About.com San Antonio

Attention San Antonio Designers

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:07:01 +0000

Do you want a design of your own to be built at the Botanical Garden? If so, this is your lucky day because the San Antonio Botanical Garden is going to pick 10 entries in their new design contest to be built for their upcoming Playhouse and Forts exhibit.

The exhibit will open in June of 2010, meaning that all planning including the design of the exhibit must begin now. Here is the scoop from their press release:

Open to everyone, the design contest encourages submissions from artists, architects, businesses, families, neighbors, community groups and innovative individuals. Collaboration between individuals and businesses is encouraged.

To learn the rules and review the guidelines, a pre-design meeting offering full entry information is scheduled at the Botanical Garden on Friday, January 22, 2010. The designs are due February 26, 2010. Ten designs will be selected by March 15, 2010 by a panel of judges.

The winners will then be given a $3,500 stipend to build and install their design in the Garden next summer. The competition is endorsed by the American Institute of Architects San Antonio chapter. For more information, contact Marisa Ayala at mayala@sabot.org or 210-829-5360.

Attention San Antonio Designers originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 12:07:01.

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October Unemployment Numbers for San Antonio are Encouraging

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:36:04 +0000

Talk of the recession possibly hitting the bottom (meaning a potential recovery is on the way) may not be just a bunch of hooey. At least, not if you look at San Antonio's most recent unemployment numbers.

In October, the Alamo City saw the unemployment rate drop to 7%. This is compared to 7.1%, which was the rate for September. While .1% does not seem like a huge drop, this means that while several still lost their jobs, there was a net gain of 1,100 jobs for the month.

The biggest sectors to get job gains last month were education, government and health, while the biggest losers were construction and retail.

October Unemployment Numbers for San Antonio are Encouraging originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 23:36:04.

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San Antonio on 2009 Best Performing Cities List

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:31:00 +0000

The Milken Institute each year puts out a list of the Top Performing Cities in the United States, and San Antonio just missed the top 10 cut. Instead, the Alamo City came it at a still very-respectable 11th.

Nearby neighbor Austin was ranked number one based on a whole host of factors including economic performance and the ability to both create new jobs and maintain old ones.

Several Texas cities other than Austin and San Antonio were also on the list. In fact, Killeen/Temple/Fort Hood ranked 2nd, Mission/Edinburgh/McAllen was 4th, the Houston/Sugarland/Baytown area was 5th and Forth Worth/Arlington was 12th.

To see the full list, visit the official Milken Institute page and see all the statistics used to compile the rankings.

San Antonio on 2009 Best Performing Cities List originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 06:31:00.

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Update on CPS Nuclear Project

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:45:50 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about some really big price issues with CPS' proposed nuclear project.

The update: In a nutshell, CPS had originally been given an estimate of $13 billion for the controversial nuclear power project. However, the Toshiba Corporation gave an ammended proposal of $17 billion, which put the project in danger.

A team of CPS representatives was dispatched to Japan to discuss the increase, and though nothing has bee resolved, some deadlines have been set. Toshiba has until December 31st of this year to give a new proposal, and CPS has until January 15th to either accept or reject the proposal. So by mid-January we may (finally!) get an answer on this project.

Update on CPS Nuclear Project originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 07:45:50.

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Do Your Holiday Shopping at the Fiesta Store

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:54:45 +0000

Fiesta San Antonio 2010 is still months away, but you can get into the spirit early by doing your holiday shopping there!

This year, the Fiesta Store will be open beginning November 30th for shoppers. They will be open through December 18th, with daily hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In addition to the normal t-shirts, official posters and other fare, there will be special holiday items on sale including wine bags that look like a Santa Claus suit, a Fiesta throw and matching table runner.

While you are there, you can also donate an unwrapped gift for the Elf Louise program.

For more information, visit the official Fiesta San Antonio site.

Do Your Holiday Shopping at the Fiesta Store originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 21:54:45.

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Water Bills Will Go Up in 2010--But Not for Residential Users

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:46:49 +0000

When I first read the news that Edwards Aquifer users would have an increase in their water bill beginning next year, I thought it meant for everyone.

Luckily, a closer look at the article in today's San Antonio Business Journal shows that industrial and municipal users will see the increase--but it appears that residential users will not see a hike.

This is good news in light of the recent revelation that your electric bills would see an increase. Of course, there has hardly been any cold weather, so we can keep our fingers crossed that the colder-than-usual winter that is expected to be the reason behind the increase will not materialize. But in case it does, feel better that the first water rate hike in five years won't affect your home bill.

Water Bills Will Go Up in 2010--But Not for Residential Users originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 21:46:49.

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Recent Rains Mean the Drought is Officially Over

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:16:30 +0000

When it rains, it really pours, and we can be thankful for that for several reasons. First, the�rain was much-needed because of the drought that had a stranglehold on the region for many months now. Second, these recent rains mean that the drought is officially over.

The announcement was made by City Manager Sheryl Sculley recently. So what does this big announcement mean? It means that the Stage 1 water restrictions have been lifted, with the exceptions being Anaqua Springs Ranch, Timberwood Park, Lookout Canyon and Canyon Springs. These are served by an aquifer other than the Edwards Aquifer that serves most of San Antonio and the outerlying areas. This aquifer is still under drought restrictions.

Of course, the lifting of these restrictions doesn't mean you can return to normal usage. There are still some restrictions, just not drought-level ones. Visit the official SAWS webpage for more specifics about current water restrictions.

Recent Rains Mean the Drought is Officially Over originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 07:16:30.

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Area Blood Bank to Help Fort Hood

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:07:07 +0000

If anyone was wondering how they could help the victims of last week's tragic shooting spree at nearby Fort Hood, then here is one way-- donate blood.

In addition to the 600 units of donated blood needed daily to help medical patients right here in San Antonio, blood and platelets are needed in Fort Hood to help the survivors of the rampage that are still recovering.

Because the amount of blood and platelets at the regional blood bank are adequate, they have agreed to send any extra units that may be needed in Fort Hood.

Of course, this means that donations will be needed to help replenish supplies. If you are healthy, willing and able, visit the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center website for information on how you can donate.

Area Blood Bank to Help Fort Hood originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 18:07:07.

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Price Issues for CPS

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:14:48 +0000

City Public Service (CPS) seems to have some price issues lately, and for once it's not just the price you see on your bill. Actually, this could be worse than that and could significantly affect your bills in the future.

According to the San Antonio Business Journal, the original cost estimate for two nuclear reactors that the municipally-owned power company was set to build has gone up-- by a lot. And now an investigation will have to be done.

The original cost estimate from the Toshiba Corporation was $13 billion, which is already a hefty price tag. But now, the estimate has jumped by an additional $4 billion-- not exacty chump change.

So now, CPS is faced with figuring out just why the cost estimate went up over 20%. Two employees have been placed on administrative leave over the debacle, and a trip to Japan by CPS officials is planned to meet with Toshiba about the increase. What happens as a result of this trip and investigation is anyone's guess, but it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Price Issues for CPS originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 06:14:48.

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Election Day

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:16:21 +0000

I don't know about you, but Election Day seemed to just sneak up on me. But it is finally upon us, so make sure you get to the polls sometimes today. If you need help finding out whre to go vote in your particular district, you can refer to this handy list.

So what do we vote for today? Here in Texas, quite a bit. There are a total of 11 proposed state constitutional ammendments on the ballot that cover everything from eminent domain to access to public beaches. There really is quite a bit, and the good folks over at KENS5 have put together a good list with links that explain the proposals.

Will you be voting?

Election Day originally appeared on About.com San Antonio on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 12:16:21.

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