Vance Jackson Neighborhood, Inc.

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Recent Newsletters Articles

2010


Sep 2010:
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:
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."


2009


Nov 2009:
  • Ted Trakas - "President's Message (11/09)"
    • "Another slow news cycle this month, and as it turns out, the newsletter itself is our main story. We have been making a concerted effort to update the mailing list we use to address these."
  • Katie Reed - "Congratulations"
    • "Congratulations to Health Careers, which has been chosen as the best High School in this area, followed by Clark and O'Connor High schools, which were recognized as some of the best schools around"
  • James Bray - "Review of Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, Texas"
    • "Located in the Hill Country of Texas near Canyon Lake is a fun little campground called Yogi Bears Jellystone Park. It has become one of my kid's favorites because of the family friendly atmosphere and how the hosts go the extra mile for your children's entertainment"
  • Officer Kenny Thompson - "New San Antonio Police Department Service"
    • "In its continuing effort to improve service to the community, decrease response time, and maximize its resources, the San Antonio Police Department has recently begun taking reports online via its web site (www.sanantonio.gov/sapd)."

Sep 2009: July 2009:
  • Ted Trakas - "President's Message (07/09)"
    • "The most important, far reaching news in the neighborhood this summer has to be the election of Reed Williams as the new District 8 council representative"
    • "In last month's newsletter, Mr. Williams gave responsible, 'neighbor friendly' answers to our candidate questions"
  • Ted Trakas - "A Calloway Update"
    • "So why do I mention this sorry case now? As of this writing, the Calloway property has been physically cleared, but the Porsche dealership has not been built and the promised deed restrictions - the ones that Cibrian accepted by fiat and not the ones that the association requested - have not been finalized"
  • June Katchik - "More Digital Billboards Coming? Say Something!"
    • "Unfortunately, the City's public meetings will have been held before you receive this newsletter. That's the bad news. The good news is that the City is starting with a public comment period which will be open through July 31, 2009"
  • Victor Camacho - "Colonies House News (07/09)"
    • "Everybody is invited to participate in the Colonies House July 4th Parade. The parade starts at 9:00 am at Colonies House and follows a short route through the neighborhood. The number of participants continues to grow every year"
  • Ted Trakas - "Memorial Day"
    • "I was given the privilege to speak at the flag ceremony at Colonial House on Memorial Day"
  • Jim Bray - "Review of Bastrop State Park, Texas"
    • "Nestled among the majestic Lost Pines in the hills of Texas is a gem of a State Park, called Bastrop."
  • Anon - "Cheese Cakes Galore"
    • "Will taste thick and rich but is low fat"
May 2009:
  • Ted Trakas - "President's Message (05/09)"
    • "I want to thank the 106 persons who sent in signatures opposed to the closure. Sorry we weren't able to make a stronger case in the matter, but honestly, it looks like we never had a chance. Mockingbird was a 'done deal'."
  • "Candidate Answers for Mayor and District 8"
    • "We asked District 8 and the Mayoral Candidates to answer five questions that are of interest to the Association. The questions we asked are listed below. The responses we received are listed below in alphabetical order for District 8 and the Mayoral Election"
  • June Katchik - "At the Table"
    • "When you read through the surveys returned by the candidates and make your decision about who should be your next mayor or District 8 representative, look at their responses to Question 2. Will you be 'at the table'?"
  • Victor Camacho - "Colonies House News (05/09)" | Pool Schedule CORRECTED
    • "There will be Toning and Conditioning activities on Tuesday and Thursday at 6:45 pm for 30 minutes. And then there will be Water Aerobics from 7:15 to 8:15pm"
  • Jim Bray - "Review of Kerrville-Schreiner Park, Texas"
    • "The park's camping sites are spacious and shaded. Tent camping is allowed. RV sites have full hookups and are loop pull-throughs so that all RVs are in a line along the road."
  • Tom Hill - "Fish Tacos - To Die For"
