LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN IN PFLUGERVILLE:
Included below are latest event info/briefs and contact/volunteer info on Disaster Relief Efforts... remember "this is a marathon, not a sprint." Neighborhoods can help by sharing this E-mail (e.g., leaders/block captains/contacts) and by posting on their web pages or putting in newsletters. Also, collaborate with other neighborhoods, churches, community organizations, and city services. Remember that cold weather is upon us and clothing collection is turning to winter clothing. See North Rural Community Center further below, which desperately needs help sorting clothing and has other needs, too.
Burn Ban in Effect Through Nov. 2nd
Travis County Commissioners approved a burn ban in unincorporated areas of the county. Is in effect till Nov. 2nd but will be reviewed weekly in case conditions change. The county is in a high-fire danger category because of lack of rainfall. Violation of burn band is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500. [Source: Austin American-Stateman]
October 1st thru November 11th - Fallen Warrior Memorial Site Prep
The memorial site will need preparation in order to install the ampitheater, granite slab, and bronze figures. Volunteers will perform manual labor. Great project for teens/groups. At least 30 volunteers needed. Call Michelle Pundt at 670-5527 for more information.
October 8th - Annual Animal Blessing at St. Augustines Orthodox Church
On Saturday from 10am to Noon. The ceremony will be held on the church grounds located at 100 E. Walbarger St.. The animal bless is a tradition to honor the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Any and all animals of all types are invited to participate in the ceremony. Each animal blessed will receive a personalized certificate of blessing. The Church can be contacted at 251-9036, ArchBishop Thomas, Rector. Should you require any additional information please E-mail Bob Bugnand at bbugnand@austin.rr.com.
October 10th - PfCONA Town Meeting - HOA Attorney/Pflugerville Firefighters Assoc.
To be held at Justice Center at 1611 E. Pfennig Ln. from 7pm to 8:30pm. Bring a neighbor or neighborhood/community leader. City Councilman Duane Blakeslee may attend along with other city officials. Councilmen Mark Gladney and Bruce Wood attended in September. If you're a neighborhood leader you should get a reminder call about this event.
Speaker: Attorney Connie Nieman, on HOA bylaws and property law
(an expert in Texas on these issues)
Short Presentation: Greg Monroe, Pflugerville Professional Firefighters Association
(what fire department has to offer, including information handouts)
Announcement: ESD Commmissioner Mike Howe will report on ESD#2 Annexation
(11.5 square miles of farmland east of Pflugerville)
Note: See http://www.pfcona.org/Meetings-Minutes.htm for past town meeting agendas/minutes. The Mayor, a City Councilperson City Manager, Chief of Police are scheduled to attend monthly PfCONA Town Meetings. PISD/School Board has been invited to send a representative like council does on a rotating basis. PISD Public Information Officer has been frequently attending.
October 11th - City Council Work Session
Tuesday at 6:30pm at City Council Chambers at 100 E. Main. Purpose: Establish policy for the approval of municipal utility districts in city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. Click here for agenda.
October 11th - City Council Meeting
Tuesday at 7:30pm at City Council Chambers at 100 E. Main. Purpose: Examples include proclamation of 20th anniversary of Chamber, second reading of 355 acres known as Pfluger Crossing. resolution on preliminary plan known as Wal-Mart at Pfennig Ln., and resolution adopting a schedule of annexation of 456 acres east of Weiss Ln and south of Cele Road. Click here for agenda.
October 11th - Deadline to Register to Vote
You can check to see whether you are registered to vote at www.traviscountytax.org or by calling 854-9473. Click here for voter registration forms online. Hurry. Time is running out.
October 11th - Pflugerville Fire Dept. Open House
On Tuesday, Oct. 11th, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, at Station No. 2 at Bratton Ln/Shoreline. Introduce your kids to fire safety and fire engines. Info also available on Explorer Post 401 recruitment.
October 13th - Pflugerville Fire Dept. Open House
On Thursday, Oct. 13th, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, at Central Fire Station at E. Pecan/Railroad Ave. Introduce your kids to fire safety and fire engines. Info also available on Explorer Post 401 recruitment.
October 13th - ESD#2 Annexation Public Hearing
At 6pm at Central Fire Station at Pecan St/Railroad Ave. The proposed annexation area includes land bounded generally on the west by FM 973, on the east by Manda Carlson Road, on the south by New Sweden Church Road and by Jacobson Road and on the north by the Travis-Williamson County Line. If the area is annexed into the district, the ESD will provide property owners with fire protection and emergency medical first response. Property owners in the area will pay the same ad valorem tax that other residents of the ESD pay, and the area will be subject to the half-cent sales tax levied for the ESD.
