May 2011:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (05/11)"
- "In order to share crime watch data with a larger audience, I have excerpted and posted some of the correspondence as a 'Police Blotter' under 'What's New' on our web site, www.vjni.org."
- Ted Trakas - "2011 City Elections"
- "Additional information is available at www.bexar.org/elections. For example, you can get a sample ballot for a location if you know the street address and zip code. Look for the link that says 'Your Sample Ballot'"
- Ted Trakas - "'We Were What?' – Part 2"
- "As of the time of this update, the association has paid $2500 to retain legal representation"
- Raul Perales - "Colonies House Swim and Tennis Club (05/11)"
- "Our swim team season is right around the corner. Swim team is a great opportunity for the youngsters to participate in a fun and healthful activity and become excellent swimmers in the process"
- Katie Reed - "Northside Budget Woes"
- "Northside ISD has already put a hiring freeze in place and cut $17.6 million out of this year's budget. We are looking at additional cuts for next year since we know the money is not coming"
- "Bexar County Flood Control - Rock Creek Project Update"
- "The project is approaching the 70% design completion point, so this meeting will focus on the particular detail design parameters that are currently planned for the channel"
- Ted Trakas - "22nd Annual Neighborhood Conference"
- "On June 11th, 2011, the Neighborhood Resource Center will host the 22nd Annual Neighborhood Conference at the Laurel Heights United Methodist Church located at 227 W Woodlawn Ave, 78212"
- James Bray - "Review of the Painted Desert/Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater, AZ"
- "Between the Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Meteor Crater, this stretch of highway rates as one of the most picturesque and awe inspiring ones in America"
Mar 2011:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (03/11)"
- 2010 in Review (Huebner/Sandstone case, UHS Fence, and Porsche Dealership), Esplanade, and 'Thank You's
- Ted Trakas - "We Were What?"
- Case Number SA-11-CA-0064-XR in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division
- "Ted D. Lee and Jerelene W. Lee, Plaintiffs, V. Whispering Oaks Home Owners' Association, Inc., Northside Neighborhoods for Oraganized Development, V. J. Neighborhood Association, City of San Antonio, Sylvia Diane Gonzalez-Cibrian A/K/A Diane Cibrian, Richard L. Higbie, Joel Garcia, Michael Makowski, Carl B. Sakes, William T. "Bill" Kaufman and William B. "Bill" Chenault III, Defendants"
- "VJ's part of this 'vast Northside conspiracy' was . . . Defendant Vance Jackson Neighborhood opposes any increase in density . . ."
- Raul Perales - "Colonies House Swim and Tennis Club"
- "The swimming pool will soon be open! Membership fees are $125 for seniors (60 +) and $275 per family"
- Jimmy Turner - "Treasurer's Report"
- "The association continues to manage its expenses conservatively and both VJNI and CNMF balances increased with membership renewals & new members, and contributions to CNMF"
- "Bexar County Presents Flood Control Project Update" | Arturo Villarreal Bio
- "Bexar County Flood Control Division Manager Art Villarreal was a guest speaker at the VJNA Annual Meeting on January 26"
- James Bray - "Review of Albuquerque, NM"
- "The city of Albuquerque is a very nice stop along Interstate 40 in the southwest. I recommend taking the time to stop and see the sights if you’re passing that way!"
