At Your Doorstep - September 2003

Beginning Oct. 1, 2003, At Your Doorstep will be exclusively an online publication. Visit for current and past editions of the community newsletter.

The City of Austin Public Information Office strives to provide the community with timely information about issues that impact neighborhoods citywide.

The Web-based publication will continue to provide details about the latest planning and zoning issues, public works projects, downtown development and information related to community services valued by the public.

You also may visit the Austin City Connection, www.cityofaustin.org/neighbor/, for neighborhood information including the latest updates to the Community Registry, community policing and crime statistics.

For more information contact Rebecca Giello, (512) 974-3045, or e-mail rebecca.giello@ci.austin.tx.us.

At Your Doorstep Departments

Neighbor to Neighbor

Fifth Annual Raise the Roof seeks volunteers

The City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department will host the Fifth Annual Raise the Roof Day at the Govalle and Johnston Terrace neighborhoods Saturday, Oct. 18.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries offices, 701Tillery St., which also serves as the volunteer headquarters. Raise the Roof is an annual, community event where volunteers and skilled contractors can make minor home repairs in the Austin area.

Sponsors include the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries' Hands on Housing Program, Keep Austin Beautiful and City departments including Solid Waste Services and Neighborhood Planning and Zoning.

Volunteers are needed regardless of the level of repair skills and home repair knowledge. Whether you are an experienced contractor or have some skills with minor home repairs, City officials encourage the public's involvement to help make this year's Raise the Roof Day an event to remember.

Just a few hours of your time will make a difference to Austin families and neighborhoods in the community.

For more information or to volunteer for Raise the Roof, please contact Ateja Dukes, (512) 974-3170.

Mayor's Book Club discusses Holes

Austinites were invited this summer to participate in the second annual Mayor's Book Club by reading the award-winning novel Holes by Austin author Louis Sachar.

Since the Book Club's launch last April the community has overwhelmingly responded to the invitation. Holes has been checked out more than 3,800 times at local libraries.

Now, in partnership with the University of Texas Humanities Institute and Mayor Will Wynn, Austin Public Library will kick off discussion groups based upon various themes from the book. Holes is a lively comic adventure story with quirky characters that readers of all ages can enjoy.

The book raises many thoughtful questions for discussion: How do children view the adult world? How does the past live on in the present? How do myths and legends shape our everyday realities?

Austin Public Library invites Austinites to join community discussions:

• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Drive.
  Leslie Jarmon, a communications scholar, will lead the discussion by contributing academic expertise and field experience in oral and written communication practices across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
• 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Road.
  REFORMA will sponsor this discussion, which will be lead in Spanish.
• 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7., Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Lane.
  Robert Crosnoe, a sociologist, will lead the discussion. He specializes in education and the family and has an interest in issues of risk and resilience—how people succeed in difficult circumstances.
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Drive.
  Barbara Harlow, an English professor, will lead the discussion. She specializes in ethnic and Third World literatures and regularly includes Holes in her curriculum about prison and resistance writings.
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, Milwood Branch, 12500 Amherst Drive.
  Pauline Strong, an anthropologist, will lead the discussion. She will focus on her interests in gender, ethnicity, nationalism and the culture of childhood and adolescence in the United States.
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept.18, Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Road.
  Marie-Anne Suizzo, an expert in educational psychology, will lead the discussion. She will contribute her knowledge of human development and the development of parent/child relationships as well as the transmission of cultural beliefs and values.
• 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd.
  Travis County Sheriff Margo Frasier will lead a discussion group with youth under the age of 18.
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, North Village Branch, 2139 W. Anderson Lane.

Movie in the park

The Austin Public Library will partner with the Austin Parks Foundation at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, to present Holes as part of the Time Warner Cable Movies in the Park at Republic Square Park, Fourth and Guadalupe streets.

Sponsors of the event include Alamo Drafthouse. The public will have an opportunity to meet the author, Louis Sachar, at 7 p.m.

Water use on the rise

The hot days of summer mean City officials continue to encourage the public to voluntarily conserve water usage.

The City of Austin's water system capacity is 260 million gallons per day (mgd). This increased capacity is due to improvements in the City's infrastructure including the expansion of the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant to 100 mgd in 2001 and improvements in the distribution system. This allows for greater flexibility in moving the water throughout the system.

The City determines its need to implement mandatory stage two water restrictions on system water usage of 247 mgd for three consecutive days or a single water usage of 251 mgd.

