Dear Neighbors,

Before I delve into the City’s latest proposed changes to zoning that will greatly impact our homes and neighborhoods (without any engagement or participation from neighborhoods) I’d like to invite all residents of the WANG area to join us at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 29th, 11:30 AM -1:30 PM at the Lions Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse and Patio.

Come meet your neighbors, hear updates on the latest neighborhood issues, participate in our board election, and (with your WANG membership) enjoy free brunch by Cisco’s Muny Café.

And now, on to the not so fun stuff.

On July 20th the Austin City Council approved a resolution that would

essentially change single-family zoned properties to multi-family (3 or more units) throughout the City. This resolution was brought to the Council WITHOUT any prior input from, or collaboration with neighborhoods or single-family property owners anywhere in the City. After losing two lawsuits for attempting citywide zoning changes without giving notice or protest rights, the City Council has decided to try their luck at de-regulating single-family zoning without the participation of the people who live in neighborhoods.

The resolution, sponsored by Council Member Leslie Pool, proposes amendments to Austin’s Land Development Code to redefine single family zoning as follows:

• All lots in SF-1, SF-2, SF-3, and SF-4 can be subdivided into lots that are 2,500 square feet or less.

Each of these small lots can have 3 or more units, including row houses, tri-and fourplexes, cottage courts, and garden homes with “no need to preserve existing homes.” Additionally, the resolution proposes eliminating requirements in the code for setbacks, height, impervious cover and floor area ratio. It proposes elimination of McMansion Ordinance requirements for 3 or more units per lot. There will be no parking requirements, and no affordable housing incentives. Under the current code, single–family zoning allows one house and an additional dwelling unit (ADU) or one duplex to be built on a minimum lot size of 5750 square feet. SF-4 allows for homes to be built on a smaller 3600 sf lot.

Council Member Pool has asserted that middle income earner constituents are asking for the right to subdivide their lots and build THREE units on a lot “so that they can afford to stay in their homes” or add additional units for family members. She also claims that allowing three

units on a 2500 square foot lot will add housing that is affordable to middle income earners such as teachers, fire fighters, grocery store workers and police officers.

Yet nowhere in this resolution is market rate housing addressed. There is no requirement in Pool’s resolution for affordable housing (at a level that middle income earners could afford.) No economic study was done to see how this would play out in the market.

WANG wrote to the Council prior to their vote, recommending that instead of this resolution, they consider adding a new single-family small lot zoning category that allows for 2500 square foot lots where appropriate. WANG additionally requested that permanent on site affordable housing be required if more than two units are built on a single family zoned lot. We have not heard from the Council about these suggestions. The Council voted on October 5th to set a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission for Thursday, October 26th. They want to pass the ordinance by December 7th.

The Phases:

Phase 1 will include allowing 3 units on every lot, any of which can be Recreational Vehicles (RV’s) which can be rented as STR(short term rental)and removing Occupancy Standards that restrict units to 4 unrelated people.

Phase 2 will allow re-subdivision of existing lots into 2,500 square feet or smaller. At the Council work session, City staff said after they pass the proposed amendments in

Phase1: “the second phase will be the lot sizes and those changes that go with changing lot size. “The change to lot size would interact dramatically with the three-unit lot item."

I'm concerned about the noticing for increasing the units on the lot and knowing that we're planning to change the lot size or that the majority of council has given direction todo that. And, but you're not really noticing people for what's really going to happen because it's coming later”. Alison Alter Austin City Council 9/21/23

After the passage of Phase1 and Phase 2 of the Pool amendments, lots of at least 7,500 square feet in Austin would be eligible for re-subdivision for nine units. Larger lots would yield even more, potentially three units for every2,500 square feet. Single-family zoning becomes multi-family zoning, granting density equivalent to the current MF-5 zoning (“Multi-Family Residence–High Density”).Leslie Pool calls this “light touch density"

This resolution is being considered without regard to:

• How many existing older homes will be demolished by developers to build3-9market rate units on each lot, without setbacks, height restrictions and impervious cover limits?Will this really result in affordable housing or just more dense expensive housing? Affordable for whom?
• How many trees will be cut down to make room for these buildings?
• How many people will be displaced from their neighborhoods?
• How much of a strain will this put on Austin’s utility infrastructure?
• How will the increased impervious cover affect flooding and contribute to making Austin an urban heat island?
• Where will all the cars park with no on site parking requirements?
• How will this impact property owners’ taxes once their land has the potential for six or more units to be built?