Jan 2011:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (01/11)"
- "What you probably need right now is another party, BUT one that doesn't cost money. Vance Jackson has your solution: our annual 'Celebration of Community', also known as: Vance Jackson Neighborhood Annual Members Meeting Wednesday, January 26, 7PM"
- Councilman Reed Williams - "2010 Year in Review"
- CPS nuclear project, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, tree ordinance, smoking ordinance, City finances, transportation, and UTSA and Porsche zoning cases
- Raul Perales - "Colonies House Swim and Tennis Club"
- "Colonies House Annual member meeting will be Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at 7pm in the Colonies House Banquet Hall. Board of Director’s elections will be held that night. Several board positions need to be filled"
- Jimmy Turner - "Become Involved In Your Community"
- "It is time for folks to start considering to volunteer their time to a community effort. It doesn't take much time, it is very educational, and it gives you an opportunity to give back to the community now that you may have the time to do that"
- Katie Reed - "Difficult Times are Coming"
- "In order to begin the cuts to our budget in Northside, we have not added any new positions for two months or put Teaching 'Specialists' back into classrooms"
- "Rock Creek Project Update"
- "Representatives will also attend the VJNA Annual Meeting on January 26. If you have questions, please contact Art Villarreal at (210) 296-2124 or visit www.bexarfloodcontrol.org"
Nov 2010:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (11/10)"
- "A good sub-title for this issue might be 'A Tale of Two City Cases'" "The first case concerned a data center across from Las Palapas on Callaghan" "The second case has been more protracted and problematic"
- Raul Perales - "Colonies House News"
- "A BIG thank you to all our friends and neighbors who attended our first National Night Out event, October 5, 2010. The Night Out was a resounding success"
- Ted Trakas - "Good Neighbor - Good Fence"
- "Joseph E. Gonzales, A.I.A, UHS Facility Architect, readily answered our concerns by writing a letter to the association and including a picture of the type of fencing to be used"
- Katie Reed - "A Record Number of New Schools"
- "You will also notice that Northside opened a record number of new schools (3 elementary, 1 middle and 1 high school), and a new Construction Careers Academy, located at Warren High School"
- "Bexar County Flood Control - Rock Creek Project Update"
- "The project is in the Detailed Design Phase and construction is expected to begin in late 2011"
- Ted Trakas - "Porsche - We've hit a Brick Wall"
- "Our belief is that simple ethics calls for Porsche to honor Mr. Burney's promises, but to our understanding, Councilman Williams and VJNI do not have any legal way to enforce the promises"
- Miscellaneous Items
Sep 2010:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (09/10)"
- "Perhaps the biggest news concerns a new variety of ants in the area, called 'Rasberry Crazy Ants'. These little critters sound innocuous enough, but make no mistake about them; they are and will prove to be a real nuisance"
- Texas AgriLife Extension - "There's a New Pest in Town"
- "A new species of invasive and very pesky ant has been discovered in Bexar County"
- Victor Camacho - "Colonies House Swim and Tennis Club"
- 2010 AASSL Northside Championships Northside Natatorium 7/10/2010 Division I Final Results
- "As we head into the fall, the swimming pool has finished its regular season but tennis will be very active in the coming months"
- Ted Trakas - "Update on Zoning Case #Z2010117" (Propel Finance)
- "Since the association was not aware of any significant problem with this requested change, I asked Jimmy Turner to contact the City for us"
- Ted Trakas - "Porsche's 'Fast Track' - 24 Months Later"
- "This month marks the 2-year anniversary of our trying to get the San Antonio Porsche dealership to deliver on promises it made for deed restrictions on the old Calloway property"
- "School Zones & Cell Phones"
- "With schools back in session, here's a friendly reminder so you can avoid an unfriendly one from the police, and at the same time, make our school children, parents and crossing guards safer"
- James Bray - "Review of Roswell, New Mexico"
- "Overall, Roswell is interesting and its notoriety is a big draw. I have to admit that I wanted to stop 'just because' but I'm glad I did"
July 2010:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (07/10)"
- "This time we have news concerning progress by Bexar County for Rock Creek, an area that winds through the west side of the neighborhood, from IH-10 to Callaghan Road"
- Victor Camacho - "Colonies House Swim and Tennis Club"
- "Remember the 4th of July Parade starts at 9pm in the parking lot of the Colonies House. This event is open to the whole community so decorate your bikes, wagons and pets and join the parade"
- Ted Trakas - "Zoning Request at Mockingbird and IH-10 (Zoning Case # Z2010117)"
- "So as of the time we go to press for the newsletter, we haven't found a smoking gun to use as evidence for opposition, but our association experience over 10 years is that the community eventually loses on this kind of case"
- Katie Reed - "A Thank You"
- "On behalf of Northside Independent School District, I would like to thank all the voters that supported our Bond Election"
- "Bexar County Flood Control - Rock Creek Project Update"
- There is "evidence of erosion and declining drainage conditions along this section of Rock Creek that threaten the safety of homes and businesses in the area and further downstream"
- Ted Trakas - "Porsche Transmission Problems"
- "From our experience, Porsche seems to have transmission problems with community relations. Porsche is either flying by, out of control, on a 'fast track' when it needs a zoning change, or else is stuck in 'Park' in the breakdown lane when it needs to deliver on promises"
- James Bray - "Review of Carlsbad Caverns, NM"
- "The main cavern is absolutely huge and completely mind blowing. It's so large that it doesn't feel real. It seems to go on forever. The quality and quantity of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and ribbons are truly amazing"
May 2010:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (05/10)"
- The Twilight Zone: Coyotes in VJ; Carnival on I-10; and No more digital billboards
- Victor Camacho - "Colonies House (05/10)" | Short Version
- Summer Events: Holidays; Swim Team; Junior Tennis Groups; and Adult and Other Programs.
