplemental irrigation).

The program requires a minimum 500 sq. ft. to be converted. Residential properties may receive $25 for every 100 sq.ft. converted from turf grass to native plant bed and permeable hardscape. The maximum rebate amount is $1,250 and applications will be accepted twice per year, December 1–March 31 for spring installations and June 1–to September 30 for fall installations.

For more information and links to the application visit WaterWiseAustin.org

Summitt Elementary will be collecting canned food for Caring Cans as part of No Place for Hate week.

Also this month the cub scouts of Pack 90 will be going door to door in our Summitt neighborhood collecting food for the Capital Area Food Bank. Most wanted items are canned vegetables & meats, pasta & pasta sauce, beans & rice, baby food & formula. The food bank provides meals for 48,000 people weekly through local food banks so every little you can spare will be welcomed. If your house is missed please bring any food to school and add it to the Caring Cans collection.

Please help our local school and students do their best for those in need!