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Your District 7 Newsletter
VOLUME 53 | August 9, 2018
Dear Neighbors,
2,000 backpacks. 10 mascots. 6 bikes. One exciting event. Our Back to School Bash this Saturday is going to be equal parts fun and helpful.

In addition, students can look forward to receiving fresh haircuts, up-to-date immunizations, and physical examinations.

Place for Life Church and I want our students to know: the community believes in your success. There are so many factors that go into student performance—proper school supplies, a healthy body and mind, and pride in your appearance, among others. This Back to School Bash is our effort to support families and their students.

I hope you’ll join us this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Place for Life Church at 5820 Northwest Loop 410. You can register at the event at 9:00 a.m. Your student must be present to receive supplies.

I want to thank all of the community organizations and donors that have contributed and will be present at this year’s bash. Your support is appreciated and impactful. 
Yours in public service,
The Week in Photos
Crossing Points Church welcomed Councilwoman Sandoval for their annual ROAR Week, where she spoke with young District 7 residents about her role in shaping San Antonio. The theme is "building," so as part of ROAR Week, these kids are learning about the different people who work to improve our community and how they can do so, too.
Our office has been working diligently to put together a fantastic Back to School Bash this Saturday--and this week, we received a little help! Volunteers helped us move 2,000 backpacks into Place for Life, where we'll distribute them to students this Saturday.
Councilwoman Sandoval welcomed the West Chamber of Commerce to District 7's St. George Maronite Church this past week, where she presented her vision for the district and the challenges unique to our part of the City.
City Council received a presentation on the proposed FY 2019 City Budget during their Thursday meeting. By law, Council has until September 30 to pass a balanced budget. You can view the presentation here.

Know what you want to see in the City's general budget? Join SASpeakUP for one of their "Budget on Your Block" Community Days, where you can learn about the budget and provide your feedback. Based on resident input, this year's proposed budget includes increased funding for street maintenance and Animal Care Services (ACS). SASpeakUp has a Community Day scheduled for August 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon at Woodlawn Lake Park.
City council hosted a public hearing on the Earned Paid Sick Time petition that the City received on May 24, 2018. The hearing lasted until 10:00 p.m. with over a hundred residents expressing their position on the proposed ordinance. By law, City Council must vote on whether to adopt the ordinance. If Council votes against it, it will go to a popular vote in November.

Would you benefit from Paid Sick Time? Would Paid Sick Time affect your business? Let our office know where you stand on this issue by emailing us.
Ask Ana Anything
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 "Ask Ana Anything".
Hi Ana,

I’ve lived in my home for decades. My home is gorgeous… but it needs a little repair and I can’t afford to pay for them. Can the City help?

Thank you,
Legacy Homeowner
Dear Homeowner,

I’m happy to share that the City’s Neighborhood & Housing Services Department is currently accepting applications for owner-occupied home repair and rehabilitation! Through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City has received $4.5 million in grant funds to help ensure residents have safe housing that complies with the City Code.

Programs like this are one of the best programs the City has to maintain housing affordability and keep San Antonians in secure homes. If you are eligible, I encourage you to apply. The Neighborhood & Housing Services Department will accept applications at a host of different community events over the next month—you can see the full list below.

You can view the eligibility requirements and access the application here. To speak to someone at the Neighborhood & Housing Services Department, you can reach that at 210-207-6459.

Thank you for your question.

Yours in public service,

Ana E. Sandoval
Connect with Your Councilmember
Upcoming Office Events
Save the Date: Back to School Fest on August 11!
This year, we are joining forces with Place for Life Church to host a Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 11th. Join us from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Place for Life Church (5820 NW Loop 410)! 

Look forward to:
  • St. Mary's Ratter Man and UTSA's Rowdy the Roadrunner!
  • Free backpacks & school supplies
  • Food, fun, & entertainment
  • Community Resource Fair
  • Free school immunizations & physicals

Students must register. Additionally, we are in need of donations. To contribute, please visit the page below or contact our office.

Specific supplies we are seeking donations of:
  • Backpacks
  • Boxes of facial tissue
  • Glue sticks
  • #2 pencils
  • Black and blue pens
  • Wide rule spiral notebooks
  • Composition notebooks
  • 3 ring binders (1 inch to 3 inch)
  • Folders with pockets and brads
  • Scissors (blunt blade)
  • Highlighters
  • Wide rule loose leaf paper
  • Markers
  • Colored pencils
  • Red pens
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Sanitizing wipes
  • Pencil pouches or boxes
  • Hand soap
Coffee with Ana and
Community Conversations with the Councilwoman
The next Coffee with Ana and Conversations with the Councilwoman will take place in August.