    • "They go great with Mimosas - orange juice and champagne on the deck, late in a spring or fall morning for brunch or just about anywhere, anytime!"
March 2009: Jan 2009:
  • Ted Trakas - President's Message (01/09)
    • We will host our annual association meeting in January. Colonies House, 3511 Colony Drive, 7:00 PM, Monday, January 26th. Colonies House is on the north side of Colony Drive between Tioga and Vance Jackson.
    • Attorney Mayo Galindo has accepted an invitation to speak to us about common property law issues.
  • Ted Trakas - "Calloway Property Update"
    • "Draft deed restrictions were delivered to Councilwoman Cibrian on November 13, 2008"
    • " The property sale should occur in about 4-6 weeks, which would mean by the end of January 2009"
  • Ted Trakas - "Status of Proposed Closure of Mockingbird"
    • "We have heard of no new movement to advance this petition so the 'item' appears to be dead"
    • UPDATE: After this article was written, Mr. Kuafman, who represents Red McCombs, approached Sugar Hill Apartments with a proposal: For access to I-10, use an alley in place of Mockingbird, a public street! See Zoning Page.
  • Melly Trakas - "Update on Family Friendly Checkout Lanes"
    • "The '90 day trial period' for the Family Friendly Lane (FFL) at the Wurzbach and I-10 HEB began in early September and is technically over."
    • "I have written Mr. Charles Butt and included copies of our signatures and pictures taken at the checkout stand. I have asked that he listen to our concerns to keep the FFL at the Wurzbach HEB and expand these lanes to other HEBs, as people have requested"
  • June Kachtik - "Scenic Update"
    • "In January 2009, City Council will receive a staff status report on the Digital Pilot Program. I understand the City staff report will include information on the number and location of new digital signs and data on traffic accidents"
    • "Mr. Wachtel advised staff that a meaningful study of the effect of digitals is extremely complicated and a simple listing of traffic accidents data does NOT constitute a reliable study."
  • TedTrakas - "'Deep Dish' Chicago Politics - San Antonio Style"
    • "This proposed change probably won't get much air time in the regular media because many parts of it are technical in nature. But trust me; this is one nasty piece of legislation"
  • James Bray - "Goose Island State Park, Texas" | Complete Version
    • "(T)he park truly only has one major attraction and that is fishing. During my stay, nearly every site had a boat. The park provides a nice boat ramp and fish cleaning stations. To properly fish the local bays, you need a boat that doesn't draft very deep"
  • Dorothy Blow - "Re-Opened for Business"
    • "The library's face lift consists of new carpet and paint, new air conditioning units, restroom upgrades, landscaping, a new flag pole, ground lighting, and resurfacing of the parking lot. In addition, the library now has two children's computer learning stations"
  • Victor Camacho - "I Need a Diver"
    • "There is a high probability that the two drain covers at the bottom of the deep end will have to be replaced. If you are a diver or know of someone that may be willing to help us out, please let me know"
  • Bexar County Flood Control Program
    • "There is evidence of erosion and declining drainage conditions along this section of Rock Creek that threaten the safety of homes and businesses both in the area and further downstream"
    • "Bexar County will address these conditions through its Regional Flood Control Program"

  • The following aricles had to be cut from our mailed newsletter due to reduced page count

  • Victor Camacho - "Why Join Colonies House?"
    • "I believe that being a part of a community is an essential part of life. To know your neighbor and your neighborhood is a good thing"
  • Victor Camacho - "Vote Follow Up"
    • "Here are the numbers for the November 4th general election and the original numbers from the last newsletter"
  • James Bray - "Sudoku Hints" (Synopsis) | Short Article | Long Article
    • "The methodology described below I call the "punch out" method. In a nutshell what it does is to write every remaining possible value of each cell within that cell. These are determined by looking at the row, column and square of each cell to "punch out" the invalid values"


/Go to Past Newsletter Articles


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Vance Jackson Neighborhood, Inc., 10004 Wurzbach Rd Ste 192, San Antonio, TX 78230-2214
Email - officers@vjni.org