Sunday, October 21, 2007

commentary on AGUA speaker

Gracie Teniente
October 21,2007
Humanities 1301


Commentary on guest speaker Elizabeth Earnley

Elizabeth Earnley has a genuine passion for her job. She works as a field assistant for AGUA ( Aquifer Guardians in Urban Areas). Her beliefs are evident in her motivation to inform us of the urgency of our water situation. I felt she presented us with vital information regarding our water system. I appreciated the background information we discussed in class prior to our talk. It helped to simplify the element of our discussion.

The City Council shoulders a big responsibility for our city. They meet with the Zoning committee, Planning, and Engineering Departments, to review proposed plans for development. They must decide if the building of a said proposal will comply with city ordinance codes. They also meet with the SAWS (The San Antonio Water System). One concern is how this construction will affect The Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

Many factors have to be taken into consideration in the developing of a pristine area. Besides destroying the natural beauty of the land, many developers want to obliterate all trees and plants with reckless disregard to how this will effect wildlife and surrounding residents. More importantly, how will this will affect our water resources? This is called progress.

AGUA helps regulate how much impervious cover will be sectioned off in the proposal of a particular project up for construction. They make sure the proposal meets with the WQA (Water Quality Ordinance) of 1995. The AGUA Commission is kind of a neighborhood watch dog. They are looking to protect the community of San Antonio and other areas affected in the preservation of our valuable water system.

Monday, October 15, 2007

map for Neighborhood project

 document.body.unselectable = true; Unable to Post Map
}

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Feeling Good in the Neighborhood













Gracie Teniente
Humanities 1301
Oct. 14, 2007

Feeling Good in the Neighborhood


I reside with my daughter Jessica, my son-in- law Carlos, and two of my grandchildren David 14, and Tyler 9, in the Great Northwest area. There are several sections of the “Great Northwest” , ours is the Silver Creek subdivision. It is outside Loop 410 and between 1604. We are sandwiched between Culebra Rd. and Bandera Rd. We love it here because it is centrally located with convenient access to important businesses.

We have been here for three years. Our cul-de-sac is very quiet and we have wonderful neighbors. At the top of our street is my friend Melissa Butts. She is a former realtor but now works as an administrator in the public school system. She has two sons. Her husband’s work takes him out of town where he has to commute back and forth. Our neighbors to the left of us Jim and Christina Gonzales have four children ages six to fourteen. Julia age nine is Tyler’s close friend.

The Reeve’s, our neighbors to the right of us, recently had to move. They have three sons all out of high school. One son is in the service. One son is a boxer. He works out and runs every day to keep in shape. The other son is a musician. We sat outside and jammed to the beat when his friends played up a storm in the garage. I really miss the music.

There is a family of five who recently moved in next door. The dad Lupe, works with an air conditioning company and Elizabeth is a substitute teacher. She is going to Texas A. & M. and is working on her Bachelor’s Degree. She will be graduating soon. They have a young daughter Zoila twelve, a son Candido seven, and Lupe Jr. six. They also have a cute hamster called Ginger.

The man to the right of them, recently lost his wife. He has a grown daughter who visits him regularly. He has three huge dogs that he sometimes keeps in the front yard. I am terrified of dogs, so you know I keep away from that side. The man seems friendly enough though.

At the very end lives Tyler‘s friend Drew. His father is a carpenter. He has a little sister named Lily and they have a dog named Carmel, who looks like Pluto.

Across the street lives Julia’s grandmother so our next door neighbors are constantly zigzagging back and forth across the street. She works in a bank. To her right is Marilyn. Her husband had a terminal illness and succumbed to it last year. Julia’s grandmother and Marilyn are best friends.

We have a great view behind our house of the soccer field and the community clubhouse, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Most nights there is some type of activity going on and those stadium lights provide great lighting to our back yard.

Across from the soccer fields is the Silver Creek Manor which houses many short- term and long- term residents. When the community center holds its annual Easter egg hunt, many of the residents volunteer to fill the plastic eggs with candy eggs. They show excitement watching the children in their mad scramble to find the coveted eggs. My church group sometimes takes lap blankets for the residents and provides music on some Fridays. We encourage the residents to join in the singing.

