Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 29 | Feb. 23, 2018
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This past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting a group of volunteers who were on a simple mission: to beautify O.P. Schnabel Park. As part of the annual Basura Bash, these volunteers collected litter for hours. Because of their work, O.P. Schnabel Park is cleaner and more welcoming for all.
Parks are crucial for the prosperity and health of our community. Whether you are looking to connect with friends, take a walk, or simply enjoy the outdoors, a park is the place to be.
I know many of you are just as invested in our green spaces as these volunteers, so I urge you and your neighbors to take part in shaping the SA Parks System Plan by taking the survey below. The revised plan will guide how our parks develop over the next 10 years. Please voice your opinion!
Click
here to take the survey.
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One of the ways Councilwoman Sandoval wants to give you the answers you need about city government is through "Ask Ana Anything", a recurring part of the weekly District 7 newsletter. Have a question for Ana? Email it to
district7@sanantonio.gov with the subject line "Ask Ana Anything".
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Councilwoman,
I saw that you posted about a public input meeting the MPO held earlier this week. I couldn’t attend, but would appreciate if I could still participate. Is it too late?
Thanks,
Stuck in Traffic
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Dear Stuck,
Thank you for your question. Some quick background will help:
The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) decides which transportation projects in our area get federal dollars. Right now, they are developing their 2019-2022 Transportation Improvement Program, which means they will soon determine which of 48 proposed projects receive funding. They held one of several public input meeting this past Wednesday.
Your help in developing the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program is vital to reducing traffic congestion on Bandera Road. Bandera Road ties our District together. No matter how far west or how far east you live, chances are that you drive on Bandera to get to work or to the grocery store.
However, the MPO does not fund projects unless they have a plan. And, right now, there isn’t a plan for Bandera. One of the 48 proposed transportation projects is a Mobility Corridor Plan, which, if funded, would design a plan for eight corridors in San Antonio—potentially including Bandera Road. Securing funding for the Mobility Corridor Plan is a critical next step in addressing congestion on Bandera, and it isn’t too late for you to help.
The MPO has set up a web page with information on all 48 of the projects and a survey for you to share your input. To participate, click
here.
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Sincerely,
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
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Councilwoman in the Community
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Councilwoman Sandoval will be joining Coffee with the Cops tomorrow, February 24th, between 10:00 and 11:00 AM. It is hosted at the McDonalds at 3515 Culebra Road.
All residents are welcome!
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Councilwoman Ana Sandoval values your input (and coffee). That's why we're inviting you to: Coffee with Ana on March 10th.
District 7 residents have the opportunity to have a 15-minute, one-on-one conversation with Councilwoman Sandoval. These conversations are by appointment only.
To make an appointment, call 210-207-0872 or send an email with the subject line "Coffee with Ana" to district7@sanantonio.gov.
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Small businesses are the backbone of San Antonio’s economy. Most of us work for small companies, and they account for a large share of the jobs created across our city.
In District 7, we want to work with these businesses, and help them any way we can. One of our challenges in District 7 is attracting new jobs and investment.
To start the conversation, we’re hosting the first-ever District 7 Small Business Town Hall on Friday, March 9th. Here is the agenda:
- 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM: Breakfast and Networking
- 9:00 AM: Welcome by St. Mary’s University
- 9:05 AM: Opening Remarks - Councilwoman Sandoval
- 9:10 to 9:50 AM: Panel Discussion moderated by Irene Chavez, including:
- Councilwoman Sandoval
- LiftFund
- Najim Center for Business Innovation
- COSA Economic Development
Here are the resource tables participating in the event:
- UTSA Small Business Development Center
- Westside Development Corporation
- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- LiftFund
- City of San Antonio Economic Development
- LaunchSA
- Najim Center for Business Innovation
- PTAC – Procurement Technical Assistance Center
- SAWS – Small Minority and Women Owned Business Program
- PeopleFund
- SCORE
If you own your own business, please
RSVP and plan to attend! We want to get to know you and your company.
