Books and Babies Storytime

Books and Babies Storytime is a story-time event held at various times through out the Austin Public Library system, for infants to early walkers (0-18 months) and their caregivers.

Twin Oaks Branch 1800 S. Fifth St. Austin Texas 78704 (512)974-9980

• Monday, October 22, 2012 2 pm
• Monday, October 29, 2012 2 pm
• Monday, November 05, 2012 2 pm
• Monday, November 12, 2012 2 pm
• Monday, November 19, 2012 2 pm
• Monday, November 26, 2012 2 pm

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Pleasant Hill Branch 211 E. William Cannon Dr. Austin, Texas 78745 (512)974-3940

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 11 am
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 11 am
Wednesday, November 07, 2012 11 am
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 11 am
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 11 am
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 11 am

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Yarborough Branch 2200 Hancock Dr. Austin Texas 78756 (512)974-8820

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 2 pm
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 2 pm
Wednesday, November 07, 2012 2 pm
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 2 pm
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 2 pm
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 2 pm

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Little Walnut Creek Branch 835 Rundburg Lane Austin, TX (512) 974-9862

Thursday, October 25, 2012 2 pm
Thursday, November 1, 2012 2 pm
Thursday, November 08, 2012 2 pm
Thursday, November 15, 2012 2 pm
Thursday, November 22, 2012 2 pm
Thursday, November 29, 2012 2 pm

Henry Smith

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
Henry Smith (1788-1851) immersed himself in public affairs soon after arriving in Texas in 1827. Initially a local political leader in what is now Brazoria County, he was appointed in 1835 as a delegate to the San Felipe Consultation, which met to determine Texas’ position toward the Mexican dictatorship established by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Contrary to Smith’s desire for independence, the Consultation voted to support the 1824 Mexican Federal Constitution, but established a provisional government to operate until the conflict with Santa Anna was resolved.

Henry Smith was the chief author of the plan for civil government, which was adopted as Organic Law on Nov. 11, 1835. He then was elected Provisional Governor and served from Nov. 12, 1835, until Mar. 1, 1836. Smith’s term was plagued with problems, but he submitted his progress report on Mar. 4 to the convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. There Smith’s crusade for independence was finally won.

Following the war against Mexico, Henry Smith served as Texas’ Secretary of the Treasury under President Sam Houston and one term in the Republic’s House of Representatives. “Gold Fever” led Smith to California, where he died and was buried in an unmarked grave in 1851.

Erected:
1983

Location:
near 1006 Congress in downtown Austin, in Bicentennial Square next to the Old Bakery and across the street from the State Capital.

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Pennybacker Bridge and Loop 360 Boat Ramp

Pennybacker Bridge 

The Pennybacker Bridge (aka 360 bridge) is a through arch bridge across Lake Austin (Colorado River) to connect north and south Loop 360 highway, also known as the "Capital of Texas Highway." The road is widely considered one of the most scenic urban drives in central Texas, in large part due to this arched weathering steel bridge and the rolling hills that flank the road. It is said that in 2001, there was 48,000 vehicles that crossed the bridge daily. Compare that to 1991,when an estimated 22,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily.
The bridge is notable for being anchored only to the land (doesn't have to go underwater). Named in honor of Texas Department of Transportation engineer Percy Pennybacker, who designed bridges for the Texas Highway Department and was a pioneer in the technology of welded structures. The contract for the bridge was let in late 1979 and major structural steelwork was finished by July 1982. The bridge was dedicated officially November 29, 1982 by Austin mayor Carole McClellan and other public officials and opened for traffic December 3, 1982.

photo by D. Kevin Surbaugh

photo by D. Kevin Surbaugh

Location:
(on Loop 360) 5201 N Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, TX 78746

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 Loop 360 Boat Ramp

The Loop 360 boat ramp is located below the southern end of Pennybacker Bridge over Lake Austin. This three-acre park is primarily used for lake access, but offers a grassy area for fishing and picnicking. A few bald cypress and sycamore trees grow along the water's edge. The boat ramp itself offers three lanes. Other activities include boating, fishing and picnicking.