Across the street from the community center is Tyler’s school, Timberwilde Elementary. About three weeks ago they held a community action drive. Students, parents, and faculty volunteers went all over our neighborhood to paint over graffiti on fences, buildings, and signs. We separated into two groups. The only incidents we had occur was Tyler’s friend Briana managed to get paint in her eye and a problem with ants. It was fun but towards the end my car battery died out.

Behind the school the city built a children's kid’s park called the Oscar Perez Memorial Park. It has a playground and a skateboarding recreational area. I think this is useful because it gives the youths a place to hang out and feel connected. It keeps them out of gangs and mischief. Here they are out in the open and having a great time. When I drive by there, I see these young adults in deep concentration trying to master some death-defying moves.

The Great Northwest Library is to the left of the school on the next block, off of Grissom Rd. We go there quite a bit.

I attend services at Prince Of Peace Catholic church on Grissom Rd. My SOLOS (singles openly loving our savior) group gets together and we plan many functions there for fun. It is less than ten minutes away, and the best part is, everyone lives in the Great Northwest community. When we get together out of church, some of us just go across the street for a get together. It is usually a potluck affair. We watch a movie, sing karaoke, dance, play a board game, exchange ideas and just hang out.

Across the street on the library’s left side is a small shopping mall which includes our neighborhood HEB Grocery Store on Grissom Rd.
Culebra Rd. intersects with Grissom Rd. at this point. My grandson David attends school at Communication Arts High School (a magnet school), which is adjacent to Taft High School on Culebra Rd. . It is less than ten minutes away.

Across the street from HEB is the CVS Pharmacy. On the side of HEB is Tezel Rd., also connecting to Grissom Rd. Tezel has a series of restaurants and fast food places, including a Radio Shack that we frequent.

I’ll ask my grandchildren if they want to go for a ride. I tell them I’m going to make an “O” . That is, I’m going in a circle to run some errands and they know it is just in our immediate area. I appreciate the fact that everything is so convenient in regards to the ridiculously high gas prices.
I think there is a great potential for growth in the area. The Christus Santa Rosa Hospital that is under construction by Sea World will have a tremendous impact in this area. This is less than ten minutes from here. Although we have Northwest Vista Community College close by, my daughter and I choose to attend Palo Alto College. We both attend on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is a good twenty five to thirty minute commute. I really spend all my week there because on Tuesday and Thursday I am in a work-study program. The people I work with are very supportive and give me guidance with my studies.

I feel a sense of belonging in my community. I know many people and have great friends. Everyone is friendly and watches out for each other. It is surprising to find that most places we need to get to are less than ten minutes away. I think the name Great Northwest is appropriate for this area and am including a small scale map of my neighborhood, and a larger scale map, both from MapQuest Inc.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Commentary Diana Lopez

Gracie Teniente Humanities 1301 10/11/07

Commentary; Diana Lopez

I had the wonderful opportunity today to attend a book talk/reception with Author, Diana Lopez. It was held in room 206 of the Ozuna Building. She is the author of Sofia’s Saints. I believe an arrangement was made for her appearance, since this is Spanish Heritage Month.
She discusses the hardships she encountered while she was in a creative writing program at Texas State University. To be accepted, she had to submit a portfolio consisting of fifty pages. There were no Hispanic women in her class. There were seven men and one highly strung Anglo woman. She wrote many short stories only to find each and every one of them highly criticized by the group. Her self confidence hit an all time low. She felt she wasn’t making the grade. Her mentor, Digilberto Gil, advised her to take a year off. She complied and started writing for herself.
On her return, her peers applauded her work and noted that the work she submitted had more of herself in it and wondered what brought on the change in her writing style.
She has written several books. The Daily Good Friday is about her experiences at the Community Chest Hospital on New Braunfels Ave., here in San Antonio. New Texas Journal Hot Day at Cool Crest, is about the miniature golf course here in San Antonio. Sofia’s Saints has to do with her Hispanic cultural and religious beliefs. Her book Confetti Girl, ( about the traditional confetti filled eggs) is geared toward the Junior High school crowd, is scheduled to be released in 2009.
Diana Lopez said, “Culture is content- to culture is context.” She went on to say, “The Hispanics purpose is to show who we are, their culture is their content.”
Mrs. Lopez teaches Latin American Literature and Composition at St. Phillips College.