If you have any questions, call 210-207-0870 or send an email with the subject line to district7@sanantonio.gov.
Councilwoman in the News

"Ahead of the budget proposal presentation, Councilwoman Ana Sandoval (D7), who chairs the Council’s Community Health and Equity Committee, said on Wednesday that the high rates of child abuse and intimate partner violence in San Antonio warrant more funding for programs to address the long-term health impact these experiences cause."


"'This comes at a time that we are developing our strategy for achieving attainment,' pointed out San Antonio Councilwoman Ana Sandoval. 'This proposed allocation would give us a powerful tool in our efforts. Ultimately, the whole community benefits, both in terms of public health and economic health.'"


"'We’ve seen other big cities lower their ozone by much greater amounts than we need to lower ours to be in attainment,' [Councilwoman Sandoval] said. 'Houston has lowered their ozone by 10 parts per billion, and the Beaumont area is now in attainment after being in nonattainment several years ago.'"

Neighbor of the Week
Share Your Thoughts
Announcements
City Accepting Applications for Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Program
The City of San Antonio’s Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD) invites all eligible residents to apply for the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Program. The program was budgeted with $4.5 million after City Council unanimously approved last Thursday the FY 2019 Action Plan and Budget for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant programs. 

Residents of San Antonio who are U.S. citizens or legal residents, have a clear title to their home, carry home insurance, are current on their property taxes and meet HUD’s income guidelines are eligible to apply until Sept. 14. Eligible residents will be selected through a computerized lottery system and notified by October.

Throughout the month of August, NHSD staff members will attend 18 community events (see attachment) to assist eligible residents with applying to the program in-person. Residents may also download the application online.

The Owner Occupied & Rehabilitation Program assists income eligible homeowners to bring their housing into compliance with local codes and provide safe housing. The program can address the following items for repairs: roof, foundation, electrical / plumbing, windows / doors, lead hazards, energy efficiency and accessibility improvements.
Build Your Back-to-School Toolkit with Free Resources from the San Antonio Public Library 
San Antonio Public Library wants to remind students and their families of the many free resources available with a San Antonio Public Library card. Throughout the school year, the Library serves the community in multiple ways by offering resources to support children, teens and educators. Here are a few examples:

Online Homework Help
Access tutors online who are ready to provide elementary, middle and high school level help with math, science, English and social studies (in English or Spanish). You can also access practice lessons, worksheets, study guides and videos 24/7. 

Learning Express Library 
Access SAT and GED prep books online, 24/7. Work through the practice tests for math, reading, and social studies, or download eBooks on writing and grammar. You’ll also find writing courses and practice tests. 

Free WiFi and Public Computers
Visit one of our 30 locations to use free Wi-Fi or take advantage of the Library’s public computers and printers. Visitors can also borrow a laptop at some branches to use while there. 

Research Resources
The Library has a wealth of databases for students to find solid, cite-able sources for almost any subject. Try Explora for Elementary School, Primary Search, Explora for High School, Academic Search Complete or MasterFILE Premier, to name a few.  

After School Activities 
The Library hosts weekly teen-only (13-18) activities at all of 30 locations, and some also have activities just for 9- to 12-year-olds. Stop by after school and make new friends while you learn crafts, watch movies, and experiment with new technologies. Some locations also offer after-school snacks so you can fuel up before you start on your homework!

eBooks and eReading Rooms 
Need to read a book for an assignment and can’t find it? Try looking for an eBook version! The Library also offers eReading rooms that provide a great virtual environment for children and teens to browse within the San Antonio Public Library digital library. Each room is customized to display content only for the particular browsing audience, cataloged by reading level. 

The Teen Library at Central 
At the Teen Library at Central, there is a lab that allows 3D printing, a computer lab, free Wi-Fi, gaming space and even a recording studio. And the teen book collection keeps growing, with titles that include teen fiction, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) materials, manga and graphic novels. The books are available for checkout throughout the Library system. The Teen Library at Central is located on the 3rd floor of Central Library at 600 Soledad St.

