Free Feral Cat Trap, Neuter & Return Workshops

This announcement is from the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition, a nonprofit that helps people with managing feral, outdoor, or free-roaming cats. Outdoor cats can reproduce quickly and so if you are concerned, and especially if you are feeding outdoor cats, the Feral Cat Coalition can help.

ATTEND A FREE WORKSHOP JUST ONCE FOR A LIFETIME OF BENEFIT!

In order for us to help you and to qualify for the advantages of access to low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, free trap loan and advice on how to control the outdoor cat population humanely - you must first attend a FREE Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) workshop. The workshop also gives safety tips on how to complete your TNR project without getting hurt. You only need to attend ONE workshop ONCE, to qualify to use our program. Once you attend, there is no need to attend a second time, unless you want to. Please refer to the schedule for dates and locations of upcoming workshops on the SA Feral Cat Coalition Events page.
The Workshop will answer most of your questions but you can also refer to the Coalition's Frequently Asked Questions.

The Fate of Chrome-plating on Southcross

On June 23rd, the San Antonio Zoning Commision has denied the requested zoning change to the chome-plating facility located on the southeast side of East Southcross Boulevard near Roosevelt Avenue. The company involved in chrome-plating was seeking a zoning change to bring their business into compliance. Chrome-plating, a heavy industry requiring dangerous chemicals, will not be allowed in this area of San Antonio.

Following are excerpts from the city record of the Zoning Commission Hearing.

CASE NO: Z2010045

The subject property is located within the South Central Community Plan. The requested zoning change is inconsistent with the Future Land Use Plan, which designates the subject property as "Mixed Use". The requested zoning will require amending the plan to a "Heavy Industrial" land use designation.

Seed Collection and Storage Workshop

Gardeners!

Here’s your chance to learn another way to save resources and money. Green Spaces is holding our second work(ing)shop of the year.

Seed Collection and Storage

Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 9am to 12pm

Community Gardens of St. Therese

906 W. Kentucky Avenue (behind the Basilica of the Little Flower, near Zarzamora and Culebra)

At this workshop, we will have Josh Greene from the St. Andrew’s Seed Bank with us to discuss:

1. the philosophy and reasons for saving seeds;

2. how to ensure good quality seeds;

3. common techniques for preparing seeds for storage; and

4. best storage practices.

The presentation will include hands-on opportunities for you to

1. identify seeds that are ready to harvest;

2. select seeds from various vegetables, herbs and flowers;

3. remove seeds from pods, fruit, etc.;

4. start the cleaning process for the various types of seeds;

5. start the drying process for seeds; and

6. figure out which simple tools you already have for proper storage.

As donations come in, participants may go home with seeds, seed saving envelopes and containers.

We look forward to spending time in this garden with representatives from all 25 community gardens.

Pass the word. Everyone must RSVP for this free and open-to-the-public workshop!

ANGELA@GREENSPACESALLIANCE.ORG

16th Annual Basura Bash

Saturday, March 27, 9 am
Meet in Blue Star Arts Complex parking lot

Join King William Association, Brackenridge High School Environmental Club, and Mission Trail Rotary Club members and friends for this annual San Antonio River clean up. We'll pick up litter along the riverbank. It will only take about two hours to finish the work. Work gloves and sturdy shoes are required. Meet in Blue Star Arts Complex parking lot.

For more information, please contact Robin Raquet, Zone Captain, Section 1, at rockinrobinr@sbcglobal.net or 224-4541, or visit basurabash.org.

Mission Reach River Project

Public Meeting

San Antonio River Improvements Project:

Mission Reach

Ecosystems Restoration and Recreation Project

Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 6:30pm

Slattery Hall, San Juan Capistrano Mission

9006 Villamain, San Antonio, Texas 78214

Big Tex Clean-Up Community Meeting

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) invite you to attend a Community Meeting on the closing of field activities on the Big Tex Grain site, between Probandt, Lone Star Blvd and the San Antonio River.

Tuesday, October 20, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Brackenridge High School Cafeteria

400 Eagleland Drive, San Antonio TX 78210

For more information, contact Eric Delgado, On-Scene Coordinator, U.S. EPA, 214.665.2703

Grown in Your Own Backyard Event

Get tips on community gardening and buying locally grown produce at an event called “Grown in Your Own Back Yard” on Sunday at Pearl Stables.