Commentary Heywood Sanders

Gracie Teniente
Humanities 1301
October 10,2007

Commentary on Heywood Sanders

Mr. Sanders has some very colorful views on the history and development of San Antonio. His dynamic expressions made me see San Antonio in a new light, to say the least. Although I don’t agree with all he says, he brings out some good points as to why we have been so slow in our progress, in regards to other city growth. At one point I felt he depicted our city leaders, as close to being backwards hillbillies as you can get. He appears to be a highly educated skeptic with some very strong point of views.
He expressed his views as to where our city tax dollars are being spent and wasted. Some of his concerns, and everyone’s really, is the problem with culture clashes, the grim reality of below minimum wage jobs, The unending problem of water drainage, and increasing concerns of our water resources.
Over all he made me feel proud to be part of San Antonio. I felt a tremendous overwhelming sense of oneness with our city. I love the beauty of San Antonio and the fact that is so multicultural. There are endless places to explore and visit here. My perspective on our fair city isn’t as cynical as Mr. Sander’s is which I am glad because this allows me to still have a shred of hope for our future. I can still see San Antonio through my rose tinted glasses.
I know Mr. Sanders is a busy man and the fact that he could come out and enlighten us, is a wonderful gift to us. I really appreciated it, and his genuine passion for our great city.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

The Alamo Divided

Gracie Teniente
October 09,2007
Humanities1301
The Alamo Divided

There are two well known films about the Battle of The Alamo. They both portray the events leading to the siege in San Antonio, on that fatal day in 1836. The film is titled; The Alamo. The original version was made in 1960 and is directed by well known actor John Wayne. Both films are centered on the characters of William Barret Travis commander of the Alamo, entrepreneur-adventurer James Bowie, and Tennessee Congressman David Crockett. The other film was released in 2004 and is directed by John Lee Hooker. They are both well written and closely follow the events in history.

In the original movie Sam Houston orders William Travis to be in charge of the unit and Travis doesn’t seem to want to accept the position but Sam Houston convinces him that the men will take his lead. Although James Bowie is older and has more experience, he is still just a volunteer colonel. William Travis held a regular army commission but was unknown, so the Alamo’s volunteers resented him and this made it difficult to get along with him. He shows an animosity towards James Bowie , who is depicted as a drunk in this film. William Travis shows no respect or patience for him. This version shows James Bowie fighting his last battle from bed due to a leg injury.

On the other hand, the remake seems to make a mockery of William Travis command by the way in which James Bowie interacts with him. James Bowie tends to take William Travis’s commands as a joke , compounding Travis’s attempts to gain a foothold of respect from the soldiers. James Bowie was going through a divorce in this version and it also brings to light that he is very ill with typhoid pneumonia and pretty much falters at the end. This version has him fighting the battle on his death bed.

In the original version Davy Crockett is portrayed by Director John Wayne. He is
portrayed as macho, a strong yet gentle man, taking everything in stride, keeping calm and just an undercurrent of being mischievous. If he saw a problem, he fixed it. He was a leader who had a great following in his men. He was dedicated and had a humorous side to him.

On the other hand , in the remake, there was a different take on Davy Crockett. Actor Billy Bob Thornton brought a wilder shade to his colorful character. He was insightful as to what was going on and to the seriousness of the situation. He is daring , showy, with a hell be damned attitude. He arrived from Tennessee with a group of American volunteers who showed great faith and respect in him. He died with true courage and valor, and as in life, he died with a an outcry. Historians stipulate that the remake is more accurate as to the order of events leading to and at the siege.

In showing the similarities, Sam Houston went to get the much needed help. In both films he failed. In both versions, the men fought for a something they truly believed in and fought a great fight. Both films depicted the tragedy that befell the men at the Alamo. Both films captured the horror of the monstrosities demonstrated by Santa Ana and the men under his command. Finally, in both films you will agree that they both insure that it would be a great injustice to these heroes and all the other heroes under their command, if we didn’t “Remember the Alamo.”

The Alamo, DVD, Director, John Wayne Video,1960,2 hours and 42 minutes.
The Alamo, DVD, Director, John Lee Hooker Video, 2004, 4 hours and 37 minutes.