Although City officials have not had to implement mandatory water restrictions, the public is encouraged to follow the five-day watering schedule.

For more information about water conservation including the five-day watering schedule, visit www.cityofaustin.org/watercon/.

Celebration brings closure to construction project

City leaders joined with Barton Springs Road merchants in August to cut a ribbon symbolizing the grand re-opening of a stretch of road that serves as a passageway from the downtown business district to Zilker Park.

The half-mile segment of Barton Springs Road has received not only a facelift, but also major infrastructure and safety improvements. The $5.7 million project added new sidewalks, curbs, gutters and bike lanes on both sides of the road. Also constructed between Robert E. Lee and Jessie streets were a storm sewer; a lighted, landscaped median; and water and wastewater improvements

The long history of proposed Barton Springs Road improvements began with a bond vote in 1984. Construction started in March 2001. By April 2002, the north side paving was completed, but new wastewater lines didn't pass City inspections. South side work was completed in November 2002.

In April 2003, City crews took over a wastewater line repair and completed paving the north side of Barton Springs Road on an expedited schedule.

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Safe & Sane

City to sponsor Emergency Preparedness Conference

The City of Austin, Advanced Micro Devices, Motorola and the Local Emergency Planning Committee have developed a unique program to help local industry understand the business issues and solutions associated with emergencies that can impact business operations.

The public is invited to an Emergency Preparedness Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9. Participants at the one-day symposium will hear from top professionals who will provide specific information to assist with emergency planning.

The symposium is specifically designed for the Greater Austin business community, providing specific information needed to ensure employee safety, property protection and business continuity.

The program is specifically designed for the following professionals:

• Site or corporate environmental, health and safety professionals.
• Security managers and supervisors.
• Public relations and public information managers.
• Crisis management team members.
• Operations and facilities managers concerned with personnel and property protection.
• Human resource managers.
• Loss control professionals.
• Medical and health service professionals.
• Business continuity planners.

The event will be at Advanced Micro Devices, Building Four in the auditorium. AMD is on Oltorf Street approximately two miles east of IH 35.

The cost of the program is $25. The deadline to register at the $25 rate is Sept. 2. Walk-in reservations are $30 and will only be accepted if seating is available. A light breakfast and lunch is included in the fee.

For more information or to register for the event, contact Melanie Kinder, (512) 602-4462 or e-mail melanie.kinder@amd.com.

The conference agenda is :

• Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m.
• Preventative Mitigation
• Business Threat and Risk Assessment
• Business Continuity Planning
• Preparedness
• Texas Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Reducing the Business Impact of Employee
• Home and Family Disasters
• Response
• Combating Bioterrorism
• Automated System for Early Disease Detection
• Incident Management System
• Coordinating Multi-agency and Business Response
• Recovery Case Studies
• Post-Event Employee Assistance
• New Yorkers after Sept. 11, 2001
• Lessons Learned
• Recovery from an Earthquake
• Lessons Learned
• Houston Flood Event

Exhibits will include representation from American Red Cross; City of Austin Office of Emergency Management Disaster Ready Austin; Austin Police Department Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Mass Casualty Response; Austin Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response; Texas Disaster Civil Support Team; Travis County Hazardous Materials Response.

Fall training for Disaster Ready Austin

Applications are being accepted for the Disaster Ready Austin Community Volunteer Program.

The Disaster Ready Austin Community Program is a six-week training course. The classes are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each Monday Sept. 15 - Oct. 20.

Volunteers will learn disaster-related topics including:

• Emergency management.
• Terrorism.
• Flooding and severe weather.
• Urban fire and wildfire.
• Personal disaster preparedness.

The City of Austin Office of Emergency Management and the citizens of Austin need additional volunteers to prepare the community for a disaster.

Being a Disaster Ready Austin community volunteer is an excellent opportunity for Austinites to play an important role in helping safeguard the community. Whether man-made as the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., or caused by natural events such as Tropical Storm Allison, government – both national and local – recognizes the need for the involvement of all members of a community to prepare, respond and recover from major emergencies and disasters.

Volunteer requirements include:

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Attend a personal interview.
• Have 20 hours of basic training.
• Submit to a background check at the Austin Police Department.
• Commit to four hours of volunteer time a month, with the possibility of more during a disaster.

