Downtown Residents Association

The Downtowner March 2009

Mar 27, 2009

March 2009

Message from the President

As spring blossoms (in spite of the drought) along the Riverwalk, you cannot help but love being a downtown resident! Seems no matter the month, somebody is finding a reason to celebrate. This month we celebrate being 'green' in more than the environmental sense as the Paseo del Rio celebrates St. Patrick's Day (a wee bit early) on Friday, March 13 from 4-5:30 PM. If you have yet to see the River go GREEN, get down to Mad Dogs and join in the fun!

Our own DRA fun will be celebrated at our monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 17 (Yes, the actual St. Patrick's Day-wear your green!) at The Madhatter's Restaurant at the Radius, 106 Auditorium Circle. This will be our annual meeting to elect our new officers and board members. Our annual report will be available as well.

Thank you to Joanna Foster for organizing our last gathering to celebrate the release of Fred Preston's book, Historic Doorways of San Antonio. We had a fun crowd of friends and Fred sold out of books!!! More are on the way if you missed your chance at the meeting to get your own copy. We enjoyed the last minute visit by Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros who provided us with an update of issues and concerns for our downtown neighborhood and her commitment to continue working to resolve issues of concern.

Finally, this is my last message as DRA President to you. I am on the ballot to serve as Vice President and assist the newly elected president for 2009-11. Thank you for the opportunity to be our voice of downtown these last two years. The best part of working as your President was getting to know so many new people-both neighbors and people involved in our downtown development. Stay involved in your DRA. Your voice keeps our unique neighborhood active and alive.

Cathey Meyer, President
226-1878
catheymeyer@aol.com

DRA Business

FOR SALE - DRA Polo Shirts

Polo Shirts with DRA logo displayed prominently on the front (upper left side).

Sizes M to 2XL $10.00
Call John Bonny at 932-8137


FOR SALE - DRA Mug

Mug with DRA logo.
$5.00

Call John Bonny at 932-8137
Announcements

March DRA Meeting
Tuesday, March 17, at 6 PM
The Madhatter's Restuarant at the Radius
106 Auditorium Circle


ACTIVE MEMBERS WANTED: You DO NOT have to be a DRA Board member to have a voice in DRA. We need help with our meeting planning committee and membership committee. Please consider donating a couple of hours a month to help us grow and discover wonderful downtown locations to host our meetings. Contact Cathey at catheymeyer@aol.com or 226-1878 to serve your DRA!

DID YOU KNOW?

If you submit your photo(s) to our editor, John Bonny, (email: park3850@satx.rr.com) we will gladly share your activities with our members!

If you see trouble on the Riverwalk, you can call the Park Police (207-8590) or the SAPD Bike Patrol (207-7764).

The Downtown Blog
Ben Olivo, Entertainment Editor of My San Antonio, a feature of the Express-News, has a downtown blog at: http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown




New Members

Welcome to Our Association

Deven and Glenn Dixon of Riverview Condos

Upcoming Events


ZOCOLOCOS

Next meeting for those who live, work or play downtown:
BIGA ON THE BANKS
Monday
March 16, 2009
5:30 - 7 PM
Annual DRA Breakfast - Chaps in the Hyatt - March 26th

It's that time of year - the Lunch Bunch becomes the Breakfast Bunch.

Join the group at Chaps in the Hyatt, 123 Losoya Street at 9 AM, March 26.

Reservations not required - Bring a friend - Meet a neighbor
Fiesta Fiesta at the Alamo - A New Fiesta Event

The Fiesta San Antonio Commission is rescheduling and revamping the celebration's official opening. Starting this year, Fiesta is 11 days long--because the very first event kicks everything off Thursday, April 16.

Fiesta Fiesta at the Alamo is a bigger-than-a-block party! They'll be closing down parts of Alamo and Houston Streets.

The event will feature live music, including the Rick Cavender Band, Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz, and Javier Galvan and Fama.

There'll be a children's area. Some Fiesta nonprofit groups will be selling merchandise, event tickets and other items. Vendors will offer food, beer, wine, beverages and frozen margaritas. The Fiesta Store will offer official Fiesta merchandise.

The crowd-pleasing Pin Pandemonium will be across the street, with Fiesta groups offering their medals for sale. Come to buy, sell or trade!

Fiesta royalty, military ambassadors and other dignitaries will be on hand. Look for the traditional tie cutting by a king, and buy some cascarones to break above your neighbor's head!

