Castlewood-Oak Valley
Neighborhood Association

J a n u a r y 2 0 0 4
Happy New Year!

Monthly COVNA Meeting

JANUARY MEETING

7:00 p.m. Monday, January 17th
Southwest Church of Christ Fellowship Hall
8900 Manchaca Rd. (Rear Entrance)

MLK Jr Day
JANUARY PROGRAM NOTES
Paul Hammerschmidt - Texas Artificial Reef Program

Paul Hammerschmidt, a neighborhood resident, has worked for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Coastal Fisheries Division for over 30 years, and is currently director of its Texas Artificial Reef Program. His presentation will provide an overview of the Artificial Reef Program. Paul received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology from University of California, San Diego and a Master of Science Degree in Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University
2005 MEMBERSHIP

It is time to show your support for the Castlewood Oak Valley Neighborhood Association. A membership form is on the back of the news-letter and a reply envelope is attached.
Click here for form.


COVNA CALENDAR

Monthly meetings are held on the third Monday
of the month.

2005 Meetings:
January 17th
February 21st
March 21st
April 18th
May 16th
 June Picnic TBA
September 19th
October 17th
November 21st
Dec Party 19th

COVNA Email list has
25 households and is growing!

Email tabonyproductions@austin.rr.com with your name(s) to be added to this early warning and neighborly list, and you’ll be connected. Receive important neighborhood info instantly.
COVNA’S ADOPT-A-FAMILY
PROJECT A GREAT SUCCESS
A Thank You Note from Amanda

I am so grateful that you all helped me with my Christmas presents this year. My children were so happy with their presents they received. We never thought it was going to be a beautiful Christmas but there is always an angel looking out for us and our angel is Laura (COVNA). God bless you and we love y'all. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
Thank you sincerely,
Amanda and the family

 

The neighborhood responded admirably to the adopt-a-family effort. The family- a single mother, her 4 children, and her grandson received all the specific gifts requested and others they will enjoy. Foodstuffs, household items (including 6 blankets), and clothing were plentifully given. Amanda, the mother, is going for her GED and will receive the computer she requested. Kudos to all those who helped wrap presents, carry them back to our house, and deliver the goods to the family (on the third floor). Your generosity was truly appreciated by Amanda who also shared the gifts with her mother. She saved much of what was given as a surprise for the rest of her family on Christmas day. Thanks one and all.

Holiday Party


The COVNA Holiday Party was well attended. President Doug DuBois moved swiftly through business matters with the result that Barbara Klein will serve as Vice-President and Melanie Malowitz will continue as Secretary until September or so. The real meat of the night's activities was then tucked into with meatballs, sausage, and desserts provided by attendees, accompanied by fruit and vegetable platters. After a convivial period of dining and chatting, presents were wrapped and the guests departed. The poinsettias which decorated the tables were given away as prizes. (Ed. Note: My wife and I were happy to have won a plant this year and last.)
NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
DOUG TABONY


This starts my second year as newsletter editor. It has been an honor and a privilege to do my part to help our neighborhood association, except, of course, when deadlines loom and I’m frantically trying to fill space and finish up on time. As long as my situation remains the same, you’ll probably be stuck with me. My wife, Laura, needs much credit. She often helps with production, takes the original to be copied, and has shouldered the responsibility for distribution of the newsletters to the walkers

Quoting Doug DuBois from last year, “I found COVNA a great way to get to know other folks in the neighborhood and rather than someone else making decisions which might affect me, I wanted to be a part of the process. As a neighborhood association, we don’t have a lot of authority to make far-reaching decisions compared to a homeowner’s association but we do have interaction with neighboring developers, the city planning commission, and we have a representative on the Austin Neighborhoods Council.”

2005 starts with the newsletter viewable online before the meeting. Check out the newsletter with color and clickable links. Ads will be included until the issue is archived. The online version will usually be available before the paper newsletter is delivered.

2004 saw the beginnings of a neighborhood email group. I would like to see the group eventually grow to include a large percentage of COVNA residents. All COVNA residents are invited to join this forum and post early warnings, notices, information, and thoughts on what affects us from next door to the Austin area. To join, send an email with your name(s) to: tabonyproductions@austin.rr.com.

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