As with the recent tornado disasters, the Austin-Travis County
Emergency Operations Center has asked that folks stay away from areas ravaged by these
horrible Hill Country Summer Floods of 1997. Volunteers to assist in physical
clean-up are not needed at this time. We will post notices here when they are.
Meanwhile, the best way to help is to send cash donations to: the Salvation Army,
PO Box 1000, 78767, 476-1111; Capital Area Food Bank, PO Box
18311, 78760, 448-2111; or the area American Red Cross, 2218 Pershing, 78723,
928-4271.
On Second Thought, Don’t Send Us Your Tired…
Don’t even get us started on federal welfare reform and immigration
laws…. Recent changes to our good old melting pot’s laws are squeezing even perfectly legal
recent immigrants. Legal Aid of Central Texas, Volunteer Legal Services of
Central Texas, local immigration attorneys, and other groups that assist immigrants are
cooperating on a series of clinics called the 40 Quarters Work History Project to
be held twice weekly, Mondays at Brooke Elementary and Wednesdays at Webb Middle
School, 6-7pm. The clinics will offer free immigration advice and counseling.
476-7244 or 800/369-9270.
Everybody Needs
The latest Texas Alliance for Human Needs (TAHN) newsletter further
documents the repercussions of recent legislation affecting immigrants to the U.S. Each
quarter, the TAHN newsletter is packed with data and info concerned with issues
affecting low and moderate-income people in Texas, immigrant or no. TAHN is a coalition
of various Texas groups working on similar goals. This issue of the letter not
only outlines the specifics of the public legislation but also includes a handy
pullout section detailing bulk mail regulations for non-profit groups.
hn0796@handsnet.org or 474-5019.
Everybody Needs a Li’l TLC
Texas Lawyers Care (TLC), a project of the State Bar of Texas, is
coordinating SSI for Kids Disability Project to provide pro bono
representation to Texas children potentially losing their Social Security Income benefits.
463-1463 or 800/204-2222, ext. 2155.
Lighten Up, Leadfoot
Despite the completion of the traditional academic year, many AISD and
private school campuses are the sites for summer school classes, year round classes,
summer fun camps, and free lunch programs. Reduced 20mph School Speed Zones are in effect. Some AISD sites will have crossing guards to assist children. Please
don’t drive like a maniac. 499-7273.
Sweet Beasts
Puppies love. Kitties lick. Humans bite… when they don’t take
responsibility for their pets and their pets’ progeny. So many pups, so little time. Thank
goodness our Humane Society of Austin is expanding its hours and opening on
Mondays and Tuesdays, making pet adoptions available seven days a week. The New
Adoption Center Hours are Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm and Sundays, 1-5pm. 837-7985, ext.
226.
No Need to Feel Down
Last week, the YMCA of Austin opened the North Park Branch,
9616 N. Lamar, after a fire damaged the facility earlier in the year. The club
includes exercise equipment, racquetball courts, aerobics, a nursery, a children’s
game and computer center, locker rooms, and a swimming pool. 973-YMCA.
Another Kind of Prick
This Fri, Jun 27 is National HIV Testing Day. Take the Test,
Take Control is the theme for this year. Anonymous and confidential tests are available at
the Austin-Travis County Health Dept. STD Clinic, 15 Waller St. AIDS
Services of Austin will also provide free referrals and info about the test.
STD Clinic, 708-3500; ASA, 458-AIDS.
Keep the Music Playing
In 1991, local musician Tony Murillo lost his mother to a homicide.
Murillo has championed the cause of victim’s services with the annual When the Music
Stops Benefit for the Victims of Violent Crime. This year, the lineup includes
Delbert McClinton and Joe Ely at the Austin Music Hall, Thu, Jul 3, 8pm.
441-3722.
This article appears in June 27 • 1997 and June 27 • 1997 (Cover).