Zilker Food: South Lamar Southside Flying Pizza Is Open

 After a few months of remodeling, the South Lamar location of Southside Flying Pizza is open again.

Zilker Area News: Cat Lounge Opens

Are you looking for a new cat or are you a catless person who just wants to play with some feline friends?  The Purr-Fecto Cat Lounge has just opened at 2300 South Lamar, Unit 104 (same building at the Batteries Plus).  

Zilker Area News: Tiny Pies Coming to Lamar Union

 

I saw this on Saturday while walking to breakfast at Maudie's (tacos make great fuel for an early trip out to COTA for F1 United States Grand Prix related events).   Tiny Pies is coming to Lamar Union, to work out of the space formerly occupied by a purveyor of fancy juice drinks (not smoothies, as a friend told me he was once castigated for using the wrong beverage terminology).   I don't have any additional details; now that you have seen a photo of the sign you have as much information as I do.  What I can tell you is that in the event you have not tried Tiny Pies, they make some delicious products.  

[11/11/21 Update: They are open.]

Zilker Area News: Coyote Sightings

 I've seen on a few neighborhood sites that coyotes have recently been seen in the Zilker neighborhood.  People have even reported daytime sightings, which I recall as hitherto extremely rare.   So, if you live in the area (or any neighborhood near a creek, greenbelt, etc):

• Keep small pets indoors or inside a fenced yard if possible.  
• Coyotes have killed many Zilker cats over the years.  
• Check out these tips on "coyote hazing" in the event you confront one: Humane Society's Coyote Hazing Tips
• Check out the city's information on handling coyotes: City of Austin Coyote Information
• If you are wondering where to buy bear spray, look no further than REI (and if you're a member, said purchase of said bear spray will go toward your dividend).

Preliminary Redrawn Map for Austin City Council Districts

The Current Austin City Council District Map (click to enlarge)

You've probably hear that the Texas Legislature is currently involved in redrawing district maps for state and Federal offices.  The City of Austin is also redrawing its maps for city council districts.  Last month, the Independent Citizen's Redistricting Commission issued its preliminary map of the new council districts.   

The city has 3 public forums listed as upcoming on its Facebook page.   The commission will redraw a final map at the end of the month and present it to the city council by November 1st.  

Take a look at the new map.  I, for example, was quite surprised to find out that the preliminary map would place me in district 9 [note: I ran for office in district 5 back in 2014].  I have ideas about why they did this to my precinct, though I am not happy at the thought of being split off from the rest of Zilker (no offense to D9; I'd just rather stay in the same district with Zilker and Barton Hills).  So, check the map: you may be for a surprise as well.  

Food on Barton Springs Road

Yesterday, when I turned on to Barton Springs Road, I noticed something new on the sight of the former Darcy's Donkey and Austin Java.  A Ski Shores Café is being built in the space.   As resident in the Zilker neighborhood, I'm glad to see another dining/bar option slated to open within walking distance.

Next door, in the space once occupied by Uncle Billy's, we have an Austin Eastciders tasting room going in.

Not on Barton Springs (but close enough) is Carpenter's Hall.  I've been there several times for drinks and I like it.  Once I sample the food (I always seem to be there at the wrong time to eat) I'll share more about it.

Zilker NA Budget in a Box Workshop

Zilker Residents: 

As you may know, the City of Austin will soon begin the process of setting its budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Please join us as the Zilker Neighborhood Association (ZNA) hosts a neighborhood Budget-in-a-Box workshop. This will be a facilitated discussion about the city’s budget, as well as services and performance. Once complete, the group’s input will be given to the city. We hope you can join us for this civic engagement. 

What: Budget in a Box Workshop
When: Saturday, May 16th, from 1:30-3:30pm
Where: Meeting Room #1 - Twin Oaks Library Branch located at 1800 South 5th Street

Please RSVP to floydaustinblog [at] gmail.com if you plan to attend.

Zilker Neighborhood Association May General Meeting

Zilker Residents:

The Zilker Neighborhood Association will be holding its next quarterly general meeting on May 18, 2015, from 6:30p-8p at Zilker Elementary School (1900 Bluebonnet Lane 78704).  Mark your calendars.  Information about any speakers and topics of discussion will be forthcoming.

 

Austin City Council District 5

Yes, the rumors are true.  I am running for Austin City Council to represent District 5.  I filed the treasurer form with the Austin City Clerk this afternoon.  Nick Laurent, an attorney with McGinnis Lochridge and a Zilker neighborhood resident, is the treasurer of the #FloydFor5 campaign.  Monty Exter, a resident of Shady Hollow, has signed on to be Finance Chair.   Stay tuned for more information.  We'll have a website and Facebook page up soon.  You can follow me on Twitter at @wdfloyd and you can look for the hashtag #FloydFor5