The Peerton ornal The Pemberton...

Copyright © 2014 Peel, Inc. The Pemberton Journal - March 2014 1

The Pemberton Journal

Official PublicatiOn Of PembertOn HeigHts neigHbOrHOOd assOciatiOn marcH 2014, VOl V, issue iii

The Pemberton JournalPEMBERTON PROFILE: DAVID KIRK

Criminologist Offers Safety TipsBy Jane Hayman

David Kirk and his family moved to Westover Road in 2009 after he accepted a faculty position in the Sociology department at UT. A specialist in the impact of neighborhood conditions on crime, education, and other behaviors, he says he looked for three main qualities in choosing an area to raise his family: Good schools, proximity to work, and a community park.

“Ally and I moved to Austin just two months after our twin sons were born. We knew we wanted to raise our children in proximity to family, and Austin offered that proximity along with a great professional opportunity (Dave’s mother lives in Austin, and Ally is originally from New Orleans). For a few months we rented a furnished house on Westover, followed by another short-term rental just north of the University. We knew then we wanted to buy in Pemberton and when the right house came on the market we settled in. We love it here and once the Hartford triangle playground is developed, all three of my criteria will be met.”

Although he was raised in Dallas and Austin, Dave spent most of his adult life outside of Texas. Upon graduation from Lake Travis High he headed to college at Vanderbilt. From there he went on to work as a management consultant focusing on both the private as well as the public sectors. He left consulting for the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C. It was in Washington where Dave met Ally, who, coincidently, had also attended Vanderbilt. (They were only a year apart at college, but their paths had not crossed.) At the time, Ally was working as an International Security Specialist at the U.S. State Department.

As Dave’s interest in urban policy and social problems deepened, he decided to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. “Studying in Chicago was like being in a social laboratory. The urban environment was changing drastically, and innovative school reforms were being tried, with many succeeding. My dissertation examined the effects of neighborhood and school conditions on youth behavior, so Chicago was a perfect place to be.”

The couple married in 2005. They have twin sons, age 4 (Colin and Finley), and another son, Gavin, who is 21 months old. “We spend our weekends hiking at Mayfield Preserve and playing baseball. We also recently began going over to the driving range at Lions, though finding four hours for a full round of golf is hard to do,” Dave added with a laugh.

When asked to suggest crime reduction steps for Pemberton Heights, Dave pointed out that because Pemberton Heights sits between two major thoroughfares, it offers easy access for would-be offenders. “We can’t close off MoPac or the exits that lead into our neighborhood. We can’t block drivers from cutting through our streets to get to UT, the Capitol or downtown. But there are many little things we can do to reduce criminal opportunities in the neighborhood.”

“Signs of unoccupied houses can be visible to anyone who passes through. For example, newspapers left on lawns over the weekend, UPS or FedEx packages left on porches overnight, and empty trash cans at the curb all weekend all signal that the occupant isn’t home.” Dave suggests keeping an eye out for your neighbors. If you notice any of these things lingering on your neighbors’ property, take the steps to get them out of sight: pick up the newspaper and the packages, move the garbage cans back, etc. Additionally, he says, “Keep areas around homes well lit. Burglars don’t want to be seen. And let your neighbors know if they forget to close their garage.”

“The scholarly name for these sorts of processes is ‘informal social control.’ Studies have shown that knowing and looking out for our neighbors is essential to insuring a safe neighborhood. Neighborliness is one reason why Ally and I so enjoy Pemberton.”

PHNA BOARD MEETING REMINDER

The next Board Meeting is scheduled for:

March 19 at 6:00 at Howson Library

The agenda will include a discussion of the proposed improvements at Hartford Triangle

ANNUAL PEMBERTON EASTER EGG HUNT

The Pemberton Easter Egg Hunt is traditionally held on the Friday morning before Easter. This year, that’s Friday, March 28. So hop on over to 1510 Wooldridge Drive at 10 am (sharp!). Please arrive 10 minutes early…we’ve got some professional egg-hunters ‘round here, and we don’t want you to miss the fun.

Egg Drop: Please drop off 20 filled eggs per child between Monday, March 24 - Thursday, March 27. There will be boxes, grouped by age group, on the Harris side of 1510 Wooldridge Drive (to the left of the garage).

Special thanks to the participating neighbors on the 1500 block of Wooldridge!

Donations: If you’re interested in donating snacks or drinks, please email Lauren Fornes ([email protected]) on/before March 24.

