Spring 2016 Newsletter - The Galindo Neighborhood Association

Spring 2016 Newsletter
Next Meeting:
Monday, May 16th
South Austin Rec
Center, 7pm
President's Letter
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
2016 Officers
We are living in the fastest growing city in the U.S. (according to Forbes Magazine). To address
this growth the City of Austin adopted a comprehensive plan https://www.austintexas.gov/
department/imagine-austin, which concentrates on addressing Austin’s future connectivity,
compactness, open and green spaces, affordability and transit options. To achieve these goals,
the City is revising the land development code http://www.austintexas.gov/codenext. Code
NEXT is the name for the ongoing process of writing, testing, discussing, and finalizing the new
code. The new code is to impact four major issues: 1) Managing Austin’s growth while keeping
Austin’s character; 2) Affordability; 3) Mobility, and 4) City health in City planning decisions. The
changes the City envisions for Austin have already been set out in Imagine Austin, but now the
next step is taking place which is to rewrite the actual code and "bring to life the community
values of Imagine Austin." The question of what residents and developers will and won't be able
to do under the new code is still being determined. The City has set January 2017 as the date
the new Land Development Code will be completed. The Land Development Code Advisory
Group consists of seventeen nominated members and meets on the first Monday of each month
at 6:00pm. City Staff: Paul DiGiuseppe, Planning and Zoning Department, 512-974-2865.
President
Susan Littleton
Vice President
Kathryn Kawazoe
Secretary
Alexis Francois
Treasurer
Bob Price
SCC Representative
Patty Sprinkle
ANC Representative
Patty Sprinkle
Zoning
Marshall Davis
Within Galindo, one of the largest new developments will be the San Juan Diego Catholic High
Communications
School new construction project set to begin June 2016. The 3.7 acre undeveloped property
Rob Albertson
borders S. 1st Street and Herndon Lane. The construction will be in two phases, with a
gymnasium, library and classrooms on the ground floor being built first. The second floor with
additional classrooms will be completed when funds are available. The new school will accommodate up to 450 students.
The new structure will be 59,500 square feet in size, two stories and thirty-nine (39) feet in height.
The first construction phase is estimated to be completed within fourteen (14) months.
May 7, 2016 Election – Proposition 1. The Uber/Lyft fingerprinting background check issue will be put to Austin voters
on Saturday, May 7. Early voting begins Monday, April 25 and ends Tuesday, May 3. A “Yes” vote in favor of the
proposition will repeal and prohibit fingerprinting background checks for Transportation Network Companies. A “No” vote
against the proposition will require fingerprinting background checks for Transportation Network Companies.
In closing I want to point out one of the special qualities that I love and appreciate about our little slice of heaven, Galindo:
The happy, friendly, stroller-pushing, dog-walking neighbors who are out every day.
You make Galindo Great!
Best to All,
Susan Littleton
GENA President
The purpose of the Galindo Neighborhood Association is to seek to improve the quality of life in the
neighborhood in matters such as land use, traffic control, social functions, environmental protection, public
services, and other matters of neighborhood concern.
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Gillis Pool
Susan Littleton, President
Gillis Pool will open June 13, 2016 – August
14, 2016 for the summer season. This
wonderful city pool is tucked away behind
Winebelly and Habanero just east of S. 1st and
Herndon Lane at 2504 Durwood. There is a
nice grassy area for chairs and sunbathing.
Some shade is provided by the beautiful live
oak trees that surround the pool. Best of all
though is that Gillis Pool is often not crowded.
Pool hours are 1pm – 8pm every day of the
week except Wednesdays when the pool is
closed for cleaning. Admission is free.
Spotlight on Dawson Elementary!
reading support to our primary classrooms.
Sage Baker, Neighbor
7. We have many cool events and programs like our Harvest
Hop, Talent Show, Sock Hop, Kite Day, Monthly Author's
Teas and Math Talks, Superstar Student Celebrations,
Family Thanksgiving Meal, U.T. Neighborhood Longhorns
program for 2nd-5th graders, writing and science camps.
1. Dawson is a recognized Texas Exemplary School.
2. Dawson is the ONLY school in Austin with Early Act First
Knight Character Education Program sponsored by
Downtown Rotary Club of Austin. Students are recognized
and knighted based on exhibiting character traits
(leadership, respect, etc.)
3. Service Club for our 4th and 5th grade students, also
sponsored by Downtown Rotary Club of Austin.
8. FUN FACT: Laura Bush was the librarian at Dawson (way
back when).
9. The Dawson PTA is active and growing! If you want to
know more contact Sage Baker –
[email protected].
4. One of A.I.S.D’s pilot schools for dual language program.
10. Our Parent Support Specialist, Ms. Noelia Guevara, is a
5. We have many partnerships with St. Edward’s University fantastic resource for our families. She knows everything
and the University of Texas. We provide great opportunities there is to know about Dawson! She can answer questions
for college students to volunteer in their community. In turn, for families and helps families find resources within the
their support allows us to provide such wonderful events like community. Ms. Guevara can be reached at the front office
by calling 512-414-2070 or you can swing by the Parent
the fall carnival and the Family Thanksgiving Meal.
Room, Room 102, to see what activities are happening at
6. Our A.C. E Americorps Program provides outstanding
Dawson for parents and famiies.
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Join GENA!
Bob Price, Treasurer
GENA is the recognized representative association for the
neighborhood receiving this newsletter. Democracy at the
very most local level! Those of us who make it to the everyother-month meetings would love to see many more of our
neighbors get involved and give their two cents about
neighborhood goings on – everyone agrees GENA should
represent the views of the neighborhood as a whole. So
whether you’ve been here forever or are a new resident, we
hope you’ll get involved or stay involved with your
neighborhood association.
