Highland Park Neighborhood Association

November 2003 edition in full

Nov 03, 2003

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?“Friends of Highland Park?” organizational meeting
speaker: Walter Ague/San Antonio Parks Foundation
General monthly membership meeting
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.
James Bode Community Center, 900 Rigsby Avenue
Meeting will also include:
?“Carpooling and schoolpooling?”
speaker: Dorothy Birch/Alamo Area Council of Governments
Election of 2004 officers


9:00 a.m. Saturday, November 8 Board of Directors meeting
The Board of Directors will meet with District 3 Code Compliance supervisor Denise Hastings and members of the Moose Lodge (located at 826 Highland Boulevard East) regarding the ongoing use of that facility as travel trailer space in violation of zoning.
All association members are urged to attend, immediately preceding general membership meeting in the Bode Center, 900 Rigsby Avenue.


HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
RE-ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Saturday, November 15, 9 ?– 11 a.m.
McCreless Branch Library, 1023 Ada Street
Planning the future of the Highlands Community together required much dedication for all who participated, and the process is not over yet! Whether you participated in the communitywide planning process or not, only YOU can help implement the plan and make our community a better and safer place for all future generations as well as our own.
Get involved now!


Community Events

Friday, October 31
Free flu vaccinations for seniors! 8:30 ?– 11:30 a.m.
Well-Med at Pecan Valley Open House, 615-9355
4243 Southcross East, suite 205
?“Spooktacular?” door prizes, health screenings, refreshments

Friday, October 31
Last day to vote early regarding Proposed City and County Bonds
For complete information on voting sites and times, 335-0362.

Sunday, November 2
?“Dia de Los Muertos?” tree planting and gardening
2 ?– 5 p.m.
Highland Park, 900 Rigsby Avenue
Help transplant trees and learn organic techniques for controlling fire ants, as we celebrate those who were here before and prepare for those who will enjoy these trees when we?’re gone; 532-4123

Monday, November 10
?“Winterizing your garden?” and ?“Houseplants?” free classes, 1:00 ?– 4:00 p.m.
San Antonio Botanical Gardens Carriage House, 555 Funston Place

Saturday, December 13
10 a.m.
Bode Center, Highland Park
Monthly general membership & installation of officers &
annual potluck luncheon &
Christmas caroling by Campmeeting Tabernacle
Focus: ?“Helping the hungry in our own community?”
Guest speaker from San Antonio Food Bank and
FOOD DRIVE co-sponsored by Highland Park Neighborhood Association and District 3 City Councilman Ron Segovia
Every member is encouraged to bring 3 pounds of nonperishable food to feed the hungry in Highland Park!



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San Antonio Parks Foundation
Friends of the Parks

Purpose

The Friends of the Parks is a broad based membership organization whose purpose is to encourage people to use the parks within the San Antonio Parks System; to promote public awareness and appreciation of the value of the San Antonio Parks System to the quality of life in the community; to encourage the extension and improvement of the system and its services; and, to assist in implementing the Vision contained in the Master Plan of the San Antonio Parks and Recreation System adopted in 1999 by the San Antonio City Council:

?• A city where parks and recreational facilities, programs and partnerships are geographically dispersed so that every citizen has easy access to healthy, well-maintained, safe, affordable, and positive recreational activities;

?• A city where native plant and animal life, natural resources, and historically and culturally significant park sites are managed to sustain their existence for future generations;

?• A city where green space is interspersed to enhance urban development, linking neighborhoods and public facilities with a system of multi-purpose greenways that connect all areas of the city.

?• A city where youth and families have the opportunity to improve their quality of life.

Objectives

?• Encourage new parks and major upgrades of existing parks, assist in Master Plan efforts by the Parks & Recreation Department,

?• Encourage community involvement in the parks by recruiting new ?“Friends?” groups, neighborhoods or community organizations and businesses, and to focus efforts on a signature park such as Brackenridge Park.

?• Encourage stewardship of the park system through volunteerism in maintenance and upkeep, recruiting specific groups to ?“spend a day in the park,?” or to ?“adopt-a-park.?” Engage youth groups to be actively engaged in the care and maintenance of a specific park.

?• Encourage the development of the natural areas acquired through Proposition 3 funding, the creek ways, and linear parks. Support a survey of heritage trees. Adopt the development of Rancho Diana as a specific Friends project in concert with Parks & Recreation Department.

?• Conduct fund raising events to support specific Friends projects and support programs. Focus on an event to be a part of the annual ?“Fiesta?” celebrations.

DURING THE NOVEMBER 8 MEETING, WE WILL DISCUSS WHETHER TO FORM A ?“FRIENDS OF HIGHLAND PARK?” CHAPTER OR AFFILIATE WITH FRIENDS OF THE PARKS AS A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.


WANTED: 2003 HOLIDAY DECORATIONS CONTEST COORDINATOR
During the wrap-up of the 2002 holiday decorations contest in our January 2003 meeting, the general membership agreed with that year?’s prize winners that the contest would continue but not with cash prizes.
We need a dedicated coordinator to work with volunteers to view all 4,700 area homes twice in December and award prizes.Call Rachel Cywinski at HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com.


WANTED: 2004 HIGHLAND PARK SPRING FESTIVAL CHAIRPERSON
Highland Park Spring Festival 2004 will be held Saturday, April 3. This festival is the most demanding annual event for our volunteers, and its main reward is seeing neighbors meet each other! To host this event requires a chairperson who is dedicated and is devoted to do something for the community.
For more information, call Rachel Cywinski at HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com.


