JUNE 2015 PAGE 1

BEACON NEWSJune 2015

www.bhana-sa.orgCheck out our website at www.bhana-sa.org or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/

BeaconHi$ANA/Beacon Hill Area Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization working for the benefit of owners and residents of the Beacon Hill area of San Antonio, Texas. The boundaries are Hildebrand on the North, Fredericksburg Rd on the South and the Union

Pacific Rail Road tracks near IH-10 on the West and the Union Pacific Rail Road tracks between Blanco Rd and San Pedro Rd on the East.

BHANA GENERAL MEETING Monday, June 8, 2015 7:00 pm

Location: Agnes Cotton Elementary School1616 Blanco Rd.Agenda: TBD

Please Note: Any person requesting to present forma$y to the community at the general meeting must submit their request to the

secretary at least 24 hours before the meeting to be placed on the agenda. The time a$owed for presentations, unless decided by the

Board or General Assembly wi$ not exceed five minutes.

Important NoticeThe BHANA general meetings at Cotton will

be in the cafeteria, not the gym (closest entrance is on Fulton, but can access from

parking lot on Gramercy). There will not be a BHANA meeting in July and the August 10

meeting location is TBA (won't be at Cotton).

Volunteer Needed Volunteer needed to lead the Heart of the Neighborhood (HON) Committee. HON coordinates fun events throughout the year such as the annual Christmas Party and National Night Out. This committee has dedicated members that will help with the events. If interested, contact Harry Wallace 216-6687.

Note from the BHANA President, Harry Wallace

Happy summer, Beacon Hill.Stray dogs have obviously been an issue in our neighborhood for a long time (cats too, but thats another discussion). The problem is not merely a nuisance or something sad to see. Most strays keep a low profile, but if you regularly walk, run, or bike in Beacon Hill, youve surely been threatened or attacked by loose dogs at one time or another. And the problem dogs seem to pick on the most vulnerable targets. We had an extended discussion about the situation at the May BHANA meeting with a representative from Animal Care Services (ACS), and neighbors shared stories of personal injury and pets harmed or killed. Some interventions are familiarmore responsible ownership, spay & neuter roundups, timely reporting of dog details to ACS (get the 311 app!)but progress will not be easy. BHANA has not had an active animal care subcommittee in recent years, but I think having one could make a dierence. If youd like to be a participant in this enterprise, drop me a line:president@bhana-sa.org;210-216-6687.

El aviso importanteLas reuniones generales de BHANA en la escuela primaria de Agnes Cotton estar en la cafetera, no el gym (la entrada ms cercana est en Fulton, pero puede tener acceso de la porcin del estacionamiento en Gramercy). No habr una reunin de BHANA en julio y la localizacin de la reunin del 10 de agosto debe ser determinada (no est en Agnes Cotton).

JUNE 2015 PAGE 2

BHANA REPORTS

Benevolent FundSummer days are here but it is never too early to start planning for the NNO We need school supplies such as note books, paper, pencils, rulers, crayons, folders, glue and markers. Donations are always welcome and so are Volunteers! For more information you may contact Lucy Eller at 733-9276 or Lola Rodriguez at 844- 9226" ALWAYS REMEMBER CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE THE MOST ESSENTIAL MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY"

Beacon Hill Community GardenThe Beacon Hill Community Garden is located at the corner of West Gramercy and Capitol. The next work day will be posted on the pavilion chalkboard. If you are interested in a veggie garden plot contact Dara Anderson 264-8568.

You can still plant okra, malabar spinach and sweet potatoes. If you want to try a cover crop to build productive soil plant cowpeas. Cover crops are also called green manure and suppress weeds, improve soils, and help control pests and diseases. At the end of the season you can dig them into the soil or cut them off at the base of the plant.

Add plants that attract butterflies to your garden. You will see many nectar plants in the community garden: blue mist flower, purple coneflower, white mist flower, cenizo, flame acanthus, lantana and salvias. Cross vine and passion flower are two vines that attract butterflies. The passion vine is also a host plant so you may see many caterpillars. Dont worry if they eat a lot of the plant because it will grow back. All of these plants are drought tolerant.

