Favorite Photo Friday: Woe in the Neighborhood

Top Notch Closes Its Doors

Top Notch, an Austin icon and neighborhood burger joint has closed.

This is so sad. All our best to the family and here's hoping they reopen their doors.

image via Deborah Cannon of the AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Election Results for Precinct 252

From the Travis County Election website:

Total Registered Voters in Precinct 252: 2772
Total McCain Voters: 561 29.75%
Total Obama Voters: 1,294 68.61%
Total Libertarian : 31 1.64%

Total Precinct Turnout: 1,886 -- 68%

thanks to Mary Arnett for the stats

PLEASE VOTE!

American flag, originally uploaded by yerffej9.

Halloween in the neighborhood

Favorite Photo Friday: Early Voting at the Shriner Hall

Early Voting Underway - Please Help Us Spread the Word!

Here's a notice from Dana DeBeauvoir, the Travis County Clerk.

I am writing to ask your help in spreading the word that Early Voting is underway in what is expected to be a record-breaking Presidential election on November 4, 2008.

Because we are expecting 450,000 voters to participate in this election, we are encouraging voters to consider the convenience of Early Voting.

Travis County has 26 conveniently located Early Voting sites in Travis County, including two 'Mega Voting Centers' with 50 voting booths and five check-in stations. Voting early, especially at the Mega sites, is the easiest and quickest way to cast a ballot--even if it means driving a few minutes to get there!

The ful list of Early Voting and Election Day polling locations, as well as sample ballots and other helpful election information is available on the County Clerk's Elections Division web site: www.traviscountyelections.org

Our two Mega Voting Sites are located:
NORTH - Travis County Airport Blvd Offices, 5501 Airport Blvd
SOUTH - West Tower Village, Suite 115, 4534 West Gate Blvd

And, don't forget! During Early Voting, you may cast a ballot at any location within the county where you are registered. On Election Day, you must vote in your registered precinct.

For additional information, voters may also contact our office by phone (854-4996) or email: election@co.travis.tx.us.

And don't forget our neighborhood's nearest early voting location is the Ben Hur Shriners Hall at 7811 Rockwood Lane.
The polls are open Monday – Saturday from 7:00am – 7:00pm and Sunday from noon–6:00pm.

Rock the vote poster, originally uploaded by MAS_gamunev.

Favorite Photo Friday: Nice Shot

Street, originally uploaded by mirsasha.

Taken from the second floor of the UFCU Steck branch while waiting to talk to someone.

Yummmmm!

I can't wait. Hey Cupcake! is coming to Burnet Road just across the street from Atomic Tattoo. I haven't done an interview myself so I'll post a quote from an article Luke Quinton wrote for the Austinist.

"The vision is grand, a big jump from the trailer, and includes a large backyard that Hurt hopes will encourage a carnival atmosphere. The new shop will feature cupcake schwag (t-shirts, etc.), a small covered band stand out back, a cottonwood tree equipped with a bubble-blowing machine, hula hoops, and a few games. Maybe you can convince the babysitter to bring the kids."

I see a neighborhood cupcake eating get together in the very near future.

Violet Crown Fall Arts Festival

It's time for Crestview's Violet Crown Fall Arts Festival again. Join the fun at the Crestview Shopping Center at 7100 Woodrow Avenue this Saturday, October 11 from 10:00 - 4:00pm. There will be works by 30 local artists, live music in the gazebo, kids' activities, refreshments and screening of the film, A Community Mosaic.

Oh! and here's the scoop on the pig. ; )

Register to Vote -- It's Not Too Late

It's not too late to register to vote in the November 4 general election. The deadline is Monday, October 6.

The Travis County voter registration page is here: http://www.traviscountytax.org/goVoters.do

There are helpful links along the right side of the page. From there you can verify your voter registration, register as a new voter, or even change your voter registration address. You can do any of these easily on the web.

If you recently moved into our neighborhood, please be sure you update your registration address. That way you'll be able to vote with your neighbors over at the Pillow Elementary polling place on election day.