The resolution was not modeled to answer ANY of these questions before being presented to Council for approval. It passed with only Council Members Alison Alter(District 10) and MacKenzie Kelly (District 6) voting no. Council Member Alison Alter stated: “Without any preservation requirement, this will incentivize the demolition of existing homes to build newer, bigger, more expensive structures and send more homes to the landfill.

These factors working in combination with one another have the real potential to lead to predictable negative consequences. I believe this resolution is much more drastic and goes much further than anything our staff brought to council for a vote during the Code Next or land development code rewrite process. “The West Austin Neighborhood Group strongly encourages our neighbors to weigh in on this resolution before it becomes an ordinance in early December. Without our input, the Council will pass an ordinance that just creates more very expensive taller buildings with no yards, no trees, no parking.

At our October 9th meeting, we heard from board members and neighbors, many of whom are disappointed and frustrated that the City once again is trying to change the Land Development Code and did not have a planning process that included them and their neighborhood organizations. Neighborhood Plans and Contact Teams were also left out during the planning of this resolution. We all want to find a solution that will allow for more affordable housing in our neighborhood, but without destroying its historic character, liveability, trees and open green space.

Additionally, we want our right to notice of a zoning change and the right to protest those changes, to be respected. Our City should be working WITH us, not AGAINST us.

What can you do?

1. Send WANG your concerns, and join us for up coming meetings, the second Monday of each month, time and location at www.westaustinng.com.

2. Write or call your Mayor and City Council Members! (see list below)

3. Sign up to speak at the Joint Planning Commission /Council meetingonOctober26th.

4. File a Neighborhood Conservation

Protest:https://fileyourprotest.com/

Mayor Kirk Watson: kirk.watson@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2100

Natasha Harper-Madison (District 1):natasha.madison@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2101

Vanessa Fuentes (District 2):vanessa.fuentes@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2102

José Velásquez (District 3):jose.velasquez@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2103

José “Chito” Vela (District 4):chito.vela@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2104

Ryan Alter (District 5): ryan.alter@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2105

Mackenzie Kelly (District 6): mackenzie.kelly@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2106

Leslie Pool (District 7): leslie.pool@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2107

Paige Ellis (District 8): paige.ellis@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2108

Zohaib “Zo” Qadri (District 9): zohaib.qadri@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2109

Alison Alter (District 10): alison.alter@austintexas.gov|

512-978-2110

More information on the resolution to change single-family zoning here:

https://communitynotcommodity.com/2023/07/13/city-council-to-eliminate-most-single-family-zoning-in-austin/#:~:text=The%20proposed%20resolution%20would%20allow%20a%20developer%20to,across%20the%20city%20%28see%20LDC%20%C2%A7%2025-2-3%20%287%29%29.

Polling Locations Open from 7 am - 7 pm

Here are the early voting locations in West Austin:

• Austin Recreation Center 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd, Dance Studio, Austin 78701
• Westminster Presbyterian Church 3208 Exposition Blvd, Fellowship Hall, Austin 78703

Here are the voting locations for Election Day in West Austin:

• Westminster Presbyterian Church 3208 Exposition Blvd, Fellowship Hall Austin 78703
• St Luke United Methodist Church 1306 W Lynn St, Fellowship Hall Austin 78703
• O. Henry Middle School 2610 W 10th St, Gym Hall Austin 78703
• Austin Recreation Center 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd, Dance Studio Austin 78701

There are two Travis County Propositions:

• Proposition A: authorizing the county to issue $233.06 million in bonds for road and infrastructure improvements and levy a tax for the repayment of the bonds.

• Proposition B: authorizing the county to issue $276.44 million in bonds for parks and land acquisition and levy a tax for the repayment of the bonds.

There are also 15 State Propositions, which you can view at:

G23 Bedsheet DRAFT v5 (traviscountytx.gov)

https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/wp-content/uploads/elections/pdfs/sample_ballots/2023.11.7/G23BedsheetBallot.pdf

West Austin Neighborhood Group

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES

Monday, September 11, 2023

Howson Public Library

These are the minutes of the meeting of the West Austin Neighborhood Group Board of

Directors held Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., at Howson Public Library.