What to prune? Remove spent flowers from daisies, cannas and other summer flowers Remove fruiting canes from blackberries after harvest. Tip prune new canes at four feet to promote branching. Do not prune oak trees at this time since the beetle that carries oak wilt is active now and may be attracted to any cuts you make.

Thanks to the gardeners that helped with Sicloverde May 9. Two groups of bicyclists toured the garden.

Zoning and Urban Design (ZUD) CommitteeThe Zoning and Urban Design (ZUD) Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at 7PM at 900 W Woodlawn Ave. The NCD standards are available on the citys website at http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/neighborhoods/urbandesign.asp. We have continued to receive support from the city code enforcement cases. Some property owners who in the recent past have done major work without permits have made repairs and torn down projects that have gone to court over ordinance violations. This is a win for keeping the neighborhood safe and looking good. Signage on commercial property became an issued at our last meeting. Our NCD standards do not allow for commercial signs to be larger than 50 sq. ft. Also remember that all fences require permits.

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Mass: Saturday 5:30pm Sunday 8:30am, 10:30am (Spanish), 12pm Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm Friday 10am (at nearby Senior homes)

Confession: Saturday 5:00pm 5:30pm !

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JUNE 2015 PAGE 4

Make a difference in your community........

CompleteCare Home Health and Hospice is looking for kind and caring individuals who would be interested in sharing their time and talents with a terminally ill patient. Volunteers will sit with patients, read, pray, run errands, listen and just be a friend or help with craft projects.For more information, please call CompleteCare Home Health and Hospice at 210 520-7977.

L itt le Debby s Dog Grooming 2 1 0 3 2 4 6 3 7 3 1910 Fredericksburg Rd. San Antonio, TX 78201

BHANA General Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2015, 7:05 pm at Cotton Elementary School

SAAFE OFFICER: SAFFE Officer Bigler report (Ofc Bigler not able to make it) Ofc Soldevila gave the report. Reminder: NextDoor online site is monitored by SAFFE Officers. Use to look up crime in our area. SAFFE Officer contact 207-7413 and email Brian Bigler NA. Email: brian.bigler@sanantonio.gov Presentation: Stray Dog Interventions - Mr. Shannon Wade Sims, Field Operations Manager for City of San Antonio Animal Care Services - explained process for reporting attacks, city statistics on animals, etc. Residents asked questions and give input. Call 311 to report bites then call Mr. Sims at 210-207-6657 Councilman Trevino made announcements: Rail Road Quiet Zone, Property Taxes flyer that is available on Councilman Trevino's fb page and City of SA website with lots of information on exemptions, payment plan, and the protest process. Treasurers Report: Brock Curry Committee Reports Community garden: Cassy Lewis explained the Harvest Work Table by UTSA students. Thanks to people who have helped and information on getting involved. Benevolence: Mrs. Lucy Eller - begin to collect school supplies for the fall. HON needs volunteersUpdates and Announcements Quiet(er) Zone in effect now. Union Pacific track on the east boundary of the neighborhood. Linear Park Extension-in near future the park will be inspected, and soon after will be completed. Martinez Creek Linear Trail groundbreaking - the reception was well-attended.Save Miguels home - announcements coming soon. Fred Road Community (FRED) Visioning Discussion (6-8pm Wed, May 20, 823 Fred Rd) Cosima ColvinBeacon Hill Elementary choir will be performing at the capital on May 27th. Property Workshop on May 16, 10am-12pm at Hobby Middle School by Mike Villarreal.Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m., Cynthia Spielman, Secretary

