Highland Park Neighborhood Association

January 2003 edition in full

Feb 06, 2003

page 1
Our Opporunities...
by HPNA President Rachel Cywinski
The holidays are a glorious time; aren't they? It's an especially fun time for going to meetings, as we all share food and fellowship. \
Everyone helps clean up, and often subtle hints are dropped that, "If you aren't going to take all those brownies home, I can help you lighten the load a little," etc.
On December 14, we had such a nice luncheon and enjoyed the caroling from students at Laura Steele Elementary School following the installation of 2003 Board of Directors.
Someone said to me, "Rachel, Did you tell someone they could take the tablecloths and food?"
This person gave the alert to a situation where a few individuals were packing up and taking off with plates of sweets, tablecloths, place settings, etc.
The story goes...someone began to help clean up, and a person observing that person hoped that we were giving away everything, so people began grabbing whatever they could. The situation was resolved, but it makes us all think; doesn't it?
We set the example for future generations by our conduct. When we interact in the neighborhood there is nothing more important than good communication! We need to speak with each other! And this weekend will you ever have the opportunity to do just that!
If you have never been to a meeting before, you need to attend this one! We will be implementing the plan for how our neighborhood will be in the future, and the most important person to get involved is YOU! So come January 11 and sign up!


2003 now featuring:
"Morning in Highland Park"
location: Highland Park, 900 Rigsby Avenue
This feature opens Saturday, January 11.

Are you tired of "sign in and run" meetings? We have the solution for you! Take a "Morning in Highland Park" the second Saturday of each month (except Spring Festival in April) and spend the whole day in the park!
Attend the meetings! Get to know your neighbors! Stay around and help with the Xeriscape Garden! Or attend the Board meeting!
9:30 a.m. Spring Festival Planning
All volunteers interested in assisting with the April 5 festival please attend this meeting. Have suggestions for the festival? Share them!
10:00 a.m. Monthly General Membership Meeting
FOCUS: IMPLEMENTING THE HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY PLAN
It took us two years plus to develop this plan with neighbors working together to state their mutual vision for what this part of San Antonio should be like in the future. Now it's time to do the work! No one can do all of it, but EVERY ONE of us can do something! So come learn more about it, sign up, and get a copy of the plan if you don't have one. This presentation will be made by the Highlands Community Plan impelentation team with Patrick Sandoval coordinating it!
Other important events happening as the meeting continues at 11:00 a.m.:
Eduardo Gonzalez of Rediscover Downtown San Antonio coalition will explain their program and offer FREE membership cards to our members so all of us can save up to 20% or "buy one get one free" at nearly 100 downtown restaurants and attractions.
Dave Monnich, local consultant and develop for Target, Inc., will discuss their proposed new Target store for this area, and the tax rebate and empowerment zone engineered by Councilwoman Toni Moorhouse just for this project.
Holiday decorations winners will be introduced.
Board of Directors meeting will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m.
Xeriscape Work Hour with Cactus Society begins after this meeting.

page 2
Highland Park Neighborhood Association members
According to our treasurer's records, the following persons are current in their dues through October of the year listed. These are the only individuals who will receive future newsletters. If you believe your name should be on this list, please contact our treasurer Bertha Saucedo at (210) 533-3939 so we can list you as a member and keep YOU informed!
[The current membership (paid) list, updated since this newsletter, is online. You can access it from our homepage.]

page 3
SAWS WaterSaver Rebate Challenge 2002
From August 1 to December 30 of 2002, 120 Highland Park residents undertook the challenge to try to earn Money for permanent equipment for the park by participating in the San Antonio Water System Season to Save WaterSaver rebate challenge. In this challenge, volunteers could earn rebates on their own accounts while earning money to go toward a designated project. The challenge was based onreduction in personal household consumption as compared to the same period in 2001. The goal for Highland Park was 10% from last year, which would earn $10 per volunteer to go toward improvements for Highland Park, with matching personal rebates. The final results will be available in February, 2003. We would like to thank all the volunteers who made efforts to earn money for permanent improvements to Highland Park:

The leader:
Martha (last name withheld) reduced her water consumption by 78.9% in August, 86.7% in September.