Wildlife Habitat Challenge -- Increased Certifications!!

Allandale's Wildlife Habitat Steward, Cheryl Silver, has been working with Allandale and the surrounding neighborhoods to help us turn our backyards into certified wildlife habitats for the City of Austin Habitat Challenge.  Here is her most recent report:

At a recent get together with Alice Nance, the COA contact person for the Wildlife Habitat Stewards, she mentioned that the numbers of certifications are up. I asked that she share some numbers for me to pass on to folks.

The wildlife habitat counts for May-July were:

May- 55
June- 60
July- 55

Previously, on average, Austin would get 10-15 new certified habitats per month. The Neighborhood Habitat Challenge seems to be working!"

I hope this good news encourages everyone to get their yards certified.

I think that Alice's own website: www.keepaustinwild.com answers lots of questions and is easy to use. The Habitat Challenge FAQs that is on the site are very helpful.

Take advantage of these cool mornings and enjoy your yard!

I am the contact for Allandale -- Cheryl Silver

September Issue of "Austin City News" published

The September edition of the Austin City News has been published. This e-newsletter is published monthly by the city and distributed to all neighborhood associations.

This month's issue includes an update on Labor Day weekend traffic plans downtown, as well as information on the new "single stream" recycling program.

You may view the current edition here: Austin City News, September 2008

Favorite Photo Friday: So Long Tien Hong

originally uploaded by ScizzyB.

Alas, we'll have to travel further to find some tasty dim sum. Tien Hong has closed its doors for the last time. I wonder what will move in next.

Favorite Photo Friday: Back to School

pillow elementary school, originally uploaded by sweet patina.

School starts this Monday and soon the neighborhood will be buzzing with kids walking to and from school. Check out Pillow's website for more information.

New Sports Restaurant Planned for the Village

The construction at the Village shopping center on Anderson Lane is for a new, upscale sports restaurant.

According to a recent article in the Statesman:

The makeover of the Village Shopping Center on West Anderson Lane will get under way with the opening of a new restaurant.

Two former general managers at Z Tejas restaurants, Mark Dodson and Doug Young, are planning to open Cover 3: Dining, Spirits and Sports, in mid-October.

Guy Villavaso and Larry Foles, who own Eddie V's Edgewater Grille and the Roaring Fork, are investors.

Young said the more than 10,000-square-foot restaurant will offer fine dining, with leather booths, an upstairs lounge that overlooks the restaurant and an overall "classy finish."

The full article is here: Sports restaurant heads to Anderson Lane

Favorite Photo Friday: Satay Patio

Satay Patio - Night Falls, originally uploaded by digitalnomad.

Well we haven't been too post-y lately but our Flickr group is growing. D you have any neighborhood photos? Why don't you post them to our Life in North Shoal Creek Flickr group. We'd love to see them.

And yuummmmm... I haven't been to Satay in ages but I love it.

Favorite Photo Friday: Flood

The City of Austin recently adopted new floodplain maps. The maps take effect September 26, 2008 and there are changes that affect our neighborhood. You can view an interactive map or download a PDF version. Let's hope we never see a crazy flood like the one in that 1915 photo above. Yikes!

Does anyone have any stories to share about what it was like in our neighborhood during that big flood in the 80s? I can't remember the exact year but I know several of our neighbors were living here then.

Favorite Photo Friday: Swingin'

Swingin', originally uploaded by -Dons.

I love this photo. My next door neighbor Don (who unfortunately moved away) took it last year at the Fourth of July parade. I love it so much I incorporated it into the Life in North Shoal Creek logo at the top of the page.

Favorite Photo Friday: Playland Skate Center

The Professionals II, originally uploaded by michaelbrown.

Check out some amazing skating and choreography Sunday evening at 8:00 at the Playland Skate Center. Read more about it in this Austin Chronicle article.

(thanks to Mary Arnett for yet another tip)

Office Depot's Grand Opening

I'm a little late in posting this but I think the offer is still going on...