I. Call to Order

Members present: Holly Reed, Heidi Gibbons, Joyce Basciano, Mary Arnold, Mike Cannatti, Bob Hamilton, Sarah Cain, George Edwards, Craig Lill, Joe Bennett, David Bolduc, Blake Tollett. Not present: Cathy Kyle

August minutes approved unanimously.

II. Neighbor Communications/Announcements

A. David Downing with Code Compliance Dept & Mary Helen McCarthy with Development Services Dept:

• David Invites neighbors to reach out, call 311 and use Austin 311 app to report code complaints
• Can develop timeline, upload photos, follow status reports and responses
• Mary Helen’s Presentation:
• Development Service Dept: issue land use permits and address “non-applicant” concerns; developed to help residents better understand the development process
• Property Profile Tool
• National Night Out - can register up to 9/17/2023; NNO is on 10/3/2023
• Neighborhood Advisors: Leah Adrian & Mary Helen McCarthy
• Discussed Flo’s Wine Bar possibly in violation of code with parking places
• Neighbors’ (Joanne Midwikis) concern about street parking, U-turns, alleged lack of code enforcement posed to Mr. Downing and that code is not being enforced
• Not operating in compliance with application with regard to parking; otherwise, they are in compliance with zoning (per David)

1. Treasurer’s Report:

· Business Checking = $8927.11

· Oak Wilt = $1,218.92

· 4th of July = $511.19

· TOTAL = $10,657.22

· Additional expenses (Haidar updating website) and increased revenue from new members and sponsorships

1. Reed Park planning update: James Page not present, Friends Of Reed Park working with architect and in contact with P&RD

1. Kamil Cook with Public Citizen

• Austin Energy Resource Generation Plan to reach net zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 city wants to achieve by 2040 per Austin Equity Climate Plan
• Fayette Coal Plant: accounts for 29% of City’s emissions but only 600 MW of power
• Austin Energy states that they haven’t left due to “affordability issues”
• Desire for a task force including members of Austin Energy, community members
• PC establishing a working group and want to include community members and get community input
• Pushing for better solar energy policies

1. Deed Restrictions Violations

• Randy Howard: lot on 2625 Exposition Blvd torn down with plans to build a duplex but this violates deed restrictions
• Property owner / developer trying to get neighbors to amend deed restrictions, but Randy has worked with neighbors to uphold deed restrictions; seeking advice, guidance how to move forward, request to put notice in newsletter with support for deed restrictions

1. Land Matters

• Per Blake, 15 Margranita Crescent variance denied 10 - 0

1. CM Pool’s Resolution, Deed Restrictions and Current Zoning:

• Joint Neighborhood Association Educational Forum on deed restrictions on 11/15/23 at St. Matthew's Church in Huffman Hall
• Led my NW Austin Civic Association
• CM Alter, CM Pool and Rob Brunig asked to attend
• Mike: requests board to find ways to find compromise within the current resolution
• Holly suggests posting a survey on the WANG website to get neighborhood input

1. Membership Update: Joe - no update

1. ACL Ticket Report: Joe

• 14 tickets have been sold with 6 remaining for weekend 2; weekend 1 is sold out
• Advertised on various forums
• Parking Issues in Deep Eddy during ACL

· Fewer complaints this past year with no parking signs to allow for emergency vehicles, etc.

o Placed 1 week prior to Weekend 1 when staging begins

o Maps on WANG website/newsletter for parking/no parking areas

1. Annual Meeting Date - no date chosen yet

• Sat October 28th (home game)? Sun Oct 29th? November 4th (home game) or 5th? Nov 11th (away game)? Move it to Lion’s? (Playscape at TTown Park is under construction). Holly will check availability at Muny for Saturdays or Sundays.
• Tentative: October 29th; back up: Nov 5th

1. Print Letter out at the end of the month hopefully?

1. ANC report - Heidi circulated notes

• Code Connect Hotline
• Update on Zilker Plan: Council was overwhelmed with messages/rejection of the proposal
• Voted to donate $5K to Community Not Commodity

1. Save Muny: Mary

• Starting to plan Centennial for 2024! Hopefully, celebrations and activities throughout the year.
• 100 Reasons to Savy Muny
• September 15: Forever Muny Tourney with a party after at the clubhouse

1. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM
2. Next Meeting Oct. 9 2023

Neighbor Juliette Madere, manager of Lifeblood of Gaia, is continuing her volunteer work in the neighborhood with wildscaping. Their first project began early this year, designing and planting a native ecosystem on a 2000 square foot traffic median in Tarrytown, Austin. The grasses, shrubs, and wildflower species on the median were carefully selected for the benefits they provide to local wildlife and their low requirements for water and care. This tiny urban wildscape mimics the habitat of the Central Texas Blackland Prairie, one of the most endangered eco regions in North America.

