National Frog Month

APRIL COVNA MEETING

7:00 p.m. Monday, April 20th
Southwest Church of Christ
8900 Manchaca Rd.
(Rear Entrance)


PROGRAM NOTES

Planning for the summer picnic and any business of importance.


National Kite Month
 

2009 COVNA BOARD

Vacant
Floyd Clark (temporary)
Dan Anderson
Hal Ferguson
Doug Tabony
Doug DuBois
Floyd Clark
President
Vice President (282-8245)
Secretary (282-1932)
Treasurer (282-0601)
Newsletter (280-4080)
ANC Delegate (292-9323)
Past President (282-8245)
 

To join the COVNA Email List, click below and
send an email with your name(s) to Doug at

tabonyproductions@austin.rr.com
Now 100+ households strong!

Find out the latest neighborhood news and developments.
Receive recommendations for service providers.

2009 MEETING SCHEDULE

February 16th
April 20th
June Picnic—(TBA)
September 21st
November 16th
Dec Party—(TBA)
 

OFFICERS STILL NEEDED!

COVNA still has no President or Vice-President. If willing to serve, contact any officer listed above. Only a relatively few members have been doing the work to keep COVNA the neighborhood we know and cherish.

Maybe it is your time to step up and serve. The task is not onerous. There are only four business meetings and two parties and much support available from active, experienced members.

Sorry to be repetitive but the need won't go away until the positions are filled.

Johnny G’s Butcher Block

HOME OF THE BEST LITTLE MEAT MARKET IN SOUTH AUSTIN

Specializing in
Fresh Choice Beef, Pork, Sausage, Jerky
Wild Game Processing
Wholesale/Retail
Tanglewood Business Park
11600 Manchaca Rd Ste H
Austin, TX 78748
512-280-6514

Owners
Grover Swift
Jill Peevy Swift

10% DISCOUNT WITH THIS AD


Advertise in the COVNA Newsletter
Only $10.00/month. Reaches over 400 homes & Online at COVNA.org
Email Doug Tabony at: tabonyproductions@austin.rr.com

VOTE MAY 9TH

It’s always important to stand up and be counted by voting. Last November was an historic election and around 70% of Austin’s registered voters cast ballots. To make your vote count even more, be sure to vote in local elections.

May 9th the City of Austin is holding elections for Mayor, City Council Place 2, 5, and 6, as well as a special election for the unexpired term for Place 1. In the last mayoral/city council election only 11.2% of registered voters in Austin took part and only 440 of 4,059 or 10.85% of our Precinct 355 voted. There are 420 households in Castlewood and Oak Valley alone. Your voice will have much greater impact in local elections than the more “glamorous” national elections by a long shot.

Familiarize yourself with the candidates through the League of Women Voters Austin Area website, the Statesman, live or televised candidate forums, or whatever you can find and go to the polls and vote. Early voting is from April 27 to May 5. May 1st is the last day to apply for absentee ballots.


GET PAID FOR
SAVING ENERGY

Beginning in 2009, you can get an income tax credit with a lifetime total cap of $1,500 for installing efficient new windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in your home. The home improvements tax credit applies for improvements “placed in service” from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. However, efficiency criteria will vary dependant on when these items are "placed in service" (installed). Modifications to the criteria were made on products placed in service after February 17, 2009. The overall $1,500 cap can be reached in several ways with the purchase and installation of energy-efficient products that meet certain efficiency criteria:

•Exterior windows: Includes skylights and storm windows.
•Insulation, exterior doors, or roofs: Includes seals to limit air infiltration, such as   caulk, weather stripping, and foam sealants, as well as storm doors.
•Central air conditioner, heat pump, furnace, boiler, water heater, or bio gas
  (e.g. corn) stove.

Windows, doors, insulation, and roofs must be expected to last at least five years (a two-year warranty is sufficient to demonstrate this). Manufacturers can certify (in packaging or on the company’s web site) which of their products qualify for the tax credit. Retailers, contractors, and manufacturers should be able to help you determine what qualifies.

The tax credit amount is now 30 percent of the cost of the measures, including installation costs for heating and cooling equipment, but only product costs for windows, insulation, and other parts of the building “shell.” There is a total lifetime cap on the credit amount of $1,500; thus the credit applies to up to $5,000 in total qualifying costs.

You will need to file IRS Form 5695 with your taxes. You will need to keep receipts proving that you purchased the improvements and a copy of the manufacturer’s certification.

Rebates and low interest loans are also available locally through Austin Energy. Homes more than ten years old benefit from energy analysis. Making recommended improvements can help you reduce electric bills and increase comfort. Contact a participating company for a home energy analysis.

A Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Rebate covers up to 20% of the cost of certain improvements—up to $1575. The city offers rebates on these improvements:

•Air conditioner or heat pump (14 SEER/11.5 EER or greater)
•Duct repair and sealing
•Additional attic insulation
•Solar screens, window film, and Low-E glass
•Caulking and weather stripping
•Attic radiant barrier/reflective material
•Bonus: Extra 20% rebate for air conditioner and heat pump

Check out details through the links at:
www.austinenergy.com/energy Efficiency/Programs/Rebates/Residential/Home Performance with Energy Star/index.htm. Also check out the low interest loans available for improvements through the links under “Related Content”.

PETE’S CUSTOMIZED PAINTING

Commercial & Residential
Free Estimates

35 Years Experience

436-5718




EDITOR'S CORNER

Spring is truly in full swing. All the trees have leafed out completely around the neighborhood except the early to fall, late to return leaves of the pecan. Where the sun can peek around the trees, flowers are blooming profusely. Our recently planted Bur and Chinquapin Oaks have finally leafed out well but surprisingly the Mesquite is still nearly leafless.

Our son has been swept up by the spirit of spring. After threatening to do so for years, he has put in a modest vegetable garden and started Sweet Pea and Morning Glory vines on the small section of chain link fence. He was even spotted weeding his garden. It’s hard to resist the spirit of the season.


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River City Pest Control

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282-2460
8704 Oak Ledge Dr, Austin TX 78748

Insect Control
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