The new Office Depot on Anderson Lane is having a grand opening and if you purchase even ONE THING, they give you a roll of "green" paper towels and an energy efficient light bulb for free.

Limited to one visit per day.

(thanks to Mary Arnett for the tip!)

Favorite Photo Friday: Koi Eating Culprit

what kind of bird is this? (close up), originally uploaded by sweet patina.

I found this big guy by our pond a few weeks ago. We often have herons in the backyard but he is a different looking fellow. I posted this photo to our Life in North Shoal Creek Flickr pool and the general consensus seems to be that he's a juvenile yellow-crowned heron. Have any of you seen one in your yard?

Favorite Photo Friday: San Francisco in Austin

San Francisco Bakery and Cafe in Austin, Texas, originally uploaded by cdozo.

This photo of the bakery case at San Francisco Bakery (on Anderson, right across from Alamo Drafthouse Village) always makes me want to run over there and get a chocolate-chunk cookie. And a strawberry croissant. And while I'm at it, maybe a tuna sandwich on that parmesan-crusted bread, or just some of their excellent French bread that comes with their soups and salads.

Is it lunchtime yet?

Live Music! Free Beer! Free Lollipops!

This Friday, The Lowelies, Austin's own Nick Lowe tribute band, is playing a live performance at Encore Records to celebrate their newest CD release, Six at Nick's. The show is free, the beer is free and even the lollipops are free -- plus it's a great chance to check out of some live local music right here in the hood.

The Lowelies CD Release Party:

Friday, July 11, 2008
6:00PM - 8:00PM

Encore Records
1745 W Anderson Lane

Cheryl's Butterfly Mud Puddling Tip

Recently Allandale's Neighborhood Habitat Steward, Cheryl Silver, mentioned butterfly mud puddling in her wildlife habitat tip -- #1 Water for Wildlife.

I had never even heard of mud puddling but I love the idea. How cool that butterflies gather near puddles!  Creating a butterfly mud puddling pool would be such a fun backyard activity to do with kids. And it must be so lovely to look at.

According to the University of Kentucky, Department of Entomology:
"Butterflies also like puddles. Males of several species congregate at small rain pools, forming puddle clubs. Permanent puddles are very easy to make by burying a bucket to the rim, filling it with gravel or sand, and then pouring in liquids such as stale beer, sweet drinks or water. Overripe fruit, allowed to sit for a few days is a very attractive substance (to them!) as well."

For even more information on attracting butterflies to your backyard and garden, click here. Scroll down toward the bottom of the page for mud puddling.

Let us know if you create your own mud puddle. We'd love to hear from you and see your photos too.

Yankee Doodle Dandy

I couldn't pass up the chance to post a photo of Beck all decked out in his 4th of July glory.  He took 3rd prize for Best Decorated Stroller.  We all had a great time.

July 4 in Austin, in pictures

Ride Like the Wind, originally uploaded by -Dons.

On Friday, I posted links to some photos from our neighborhood's July 4 parade and celebrations. Today I've got more images to share -- not just from North Shoal Creek, but from other neighborhoods who held parades and similar gatherings. It's amazing to see how many Austin neighborhoods hold their own small parades, each with its own special quirks.

• Don has some delightful photos from the North Shoal Creek parade that leave my Flickr set in the shade. That's his photo, above, of one of the neighborhood kids at the parade. You might remember the great photos he took last year, too.
• More North Shoal Creek parade photos from Flickr user tweety78757. This person must have had a busy July 4, since they also took Allandale parade photos, including shots of Elliot Naishtat and Wall-E.
• Jack Thielepape posted a Flickr set that not only includes pictures from the Allandale parade, but also the downtown fireworks show that night.
• Carlos Lowry took some photos during the Delwood II (north of Mueller) neighborhood festivities. I loved the beauty queens.
• Here are more photos from Delwood's parade, courtesy of Flickr user Stefan. They had a goat in their parade ... wonder if it lives in the neighborhood.

What did your neighborhood do? If you've got photos or stories, please share them (or links to them) in the comments.