Update from the Office of Lloyd Doggett, US House Representative District 35 Representing you in Congress means ensuring that your federal priorities are my priorities. I was pleased my bill to expand the Missions Park has now become law. And over the past few months I have heard your concerns about noisy Union Pacific train horns blaring through your neighborhood. At the prompting of concerned citizens and with the assistance of Representative Diego Bernal and Councilman Roberto Trevinos oce, I made urgent inquiries with Union Pacific Railroad and the Federal Railroad Administration to resolve complications with the City of San Antonios pending quiet zone application. I was able to obtain cooperation from Union Pacific to get the process of implementation restarted and back on track. At my request, the Federal Railroad Administration resolved pending issues with the City of San Antonio and as of April 17, granted a notice of establishment for the quiet zone.What does this mean for you and your family? Train horns have ceased their routine blowing, and you and your family will finally be able to enjoy some peace and quiet. I salute the neighborhood association for being the Beacon that attracted a little more tranquility to the community. If you have any questions regarding this development or any federal issue, feel free to contact me. I can be reached at 210.704.1080 or by email at Lloyd.Doggett@mail.house.gov. My local oce at 217 W. Travis is accessible from the sidewalk, across from the downtown Frost drive-in bank near Santa Rosa Hospital. If you would like to receive updates on my work in Congress, please subscribe to Lloyds List via my website, on Facebook.com/lloyddoggett, through Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett, and on Instagram: @RepLloydDoggett. I look forward to representing our shared values in Congress and hope to hear from you.

JUNE 2015 PAGE 5

Connecting4CommunityIts June. Already.June its a month of and a metaphor for significant endings and profound beginnings:

- Schools out and vacations freedom is here. - Its Graduation almost limitless choices. - June weddings bold promises.- And the Texas Legislators will finish, and go home.

If you could get the last word, what would you say to these key participants in Junes transitions? What would you tell the Legislators, as they finish this 84th Session and leave Austin? What did you say to our students and teachers, on their last day? How would you honor and challenge our graduates and send them off to shape an uncertain future? What would you proclaim, if you were me, on Saturday the 6th, when I witness the bold vows of the precious daughter of dear old friends, in Austin, and her amazing beloved, and celebrate their joy as they exchange promises and share lives and love? What would you say? Advice? Wisdom? Cautions? Challenges? Warnings? At least, give them all more than trite bromides, please. None of us want to hear tired warmed-over commencement clichs ever again: dream big, work hard, and follow your passion. Please, preach a better sermon than a father knows best, finger-wagging, Now, just dont go to sleep angry, you two! You can do better. They deserve better. What would you say? Look quietly, deeply, inside. Inside yourself. Listen. Thats where truth resides. What are you saying to yourself? How are you making sense of todays tumultuous transitions? What story about change are you telling yourself? Because, of course, its June for you, too. Lots of little endings and quiet beginnings. Simultaneously. And you are and our beloved Beacon Hill is also buffeted by huge changes, too: sometimes subtle, like a slowly infuriatingly growing pot hole on Michigan Avenue, sometimes jaw-dropping-instant, like the Blanco Rivers Memorial Day devastating surge. How do you make sense, for yourself, of the changes? What would you say, in your commencement address or your wedding homily? What stories, what authentic stories that have touched you deeply, would you tell? I might, if I were quietly honest, point to two timely, very local, story symbols of beginnings and endings:

- Our easily taken-for-granted, and lost in the false stereotypes, urban neighborhood school, Beacon Hill Elementary, where economic realities shape and limit everything. Our State Representative and our State Senator invited our Beacon Hills choir to come to the Capitol and sing and they sang their hearts out! They had an amazing adventure tangible history, timely recognition, enthusiastic applause. Old limits, transcended. A fitting end to a school year. Pointing to a hopeful beginning. Its June.

- An easily overlooked aging couple of quiet, everyday Beacon Hill neighbors, for whom serious illness dominates everything. They almost lost their home! Some neighborhood folk thought enough of them and their plight to find a way to save their home from demolition and provide a way for them to we promise! celebrate this coming Christmas together in their renovated home. Old limits, transcended. A fitting new beginning, not a tragic ending. Its June.

Id tell those two stories. Theyre real. Theyre our stories. What stories are you telling? Thanks, Tom Heger: neighbor, retired Presbyterian pastor and never-retired story-teller: tjheger@flash.net