Monday, October 1, 2007

homeland security

Humanities 1301 essay # 2 option 2
October 01, 2007

HOME LAND SECURITY

Many European settlers, Tejanos and Mexicans on the Texas frontier, developed a sense of country and honor with firm conviction that their purpose was in defense of Texas at the front line. They felt caught between the United States and the oppressing control Mexico had over them. These brave heroes engaged in a heroic battle that would shape Texas and future generations. Among the 187 courageous defenders, were 13 native Texans, 44 to 45 European Immigrants and 11 Tejanos fighting for Texas‘s liberty.

On march 6, 1936 and after enduring 12 days of unending onslaught of hits, The Alamo lay defeated, and in ruins. According to historians, this final act on the 13th day, took about ninety minutes. There were no survivors. Only the Innocent and blameless were spared by Santa Ana. Women and children and indentured servants were considered blameless.
.
Many historical events led to the decision of the heroes to stand firm, protecting the line of defense at the Texas frontier. These brave men, led by Colonel William Barrett Travis from South Carolina, Colonel David Crockett from Tennessee, Colonel James Bowie from Kentucky, James Butler Bonham from South Carolina, Almeron Dickinson from Tennessee, and the men under their command, proudly believed in defending the Alamo compound at all costs. They wanted to prevent the hostile take-over from the tyrannical dictator General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana.

Undaunted by the fact that they were significantly out-numbered by Santa Ana’s troops. Unwavering and with great expectation, Their leader, Colonel Travis waited each day for re-enforcements that unfortunately never came.

Historians have written many accounts of what transpired. There was one famous woman among the survivors. The wife of Almeron Dickinson, Susana and her Infant daughter Angelina were given safe passage out of the carnage at the Alamo. Mrs. Dickinson traveled to the town of Gonzales. There she gave an account of the fall of the Alamo to General Sam Houston. This specific account was given by Dr. Winters at the Historical Alamo site in San Antonio, where I had the opportunity to visit. A bibliography: Handbook of Texas, and the movie version The Alamo, directed by John Wayne also re-count this story.

Other stories also correlate with the fact that General Santa Ana sent forth a petition for the defenders. It advised they give up their hold on the Alamo and in return, their lives would be spared. In response, Colonel Travis fired a cannon on Santa Ana’s troops.(Hey, bring it on!)

In comparing the two movies written about the Alamo. The older version directed by John Wayne shows the final battle fought in the daylight and the brave defenders waiting in expectation of the final assault. In the more recent version it happens in the shadow of darkness, although the men still lying in wait. According to Dr winters they were basically ambushed in the dead of night.

In comparing both movies of The Alamo, to the actual events, given by Dr. winters and facts researched, I find the newer version of 2004, truer to form.

In defending the homeland of Texas many courageous men fought a tremendous battle against all odds because they believed in a cause. They are the true defenders of Texas homeland security. They are true dedicated leaders who formed our mighty nation. With all due respect we need to, Remember the Alamo.

Dr. Winders, Curator of The Alamo at San Antonio, Texas
Tour of The Alamo

Bibliography: Steven L. Hardin
Handbook of Texas online, S.V.,
(NOTE: “S.V.” stands for sub verbo, “under the word”.)

The Alamo, DVD, Director, John Wayne
Video, 1960, 2 hours and 42 minutes.

The Alamo, DVD, Director,John Lee Hooker
Video, 2004, 4 hours and 37 minutes

Port of Call, Calling All Birds

Port of Call, Calling All Birds
Renovated Leeper House

Port of Call, Calling All Birds

Port of Call, Calling All Birds
Mitchell lake and company

Port of Call, Calling All Birds

Port of Call, Calling All Birds
Bird Pond

Port of Call, Calling All Birds

Port of Call, Calling All Birds
Amphitheatre and Toyota crew

Port of Call, Calling All Birds

Port of Call, Calling All Birds
Beautiful flowers and butterflies

Port of Call, Calling All Birds

Port of Call, Calling All Birds
Audubon Society Center

Port of Call, Calling All Birds

Port of Call, Calling All Birds
Mitchell Lake Wetlands
Port of Call, Calling all Birds

I went to visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center this weekend. It was a breezy and sunny day. Today, October 27, 2007, is National Public Lands Day. The Toyota company had 150 plus team members volunteering to do brush clearing, mulching , weeding, gardening, excavating and building benches to place at different locations on the trails at this center. Since there was such a huge group out there working, there were not any tours today.