Favorite Photo Friday: I love a parade

Parade down Stanwood (cropped), originally uploaded by juliettek.

We watched the neighborhood July 4 parade this morning and I caught a few photos. I like this one because it shows how the kids couldn't wait to zoom down the street on their bikes -- no stately and slow parade pace for them!

I posted more parade photos here. Cheri has some too; so does our neighbor Chris Jones on the Flickr page for the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Assn.

Come Join the Parade!

Triker, originally uploaded by -Dons.

I hope you got a flyer on your door announcing North Shoal Creek's Annual Fourth of July Parade. Meet us at the Pillow Elementary playground from 9:30 - 11:30am for snow cones, face painting, balloon twisting, a moonwalk and a fantastic time with your friends and neighbors.

The National Anthem will be performed live at 9:40.

And don't forget the parade. Prizes will be awarded for:

• best decorated stroller
• best decorated tricycle
• best decorated bike
• best dressed dog
• best sidewalk chalk art
• best entertainers

Did You Guess What We Have Growing in Our Backyard?

Did you figure out what strange sort of horticulture I posted the other day?
Yep, it's a flowering banana plant.

Not quite the type of native plant the City has in mind for their Neighborhood Habitat Challenge but lovely none the less.

Did you know that there's a Washington Banana Museum?
Do you know any of these banana facts?

1) A cluster of bananas is called a hand and consists of 10 to 20 bananas, which are known as fingers.

2) Banana plants are the largest plants on earth without a woody stem. They are actually giant herbs of the same family as lilies, orchids and palms.

3) Bananas were officially introduced to the American public at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. Each banana was wrapped in foil and sold for 10 cents. Before that time, bananas came to America on the decks of sailing ships as sailors took a few stems home after traveling in the Caribbean.

4) Some horticulturists suspect that the banana was the earth's first fruit. Banana plants have been in cultivation since the time of recorded history. One of the first records of bananas dates back to Alexander the Great's conquest of India where he first discovered bananas in 327 B.C.

5) The average American consumes over 28 pounds of bananas each year.

Baby Steps Focus Group at Heartsong Music

the baby walk, originally uploaded by zen.

Oh, i sooooo wish Beck were at this stage. He's super close. He can pull himself up but he still doesn't quite know what to do with his feet.

If your little one is at that almost walking stage, Heartsong Music in The Village on Anderson Lane will be hosting a focus group study on Wednesday, July 2nd. It sounds like a fun (and easy) way for you and your baby to earn $100.

Here's the scoop:

CWT Group is conducting a focus group for moms, dads and their babies (ages 9-16 months) to test a new product that helps infants and parents during the "learning to walk" phase. The focus group will host two sessions on Wednesday, July 2nd from 9:30am-11:00am and 11:30-1:00pm at Heartsong Music. Parents will only need to attend one session. They will receive a $100 Visa gift card and product for participating. If you are interested and have a baby who pulls-up and hangs onto things to walk, or can take a step or two, e-mail Lydia at walkinginfo (AT) gmail (DOT) com or call (512) 968-6642.

To see more details click here.

via http://www.babyscoopaustin.com

Favorite Photo Friday: Pillow School Art Tiles

Guess What We Have Growing in Our Backyard?

More to come...

Favorite Photo Friday: Neighborhood Turtles

Did you realize we had turtles in the neighborhood? You can find these little guys in the inner courtyard of the Village Shopping Center, near the Academy of Oriental Medicine (AOMA).

Photo credit: catwommn on Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.

Cheryl's Wildlife Habitat Tip-- #1 Water for Wildlife

Allandale's Neighborhood Habitat Steward, Cheryl Silver, is writing a series of tips to help us turn our backyards into certified wildlife habitats for the City of Austin Habitat Challenge. Here is her first tip:

One of the steps required to make your home a certified wildlife habitat is to have at least one water source for wildlife in your yard--water for drinking and bathing. I thought I would bring this up now because
it is hot and rain has been scarce......