Texas Public Radio and the Green Spaces Alliances of South Texas have teamed up to stage the free event, which includes speakers, cooking demonstrations and exhibitions.

Organizers hope to build on the growing interest in local produce and farmers markets to get more backyard and community gardens going. The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m.

Community Garden Grant and Meeting

Congratulations!

Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association

was awarded the community garden grant from

Green Spaces Alliances!

It's time to plan what our garden will look like!

We want your ideas and input so come meet

and plan with us at the,

ROOSEVELT PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

WHEN: Thursday, August 20th

WHERE: Roosevelt Park - Party Room, 311 Roosevelt

TIME: 6:00 pm

We will discuss the garden design,

plan what plants and crops will be grown in the garden,

and schedule workdays and celebration days to be held in

the garden. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

If you cannot attend but would like to submit your ideas, please call

Jill Mata at 210-240-9980 or email jmata@bexar.org

Roosevelt Park Community Garden

You are invited to attend a meeting regarding the

ROOSEVELT PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN

WHEN: Wednesday, July 29th

WHERE: Roosevelt Park - Party Room

TIME: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

If you have any questions, please call 335-1965 or 335-1961.

Hope to see you there.

Community Garden

ROOSEVELT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT

Are you interested?

Garden to be located at corner of Mitchell and mission road

Construct ion to begin this fall for a spring 2010 vegetable garden

Join the interest group and get your plans included

Meet your neighbors, beautify the area

&

Go vegetables for the table

If interested call Jill @ 210 335-1965

Leave your name and number

Household Hazardous Waste

Don’t let cleaning products go down the drain!

San Antonio’s HHW mobile event provides residents with safe venue to dispose of hazardous materials!

When you are finished using household cleaners, paint, lawn and garden products, or automotive fluids remember not to pour them down the drain, empty them in the trash, or dispose of them on the ground. Instead, bring them to the City's Solid Waste Management Department's mobile household hazardous waste event (HHW) on Saturday, June 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Dub Farris Athletic Complex, Loop 1604 at Hausman.

Items labeled "toxic", "corrosive" or "flammable" can be dangerous and should be properly disposed.  This HHW event provides residents with a convenient opportunity to properly dispose of these materials, such as paint, motor oil, antifreeze, pool chemicals, batteries, pesticides, aerosol cans and florescent light bulbs. If possible, these items should  be kept in their original containers. If containers are deteriorated or leaking, transfer materials to a safe container and label the new container to correctly identify the contents.  

This event is open to San Antonio residents who are customers of the Solid Waste Management Department. Please bring a picture ID and current CPS Energy bill showing “Environmental Fee” as proof of residency. At this event the following items will not be accepted: explosives, ammunition, fireworks, medical waste, industrial/commercial waste, radioactive materials, electronics, tires, trailer loads and large quantities of materials.

If you are unable to make it to the HHW mobile event, residents are encouraged to drop off their HHW items at the City's permanent facility  located at 7030 Culebra Road which is open Fridays 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

For more information on the HHW mobile events and the permanent facility visit, www.sanantonio.gov/swmd.

Vermiculite Clean-Up

The Environmental Protection Agency is set to begin removing contaminated soil from the former Bix Tex Grain facility, between Probandt Ave. and the River, just south of the Blue Star Arts Complex. Most people refer to the now-empty compound as Big Tex, and the Silos. But it was W.R. Grace and Co. that received, stored, and processed Libby vermiculite when they owned and operated the site some decades ago.
Libby vermiculite contains a naturally-occurring asbestos called tremolite, which has been definitively linked to asbestosis and lung cancer in people. So the EPA is cleaning former W.R. Grace sites all over the country.
Eric Delgado, On Scene Coordinator for the Agency, addressed neighbors at a community meeting last Wednesday. Having completed years of studies here in San Antonio, he says EPA contractors will begin removing the dangerous soil within the next week, and will have it all replaced with clean soil by the middle of December.
Mr. Delgado explained the various safety measures the EPA employs to assure that harmful contaminants are not made airborne, and cannot contaminate adjacent areas during the remediation process. Neighbors with questions are invited to stop by the EPA trailer located at 354 Blue Star St.
You can also visit the EPA's website, which includes documents specifically related to this project.