Hello D6,

This week we brought ideas to the table with plans to make San Antonio better.

The next day I was a guest on Texas Public Radio's The Source program where I had a great conversation about rail between San Antonio and Austin!

It’s time to move beyond the mistakes of the past and plan for the future, that includes rail, and there’s good momentum to make it happen.

There are conversations about rail happening all along the I35 corridor, and my discussion on TPR has gotten great support.

You can listen to the discussion HERE.

Any work we do toward establishing a rail line between San Antonio and Austin will need strong community support. And there's a strong, well organized community group in our city that has been advocating for transportation options along I35.

San Antonians for Rail Transit meet regularly to exchange ideas and information. I was glad I had the opportunity to connect and get to know them this week.

I’m going to keep in touch with them because their ideas and energy are valuable.

Next week I’ll be traveling to Austin. Travis County Judge Andy Brown asked me to become a member of the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, which he leads. I’m honored and excited to join a group that sees the need for rail and is taking serious steps to make it happen.

We live in a great City where collaboration and community play a key role bringing together the incredible brain power of our many talented women leaders.

CPS Energy Board Chairman Janie González convened an impressive group of women leaders in education, healthcare, small business and more, to share ideas and support and make our city a place where all families can thrive.

I was thrilled to spend time with so many formidable women, and happy to have participated in helping build community engagement and dialogue with CPS Energy.

Tuesday was a special treat, the dedication of a new piece of public art in the heart of D6!

In truth, there are two Orgullo Tejano companion pieces that celebrate the cultural heritage of D6’s Old Hwy 90 corridor.

The main piece is on Old Hwy 90 and 37th street, a Companion piece is in downtown San Antonio, on the Riverwalk.

That’s where we gathered to celebrate!

It is amazing to see new public art coming to all parts of San Antonio.

I can’t think of a better place or a better time to dedicate this beautiful piece of art.

It’s the right place because it’s in the middle of a proud, hard working community, with a legacy of community unity, a history of sacrifice, and a cultural and musical heritage like no other.

It’s the right time because Orgullo Tejano came at the end of a long period of construction that tried the patience of the residents and businesses. It’s like a big cultural bow at the end of a struggle.

I am especially excited about the installation in District 6 because I grew up on the far West side of San Antonio and I have seen how fast District 6 is growing.

What I particularly love is how we always give credit to our history while we move forward.

With this new towering tribute to Tejano and Conjunto music, our culture is literally on display for all to see and hopefully it will inspire music and art lovers from all over to step into District 6 and see what we are all about.

Thank you to all of the City of San Antonio staff who oversaw this project.

Most importantly, thank you to the artist Luis Lopez for creating these sculptures for all and bringing us together.

The San Antonio report published a great story about Orgullo Tejano and what it means to the Old Hwy 90 community. You can read the story HERE.

On Monday I attended a luncheon appropriately titled, Strong, Smart, and Bold hosted by Girls, Inc. Congratulations to Strong category honoree Lisa Campos, Smart category honoree, Margaret Wilson Anaglia, and Bold Category honoree Mona Tawil Helmy.

These wonderful role models are a testament to why we need to continue to celebrate the empowerment of young girls across our communities and support the next generation of empowered women!

Thank you also to Meals on Wheels for all that they do to support our seniors!

This week I helped them with their More Than A Meal effort, which is part of the Save Lunch campaign.

It’s always heartwarming to visit with our elders who have done so much for our families and our community. They did their part to support us in their time, it’s now our time to support and look after them.

Their smiles are thanks enough!

I also had so much fun this week spending time with Cable Elementary kids who were pumped to show me their ACORN garden!

Project ACORN teaches kids about science and nature by letting them get their hands on seeds, plants, and soil. They nurture the plants, learn about plant life cycles, and understand the importance of taking care of our community.

Great job Cable Elementary!

The Easter Bunny came early in D6!

Lindsey Place HOA hosted a fun & festive celebration for our families to enjoy. Kids enjoyed the piñata, an Easter Egg Hunt, and a visit by some Easter Bunny’s for some photo ops!

It was a great time for all!

And the Easter fun continued at GNW!

I was happy to have helped kickoff the 30th Annual Great Northwest Easter Egg Hunt and family fun.

It was wonderful to see so many families coming together to enjoy the morning.

I wish everyone a happy and joyous Easter!

Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda

Flavors of District 6

As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, your District 6 team is excited to highlight small business owner Leah Flores, of La Tea da in D9.

laTEAda is a San Antonio original with a wide selection of organic, all-natural loose-leaf teas from a variety of excellent tea houses.

During our visit, the D6 team enjoyed smelling, tasting, and learning about the different kinds of teas and their many health benefits. At la TEA da, their mission is to provide their customers with alternatives to high-sugar, artificially flavored drinks that are available in most beverage shops. Not only do they provide tea, tea-inspired craft drinks, and delicious food items, la TEA da offers a great gathering space for any occasion.

You can find Leah in the Ventura Plaza at 434 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 1101 San Antonio, Texas 78232.

Construction and Maintenance Notices

March 1st - June 28th

• Military Dr W and Potranco Rd
  • Fiberlichgt, LLC
  • robert.pash.fiberlight.com
  • (435) 687-7836

March 8th - July 8th

• Culebra Rd
  • Starting at 10603 Culebra Rd, Crown Castle is aerial fiber attachments at an existing CPS utility pole along Culebra Rd. Aerial fiber to route west along Culebra Rd. At 10151 Culebra Rd, fiber turn turn north at an existing utility pole, and route along the west side of Les Harrison Dr. At the north side of 10151 Culebra Rd, aerial fiber to transition at an existing utility pole to underground conduit. Underground conduit by direction bore to continue north along Les Harrison Dr. Underground conduit to terminate at HH at 5802 Les Harrison Dr.

March 8th - July 8th

• Weybridge and Hardesty
  • Starting at 10603 Culebra Rd, Crown Castle is aerial fiber attachments at an existing CPS utility pole along Culebra Rd. Aerial fiber to route west along Culebra Rd. At 10151 Culebra Rd, fiber turn turn north at an existing utility pole, and route along the west side of Les Harrison Dr. At the north side of 10151 Culebra Rd, aerial fiber to transition at an existing utility pole to underground conduit. Underground conduit by direction bore to continue north along Les Harrison Dr. Underground conduit to terminate at HH at 5802 Les Harrison Dr.

March 29 - July 19

• Google
  • 9550 Westover Hills Blvd
  • Stonegate Hills & Aviara

March 20 - July 20

• Google
  • 9760 Braun Rd
  • Tezel Trls

March 7^th – April 7^th

• REMUDA DR from HARNESS LN to BIG ROCK DR. Weather permitting.

March 7^th – April 7^th

• REMUDA DR from HARNESS LN to BIG ROCK DR. Weather permitting.

April 2^nd – April 30^th       

• Point Quail @ Crested Quail @ Silent Sunrise. Weather permitting.

April 1^st   –   April 5^th **Date Extension**

·         PARNU MESA from PETSERI PARK to ANTSLA SANDS.. The work is estimated from 4/1/2024 to 4/5/2024, weather permitting. 

April 2^nd   –   April 9^th

·         ANTSLA SANDS from VALGA HILL to CUL DE SAC. The work is estimated from 4/2/2024 to 4/9/2024, weather permitting. 

April 4^th   –   April 11^th

·         OAK TIMBER ST from WOODLINE ST to RIM ROCK TRL.. The work is estimated from 4/4/2024 to 4/11/2024, weather permitting.

April 3^rd   –   April 10^th

·         OAK BRANCH from OAK MILL to CUL DE SAC. The work is estimated from 4/3/2024 to 4/10/2024, weather permitting. 

April 3^rd   –   April 10^th

·         OAK FENCE ST from OAK MILL to CUL DE SAC. The work is estimated from 4/3/2024 to 4/10/2024, weather permitting. 

April 3^rd   –   April 10^th

·         OAK MILL from OAK BRANCH to STAR CREEK DR. The work is estimated from 4/3/2024 to 4/10/2024, weather permitting.

March 7 - July 7

• Old Tezel Rd
  • Within COSA right of way, start path at approximately 9418 Guilbeau Rd proposing to bore for an estimated 3,514 ft along Old Tezel Rd.

March 1 - July 1

• Rue De Bois
  • Within COSA right of way, start path at approximately 9303 Rue De Bois proposing to softscape for an estimated 4,407 ft and bore 400 ft along Rue de Bois, Autumn Branches, Autumn Sunrise and Braun Rd.

March 2 - July 2

• Guilbeau Rd.
  • Within COSA right of way, start path at approximately 9418 Guilbeau Rd, proposing to softscape for an estimated 1,812 ft and bore 418 ft along Guilbeau Rd between Old Tezel Rd and Tezel Rd.