Ms Betty Walters is a fountain of information and a member of the Audubon Society. According to Ms Walters, In the early 1900’s Asa Mitchell, a colonist soldier
and planter, purchased 14,000 acres, including the Mitchell lake acreage, that was later used as a sewage treatment center. This area was later an abandoned sewage lagoon. It was designated as a wildlife refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.

The Mitchell Lake area was given by San Antonio in 1973 to the Audubon Society. In 1997 San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was formed and Mitchell Lake fell under their ownership. Since the society was unable to afford insurance for the site, they got together with the SAWS and through a grandfather clause, got around this issue. SAWS has a 25 year lease so the society is covered for a while..
MS Walters said that the Leeper House built in 1910 is the original farmhouse of the McNay Art Institute on New Braunfels. It was moved on the Mitchell Lake property in 2003 and the Audubon Society helped with the restoration.

In 2004 SAWS contracted with the National Audubon Society to Manage the site now known as the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. They manage this site in partnership with SAWS. The entire area of 1,200 acres includes Mitchell Lake, wetlands and ponds. There are 250 oil wells on the property. KB homes has constructed an impressive amphitheatre for classes and water-workshops.

Ms Walters loaned me a pair of binoculars and mapped out a route to take on my self- directed tour. Even with all the work crew in the area, there was an undisturbed quietness to the place. I saw many geese and ducks at the Bird Pond but I was disappointed that they were at a distance and I couldn’t get close up pictures. There was a funny looking contraption in the pond but I failed to ask about it.

There were a lot of different type of butterflies all around me. The vegetation was lush with lots of greenery. At one of the basins I saw what appeared to be a group of ducks perched on a log but when I looked through the binoculars, I saw it was a line of huge turtles with heads weaving in and out of their shells at times.

When I finally reached Mitchell Lake clearing, I saw a long line of huge birds, Geese I think all in a line on a type of pipe in the lake. It did not smell bad, Ms Walters said that the lake smelled sometimes and people mistake it for a sewer smell but she said that it is the blue-green algae. I had a very pleasant and informative afternoon.


Port of Call, Calling all Birds

I went to visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center this weekend. It was a breezy and sunny day. Today, October 27, 2007, is National Public Lands Day. The Toyota company had 150 plus team members volunteering to do brush clearing, mulching , weeding, gardening, excavating and building benches to place at different locations on the trails at this center. Since there was such a huge group out there working, there were not any tours today.
Ms Betty Walters is a fountain of information and a member of the Audubon Society. According to Ms Walters, In the early 1900’s Asa Mitchell, a colonist soldier
and planter, purchased 14,000 acres, including the Mitchell lake acreage, that was later used as a sewage treatment center. This area was later an abandoned sewage lagoon. It was designated as a wildlife refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.
The Mitchell Lake area was given by San Antonio in 1973 to the Audubon Society. In 1997 San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was formed and Mitchell Lake fell under their ownership. Since the society was unable to afford insurance for the site, they got together with the SAWS and through a grandfather clause, got around this issue. SAWS has a 25 year lease so the society is covered for a while..
MS Walters said that the Leeper House built in 1910 is the original farmhouse of the McNay Art Institute on New Braunfels. It was moved on the Mitchell Lake property in 2003 and the Audubon Society helped with the restoration.
In 2004 SAWS contracted with the National Audubon Society to Manage the site now known as the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. They manage this site in partnership with SAWS. The entire area of 1,200 acres includes Mitchell Lake, wetlands and ponds. There are 250 oil wells on the property. KB homes has constructed an impressive amphitheatre for classes and water-workshops.
Ms Walters loaned me a pair of binoculars and mapped out a route to take on my self- directed tour. Even with all the work crew in the area, there was an undisturbed quietness to the place. I saw many geese and ducks at the Bird Pond but I was disappointed that they were at a distance and I couldn’t get close up pictures. There was a funny looking contraption in the pond but I failed to ask about it.
There were a lot of different type of butterflies all around me. The vegetation was lush with lots of greenery. At one of the basins I saw what appeared to be a group of ducks perched on a log but when I looked through the binoculars, I saw it was a line of huge turtles with heads weaving in and out of their shells at times.
When I finally reached Mitchell Lake clearing, I saw a long line of huge birds, Geese I think all in a line on a type of pipe in the lake. It did not smell bad, Ms Walters said that the lake smelled sometimes and people mistake it for a sewer smell but she said that it is the blue-green algae. I had a very pleasant and informative afternoon.