About ten days ago I made it a priority in my own home to ensure there
is water in the birdbaths and I set up a shallow pan with a flat rock
in the middle under one of my oaks in the front yard---I can see it from
my living room and it has been soooooo busy--quite gratifying. I have
decided to set up a butterfly puddling area.

I have set my own birdbath/shallow pan in areas where the birds can
access the water safely.

Here are some types types of water sources mentioned in the wildlife
habitat application:

- birdbaths--- keep an eye on these as they will dry up quickly (if they
heat up, add some ice cubes)
- lake
- stream
- seasonal pool
- ocean
- water garden/pond
- river
- butterfly puddling area (watch for more butterfly puddling info soon!)
- rain garden
- spring

Please, let me know if you take the step to add any water features to your yard.
Contact Cheryl Silver at csilver2 (AT) austin (DOT) rr (DOT) com.

For more information visit our previous post here.

Keep Austin Cool Summer Fan Drive

It is summertime and it is HOT. Temperatures have been at or near 100 every day this week and it's still only June. As I posted before I am a heat wimp and I have curtailed my walks and trips to the playground accordingly. If we're not at the pool, Beck and I tend to stay inside playing in air conditioned comfort.

But can you imagine not having an air conditioner to help you cool off? Many Austinites are living in the heat without any means of relief right now. Not only is that miserable; it can also be deadly.

KXAN, The Austin Diagnostic Clinic, ME Television and The CW are working together to address this health issue with the 2008 Summer Fan Drive benefiting Family Eldercare. Volunteers will be delivering 100s of fans to people in need -- especially the elderly and disabled.

You can help by dropping off a fan at one of  ADC's locations, donating money or volunteering your time.

For more information on how you can help, click here.

If you know of an elderly person that needs assistance - below is a list of local resources:

• Area Agency on Aging
  
• Austin Groups for the Elderly (A.G.E.)
  
• Family Eldercare
  
• Meals on Wheels Austin
  

What's Wrong with This Picture?

Ah, the end of a nice Pillow Playdate swinging in the park.
Time to go home...

What's wrong with this picture?


Does anyone know what type of snake this is?

Favorite Photo Friday: The Dude Abides

jara at highland lanes, originally uploaded by Mr. Wright.

I haven't been to Highland Lanes on Burnet Road in a long time -- maybe I'm overdue for some bowling. I found several great shots of the bowling alley on Flickr this week, which are now available in the Life in North Shoal Creek pool for your viewing pleasure.

If you got the reference in the title, and are as big a Big Lebowski fan as we are at our house, you might get a kick out of this blog: The Big LOLbowski. Which has nothing to do with our neighborhood, but it sure is funny.

Favorite Photo Friday: Swing

Beck's favorite thing -- to play in a swing.

Artist Trunk Show this Sunday on Stanwood

Artists Mickie Bellah and Zanna James will be hosting a trunk show from 12:00 - 5:00 this Sunday, June 15th at Mickie's home at 3111 Stanwood Drive. This unique cultural event is located right here in North Shoal Creek and we hope you'll all come out to view the art and meet the artists.

Mickie creates surrealistic and vibrantly colored abstract oil paintings. She describes her painting process as Spirit guided and writes that, "the energy of the colors sets off a tone that resonates with the person viewing the canvas. As the viewer begins to see the ‘hidden’ images, their vibration increases and they connect with the painting.

"I call them Intuitive Surrealistic Abstract Images. I am guided to the colors of paint to use and how to apply them. In a meditative state I will see shapes of images which have no meaning at the time but develop on the canvas. On occasion, colors will also come to me the same way."

To view more of her work visit her website.

Zanna James is a jewelry artist residing in Wimberly. She works with mixed media including metals, stones, glass and fibers to create one-of-a-kind original designs. Her delicate designs draw upon a natural flow; a flow she calls her Sacred Intuitive Artistry. She is inspired by the earthiness of her Hill Country surroundings and the animals she loves.