October 15th - Saxony Subdivision Food Drive
To be held on that Saturday. Notices and paper bags will be left at all subdivision household doorsteps. All food items will be donated to the Storehouse food pantry in Pflugerville. Being promoted by Saxony HOA board and PfCONA's Food Drive effort. (See Storehouse brief further below)
October 16th - Pflugerville Police Department "Open House" (rescheduled)
From 1pm to 5pm on Sunday at 1611 E. Pfennig Ln. Check out police and D.A.R.E. cars, gun range, jail, fatal vision goggles, paint ball target shooting, Child ID, H.E.A.T. registration, bicycle registration, Moonwalk, and fire department displays. Also, involved checking out various departments and K-9s (police dogs). Call Police Department at 251-4004 for more information.
October 17th - Conceptual Plan Public Hearing by Planning and Zoning Commission
At 7pm at 100 E. Main, Ste 500. To receive public comment on 73.142 acres along east side of Dessau Road known as Alexander Walters Survey No. 67, Abstract No. 792, to be known as Cambridge Villas. Also, see Nov. 8th P&Z Hearing below.
October 19th - Downtown Planning Committee Meeting
Starts at 7pm at City Council Chambers at 100 E. Main. Agenda is posted on city website by 5pm the Friday before meeting.
Note: PfCONA has been involved in this diverse committee for the past year and plans to continue to in order to help revitalize downtown on behalf of neighborhoods and businesses. Current projects the committee is undertaking includes: Market Inventory Subcommittee work, Market Analysis Request for Proposal Subcommittee work, Farmers Market Research, Downtown Master Plan work, and more.
October 20th - Pflugerville ISD Public Meeting
At 6:30pm in board room of Admin. Bldg. at 1401 W. Pecan. Purpose of meeting is to discuss district's rating on the state's financial accountability system.
October 24th thru Nov. 4th - Early Voting
Click here for voting locations for constitutional amendment voting, Travis County bond proposal voting, and ESD#2 annexation election voting.
October 27th - Hendrickson High School PTO Golf Tournament
Shotgun start at 1pm at Forest Creek Golf Club. Is a four person scramble. Entry fee is $100/player and sponsorships are available and tax deductible. Deadline is Oct. 13th. All proceeds benefits HHSPTO/Senior Celebration. For more info call Kevin Leatherman, 252-1085 or E-mail at leathermakevin@sbcglobal.net.
October 29th - Second Annual Arts and Crafts Bazaar at Hendrickson H.S.
Hendrickson H.S. Silver Dance Team will host in H.S. cafeteria from 9am to 3pm. There will be door prize and refreshment for purchase. For more info or vendor registration, contact Shelli Hankins at 251-8081 or Tammy Hester at 252-3364.
October 29th - Falcon Pointe Pfall Pfest
From 1pm to 3pm at 19015 Falcon Pointe Blvd. - Residents' Club parking lot. Open to public. Admission is $1 - Inflatables, jousting, live music, pony rides, carnival ride, concession booths, Pflugerville "DARE" with Halloween safety tips, Pflugerville Fire Truck tours, balloon twister, face painting, games, prizes and candy. Contact Janie Balderas, Activities Director @ 670-1400.
October 29th - Brookhollow Elementary Fall Carnival
On Saturday from 2pm to 5pm at 1200 N. Railroad Ave. Includes silent auction from 2pm to 4:30pm and Spike with Round Rock Express from 4pm to 5pm. Event includes: games, crafts, food, moonwalk, pumpkin contest, raffle, and more.
October 31st - Halloween on Main Street
On Monday, October 31st from 6pm to 7pm on 200 block of Main St. A safe place for children to "trick or treat". Police Dept. will block street from 5pm to 7pm. Parking will be available on streets north of Main St. Sponsored by Chamber.
November 3rd - Mayor to Host Town Hall Meeting on Austin Community College
To be held at a Pflugerville High School Cafeteria from 7pm to 8:30pm. Recently there have been a lot of questions about ACC and its future plans for Pflugerville. ACC would like to bring opportunities such as: high school student head start classes, adult evening classes, and annexation into the taxing district perhaps even an ACC campus.
How do you feel about ACC opportunities? What about the potential property tax increases associated with annexation? Come to the Town Hall and express your views. Tell the Mayor and City Council how you feel about ACC in Pflugerville. For further information, please contact the City Secretary's Office at 990-4363.
Note: PfCONA has requested to co-sponsor these town hall meetings, including do this as a joint meeting on PfCONA's usual town meeting night since we are reaching out to the same audience (residents and neighborhood/community leaders). PfCONA has also suggested to the Mayor that other groups be invited to co-sponsor as well, in order to promote to a wider audience.
November 4th-5th - Library Semi-annual Book Sale Fundraiser
The Library is needing contributions of DVDs, CDs, videos, hard cover books, and paperback books for the sale. Any items that people are willing to contribute can be taken to the Library during their open hours. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Jacki Robertson during the day at the Pflag at 251-2220 or in the evening at 990-9402. Thanks for any help you can give us, the Friends of the Pflugerville Community Library, fundraiser sponsor.