This fall, the group is fundraising for seed planting on the median. Please consider making a cash or check donation. For information visit the Tarrytown Wildscape Project website at https://lifebloodsite.wixsite.com/lifebloodofgaia/donate

by Mayor Pro-Tem Alison Alter

Dear Neighbors,

This week you should receive a notice about pending changes to the Land Development Code and upcoming public hearings. I am writing to provide you with some additional background and resources so that you can be an informed participant in this process.

Over the last several months my council colleagues have initiated many amendments to the land development code. As I noted in my newsletter last week, and in a previous newsletter in May, I voted against initiating amendments which would significantly reduce our minimum lot sizes, change the number of units allowed in existing single-family lots, and significantly erode compatibility requirements. These proposed changes appear to be supported by a supermajority of Council members and are now beginning to return to Council for adoption. The next step in this process is a joint-public hearing with the Council and the Planning Commission on October 26, where three code amendments will be discussed:

• Increasing the number of units allowed on existing single-family lots.

• Allowing tiny homes and RVs in single-family zoning districts.

• Eliminating occupancy limits for housing units in the city.

Council is scheduled to take final action on these three changes on Dec. 7. These items are just a few of the amendments the majority of Council have initiated, and the others will be the focus of separate hearings in 2024. For instance, the proposed reduction to the minimum lot size will be considered next year.

Public Hearing Dates

The public hearings on these initial proposed amendments will be held at Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St., on:

• Thursday, October 26 at 2 p.m. - Joint Planning Commission and City Council Meeting

• Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m. - Planning Commission Meeting

• Thursday, December 7 at 10 a.m. - City Council Meeting

You must register in advance to speak at any of the public hearings. To learn more, including when speaker registration opens and closes, visit the How to Participate tab of the webpage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR AWARENESS:

• Webpage: The Planning Department established a SpeakUp Austin webpage to serve as the primary hub for land development code amendments.

• Notice: A postcard is being mailed to over 725,000 property owners and utility account holders in the city, with essential information also in the next five most spoken languages in Austin (Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Korean and Burmese). A copy of the postcard is available on the SpeakUp Austin webpage.

• Protest Rights: A property owner may protest the changes by delivering or mailing a written petition, signed by the property owner, to the Planning Department. To ensure that a petition is submitted with all the necessary information, property owners are encouraged to use the petition form provided by the City and follow the steps to complete and submit the form. More information is available on the Protest Rights tab of the webpage. Sending an email to my office is not a method to submit a constitutionally protected protest to this proposed zoning change. Please follow the process outlined above.

• Review Proposed Changes: Before the public hearings, Austinites will be able to review a summary of the changes by visiting the SpeakUp Austin webpage or through the City Council meeting information page. A direct link to the summary can be found here. After the Joint Public Hearing and the Planning Commission meeting, draft code amendment language will be made available to the public.

• Language Access: Interpretation services in Spanish and ASL will be provided at all three public meetings. Interpreters will be present to interpret for the speakers who requested interpretation assistance and will not provide interpretation service throughout the entire meeting.

If you would like to contact departmental staff with questions about these amendments, you may email LDCupdates@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-7220. This email address and phone number are not associated with my office. They are monitored by the Planning Department staff who are drafting these amendments in response to the Council supermajority that initiated these changes. To contact my office, please email District10@austintexas.gov or call 512-978-2110.

Please share this information with your neighbors and engage with the Mayor and Council to make your voices heard. I hope to see you at the hearing on October 26.

Regards,

Alison Alter

Council Member, District 10

It will have better updated and more current neighborhood information!

Easier for us to update and add news events!

We are excited!

Thank you!! to Haidar Khazen for helping refresh and update the NEW WEBSITE!!

