HPNA General Meeting February 7th Agenda February's meeting will feature Kyle Johnson of the Texas Department of Insurance. He will talk about the trend toward total deregulation of the insurance market and the specific impact for consumers in the areas of homeowners, auto, renters, and health care coverage. He'll have handouts and be available for questions. Also: updates on what's going on at Austin State Hospital and developments on what might be done about the mega-utility poles along Guadalupe. Hope to see you there.

More Power Poles & Positive Paul!

I called to thank Mr.Carapetyan for writing such a positive letter published in the January Pecan Press re: power poles. I have watched this project from the beginning with amazement and wonderment! Amazed at the bravery and the risks taken by these highly skilled workers; and frequently wondering what it would feel like to climb atop one of these giants. Can you say em-POWER-ment?

Don't forget that these professionals are working outside in Texas weather conditions while you sit in the comfort of your HP home which is heated and cooled by electricity.

So why not put your negative karma into something positive, such as suggesting art/murals or landscaping of the project. This is an opportunity for you (all of us) to get involved and contribute to our beloved neighborhood!

February, 2005   National Register District Neighborhood   Vol. 31, No. 2

W ell neighbors, we've barely started the new year, but preparation for the `05 Homes Tour has already begun.

The Hyde Park Homes Tour Committee has begun the home selection process and is excited about the potential for this year's Homes Tour. The route has been selected and most of the homes have been selected. This year the Tour will go from the Elisbet Ney Museum to historic Baker School.     If you have never been a volun- teer for this event, you don't know what you have been missing. I lived in the neighborhood for years before I became involved in this great event. The Homes Tour, more than any other single event, is something that you will leave you with a great feeling about your neighborhood and your neighbors. Yes, to some of the tour-goers it may only seem to be about people fixing up old houses, but to the neighbors who participate it's about the common fellowship and friendship that comes from sharing the value of a neighborhood where people thrive on knowing each other and derive their energy and inspiration from each other.    It takes over 200 volunteers each year to put on this show of neighborhood pride. An individual faced with the task of organizing an undertaking of this scale might ordinarily cringe, but not in this neighborhood! Homeowners have already come forward, not only willing but eager to put their homes on the Tour. And of course we are all recruiting volunteers.

The following is just a short list of job categories for which volunteers are needed , and there are always neighbors who have done the job in the past and are willing to share their sage counsel based on experience from past years.     History writers, Poster and flyer distribution, TV and radio interviews, Script writers, Street banners, Layout of the Brochure, Advertising, Yard signs, Art, Musicians, Advance ticket sales, House captains, Poster and flyer design, Docents, Newspaper articles and press releases, Party planners.     Please call or e-mail, if you want to participate in the 29th Annual Hyde Park Homes Tour -- 2004 Homes Tour Chairman Alan Marburger 459-2261 alan@mcgrawmarburger.com Be a good neighbor and volunteer to help with the Father's Day Weekend,   June 18-19,2005     Concat: Alan Marburger - 459-2261 - alan@mcgrawmarburger.com