Port of Call, Calling all Birds

I went to visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center this weekend. It was a breezy and sunny day. Today, October 27, 2007, is National Public Lands Day. The Toyota company had 150 plus team members volunteering to do brush clearing, mulching , weeding, gardening, excavating and building benches to place at different locations on the trails at this center. Since there was such a huge group out there working, there were not any tours today.
Ms Betty Walters is a fountain of information and a member of the Audubon Society. According to Ms Walters, In the early 1900’s Asa Mitchell, a colonist soldier
and planter, purchased 14,000 acres, including the Mitchell lake acreage, that was later used as a sewage treatment center. This area was later an abandoned sewage lagoon. It was designated as a wildlife refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.
The Mitchell Lake area was given by San Antonio in 1973 to the Audubon Society. In 1997 San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was formed and Mitchell Lake fell under their ownership. Since the society was unable to afford insurance for the site, they got together with the SAWS and through a grandfather clause, got around this issue. SAWS has a 25 year lease so the society is covered for a while..
MS Walters said that the Leeper House built in 1910 is the original farmhouse of the McNay Art Institute on New Braunfels. It was moved on the Mitchell Lake property in 2003 and the Audubon Society helped with the restoration.
In 2004 SAWS contracted with the National Audubon Society to Manage the site now known as the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. They manage this site in partnership with SAWS. The entire area of 1,200 acres includes Mitchell Lake, wetlands and ponds. There are 250 oil wells on the property. KB homes has constructed an impressive amphitheatre for classes and water-workshops.
Ms Walters loaned me a pair of binoculars and mapped out a route to take on my self- directed tour. Even with all the work crew in the area, there was an undisturbed quietness to the place. I saw many geese and ducks at the Bird Pond but I was disappointed that they were at a distance and I couldn’t get close up pictures. There was a funny looking contraption in the pond but I failed to ask about it.
There were a lot of different type of butterflies all around me. The vegetation was lush with lots of greenery. At one of the basins I saw what appeared to be a group of ducks perched on a log but when I looked through the binoculars, I saw it was a line of huge turtles with heads weaving in and out of their shells at times.
When I finally reached Mitchell Lake clearing, I saw a long line of huge birds, Geese I think all in a line on a type of pipe in the lake. It did not smell bad, Ms Walters said that the lake smelled sometimes and people mistake it for a sewer smell but she said that it is the blue-green algae. I had a very pleasant and informative afternoon.

Port of Call, Calling all Birds

I went to visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center this weekend. It was a breezy and sunny day. Today, October 27, 2007, is National Public Lands Day. The Toyota company had 150 plus team members volunteering to do brush clearing, mulching , weeding, gardening, excavating and building benches to place at different locations on the trails at this center. Since there was such a huge group out there working, there were not any tours today.
Ms Betty Walters is a fountain of information and a member of the Audubon Society. According to Ms Walters, In the early 1900’s Asa Mitchell, a colonist soldier
and planter, purchased 14,000 acres, including the Mitchell lake acreage, that was later used as a sewage treatment center. This area was later an abandoned sewage lagoon. It was designated as a wildlife refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.
The Mitchell Lake area was given by San Antonio in 1973 to the Audubon Society. In 1997 San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was formed and Mitchell Lake fell under their ownership. Since the society was unable to afford insurance for the site, they got together with the SAWS and through a grandfather clause, got around this issue. SAWS has a 25 year lease so the society is covered for a while..
MS Walters said that the Leeper House built in 1910 is the original farmhouse of the McNay Art Institute on New Braunfels. It was moved on the Mitchell Lake property in 2003 and the Audubon Society helped with the restoration.
In 2004 SAWS contracted with the National Audubon Society to Manage the site now known as the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. They manage this site in partnership with SAWS. The entire area of 1,200 acres includes Mitchell Lake, wetlands and ponds. There are 250 oil wells on the property. KB homes has constructed an impressive amphitheatre for classes and water-workshops.
Ms Walters loaned me a pair of binoculars and mapped out a route to take on my self- directed tour. Even with all the work crew in the area, there was an undisturbed quietness to the place. I saw many geese and ducks at the Bird Pond but I was disappointed that they were at a distance and I couldn’t get close up pictures. There was a funny looking contraption in the pond but I failed to ask about it.
There were a lot of different type of butterflies all around me. The vegetation was lush with lots of greenery. At one of the basins I saw what appeared to be a group of ducks perched on a log but when I looked through the binoculars, I saw it was a line of huge turtles with heads weaving in and out of their shells at times.
When I finally reached Mitchell Lake clearing, I saw a long line of huge birds, Geese I think all in a line on a type of pipe in the lake. It did not smell bad, Ms Walters said that the lake smelled sometimes and people mistake it for a sewer smell but she said that it is the blue-green algae. I had a very pleasant and informative afternoon.