The historic Lions Municipal Golf Course(Muny)will be 100 years old in2024! As celebrationsand events are planned for Muny’s Centennial next year, the Muny Conservancy and Save HistoricMuny District, along with thousands of community members, continue to work towards the preservationof all 141 acresand 18 holesof this treasuredhistoric public open green space.The West Austin Neighborhood Group was founded in 1973, as part of agrass roots citizen led effort to SAVE MUNY,asapublic golf course and open greenspace.For 50 years,WANG has been a strong advocate forthe preservation of LionsMunicipal, workingwith the City of Austin and University of Texastowards apermanent solution whereby Muny willbesaved for good.There are at least 100 reasons to Save Muny, but at the top of that list isMuny’splace inCivil Rights History. In 1950,two youngBlack caddies who workedat Muny broughttheir communities togetherby playing the golf course,despiteracistJim Crow lawsand Austin’sEast / Westgeographicalsegregationpolicy.Through thecourageous actof these children,Lions Municipalbecamethe firstdesegregated public golf coursein the southern United States.After hearing about Muny’speaceful integration, heroic champion boxer JoeLouis came to play golf at Lions Municipal in 1951, and again in 1953, as part of hiseffort to integrate golf throughout the country. Black and Hispanic golfers from allover Texascame toplay at Muny,the only public golf course that welcomedeveryone

Joe Louis with Lynn Pugh in 1953 at Lions Municipal Golf Course

In 2016 Muny was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as a recognized Civil Rights Landmark. Muny continues to this day to be a public place that unites historically segregated communities of Austin, and a place where people of all ages and demographics feel welcome to recreate and play the game they love.

Save Muny advocates Dr. General Marshall, Dr. William Bacon, Dr. Lydia Ross, Volma Overton Jr., Delano Wommack, Florence Overton Black, WANG Board Member Mary Arnold and R.H. Harris at Muny’s National Register of Historic Places Marker Dedication(2016)

Muny is the busiest public golf course in Austin, host to dozens of junior and high school golf teams, the Austin Golf Academy, and tournaments for organizations throughout Texas. Some highlights: In May of 2023, Muny hosted the Huston-Tillotson University Alumni Golf Tournament named in honor of Marvin Douglas and Dr. General Marshall who helped integrate the course.

Volma Overton Jr., Volma Overton III, Muny Conservancy Co-Chair Scotty Sayers, Adrienne Overton, HTU Alumni Tournament Chair James Ellis, Bobby Green, Marvin Douglas, Dr. Lavon Marshall, John Mays, Ora Houston, Mary Arnold and Christopher Cutkelvin at Muny

The Annual Forever Green Tournament and Party benefitting the Muny Conservancy was held on September 15thwith a party, bbq and music following.

Forever Green Tournament 2023

Forever Green Party 2023

Muny is a really fun place to hang out and a break from urban life. Muny is home to hundreds of beautiful heritage trees, and wildlife. Golfers and non golfers enjoy the natural beauty of Muny, and meeting friends for breakfast lunch or dinner at Cisco’s Café. Lions Municipal Golf Course is open to the public every day from 7 AM until dusk. Neighbors are encouraged to come see why WANG has fought to Save Muny for 50 years, and why it’s so important to preserve this beautiful place for future generations.

Stay tuned for updates on the Muny Centennial Celebration Events as we get closer to 2024! For more information on how you can help Save Muny, please visitwww.savemuny.com sign the petition and support the Muny Conservancy.

Tell your Friends and Neighbors to sign up for our Newsletter! It's free!!

Send an email to

Newsletter@WestAustinNG.com

or

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO HELP US MAKE IT BETTER

Organized 1973......"To preserve our neighborhood and protect it from deterioration"

Board of Directors

• President: Holly Reed President@westaustinng.com
  
• Secretary: Cathy Kyle Secretary@westaustinng.com
• Assistant Secretary: Blake Tollett AsstSecretary@westaustinng.com
• Treasurer: George Edwards Treasurer@westaustinng.com
• Past President: Cathy Kyle PastPresident@westaustinng.com

All Current Members (click on name to send email)