WANTED: 2003 HOLIDAY IN HIGHLAND PARK TREE LIGHTING AND CENTER DECORATIONS VOLUNTEERS
During the January 2003 meeting association member Diane Cortez explained her vision for a LIGHTED Highland Park this December! The general membership enthusiastically agreed. Diane will be working to get lights for the trees, a wreath for the door and other holiday decorations.
To volunteer, contact 2003 Holiday in Highland Park Chairwoman Diane Cortez at sadmc@swbell.net.



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Every time you visit one of our wonderful business sponsors, please tell them how much you appreciate their support of your community and the Highland Park Neighborhood Association!

Brown's Mexican Food
(210) 533-8174
2405 South Hackberry Street
San Antonio, Texas 78210

Highland's Cafe
(210) 533-4700
2314 Steves Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78210

La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe
(210) 829-7279
4820 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
www.lamadeleine.com

Little Red Barn Steak House
(210) 532-4235
1902 South Hackberry Street
San Antonio, Texas 78210

Subway #18286
(210) 531-0320
2927 East Southcross
San Antonio, Texas 78223

Wallace Cook Agency, Inc.
(210) 534-9293
3902 Clark Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78223
www.wallacecookagency.com

South East Community Credit Union
(210) 534-7221
123 Waleetka
San Antonio, Texas 78210

Michael's Child Care
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Saucedo
(210) 533-3939
645 Kayton Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78210

San Antonio Fighting Back
(210) 271-7232
2803 East Commerce Street
San Antonio, Texas 78203
CBonner@SAFB.org

Neighborhood Resource Center
(210) 735-0586
P. O. Box 120246
San Antonio, Texas 78212-0586
www.nrc-sa.org

A Big "Thank You" to
Lou Gloria
Al Lindsey
for their generous donations.



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Cleaning up our Community
On Saturday, October 25, Ramon Quintero directed our final Dial-a-Trailer event of the year with Highland Park N.A. members Lou Gloria and Rachel Cywinski assisting during the 6-hour cleanup. Sunny Slope N.A. member Mike Martinez also volunteered, as did longtime Highland Park resident Eloy Diaz. Highland Park Neighborhood Association purchased food for the volunteers and City workers, and Bertha Saucedo delivered the goodies.


Preparing for emergencies
Several of our association members graduated October 30 as members of San Antonio?’s first Community Emergency Response Team! Congratulations! HPNA member Rachel Cywinski also attended another class and is now certified to teach future Community Emergency Response Teams.
Jay Sikes of the San Antonio Fire Department will be coordinating a weeknight class soon, so those who have not yet attended but would like to, please let Rachel know: HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com.


2903 New Braunfels vacant fire station update
Loyd LeBlanc, Cecilia Guajardo and Rachel Cywinski, along with two area residents, went to the City Council to express concerns regarding the issue on August 14. Association member Helen Dutmer was appointed by our Board of Directors as a liaison for this matter in March, and she met with City Manager Terry Brechtel to express concerns.
The fire station will continue to be used for storage until renovation of two remaining stations is completed. At that time the City of San Antonio plans to auction the property to the highest bidder.
We will continue to address this issue.


Meet a Neighbor: Jack Elder
You may have noticed a new (bearded!) face at our association meetings since last December. Jack was introduced during our March and May meetings for his participation in the Highland Park Xeriscape Garden Tour. Jack?’s yard was not only open during the tour in April, but is the frequent site of informal picnics with his neighbors. When a neighbor needs a lift?—or something repaired?—there is often a knock on Jack?’s door.
Jack taught Spanish at St. Gerard Catholic School, then taught at Poe Middle School for many years before moving south to work with refugees from El Salvador. He returned to work, this time at Harlandale Middle School, and as custodial parent of his children. To ensure that they have clean air, he bicycled to work every day. Now Jack is once again teaching mathematics at Poe, and usually walks to work!
His youngest child, daughter Hannah, is sharing her senior year with dad. In addition to their own dog, they have adopted the dog owned by Jack?’s late friend, Maury Maverick, Jr.
Jack says he?’d rather ?‘do something?’ than attend a meeting. Just the same, when he was asked to represent school interests on our Board of Directors, he came forward and introduced himself to the Board in September. He was approved to fill the vacancy.
Jack, we thank you for your dedication to assist wherever you are needed!


Looking toward the future:
In October, the association Board of Directors approved a ?‘visioning?’ meeting for January 2004.
Much like the community planning process but more intimate, this process will help us discuss what we want to do for the future of Highland Park together!
Do you have some ideas? Jot them down and be ready to discuss them January 10.



2003 Highland Park Neighborhood Association Board
President Rachel Cywinski HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com
Vice President Madeline DeLaO madelinedelao@yahoo.com
Secretary Loyd Le Blanc loydleblanc@yahoo.com
Treasurer Bertha Saucedo 533-3939
Directors: Al Lindsey, Diane Cortez,
Eric Kauska, Lydia Romo, Vern Hophan

Newsletter and Website Editor: Rachel Cywinski HighlandParkNA@satx.rr.com
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/sat/hparkna


THE HIGHLANDER
Highland Park Neighborhood Association
PO Box 10210
San Antonio TX 78210-0210