photo by D. Kevin Surbaugh

Amenities:

• 3-Lane boat Ramp
• picnic tables
• benches
• barbeque grills

Admission::

Day Use Permit per vehicle per day: $10.00

Pedestrian/bicyclist per person per day: $3.00

Trailer parking per trailer per day: $2.00

Annual day permit per vehicle: $100.00

Duplicate annual day permit per vehicle (with proof of original annual permit purchase): $50.00

Trailer parking annual permit per trailer (must be used with annual day permit): $30.00

Lone Star senior day permit: free to ages 62 and older

Lone Star veteran day permit (for veterans with more than 60% service-related disability): free , VA documentation required


Location:
(under the Pennybacker Bridge)  5201 N  Capital of Texas Hwy Austin, TX 78746

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Tonight's Movies In The Park – Labyrinth

It is time once again for Movies in the Park. Every Spring and Fall the Austin Parks Department hosts a free movie once a month in Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX. 78701.

Thursday October 4, 2012 7:30 PM


Info:
Director: Jim Henson
Year: 1986
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 127 min



George Lucas produced and Jim Henson directed this gothic fantasy which pits living and breathing actors Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie (who, along with Trevor Jones, provides the film's music) against a motley collection of Muppet monsters. The film centers upon teenage Sarah (Connelly), who lives in a fantasy world of myth and magic, evil spells, and wondrous enchantment. She is baby-sitting her little brother when she cavalierly wishes that goblins would take him away. She gets her wish, and a coterie of goblins abduct him.

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Remaining 2012 schedule includes:
 Thursday November 8, 2012 6 PM - Soul Power (PG-13)
Presented in conjunction with the landmark "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between famed pugilists Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, Zaire '74 was a three-day music festival in Kinshasa that was organized by South African musician Hugh Masekela and American record producer Stewart Levine, and featured performances by such famed musicians as James Brown, Bill Withers, and B.B. King, among others. Many of the American musicians performing at Zaire '74 had been emboldened by the American Civil Rights movement, and saw their journey to Africa as a unique opportunity not just to perform for a new set of enthusiastic fans, but to explore their roots as well.
When We Were Kings editor Jeffrey Levy-Hinte made it his own personal mission to see the long gestating project through to completion. The result is not simply a concert film featuring some of the most popular African and American musicians of the era, but also a pure cinéma vérité glimpse into a time when the musical crossover between the two nations was just beginning to emerge.

more info



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Governor Elisha Marshall Pease

photo by Kevin Surbaugh

Inscription:
In 1835 E.M. Pease migrated to Texas from his native Connecticut. He joined the Texian forces at the Battle of Gonzales, Oct. 2, 1835, which initiated the Texas War for Independence. In the early days of the Republic, he worked as a government clerk and later served in the Legislature and Senate. He was a prominent lawyer in Brazoria when elected Governor in 1853.

During Gov. Pease’s first two terms in office, 1853-57, a permanent school fund was established and Texas first free public schools built. Other achievements included increased railroad construction and reduction of taxes and the state debt. Gov. Pease ordered Texas Rangers to the frontier to combat recurring Indian raids. The Pease family became the first to occupy the newly constructed Governor’s Mansion in 1856.

A staunch Unionist, Pease restricted his political activities during the Civil War (1861-65). In 1866 he again ran for Governor but lost to J.W. Throckmorton. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, Federal military commander of Texas, removed Throckmorton in 1867 and appointed Pease provisional Governor to enforce reconstruction policies. Pease resigned in protest in 1869. At the time of his death, he was an Austin banker.

Married to Lucadia Niles (1813-1905), he had three daughters.

Erected:
1977

Location:
near 1006 Congress in downtown Austin, in Bicentennial Square next to the Old Bakery and across the street from the State Capital.