• Holly Reed ............................member since 2015 (President)
• Cathy Kyle ............................member since 2010 (Secretary)
• Blake Tollett .........................member since 1994 (Asst Secretary)
• George Edwards ..................member since 2004 (Treasurer)
• Mary Arnold .........................member since 2006 (Muny Tract)
• Michael Cannatti .................member since 1999 (CWANPCT)
  
• Joseph M Bennett ...............member since 2001 (Membership/E-Newsletter)
• Craig Lill ...............................member since 2017
  
• Joyce Basciano ...................member since 1999
• Bob Hamilton........................member since 2020
• Sarah Hawthorne Cain.........member since 2020 (Advertising)
• Heidi Gibbons.......................member since 2020 (ANC Liason)
• David Bolduc ........................member since 2023
• Open board chair
• Open board chair

Honorary Committee Members

• Honorary Kirk Watson
• Honorary Alison Alter
• Honorary Kathie Tovo

Contact your City Council Representatives:

(click on name to send email)

• Mayor: Kirk Watson 512-978-2100
  
• District 1: Natasha Harper Madison 512-978-2101
  
• District 2: Vanessa Fuentes 512-978-2102
  
• District 3: Jose Velasquez 512-978-2103
  
• District 4: Jose "Chito" Vela 512-978-2104
  
• District 5: Ryan Alter 512-978-2105
  
• District 6: Mackenzie Kelly 512-978-2106
  
• District 7: Leslie Pool 512-978-2107
  
• District 8: Paige Ellis 512-978-2108
  
• District 9: Zohaib "Zo" Qadri 512-978-2109
  
• District 10: Alison Alter 512-978-2110
  

Email All of the Council: Entire Council and Mayor

Tarantulas, also known as baboon spiders in Africa or hairy spiders in South America, are the largest spiders in the world. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Tarantulas have two body regions, eight legs, and hairy bodies. Tarantulas that are found in North and South America have hairs used in defense. These tarantulas use their legs to flick hairs off their abdomen and into the face of predators. Hairs cause irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes. Tarantulas can be attacked by birds, lizards, snakes, and tarantula hawk wasps.

Tarantulas are nocturnal predators and feed on insects, other spiders, small lizards, frogs, and snakes. When prey is captured, it is then bitten with the spider’s fangs and injected with venom with digestive enzymes that kills and liquefies the prey. Once prey is soupy, the tarantula sucks up juices through their fangs. While tarantulas are capable of biting humans, their venom does not react with our body chemistry like widow or recluse spiders. Tarantula bites are comparable to a bee sting.

There are fifteen species of tarantulas in Texas and they create burrows in the ground, typically in well-drained soil. They use their webbing to line burrows which helps to shore up tunnels so they do not collapse. Webbing can also be used to create a molting mat which is laid down before the tarantula sheds its exoskeleton as well as used for handling prey. In other parts of the world, tarantulas live in trees and may use webbing to create a sling as a nest. Tarantulas are solitary, so there will only be one tarantula per burrow.

Tarantulas are arthropods, so they have an exoskeleton which requires them to molt numerous times throughout their life to grow. When ready to molt, which is controlled and signaled by hormones that only arthropods have, the tarantula lays down a silken molting mat, flips over on its back, and pops open the old exoskeleton along a weakened area called the ecdysial cleavage line. The spider must push its way out of the old exoskeleton by expanding and contacting its body to help wiggle its way out. Once the spider has emerged from the old exoskeleton, it stays in place on its back until the new exoskeleton hardens and then it will flip back over.

Some in Texas may come across mass “migrations” of tarantulas. These are not true migrations as the tarantulas are not moving to live in a new area, but instead, are males out searching for females for mating.

Wile tarantulas may be disconcerting for people when they venture indoors, they really are not a pest and don’t warrant control. The best thing to do is to keep tarantulas outside where they belong be excluding the home so the spiders cannot enter.

Click on the link City Stage photo above

(Austin Center for Events)

for more info of everything happening around Austin !!!!

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EMERGENCY.......................................911

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Ambulance (EMS) .............................911

Police Dept.......................512-975-5000

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Casis Elementary School.............512-414-2062

Austin High School.......................512-414-2505

O.Henry Middle School...............512-414-3229

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AT&T (new service)...........................1-800-464-7928

Time Warner Cable (Cust. Svc)...........512-485-5555

Austin/Travis Hazardous Waste.........512-974-4343