LAST CHANCE

If you act quickly, you may still join or renew your COVNA membership and be included in the neighborhood directory. Dues are $10 per year. An organization that provides a helpful email list, 2 free parties, and most importantly, a strong voice in preserving our neighborhood's integrity is worth supporting. If you have not joined this year, please consider doing so now. Click here to print the form and send it or take it to Hal's this week.

COVNA still has no Vice-President. If willing to serve, contact any officer listed at right. Could this be you?

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Neighborhood-Wide Garage Sale

If you have your ear to the ground, you might know that neighbors have expressed an interest in a neighborhood-wide garage sale. At the February meeting, Tom Bray (Collingwood) graciously volunteered to spearhead the effort. Since then, a committee of neighbors met and set Saturday, April 17 as the date for the sale.

So, what does this mean for you? If you have the spring cleaning bug or have been itching to clear some of the clutter in your house, it means you have about six weeks to get your stuff organized. If you don't care a whit for garage sales, it means you can probably expect some extra people in the neighborhood that day.

Here's how it's going to work: The association is going to take care of advertising, signage, and fliers to draw shoppers to the neighborhood. Each home that wants to participate is responsible for conducting its own garage sale. Feel free to team up with friends if you like. By leveraging the selling power of the neighborhood, we plan to increase the number of garage sale shoppers and sell more stuff.

In the coming days, neighbors may knock on your door or approach you with fliers letting you know about the opportunity to participate. If you have any questions, please contact Tom (280-4882).

Maybe it’s time to import something legal, fun for all, and healthy from Columbia. Every Sunday and holiday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bogotá, Colombia closes more than 70 miles of city streets to cars and opens them to bicyclists, skaters, walkers, and mass aerobics. When that happens, 1.5 million people come out to enjoy the safety, community, and exercise that a seemingly car-free city allows. According to many participants, the Ciclovia has transformed life in the city all around for the better. People feel happier, healthier, and more united. Ciclovia days in Bogotá are combined with Recreovia, a program of free public exercise activities in parks and other car-free areas. Activities include dancing, yoga, and aerobics, led by professionals who are paid by the city and accompanied by festive music. Numerous US cities which hold related events. El Paso has Scenic Sundays which runs April through August. Council members Sheryl Cole and Chris Riley with the help of the community and the Neighborhood Connectivity Staff in the Transportation department hosted a brainstorming session on March 12th about an Austin version of a ciclovia event later this year. To view a short film about Ciclovia in Bogotá click below:

http://www.streetfilms.org/ciclovia/