SYMBOLISM OF THE BEACON HILL TRAFFIC CIRCLEBY: Martin Leyvani

Beacon Hill was platted in 1890 and was known as the Queen of the Suburbs, as it was compared to King William south of downtown. Beacon Hill became San Antonios suburban experiment. Much of society has always been an experiment. The art that graces the center of our traffic circle not only fulfills the neighborhoods need for a beacon as its name would imply, but its candelaria symbolizes reconciliation of the past and reconciliation of the races. I challenge you to think of one neighborhood that encompasses more mystique, diversity or history than Beacon Hill. I first landed here in 1969 as a first grader at Agnes Cotton; I became fascinated with sidewalks. I was eager to test the connections these sidewalks provided and often disappeared without parental consent. Yes I learned a lot at Cotton Elementary, but my most valuable life lessons were learned on the porches of Beacon Hill. The people inviting the weary sidewalk explorer onto their porches were mostly of German, Irish and Italian descent. Many stories were about how their grandparents built the community and how the cattle and railroad industries afforded them the American Dream. I learned that the law offices on the traffic circle used to be a meat processing plant, the Modern Locker Plant. The rail used to bring cattle to the slaughter. I learned that our neighborhood was famous as refuge from the flooding downtown; people seeking higher ground. No need to worry about flooding when you live on the hill! Next time you drive or walk by the circle, give it a good long stare. Know what has come before you in this place. Lets honor our heritage-each in our own way and appreciate this great neighborhood, built and improved over the decades.

JUNE 2015 PAGE 6

Spotlight on Beacon Hill Businesses By Margaret Pahl

THE CHICKS NEST 1815 BLANCO ROAD (210) 320-2174 W-F 12-6 SAT 10-6 & SUN 12-4

Beate Marzec and Simone Sauceda met over 10 years ago while working at a yarn store. They eventually decided to start a business together-a yarn store that was more than just a yarn store. They characterize the Chicks Nest as a COMMUNITY HANG OUT SPOT for knitters. So they filled the space with beautiful antique furniture, handmade curtains, and yummy homemade pastries. The coffee was delicious, the music soothing and the colors were everywhere. Silk yarns, baby yarns, multi-colored yarns and books to show you how to make all things yarn. The two women have built their dream

spot with obvious creativity. They offer classes of all sorts for beginners, people with intermediate skills and folks who just want to learn a specific project, like how to make a hat. Students can bring their own yarn (many stores require you to purchase their yarn for a class). They even have a student who is a recovering stroke victim. Doctors recommend knitting as a way to reconnect the brain to the hands. Details of classes are available on their Facebook page where you check out their shop. But dont just gaze from afar. You HAVE to go visit them and hang out. Another great home-grown business from Beacon Hill neighbors who are waiting to meet you and share their passion for yarn and pastries

The Before I Die wall at second Friday, Clamplight Studio.

JUNE 2015 PAGE 7

The Harvest Work Station at the Community Garden, corner of West Gramercy and Capitol is almost finished.

Thanks to the UTSA architect students and their instructor, Darryl Ohlenbusch, the shade structure is complete.

The table and sink will be installed soon and then the next step is a garden gathering! Go by and see the structure and

tour the community garden.

Nota del presidente de BHANA, Harry WallaceVerano feliz, Beacon Hill.Los perros perdidos han sido obviamente una edicin en nuestra vecindad durante mucho tiempo (los gatos tambin, pero se es otra discusin). El problema no es simplemente un fastidio o algo triste considerar. La mayora de los parsitos guardan un perfil bajo, pero si usted camina regularmente, funcionan, o bici en la colina de faro, otros le ha amenazado o ha sido atacado seguramente los perros flojos contemporneamente o. Y los perros del problema se parecen escoger en las blancos ms vulnerables. Tenamos una discusin extendida sobre la situacin en la reunin de mayo BHANA con un representante de los servicios del cuidado animal (ACS), e historias compartidas los vecinos de los daos corporales y los acariciamos daado o matado. Algunas intervenciones son familiar-ms rodeos responsables de la propiedad, spay y neutrales, divulgacin oportuna de los detalles del perro a ACS (consiga los 311 app!)- sino progreso no sea fcil. BHANA no ha tenido un subcomit activo del cuidado animal estos ltimos aos, pero pienso que teniendo uno podra diferenciar. Si usted quisiera ser un participante en esta empresa, cigame una lnea:president@bhana-sa.org;210-216-6687.