Port of Call, Calling all Birds

I went to visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center this weekend. It was a breezy and sunny day. Today, October 27, 2007, is National Public Lands Day. The Toyota company had 150 plus team members volunteering to do brush clearing, mulching , weeding, gardening, excavating and building benches to place at different locations on the trails at this center. Since there was such a huge group out there working, there were not any tours today.
Ms Betty Walters is a fountain of information and a member of the Audubon Society. According to Ms Walters, In the early 1900’s Asa Mitchell, a colonist soldier
and planter, purchased 14,000 acres, including the Mitchell lake acreage, that was later used as a sewage treatment center. This area was later an abandoned sewage lagoon. It was designated as a wildlife refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.
The Mitchell Lake area was given by San Antonio in 1973 to the Audubon Society. In 1997 San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was formed and Mitchell Lake fell under their ownership. Since the society was unable to afford insurance for the site, they got together with the SAWS and through a grandfather clause, got around this issue. SAWS has a 25 year lease so the society is covered for a while..
MS Walters said that the Leeper House built in 1910 is the original farmhouse of the McNay Art Institute on New Braunfels. It was moved on the Mitchell Lake property in 2003 and the Audubon Society helped with the restoration.
In 2004 SAWS contracted with the National Audubon Society to Manage the site now known as the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. They manage this site in partnership with SAWS. The entire area of 1,200 acres includes Mitchell Lake, wetlands and ponds. There are 250 oil wells on the property. KB homes has constructed an impressive amphitheatre for classes and water-workshops.
Ms Walters loaned me a pair of binoculars and mapped out a route to take on my self- directed tour. Even with all the work crew in the area, there was an undisturbed quietness to the place. I saw many geese and ducks at the Bird Pond but I was disappointed that they were at a distance and I couldn’t get close up pictures. There was a funny looking contraption in the pond but I failed to ask about it.
There were a lot of different type of butterflies all around me. The vegetation was lush with lots of greenery. At one of the basins I saw what appeared to be a group of ducks perched on a log but when I looked through the binoculars, I saw it was a line of huge turtles with heads weaving in and out of their shells at times.
When I finally reached Mitchell Lake clearing, I saw a long line of huge birds, Geese I think all in a line on a type of pipe in the lake. It did not smell bad, Ms Walters said that the lake smelled sometimes and people mistake it for a sewer smell but she said that it is the blue-green algae. I had a very pleasant and informative afternoon.

