At Your Doorstep December 2003

At Your Doorstep Departments

Big Ideas

'Buy Greater Austin' campaign reminds shoppers that hometown spending reaps yearlong economic rewards

Just in time for the busiest shopping days of the year, the City of Austin, Capital Metro and area chambers of commerce launched a "Buy Greater Austin" campaign to remind shoppers that there are yearlong dividends to keeping dollars at home.

With 16 billboards and public service announcements on 50 Capital Metro buses, the "Buy Greater Austin" campaign will remind the public that local sales tax helps build their communities by funding needed municipal services.

Austin Mayor Will Wynn and Capital Metro Vice President of Communications Rick L'Amie unveiled the campaign along with representatives of the Austin Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Women's Chamber of Commerce.

The holiday campaign highlights fire protection, police, emergency medical services, healthcare, public transportation, libraries and parks. Each public service announcement points out a community service, and then equates its funding to sales tax.

For example, one billboard says to "Fight Fire With a Credit Card," then includes the tag line, "Your Sales Tax Funds Firefighters."

"Most people probably don't realize that holiday shopping in their community funds essential services for our basic needs and quality of life, which ultimately keeps keep some of the burden off property taxes," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn. "In terms of economic development, this is an easy way to retain and promote what we already have here, not only with our businesses, but also within our community as a whole.

Campaign organizers stress that the intent is not to ask people to spend more - only to encourage them to support the community as a whole by shopping here.

"We know economic times are tight - still many people will shop for holiday gifts," said Capital Metro President and CEO Fred Gilliam. "We suggest that when they do, pause a minute and remember that it means a lot if the dollar stays in the Greater Austin area.

Mayor Wynn added: "In a way, we're saying it's OK to invest in yourself during the season of giving. This isn't a competition, but rather an awareness campaign that helps people help themselves in addition to their loved ones, friends and neighbors this holiday season."

The idea for "Buy Greater Austin" evolved during budget discussions when City and Capital Metro employees asked what could be done within their organizations to help jumpstart sagging revenues for services. Leaders within the two government entities then partnered with the area chambers of commerce.

"Capital Metro is a community service agency and sees this campaign as a natural part of its public service," said Capital Metro President and CEO Fred Gilliam. "A strong economy helps all of us throughout the region. Sales taxes fund transit needs as well as city services all over Central Texas.

While Austin found a slight increase in sales tax receipts in its November check (for sales in September 2003) from the State of Texas, last fiscal year's total amount was 4.5 percent lower than the previous year. The City's decline in sales tax revenue has continued for 2 ½ years. Sales tax provides about one-quarter of the City of Austin's revenue. The drop in sales tax revenue meant a reduction in City programs.

For more information, contact David Matustik, Public Information Manager, City of Austin, david.matustik@ci.austin.tx.us.

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Neighbor to Neighbor

Blue Santa back accepting donations

Austin police officers each year have brought joy to thousands of children and their families by helping to provide them with toys and a turkey dinner for the holidays.

In its first year in 1972, Operation Blue Santa helped 20 families with toys and shoes for their children. Through the years, the program has grown with the community's help and now assists thousands of families each year.

Volunteers needed

Operation Blue Santa accepts new and gently used toys, books and stuffed animals. Operation Blue Santa opens its doors to volunteers each year beginning Thursday, Dec. 4.

Individuals who wish to help sort and package gifts may drop in at their convenience Thursdays and Fridays Noon - 9 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Beginning Dec. 15 volunteers may drop in Monday - Friday at noon and should call for daily closing times.

Groups of eight or more also are welcome and are asked to reserve a time in advance by calling 220-BLUE (2583) or e-mailing bluesanta@ci.austin.tx.us.

Operation Blue Santa provides each child with two toys, a book, a stuffed animal and stocking stuffers. Staff recommends donations be made by Dec. 15 to ensure enough time to sort and package the toys.

Donation ideas

Based on current trends, toys are needed for 1-2 year olds and 10-14 year old, boys and girls. Toys needed include balls and other athletic equipment; building blocks; art supplies; board games; Walkman radios; watches; and beauty products. Also, Operation Blue Santa staff members ask that if a toy needs batteries, please include the batteries with your donated item.

Delivery dates

All deliveries will be made on Dec. 20, which is the Saturday before Christmas Day. Starting at 8 a.m. volunteers from the Austin Police Department, the Austin Fire Department, Austin Parks and Recreation, the Texas National Guard and the local community form a band of merry elves and deliver to families in the community.