BHANA Treasurer Report May 31, 2015BHANA Treasurer Report May 31, 2015BHANA Treasurer Report May 31, 2015BHANA Treasurer Report May 31, 2015BHANA Treasurer Report May 31, 2015Beginning BalanceBeginning Balance $ 6,364.44 FundIncomeIncome

Dividend $ 0.54 GFAd revenue 300.00 GFDonation for Harvest 10.00 CGWork Station

Total IncomeTotal Income $ 310.54ExpensesExpenses

Harvest Work Station 10.00 CGTotal ExpensesTotal Expenses $ 10.00

Net Income 300.54 Ending BalanceEnding Balance $ 6,664.98FundFund May Bal Change Apr Bal

Animal Care (AC) $ 187.75 $ 187.75

Benevolent Fund (BF) 1,664.02 1,664.02

Community Garden (CG) 1,064.63 0.00 1,064.63

General Fund (GF) 284.31 300.54 (16.23)

Graffiti Fund (GR) 207.60 207.60

Heart of the Neighborhood (HON) 2,508.70 2,508.70

Liz Davies Park (LD) 747.97 747.97

Ending BalanceEnding Balance $ 6,664.98 $ 300.54 $ 6,364.44

JUNE 2015 PAGE 8

Beacon Hill Contact List We want to hear from you!

Share your concerns and suggestionswww.bhana-sa.org

Mail: BHANA P.O. BOX 15732 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78212-5732 . or just pick up the phonePresident:( Harry Wallace( 216-6687Vice President:( Lola Rodriguez( 844-9226Secretary:( Cynthia Spielman 396-3688Treasurer: ( Brock Curry 378-0104Director:( Maite Landa* 473-0715 Director:( Matthew Purdy( 512-968-3333 Director:( Celeste Wackenhut 452-4840Committees:Animal Care- OpenBenevolent Fund- Lucy Eller, 733-9276 and Lola Rodriguez, 844-9226 Heart of the Neighborhood Trish Wallace, 216-6688Community Garden - Dara Anderson, 264-8568 Zoning & Urban Design Mark Spielman, 396-3689Grati Cleanup--Mary Ann Van Ness, 725-8049Westside Creekways Restoration Committee- Abigail Rodriguez, 737-2166Newsletter Advertising- Margaret Pahl, (801)-209-6322 or Brock Curry, 378-0104Newsletter Walker organizer Susan Breidenbach, 606-2574 Newsletter Editor-Steven Lewis, 392-4496*Habla espaol

District 1 Councilman: Roberto Trevino, 207-7047, ask for Frederick Chapa, frederick.chapa@sanantonio.govState District 123 Representative: Diego BernalState Senator District 26: Jose MenendezUS House Representative District 35: Lloyd Doggett, 704-1080Bexar County Commissioner:Tommy Calvert, 335-2614Beacon Hill SAFFE Officer: Ocer Brian Bigler, 210-219-0184 or Brian.bigler@sanantonio.govCellular on Patrol (COP) Representatives: David & Rachel Martinez, 724-3283 or 849-9658, email: raquelgmartinez@netzero.netSAPD website COP program: www.sanantonio.gov/sapd/cop2.aspPolice Non-emergency: 207-SAPD or 207-7273Crime Coalition of San Antonio: 279-8912 or sacrimecoalition@gmail.comCode Enforcement Officer: Gloria Gutierrez, 218-9614 or email glgutierrez@sanantonio.gov

HELP STOCK St. Anns SVDP PANTRY!!This month we are asking for donations of jars of

peanut butter, jelly, and bags of beans. St. Vincent de Paul is an organization that helps those less fortunate

in the community. All donations can be dropped o at the rectory

located at 210 St. Ann St. For more information call 734-6687.

The BHANA General Meeting is the second Monday of each month and now meets in the cafeteria of the Agnes Cotton Elementary School at the corner of Blanco and Gramercy, 1616 Blanco Road. The closest entrance is on Fulton, but you can access from parking lot on Gramercy. Look for the BHANA meeting sign posted near the door. Hope to see you at the meeting.

Support the Beacon News and advertise your business here. The Beacon News reaches 2,100 households every month.

If you would like to advertise in the Beacon News in 2015, please contact

Margaret at 801.209.6322 or Brock Curry at 378-0104.

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