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VOLUME 101 | August 23, 2019
Dear Neighbors,
Our 2019 Back to School Bash in Review

Our 2019 Back to School Bash this past Saturday was a thrill. With the incredible work of my staff, we were able to provide hundreds of students with backpacks, school supplies, and much-needed immunizations for the school year.

The event was made possible by our partnership with State Representative Ray Lopez and Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, so we owe them a special thanks. But we're also grateful to the many community partners who joined us. For example, the San Antonio Zoo brought a tiger skull, a bullfrog skeleton, and rhino hip bone for the kids to see, while local nonprofit Earn-A-Bike brought bikes that powered blenders and made strawberry smoothies.
I also owe a special thank you to the San Antonio Police Officers Association, who cooked for everyone, and a thank you to the Spurs Coyote, who helped rally the students to do well in school.

The photo album for the event is available here. To all the students who attended: best of luck this year!

The second draft of the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan is now public

This week, the City released the second draft of Climate Ready SA, our Climate Action & Adaption Plan—a menu of all the different options we have for preparing for the effects of climate change and reducing the pollution that causes climate change.

Since releasing the first draft, the City has held 288 events with 9,677 total attendees, received 5,731 completed surveys and 4,569 written comments. The new draft reflects the comments and questions heard from the public. 

Adopting this plan and committing ourselves to protecting the people and places we love is the right thing to do. Inaction is not an option. Hopeful thinking is not an option.

Residents expect responsible leadership from their elected officials. After reviewing the best available evidence and listening to residents, business owners, military officials, among many others, we’ve arrived at a plan that outlines practical options and common-sense steps we can take to protect our community.

I invite you to review the draft here and reach out to my office if you have questions or comments. We are still collecting feedback from the public until October 17, when City Council is scheduled to vote on the plan.

You can hear me talk more about the plan here and here.


My friend Epi Quiroga recently completed One Chance, a documentary about his brother and former flyweight boxing champion, Robert “Pikin” Quiroga. He was a San Antonian through and through, someone who worked relentlessly to realize his championship dreams. The movie tells the story of his life, his greatest fights, and tragic murder.

Robert used to train at Woodlawn Lake Park, so it’s a special opportunity to watch the film and honor his memory there.

We’ll welcome guests at 7:30 p.m. and kick off the movie at 8:15 p.m. Following the movie, SABullyFree will lead an anti-bully rally and invite the students present to take the Anti-Bully Oath.

Teachers! The Migrant Resource Center Needs You

This past July 4th, I volunteered at the Migrant Resource Center downtown. Since March 30 of this year, volunteers have assisted about 30,000 migrants travelling through San Antonio on their way to asylum hearings.

While I was there, a young boy brought me a book and began pointing to the pictures until I began reading it to him. He was ready to learn and had even had a lesson plan prepared—he just needed a little help. It was a touching moment and also when I realized just how many children were there without anyone to lead children’s activities with them.

That’s why my office is putting out a call to anyone with experience working with children, whether you were a teacher or a day-care specialist: we need your help.

Bilingual volunteers are preferred, but it is certainly not required!

If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Debbie Dehlinger at 210-207-0870 or to debra.dehlinger@sanantonio.gov.

Farewell and Good Luck, Lexi!

Please join me in wishing Lexi Bachran, our Community Outreach Coordinator, farewell and good luck as she moves into a new role with the Office of State Representative Ray Lopez.

Even if you haven’t met Lexi, chances are that you’re familiar with her work. Whether it was one of our Property Tax Workshops, Back to School events, or City Services Friday, Lexi’s been a dedicated and capable staff member—someone I’m pleased to see succeed and sad to see go.
Yours in public service,
Editor's Note: The District 7 Field Office off of Babcock and Callaghan will be closed this coming Friday, August 30. The District 7 Office at City Hall will remain open and available at 210-207-7044 or district7@sanantonio.gov.
The Week in Photos
The photos of the District 7 Back to School Bash are online now! You can view them here.
SASpeakUp held a public meeting this week at the Doris Griffin Senior Center to hear what residents think about the City conducting proactive inspections of senior living facilities. Haven't taken the survey yet? Take it now!
D7 in the News
"During an interview on this week’s episode of the Express-News’ Puro Politics podcast, Sandoval made the case that inaction on climate change is not a realistic option, in the same way that it would be unacceptable for a city to inadequately fund public safety."

"City officials will release the newest iteration of the San Antonio Climate Action and Adaptation Plan on August 22. What's changed? Will the debate over if and how the City should address climate change continue to be mired in controversy or is there common ground to be found for addressing climate change on the local level?'

"San Antonio boxing champion Robert “Pikin” Quiroga will always be remembered as a great fighter. His legacy only continued to grow after he was murdered on August 16, 2004."

"La concejal de distrito 7, Ana Sandoval, habla de la resolución en la que trabajan sobre la violencia de armas para pedir al gobierno estatal y federal leyes que protejan a los ciudadanos, además de otras resoluciones para combatir el cambio climático, la contaminación y más."

Neighborhood of the Week:
Crossing at Quail Creek
Crossing at Quail Creek subdivision located 7390 Burns Crossing off Mainland between Bandera Rd. & Tezel Rd. We are a HOA gated community with approximately 184 homes that is managed by an association management company that oversees the day to day affairs of the community to include collecting association assessments, helping facilitate architectural requests, providing customer service, providing gate services and working closely with the elected 5 member Board of Directors. 