One way to participate is by joining the association as a
dues paying member, which makes you eligible to vote at
GENA meetings on Association business and issues.
Annual member dues are only $20 per household and are
GENA’s only regular source of funds. You are eligible to join
if you live within the area bounded by Oltorf, South First,
Ben White, and the Union Pacific Railway.
You can pay dues now and be set for the rest of 2016. One
way to pay is by bringing cash or a check to a general
meeting (third Mondays of every other month, next in May,
7:00 p.m. at the South Austin Rec. Center). The other easy
way to pay annual dues is online, via the “membership”
button at our website, www.gena.org. You may also reach
us at:
15 YEAR GALINDO RESIDENT
10 YEARS IN REAL ESTATE
Since 2014 I’ve sold 27 properties in South Austin,
and a third of those were in Galindo.
Rely on
me as
al
your loc
ex p e r t !
galindo neighborhood
ROB ALBERTSON
REALTOR®
South Austin Specialist
512.653.8939
[email protected]
Call Rob 512.653.8939 for your
FREE Galindo home valuation.
Galindo Neighborhood Association
PO Box 41232
Austin, TX 78704
Galindo Transportation Priorities
Kathryn Kawazoe, Vice President
With possible upcoming transportation bond projects in the
Nov. election, GENA has launched an effort to prioritize
critical transportation needs in the neighborhood.
Representatives will meet with the City soon to discuss
needs for new and improved sidewalks and intersections,
completion of the neighborhood traffic calming plan that was
approved years ago, planning for a trail along W. Bouldin
Creek that would connect the Hike and Bike Trail to farther
South Austin, and securing other funding to achieve these
transportation goals. The Association has approved
reprioritizing S. 5th St. and Garden Villa, with the connecting
sections of Barton Skyway and Cardinal Ln., as “very high
priority” for sidewalk construction in the City’s Sidewalk
Masterplan.
Photography to communicate your brand’s best image
Roxanne Rathge 512-517-3676 www.littlebirdimages.com
For input on transportation-related concerns, Galindo
neighbors can join and send an email to the Galindo
Yahoogroup at: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/
GalindoNeighborhood/info
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I
It's My Park Day! volunteers with some of the trash pulled from
W. Bouldin Creek.
A big thanks to all who attended to help clean the park and creek!
Join the Galindo Conversation!
The Yahoo Group is GENA's official email notification platform and is open to ALL residents. Get info on
garage sales, crimewatch, elections, parks, city events and much more. To subscribe, please visit: https://
groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/GalindoNeighborhood/info
Also join the Galindo Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GalindoNA/
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Rippner Tennis at South Austin Tennis Center
by Sage Baker, neighbor
I wanted shine a light on one of the great gems in our neighborhood that some people might not know much about,
Rippner Tennis at South Austin Tennis Center (1000 Cumberland Road). Until relatively recently I knew very little about
the tennis center and all the wonderful things happening there.
I sat down with Michael MacVay, Director of Junior Development, to create a “Top 10 things you probably didn’t know
about RippnerTennis.” As you read the list, I hope you discover something new about what’s happening on those courts
you see as you walk through the park.
1. RippnerTennis has a 10-and-under accredited junior program and gives young players a great start in learning a lifelong game.
2. RippnerTennis provides adult classes for players of all levels and ages.
3. RippnerTennis guides high school players through the college selection process.
4. They have two 36' tennis courts specifically dedicated to players under the age of 8.
5. Coach Mike, the director of the junior program, was the 2014 junior professional of the year in Austin and the USTA
Texas North Star Award winner in 2015.
6. RippnerTennis trains numerous adult teams
that participate all year long.
7. They partners with local businesses to bring
languages and arts to young tennis players
through summer camps and other programs.
8. Their namesake, Brie Rippner, is a former
world's top 50 player and Round of 32 at
Wimbledon.
9. They give nearly $20,000 in scholarship gifts
yearly to young athletes.
10. RippnerTennis loves being a shining star in
public tennis in the heart of South Austin.
The next time you are walking by the tennis
center, I hope you will take the time to wander
through the doors and see what’s happening
and say hello. Or, sign up for a class if you’re
interested in exploring tennis. You’ll learn to
play while also making some great friends.
What I thought was a just place to learn
something new for myself has turned into a
place for my entire family—and it’s all right
there in my backyard.
RippnerTennis @ South Austin Tennis Center
offers a full range of classes for both adults and
children of all learning levels. Summer Camps
for kids are available throughout the summer.
Check the website or call for more information.
To learn even more about RippnerTennis go to:
http://rippnertennis.com/
or call 512-442-1466
If you see a newsletter delivered to a vacant
home, please remove it so that it doesn't
invite the wrong attention. And please
recycle when you are finished reading.
CERTIFIED TENNIS PROFESSIONALS
AGE & LEVEL APPROPRIATE
GROUP OR PRIVATE LESSONS
SUMMER CAMPS & SPECIAL EVENTS
TOURNAMENT READY GUIDANCE
512-442-1466 to register
Michael MacVay
Director of Junior Programming & Senior Associate Teaching Professional
[email protected]
2014 Capitol Area Tennis Association
Junior Tennis Professional of the Year
2015 USTA North Star Award
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WE
GALINDO!
Our team can help you get top dollar for your home.
Call us today for a complimentary market analysis!
512-968-9080 | [email protected] | www.blairfieldrealty.com
The Galindo Elementary Neighborhood Association & The ABGB present
The Summer
Block Party
june 26th noon - 2pm
Let’s get the neighborhood together
for a summer party! Save the date.
RSVP REQUIRED. Stay tuned to: www.gena.org and
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GalindoNA/
lunch. dinner. MUSIC. 1305 w. oltorf theabgb.com
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