2010 MEMBERSHIP

It is time to show your support for the Castlewood—Oak Valley Neighborhood Association. Click here for a printable Membership Form. According to the by-laws, dues shall be payable at or before the February meeting of each calendar year.

COVNA still has no Vice-President. If willing to serve, contact any officer listed at right. Could this be you?

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Happy New Year! I hope everyone in the neighborhood had a joyous holiday spent with family and friends. My wife and I certainly did. And during all the festivities, we made sure to take the time to give thanks for the good things that happened last year. And, honestly, that didn't take very long. I'm kidding, but I know that 2009 was a hard year for a lot of people, my wife and me included. Personally, I was happy to say goodbye to 2009 and hello to whatever 2010 might have in store. But that's the great thing about the new year. As the winter brings freezing temperatures, and everything slows down a bit, it gives us a chance to slow down as well and take stock of our lives, prioritize, plan, and make goals for the new year.

For many, that process includes new year's resolutions to drop bad habits, adopt good habits, or generally take steps to improve oneself. If your resolution is to get more involved in your neighborhood and to improve your quality of life, I have great news for you. COVNA offers many opportunities that will allow you to do just that. The first opportunity is the meeting scheduled for Monday, February 15, where our program will address one of the major changes that will occur to COVNA in 2010—the Davis Lane improvements. Bring your sweetheart and hear from the City of Austin's Project Manager about the project schedule and how the improvements may affect you. I look forward to seeing you there.

The State Capitol

There thrones the capital!
In granite soberly hewn,
In grandeur, so sublime,
A monument— for all time!

The massive structure rests with pride:
The crowds of men pass by,
The falt’ring aged and prattling young—
An endless swarming throng.

O, may it stand, as time rolls on,
The shrine of liberty!
The watch of people’s rights and law,
We look at thee with awe!

And may it grow in wisdom’s lore!
The day may never come,
When politics will overturn
And freedom is forlorn!

On Mount Bonnell
(Near Austin)

An oak with moss and mistletoe,
Upon whose bark the ages dwell,
Is glancing at the river’s flow,
From silv’ry crest of Mount Bonnell!

He heard the warwhoops of the scouts,
The cry, the shrieks of Indian squaws,
And many warriors went the route,
From Mount Bonnell he gazed with awe!

But what this tree endears to me
Is not his ancient telling mood:
He holds a treasure lovingly,
Carved in the rind upon his wood!

I read the names of many a friend,
Who have been free’d from life’s short spell;
Whose deeds were like the sun-rays lent
On silv’ry crest of Mount Bonnell!

Poetry taken from “Texas souvenir : a collection of poems devoted to the scenery and historical events of Texas” of 1903, part of the Austin History Center’s collection found at The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu/.