September 8, 2026
September Is Here! As summer winds down and we settle into a new school year, September brings plenty of reasons to reconnect with our Anderson Mill neighbors. Labor Day gave us a chance to pause and enjoy time with family and friends, while National Night Out on October 6 is just around the corner and is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, strengthen our community, and make Anderson Mill an even better place to call home.
Inside this issue, you’ll find exciting updates, upcoming events, community news, ways to get involved, and plenty of opportunities to connect, contribute, and be a good neighbor. We hope you’ll join us!
🔺Who is the GNOME Society?
The Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association (AMNA) is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by residents to strengthen community connections and improve the quality of life in the Anderson Mill area. But we had a problem - our acronym is very close to the Anderson Mill Limited District (AMLD), the local government that administers our parks, pools, and more.
To better communicate our non-profit, all-volunteer, and neighbor-first mission, we have adopted the GNOME mascot and name. We feel this change will help differentiate our activities from those of the Limited District and help our neighbors feel more comfortable joining us to make Anderson Mill the best neighborhood it can be!
Whether you call us the Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association, or the GNOMES, or the Good Neighbors of Anderson Mill, we will continue providing programs and activities that promote environmental stewardship, neighborhood safety, community awareness, and opportunities for neighbors to connect with one another. More to come soon!
🌲BIG NEWS! A NEW NATURE FESTIVAL IS COMING TO ANDERSON MILL!
🗓️Saturday, October 24
🕙10am - 2PM
Drum roll, please! The Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association is excited to introduce a brand-new event celebrating all things nature—from the roots beneath our feet to the plants, soil, compost, insects, pollinators, birds, and trees that make our neighborhood thrive.
The GNOME Society Nature Festival will be a free, family-friendly celebration of nature! Enjoy 50-minute sessions on pollinator gardening, beginner composting, and recycling basics, plus mini-sessions on bees, birds, and more. Families can build a birdhouse, make seed balls, join a nature scavenger hunt, and learn how to plant a tree.
Explore local vendors and discover simple ways to create a more nature-friendly yard and home. Bring the whole family and spend the day celebrating the natural world right here in Anderson Mill!
MORE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES COMING!
Festival events and activities are already being posted on our website! Keep checking back throughout September as we add more sessions, activities, vendors, and exciting details. Want to get involved and meet some great neighbors? Email us at naturefest@andersonmillna.org
Thank you to our sponsor, the City of Austin, and its Roots & Wings Festival for inspiring our celebration of nature and helping bring nature education to our community!
🪴Bring Nature Home!
Native Pollinator Garden Kits — $39
AMNA and AMLD have been working together to make Anderson Mill greener and more welcoming to wildlife by adding trees and wildflower patches to our parks and trails.
Now you can bring that same beauty to your own backyard!
With help from an experienced local grower, AMNA has created a Native Pollinator Garden Kit designed specifically for Central Texas. These easy-to-grow native plants can attract butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, birds, and other beneficial wildlife while adding beauty to your yard. Sun and shade kits available.
🌱 Plant this fall! Give your plants time to establish strong roots and enjoy blooms next spring, summer, and fall.
EACH $39 KIT INCLUDES:
- 24 native plants in 1.5 - inch pots
- At least 6 native species
- Plants covering approximately 75 square feet
- Planting & growing guides
- Garden design ideas
🗓️Order by: September 23
🛻Pick up: October 24, 10 AM–2 PM at the GNOME Society Nature Festival
100% of proceeds benefit and support AMNA’s nonprofit educational programs.
Help us make Anderson Mill bloom—one yard at a time!
🌳Free Trees, Delivered!
Tree Folks Canopy Club is offering up to 2 FREE trees delivered right to your home starting in October! Use this link or scan the QR code below to see what trees are available and sign up to have yours delivered:
🥳Host a National Night Out Block Party!
🗓️Any night in October after the 6th
Be the neighbor who brings everyone together!
National Night Out is Tuesday, October 6, but your block party can be held any day that works best for you and your neighbors!
You don’t need to plan anything fancy. Your party, your way! Host a potluck, ice cream social, dessert party, pizza night, or create your own neighborhood tradition. The goal is simple: get neighbors together, meet someone new, and build a stronger community.
AMNA is here to help! We’ll provide party-planning tips and a “PARTY HERE” sign to help neighbors find your gathering.
Ready to Host?
Step 1: Register your block party with the Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association at andersonmillna.org/event-nno/
Step 2: Want first responders to stop by? Register with the APD Office of Community Liaison to request visits from APD, AFD, or EMS visits: bit.ly/AustinNNO2026
Step 3: Register your party at National Association of Town Watch (NATW) for great National Night Out information, party ideas, and NNO-themed merchandise.
Questions? Contact the NNOcommittee@andersonmillna.org
AM Limited District News
💰Public Hearing on Proposed 2026 Tax Rate
🗓️Thursday, September 10th, 2026
🕡6:30pm
The Anderson Mill Limited District (AMLD) will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2026 tax rate this Thursday, September 10th at 6:30 PM at the Community Center on El Salido Parkway.
Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the proposed tax rate. Citizens Communication will also be available, providing residents with an opportunity to address the Board and share their comments.
The meeting agenda is posted on the AMLD website and includes the full list of agenda items.
Other topics on the agenda include the appointment of Michael Habibi to the Board of Directors, the Senior Center Pollinator Garden, and reports from the District’s committees and directors.
🤝AM Limited District Town Hall
🗓️September 24th
🕡6:30 - 8:00 PM
Join your Anderson Mill Limited District Board of Directors and staff for an upcoming Town Hall Meeting. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from District leaders, learn about community updates and resources, and ask questions.
Residents are encouraged to attend and be part of the conversation.
Light refreshments will be provided.
School News
🏃🏽➡️2nd Annual Warrior 5K Dash
🗓️Saturday, September 19
🕢7:30 AM
The 2nd Annual Warrior 5K Dash in Anderson Mill benefits the Westwood High School Deca Club.
North Park will be closed to the public during the event. Drivers should expect traffic delays along Lake Creek Parkway from Westwood High School to School House Lane.
Plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and cheer on the runners!
🍬Westwood High School Homecoming Parade
🗓️Wednesday, September 23
🕕6:00 PM
📍Mellow Meadow -> Millwright Parkway -> Woodland Village
Come cheer on the Westwood Warriors! The annual Homecoming Parade winds through the neighborhood, starting on Mellow Meadow, continuing to Millwright Parkway and Woodland Village before returning to the high school.
Bring the kids because students will be tossing candy along the route! Show your Warrior spirit and enjoy this fun Anderson Mill tradition!
🗳️Elections Are Coming! Are You Registered?
🗓️OCTOBER 5 IS THE DEADLINE!
Election Day is November 3, 2026. Take a few minutes now to make sure you’re registered and your information is up to date. Even if you haven't moved or changed your name, Texas placed over 1,000,000 registered voters on a "suspense list," meaning they must update their information or become ineligible to vote after October 5th.
Check your registration: Visit VoteTexas.gov and search “Am I Registered?”
Need to register? Texas residents can register beginning at 17 years and 10 months old, as long as they will be 18 years old by Election Day and meet eligibility requirements.
Need Help Registering?
🗓️Saturdays
🕖7:00 - 10:00 PM
The League of Women Voters offers voter registration assistance every Saturday, 7–10 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline.
Don’t wait, check your registration today and be ready to vote!
Member discussion