When: March 3rd, 9am – 12pm

Where: 900 W. 9th Street, Austin, TX 78703

It’s My Park Day is an annual event put on by the Austin Parks Foundation that enables citizens to volunteer and contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of their local parks.  DANA has sponsored numerous volunteer events over the years and this year we will be focusing on Duncan Park.  Our fellow neighborhood association, OANA will likewise be leading an effort to clean up Shoal Creek.

Please RSVP here on the Austin Parks Foundation website for the DANA event or here for the OANA one.  Both are great ways to be good stewards of our neighborhood green spaces.

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by Dr. Georgeanne Freeman, the Downtown Doctor

Let’s talk about ‘Cedar Fever’, or seasonal allergies, during our @ 9 weeks between outbreaks. Last month brought suffering to many who have a history of seasonal allergies and even symptoms to those who are usually immune. I expect a similar pattern to hit late February based on weather. Allergies can cause any combination of red, itchy eyes, stuffy and runny nose, low grade fever, fatigue and cough (due to post nasal drip). It is important to have the right diagnosis as this drives the treatment plan. Allergies can mimic viral upper respiratory illness, bacterial bronchitis, others.

If you think you have allergies it is reasonable to start by ameliorating the symptoms. You can buy a decongestant (sudafed is still the gold standard) which will dry up any secretions. Also try and anti-histamine (the histamines are the little soldiers that attack when an allergen is detected by the body and cause inflammation) like zyrtec or benadryl (generally sedating), allegra or claritin (generally non sedating). Why one works for one person and not for another is a mystery! Good we have options. Netti pots work wonders for clearing out nasal inflammation (snot) clear up into the sinuses. Do use distilled water to avoid introducing tap water bacteria. Gargling with warm salt water is still the best treatment for a sore throat. Prescription nasal steroid sprays are miracles at decongesting the whole face; even better for eye symptoms than anti-histamine eye drops.

If your allergies are debilitating considering seeing an allergist. The gold standard is still homeopathic like injectable doses of what you are allergic to. More and more common is the equally effective sublingual drops. In Europe they have the drops exclusively and think we are barbaric for doing the injections; I might agree.

To your good health in late winter and on into spring!

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When: Thursday, February 16th, 6pm
Where: St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop’s Hall, 203 E 10th St  Austin, Texas 78701
(Bike parking available or plan you trip using public transportation here)

DANA invites its membership to come out for a special presentation by the CEO of Foundation Communities and a discussion on development proposed for 11th & Trinity Street that would be the first affordable housing project proposed Downtown in over 45 years and which will include Permanent Supportive Housing.  DANA board members will be looking for feedback on the design and operational proposals.

For a more detailed look at what affordable housing is and what it isn’t, Foundation Communities is also opening up tours of their Skyline Terrace building on February 15th at 6:30pm.  Contact Elliot McFadden by the day before the tour at 512-610-4009 or Elliot.McFadden@foundcom.org

For more information on the project click here.  For news coverage of the project, click here or here.

For more on what DANA has done to review the project, check out this month’s newsletter.  Board members were first approached in November regarding the first affordable housing proposed for downtown in over 45 years.  In the process of doing due diligence on this proposal, Board Members reviewed city plans, attended seminars and consulted with experts to better understand general issues surrounding Affordable Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing in particular.  In addition, board members did multiple site visits, met with neighbors of existing projects, interviewed a property manager on operations and had focused design sessions with both architects and city officials.  The proposal improved significantly over the past few months and Foundation Communities has incorporated many suggestions from DANA including a focus on downtown workers and artists and musicians.

A first preview of the project took place at the DANA annual meeting on Sunday, January 29th.  The February 16th meeting is intended to be a focused session to answer any questions the community may have.

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Come join fellow DANA volunteers to help prepare and serve lunch in the Caritas of Austin Community Kitchen on December 23rd from 8:30 a.m. until noon.  To get into the holiday spirit, the seasonal lunch will come in an adorable box decorated by children from Little Helping Hands. 

Join us as we serve those less fortunate in our neighborhood and spread hope in the community. Caritas is located at 611 Neches Street and space is limited. Please email Olivia Jones atojones@caritasofaustin.org if you would like to volunteer.

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Big thanks to all of you for coming out on a rainy November evening for DANA’s Spotlight on Safety at Ballet Austin. There was a lot to see and hear at this event.  (view all the photos taken by photographer Jerome Huaulme here)

From medals awarded by Chief Acevedo to two super star downtown bike patrol officers…

APD Medal Recipients:
Ofc. Michael Schultheis, Meritorious Service
Ofc. Duane Williams, Superior Service

…to a ticker tape celebration of community, police and prosecution heroes

5th St Community 2011 Sheepdog Award Recipients:
George and Suzanne Armstrong, 5th St Community Watch
Cpl Eric Cleveland, Austin Police Dept
Jason English, Assistant District Attorney for the Downtown Community
Bill Brice, Downtown Austin Alliance Security and Maintenance Director

…to a panel of city leaders listening and responding to downtown resident and business concerns

Panel Members:
Mike Levy, Public Safety Commissioner
Mike Martinez, City Council Member
Chief Acevedo, Austin Police Department
Rosemary Lehmberg, Travis District Attorney
Jamie Lagarde, Panel Moderator

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of our tremendous downtown sponsors who we can’t thank enough!

Sponsors:
Ballet Austin
Downtown Austin Alliance
Austin City Living
Luke’s Locker
Centurion Property Management
El Sol y La Luna
P.F. Changs
Thistle Cafe

Media Coverage of the event can be replayed at the following links:
Fox   Downtown Safety Discussed at Meeting
KXAN   Downtown Meeting Focused on Safety

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