similar expenditures in the future: Make sure that the section of alleyway behind your home is clear of brush and vegetation. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. For those folks that simply don't have the time or the tools to do this on their own, monetary contributions can be made to the HPNA Alley Cleanout Fund. Donations can be mailed to: HPNA Alley Cleanout Fund, P.O. Box 49427, Austin, Texas 78765.

[Editor: There was a nice after picnic hosted by Gary and Wanda Penn for neighbors who answered the call to civic duty. I didn't know all the people there, but here you can see Martha Campbell, Pat Perkins and below you can make you Bob Breeze's Shiner Bock, Gary Penn, John Kerr, Wanda Penn, then two I don't know, and Stan Kozinsky. Who is that sitting down in front? There were more but our F-G alleyway group finished last (old geezers) so your photographer missed out!]

Hyde Park is one of the few, if not the only, areas in the entire city where garbage is collected from alleys. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association has worked hard to preserve the beauty of our neighborhood by working with the city to continue our alley garbage collection. Property owners are responsible for keeping their section of alley clear and passable. Unfortunately, many people are ignoring this duty. It isn't a big commitment of time to clear your own alley unless you let it get out of control. Alleys don't have to be landscaped and pretty, they just need to be clear so vehicles can drive through without difficulty.

In addition to continued alley garbage collection, there are several other benefits to cleared alleys. First, our homes will be safer, because burglars will have fewer opportunities to hide their activities. In addition to this, fire trucks will have better neighborhood access, which will mean less difficulty dealing with house fires and other emergencies.

- Bruce Nadig

The considerable brush was piled high at the end of every alley and no doubt a wonder to those driving through the neighborhood on a regular basis.

The city crews went through Hyde Park at the end of the week, making short work of the accumulated brush. They were careful to separate alley construction debris and trash and leave that behind. Maybe work on that stuff should be the next focus of alley efforts.