Archives for June 2009

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been on Lady Bird Lake.  I woke up early on Sunday morning and wanted to rent a kayak.  Even though the temperature has been high, the mornings are still crisp and perfect for some morning zen.  At 7am I headed down to the Rowing Dock, just beyond Zilker Park.  Here it is easy and quick to rent a kayak.  I rented a normal kayak and not one of the popular single sculls.  $10 per hour, fill out one form, they drop the kayak in the water and you’re off.

My goal was to make it from Mopac bridge to Lamar bridge.  By foot or by bike this doesn’t seem like a big deal, but by kayak this is quite a distance.  It was worth it as I snapped a couple of photos [the white balance on my camera is off 🙁 ]

Not far from where this photo was taken was the Barton Springs outlet. The water depth couldn’t have been more than four feet in certain places. I’ve heard that animal waste that comes from dogs swimming in Barton Springs is one of the main reasons that people are allowed to swim in Lady Bird Lake.

This weekend I’ve rediscovered downtown Austin’s outdoor amenities. We take it for granted and so often forget to enjoy so much of what downtown Austin has to offer.

-Jude

This past year downtown stakeholders have identified hot spots of criminal activity in the entertainment district and have been able to work with police, TABC, and landlords to remove Paradox, Planeta, and Spiros. This morning I received the following message from Randy Fortenberry in response to KVUEs story on violence surrounding Club Fuze. With Randy’s permission, his message is copied in its entirety below. Randy has been instrumental in purging the entertainment and convention district of venues which host the majority of violent crime.

Please take five minutes to email the people listed below with a message that you will not tolerate clubs that knowingly play host for violent crime.

All,

Last night one of our local TV stations did a large feature on Club Fuze and the continued violence surrounding that club.  There have been continued “sucker punches” of passing pedestrians similar to the type which killed the young man in front of Coyote Ugly.

I am sending you a list of relevant city officials that I am asking you to contact in relation to this new story.

If there is enough pressure at this time we may be in the perfect position to make a real impact on the existence of Club Fuze.

Your concerted actions in regards to Club Paradox and Planeta worked wonders.

Please take just a few minutes to address one, a few, or all of the following folks regarding our downtown safety, our desire to live in a downtown urban core that is safe, the necessity of a crime free downtown if Austin is to remain as one of the most livable cities, your personal safety and the safety of your family.

It only takes a minute and your letter may be the one that makes the difference.

Thanks,

Randy Fortenberry
The Avenue Lofts

Andrew.Moore@ci.austin.tx.us
Art.Acevedo@ci.austin.tx.us
bbrice@downtownaustin.com
brewster.mccracken@ci.austin.tx.us
cbetts@downtownaustin.com
Antonia.Singletary@ci.austin.tx.us
Cory.Ehrler@ci.austin.tx.us
David.Laibovitz@co.travis.tx.us
*personal email address removed*
gena.curtis@ci.austin.tx.us
mike.martinez@ci.austin.tx.us
sheryl.cole@ci.austin.tx.us
lee.leffingwell@ci.austin.tx.us
laura.morrison@ci.austin.tx.us

Here is a great opportunity to live and work in downtown Austin!

“The Downtown Austin Alliance seeks a seasoned urban Arts & Parks Director who can build on the Alliance’s partnerships to create a more exciting, creative and connected downtown through parks, open spaces, plazas, art institutions, public art, entertainment and the creative culture in the community. Download the job description here. Deadline for application is Friday, July 17, 2009 at 5:00p.m.”

-Jude