Giving up half:
These volunteers reduced their water consumption by 50% or more in August and/or September:
Albert Duran
Betty Perry
Dan Laxson
Davie Ayalas
G. McClaran
Hazle Massey
Howard Smith
Jennifer Garcia
Kathryn Dian
Louis Gloria
Luz Maria Castillo
Maria Loucprie
Maria Salinas
Martha (last name withheld)
Paola De Los Santos
Patrick Sandoval
Rachel Hernandez
Richard Robinson
Sarah Rodriguez

Meeting their goals:
These volunteers reduced their water consumption more than 10% during the hottest months:
Adela Carrizales
Albert Duran
Angel (last name withheld)
Betty Perry
Billie Roach
Dan Laxson
David Saznl
David Villalpando
Davie Ayalas
Dianna Herrera
Elena Villaseinor
Frank Moncada
G. McClaran
Hazle Massey
Howard Smith
Jennifer Garcia
Joe Guerrero
Kathryn Dian
Laura Casetelle
Laura Chavez
Laura Orrelas
Louis Gloria
Luz Maria Castillo
Maria Loucprie
Maria Rodriguez
Maria Salinas
Martha (last name withheld)
Mary Swanson
Michaelle Sandaval
Paola De Los Santos
Patrick Sandoval
Rachel Cywinski
Rachel Hernandez
Ralph Singer
Reuben Martinez
Richard Robinson
Sarah Rodriguez
Sylvia Escajeda
Virginia Marin

page 4
SAWS WaterSaver Rebate Challenge 2002
The volunteers:
These 120 volunteers pledged to reduce their water consumption by more than 10% from August 1 to December 30, 2002, in order to earn permanent equipment for Highland Park:
Adela Carrizales
Adriana Padilla
Al Lindsey
Albert Duran
Alfonso Hernandez
Angel (last name withheld)
Anthony White
B. Hingst
B. J. Williams
Bernie Garza
Bertha Garza
Bertha Saucedo
Betty Perry
Billie Roach
Brenda Turner-Horton
Bryan Apolinar
Catarino Macil
Clemile Lopez
Concepcion Torres
Dan Laxson
Danield Perez
Dave Herrera
David Ruiz
David Saznl
David Villalpando
Davie Ayalas
Debra Ford
Diana Almodovar
Diane Sanchez
Dianna Herrera
Dilbert Esparza
Eddie Hughes
Elena Villaseinor
Eloy Centeno
Eve Edpinoza
Frank Moncada
G. McClaran
Gerado Zurita
Gladys Chadwell
Grace Villascnon
Guissie Meyers
Hazle Massey
Hilda Manchaca
Howard Smith
Ignacio Casavez
Irene Castillo
Irene Valdez
Irmgard Howell
J. Donahue
James Covant
Jamie Martinez
Javier Tamez
Jennifer Garcia
Jesse Reese
Jesse Vitela
Jesus Munoz
Jimmie Armstrong
Joe Castanon
Joe Diaz
Joe Guerrero
Joe Perez
Jorge Ramirez
Josie Navarro
Joyce Smith
Juan Nunez
Kathryn Dian
L. S. Mollere
Larry Davenport
Larry Wood
Laura Casetelle
Laura Chavez
Laura Orrelas
Lena Dumont
Lester Woods
Louis Gloria
Luz Maria Castillo
Lynda Lazo
Margaret Denton
Maria Garza
Maria Loucprie
Maria Rodriguez
Maria Salinas
Martha (last name withheld)
Martha Maldonado
Mary Swanson
Michelle Gonzalez
Michelle Sandaval
N. S. Whitlock
Paola De Los Santos
Patrick Sandoval
Paula Estnla
Pedro Fuentes
Rachel Cywinski
Rachel Hernandez
Ralph Singer
Raven Rivera
Reuben Martinez
Richard Perales
Richard Robinson
Rick Fernandez
Robert Ochoa
Rogelio Lopez
Rogolio Nava
Rosie Grosse
Rosie Vasquez
Sarah Rodriguez
Seferina Salazar
Selma Marrufo
Steve Cleveland
Susan Mitzbell
Sylvia Escajeda
Sylvia Leisa
Ted Gonzales
Tim Torgerston
Veronica Garcia
Virginia Marin
Walter Murray
Warren Harris
Yolanda Garies

page 5
Neighbors supporting Neighbors
We thank 2002 Newsletter Mailing Donors:
As you know, the $3 or $5 annual dues do not fully cover the cost of sending the newsletter to each member 12 times a year! Each year some generous members give end-of-year donations to support the newsletter.
We thank you!
We could not do it without you!
Donors:
Nelson Wolff
Lou Gloria
Ann Dickey
Philip Raue
Donald Betz