Sponsors of this year's operation include Grande Communications, KB Home, Nextel Communications, Roadway Express, Eagle Global Logistics, Krispy Kreme Donuts, McDonald's and Texas Coffee Traders.

Make online donations

Operation Blue Santa's Online Donation Form makes giving to the community even easier. Visit www.bluesanta.org/ for more information.

Cash donations can be dropped off at 1801 E. 51st St. during warehouse hours. For daily hours, call 220-BLUE for more information.

Make checks payable to Operation Blue Santa and mail to:

If you have any other question please call us for more information at 220-BLUE.

Santa's success relies on volunteers

Volunteers are critical to the success of Operation Blue Santa and last year almost 30,000 volunteer hours were logged during the season.

For more information on how to become a Blue Santa volunteer call (512) 220-BLUE (2583) or visit www.bluesanta.org/index.htm.

Zilker 'Moon Tower' lights up Austin Dec. 7

The Lighting Ceremony for the Zilker "Moon Tower" Tree will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The public is invited to attend the celebration and participate in the lighting ceremony.

The Zilker Tree Stands 155 feet tall and has 39 streamers, each holding 81 multicolored, 25 watt bulbs, totaling 3,309 lights. At the top of the tree, a double star measures 10 feet from point to point. The double star displays 150 frosted bulbs. This unique spiral pattern of lights was created by City of Austin electricians.

It's a sight to get you in the mood for the holidays! For more information, visit www.cityofaustin.org/tol/tree.htm.

Trail of Lights opens Dec. 14

The Trail of Lights Festival Grand Opening and Parade will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The parade will include a marching band, Santa, Mayor Will Wynn and other elected officials riding in horse-drawn carriages.

After arriving at the front gate, the Mayor will cut the ribbon to officially open the 2003 Trail of Lights. He will then proceed to Santa's House to open the house.

For more information about the Trail of Lights call the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, (512) 974-6700. You may also visit www.cityofaustin.org/tol/default.htm.

Trail of Lights entertainment schedule

A variety of area entertainers will take the main stage each night during the Trail of Light festivities to provide families and friends the opportunity for diverse holiday enjoyment. Events kick off Sunday, Dec. 14.

Dancers, musicians, storytellers, choirs, comedians and more will enliven the night air. On cold evenings visitors can warm themselves at one or two huge yule fires - one near the Zilker Moon Tower Tree and one mid-way through the Trail of Lights.

For a complete list of scheduled activities, visit www.cityofaustin.org/tol/entertainment.htm

City sets schedule for Christmas, New Year holidays

The City of Austin administrative offices, including City Council offices, will be closed for two days during the week of Christmas and on New Year's Day. Most City employees will observe the holidays on Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1.

Solid Waste Services collection of garbage, recycling and yard trimmings will be suspended only on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. There will be no garbage, recycling or yard trimmings collection on Thursday, Dec. 25.

Thursday and Friday customers will slide to the next day Christmas week. The week of Jan. 1, only Thursday and Friday customers will slide. Contact the City of Austin Utility Customer Service Line at (512) 494-9400 for more information regarding the collection schedule.

You may also visit www.cityofaustin.org/sws/ for more information.

Terrazas Branch celebrates groundbreaking Dec. 6

The public is invited to the Austin Public Library for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Henry B. Terrazas Branch expansion project at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.

Attendees will enjoy music, refreshments and children's entertainment. Once complete, the library will have almost doubled in size from 5,400 square feet to 10,000 square feet. The projected completion date is slated for spring 2005.

During the construction phase the Austin Public Library invites the community to use the three libraries in the vicinity of the Terrazas Branch:

To learn more about the Terrazas Branch expansion project, visit www.austinlibrary.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Main_News.

Austin Public Library Item Reserve Limit change

Austin Public Library's Item Reserve Limit policy will change from a 10-item reserve limit to a five-item reserve limit beginning Dec. 1.

Customers with more than five reserves on Dec. 1 will not lose any of their reserves. They will be unable to make additional reserves until they are below the new 5-items reserve limit.

The change is because of the increased popularity of online reserves which has doubled the volume of activity in the last year and has created a backlog in transferring items between branches.

For more information, contact (512) 974-7400.

City program helps modify homes for easier living

The City of Austin's Architectural Barrier Program serves to help Austin's elderly, mobility-impaired homeowners and renters receive free assistance to make their residences more accessible. The program is available through the City of Austin and the Austin Housing Finance Corp.

