The City of Austin is seeking your input! Recently, the City announced the start of the next phase of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, where public participation remains a strong focus.

City officials are asking for specific input about how Austin can grow most sustainably during the next 30 years in a series of community forums held throughout the City. The forums, which are being held September 20 through October 6, 2010, give participants an opportunity to voice concerns and preferences on a variety of future scenarios. At these workshops Austinites can see displays explaining the scenarios and maps, compare indicators for a sustainable future and talk with planners, City staff and community task force members.

Based on community feedback, a scenario will be developed to guide comprehensive plan developments. These forums are the last opportunity for broad public input in 2010. The next round of community forums will occur in the fall of 2011, when the public will have an opportunity to review sections of a draft plan. Austin City Council is expected to adopt a final plan in 2012.

For more information on how you can provide input, get involved and stay up-to-date on Imagine Austin, visit www.imagineaustin.net.

Mark your calendars and get ready to join your fellow Texans in celebrating National Night Out from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5!

National Night Out is an annual event during which a block party or social gathering is held in participating neighborhoods across the country with the goal of promoting neighborhood safety. Local police and fire departments are often invited to these gatherings to show support for their community.

National Night Out is not limited to one location; home owner associations and residents are encouraged to host a National Night Out event in their own neighborhoods on October 5. You can register your event with the Austin Police Department (APD) to receive National Night Out promotional materials and invite emergency personnel to attend. Although APD asks to receive applications by September 15, those who register their event after this date could potentially receive National Night Out materials and a visit from APD if supplies and scheduling allow.

Of course you can always organize your own event without officially registering it. The Austin Board of REALTORS® is providing event planning guides and promotional materials that you can customize for your event---included are flyer templates, suggestions for themes and activities and more.

If you're unable to host or attend a National Night Out event in your neighborhood, bring your family and friends to the National Night Out Kick Off event, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 5, at The Grove at South Park Meadows, located at 9300-9900 IH 35 South. AustinHomeSearch.com will have a booth set up at this location, so please stop by and say hello!

National Night Out is also a great opportunity talk to your neighbors about forming a Neighborhood Watch Program. Neighborhood watch groups help prevent residential crime and allow neighbors to quickly spread word during emergency situations. If you would like to learn more about starting your own neighborhood watch group, visit USAonWatch.org.

However you choose to celebrate National Night Out, we hope you'll join the State of Texas in sending a message to criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. We look forward to seeing you on October 5!

Congratulations! You have found a seemingly perfect neighborhood and just moved into your dream home. All seems well…until you begin to notice that the dog across the street barks all night long and the teenager next door likes to practice playing the drums at 5 a.m.

No matter where you live, you may occasionally be faced with a not-so-courteous neighbor. Below are some tips to help you deal with any issue in a good neighborly fashion.

Speak Up
The best solution for dealing with disruptive neighbors is to talk to them. If they are playing music too loudly, for example, let them know about it. A simple polite request to turn the volume down will usually solve the problem that very moment. The worst thing you can do when faced with a disturbance is to do nothing at all. If you don't voice your concerns, your neighbors may never realize they are bothering anyone.

When approaching others about an issue, it is important to be open to compromise. If they can't bear to discontinue their behavior, perhaps they'll be open to changing the day or time they engage in the activity so that it becomes less disruptive. By suggesting compromise to resolve an issue, you act as a friend trying to reach an agreement—not a stranger trying to mandate change.

Don't Fight Fire with Fire
Being polite is critical. Greeting your neighbors with an angry attitude could escalate the issue and turn you into the annoying neighbor. If your neighbor reacts angrily to your request and proves impossible to talk to after various attempts on your part, it may be wise to seek the help of an outside authority, such as a landlord or even the police, depending on the severity of the disturbance. If you ever feel threatened by your neighbors after making a complaint, you should contact the police.

Do Your Homework Beforehand
Visiting a neighborhood during different times and days of the week before moving into it can help you avoid unpleasant surprises, as it will give you a deeper sense of the neighborhood's noise and activity level. Walking around the block—instead of driving—will allow you to better assess sights, sounds and smells, as well as talk to potential neighbors.

Remember that everyone has a different lifestyle, and what you consider inappropriate may seem completely normal to someone else. By doing your homework and working to peacefully co-exist with your neighbors, you all can enjoy your properties with little to no trouble at all!