It all ends with a bang as fireworks blaze above the Emily Morgan Hotel after 10 p.m.

So mark it on your calendar today!

Check out the following website for more info on the April 16th Pre Fiesta celebration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dreaOVoTpr8
Fiesta Luncheon




Madhatter's Movie Night at Radius Center

Friday Night Movies
Presented by Mahatter's Cafe
106 Auditorium Circle
FREE MOVIE
FREE POPCORN
Call Justine Siller at 227-4832 for more information.
San Antonio Symphony Presents

Fidelity Investments Pops Series

Five By Design
Club Swing!

Where: Lila Cockrell Theatre at Convention Center
When: March 6 & 7, 2009 - 8:00 p.m.
March 8, 2009 - 2:00 p.m.

Re-live the sounds of Benny Goodman and Louis Prima with Club Swing. Featuring acclaimed international performance group Five by Design. Club Swing transports audiences to the golden days of American song and dance with an elaborate 1940's stage show. This concert highlights some of the greatest tunes from 1937 - 1955.

20% discount for non-profits!

Call Karen Cramer at 210-554-1066 to purchase discounted tickets.
Visit the Symphony Box Office at 228 E. Houston St. or email cramerk@sasymphony.org.

Coming Soon
March 20 & 21 - Beethoven and Sibelius - Majestic Theater
March 27 & 28 - Sarah Chang - Majestic Theater
April 3 & 4 - Roger Plays Rachmaninoff - Majestic Theater
210-554-1010 WWW.SASYMPHONY.ORG

Property Tax Workshop

"Paying Our Fair Share" Property Tax Workshop
Sponsored by State Representative Mike Villarreal and the District 123 Neighborhood Association Alliance

Thursday, March 19, 2009, 6:30-8:30 PM
Bonham Academy
925 S. St. Mary's St.

Find out what services your taxes support and listen as Bexar County Appraisal District will explain how they determine your taxes.

RSVP to Eric Alva at eric.alva@house.state.tx.us or call 734-8937.
SOUTHWEST SCHOOL of ART & CRAFT
March Calendar of Events
Saturday 14th - Luminaria: Arts Night in San Antonio.
Open Studio - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Ursuline and Navarro Campus
Stop by and visit the studios, watch artists working, ask the questions you've always wanted to ask.
Monday 9th - 14 - Nana Projects, Baltimore MD. Artist Molly Ross leads Nana Projects, a company of lanteneers and visual alchemists inventing new media for innovative performances. Nana Projects creates Magic Lantern Performances, teaches Workshops, operates a Parade School and organizes the Great Halloween Lantern Parade, an annual Baltimore favorite.
Wednesday 18th - 28 - Exhibition - Contemporary Handweavers of Texas. Russell Hill Rogers Lecture Hall & Navarro Campus

For information, other exhibits and classes call 210-224-1848 or visit www.swschool.org

Aldaco's has it's own Energy Relief Effort with Complimentary Shuttle Service in the downtown area. That's right, they will come pick you or your group up for lunch and or dinner and then drop you back off at the office. You save gas by carpooling with coworkers for lunch. Their driver is standing by so please give them a call @ 210.222.0561. Menu choices vary daily. Please visit their website at www.aldacos.net to view their lunch and dinner menus. They are open from 11am-10pm Monday - Thursday, 11 AM - 10 PM, Fridays and Saturdays, 11 AM -11 PM, and closed Sundays. Available for private parties any day of the week and including breakfast meetings. Please give them a call to see how they can accommodate your needs. 210.222.0561
NOTE: 10% off your meal anytime you show your DRA membership card!!


Check out the fresh vegetables, fruits and other treats at the Friday Morning Farmers Market on Main Plaza this spring. They are on winter break.


For more information visit http://www.downtownsa.org/ (this web site is being changed and may not be available)
More Downtown Events and Issues Resources

There is a lot of pertinent information to downtown living in the following newsletters published. Explore the links to their newsletters:




Downtown Operations Newsletter




San Antonio.gov

The City of San Antonio's Housing and Neighborhood Services Department is excited to introduce a brand-new graffiti initiative for 2009! We are looking for active neighborhood leaders who are tired of seeing graffiti and want to take charge of their community!
Should you have any questions on this program, you can contact Melissa Guedea at Melissa.Guedea@sanantonio.gov or Lisa M. McKenzie at Lisa.McKenzie@sanantonio.gov
More information, and an application can be found at: www.sanantonio.gov/graffiti.