Council Meetings and Committees

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETINGS WEEK:

• San Antonio Arts Commission: Public Art Committee
• Zoning Commission Meeting
• Design Public Meeting for 2022-2027 Bond Project: Culebra Park (Area Streets)
• Dean's Community Lecture Series
• SA Ready to Work Advisory Board
• Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC)
• Transportation Advisory Board
• Public Comment Session
• Virtual Meeting for Complete Streets Policy Revision
• Building Standards Board
• Collective Bargaining Negotiation - Fire
• City Council Zoning and Land Use Session
• Public Health Fest
• Renter Rights and Responsibilities Information Session

Community Bulletin Board

Mental Health Matters!

The Teen Mental Health Survey, created by teens for teens ages 12-19 in San Antonio, is now live. By filling it out today, teens can help improve teen mental health in San Antonio!

Take the survey here: https://publicinput.com/v2030

Did you know that we have an interactive Apartment Inspections dashboard? Stay up to date on inspection activities for apartment units. For more info: https://app.powerbigov.us/view...

COSA Construction Resource Toolkit

As progress continues in our City so does construction.  I am reaching out to remind you that COSA has a Construction Resource Toolkit to help small businesses impacted by construction in their area.  This guide includes contacts, strategies, and other resources to help small businesses prepare and navigate the construction experience. This Toolkit is available digitally at the links listed below. 

• EDD Programs & Grants page
• Construction Resource Toolkit-ENGLISH
• Construction Resource Toolkit-SPANISH

The Texas Legislature recently enacted HB 114 requiring all school districts to implement mandatory disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) placement for students found in possession of, using, selling, giving, or delivering e-cigarettes or vaping devices on school grounds or at a school-related event.

This alternative school placement, required by law, is made regardless of whether the substance being vaped is a controlled substance or not.

We ask that you discuss this new state law with your child(ren).

Pack your school bag with resources from San Antonio Public Library!

Local libraries offer school resources for students of all ages

The school year is once again upon us, and San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) wants to remind students and their families of the educational resources available at your library year-round. Throughout the year, SAPL is packed with free resources to support children, teens, and adults on their educational journeys.

In addition to a collection of over 2 million items and dozens of free online databases, SAPL offers online tutoring, Wi-Fi, low-cost printing services, and more for all ages. Sign up for a free SAPL card today to kick off the school year and enjoy several services and resources to assist in your educational pursuits. Visit MySAPL.org/CardSignUp or stop by your nearest SAPL location to register.

SAPL’s educational resources include:

Read-alongs

Available at all SAPL Locations

Do you have a young child learning to read or reading English or Spanish for the first time? Read-alongs, print books with built-in audio narration, are available in a range of English and Spanish titles. They are an entertaining, self-guided way to help enhance your little one's literacy skills. To borrow a read-along, visit the read-along shelf at your nearest SAPL location. Introduce children to the pleasure of independent reading and let them embark on a delightful literary journey with read-along stories. To learn more about these selections and to browse them in our collection, visit the children's services section of the SAPL website.

MySAPL App

Download instant access to the San Antonio Public Library collection on your phone or mobile device. The MySAPL app is free, easy, and available for both iOS and Android users — take the library wherever you go!

PrintOnline

Available at all SAPL Locations

PrintOnline is a mobile printing service available to all library cardholders. Get printing in four simple steps:

1. Access the PrintOnline portal
2. Upload documents from home, the office, a coffee shop, or anywhere you have internet access
3. Visit your nearest branch library to print your files
4. Enter your SAPL card number into the print kiosk at your library to finish printing your documents.

Free Indoor & Outdoor Public Wi-Fi

Available at SAPL Locations

You’ll always have the Wi-Fi password at SAPL! Wi-Fi is available at all SAPL locations daily.* Indoor Wi-Fi is available during normal service hours and outdoor Wi-Fi is available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day.

* Locations undergoing building improvements or other projects may have adjusted hours. Details listed at MySAPL.org.

Ask a Librarian
Call (210-207-2500) or chat online (Ask.MySAPL.org)
Librarians are teachers in disguise. They’re available to make book recommendations for your next research project or help with account questions.

Homework Help

Daily | 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Connecting you to Homework Help heroes is what we do. Free online homework help from professional tutors is available in a variety of subjects for students in kindergarten through college. Available 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., seven days a week in English and Spanish. For more information, visit SAPL’s expert help website.