David Kirk

2 The Pemberton Journal - March 2014 Copyright © 2014 Peel, Inc.


NEWSLETTER INFONEWSLETTER EDITORBetty Trent .............. [email protected] ........................................................................ 478-0920PUBLISHER Peel, Inc. .....................www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 Advertising............................... [email protected]

PHNA CONTACT LISTSecurity, Traffic, MoPAC, Zoning and Permits, Governmental Liason, Neighborhood Social Events, Triangle Fundraising and Improvements

PresidentCarla Hatler [email protected]

Vice PresidentFrank Hartmann [email protected]

SecretaryAlly Kirk ........................... [email protected]

TreasurerJane Hayman [email protected]

Treasurer ElectKimberly Comstock [email protected]

Traffic & Safety (includes Security)Craig Duewall ......................................................................

TrianglesFrank Hartmann ..................................................................

SocialKimberly Comstock .............................................................

WebmasterEric Venditti .......................................................................

BylawsBeverly Sutton .....................................................................

Policies & ProceduresJane Hayman .......................................................................

Government AffairsBetty Trent ...........................................................................

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

____Yes,I want to become a member of the PHNA. My check for $30 is enclosed.

____Yes, I want to become a member and I’m paying $30 via PAYPAL. (see link on Pembertonheights.org website.)

NAME

EMAIL

SPOUSE NAME

DATE

Children (living at home) names and ages. Please use commas to separate.

Pemberton Heights Street Address (not post office)

PHONE

Please make check payable to PHNA and mail, with this form, PO BOX 50388, Austin, Texas 78763-0388. If paying by PAYPAL, please send your street ADDRESS and the other information requested in this form to [email protected].

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UPDATE ON THE HARTFORD PARK IMPROVEMENTS

including Community Outreach and Input Schedule/TimelineDalton Young has been heading up a committee to look into the

neighborhood providing a play scape and other improvements at the Hartford Triangle. She will be discussing the status at the March 19th PHNA Board Meeting, along with attendance from PARD staff. So far the community outreach and proposed schedule is as follows.

June 2013 - Neighborhood Survey sent including a question, “How interested are you in having a playground in the neighborhood for kids?” Out of 97 responses, 61 neighbors responded that they would support a playground and 30 neighbors said they would support the majority vote.

October 21, 3013 - An information table at the Pemberton Heights neighborhood picnic was set up with a proposed rendering of the possible improvements for Hartford Park and support/comments were solicited from neighbors. Neighbors interested in helping or contributing were recorded on a sign-up sheet at the picnic. Comments on the proposed plan were generally positive.

October-November 2013 - Communication about the plans was sent via the online portal Nextdoor.com to all neighbors facing Hartford Park. Dalton provided a forum for neighbors facing the park to express concerns, as well as provided an initiative to coordinate personal contact information for any private communications. The proposed park rendering was shared and garnered general support.

A letter was sent to all directly facing neighbors not on the Nextdoor.com website. Dalton included a letter of explanation, personal contact information on how to express thoughts/concerns, a proposed park rendering, and a return letter to express support.

March 19, 2014 - An opportunity for the neighborhood to meet with PARD staff is proposed at the PHNA Board Meeting on March 19, 2014. Neighbors are encouraged to attend to discuss neighbor comments/concerns related to the proposed park. The Board meeting will be held at Howson Library Branch at 6:30pm on March 19, 2014. Dalton will provide a Listserv notice for the Pemberton Heights neighbors and mailbox flyers for all neighbors immediately facing the park notifying them of the meeting.

Mid-April 2014 - The Date proposed to close the neighborhood survey and feedback period. A follow-up meeting would be scheduled in Hartford Park with neighbors for comments/concerns related to the proposed park development.

Continued on Page 7



PROFIT & LOSSPemberton HeightsNeighborhood Association

January 2014Membership Dues ......................................................$120.00Security Donations ..................................................$8,620.00

Total Income ....................................................... $8,740.00

Bank and PayPal Service Fees .....................................$201.91Carriage Ride Expense ..................................................$58.79Carriage Ride Refund ...................................................$85.00Contract Labor - Patrol ...........................................$2,300.31Donation to Shoal Creek Conserv ...........................$1,000.00Picnic Expenses ..........................................................$259.91Office Expenses (Business)............................................$17.31Room Rental for Board Meeting ..................................$36.87Triangles - Water ..........................................................$29.15

Total Expense ...................................................... $3,989.25

Net Income ......................................................... $4,750.75

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BEWARE THE ONE RING CELL PHONE SCAM

You see a missed cell phone call from an unknown number and your first thought is to call them back, but doing so may cost you. It may be just one of the newest cell phone scams. According to the FTC, you may be charged $19.95 for an international call. And if you stay online, thinking you are on hold, listening to music, there may be a $9-per-minute charge. Beware of any one ring call coming from an area code you don’t recognize, especially 268 or 767 which originate from notorious phone scam centers in the Caribbean, including Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands. It’s just one of the many scams The Federal Trade Commission is issuing warnings about. There is also a funeral home scam. Con artists are sending e-mails and texts with “funeral notification” in the subject line, hoping you will call back. The e-mail invites you to an upcoming “celebration of your friend’s life service.” Doing so may cost you.

