(Disclaimer: All opinions stated here are my own and do not imply any official endorsement by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association)
Personal Reflections, Neighborhood Blessings

A s we begin the new year, I'd like to reflect upon my some of my personal experiences in the Hyde Park Neighborhood. And, I'd like to look forward to 2004. Last year, I often found myself focusing on the difficult issues we face rather than taking the time to enjoy the wonderful aspects of our neighborhood.

For the last several months, I have been especially focused on neighborhood preservation issues, which included the "super-duplex" problem. Many Association members spent much of the last year working with the City to find an appropriate resolution to the crisis. And, on a more personal note, a small duplex near our home was Pecan Press The Pecan Press is published monthly by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association in Austin, Texas. Editor Grant Thomas   454-7284   <hgthomas@peerassistance.org> Associate Editor Sarah Sitton   459-4530   307 E. 39th St. Poetry Editor Nancy Taylor Day   892-0127   <NancyLTD@aol.com> Crime Reporter Bruce Nadig   323-0779   <motorbruce@hotmail.com> Advertising Director Mike Capochiano   4904 Avenue H   467-9198 Production Manager Robert M. Farr   731-0617   <bobfarr@austin.rr.com> Mail Ads to: Print Deluxe 7500 Chelmsford Dr. Austin, TX 78736 Note: Each month's ad and editorial deadline is the 15th of month preceding publication. Distribution Coordinator Herb Dickson   4401 Avenue D   458-4335 Area Coordinators North of 45th/West of Duval - Pam Dozler 458-8927 North of 45th/East of Duval - Sarah Heather 452-8486 South of 45th/West of Speedway - The Gossetts 452-3654 South of 45th/East of Speedway - Martha Campbell 452-2815 Contributors Bruce Banner,Candy Gray Becker,Cynthia Beeman,Laurence Becker, Mary Collins Blackmon,George Bristol,Lewis Brownlow,Katherine Bryn,Mark Burkhardt,Amon Burtoe,Martha Campbell,Inga Maric Carmel,Josephine Casey, Nicole Caspers,Kitty Clark,Carol Cohen Burton,Mike Capochiano,Susan Crites-Krumm,Celeste Cromack,Rob D'Amico,Herb Dickson,Avis Davis,Don Davis,Lynn Denton,Pam Dozler,Cathy Echols,Jordan Erdos,Jack Evins,Patricia Florence,Merle Franke,Gregory Free,Larry Frelich,Robert Garrett,Mary Carolyn George,Larry Gilg,Susan Gilg,Ann S. Graham,Carolyn E. Grimes,Ben Heimsath,John Kerr,Susan Kerr,Bo Kersey,Deanna King,Susan Kirk,Anna Kotecki,Karen McGraw,Sharon Majors,Barbara Manson,Alan Marburger,Peter Maxon,Brook Meggs,Fred Meredith,Susan Moffat,Catherine Moore,Jill Nokes,Harry Pape,Wanda Penn,Cecil Pennington,Linda Pennington,Peter Pfeiffer,Dorothy Richter,Margie Sanford,Sheree Scarborough,Cathy Short,Sarah Sitton,Thad Sitton,Julie Strong,Kathleen Strong,Lao Tzu,Jennifer Vickers,Katie Vignery,Sandra Villalaz-Dickson,Lorre Weidlich,Joe Wiseman

| | | | | | | | | | |

for sale for most of this last year, and we spent much of that time worried that a developer would purchase it, demolish it, and replace it with a "super-duplex". Most of the neighbors on the block, renters and owners alike, shared this fear. To our tremendous relief, the property has been purchased by owners who are improving it and plan to live in one unit and rent the other.     When I do stop to enjoy what our neighborhood has to offer, I notice the family of screech owls that lived in our front yard this past summer. I enjoy the wonderful trees, gardens, and birds that are abundant in Hyde Park. I am more aware of the many different historic architectural styles prevalent throughout the area. I note that I rarely take a walk without running into a neighbor I know and stopping to chat. I see diversity of people, ideas, faiths, and cultures. I observe neighbors who care about and are dedicated to preserving and protecting the neighborhood. I see the fantastic turnout of neighbors for the Fire Station Festival to celebrate saving Station #9. I notice people enjoying Shipe Park. I learn that the Elisabet Ney Museum was given a $250,000 grant from the federal Save America's Treasures program for restoration efforts. When I do stop and reflect, I realize that it is no wonder that Hyde Park received "Best Neighborhood" honors in the recent Austin Chronicle's annual readers' poll.     No doubt the Hyde Park Neighborhood will continue to face difficult historic preservation and

| | | | | | | | | | |

zoning issues. Of course, we will continue to have matters such as the alley clean-up with which to contend. And, this new year, we may face more proposed reductions in City services. However, with all of these issues, and others that will arise during 2004, I hope to keep a better focus on the reasons Hyde Park is a wonderful place to live. We must work to preserve and protect the neighborhood, but I believe we must also stop to value and enjoy the neighborhood and its residents.     As we begin this new year, I ask that you look around the neighborhood and value the unique and wonderful aspects of living and Hyde Park. Glen and I wish each of you a Happy New Year. -- Pam Whittington HPNA Co-President ppw@sprintpcs.com 452-9776 Hyde Park Neighborhood Association P.O.Box 49427 - Austin, TX 78765 http://www.hydepark-na.org --- HPNA Officers --- Co-Pres. -Glen Coleman glen@kdi.com 407-9357 Co-Pres. -Pam Whittington ppw@sprintpcs.com 452-9776 Sec. -Marrilee Ratcliffe marrilee@hotmail.com 289-2284 Trea. -Mike Capochiano 4904 Ave H 467-9198 Trea. Emerita - Josephine Casey HPNA Committee/Task Forces AISD     Ann Graham 3815 Ave H 458-8096 Alley Coordinator -Volunteer needed Beautification     Margot Thomas 4106 Ave F 454-7284     Merle Franke 4102 Ave D 452-0414 Children's Programs     Anne Graham 3815 Ave H 458-8096 Church Liasion     Niyanta Spelman 3802 Ave F 459-8349 Communications/Web     Mark Fishman 3905 Ave G 371-7920 Crime and Safety     Bruce Nadig 615 E 48th 323-0779 Development Review     Stan Kozinsky 4604 Ave G 451-4455 Homes Tour 2003 -Volunteer needed Membership     J.P. Young jpyoung@io.com 450-0707 Neighborhood Planning     Karen McGraw 4315 Ave C 459-2261 Mueller Task Force     John Kerr 4209 Ave F 451-3931 Shipe Park     Suzee Brooks 4900 Ave H 459-5115 Sidewalks -Volunteer needed 38th Street Taskforce -Volunteer needed Triangle Development     Cathy Echols 4002 Ave C 206-0726 Zoning     Dorothy Richter 3901 Ave G 452-5117 Austin Neighborhoods Council Rep.     Volunteer needed