"Zanna is acting in response to a very loud voice within, one which was echoing the small voice that had called her since she was a child called her to listen to that impulse to create beautiful objects which have voices of their own, using a bead, a swirl, a pendant as words to communicate spirit, love and wonder."

To view more of Zanna's work visit her website.

Due to the unique and fragile nature of the artwork, the artists have requested that this remain an exclusively adult trunk show so that these delicate pieces will not be damaged.

[thanks to Mary Arnett for the tip]

Take the Neighborhood Habitat Challenge

views from our backyard on Shoal Creek

The City of Austin and the National Wildlife Federation are challenging Austin neighborhoods to create homes for wildlife. It's a challenge for each neighborhood to certify the most number of yards as wildlife habitats to help Austin earn points towards becoming certified as Texas' first National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat.

The challenge began on May 1st and it ends on October 31, 2008. 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded to the top three neighborhoods. Neighborhoods that take the challenge must also organize a community invasive plant removal and promote gardening for wildlife through neighborhood newsletters and websites in addition to certifying the highest number of yards as habitats during the contest period.

For more information visit the Habitat Challenge page on the City of Austin's website or Wildlife Austin.

So how do you create a wildlife habitat in your own backyard? Actually it's pretty easy and to help us along the way, Allandale resident, Cheryl Silver, has been training to become a Habitat Steward. She's been posting tips on the Allandale listserv and has graciously (in fact, enthusiastically) agreed to let us reprint them on our blog. I'll post her first tip soon.

Here is what the City has to say about creating your own wildlife habitat:
"It's easy to create wildlife habitat! Yards that provide food, water, cover, places to raise young for wildlife and practice sustainable gardening practices are eligible for NWF wildlife habitat certification. Creating habitat is as simple as planting native plants that provide nectar, pollen, seeds, and berries year round, including a reliable water source to attract a variety of critters, and providing places for cover and rearing young such as planting evergreen shrubs, leaving brush and rock piles or putting up a birdhouse."

Jeff and I have decided to certify our yard as a wildlife habitat so I'll be posting our progress along the way.

Last Chance on Early Voting

Tuesday (June 10) is the last day for early voting in the City Council Place 4 run-off election.

Turnout has been low, which means your vote counts more than ever. It also means there haven't beeen any lines, and you'll probably be able to zip right on through.

Here is the article I blogged last week with more info: Early Voting Starts Today

Alert on Rabies Exposure

Local officials have issued an alert on a possible rabies exposure in our neighborhood, and have asked for help locating three children.

Some Austin-area boys may have been exposed to rabies, and Austin/Travis County health officials need your help identifying them.

Three boys were seen playing with a bat at the Northcross bus stop around 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 4.

Read the full story at News 8 Austin: Possible rabies exposure worries health officials.

11pm update: More details are posted at the Allendale Reporter web site, including text of the notice issued by Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services: Urgent Notice

Join Us at the DQ for a Blizzard

Please join us at 2:00pm tomorrow at the Dairy Queen on Burnet Road.
Let's meet our neighbors and eat some Blizzards.

Come take a break from the heat and stop by to say hello.

We can't wait to see you.

Favorite Photo Friday: Behind the Terra Toys

terra toys, originally uploaded by me and the sysop.

This photo, found on the Life in North Shoal Creek Flickr group, shows the back of Terra Toys on Anderson Lane. Who knew the toy store was cute even in the parts we never get to see?

APD Traffic Survey Online

Looking for an easy way to feel like you're doing something to help solve Austin's traffic problems? Looking to do it from your couch? Or at least without having to venture into traffic...

The Austin Police Department would like you to participate in an online traffic survey. Let's hope it helps!

Here's how it starts:
"There are a lot of bad drivers on the road."

And here's the link to the survey:
https://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/apd_traffic/apd_survey.cfm

June 'Austin City News' published

The June edition of the Austin City News has been published. This e-newsletter is published monthly by the city and distributed to all neighborhood associations.

Topics in this issue range from the red light camera program to code enforcement issues.

You may view the current edition here: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/citynews/acn_08june.htm

We Voted