Andrea Richeson

I recently attended a meeting with several parents, kids, teachers, and other supporters of the Austin Parks Department – Dougherty Arts Center C-Club.

We received notice that our beloved C-Club program may be closed next year or perhaps at best turned into a program at some of the area rec centers.

C-Club teaches K-5 kids art and theater in an on-site after-school program.  It’s a community-based, highly creative, affordable, safe, uniquely effective and engaging program that is universally loved by parents, teachers, and kids.

As it turns out, the funding for the program has largely disappeared due to city-wide budget issues. Although the C-Club program is a money-maker for the city, and by all accounts wildly successful, the money paid into the program goes into the City’s general fund. The money returned to the program through the city’s budget process is not enough to sustain it. At this point, it looks like there is a deficit of about $200k to keep the program afloat.

So, what do we do now?  We need to make some noise and explain why this cost-effective, revenue-generating program is great for our kids, great for working parents, great for our teacher/artists, and great for the community at large.

• Email Mayor Leffingwell & the City Council: (Chris Riley, Mike Martinez, Kathie Tovo , Laura Morrison,  Bill Spelman,  Sheryl Cole)
  http://www.austintexas.gov/government
• Contact the City Manager Marc Ott: 512-974-2200
• Contact the City Chief Financial Officer Leslie Browder: 512-974-3344
• Attend a City Council Meeting and let them know you care about the program: Council Meeting Information Center

I purchased saveaustincclub.org and dsaveaustincclub.com, and will soon point these addresses to a C-Club specific blog.

Visit the “Save Austin C-Club” facebook page for more information.

–Andrea Richeson

Gullett Elementary mother of 2

aricheson@gmail.com

The Hill Country Ride for AIDS is an annual cycling and running event that rolls through beautiful Central Texas, starting and ending at Reunion Ranch on April 28th, 2012.

Whether you’re a rider, runner, or want to pitch in as a volunteer – I hope you join me on the TradeMark Media team for this fun community event.

Riders, runners, and volunteers provide life saving support for thousands of Central Texans living with HIV/AIDS by raising money for 10 local nonprofit organizations.

It’s not a race, and all levels of riders and runners are welcomed and celebrated.

Bikers: You choose the distance that best suites you: 13, 27, 53, 70, 100 miles, and all routes are fully supported with helpful volunteers. Our free training rides will help you prepare for any distance. You can choose to ride individually or you can start a team with friends, officemates, family members, or anyone you know.

Runners: This year, you can choose from 5k, 10k and half marathon trail runs.

This is an event for the whole family, including special pricing for the kids.

My goal is to ride 100 miles.

Please help me raise $10 per mile for a fundraising goal of $1000.

Your help will make a huge difference for thousands of our neighbors.

So, please join me on Team TradeMark Media, volunteer your time, or send in a donation of $5 or more.

Thank you,
Andrea

Dear Mr. Coffee:

My Mr Coffee coffee pot is the poster child for poor usability. I hate it. And one of these days, I’m going to accidentally drop it so I can justify spending the extra $50 to replace it with one that understands my needs. Also, I’m never buying this brand, ever again.

Here’s the problem: Darn thing says it can hold 12 cups, but if you go slightly over 12 when filling it up, water leaks out the back. Right, they actually built in holes in the back of the water container, so water dribbles out the back and onto your counter.  For weeks, I couldn’t figure out why it was leaking. Yes, I’m a little slow in the morning.

Even if you hit the 12 cup mark perfectly, move the coffee pot back on the counter (to get it out of kids’ reach) and you’re sloshing water out the back.

Ugh. It’s so annoying.

Morals of the story:

1. Companies need to design for real-world use and take 5 minutes to do at least a basic test of usability. Otherwise  they’re going to alienate  customers, and maybe lose them forever.
2. When buying a new product or service, consumers should take a close look at workmanship. We should be prepared to spend a few extra bucks, if necessary, to get a something we don’t want to leave under the wheels of our cars.

–Andrea

The next big ride is on: The 2011 Mamma Jamma Ride.

I’ll be shooting for the 100-mile course again. With the help of many friends and my dear family, I know I’ll make it.

Last year, we raised $1500 for Central Texas Men and Women battling breast cancer and the whole ride raised about $400k. This year, let’s raise even more.

Here’s why:

About 900 of our Austin-area neighbors are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.  I’m not a breast cancer survivor – but I have several friends and family members who are. And I know some wonderful people who didn’t survive. Chances are, you know a lot of people who have struggled with cancer as well.

Now imagine going through that alone.

The Austin-area is blessed with many organizations who can help. 11 organizations are beneficiaries of the ride this year – and they do amazing work in our community.

Please support this ride to make sure that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer in the Austin area has:

• encouragement from other survivors
• access to food, shelter, and transportation
• resource referrals
• companionship
• access to professionals who can help the children of people fighting breast cancer
• assistance for treatment and follow-up

Together, we can make a big difference in our community. So please, join me again this year to support the ride.

