(Disclaimer: All opinions stated here are my own and do not imply any official endorsement by the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association)
The State of the 'Hood: Lots in Store for '04

G reetings all, and best wishes for the Spring Season. I wanted to check in and touch on a few topics that will probably dominate the focus of the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association between now and late summer. When my Co-President Pam Whittington and I assumed office last October, it was our intention to strengthen the Association and put some procedures in place that would allow us all to move forward with the 'Hood's own agenda of preservation and quality of life, rather than be in a constant state of reaction to events as they might arise.

Thanks mostly to President Whittington's tireless attention to detail, we are in the process of executing such a plan. Success will of course depend largely upon the continued involvement of our neighbors. 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

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We have instated a permanent Development Review Committee. This standing committee, chaired by Stan Kozinsky, will assist residents, home buyers, realtors and developers in an early understanding of what is, and what is not, permitted under the 'Hood's current zoning. Stan and Karen McGraw will be training a team of builders and architects to become available to meet with anyone seeking to build or remodel in Hyde Park and review potential designs. To assist with egregious violations and seek remediation, we have finalized a Code Compliance Committee, headed by Alan Marburger.     Historical preservation will likely be a key dialogue and a budget priority over the next year. Once the Neighborhood Combining & Conservation Plan for Hyde Park North (aka Hyde Park Annex, north of 45th) has been adopted, the way will be cleared for Hyde Park to take its place in the citywide process to preserve contributing historical structures. It will be critical to balance this endeavor with the need for a denser urban core, and all residents are invited to assist the Association in ̃nding the balance between our city's past and its future. Co-President Whittington will be leading this initiative.     The cry for better children's services has not gone unheeded. Longer hours for Shipe Pool will be this year's main concern. Anyone wishing to help organize an open-air concert in Shipe Park this year is asked to give us a call. Proceeds will go toward extending the pool's close date.     Overall, the State of the Neighborhood is strong. I wish to note here, however, that there is much yet to accomplish.     Thanks to the city's Public Works department, the alley situation has been moved from "critical", to "back burner". The Alley Cats should get a reprieve until late summer at least. Public Works will need the neighborhood's good will as it begins extensive renovations in Hyde Park North around this time next Continued on page 4

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Precan Press Block Helpers Needed W ant to contribute to the Neighborhood, but don't have much time?     How about 10 minutes per month?     HPNA needs someone to deliver the Pecan Press to the 4300-4400 Ave. F block. Likewise, someone for the 4300-4400 Ave. H block. If this is "down your alley", phone George Wyche at 458-9709 or email cjwyche@io.com. 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. -replacement needed xxx-xxxx 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 2004     Alan Marburger 4315 Ave C 459-2261 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