For more information, call Valli Wasp at (512) 370-8863, or e-mail valli.wasp@ci.austin.tx.us.

Additional information about the volunteer program is available at www.cityofaustin.org/oem.

To become a volunteer, visit www.cityofaustin.org/oem or call (512) 974-0450 for an application form. Complete and return the application to City of Austin Office of Emergency Management, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, Texas 78767-1088.

When your application is received, a Disaster Ready Austin representative will contact you to schedule a screening interview. Core training is required upon acceptance in the program.

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Big Ideas

City workshop combines beauty with brains

Ever dreamed of starting your own beauty business? The City of Austin's Small Business Development Program can help get you on the right track with its one-day workshop, "Beauty Business Beginnings."

The workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Omni Austin Hotel, 700 San Jacinto and Eighth streets.

Attendees can learn about salon trends, business structures, financing, real estate issues, hiring, marketing and many other topics.

Owning a beauty business doesn't have to be just a dream. To register for the workshop, call (512) 974-7806. The cost of the workshop is $50 or $35 for students enrolled in a beauty school.

The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and workshop materials. The deadline to register is Oct. 15.

For more information about sponsoring or attending this event, contact Michelle Bledsoe, michelle.bledsoe@ci.austin.tx.us or call (512) 974-7781.

The Small Business Development Program is a service of the City of Austin's Small Business Assistance Center, 4100 Ed Bluestein Blvd.

Farmers' Market attracts Austinites

Austin parks are often the place to be on the weekends for family fun and unique experiences. The Austin Farmers' Market at Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe St., is no exception.

The public can enjoy the Austin Farmers' Market, a project of the Sustainable Food Center, each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Farmers' Market opened May 3, 2003, and continues to grow each week. The market will run through Nov. 22.

The public may purchase a variety of items including fresh produce, goat cheese, homemade salsa and preserves and even gourmet treats for pets. The market will run annually through November.

For more information, contact (512) 236-0074 or e-mail, info@austinfarmersmarket.org.

Library goes wireless

Austin Public Library has partnered with a wireless provider in Austin to bring wireless Internet access to the John Henry Faulk Central Library, the Austin History Center and Wooldridge Square.

WiFi-Texas provided the necessary equipment to turn these locations into "hot spots" for library users.

"We are thrilled to partner with WiFi-Texas to bring this technology to the Library," says Library Marketing Manager Patricia Fraga. "This wireless access fits the Library's mission to provide equal access to information and broadens our customer's access."

The Austin Public Library has public Internet access in all of its 22 locations and has future plans to develop a wireless solution in all branches with a donation from Schlotzsky's Deli.

WiFi-Texas specializes in providing affordable, high-speed Internet access using wireless networks to residents of high density, multi-family dwellings including apartments, condominiums and RV parks.

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Health Check

City program helps reduce risks of lead-based paint

If your home was built before 1978, you could have a danger lurking that can harm your children.

In the past, lead — a highly toxic substance — was commonly found in paint, gasoline and water pipes. Exposure to lead may cause irreversible damage, especially in children ages 6 or under.

Some symptoms of lead poisoning include:

• Behavioral issues, learning disabilities and reduced IQs in young children.
• Health concerns including slowed growth, hearing problems and anemia.
• Severe permanent damage from continued exposure.
• Harm to unborn babies that may result in a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Call the City of Austin to learn more about the LeadSmart Program. The program offers education about potential lead hazards; conducts blood testing for children under the age of 6; and may provide grant assistance to remove lead hazards in homes if eligibility requirements are met.

For more information about how you can protect your family, contact Connie Hockema; (512) 972-6653 or Olga Hernadez; (512) 972-6688.

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Environs

City offers fall gardening class

Find out everything you need to know about gardening in cooler weather at the next Green Garden Homeowners Workshop.

The class will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 20, at Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th St., Room 104. The class costs $10. Free parking is available in the Waller Creek Center garage. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Class topics and speakers include:

• "Compost and Soil Preparation," Don Legacy, J.V. Dirt & Loam.
• "Texas Tough Perennials," Skip Richter, Texas Cooperative Extension.
• "Preparing Your Garden for Winter," Sara Twaddle, Greater Texas Landscapes.

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Speedway

The following speed limit changes are tentatively scheduled for the Oct. 2 Austin City Council Agenda.

• 50 mph speed limit on a portion of Dessau Road, from 580 feet north of Brighten Lane to Parmer Lane.