We also thank Greg Ripps, the former newsletter editor. To expedite publication of the newsletter, Greg sometimes paid for the printing and then refused reimbursement. Greg, we appreciate your huge contribution!

We thank 2002 Door Prize Donors:
Greg and Noralynn Ripps
Rachel Cywinski
Bertha and Victor Saucedo
Diane Cortez
Lou Gloria

To donate door prizes for any meeting, please contact Lydia Romo at (210) 534-7386.

Member survey
[The following survey was included in the newsletter mailed to members. Anyone who wishes to join the association and send in a survey may include a copy of this survey with your completed membership application, available at our "Community Pages" link from our homepage.]
Please give us your opinion! Bring to the meeting January 11 or mail to HPNA.
Do you want to have an invocation (prayer) before every general membership meeting? Yes No
Do you want to have a pledge of allegiance to the United States flag before every general membership meeting? Yes No
Do you want the association banner to be carried by members during the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March? Yes No
Would you march with the association if it marched in this event? Yes No
Do you want the association banner to be carried by members during the annual Cesar Chavez March? Yes No
Would you march with the association if it marched in this event? Yes No
Is there any other event in which you want the association to be represented? Is so, please list it here:

If so, would you represent the association at this event? Yes No
+++++
HPNA member Diane Cortez has proposed that the holiday decorations contest be changed so that the money given away with prizes would instead be used to purchase decorations for the Bode Center and Highland Park, to benefit the children using the center and the entire community. Other options that have been suggested are to continue the contest but not award monetary prizes, and instead spend the money on Highland Park; or to award only holiday decorations with lights powered by solar cells. Please circle the option you like best:
Continue contest with money given to winners
Continue contest but give money to decorate Highland Park
Discontinue contest and give money to Highland Park
Other (Please specify):

Other suggestions may be included on additional pages.
To volunteer for any event, please include your name and TELEPHONE NUMBER! E-mail addresses appreciated.

page 6
Our business members:
Little Red Barn Steak House
"Over a 1,000 Steaks a Day"
1902 S. Hackberry
San Antonio, Texas 78210
532-4235

Wallace Cook Agency, Inc.
Life, Hospital, Group, Auto, Home, Commercial, Casualty & Property
Independent Insurance Agent
3902 Clark Avenue
PO Box 23428
San Antonio, Texas 78223
(210)534-9293
Fax: (210) 534-9297

South East Community Credit Union
123 Waleetka
San Antonio, Texas 78210
(210) 534-7221
Fax: (210) 534-6262

Brown's Mexican Food
"Enchiladas Our Specialty"
Hours:
Monday - Thursday
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday - Saturday
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
533-8174
2405 S. Hackberry Street

County Judge Nelson Wolff


2003 Board of Directors
Highland Park Neighborhood Association
President Rachel Cywinski
Vice President Madeline DeLaO
Secretary Lloyd Le Blanc
Treasurer Bertha Saucedo
Ex-Oficio Director Al Lindsey
Director Diane Cortez
Director Ramon Quintero
Director Lydia Romo
Director Rita Pena
Director Harry Oliver

Newsletter and Website Editor:
Rachel Cywinski HighlandParkNASA@aol.com


Holiday Decorations contest volunteers
Only special volunteers are willing to commit to tour 4,700 homes for three nights and make this very difficult decision! The volunteers who committed to judging the holiday decorations contest were:
Bertha Saucedo, Coordinator
Lydia Romo
Lloyd Le Blanc
Ramon Quintero
Al and Estelle Lindsey

We thank these volunteers for their dedication!

The judges chose first, second and third place winners, five honorable mention winners (one declined the award) and gave special recognition to consistently outstanding display.
Lou Gloria and Rachel Cywinski informed the winners and presented them with their awards.