Our Board of Directors live in the community and meet on a Quarterly basis.
We hold 1 HOA Annual meeting that is held in late January or early February.
The HOA is active in the yearly National Night Out which gives our community a chance to get to know their neighbors. The community enjoys an evening which includes activities of DJ music, hot dogs, moon bounce for the kids and visitors from our nearby Fire Department Station 41, SAPD or DPS, various mascots and, of course, District 7.

We are located in the Northside School District of Jimmy L. Elrod Elementary School, John B. Connally Middle School and John Marshall High School. Access to nearby restaurants and businesses to include nearby French Creek Park and Mainland Trail Head walking trails.
Announcements
Learn about the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget with your friends and family. It’s your chance to meet City officials and learn more about City services while enjoying free entertainment and fun giveaways!
Join us from the comfort of your home for a telephone town hall meeting on Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the City's FY 2020 Proposed Budget. Sign up here, and we'll call you!
 
Acompáñanos el 29 de agosto a las 6:30 p.m. desde la comodidad de tu hogar y únete a la teleconferencia para aprender más sobre el presupuesto propuesto del AF 2020. Usa el link para inscribirte y te llamaremos.
August 29: Retablos Fronterizos / Postcards from the Border Exhibit
The Mexican Cultural Institute is very pleased to invite the public to the opening of the exhibit "Retablos Fronterizos" (Postcards from the Border) from Joel Salcido next Thursday, August 29th at 6pm at the Mexican Cultural Institute, 643 E Nueva St. 
 
This exhibit is part of the Fotoseptiembre Festival 2019 and will display a series of photographs and moving literary vignettes that portray the moral, economic and cultural dignity of those living along the 1,254 mile Texas-Mexico border. 
September 5: Climate & Security - A Conversation in Military City, USA
Join us for a discussion about climate change as viewed through the lens of national security and global stability, including the additional consequences it may pose for Military City, USA. 

The panel will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Weathered Souls Brewing Co. at 606 Embassy Oaks, #500, 78216.
September 11: Citizenship Information Sessions
Become a citizen! American Gateways presents a citizenship information session at several libraries that will introduce you to the process of becoming a citizen.

Learn what documentation is needed for the next step of filling out an Application Form.

Join American Gateways at Forest Hills Branch Library, 5245 Ingram Rd., on Wednesday, September 11 at 6 p.m.
September 14: 10th Annual Citizen Preparedness Workshop
The San Antonio Office f Emergency Management (SAOEM) invites you to the Citizen Preparedness Workshop, on September 14th from 9 am to 12 p at the Emergency Operations Center. This workshop connects citizens with the City's emergency management resources and partner agencies. The goal of this workshop is to strengthen the community by equipping citizens with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to help you and your families recover from an emergency.
 
For additional information or to RSVP contact Ashley Carter at ashley.carter@sanantonio.gov or
210-206-8551.
Paid Sick Leave
On July 24, 2019, an agreement to extend the implementation date of the Paid Sick Leave Ordinance was accepted in civil court proceedings. As a result of the court order, the Paid Sick Leave Ordinance will be implemented on December 1, 2019 instead of August 1, 2019. The Paid Sick Leave Commission will continue to consider the ordinance and has committed to recommend revisions to City Council for consideration in the next 45 days.

Survey: Proactive Inspections for Senior Living Facilities
The City of San Antonio Development Services Department wants to know what you think about having proactive inspections for Senior Living Facilities.
The aim is to ensure the health and safety of this vulnerable population.

CPS Energy: FlexSTEP Survey and FlexPowerBundle Survey
CPS Energy will be reaching out to the community to solicit input on FlexSTEP, the next generation of energy management programs for its customers. Seeking feedback from a broad array of customers and key stakeholders, CPS Energy will use the information that it gathers to update, design, and create programs and services that meet the needs of its diverse set of customers.
This Weekend at San Antonio Public Library
This Weekend at San Antonio Public Library
Moms Crochet and Play Group 
Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Rd.
Friday, August 23 
10am – 12pm

Ladies' Choice Book Club
Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Rd.
Saturday, August 24
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Feral Cat - Trap Neuter Release Training
Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Rd.
Sunday, August 25
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Presented by the Feral Cat Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the suffering and overpopulation of feral and abandoned cats through free, humane Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
Upcoming Events
Wonder where your District 7 Team is headed next? Join Councilwoman Sandoval and/or District 7 staff at any of the following events!
District 7 and SABullyFree Present: Movie in the Park: One Chance
Date: August 23
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati Ave.
Monticello Park Neighborhood Meeting
Date: August 26
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, 950 Donaldson Ave.
Rolling Ridge Club Neighborhood Meeting
Date: August 26
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rolling Ridge Clubhouse, 5306 Rolling Ridge Dr W
Woodlawn Lake Neighborhood Meeting
Date: August 27
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Gym, 1103 Cincinnati Ave.
Woodlawn Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: August 27
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Forest Hills Library, 5245 Ingram Road
Ingram Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: September 2
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: International Bible School, 2639 Benrus
Donaldson Terrace Neighborhood Meeting
Date: September 2
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: St. Paul's Pastoral Center, 326 John Adams
Thunderbird Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: September 3
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Powell Elementary, 6003 Thunder Dr
Our Offices
Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr.
Suite #160

Closed Friday, Aug. 30
and Sept. 2

Monday - Friday:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Closed for Lunch:
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
Plaza de Armas
100 Military Plaza

Monday - Friday:
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Please call for an appointment.