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Construction Project Updates
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AACOG is offering free weatherization to low-income households, which may include: weather-stripping; installing energy efficient light bulbs; caulking; duct sealing; insulating attics, walls, and pipes; and tuning up or replacing cooling systems or furnace tune ups.
Homeowners and renters are both eligible to apply. For more information, call 210-362-5282 or visit: www.aacog.com/wap
Note: assistance cannot be provided if house is in need of major repairs such as roofing, house leveling, plumbing, or electrical.
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Here’s a Healthy Tip – Eat More
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by Dr. Colleen Bridger, Director at San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
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One of Metro Health’s priorities is reducing child and family obesity, so you may be surprised to read that in my inaugural Health Tips column I’m actually advocating eating more!
Many of you have heard experts say that the obesity problem is one of simple math—too many calories in and not enough calories out (also known as “exercise”) equals weight gain. So, imagine my surprise to learn that a major study has found that people who eat breakfast actually weigh less (an average of 5 pounds less) than people who skip it. Plus, the breakfast eaters consumed more calories each day than the non-breakfast eaters! So, what gives? Well, remember the obesity equation has two parts and it turns out the “calories out” part works better if you start your day well fueled. Folks who eat breakfast feel better and thus have the energy to burn more calories throughout the day. Interestingly, it didn’t seem to matter what the people ate for breakfast, just that they ate something. Of course, I’d recommend a bowl of whole grain cereal topped with some protein-rich yogurt and fruit.
More than half of all Americans (including children) regularly skip breakfast, either in an attempt to lose weight, or just out of habit. Parents take note: kids whose parents skipped breakfast were much more likely to skip it themselves.
This is one unhealthy habit I’d urge folks to break. Want more proof? There are other studies that show that kids who eat breakfast perform better in school and suffer less from chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and depression. Also, one study found that people who ate breakfast were less likely to get the flu.
I know we often equate making healthy choices with making sacrifices, but here is one very yummy exception. It turns out mom was right, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day.
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Are you interested in becoming more active in your community? Help us beautify District 7 by donating your time and efforts.
Annual Graffiti Wipeout Volunteer Day
Saturday, March 3, 2018
8:30 am - 12 PM
Questions? Contact Melissa Escamilla at 210-207-8178 or Lisa McKenzie at 210-207-5430.
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To view more events, visit the calendar on the Your District 7 website
here.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Wednesdays: 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Forest Hills Libary, 5245 Ingram Rd
VITA staff and volunteers will be available to assist with filing your tax returns. This is for people with $60,000 or less in taxable income. This will occur weekly until April 14th.
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C.O.P. Class
Date: March 7
Time: 6:00 - 10:00 PM
Location: SAPD's Prue Substation, 5020 Prue Road
Here is an opportunity to learn how to make your home and neighborhood safer, and the cost is right- no charge!
The goal of the COP training class is to provide everyday citizens with the knowledge to become the “extra eyes and ears” of the police in our community.
After successful completion of the four hour training class, graduates may choose to join a San Antonio police officer on a ride-along experience to familiarize themselves with patrol procedures. This is one of the most educational, valuable and enjoyable parts of COP training.
For more information, please email Kimberly.Kory@sanantonio.gov.
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Parks Dept's Spring Break Camp
Date: March 12-16
Location: Gilbert Garza Park, 1450 Mira Vista; other locations
available.
Registration is now open for the Parks and Recreation Department's Spring Break Camp for children ages 6 to 14. Register
here.
Activities will include sports, fitness, active games, and crafts. Lunch and snack included. The camp is $3 per child per day.
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Date: March 24
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 1504 E. Commerce Street
Join the Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice, beginning in the Westside and ending Hemisfair Park, in celebration of the life and legacy of an extraordinary labor, human, and civil rights leader: Cesar E. Chavez.
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- Joseph Bravo
- Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
- 210.207.2727
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Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160
Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm
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Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park
By appointment only.
Please call 210-207-2727.
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