Ask a Librarian 
Librarians are information ninjas. They can help you find those elusive books on obscure historical events or find the answer to complicated reference questions. Talk to them in person (we also have teens’ and children’s librarians) or call them at 210-207-2500 or 210-207-2678. You can also click the Ask icon at mysapl.org or text the Library at 210-591-7445.

Bexar County residents can sign up for a San Antonio Public Library card in person at any one of 30 library locations or digitally using a mobile phone number with the Libby app from OverDrive. Visit mysapl.org or call 210-207-2500 for more information about these free resources and more, and for a map of all 30 San Antonio Public Library locations.
Pools Closing Sunday, August 19
The following pools will close on Sunday, August 19:
  • Cuellar
  • Dellview
  • Garza
  • Kennedy
  • Kingsborough
  • Monterrey
  • New Territories
  • Southcross
  • Spring Time
  • Sunset Hills
  • Westwood
O.P. Schnabel Park Community Meeting
The Parks Dept. wants your help in developing a concept plan for the newly acquired O.P. Schnabel Park Land. The concept land will guide future development of the park land when funds are available.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, August 16, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rudder Middle School (6558 Horn Blvd).
¡Viva Health! Shares Hydration Tips for Summer Sports Practices
With temperatures reaching triple digits, it’s important for coaches, youth organizations and parents to be aware of hydration guidelines to prevent young athletes from heat exhaustion. Perspiring helps cool down the body during exercise, however, depending on the temperature, humidity and the intensity of physical activity, young athletes may have difficulties recognizing when to rehydrate. It’s important not to rely on thirst alone. Drinking fluids before, during and after any physical activity is essential to maximizing hydration and athletic performance. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

Before Activity
  • Drink a minimum of 16 ounces of water.
  • Avoid carbonated and sports drinks with caffeine and sugar.
  • Have a light snack an hour before the activity. This can include yogurt, string cheese, an orange or banana and whole grain crackers. These snacks contain nutrients and electrolytes (carbohydrates, calcium, sodium and potassium) which are important during physical activity. 

During Activity
  • Schedule a water break every 15-20 minutes. 
  • Have athletes drink 4 to 6 ounces of water during each break to ensure muscles stay hydrated.

After Activity
  • Replenish fluid losses by drinking plenty of water.
  • In addition to water, rehydrate with fruits that contain water such as grapefruits, oranges, watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapes. These fruits also provide vitamin C and potassium which are key nutrients for muscle recovery. 

Hydration need is dependent on the intensity and duration of the sport. According to the Academy of Pediatrics, sports drinks should only be consumed when there’s a need for rapid replenishment of carbohydrates and electrolytes, in combination with water, during periods of prolonged, vigorous sports activity. 

Developing a hydration schedule will help improve and optimize hydration in athletes while minimizing the risk of dehydration. Signs of dehydration include irritability, fatigue, weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, a decrease in urine output and a decrease in athletic performance. It’s important to encourage all athletes to begin their sport training session well hydrated. 

For more information on healthy living, visit www.sanantonio.gov/vivahealth
Parks & recreation Dept. Inviting Community Members to Join Park Trail Watch
The Parks and Recreation Department invites community members to attend a Park Trail Watch Orientation to learn about park safety and how to join the Park Trail Watch volunteer team. 
The presentation will be hosted by Park Police and Volunteer Services and will cover common trail and safety concerns, trail etiquette, and trail watch volunteer duties. 

Upcoming Orientation Dates: 
Thursday, 8/23/18, Phil Hardberger Park, 6-7:30pm

Please call 210-207-2899 or email Henry.Arredondo@sanantonio.gov to reserve your spot today.

To volunteer for this program, we ask that: 
  • Volunteers must be 18 and older
  • Volunteers should be friendly and outgoing
  • Volunteers serve at least four hours per month
  • Volunteers must successfully pass a criminal background check

Park Trail Watch Volunteers are active in the following parks:
  • Hardberger
  • McAllister 
  • OP Schnabel
  • Howard W. Peak Greenway

For questions on Parks and Recreation Department volunteer opportunities, please contact Meredith Tilley, Program Manager, at 210.207.8603.
Dementia Friendly San Antonio Interest Meeting
Join us to learn about Dementia Friendly San Antonio and how you can participate. Dementia does not only impact those with a diagnosis, it can be felt across a community. Attend to learn more and meet other community members interested in making San Antonio a dementia friendly city.
Anyone can become dementia friendly, including:
  • Neighborhoods and community members
  • Financial, legal, & advance planning professionals
  • Libraries
  • Community-based services and supports
  • Local government
  • Faith communities
  • Residential and specialty care
  • Health care (clinics, offices, research, etc.)
  • Private business
  • Hospitals
  • Arts
City accepting nominations for SA Tomorrow Sustainability Awards
The City of San Antonio’s Office of Sustainability is now accepting nominations for its third annual SA Tomorrow Sustainability Awards. The award honors businesses and organizations that showcase breakthroughs and innovations using the three pillars of sustainability – social, economic and environmental. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Nomination forms are available here. 