November 5th - Dumpster Day (KPB Fall event)
From 8am to Noon at 300 E. Pecan (between the old cotton gin & El Rincon Mexican Restaurant) and 1340 Heatherwilde Blvd (Community Pool Parking Lot of WestPark/ParkPlace) . Similar to March Pflugerville Citywide Cleanup (Spring event) also hosted by city's Keep Pflugerville Beautiful committee.
Note: Dumpsters will be provided by IESI Trash Company. Absolutely No hazardous material will be accepted (For example: batteries, tires, paint, gasoline & oil base products). Take advantage of this opportunity to remove those unwanted items that have been cluttering up the garage and backyards. For more information, contact Jill Marsh at 512-251-2222 or Angel T. Hernandez at 670-5114.
November 6th - Saxony HOA Quarterly Meeting
From 7pm to 8:30pm at Justice Center at 1611 E. Pfennig Ln.
November 8th - ESD#2 Annexation Election
Regarding 11 1/2 square miles of mostly farmland northeast of Pflugerville. See above for Oct. 13th public hearing. Early voting in the Nov. 8 election runs from Oct. 24th to Nov. 4th at all Travis County early polling places. Mobile early voting from 7am to 7pm on Saturday, Oct. 29th, at New Sweden Church at 12809 New Sweden Church Road. Nov. 8th is Election Day from 7am to 7pm. [Source: The ESD Dispatch]
November 8th - Constitutional Amendments Election
See pamphlet mailed by state to Pflugerville area households, which lists all nine amendment propositions in English and Spanish. Go to www.sos.state.tx.us or call 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) with any questions about amendments.
November 8th - Travis County Bond Election
Early voting in the Nov. 8 election runs from Oct. 24th to Nov. 4th at all Travis County early polling places. Nov. 8th is Election Day from 7am to 7pm. Click here for bond background information on Travis County website. Click here for voting locations, sample ballot (soon to be available), and election general election information.
November 8th - Conceptual Plan Public Hearing by City Council
At 7:30pm at 100 E. Main, Ste 500. To receive public comment on 73.142 acres along east side of Dessau Road known as Alexander Walters Survey No. 67, Abstract No. 792, to be known as Cambridge Villas.
November 11th - Veteran's Day - Possible Fallen Warrior Memorial Dedication
Fallen Warrior Memorial could be dedicated in ceremonies on Friday, November 11, 2005, Veteran's Day.
November 12th - GPCC 20th Anniversary Gala
From 6pm-11pm at Pfluger Hall at 203 E. Pecan St. Tickets are $45/person. Is semi-formal. Includes a Silent Auction, dinner, dancing, and 20th anniversary surprises.
November 14th - PfCONA Roundtable Meeting for Neighborhood Leaders
(This is a new quarterly roundtable meeting. No town meeting on this night).
To be held at Justice Center at 1611 E. Pfennig Ln. from 7pm to 8:30pm. All neighborhood and community leaders invited and needed since we will be discussing improvements to PfCONA's bylaws and enlarging PfCONA's board.. If you're a neighborhood leader you should get a reminder call about this meeting, which is open to the public to participate.
November 19th - Falcon Pointe Neighborhood Holiday Parade
Floats, the Hendrickson High School band, and the Pflugerville Police and Fire Dept. This parade route is within Falcon Pointe and a portion of Blackhawk. If you would like to participate with a group please contact Janie Balderas, Activities Director @ 670-1400.
December - Community Holiday Lights Contest
Sponsored by PfCONA. Seeking judging co-sponsors. Judging deadline and categories to be announced in next Tidbits. E-mail Nancy Ramsey at
kenramsey@cox-internet.com to help.
December 1st Start - Operation Blue Santa
Donations may be dropped off at the Falcon Pointe Residents Club between 10am to 3pm Monday thru Saturday, and 2pm to 5pm Sunday. Please bring a new unwrapped toy and support this cause! Contact Janie Balderas, Activities Director @ 670-1400 for additional info.
December 10th - Falcon Pointe 2nd Annual Christmas Bazaar
From 10am to 3pm, Falcon Pointe Residents' Club at 19015 Falcon Pointe Blvd.
Merchants of all kinds! Christmas Shopping made easy! Contact Janie Balderas, Activities Director @ 670-1400.
December 30th - Falcon Pointe Casino Nite
From 8pm to 11pm. A prelude to the New Year! for Falcon Pointe Residents and guests only. Poker, blackjack, slot machines, music, food and fun are all part of this event for adults over 21. Prizes are raffled off at the end of the evening. No real money here!