Join my Team | Volunteer | Donate

Many many thanks,

Andrea

http://www.mammajammaride.org/goto/richeson

Thank you to all the volunteers, other riders, the ride organizers, and my friends and familiy: Together, we all raised close to $600k for the Hill Country Ride for AIDS.

Way to go.

April 30th: It was a beautiful day and an amazing experience.I finished the 100-mile ride with just minutes to spare. Special thanks to all my ride buddies, for keeping me motivated along the way: Lisa, Kathy, Brandon, David, Dale.

I hope you’ll ride with me next year!

Thank you thank you thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

–Andrea

If you are a rider, crew, donor, or supporter of the Hill Country Ride, you have contributed to allowing people to live with dignity and love. There may be no greater gift. On behalf of the thousands who are thriving because of you, and all the family members and friends who will always remember and miss those gone, thank you.

A Mom’s story:

Jeff was a resident at Doug’s House for four separate occasions over a seven-year period. During that time, Jeff established himself as an integral part of the story of Doug’s House. Each time he came to Doug’s House he had experienced a significant decline, resulting in him no longer being able to live independently. At Doug’s House, Jeff was able to receive the critical services he needed, such as a safe place to stay and access to meals and medications. When asked how he felt about coming back to Doug’s House most recently, Jeff stated, “I feel like I’m coming home.”

Jeff died peacefully at Doug’s House this past weekend. Jeff’s mom stated about the staff at Doug’s House, “They are the most loving, caring, professional group of people. I don’t know how we could have done it without them.”

Jeff was always so grateful for the support he received at Doug’s House. If he were alive today, he would want to say “Thank You” to all of the supporters of the Hill Country Ride for AIDS. Your support helps to continue the great work of Project Transitions.

Please support efforts to make sure that everyone living with AIDS has the support and care they need to live, and sometimes die, with dignity.

I’m riding 100 miles on April 30th. Help me raise $10 per mile for a fundraising goal of $1000. It will make a huge difference for thousands of our neighbors.

• Donate $5 now.
• Join my ride team.
• Volunteer

The Hill Country Ride for AIDS is an annual cycling event that rolls through beautiful Central Texas on April 30th, 2011! The ride includes routes of 13, 27, 53, 70, 100 miles, and all routes are fully supported with helpful volunteers. Free training rides will help you prepare for any distance. This is a ride for the whole family, including special pricing for the kids.

AIDS doesn’t make the headlines like it used to, but the fact is there are more people with AIDS than ever before. Today, 6,000 people will die of AIDS, and 7,000 more will become infected. This seems overwhelming, but we can do something! Riders and volunteers provide life saving support for thousands of Central Texans living with HIV/AIDS by raising money for 10 local nonprofit organizations.

Please support me in my efforts to make sure that everyone living with AIDS has the support and care they need.

I’m riding 100 miles — please help me raise $10 per mile for a fundraising goal of $1000.

Join my team || Donate Now!

Thank you for helping me reach my goal, it will make a huge difference for thousands of our neighbors.

From the White House blog: The President Signs Repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”: “Out of Many, We Are One”

I feel such a profound sense of relief.

See the blog and video of the signing ceremony.

On September 25, 2010 I will be participating in a powerful grassroots event to help thousands of Texans diagnosed with breast cancer.

With hundreds of people, I will bicycle 100 miles through beautiful Central Texas in the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride. I’m raising money to provide direct care services to Texans diagnosed with breast cancer.  Simply, your support will save and improve the lives of thousands of Texans. Check out the 100-mile route:

Breast cancer affects all of us.  Over 515 Americans are diagnosed with breast cancer every day and 1 woman out of 8 is diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. 1 man out of 1000 will be diagnosed with breast cancer as well.

I’m riding with Team BCRC, a Central Texas non-profit that helps people affected by breast cancer navigate through diagnosis, treatment, recovery and beyond. The Breast Cancer Resource Center’s Patient Advocates, who staff local treatment centers and hospitals, hold the hands of people diagnosed with cancer. They explain the process, share their own stories of survival, and they make a powerful difference in the lives of Texans.

I have agreed to raise $1500.00.  Please Donate Now.

From $5 to $500, your donation makes a big impact. I ask that you sponsor me as a rider and make a difference for some wonderful people who really need us.  Help me reach my goal by sharing this link with your friends.

If you prefer you may write a check payable to Texas Mamma Jamma Ride and send to: PO Box 49097, Austin , TX 78765 .  Please make sure my name, “Andrea Richeson”  is on the memo line of the check.  All donations are tax deductible under 501C(3) provisions.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. It means a lot to me, and to all of those individuals who receive help and support through the Texas Mamma Jamma Ride.

All my best,

Andrea

http://www.mammajammaride.org/goto/AndreaRicheson

Beautiful article from @lukewdesign on The Apple Store’s Checkout Form Redesign: http://bit.ly/57S2sL (RT @marlaerwin: RT @jmspool)