AVCSG Newsletter #19
- Kacey Arntz
- May 25
- 6 min read
Email: altavistasustainabilitygroup@gmail.com NEW FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sustainaltavista/ INSTAGRAM: @SustainAltaVista Use this link to join our Signal Chat group! Help Line: 210-446-8027 |
NEWS |
San Antonio is getting ready for summer! Due to the impacts of climate change and the large shifts in weather patterns, it’s not always clear what the months ahead will look like. But, we still need to be prepared! We have two major threat systems this summer that we need to be aware of when thinking about our health, as well as the well being of our neighbors – flooding and heat. The city is getting ready to launch its Project Cool summer program - https://www.sanantonio.gov/humanservices/SeniorServices/ProjectCool - Check this out or call 211 to see if you qualify for a box fan (60+ yrs old, resident, and in need), and also for those who want to donate. COSA shares a lot of great info throughout the summer, and by calling 211 you can also find other resources, including cooling centers (like, libraries) that are open for use during extreme heat days. https://www.sa.gov/Government/Emergency-Crisis-Response/Severe-Weather/Hot-Weather AVCSG will be sharing more information and resources at the next Community Connectors event! The Office of Resiliency and Sustainability has provided our POD with sustainability kits to give to you! These kits contain energy saver light bulbs, a window insulating kit, shower head for water flow control, a digital thermometer, and pipe insulation. See the event flyer below, on our website, or social media - and we hope to see you there! Our Keep Alta Vista Cool summer project will include readying easement spaces for fall planting, sharing info about rain barrels, rain garden designs, and other “cool” ideas like natural pools. We’ll also take a look at spots where we can add water hydration stations – there is one supported by a neighbor at the Breeden and W. Kings Hwy / W. Gramercy triangles. Do you have ideas for projects and workshops? Our Planning Team needs help with finding leaders who can help us expand our programs and services. Please reach out with any interest in email: altavistasustainabilitygroup@gmail.com |
COMMUNITY CONNECTORS |
Join us on Saturday, June 13th from 10am - 12pm for our second Community Connectors event. Same place: corner of W. Huisache and Breeden. We thought it would be a fun idea to have a plant pup/cutting swap! Bring some cuttings of your indoor/outdoor plants or new little pups. Give a plant, take a plant! As always, you don't need to bring anything except for yourself and a chair! A no-pressure, come as you are Saturday morning event! Meet your neighbors, and hang out under the pecan tree with some coffee! You’ll have a chance to learn about our group, sign up for your street or block, and find out all about how to strengthen our community. Plus, you can get in on the Planning Team’s calendar for ideas of neighborhood wide events, like summer block parties and a summer shed clean out/material reuse garden swap/garage sale day!  RSVP encouraged, but not required! Drop by and bring a friend! Our first community connectors event was such a huge hit. