President visits UT!

Check out this video of the President's visit to our great city!




One of our wonderful Precinct 463 neighbors took pictures of the President's motorcade. Okay, quick disclaimer, the neighbor is my sweet honey. More of his photos can be found on Flickr ...look for Colorado Steve.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill - how to help

It's everywhere you turn ...on the radio, on TV, in the papers, and in conversations at the water cooler. The devastating oil spill occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36947751/ to see a timeline of the events.

You know the tragedy, but what can you do to help?

• Greater New Orleans Foundation - donate to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
  
• Visit the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana online.
• Volunteer with the National Audubon Society by filling out their online volunteer form.
  

View this National Wildlife Federation video and go to their website to find out how you can help wildlife impacted by the BP oil spill.

~Holiday par-tays~

Ah, the holidays. So after Veteran's Day last month, I took a month off from blogging, and wow, has a lot happened since then! Rather than take a look back, let's look ahead to the last few weeks of December 2009!

Holiday Par-tays
How many holiday parties have you been to so far? Well, here's a few more for you to add to your calendar!

• What: Amy Clark Meachum Fundraiser & Children Book Drive
• When: Monday, December 14th from 5 to 6 PM
• Where: The Austin Club, 110 East 9th Street, 3rd Floor
• Why: Amy Clark Meachum has been a long time supporter of children's literacy programs like Reach Out and Read, and Reading is Fundamental, and is a current board member of Booksprings. Amy is running for 353rd Civil District Court, and this event will be a great time to get to know more about her, donate to her campaign and/or donate to the book drive.

• 
• What: H.O.P.E. for the Holidays - Grassroots (casual dress) Gala
  
• When: Tuesday, December 15th from 6 to 8 PM
  
• Where: Jovita's at 1617 South 1st Street
  
• Why: Share some hope for the holidays and join Texans for Obama, Organizing for America, and Travis County Democratic Party for this fun and festive event! Find out more about the event by visiting www.AustinHopeForTheHolidays.com. Pick a gift from the list and bring your wrapped donation in-tow on Tuesday.
  

Last minute holiday gift shopping solution!
It's par for the course for me to do my Christmas shopping two weekends before Christmas. So, I'm right on schedule, because I checked most of the items off my fam & friend gift list today. I picked up toys from Terra Toys and a few gift certificates from local joints. All I need is to figure out what I'm going to wrap or put these gifts in.

If you're running behind and not sure where to find cool, local gifts for your loved ones, then you've got to run over to Lincoln Village and check out this year's Blue Genie Art Bazaar!








Wishing you all a healthy, safe, and joyous holiday season!

Quicky: YEAH, my precinct chair stationary is in!

I need a time-turner! And yes, that's an HP reference. ; )

ORIGINALLY POSTED: August 12, 2009
There are two great events happening Thursday evening, and if I could be in two places at once, then tomorrow (8/13) would be the day I'd use my time travelin' skills!

Haven't voiced your concerns yet or want to hear your neighbors' thoughts on health care reform? Go to the Texas Medical Association's (TMA's) town hall meet-up at 6:30 PM.


It was rumored that Senators Cornyn and/or Hutchinson would be in attendance, but neither US Senator for Texas will be at the meeting. Nevertheless, arrive early, grab some free refreshments, and get ready to participate in the health care reform talks! Click on the photo to visit TMA's website for more information about their regional town halls.

Want to learn money management lessons from the experts? Want to pass those skills on to teens, adults or seniors?
Get info on how to become a certified FLCCT educator at tomorrow night's Financial Literacy Coalition Central Texas Volunteer Orientation! Arrive by 5:30 PM at the Travis County Office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Click on the photo to read FLCCT's blog.

Hmm....be in the thick of another health care reform meeting or pick up the basics on FLCCT volunteer ops. ...I'll let ya' know which one I go with. : )
-------------------------------------
POSTED: August 14, 2009

As you might have seen, if you follow me on Twitter, I was at last night's TMA town hall. By the time the town hall began, the meeting room was PACKED! We (my dude and I) arrived early though and found seats quickly.

The facilitator emphasized that the town hall was not going to be a debate (read: brawl) and the focus was on hearing everyone out (read: no hissing/booing). It appeared to work too, because no one was booed. Although, some people were cheered-on louder than others! --It was the folks in favor of reforming health insurance who were most loudly supported with energetic claps and whoops from the audience.

Those opposed to making changes to the health care system emphasized the right to not be "forced" to have health care coverage, the problem with third-party interference, the fear that people will not want to be doctor's if there are too many barriers (i.e., low Medicare reimbursement rates, malpractice litigation, red tape), and personal experiences with the "world-class health care" that they have right now. That last one, ignores that so many of us do not have access to that "world-class health care." Oh, and there was this one lady who said, "I want to keep my insurance...if someone doesn't have insurance, they need to decide what to do about that." -Wow, how self-centered can a person be?!

Those in favor of reforming the current health care system pointed out: the need for lower, reasonably priced health insurance premiums and prescription drugs; the importance of including people with pre-existing conditions rather than excluding them like so many insurance plans do; and their strong agreement that every American should have access to affordable health care. One women said it is immoral to deny affordable health care.

Based on claps and whoops, it is my guess the overwhelming majority of those in attendance support health insurance reform and agree that affordable access to health care is needed.

The video is a little sticky at some points (freezes up) but feel free to watch it here or at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1979332

Hittin' the Streets in the Summer Heat

All the health insurance reform talk and sweltering days shifted my plans last month. But August and the coming months hold lots of promise!

For starters, I'm going to begin reaching out to neighbors offline -door knocking, phone calling, and the like. One of my hopes is to hold periodic precinct gatherings. I'm wondering what the first event should be. Hmmm.

Ideas that are percolating....

Travis County Sheriff's Office, Crime Prevention Seminar Series
Communities gain practical tools to combat crime through education and prevention. Seminars are free and interactive.
Topics covered include:-personal safety awareness -burglary prevention -crimes against children -identity theft -gang awareness -domestic violence awareness

National Night Out
National Night Out is Oct. 6, 2009. Neighborhoods must register by August 28! Questions regarding National Night Out can be directed to the City of Austin at (512) 974-4900 or www.cityofaustin.org/police (click Crime Prevention.)


Animal shelter presentations
The City of Austin is building a new animal services center. The facility will feature some exciting design and architectural elements to promote the health and happiness of the animals in our care. Neighborhood associations interested in learning more about the new animal services center, can schedule a free presentation from the Health Department.


If you've got ideas, send them to me via email! : )

~many thanks~