Next Meeting November 7 - Guest speaker - to be announced

Meeting Archives

Aug 1, 2017- Topics: Ergon Plant on Old Highway 20 update, Update on Travis County 2017 Citizen Bond Advisory Report, Learn about planned development and new businesses coming to Manor, Updates on Manor ISD campuses

May 2, 2017 - Guest speaker is Christine Canul, Senior Program Director at Keep Texas Beautiful, a nonprofit organization whose ission is to educate and engage Texans to improve their local environment. She wants to create a "Keep Manor Beautiful" affiliate and discuss implementation of some of the free programs KTB has available. From her experience, successful affiliates are made up of business, civic and government entities.

Feb 7, 2017 Guest speaker wasBethany Hebbard of Community First! Village, a 27-acre master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for disabled and chronically homeless in Central Texass. It is a mission of the Austin non-profit Mobile Loaves and Fishes. It is located south of the Travis County Expo Center at 9301 Hogeye Road. The goal of the community is to lift up homeless people off the streets and provide them shelter and the opportunity to revitalize their lives. Housing options include 120 micro houses, 100 RVs and 20 canvas-sided cottages. The site includes a chapel, kitchen, chicken coop, garden, beehives, and a medical facility.

Nov 1, 2016 Stefanie Lane - Watershed Protection Dept - City of Austin Assessing Creeks of the Blackland Prairie.

Aug 2, 2016 Danny Burnett, representing Dwyer Realty gave us an update on the proposed Lagos subdivision that encompasses a large area that takes in FM 973 and Blake Manor Road.

Feb 2, 2016 Dr. Malcolm Brown, "Lockwood Gardens". Development of extensive wildflower fields and multiple gardens on Lockwood Road.

Nov 2, 2015 Judge Bob Perkins, History of Menchaca (not Manchack!).

Aug 4, 2015 James Govea, Residential Project Manager for Texas Solar Power Company. He explained how home solar arrays can benefit us, their costs, local rebates and federal tax credits, and answered installation questions.

May 5, 2015 Have you ever heard of Fort Webber? Historical information will be presented by guest speaker  Claud Bramblett - Professor Emeritus - UT Anthropology (and local Manor resident). Claud has done research on archives dating back to pre-Stephen F. Austin days.

Feb 3, 2015 The meeting was cancelled due to weather. Speaker rescheduled for May 5.

Dec 2, 2014 Christmas sing-along and holiday desserts. Bring an unwrapped gift to donate to the Brown Santa program sponsored by Travis Co Sheriff's Department. We will also have special animals on display - llamas owned by Sharon and Claud Bramblett and Truffle the miniature horse owned by Maura Phelan.

Aug 5, 2014 Terri Myers is a former teacher who founded Preservation Central, Inc. and who does research and assessments of sites for historic significance to aid in preservation, historical designation, and general documentation. She lives in Travis County and has recommended that Manor be designated a "historic district", which was the reason for Manor Historic Resources Survey.

May 6, 2014, Tara Wells, Lower Colorado River Authority; Lori Sellers and Sean Henry of Central Texas Specialty Growers; and Dan Arrigona, Executive Director of Finance for Manor ISD, PSNA Officer Election for 2014-15

Get the facts about the drought: People are talking about the drought, but do they have the facts? A presentation about the drought from Tara Wells of the Lower Colorado River Authority will cover:

1. Why this could be the worst drought we’ve ever seen;
2. Why we’re still in a drought despite significant flooding last year;
3. How Central Texas is prone to drought and flood, and how the Highland Lakes help LCRA manage both;
4. What LCRA is doing to manage our region’s water supply through the drought; and
5. Simple ways everyone can help.

Ms. Wells is interim manager of LCRA’s communications department. Her professional experience includes nine years in various employee communications roles and three years as the senior communications specialist assigned to interpret and clearly communicate sensitive, complex and technical information related to LCRA’s wholesale power business.

Get the lowdown on the new organic farm on Hog Eye Rd: Many members asked about the new-fangled farm in our neighborhood on Hog Eye Rd.  Lori Sellers and Sean Henry of Central Texas Specialty Growers will tell us all about it and talk about “How to Grow Organics”.

Get answers to questions about the Manor ISD bond proposal: Dan Arrigona, Executive Director of Finance for Manor ISD will answer questions and explain how passage of the bond is not expected to increase the tax rate.

February 4, 2014, PSNA member Greg Pearson, President, and Steve Oleson, Vice President, Texas Hawking Association, one of the largest hawking associations in North America.
Topic: "The Art of Falconry: Hunting with Hawks and Falcons"

November 5, 2013, Guest Speaker: Ryan Smith - Emergency Services District #12

August 6, 2013 Crowe's Nest Farm - Guest Speaker: Dick Peterson - "Rainwater Harvesting for Landscape Irrigation"

May 7, 2013 - Maura Phelan, Attorney at Law and long-time PSNA member discussed "How to Protect your Property Values". Two handouts were provided: Environmental Resources and Pollicing Resources.

Feb 5, 2013 - Speaker did not attend due to a family emergency.

Oct 2, 2012 - National Night Out. PSNA hosted a picnic at East Metro Park pavillion.

