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VOLUME 112 | November 1, 2019
Dear Neighbors,
The goal of any strong city is to create a place where residents can flourish and live with respect, dignity, and community. It’s a simple goal, but certainly not easy. Currently, one of San Antonio’s biggest obstacles to that goal is domestic and family violence.

Earlier this year, the City published a report on the Status of Women in San Antonio. Among other key insights, the report revealed that domestic violence against women is increasing in Bexar County. Of course, domestic and family violence isn’t only about women. Men and children experience violence in the home and must also be considered. 

In light of this, I’m proud to report that the City released its Comprehensive Domestic Violence Plan this week.

While the City has taken a number of steps to combat family violence, the Comprehensive Domestic Violence Plan represents the City’s commitment to address the root causes of family violence.

Specifically, the plan reports that experiencing abuse as a child makes a person significantly more likely to become either a victim or perpetrator of domestic violence in the future. That’s why one of the plan's recommendations includes starting a Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) in San Antonio.

The Triple P program has a track record of 35 years of success in reducing child abuse. It’s one of only two programs that the World Health Organization considers effective at reducing child abuse across a community.

It’s an honor to play even a small role in helping make strong families and healthy relationships a priority in the city. I’m confident that, with this plan, we will come closer to establishing San Antonio as a strong city full of flourishing residents.
Yours in public service,
The Week in Photos
The District 7 Office and Legal Legacy Project hosted a Legal Clinic to provide free legal services to residents in our community. We want to thank the excellent high school students at Legal Legacy Project and the lawyers who provided their services for free. Thanks to their work, we were able to help 28 people and offer $9,800 of legal aid, all in 4 hours.
This week, Councilwoman Sandoval visited Washington, DC to advocate for mental health funding for cities with Sgt. Vasquez, head of SAPD’s Mental Health Detail.

Did you know that SAPD issues 1,600 Emergency Detainers a month? These detainers allow individuals with mental health illness to be diverted from jail. However, without access to long term treatment, these individuals are likely to interact with law enforcement again, to harm themselves or others. With appropriate resources, we can help them get their lives back.
Councilwoman Sandoval joined her colleagues for the 2019 abilitySTRONG Parade to recognize disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which children and adults with disabilities can take pride.
D7 in the News
"From Woodlawn Lake to the outskirts of 1604, District Seven is one of the busiest districts in San Antonio. Whether you live in District Seven (D7) or attend school there, it is always important to be politically conscious of your surroundings."

"Domestic violence is so entrenched in San Antonio that officials pledged Wednesday to tackle the problem at every stage, from prevention services and media campaigns to anti-violence curricula in the schools and firearm surrender from offenders."

"Highway design plans for portions of Loop 1604 and Interstate 35 are expected to improve congestion and traffic woes for present and future area residents."

Ana at Your Service
Councilwoman Sandoval and her team are working everyday to help the residents of District 7 solve their problems and make the district a better place for all. Is there something we can help you with? Below are examples of cases we worked this week.
A resident called to report that the traffic light at an intersection was not working properly . The traffic light system was not detecting the cars that were waiting to pass through the intersection, so drivers ended up waiting longer than necessary at the intersection. Our office requested the Transportation & Capital Improvements Department investigate. They discovered that they could correct the issue by repositioning one the traffic light's cameras. Shortly after investigating, they made the necessary repairs and the intersection is running smoothly once more.
Is there something we can help you with? Contact us at 210-207-0870 or district7@sanantonio.gov and we'd be happy to help.
Announcements
Have Coffee with Ana!
Appointments are available for an upcoming Coffees with Ana! This is an opportunity for residents to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Councilwoman.

To make an appointment, call 210-207-0870 or send an email to district7@sanantonio.gov.
NOW AVAILABLE: Saturday Code Enforcement Hot Line
The Saturday Code Enforcement Hotline is now live! You can now report code violations on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (210) 207-CODE (2633). Some common violations that occur on weekends:

  • Illegal garage sales
  • Bandit (illegal) signs...
  • Working without proper permits
  • Front yard parking
  • Right-of-way obstructions
October 16 - November 13:
Public Info Meetings on Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance
The updated Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance will take effect on December 1, 2019. Sick & Safe Leave is a law in San Antonio that requires most employees in San Antonio be given time off needed to be absent from work because the employee or the employee’s family member experiences illness, injury, stalking, domestic abuse, sexual assault or otherwise requires medical or health care, including preventive care, and mental healthcare.  

The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health), will be hosting eight free information sessions in different areas of the City of San Antonio which will allow employers and employees to learn more about the updated Sick & Safe Leave ordinance. “Metro Health is available to help employers and employees learn about the new updates to the Sick & Safe Leave ordinance. Our goal is to provide education, technical assistance and tools that businesses need to successfully implement the ordinance by December 1, 2019,” said Jennifer Herriott, Interim Director of Health.
Advance registration is requested for all sessions. To attend one of the free Sick & Safe Leave Information Sessions please register at: https://sasickandsafeleave.eventbrite.com.