Mobility 2035 Workshops through 3/4/09
WHAT: The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) invites you to learn about the various growth scenarios developed for the region and offer your opinions on the direction we should take in the future. An ever-growing population equals ever-increasing transportation needs. By the year 2035, there will be over 600,000 more people in Bexar County. But how will our area grow? The "Choosing Scenario(s) for Growth to Guide Transportation Decisions" workshop will be held at several different locations and times so you can choose the most convenient workshop to participate in.
WHEN & WHERE: Open House from 6 - 6:30 p.m. and Workshop from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on February 24 (Leon Valley Community Center), March 3 (St. Philip's College Heritage Room), and March 4 (VIA Metro Center Community Room)
MORE INFO: Visit www.mtp2035.org or www.myspace.com/mtp2035.

LUMINARIA: Arts Night in San Antonio
March 14
Downtown and Citywide
6 PM to Midnight
www.LuminariaSA.org
FREE-enjoy the walkabout of amazing art!
Houston Street Fair & Market
Saturday, March 28th on Houston Street from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Theme for March is Fiesta Fest (no April fair). For details call 207-7258 or visit www.houstonstreetfairandmarket.com

Tuesday Musical Club

Tuesday, March 3 at 2 p.m. - Zephyr Trio -
Laurel Heights United Methodist Church (Belknap and Woodlawn Sts.)

Saturday, March 7 at 9:00 a.m. - TMC Young Artist Competition State Wide Advanced Music Students (Voice)

Tuesday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m. - Junior TMC Competition Winners in Recital

Tuesday, March 24 at 1:30 p.m. - TMC Members Creating Music

All events held at the TMC Club House, 3755 N. St. Mary's St.
The public is invited to attend at no cost. Location and cost exceptions noted!
San Antonio Tuesday Musical Club, Inc. - 210-344-5929
For further information, visit www.satmc.org
Susan G. Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure

The 12th annual Susan G. Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure is fast approaching. If you're already participating as a racer or donor, thank you! If not, please consider joining the fight to end breast cancer!
Race for the Cure raises money for vital breast cancer screening, treatment and education right here in San Antonio. More than 27,000 women in our community received breast cancer services because of funds raised through the 2008 Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure. Now more then ever, many women will need YOUR help.
Times are tough and we realize some in our community won't be able to participate at the same level as in the past. There are many opportunities to be a part of Race. Please consider one or more of the following options:

Register to run or walk as an individual in the Race for the Cure Create or join a Race for the Cure Team
Sleep in for the Cure or sign up for Men for the Cure

Make a donation to Komen San Antonio (if applicable, check if employer has a matching gift program)

Register as an "Online Fundraiser Only" and forward requests for support via email

Collect donations from family, friends and colleagues;

Email info@sakomen.net to request a pledge form.
Visit http://www.komensanantonio.org/ to sign up today!

No donation or volunteer opportunity is too small...$5 educates 5 women about early detection...$100 provides a life-saving mammogram...and volunteers are essential to making the Race work!
For all the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, your support will be greatly appreciated. Please visit http://www.komensanantonio.org for more information.
KWA March General Membership Meeting

Fair 2009 Artwork Unveiling and Artist Introduction
and
Extreme Target Sweep Follow-up Presentation
Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00 p.m.
WHAT: Please join us for the unveiling of the King William Fair 2009 artwork and to meet the artist, SAY S?­ student Miles Fermin! We will also enjoy a special follow-up presentation about the improvements the Lavaca/King William Extreme Target Sweep has already brought to the area and are yet to come.

Complimentary beverages courtesy of KWA.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 4, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Blue Star Brewing Co., 1414 S. Alamo
FAIR FOCUS 2009

Sponsorships Sought, Applications Online, Key Volunteer Positions
KING WILLIAM FAIR DAY 2009 IS SATURDAY, APRIL 25
See www.kwfair.org/volunteers/index.htm for more information.
NEW: Sponsorship Connections Sought
Do you work for or have connections to a company that would be interested in becoming an official sponsor of the King William Fair?

Sponsorships help defray the cost of producing the Fair and also help make it one of the most affordable Fiesta?® San Antonio events. With an estimated 50,000 attendees, the Fair is a prime way to show San Antonio that you believe in our mission to support the arts, education, and community improvements with family fun in the state's first residential historic district!

