San Antonio to celebrate 23rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March
The City's Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission invites residents to come out and celebrate the 23rd anniversary of one of the nation's largest MLK March on Monday, January 18. This year's MLK march theme is Education: Marching in the reality of the dream.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine Available

 Supplies of the novel H1N1 flu vaccine from the federal government to the states and from the states to local providers are beginning to increase so if you have not been able to receive a vaccination from your private health care provider there are more options available. Both the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now committed to supplying vaccine to pharmacies. Locations like Walgreens, H-E-B, Target and others have doses available. Please call the location nearest you or go to www.sanantonio.gov/health/h1n1.html and use the flu locator.

In the spirit of the holiday season

The spirit of giving was truly in the air during this holiday season for City of San Antonio employees. During the month of December, employees donated clothing to victims of domestic violence, collected toys and sold raffle tickets for underprivileged children. The City Attorney Office's Family Violence Unit presented more than 1,800 donated items, including women's and children's clothing, shoes, and toys to the Battered Women and Children's Shelter of Bexar County and Dress for Success San Antonio.

Guardian Angels

A friendly wagging tail. A gentle head rub and a rumbling purr. A warm lick on your hand. Pets bring so much to our lives and ask so little in return. A daring new program from Animal Care Services will give residents the opportunity to help local companion animals as San Antonio strives for a "No Kill" goal. The ACS Guardian Angels program provides temporary loving homes for healthy, friendly dogs and cats who need a little time and a lot of love to become perfect pets! Its a program with a big goal and an even bigger heart!

Two new libraries to break ground
The San Antonio Public Library is growing. This month construction will begin on two new branch libraries. Mark your calendars and join us on Tuesday, January 12 at 10 a.m. at the Parman Branch Library at Stone Oak and on Tuesday, January 26 at 11 a.m. at the Mission Branch Library. Fore more info, visit www.mysapl.org . 

Excellence in public procurement

Congratulations to the City’s Purchasing and General Services Department as they received the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Purchasing Institute which recognizes organizational excellence in public procurement.  This prestigious award is earned by organizations that demonstrate excellence in innovation, professionalism, productivity, E-procurement and leadership attributes of the procurement organization. This is the twelfth consecutive year that the department has received this award.
En La Sombra de Sus Pasos
A celebration in honor of dance instructor Berta Almaguer who started the Parks and Recreation Department dance program in 1934. In collaboration with Jumpstart Theatre, 108 Blue Star, at 8 p.m. January 15 & 16. The show will take place at 3 p.m. on January 17. Tickets are $15. For more information call 227-5867 or visit www.jump-start.org.
City Services Adjusted for MLK Holiday
City offices will be closed Monday, January 18, to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. In observance of the holiday, there will be no garbage or recyclable collection on January 18. For more info, visit www.sanantonio.gov/swmd.

Public Meeting
The City's Parks and Recreation Department invite you attend a public meeting on January 10 to discuss the Leon Creek Greenway Southern Segment proposed hike and bike trail. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will take place at Millers Pond Community Center, 6175 Old Pearsall Road. For more information, call 207-4073.

Longhorn Cattle Drive
Grab your cowboy gear and join us for a Longhorn Cattle Drive in Downtown San Antonio from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on January 30. Cattle drive begins  with programming along Houston Street from Jefferson Street to the San Antonio River, just east of Soledad Street. Activities include campfire cooking, chuck wagons, stick horse barrel racing, pony rides, gunslingers, and other down home fun!
Start tradition....recycle your Christmas tree

 San Antonians are asked to take part in a holiday "tree-dition" by recycling their fresh cut Christmas trees. Residents who receive garbage or recycling collection on Monday or Thursday are asked to place their tree out on Wednesday, January 6, while residents that receive collection on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday are asked to place their trees out on Saturday, January 9.

City launches new interactive mapping website

In December the City's Office of Environmental Policy (OEP) in conjunction with the City's Information Technology Services Department unveiled a new resource for the bicycling community, an interactive mapping website that shows area bicycle lanes, routes, and paths in relation to city streets and landmarks. This is the latest initiative of OEP's new program San Antonio Bikes whose mission is to increase the level of bicycling for daily travel as well as improve bicycle safety.

Casa Verde SA

The City of San Antonio and CPS Energy launched Casa Verde SA, a weatherization assistance program for low-income households, last month. The program, which was made possible through federal stimulus funds, is designed to assist low-income individuals by increasing the energy efficiency of their houses and reducing their utility bills. Priority for the weatherization program will be given to the elderly, families with young children, individuals with disabilities, households with high energy costs relative to income, and households with high energy consumption.

 VITA is ready to help

Free tax assistance is available to San Antonio residents earning up to $55,000 through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA sites will open January 13 and will stay open throughout the city until April 15. Taxes are filed electronically. Refunds can be electronically deposited in bank accounts in as little as seven to 10 days. When visiting a VITA site, individuals should bring the following items:

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