Downtown Residents Association

THE DOWNTOWNER January 2009

Feb 25, 2009

January 2009

Message from the President

As we begin 2009 with a list of new resolutions, it opens an opportunity to thank those DRA volunteers that really made a difference for us in 2008. First, KUDOS to Fred Preston for creating the idea of a 100% social gathering for downtown residents, workers and business owners. With his volunteer committee of DRA members and others in the greater downtown area, ZOCOLOCOS was established. The first two gatherings have found over 100 downtown folks in the same place to network and visit. The tradition will continue Monday, January 19 at ERNIE'S BAR in the Crocket Hotel. Hope to see you there from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Second, we all owe Joan Korte a spam-alert-high-five. You may think you get a bundle of announcement email from her, but you NEVER see what she sorts through to send out what may be of interest to our membership. Your DRA Board has tried our best to keep your email from open solicitations and Joan is our guiding light to keep our emails within the boundaries of DRA necessary information. It is a thankless job figuring out what appeals to whom, but bless her dedicated send and/or delete fingers for keeping us all informed of upcoming events. Thank you Joan!

Third, CHEERS to Catherine Leahey who continues to organize the Lunch Bunch each month-whether she is in town or not! While many members work during the scheduled lunches, many more of you are available to enjoy the restaurant of the month and gather for casual dining and catching up on neighborhood information. If you missed December's TUBA event at La Villita-it is a MUST for 2009!

Fourth, you would not be reading this newsletter if it were not for the dedication of Board member John Bonny. He stepped in back in May to help with the newsletter and it adopted him before he knew it. His efforts go a long way in keeping us posted each month on up-coming events.

Finally, a note of thanks to your DRA Board. We are all volunteers who meet once each month to keep things updated and organized. Most Board members serve on several other boards and committees and make the time to make a difference for our own residents. We serve because we want to keep our neighborhood alive and kicking!

With that note, and a thought of your New Year's Resolutions, maybe you will consider serving on our Board or as an Officer in 2009. We will elect new Board members and officers in March, but that process will start long before the vote. In late January/early February a nominating committee will be formed to select officer candidates and Board member replacements. We will have an unusually high turn-over this session and will be seeking volunteers to sit on our Board and serve as officers. Please take some time and consider if you can donate a few hours each month to keep the DRA operating and active. No experience is necessary-just a love of living downtown! More details will follow in the February newsletter and at the January and February meetings.

Our JANUARY meeting will be hosted by Central Park Pizza. Join us Tuesday, January 20 at 6:00 PM. Central Park Pizza is located at 136 Main Plaza (just east of the Court House). No free parking is available, but it should be centrally located for walking for most of us.

Happy New Year to you! May you choose to serve with us on the DRA Board.

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

January DRA Meeting Tuesday, January 20, at 6 PM
Central Park Pizza
136 Main Plaza (just east of the Court House)
No free parking

Hey, Zocolocos
The January 19th gathering!
The Crocket Hotel
320 Bonham Street (behind the Alamo)
Meet at Ernie's Bar 5:30 - 7:30 PM

.................................................................
This unique downtown event is sponsored by the DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION.

These are folks who have an interest in our downtown and generally made up of those living here or planning to live here.
Many are from outside of the DRA boundaries such as Lavaca, Southtown, King Willian, etc.

We hope you will come, enjoy meeting new neighbors, get a little something to eat and mingle. We will look forward to seeing you there.

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




Recent Events

December DRA Meeting

Our December meeting hosted by Aldaco's at Sunset Station was indeed a joyous occasion. THANK YOU ALDACO'S for our wonderful food. Many of us tried our first Avocado Margarita and are now BIG fans of the specialty drink. Our tradition of collecting for the SAMM's shelter netted over $300 and several boxes of toiletry items. Thanks to all who donated and especially to Joanna Foster for getting everything delivered.
Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2008 Pictures
















Medical team captain (in red cap)


Bananas and pineapple cups


Finish Line!!


Medics at work


Last minute stragglers
Children's Museum's Kids' Gingerbread Pictures

They welcomed 27 Girl Scout troops and over 100 families for this December event.