Port of Call, Calling all Birds

I went to visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center this weekend. It was a breezy and sunny day. Today, October 27, 2007, is National Public Lands Day. The Toyota company had 150 plus team members volunteering to do brush clearing, mulching , weeding, gardening, excavating and building benches to place at different locations on the trails at this center. Since there was such a huge group out there working, there were not any tours today.
Ms Betty Walters is a fountain of information and a member of the Audubon Society. According to Ms Walters, In the early 1900’s Asa Mitchell, a colonist soldier
and planter, purchased 14,000 acres, including the Mitchell lake acreage, that was later used as a sewage treatment center. This area was later an abandoned sewage lagoon. It was designated as a wildlife refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.
The Mitchell Lake area was given by San Antonio in 1973 to the Audubon Society. In 1997 San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was formed and Mitchell Lake fell under their ownership. Since the society was unable to afford insurance for the site, they got together with the SAWS and through a grandfather clause, got around this issue. SAWS has a 25 year lease so the society is covered for a while..
MS Walters said that the Leeper House built in 1910 is the original farmhouse of the McNay Art Institute on New Braunfels. It was moved on the Mitchell Lake property in 2003 and the Audubon Society helped with the restoration.
In 2004 SAWS contracted with the National Audubon Society to Manage the site now known as the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. They manage this site in partnership with SAWS. The entire area of 1,200 acres includes Mitchell Lake, wetlands and ponds. There are 250 oil wells on the property. KB homes has constructed an impressive amphitheatre for classes and water-workshops.
Ms Walters loaned me a pair of binoculars and mapped out a route to take on my self- directed tour. Even with all the work crew in the area, there was an undisturbed quietness to the place. I saw many geese and ducks at the Bird Pond but I was disappointed that they were at a distance and I couldn’t get close up pictures. There was a funny looking contraption in the pond but I failed to ask about it.
There were a lot of different type of butterflies all around me. The vegetation was lush with lots of greenery. At one of the basins I saw what appeared to be a group of ducks perched on a log but when I looked through the binoculars, I saw it was a line of huge turtles with heads weaving in and out of their shells at times.
When I finally reached Mitchell Lake clearing, I saw a long line of huge birds, Geese I think all in a line on a type of pipe in the lake. It did not smell bad, Ms Walters said that the lake smelled sometimes and people mistake it for a sewer smell but she said that it is the blue-green algae. I had a very pleasant and informative afternoon.


Port of Call, Calling all Birds

Port of Call, Calling all Birds

I went to visit the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center this weekend. It was a breezy and sunny day. Today, October 27, 2007, is National Public Lands Day. The Toyota company had 150 plus team members volunteering to do brush clearing, mulching , weeding, gardening, excavating and building benches to place at different locations on the trails at this center. Since there was such a huge group out there working, there were not any tours today.

Ms Betty Walters is a fountain of information and a member of the Audubon Society. According to Ms Walters, In the early 1900’s Asa Mitchell, a colonist soldier
and planter, purchased 14,000 acres, including the Mitchell lake acreage, that was later used as a sewage treatment center. This area was later an abandoned sewage lagoon. It was designated as a wildlife refuge for shorebirds and waterfowl.

The Mitchell Lake area was given by San Antonio in 1973 to the Audubon Society. In 1997 San Antonio Water System (SAWS) was formed and Mitchell Lake fell under their ownership. Since the society was unable to afford insurance for the site, they got together with the SAWS and through a grandfather clause, got around this issue. SAWS has a 25 year lease so the society is covered for a while.

MS Walters said that the Leeper House built in 1910 is the original farmhouse of the McNay Art Institute on New Braunfels. It was moved on the Mitchell Lake property in 2003 and the Audubon Society helped with the restoration.

In 2004 SAWS contracted with the National Audubon Society to Manage the site now known as the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. They manage this site in partnership with SAWS. The entire area of 1,200 acres includes Mitchell Lake, wetlands and ponds. There are 250 oil wells on the property. KB homes has constructed an impressive amphitheatre for classes and water-workshops.

Ms Walters loaned me a pair of binoculars and mapped out a route to take on my self- directed tour. Even with all the work crew in the area, there was an undisturbed quietness to the place. I saw many geese and ducks at the Bird Pond but I was disappointed that they were at a distance and I couldn’t get close up pictures. There was a funny looking contraption in the pond but I failed to ask about it.

There were a lot of different type of butterflies all around me. The vegetation was lush with lots of greenery. At one of the basins I saw what appeared to be a group of ducks perched on a log but when I looked through the binoculars, I saw it was a line of huge turtles with heads weaving in and out of their shells at times.

When I finally reached Mitchell Lake clearing, I saw a long line of huge birds, Geese I think all in a line on a type of pipe in the lake. It did not smell bad, Ms Walters said that the lake smelled sometimes and people mistake it for a sewer smell but she said that it is the blue-green algae. I had a very pleasant and informative afternoon.