The Architectural Barrier Program modifies or retrofits homes so that recipients may remain in their homes longer and can live with a greater degree of independence.

Terms of eligibility include:

For more information about this opportunity, please call the Austin Housing Finance Corp., (512) 476-3863 or visit www.cityofaustin.org/ahfc/repairs_arcbr.htm.

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Safe & Sane

Heaters should be used with care

As temperatures drop in Central Texas, the City of Austin Fire Department reminds the public to follow basic safety tips when using central and portable heating systems.

City sends e-mail reminders to check smoke detectors

The Austin Fire Department continues to think up new ways to remind the public that a working smoke detector can save lives and property!

Smoke alarms can double a person's chances of surviving a house fire. As part of the Put A Finger on It campaign, the Fire Department's Public Education Office is providing a new service: monthly e-mail reminders to test smoke alarm batteries.

To receive a monthly reminder e-mail AlarmCheck@ci.austin.tx.us.

Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and batteries should be replaced at least once a year. AFD recommends that alarms be on every floor of a house, in bedrooms and in corridors outside sleeping areas.

APD offers free child safety seat inspection

Traveling during the holidays? Now is the perfect time to ensure your child is appropriately seated in the car as travelers hit the roads for the holidays.

The Austin Police Department, Texas Department of Health Safe Riders and the Safe Kids Coalition are hosting a free child safety seat fitting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the APD Strategic Traffic and Analysis Response Office, 1801 E. 51st St.

Child car safety seats will be inspected by certified personnel to determine the seats are properly installed and have not been damaged. In addition, representatives will ensure that the manufacturer has not issued any recalls.

The seats will be inspected by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call the Texas Department of Health Safe Riders at 1-800-252-8255.

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Money Wise

Wastewater averaging under way

The City's water and wastewater utility's annual wastewater averaging began last month to arrive at wastewater charges for its customers in the 2004-2005 service year.

Between the start of averaging in November and its conclusion in March, each customer's water use is measured for three consecutive months. To arrive at a wastewater average, the highest use month is eliminated from calculations and the average of the two lower months' use is the basis of the wastewater average for the year.

Monthly bills are based on the customer's wastewater average or actual water use, whichever is lower.

The Utility uses winter months to establish wastewater averages because less outdoor water is used during this time and measurements more accurately reflect household use.

Customers concerned about their wastewater costs should attempt to conserve water during the averaging months. Customers can look for an article with their utility bill that gives more details on wastewater averaging.

Bills will reflect new wastewater averages beginning in April 2004.

For more information, contact Laurie Lentz, Public Information Program Manager, City of Austin Water Utility, laurie.lentz@ci.austin.tx.us.

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Zone In

The following zoning cases are tentatively scheduled for the Dec. 13 Austin City Council agenda.

C14-02-0170 - City of Austin Health (Etuk Inyang), by City of Austin (Kalpana Sutaria), 601 Airport Blvd. From SF-3 to P. (Colorado River). City Staff: Annick Beaudet, (512) 974-2975.

C14-02-0171 - (Lou Page), by (Bonny Holmes), 10318 Old Manchaca Road. From SF-2 to SF-3- CO. (Slaughter Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

C14-02-0172 - (Charles Fitts), by (Charles Fitts), 10310 IH 35 southbound service road. From SF-2 to CS-CO. (Walnut Creek). City Staff: Glenn Rhoades, (512) 974-2775.

C14-02-0173 - (Sergio Tristan), by (Sergio Tristan), 10003 Rocking Horse Road. From SF to GR. (Slaughter Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, 9512) 974-7719.

C14-02-0174 - (Theodorus Polaks), by Insight Unlimited (David Weiss), 745 Bastrop Hwy. From I-RR to CS-1. (Carson Creek). City Staff: Wendy Walsh, (512) 974-7719.

The following zoning cases are tentatively scheduled for the Dec. 16 Planning Commission agenda.

C14-03-0166.SH - DSJ Land Group, Ltd (Stephen Jensen), by REG Inc. (Stephen Jensen), Red Willow Drive. From RR to SF-2. (Williamson Creek). City Staff: Annick Beaudet, (512) 974- 3072.

C14-03-0167 - Austin WFD, Ltd, by Condey Group Inc. (Michael Rhoades), 4525 Guadalupe St. From CS, MF-4 to CS, MF-4. (Waller Creek). City Staff: Glenn Rhoades, (512) 974-2775.