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Click here for October City Newsletter, "Pflugerville Pfacts", and past ones on city website. Current issue covers Nov. 3rd Town Hall, Pflugerville Community-wide Initiative, Colorado River Water Supply Project, Lake Pflugerville Park, Downtown Master Plan Award, Pflugerville Garden Club, Libray's Fundraising Efforts, TxDot Road Closings, and Renewal of Residential and Commercial. Alarm Permits.
Click here for other meeting/event dates listed on City Calendar on city website.
Click here for events at library.
Click here for public notices on City website.
Click here for city council and other boards/commissions/committee agendas and minutes on city website.
Click here for Community Calendar sponsored by PfCONA.(ask how to put something on it)
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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS/ITEMS OF NOTE:
See above calendar for local events regarding Hurricane relief efforts. Efforts below are ways to help many families at once or one family at a time.
NATIONAL/STATE HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS
Federal Emergency Management Agency/Other
* FEMA webpage: Click here for for evacuees and disaster victims. Contact info: (800) 621-3362 or TTY: (800) 462-7585, www.fema.gov.
* FirstGov.gov webpage: Click here for help finding loved ones, finding shelter, getting helping, offering help, and more. Also, see ready.gov, CDC.gov, and click here for your own family readiness kit at www.aap.org.
* Katrina/Rita Missing Persons Hotline/Websites: (888) 544-5475 from 7am to 11pm 7 days a week. Or, go to: www.katrinasafe.org for American Cross website to help people find each other. Also go to: www.missingkids.org.
* U.S. Department of Labor: Call (866) 487-2365 (USA-DOL) toll free for unemployment assistance (individuals from impacted areas and at evacuation sites), including information on registering for unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment assistance.
* Social Security Office: Call 916-5404 for Social Security at 903 San Jacinto #102 in Austin.
* U.S. Post Office: Call 800-ASK-USPS about change of address by phone.
* National Hurricane Center: Go to: www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
* Call Travis County WIC Office: Call (512) 251-2120 at 15822 Foothill Farms in Pflugerville or (512) 719-3007 at 9411 Parkfield, Suite 320 in Austin.
* City of Austin Relief Hotline: 974-1110.
* Mental Health Issues: Call (800) 937-8097.
* ESRD of TX: (972) 503-3215 for dialysis patients.
* Travel/road Condition Information: Call or (800) 452-9292 or (888) 588-2848.
* State Operations Center: Call (512) 424-2208 regarding price gouging complaints.
* Travis County HHSC: For food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF at (512) 929-7330 at 1165 Airport Blvd, Austin or visit www.txstars.net. * Sheriff's Office: Call 974-0845 about car seat installment certification, including offering of free car seats.
* Texas Workforce Commission: Call 340-4300 for unemployment assistance.
* Texas Disaster Relief Fund: Contributions may be made online at www.governor.state.tx.us. or mailed to Texas Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 12878, Austin, TX 78711-2878.
* Texas Department of Insurance: Has set up a toll-free consumer help line to assist evacuees with questions regarding their insurance: (800) 252-3439.
* University of Texas: Students and employees affected by the disaster can call the Counseling and Mental Health Center, 471-3515, or the Employee Assistance Program, 471-3366.
* Austin Community College: Displaced students may call ACC's admissions office at 223-7503 or e-mail admission@austincc.edu. Displaced faculty and staff can learn about ACC employment opportunities at www.austincc.edu/.
* Huston-Tillotson University: Displaced students and faculty can call 505-3000.
* Texas Education Agency: Has set up a phone line for families looking to enroll in public schools: (800) 957-5109.
* Federal Trade Commission: "Hurricane Katrina" consumer alert link regarding giving wisely: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/katrinaarlt.htm.
* Texas Attorney General: Sept. 1 press release on reporting fraudulent charities exploiting tragedy: https://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagnews/release.php?id=1136. Also, call (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint at www.oag.state.tx.us.
LOCAL AUSTIN AREA HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS
Pflugerville Community-wide Relief Effort (Churches, City, County, PISD, PfCONA Members, and more)
Pflugerville Community-wide Initiative - Relief/Evacuee Effort Contact
(main contact/collection location)
Pastor Richard Coaxum or Necee Grayson at 251-5578 or E-mail pastor@stmarybaptist.com. Address: 1202 Pecan St. Click here for additional info/links on city website. Office Hours: 10am to 2:30pm, but has been earlier and later.
The Pflugerville Community-wide Initiative is focusing on evacuees coming to Pflugerville area and families assisting those families, since others are being taking care of in Austin.
We are still seeing Katrina survivors (who are now getting housing) and added to the mix are Rita survivors, who are trying to figure out what to do next. Katrina had given us a wealth of experience. Clothes items are fine and we can't handle any more. Most are being stored at Jack's AAA storage and are brought back to St. Mary's as needed. Non-perishable food items are still accepted as well as housewares (pots, pans, dishes, flatware, etc.) 