- Ted Trakas - "Urban Coyotes" | Short Version
- "ACS will investigate and set humane traps, in order to capture any coyotes that remain in the area. ACS will also be available to speak to the neighborhood association or individual residents to educate citizens and answer any citizen concerns. To report a coyote sighting or to request a trap please call 311."
- Katie Reed - "NISD Bond Election"
- "Hopefully all of you have received your copy of the Northside Newsletter and have read it carefully. It has all the information about what is in the Bond Proposal that is being voted on now during early voting with election day on May 8th."
- Ted Trakas - "Carnival at Golden Corral" | Short Version
- "Our congratulations and thanks to Councilman Williams for a job well done."
- "Thankfully, the issue of the carnival was quickly resolved, but this case shows the inherent and unpredictable dangers to our neighborhood when commercial properties abut residential ones. The association will be watchful for any other proposed uses for this property."
- Ted Trakas - "Porsche Deed Restrictions"
- "Since the City of San Antonio council meeting of Sep 18, 2008, we have been waiting for a satisfactory draft from Mr. Briggs, owner of the San Antonio Porsche Dealership, and Mr. Burney, his attorney, for deed restrictions for the new Porsche dealership, which is to go into the old Calloway property on the I-10 Access Road south of Wurzbach."
- James Bray - "Review of McKinney Falls State Park, Texas"
- "McKinney Falls State Park has several nice hiking and biking trails several of which follow along Onion Creek which runs through the park and over the falls."
Mar 2010:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (03/10)"
- HEB 'family friendly lane'; digital billboards pilot; Mockingbird; Porsche Deed restrictions; and Sculpture Dominium.
- Victor Camacho - "Colonies House (03/10)"
- Annual Meeting; New Tennis Program; Junior Group; Pizza Match up; and Adult Programs.
- Ted Trakas - "VJNI Miscellaneous Items (03/10)"
- Huebner Property; District 8 Crime Statistics; and Porsche Dealership.
- Katie Reed - "NISD Growth - 3,000 New Students This Year"
- "On February 9th the Northside Board of Trustees voted to approve recommendations by the 250-member Bond Committee to bring a $535 million Bond proposal to voters"
- James Bray - "Review of Turner Falls Park, Oklahoma"
- "On a recent family trip and quite by accident, my family and I stumbled across a small little known park called Turner Falls"
- Ted Trakas - "Semi-Enforceable Conditions on the Outdoor Art Gallery?"
- "So basically, an important part of the agreement, which was reviewed and approved by the city attorney in 2006, is now declared unenforceable by the city attorney in 2010"
Jan 2010:
- Ted Trakas - "President's Message (01/10)"
- "We will host our annual association meeting in January. Please mark your calendar: Vance Jackson Neighborhood, Inc. Annual Members Meeting, Colonies House, 3511 Colony Drive, 7:00 PM, Wednesday, January 20th"
- "We are fortunate that Councilman Williams has accepted our invitation to address our meeting this year."
- Victor Camacho - "Colonies House (01/10)"
- "The Colonies House Swim and Tennis Club will have its annual meeting Tuesday January 19, 2010 at 7:00pm in the Colonies House Banquet Hall.
- Ted Trakas - "Deed Restrictions for the Porsche Dealership?"
- "As of the time this newsletter goes to press, Councilman Reed Williams is working with VJNI, neighbors, and Porsche representatives to formalize the deed restrictions . . . "
- Ted Trakas - "VJNI Miscellaneous Items"
- "1. We filed a code complaint against the Outdoor Art Gallery at 11356 Vance Jackson for violations provisions in its Conditional Use. In particular, we requested that non-permanent structures (tents) should not be permitted if they are visible from Vance Jackson at this time of the year."
- Katie Reed - "2010 NISD Citizens Bond Committee"
- "The 250 member Citizens Bond Committee has been meeting almost every Thursday for two months. The Committee has brought back a recommendation to present to the Board of Trustees for a Bond Election."
- Mary Ann Vilim Baker - "Break-ins - Foothills Subdivision"
- "I would just like to inform the neighborhood that there were some break-ins on Wednesday, September 30th between 3 & 4AM."
- Ted Trakas - "Finally, Just Real Folks"
- "Bonnie and Charlie Conners, two patriarchs of governance and education in San Antonio, have finally retired - and apparently this time they mean it"
- James Bray - "Review of Lake Corpus Christi KOA, Tex"
- "Lake Corpus Christi is located about two-thirds of the way from San Antonio to Corpus Christi along I-37. Along the Eastern banks of the lake is a nice KOA campsite that includes lake access."
- Ted Trakas - "New Holiday Classics"
- "This past Thanksgiving was successful from a culinary standpoint and interesting from a familial sense."
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