The SA Tomorrow Sustainability Awards honor programs, projects and building structures that promote sustainability and engagement with San Antonio residents and their surroundings. The awards also spotlight the City’s SA Tomorrow initiative, which plans for the San Antonio area to grow by another one million residents by 2040. Each category covers projects that support the goals of the SA Tomorrow Plan in the areas of energy; food systems; green buildings and infrastructure; land use and transportation; natural resources; public health; and solid waste resources.
       
For more information on the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Awards, contact the Office of Sustainability at (210) 207-6103.
SA Speak Up's 2018 Community Days
It's your city, make your voice heard! Learn about the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget with your friends and family. It's your chance to meet your neighbors, city leaders, and learn more about city services while enjoying free entertainment, free health screenings, and fun giveaways!

The events in and closest to District 7 include:
  • August 20 at Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
  • August 25 at Woodlawn Lake Park from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Upcoming Events
To view more events, visit our calendar on the website here.
Date: August 11
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Place for Life Church (5820 Northwest Loop 410)
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
Opposing Viewpoints Book Club
Date: August 11
Time: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Forest Hills Library (5245 Ingram Road)
Young Women's Leadership Academy's 10 Year Celebration
Date: August 13
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Young Women's Leadership Academy (2353 W Mulberry)
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
Tobacco 21 Stakeholder Meeting
Date: August 13
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Carver Library (3350 E Commerce)
Disability SA: Conversation 360 Voting & Disability
Date: August 14
Time:6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex (108 Blue Star)
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
Senator José Menéndez's Community Gathering
Date: August 15
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Nursing and Allied Health Complex at San Antonio College (1819 N Main Ave, NAHC-338, Room 218)
Environmental Stakeholder Meeting: Climate Action & Adaptation Plan
Date: August 15
Time: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: City of San Antonio's Office of Sustainability (1400 S Flores)
RSVP by emailing lisa.lin@sanantonio.gov or call 210-207-1449.
Mayor's Fitness Council: Get Strong with Mayor Ron
Date: August 16
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Lake Park (1103 Cincinnati Ave.)
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
O.P. Schnabel Park Concept Plan Meeting
Date: August 16
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Rudder Middle School (6558 Horn Blvd)
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
Dementia Friendly San Antonio Interest Meeting
Date: August 16
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: UT Health San Antonio, Alternate Teaching & Learning Center, Room 3.304 (7703 Floyd Curl Dr.)
Thomas Jefferson High School Ice Cream Social
Date: August 17
Time: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Thomas Jefferson High School Cafeteria (723 Donaldson Ave)
*Councilwoman Sandoval and Mayor Nirenberg will be in attendance.*
Tobacco 21 Stakeholder Meeting
Date: August 27
Time: 10:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Tobin Library (4134 Harry Wurzbach)
Date: August 20
Time: 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center (8400 NW Military Hwy)
SA Speak Up Community Day -- Spanish Language
Date: August 21
Time: 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Palo Alto College Student Center (1400 W Villaret Blvd)
City of San Antonio Vendor Orientation
Date: August 22
Time: 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Parman Library (20735 Wilderness Oak)
Date: August 25
Time: 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Woodlawn Lake Park (1103 Cincinnati Ave.)
St. George Maronite Catholic Church Divine Liturgy & Lebanese Luncheon
Date: August 26
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: St. George Maronite Church (6070 Babcock Road)
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
Tobacco 21 Stakeholder Meeting
Date: September 4
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Mission Library (3134 Roosevelt Ave)
Save the Date: Dementia Friendly Town Hall
Date: October 4
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
*Councilwoman Sandoval will be in attendance.*
Our Office Staff

  • Joseph Bravo
  • Chief of Constituent Services & Administration
  • 210.207.2727



Office Hours
Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr #160

Monday - Friday:
9am - 5pm
Maury Maverick Library
8700 Mystic Park

By appointment only.
Please call 210-207-2727.
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