We’ve just added some great information from the Austin Police Department about burglary prevention for your home. This information has a permanent home here.
New Burglary Prevention Info Added
Parks & Recreation Community Engagement Meetings
Parks & Recreation Community Engagement Meetings begin February 23rd.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department will start a community engagement process at neighborhood recreation centers starting on February 23rd.
Participants will have an opportunity to work in small focus groups and share ideas about the department‚s programs and services offered at their community recreation center. Each one of the 23 Community Engagement meetings is scheduled for 1.5 hours each. Input gathered at these meetings will be evaluated by graduate students from the University of Texas. The information will then be used as a guide when developing future programs and services to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the community.
If a person is unable to attend one of these 23 community meetings, they can provide their input by taking a survey. The public can also contact the Parks and Recreation community engagement team by email and can get information on our web site.
Important news flash: it is cold outside…
two things of note;
1. From Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez: power outages around town are due to rolling brownouts that are state mandated on Austin Energy in times such as these when we are reaching peak demands state wide. Hopefully your power will only be out for an hour or so. We can get through this.
At about 5:40 a.m., the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) enacted a system-wide emergency curtailment (EEA-Level 3) due to insufficient on-line generation to meet ERCOT statewide demand. The ERCOT system must shed 1,100 MW. Austin Energy’s share of that 1,100 MW is about 80 MW.
This means Austin Energy – on a rotating basis- must turn off about 40 circuits (we have 350 circuits) for about 30 minutes at a time following a pre-designed plan that distributes the circuit outages evenly throughout our service area. A circuit powers between 1,000 – 3,000 customers. The plan avoids critical loads such as hospitals and emergency resources.
There is no need to call in outages. Once power is off, customers are asked to turn off as many electronic appliances as is reasonably possible to make it easier to power Austin Energy circuits back up.
All generators in ERCOT are required to participate – regardless of whether Austin Energy has sufficient power in our community (which we do). This emergency is due to an imbalance in the statewide electric grid between the power being demanded statewide and the generation online at this time. More information as it becomes available.
2. If you don’t have any hot water, and you have an external water heater, its probably because the pipes are frozen. They don’t tell us these things in Texas…
Bulk Collection Reminder
Bulk collection is this week, starting January 31. If you have not yet put out your bulk items for collection, you might want to hurry!
Coyote Spotted in Milwood
We just received this notice from a neighbor. Please keep your dogs and cats secured in your home or behind a fence at all times.
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Just wanted to alert the neighborhood that on 28 Jan 2011 @ approx. 8:10am while I was walking my dogs I spotted a coyote in the Cul-de-Sac of Rhea Ct. The coyote followed me and my dogs out to Ganymede (5100blk) and headed west.
I reported it to 311 Ref # 15318. Just want everyone to be aware and to keep small dogs and cats indoors.
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Following is additional information about coyotes from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Description
The Coyote is very similar in size to a small German Shepherd and weighs an average of 25 to 40 pounds. It has long, slender legs, a bushy tail with a black tip, and large ears that are held erect. The Coyote’s coat can vary, but it is usually gray or buff-colored. From a close vantage point, there is no mistaking the yellow eyes and black, round pupils. The Coyote is a strong swimmer. It characteristically runs with its tail down instead of horizontally like foxes, or up like wolves and dogs.
Life History
The Coyote is an extremely intelligent animal with keen senses of hearing, sight and smell. It primarily is nocturnal and very opportunistic. Coyotes will eat just about anything. They feed primarily on rabbits, rodents and insects, but they also eat carrion, lizards, snakes, fruit, vegetable matter and even fish. This adaptability also is evident in their use of cover. The Coyote requires minimal shelter to survive, but it will use a den for the birth and care of its young. Coyotes usually prefer to take use an abandoned badger den or natural cavities rather than dig their own den; however, they will make the necessary renovations by excavating multiple escape tunnels linked to the surface.
Coyotes are considered monogamous, with pairs remaining together for several years, although not necessarily for life. They breed from mid-January to early March. After a gestation period of 63 to 65 days, a litter of five to seven pups is born. During the weeks following the birth, the male will bring food to the family, but the female will not allow him inside the den. Coyotes normally may live from 10 to 12 years.
Habitat
The adaptability of the Coyote and its acute sense of survival make it difficult to identify preferred habitat, although they most typically are associated with open plains in the West and brushy areas in the East. Their opportunistic nature has provided them the full advantage of surviving in a rapidly changing environment.
Distribution
Coyotes have an extensive range across the United States. They have slowly filled the void left by the declining population of wolves throughout the country. In Texas, they range throughout the state.
Canned Food Drive by the Cub Scouts
As their Service Project, our local Cub Scouts group, Pack 90, will be holding a canned food drive in connection with the “Souper Bowl of Caring” event. Throughout this week, they will be collecting canned goods to be donated to those in our community in need. They will be coming to your door to collect the goods; if you’re not home, they will leave a note and return for them later.
Couldn’t be easier to help others in need! Please be as generous as you can in supporting these kiddos as they work to help our community. Thanks!
Stray and Agressive Dogs
We’ve receive a report about stray dogs loose in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, a neighbor was attacked by a stray dog and her own dog ended up at the emergency vet.
Please make sure that your dogs are secured in your home or behind a fence. Check your fence for holes or other escape routes. City of Austin mandates that all dogs be leashed when out in the neighborhood. The Balcones District Park is also a leash only park.
If you see a stray dog in the neighborhood, please do not approach it. It could be dangerous. Please call 311 and report it as soon as possible. Give the 311 operator the best description of the location and type/size/color of the dog. If the report is prior to 5 pm, they will transfer you to animal control. If it is after 5 pm, they cannot do this. HOWEVER, if the stray dog is aggressive, even after 5 pm, please call immediately and the 311 operator will send out the police.
Let’s keep everyone in the neighborhood safe. Keep you dogs secure. If you see a stray, please report it immediately.