Upon request Spanish translation or interpretation for the hard of hearing will be available. 

More information on the Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance can be found at www.sanantonio.gov/health and questions can be submitted to paidsickleave@sanantonio.gov, or by calling 311 or 210-207-8458. 
Join us in celebrating our dearly departed familia, friends, and ancestors at our annual Día de los Muertos celebration! Admission is free!

There will be displays of community altars/ofrendas, live music, face painting for children, food, and more! The evening will highlight readings of literary ofrendas to remember our dead, and calavera poems that poke fun at the living and their untimely encounters with La Muerte or La Catrina. We will also have a procession through the neighborhood, so please join us! Folks are welcome to dress up and bring an instrument or noise maker for the procession.

And now that our clay cooperative MujerArtes is in their new adobe/compressed earth block studio at the Rinconcito, visitors will be able to see the culmination of the women’s hard work and creative endeavors. They will be selling Day of the Dead clay artwork and more!

Concessions of hot chocolate, tamales, and the traditional pan de muerto will be available. Vegan options will be available.

Join us in conserving our traditions and celebrating our cultura in El Westside de San Antonio!

In addition to the Día de los Muertos celebration, the Esperanza will host a series of Day of the Dead workshops IN OCTOBER for community members to learn the various aspects of this cultural tradition. The workshops will include how to make ofrendas/altares, paper flowers, and sugar skulls. For more info on our Day of the Dead celebration, workshops in October, or if you’d like to make an altar, please call 210.228.0201!

Date: Friday, November 1
Time: 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Organizer: Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
Phone: (210) 228-0201
The largest City-sponsored Indian festival in the U.S. takes place at Hemisfair on Saturday, Nov. 2. New this year, the River Parade of States and Diya Ceremony will occur in the River Walk grotto under the Convention Center. See attached flyer for more information.

The mission of the Diwali San Antonio “Festival of Lights” is to celebrate Indian culture and traditions by featuring traditional Indian dance, entertainment, food and booths selling goods from various parts of India. In India, the Diwali celebration is akin to New Year’s Eve and it represents the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.

This event will feature Zumba Bollywood classes, a river parade, folk dances, and will be capped off by a firework show!
Centro Cultural Aztlan is pleased to present its 42nd annual Día de los Muertos exhibition, Altares y Ofrendas, with even más cultura this year, Día de los Muertos on the Old Spanish Trail.

This year, Centro Aztlan is excited to have an outdoor stage with live music featuring students from Network for Young Artists, El Conjunto Heritage Taller, El Tallercito de Son, I Ching Gatos, Juan & Armando Tejada, y Volcán! Bring your dancing shoes, and your appetite too! Food Trucks will be serving up local eats and treats!
Let's celebrate San Antonio's trees and nature! Arbor Day on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 
9 a.m. to noon at Olmos Basin Park. Free event, free trees, and fun activities! For more, visit www.saparksandrec.com
The MLK, Jr. Commission is excited to announce the 5th Annual Citywide Art Contest for Official Artwork. Since 1987, the City of San Antonio has celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with an annual series of events leading up to one of the largest marches in the country honoring Dr. King. The contest is open to Bexar County residents. Student artists are especially encouraged to submit original artwork. 

Contest is open to current Bexar County residents, student artists are especially encouraged to participate. Artwork must be a visual representation of the 2020 Commemorative Theme: “Dream. Believe. Unite. Do.” Any traditional two-dimensional artistic media (painting, watercolor, photography, computer graphics, color pencil, etc.) are acceptable. All submissions must be original artwork created by the submitter, and not used in any other promotional or event materials. 
At the San Antonio Book Festival, we believe that the best way to expand a child’s world is to instill a love of books. The Festival’s Authors in Schools program helps encourage a passion for reading among children and teens. We pair award-winning authors with underserved, low-income schools throughout Bexar County to deliver presentations to hundreds of students, tell funny stories, share personal journeys, and describe the process of writing their books. All students in attendance receive a free, signed copy of the author’s book to take home

To be considered for this great opportunity apply here!
We need your help! Please share some information with us regarding your experience as a migrant in San Antonio. The information you share will help the City of San Antonio and its partners develop ideas to better serve the migrant community through a strategic planning processes.
Where We're Going Next
Wonder where your District 7 Team is headed next? Join Councilwoman Sandoval and/or District 7 staff at any of the following events!
Braun Oaks Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 4
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Braun Oaks Clubhouse,
10555 Tezel
Donaldson Terrace Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 4
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: St. Paul's Pastoral Center,
326 John Adams

Ingram Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 4
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: International Bible College, 2369 Benrus
Thunderbird Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 5
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Powell Elementary,
6003 Thunder Dr.
NW Alliance Meeting
Date: November 6
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Braun Station West Clubhouse, 8630 Tezel
Guilbeau Park Neighborhood Meeting
Date: November 7
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Guilbeau Park Community Center, 9214 Caen
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Please call for an appointment.