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Whispers
Thursday, September 26, 2019 by Jessi Devenyns
Decision on 1880 West Campus home postponed
As West Campus changes at a dramatic clip, glimpses of its past still remain. One of those windows into the past is a small folk Victorian at 704 W. 22nd St. that was built in 1880 by a local grocer. Although almost 140 years old, the home is “remarkably intact,” Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky told the Historic Landmark Commission at its Sept. 23 meeting. Staff members who recommended zoning the property historic called the house “an important link between the past, present and the future,” though today it is sandwiched between modern student housing. Sadowsky explained that the home was once the site of such antics as neighbors stealing George S. Heflybower’s prize-winning chickens and was the home of one of the trailblazing educators at the Texas School for the Deaf, which in 1905 was known as the Deaf and Dumb Institute. While the commission had initiated the historic zoning process for the property, due to changes in rules at the state level, it was unable to vote to move the case any further. Therefore, in a 6-1 vote, commissioners postponed the case until their October meeting. Commissioner Witt Featherston voted against the postponement. Commissioners Emily Reed, Terri Myers, Emily Hibbs and Mathew Jacob were absent.
Thursday, September 26, 2019 by Tai Moses
New group launches mobility campaign
A new nonprofit group called PUMA – People United for Mobility Action – is holding a launch party “to discuss and share goals, hopes and challenges as we consider exciting opportunities for mobility,” according to a press release. PUMA’s mission is for everyone in Austin to be able to access “safe, affordable, and convenient choices to get around and meet their daily needs.” Shavone Otero, PUMA’s board chair, said in the release, “PUMA is working to amplify the voices of underserved and underrepresented communities who are most dependent on the outcomes of transportation planning. That’s why PUMA is focused on meeting people in their communities to discuss mobility challenges and to gather ideas for solutions.” The public is invited to the free campaign launch party, which will feature Mayor Steve Adler, Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza and Council Member Ann Kitchen. Child care and Spanish language interpreters will be provided. Please RSVP here. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m., George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 by Elizabeth Pagano
ATA names new executive director
Sarah Ortiz Shields is the new executive director of Austin Tech Alliance, the local nonprofit aimed at boosting civic engagement in Austin’s tech community. Shields has been serving as director on an interim basis since November 2018, and has experience as a program manager, managing technology and startup teams at the city and in the private sector. “I am honored to serve as the executive director of Austin Tech Alliance, and I look forward to working with our board, members and volunteers to continue raising awareness of civics in Austin’s tech community,” she said. ATA will be celebrating its third anniversary on Oct. 23. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 by Tai Moses
National Expungement Week aims to restore lost rights
Tens of millions of Americans are prevented from exercising their constitutional right to vote because of past convictions. Long after they have paid their debt to society, those with criminal records still face discrimination as well as restricted access to housing and jobs. A week of events called National Expungement Week aims to help set this right by offering legal relief to those who are eligible to have their records expunged. The Austin Justice Coalition and the UT Law Clinic are hosting an event “to offer complimentary criminal record-sealing education and a roadmap to record-sealing for those who qualify. Easy Expunctions will help with providing eligibility reports on site.” Legal advisers will be on hand to answer questions and there will be information about voter registration and employment. The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested here. Saturday, Sept. 28, 1-5 p.m., Huston-Tillotson University (Davage-Durden Student Union), 900 Chicon St.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 by Elizabeth Pagano
Elisabet Ney Museum finalist for preservation grant
City leaders gathered yesterday to announce that the Elisabet Ney Museum has been named a finalist for the 2019 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. According to a press release, “The nationwide campaign showcases the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, by engaging the public in preserving historic places.” The grants will be awarded to the sites that receive the most votes from the public, and those who wish to cast a vote can vote online through Oct. 29. The press release explains, “The only site in the Southwest to be selected, the Ney celebrates the life and work of Elisabet Ney (1833-1907), a famed sculptor, intellectual, a gender non-conformist, and democracy activist who rocketed to fame in 19th-century Berlin before fleeing persecution in 1871 to Texas.” More information about the grant, and programming that will be held around the grant, can be found on the city’s website.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 by Tai Moses
Garden field day offers hands-on help
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Travis County Master Gardeners are teaming up to present a free garden fair just in time for the fall planting season. The public is invited to come and learn about how to grow vegetables, herbs and fruit; composting techniques; water conservation, drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting; and get info about Texas Superstar plants and integrated pest management. The event also features tool sharpening and garden art. An insect identification scavenger hunt will keep the kids occupied while grownups shop for fall veggie starts and ask Travis County Master Gardeners all of their garden questions. Free workshops on tree planting, making a bee house and compost bin, and grow box construction round out the day. Find the full schedule of events and sign up in advance for workshops here. Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., rain or shine, Travis County AgriLife Extension Service, 1600 Smith Road.
Photo: Travis County Master Gardeners prepare the demonstration garden for the Field Day.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 by Tai Moses
Are you registered to vote?