Aug 13, 2012 - Two staff members, representing Chief Ryan Smith of Travis Co. ESD#12 (Fire Dept), demonstrated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures and automated external defibrillator (AED) function. These two methods can be used by good Samaritans to save lives. A question and answer period followed. A second speaker discussed the Manor toll road.

May 14, 2012 - Meet the candidates for Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 1.  Each candidate will speak briefly, and there will be ample opportunity for questions to all of them.
- Election of PSNA officers for 2012-2013 –Exercise your right to vote!!
- Further information about the application to apply septage on Littig Rd. and TCEQ’s decision
- Updated information about the ‘chop shop’ on Albert Voelker Rd.

Feb 13, 2012 - City of Manor's Mayor Jeff Turner and City Manager Steven Shanks will let us know about what's going on in Manor. Specifically they'll discuss the topics below, followed by a Q and A session:

- Growth plans (including commercial development and expansion of city limits)
- Resources, especially water supply and water and waste-water commitments
- Re-location of Hwy 290 intersections.

For a summary of the meeting and videos go to The Blackland Reporter.

Nov 14, 2012 Crowe's Nest Farm - two speakers. See recap of the meeting on The Blackland Reporter.
- Ronald Fowler, Secretary, The Board of Commissioners for Travis County ESD 12, will speak about wildfire safety and prevention as it relates to homeowners, and how ESD #12 has an important role in this effort.
- Stephen Manilla, Executive Manager. Travis Co. Dept of Transportation and Natural Resources, will discuss the impact of the bond proposition results in our neighborhood (both roads and parks/open space & easements), the Colorado River Corridor Plan, and County development planning and regulation. See bond committee info.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - Celebrate National Night Out with PSNA at 6:00pm at East Metro Park

Monday, August 8, 2011 Crowes Nest Farm - Travis County Master Gardner Ed Parken, presented a program on rainwater harvesting then answered questions and answers.

Monday, May 9, 2011 Crowes Nest Farm - Several owners of local home based businesses unique to our neighborhood will speak for 10 min each. They will have tables set up with literature, pictures and/or samples for members to view prior to the meeting. Speakers will answer questions at their individual tables after the meeting has concluded.

Monday, February 14, 2011 Crowes Nest Farm - two speakers
7:00 pm - Andrew Kim, Manor ISD Budget.
7:45 pm - Anne Brockenbrough - Conservation Easements: What They Are and How They Work

Monday, November 8, 2010 Crowes Nest Farm - Austin-Bastrop River Corridor Partnership. 7:00 pm
Dr. Kevin Anderson, Coordinator, Austin Water Utility - Center for Environmental Research [CER] will show a PowerPoint presentation of changes in the Colorado River and what it means for us.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PSNA hosts National Night Out. 6:00 pm
Pavillion at East Metro Park. Bring your favorite cobbler for a cobbler contest. Ice cream making materials will be provided for a homemade "ice cream in a can" event.

Saturday, September 11 : Man Eating Bugs!

Monday, August 9, 2010 - Emergency Preparedness
- Stacy Moore (512-974-0473) from the Travis County Office of Emergency Preparedness delivered a presentation on preparing for various emergency situations. An extensive 2 part handout is available to PSNA members in the Files section of our Google Group.
- A brainstorming session solicited attendees suggestions for what things they would like PSNA to explore. Comments included: create things to do that make us more of a true community; an actual Community Center; manage the East Metro Park Pool; street captains; a buying coop for gardening, livestock, food, farm supplies, services; a services directory of skills we have to offer in our community; a local "Angies List" perhaps inside our Google Group; social events just for fun - easy ones without much fuss but on a regular schedule; decorate mail boxes; how to classes, sharing knowledge and skills; book club; Garage Sale Day!

May 10, 2010 - Introduction to Bee Keeping; Election of New PSNA Officers
- PSNA member Frank Toussaint, who has been a hobbyist beekeeper for over 35 year, currently maintains between 15 and 20 hives in and around our area. Frank explained the hive and its internal components. Members learmed what is required to get into bee keeping on a small scale. His presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
- PSNA officers were elected: Tom West, President; Germaine Swenson, Vice President; Wes Todd, Treasurer; Allen Davisson, Secretary; Sharon Bramblett, Webmaster.

February 8, 2010 - Gardening Tips; Census Information
- Ms. Vicki (Dempsey) Blachman, a certified Master Gardener, gave us pointers on how we can have successful gardens for both vegetables and flowers. She has been gardening in Texas for over 40 years and has authored herb articles in Texas Gardener.
- Mr. Gabriel Perales, a Partnership Specialist for the United States Census, explained the 2010 Census and how important it is that everyone in our neighborhood be counted: it affects our representation in Congress, how many federal and state dollars we receive, and private companies use the data to determine where to build and invest.

October 1, 2009 - Town Hall Meeting - Austin Energy Solar Plant to be built in PSNA area.
- Hosted by: John Street; Gemini Solar, Ed Clark; Austin Energy, Hector Gonzales; Mayor of Webberville.

May 12, 2009 - Transportation
- Joe Gieselman, Travis County Executive Manager of Transportation and Natural Resources joined us and detailed the following information about the status of County plans for traffic improvements in our neighborhood.
- Manor CityManager, Phil Tate discussed Manor's growth, subdivisions, streets and plans for Manor's future. Members expressed concerns about the attractiveness of the downtown area

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Updated August 4, 2017
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