Many event are scheduled for January. Two highlights are a workshop on Jan. 10 when kids can make homemade butter or create an ice cream sundae on Jan. 24. We also have a special Martin Luther King Day collaborative art activity on Jan. 19 from 3-4pm.
Call (210)212-4453 for full schedule and other information. Closed Mondays.

Upcoming Events


SOUTHWEST SCHOOL of ART & CRAFT
Navarro Campus January 29 - March 28, 2009
Marcia Gygli-King Retrospective: Spontaneous Combustion
Russell Hill Rogers Gallery I
Works on paper. A collaborative exhibition with UTSA and SAMA - one woman, three exhibitions

Zaba, Let's Go
Navarro Lobby / Navarro Campus
Trade portfolio from the China Sanbao International Printmaking project.

Estevan Arredondo
Ursuline Hall Gallery / Ursuline Campus
Solo exhibition of paintings.
OPENING RECEPTION / Thursday, Jan 29 / 5:30 to 7:30
CELEBRATION / Jan 24 / 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday Morning Discovery: Forty Years of Creative Self-Discovery

Ursuline Campus
An open invitation to families, alumni, teachers and fans of Saturday Morning Discovery as we celebrate its 40th anniversary. Hands-on activities, demonstrations, a treasure hunt and cake!

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 thru Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 11am-11pm 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 my 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
Houston Street Fair & Market
Saturday, January 31st on Houston Street from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Saddle up and ride as it will be the Rodio/Wild West edition. For details call 207-7258 or visit www.houstonstreetfairandmarket.com

San Antonio Symphony Concerts Event Calendar

January 23 & 24 - Piano, Pride, & Passion
Andrew von Oeyen Tickles the Ivories
Join the Symphony's Artistic Advisor Christopher Seaman as he conducts the orchestra in a tuneful evening of great romantic piano concertos. Piano, Pride and Passion with guest pianist Andrew von Oeyen will delight you! Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G major, Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 will show off the virtuosity of the San Antonio Symphony.

WHERE: Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
WHEN: 7 p.m.- Pre-concert discussion; 8 p.m.- Concert
TICKETS: $10 to $60
To reserve tickets, call 210-554-1010. All tickets are subject to a $1.50 Majestic Theatre Preservation Fee.
www.sasymphony.org

January 27-29 - Young People's Concert: Counting Steps
Ken David-Masur, resident conductor
The San Antonio Symphony, joined by students from the North East School of the Arts Dance program, will explore the relationships between math, music and dance. Learn about the mathematical elements of patterns and counting which are also found in dance. Watch, count and learn as the Symphony and NESA demonstrate familiar dance steps.

WHERE: Trinity University's Laurie Auditorium
715 Stadium Dr.
WHEN: 9:45 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.
TICKETS: $4
To reserve tickets, call Stephanie Brimhall, 210-554-1006

January 31 - Joshua Bell in Recital
Violinist Joshua Bell with Jeremy Denk, piano
For more than two decades, Grammy?®Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell has captivated audiences with his poetic musicality and inspired interpretations, and has captured the public's imagination like no other classical violinist of his time. An exclusive Sony Classical artist, his latest work, The Red Violin Concerto, evolved during and after The Red Violin film. Join us in a "special one-night-only recital" with this legendary violinist and Jeremy Denk, two of the music world's most compelling young artists.

WHERE: Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $26.50 to $101.50
To reserve tickets, call 210-554-1010.
All single tickets are subject to a $1.50 Majestic Theatre Preservation Fee. http://www.sasymphony.org

DRA members can call Karen Cramer at 554-1066 or email cramerk@sasymphony.org for further information and/or to place an order.
Lavaca News

Watch for the latest edition of Lavaca News to catch up on the activities of our neighbors to the south!


I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.
-e e cummings

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

ZOCOLOCOS
1/19 5:30-7:30

DRA Meeting
1/20 6 PM

SSAC Exibits
Various Dates

Houston Street Fair & Market
1/31 - 12-6 PM

SA Symphony
Various Dates

Lunch Bunch
1/29 12 Noon

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


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

The Lunch Bunch will meet at Zuni Grill, 223 Losoya, on Thursday, 29 January at 12 noon.
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

Sandra Willis
512-663-3174
willissg@aol.com

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 is 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
Forward email

Downtown Residents Association | 222 E. Houston St | Suite 600 | San Antonio | TX | 78205