Today, Sept. 24, is National Voter Registration Day and Travis County’s army of nearly 3,000 volunteer deputy registrars will be out in force to make the most of the day. The goal of this registration drive is to bring the number of registered voters in Travis County to above 800,000, which “would mark the highest number of registered voters ever in Travis County,” according to a press release. If you’ve moved recently and haven’t re-registered, or if you are registering to vote for the first time, you’ll find conveniently located voter registration stations all over the county. Here are a few choice locations:
- 8 a.m.-noon, Joe’s Bakery, 2305 E. Seventh St.
- 8:15-10:15 a.m., Franklin Barbecue, 900 E. 11th St.
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m., University of Texas, outside Jester Dormitory, 201 E. 21st St.
- 2-6 p.m., Austin Community College Eastview, 3401 Webberville Road
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Austin Community College Riverside, 1020 Grove Blvd.
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Austin Community College Highland, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road
- 8:30-10 a.m., Medallia, 211 E. Seventh St.
- 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport Blvd.
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m., People’s Community Clinic, 1101 Camino La Costa
- 6-10 p.m., Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas: Lakeline, 14028 U.S. Highway 183; South Lamar, 1120 S. Lamar Blvd.
- Voter registration volunteers will also be staking out select JuiceLand locations in the county.
Election Day is Nov. 5 and early voting takes place Oct. 21-Nov. 1. You must be registered to vote by Oct. 7.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 by Jo Clifton
Nonprofits mobilize against Proposition A
The political action committee PACE PAC will officially kick off its campaign to defeat Proposition A at a 9 a.m. news conference at the Long Center today. The Long Center itself, along with sister organizations the Austin Symphony, Ballet Austin, Zach Theatre and the Austin Opera, started campaigning this weekend with a flyer for people attending the “Carmina Burana” ballet at the Long Center. According to the flyer, Prop A, which was written in response to the city’s decision to allow a Major League Soccer team, Austin FC, to build a stadium on city property at McKalla Place, would disrupt the current arrangement between the city and nonprofit arts groups. The Long Center, the Austin YMCA, the Zach Theatre, Austin City Limits, SXSW, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Austin Parks Foundation, Trail of Lights, the Austin Food & Wine Festival, the Kite Festival and the Travis County Democratic Party are among the organizations listed as opposing Prop A. They say the Long Center will be required to pay more than $2.5 million annually in fees to the city if Prop A passes, and other nonprofits could face similar bills. The political action committee also lists 10 of 11 Council members – all but Leslie Pool – as supporting the fight against Prop A. Pool is in a bind because McKalla Place is in her district and some leaders from the organization that brought the petition to the city also live in her district. The arts groups are also taking a stand against Prop B, which would require a citywide vote on expanding the convention center. For more about the groups, see allaustinagainsta.com and phampac.org.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 by Tai Moses
Meet the new voting machines!
Just in time for the November 2019 general election, the Travis County’s Clerk’s Office is rolling out new touch-screen voting hardware, the county’s first new voting system in 18 years. According to the County Clerk’s Office, the new system “combines the accessibility and familiar feel of a touch screen with the security of a paper ballot.” Voting officials want to make sure people are familiar with the new machines before the election, so if you’d like to take one for a test drive, you will have several opportunities between now and Oct. 16. “I am excited to invite voters to come out and take a look at the voting equipment, and even try out demonstration machines so that they are more comfortable when they come to the polls for the November election,” said Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir. Read more about the new voting system and find a schedule of events previewing the new machines here.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 by Jo Clifton
Thrower also pledges no haircuts
Last week, the Austin Monitor noted that Planning Commissioner Greg Anderson had pledged not to cut his hair until Council approves a new Land Development Code. On Monday, we learned that Ron Thrower of Thrower Design has likewise pledged not to cut his hair until there is a new code. Thrower said via email: “To further the situation – I’ve grown my hair longer these days and when people ask when am I going to cut it, I respond with, ‘When we get a new code, but the code has to work, it has to cost less to make each project be built, and it has to be simpler.’ I’m guessing I’m not going to be cutting my hair based on Draft 3.” Please let the Monitor know if you decide to join the protest!
Monday, September 23, 2019 by Tai Moses
Housing investment committee meets Tuesday
This week the city’s Housing Investment Review Committee will be meeting to review applications submitted for the Rental Housing Development Assistance program and the Ownership Housing Development Assistance program. The two programs support the construction of affordable housing, both for rental purposes and for private homeownership. After reviewing the applications, the committee will forward its recommendations to the Austin Housing Finance Corporation to make the final funding decisions. Applications currently under consideration are posted online and the community may view and comment on them here. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department, 1000 E. 11th St., Room 400A.
Monday, September 23, 2019 by Tai Moses
Bartholomew Pool closes briefly for repairs
This won’t be good news for kids (and adults) who love to play on its slides, diving board and floating lily pads, but Bartholomew Pool will be closing for repairs on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The water park will resume normal operating hours on Saturday, Sept. 28. Those who just can’t stay out of the water even for a few days can find the next nearest swimming pool at austintexas.gov/pools.