Halloween Fun!

Marissa     Neighborhood Fun         0

Last week the streets were crawling with mummies, vampires, ghosts, goblins and quite a few fairies and princesses!  It looked to me to be a banner year for trick-or-treaters with more than I had seen in the past few years.  A large group of kids got together early in the night to mob the neighborhood as a unit.  It was great fun for everyone and the costumes were superb!  My daughter is still too young to have learned the joys of pillaging candy from the neighbors, but she still had a blast showing off her muscles to the bigger kids!

After sharing punch and getting everyone ready for the assault on Angus Valley, the kids were all smiles as we set out on a grand adventure.

Toward the end of the evening, just when it looked like things were winding down with dusk setting in, the group made a stop not usually on the route.  And boy was it worth it!  Unofficially voted the best Halloween decorations of the year, Joanie Watson’s house on Timber Wolf Circle was a sight to behold!

My husband, the Halloween fanatic, is already planning extravagant decorations at our house next year after seeing Joanie’s!  Decoration competition anyone? 

Thanks to the whole neighborhood for making a wonderful night for old and young alike!

 

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Possible smoking ban in City parks

Marissa     Yett Creek         0

The potential  off leash dog park designation for Yett Creek got a lot of neighbors talking.  At several board meetings, many people expressed their concerns that additional traffic to the park could increase the fire risk because of people smoking.  However, this was found to be contrary to what the fire department has experienced.  They say that the more well-traveled an area is, the better the chance is of spotting small fire before it gets out of hand.  Still, it remained a concern in people’s minds.

And then the unthinkable happened and the park DID catch fire.  Currently, it’s being investigated as arson and not an accidental-cigarette-induced blazed.  Still, all our minds are churning with possibilities.

It may relieve some neighbors to hear that the City of Austin has made the first steps towards an ordinance that would ban smoking in all City parks, including Yett Creek.  You can read more of the details on the Community Impact website here.

There is currently a temporary Burn Ban in all City parks which includes smoking (along with grilling) that was passed in April due to severe drought conditions.  Violations are considered a Class C Misdemeanor and a fine between $300 and $500.

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Gallery of Pets

Marissa     Local business         0

I grew up just across 183 off Oak Knoll.  My family shopped at Gallery of Pets practically since the day it opened (1977).  We fell in love with ferrets in the store and we owned several while I was growing up (the first were purchased there and the rest were ‘rescues’).  I even bought a baby ball python when I was a teenager!  The knowledgeable staff helped when I inherited my aunt’s aging cockatiels, who weren’t adjusting well to their new life.  Simply put, it was the model neighborhood pet store.

I moved away from Northwest Austin when I was 14 and didn’t return until 2006 when I purchased my first home in Angus Valley.  I quickly rediscovered Gallery of Pets and made it my exclusive pet store, feeling no remorse for dropping the big box places I had grown used to going to.  There is just nothing like a friendly family-owned neighborhood business.

Haven’t been yet?  They have a wide selection of birds and everything your bird could want.  They also have small mammals (bunnies, guinea pigs, etc), reptiles, and fresh and salt water fish.  They carry the best dog and cat foods your money can buy.  Stop in to play with birds or even to shop!  Support our local businesses!

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AVANA Annual General Meeting

Marissa     AVANA         3

Last night, the neighborhood association held it’s annual meeting.  During the meeting, Stacey Peterson gave a “year in review” poem that was a big hit with the audience.  She touched on many of the important issues we dealt with over the last 12 months including the possible changes to Yett Creek Park as well as the fire.  Elections were then held, conducted my Gaye Thompson, and 4 new board members joined the team:  Craig Daugherty, Tania Rayborn, Jeri Baker and Edward Wells (to see all the board members, click here).  We heard the minutes from the last meeting from Deliese Kennedy and the financial report of the organization from Marcia Kirkland.  Then Chuck Pace spoke about crime (or really, the lack thereof) in our neighborhood.  He reiterated that anyone who witnesses suspicious behavior should report it to 911 immediately.

A more thorough review of the meeting will be available when the secretary publishes the draft minutes of the meeting.

See everyone again next year!

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Yett Creek Park Brush Cleanup

Marissa     Yett Creek         1

On Saturday the City brought out some equipment to help clear brush piles that had accumulated along the back fence lines of houses adjacent to Yett Creek Park.  This effort was a instigated in a response to keep our neighborhood safer from possible fires in the park by reducing the fuel load in the area.

There were about 8 neighbors who came to help the City.  With all the hands on task, many of the brush piles were cleared and the park made a better place!  Thank you to everyone who came, and thanks to Ward Boyce for pushing this issue with the City and getting the crew out!

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