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact the Fair office at kwfair@sbcglobal.net or 271-FAIR for more details. Thank you!

UPDATED: Fair 2009 Applications Online
The Fair is looking for creative artisans, entertaining performers, delicious food, fun parade entries, and engaging kid's activities! Applications for the Fair are available online. See www.kwfair.org/vendors/index.htm for more information.

The application deadlines are:
Art & Craft - January 28
Entertainment - February 25
Food - February 25
Parade - March 4
Kids Kingdom - March 16

UPDATED: Fun & Energetic People Needed for Key Volunteer Positions
Your time and talents are needed for the Fair. You don't have to be a KW resident, but you do have to share the Fiesta?® San Antonio spirit! A variety of volunteer jobs are available, including the following key volunteer positions:
Stage Managers - oversee Fair Day lineup for one of our performance areas
Veterans Parade Entry Liaison - coordinate veterans entry and ride a Segway in the Parade
Kids Parade Entry Driver - drive flatbed truck/trailer for neighborhood kids entry in the Parade
Valero Volunteer Booth Liaison - coordinate volunteer check-in for our largest group of volunteers
First Aid Manager - ensure that our First Aid teams have everything necessary to provide swift and safe assistance to those in need
Most key volunteer positions require some preparation time before the Fair and some, but not all, of your time on Fair Day. Contact the Fair office at kwfair@sbcglobal.net or 271-FAIR for more details and to volunteer. Thank you!
"I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places." - Henny Youngman

Sincerely,
John Bonny
Downtown Residents Association
Table of Contents:
Message from the President
DRA Business
New Members
Upcoming Events
Dates and Times

Greening the Rio
3/13 4-5:30 PM

Annual DRA Meeting
3/17 6 PM

ZOCOLOCOS
3/16 5:30-7 PM

Breakfast Bunch
3/26 9 AM

Fiesta Fiesta at the Alamo
4/16

Fiesta Luncheon
4/22 Noon-3 PM

SA Symphony
Various

Property Tax Workshop
3/19 6:30-8:30 PM

Luminaria
3/14

Houston Street Fair & Market
3/28 - 12-6 PM

Tuesday Musical
Various

KWA Meeting
3/4 - 7 PM

Fair Focus
Various

Events are listed in the order they appear in the newletter. See the item for more details.


Join the Lunch Bunch for breakfast for a tasty meal and meet your neighbors.

The Lunch (Breakfast) Bunch will meet Thursday, 26 March at 9 AM at Chaps in the Hyatt
Need an immediate update on downtown activities?

Go to: www.visitsanantonio.com and/or find out what is happening with the Downtown Alliance at www.downtownsa.org.
New downtown organization: The San Antonio River North Improvement Alliance.
Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of each month. Membership is
$10 annually.
Contact Harper Huddleston at harperm@harperhuddlestoninc.com or call 821-4001 x. 303.
CONTACT
CATHEY MEYER
226-1878
or
catheymeyer@aol.com
to volunteer for the DRA committes.
Officers and
Board Members
President:
Cathey Meyer
226-1878
catheymeyer@aol.com

Vice President:
Vacant

Secretary:
Joanna Foster
212-7279
jfoster19@satx.rr.com

Treasurer:
Fred Preston
375-6692
frederick.preston@sunysb.edu

Board Members:
Joan Korte
225-6783
korte@satx.rr.com

Kay Kutchins
228-0094
kaykutchins@att.net

Robert Potts
883-5223
Rpotts@dixonwater.org

Tony Cantu
394-1148
CENTURYV8@aol.com

Tom DeBrooke
H: 225-5866
C: 487-0666
Tom@CredibilitySharing.com
Joanne Stawicki
382-7885
js@toolboxstudios.com

John Bonny
932-8137
park3850@satx.rr.com

Rose Bonny
932-8137
roseoftexas@satx.rr.com


The purposes of the
Downtown Residents Association are to perpetuate the social well-being of the residents living in downtown San Antonio; to preserve, protect and develop the downtown area; to provide a quality environment for living and enjoying the multi-cultural heritage of downtown San Antonio-past, present and future.


If you have news or events that you'd like to share with your fellow downtowners, please send them to me at my email address below.


Sincerely,
Cathey Meyer,
President
226-1878
catheymeyer@aol.com
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Downtown Residents Association | 222 E. Houston St | Suite 600 | San Antonio | TX | 78205