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It's Time for Geographic Representation

Quick, can you name the largest city without geographic representation on it's city council?In the last 40 years (1971-2011) 26 city council elections have been held to fill 17 mayoral positions and 100 city council positions. Of those 17 mayors, 15 of them were from only two zip codes in the western and northwestern sections of the city as did 32 of the 100 council members. A closer look at the representation map shows that over the same 40 years, 55% of all the cities elected officials came from only four zip codes. Leaving the majority (90%) of the city to be represented by the minority 45% on the city council.
So what city am I talking about? Austin, Texas! Yep, that's right, the 13th largest city in the country. The city that prides itself on being weird, while at the same time being progressive, is behind the times when it comes to geographic representation. The city has even turned down the idea six times. This November, the idea is on the ballot once again. Proposition 3 and Proposition 4.

Prop 3

Proposition 3 is the so called 10-1 plan. Under this plan there would be ten geographically elected council members and one mayor elected at large (by the whole city).

Shall the city charter be amended to provide for the election of council members from 10 geographical single-member districts, with the mayor to be elected from the city at large, and to provide for an independent citizens redistricting commission?

Fiscal impact: If this amendment is approved it is estimated that it will cost the City $332,361 for four additional Council members and staff the first-year for three months beginning July of 2014. There would also be a one-time cost of $888,350 for construction and build-out for the new offices in the first year. The projected five-year costs from FY 2013 through FY 2017 are $5,622,000
- City of Austin (Charter propositions)

Prop 4

Proposition 4 is the so called 8-2-1 plan. In which there would be eight geographically elected council members, two elected at large and one mayor elected at large.

Shall the city charter be amended to provide for the election of council members from eight geographical single-member districts, with the mayor and two additional council members to be elected from the city at large?

Fiscal impact: If this amendment is approved it is estimated that it will cost the City $332,361 for four additional Council members and staff the first-year for three months beginning July of 2014. There would also be a one-time cost of $888,350 for construction and build-out for the new offices in the first year. The projected five-year costs from FY 2013 through FY 2017 are $5,622,000.
- City of Austin (Charter propositions)

If both plans win the one that garners the most votes will be the one declared the winner. Personally, I would be happy with either of these plans. However, I do prefer proposition three over proposition four. Both plans give citizens geographic representation, the same as we have in the state legislature and federally in the lower house of congress. So why shouldn't we have the same thing on the local level? For those reasons I am voting in favor of geographic representation and I hope my fellow citizens in this great city will join me in voting yes on this important issue.
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My name is Kevin, and that's what I think. What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

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Austin Museum Of Art

Laguna Gloria One thing I really love about the Laguna Gloria location is the fantastic architecture.  The 12-acre site is the former home Clara Drisoll and her husband. The home which has been placed on city, state and national registries of historic places is now the original home of the Austin Museum of Art and also has an (unaccredited) art school on the site.  The grounds and many of the buildings (including the villa) overlook Lake Austin.

photo by D. Kevin Surbaugh

Throughout the grounds are a number outdoor sculptures as well as two gardens (The Garden of the Four Seasons and The Sunken Garden).

photo by D. Kevin Surbaugh

"When winter comes, with a rush of restless, ruthless wind, its chill cutting like a knife through the tender plants, stripping them of leaves and their flowers of color; turning the velvet green carpet of my lawn to drab and rusty brown, my garden becomes melancholy - all its splendor gone - a season of loneliness....The stone figure of Winter standing on its pedestal, seems to draw its cloak more closely, and its almost arrogant in its contempt of Spring, Summer and Autumn, its scantily clad companions."
- Clara Driscoll

photo by D. Kevin Surbaugh

3809 West 35th Street Austin, TX 78703
(512)458-8191
Grounds Hours:
Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm
Sunday 10am–5pm

Villa Hours:
Closed Monday
Tuesday–Wednesday 12–4pm
Thursday–Sunday 10am–4pm
Drop-in Tours:
Saturday & Sunday 1pm
Admission:
Suggested Donation $3

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The Jones Center (Downtown)

View Larger Map- Street View
700 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701
(512) 453-5312
Monday–Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 12–11pm
Thursday–Saturday 12–9pm
Sunday 12–5pm
Admission:
Suggested Donation $5
Parking:
Paid on street parking or in nearby garages is available

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