FTC has more information at two new blog posts, which give consumers information on telemarketing fraud. One on the FTC blog is called (Con)tempting fate and another is An Online Payday Loan or Window to a Scam?


The Pemberton JournalAnother Reason for All Neighbors

to be a Part of NextDoorThe Austin Police Department will be utilizing the NextDoor websites

to communicate with neighbors about crime and crime prevention. APD has found NextDoor to be an effective tool for them to effectively share crime prevention and safety information, such as alerts of property crimes in the area or suspicious activity.

APD announced this past January, that the Austin Police Department Region 1 District Representatives will be utilizing NextDoor in an effort to facilitate a virtual Neighborhood Watch program and help foster neighbor-to-neighbor communications. If you are on NextDoor, you can expect to receive hyper-local crime and safety updates from APD on immediate activity occurring in the neighborhood. Our PHNA NextDoor website will still be kept private to only those who live in the neighborhood and who have a verified address.

Our neighborhood is in APD Baker Sector 2. Sgt. Alfred Trejo, supervisor for the Austin Police Department Region1 District Representative Unit is responsible for our neighborhood’s Baker sector District Representative officers. APD cautions neighbors that NextDoor is not the appropriate way to request emergency services, police services, report criminal or suspicious activity, file a report, etc. If you require emergency services you are advised to call 911.

Memorial To Janet Fish SelectedThe association had previously voted to sponsor a bench

along Shoal Creek in honor of neighbor Janet Fish’s foundation and commitment to the trail. At the last Board Meeting, the wording for the memorial plaque for the bench was selected. The wording will be:

In Memory of Janet FishPemberton Heights

Neighborhood Association 2013


The Pemberton JournalAt no time will any source be allowed to use The Pemberton Journal's contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the Pemberton Journal is exclusively for the private use of the Pemberton Heights HOA and Peel, Inc.

DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser.* The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising.* Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction.* Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

Can Pemberton Help the Monarch Butterfly Survive?

Betty Trent, AIA LEED APThe answer is a resounding yes! Austin is located on the direct

migratory path for the Monarch butterfly to Mexico. And what we plant or eradicate in our yards can have a profound effect on the numbers of butterflies that survive the flight through Austin and Texas down to Mexico.

This year, for the first time in memory, the monarch butterflies didn’t arrive en masse as usual for the annual Mexican celebration on November 1st, the Day of the Dead. According to observers, they began to drift in later than usual, in record-low numbers. After previous troubling lows of 60 million, the fewer than three million that showed up last year have scientists worried. Some experts fear there may be a massive reduction in the near future for butterfly and insect populations.

That’s because of three major factors that are only now being widely recognized: the precipitous loss of native vegetation across the United States due to industrial farming, the suburb’s love for a sterile, empty green lawn and the use of herbicides like Roundup that kill virtually all plants it is applied to, especially the butterfly’s favorite plants like milkweed. As a result, millions of acres of native plants, important sources of nectar for many species, and vital for monarch butterfly larvae, have been wiped out.

This spring, many nurseries and farmer’s markets around town will be selling native plants suitable for butterfly and wildlife habitat. Lone Star Nursery in East Austin is promoting “Bring Back the Monarch” and will be selling milkweed and other plants specifically to aid the Monarchs on their journey to and from Mexico.

By planting native plants, you can help the Monarchs and other important insects to continue to thrive and avert the worsening crisis in biodiversity. It’s a cause anyone with a garden or yard can serve, by reversing our love of chemically sterile green lawns and providing important species with the food and shelter they need to flourish.

If you create a wildflower meadow or border on your property, you will provide a vital service to dozens of species of bees, butterflies and Monarchs.



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Casis Playscape Example

Proposed Triangle Plan

Casis Playscape Example

PROPOSED PARK IMPROVEMENTS

PHNA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONBalances as of 01/31/14

Updated 02/09/14Operating Acct $16,497.21Security Program $12,176.76Gail's Triangle $3,739.27KAB Triangle Fund $14,943.00Triangle Donations $350.00Total $47,706.24



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