SORA App

SAPL has partnered with every public school district in the area to offer students unlimited access to age-appropriate materials in our digital library even if you don't have a SAPL card. Thanks to the Sora app by OverDrive, San Antonio students at participating schools can easily browse our extensive library. Head over to Sora’s website to see if your school is participating!

FAFSA Assistance   

Monday – Thursday, 1 p.m. - 10 p.m.

College preparation just got a little bit easier! Brought to you by Brainfuse, FAFSA tutors are available for live assistance Monday through Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visit SAPL’s featured services page for details.

Database Access
Looking for the August 1973 issue of National Geographic for a research project? Need access to over 60 years of articles about rock music? From Aardvarks to ZZ Top, San Antonio Public Library is your doorway to over 170 online databases, including popular news databases like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Some databases are library-use only, so visit your nearest SAPL location for these resources. To get started visit our database guide.

For more information on Back-to-School resources provided by SAPL, visit our guide.

Animal Care Services Extends Shelter Hours to Encourage Lifesaving

 San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) has expanded shelter hours to give would-be adopters, fosters, and rescue partners more opportunities to help pets in need. The municipal shelter will be open two additional hours, with adoptions and other services now available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Weekend hours remain unchanged, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The $25 special adoption rate continues through the end of July. This special rate applies to dog, cat, puppy, and kitten adoptions. 

Fosters Desperately Needed to Help Local Pets in Need

 San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) and local animal welfare partners have been flooded with pets in need, including dozens of puppies and kittens. Fosters are urgently needed to provide temporary care for pets as they become adoption ready. Foster applications are available via the following links:

• Animal Care Services at: www.saacs.info/foster
• San Antonio Pets Alive! at: www.sanantoniopetsalive.org/programs/foster
• Animal Defense League at: www.adltexas.org/foster-application/

Fosters will receive food and other supplies for their temporary pets including medical care and vaccinations. Interested residents should check with the program of their choice for additional resources. 

Always dispose of pesticides properly

Pesticides and herbicides can be a convenient way to protect plants from pests and weeds. But when used or discarded incorrectly, these chemicals pose great risks not only to our ecosystem and wildlife, but also to our water, soil, air and human health.

The best way to avoid the perils of pesticides and herbicides is to stop using them altogether. But if you must use them:

• Always carefully read the product label and follow the disposal instructions exactly.
• Only purchase what you need and use it until it’s gone to avoid leftovers.
• Never discard these items in your trash bin for regular collection.  
• Don’t ever pour them down sink drains, toilets or storm drains.

Pesticides and herbicides must be disposed properly at a household hazardous waste site. For a schedule of monthly drop-off events, visit sa.gov/swmd.

A higher-paying career is now within your reach. San Antonio’s unprecedented Ready to Work program offers tuition assistance for education and job training.

Career coaches are with you from start to finish to evaluate what you need now to get started, guide you through career planning and get you enrolled to begin your path to securing a quality, higher-paying job.

No other program offers more support to ensure participants reach success. If you are ready for a change, take advantage of this opportunity now.

There are three easy ways to learn more and apply:

      1. Online: Visit readytoworksa.com

      2. Phone: Call 3-1-1 and ask for Ready to Work

          3. In Person: Visit Alamo Colleges District, Project Quest, Restore Education or Workforce Solutions Alamo

Animal Care Services joins Daisy Cares to feed hungry pets in San Antonio 

Pet food donations sought as holidays near and needs increase   

The San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) team is joining Daisy Cares, a local non-profit, to host a holiday pet food drive that will help both organizations support pet parents in need by filling their pet pantries.    

Bags of dog and puppy food are especially needed in addition to other new or gently used pet items. All donations will be divided between the Daisy Cares pet food pantry and the SAACS Community Animal Support and Assistance (CASA) program, which uses a case management approach to assist pet parents in need with food, humane care support, and veterinary resources.   

Residents can bring pet food donations through the end of November to Animal Care Services during regular business hours. SAACS is located at 4710 State Highway 151 and is open on weekdays from 1 - 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends (except on City holidays). All donations are tax-deductible.

CPS energy has launched an updated webpage with information to help keep customers safe in the event of an outage: www.cpsenergy.com/prepare and in Spanish www.cpsenergy.com/preparar.

Customers are also encouraged to update their emergency contact information with CPS in case of an emergency.

For more information visit http://cpsenergy.com