ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

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

DECEMBER PROGRAM NOTES
HOLIDAY PARTY
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 


The December meeting is traditionally our Annual Holiday Party. We invite everyone to come and join us for food and fellowship plus a little business. COVNA will provide the food and beverages, we just ask you to bring lots of Holiday Cheer. Homemade desserts are always welcome. I know we have a lot of good bakers in the neighborhood. This year we will also be gathering donations and wrapping gifts for our adopted family in need.
See details below.

Merry Christmas – Happy Hanukkah


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FROM THE PRESIDENT

Happy Holidays COVNA neighbors. Here is wishing everyone a Holly Jolly Christmas and a Prosperous and Happy New Year. With luck, I'll be able to personally delivery these sentiments to many of you during our 2004 Holiday Party, Monday, December 20th. There is more in the newsletter about this event, so I won't pile it on...but you can pile on the eats and sweets if you attend.

Besides the festivities, we will have a short business meeting when we will elect two officers - one to serve as Vice-President, and one to serve as Secretary. Barbara Klein has accepted the nomination for Vice-President and Melanie Malewitz has agreed to serve another term as Secretary. Barbara and her husband Dwayne are relatively new to the neighborhood, but have been very involved with the monthly meetings. We are happy to have some new blood added to the Executive Committee. But there is a lot to be said for experienced blood and we appreciate the job Melanie has done for many years now as Secretary and we appreciate her willingness to continue serving the neighborhood.

Shifting gears a little, I need to report on a topic addressed at the Commander's Forum, Wednesday night. The main topic of concern was identity theft. The perpetrators are working in teams of 3 - 4 individuals, spotting a woman shopping by herself in a grocery store or discount store. One person comes up to innocently distract her while an accomplice steals her wallet out of her purse, or steals her purse out of the shopping cart. Within 30 minutes of the theft, thousands of dollars may be charged to credit cards in the form of gift cards, rather than merchandise.

Prevention steps...secure your purse to your shopping cart, or carry on your body so it cannot be stolen. Be aware of "innocent" looking folks seeking assistance. If you are a victim, immediately call 9-1-1 and file a report. Also, to prevent auto break-ins, don't leave your wallet, purse, or any valuables in your autos to invite break-ins. We have experienced a higher number than usual lately, with an arrest being made on Comburg Castleway. At this time of the year, some people will go to desperate measures to have a merry Christmas, making someone else's miserable.

TRAIL OF LIGHTS INFO

The Trail of Lights Festival Grand Opening and Parade begins at 6:30 pm on Sunday, the 12th, followed by the opening of the trail at 7:00 pm. The Trail of Lights is open from 7-10 pm nightly through December 23rd.

Rooted in a 1965 display, today the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park consists of dozens of static and moving displays that has now grown to almost 300,000 lights. One of the first displays you'll see along the Trail of Lights is the 12 Days of Christmas. Back in 1965 it was that display that led to what the Trail of Lights is today.
Parking at or near Zilker Park is usually limited to non-existent during the Trail of Lights. Shuttle service is provided from the State Parking Garages along San Jacinto Street downtown and provides the most hassle-free way to visit the trail.

More info:
www.ci.austin.tx.us/tol/events.htm

COVNA’S ADOPTED FAMILY

Help Make the Holidays Bright for a Family in Need

At our November meeting we voted to adopt a family in need this holiday season. We requested a name from the Christmas Bureau. For more information about this program see their website at:
http://www.volunteersolutions.org/austin/org/215347-printer.html

Our family has 6 members. The mother is temporarily unemployed due to a medical condition. She has her 4 children and a grandson living with her. Her oldest daughter is helping to care for her.

We would like to provide food items and a new gift for each family member. Any other household or personal items that are new or very gently used would be appreciated including family games and activities, clothing, and non-perishable staple items such as flour, sugar, canned goods, cleaning, toiletries, and paper products

Jo contacted the family to ask about their needs and wishes. Amanda indicated that they would like any foods including a ham. Special needs for the household include blankets, pots, and dishes. They have an artificial tree and ornaments from previous years. Amanda is working on her GED, and would be very interested in getting a used computer.

Please bring items to 2403 Vassal (Jo & Doug Tabony's). Doug will keep a list posted on the web site of contributions as they are collected, or you can call us at 280-4080 to see what is still needed. The deadline for contributing items will be at the COVNA Holiday Party, December 20th where we will “wrap it up” and decide, if needed, whether COVNA will contribute funds. Monetary gifts will be used to purchase food and items that are still needed. We will need gift wrapping items and volunteers to wrap presents at the party. Everything will be delivered to the family on the 21st or 22nd.

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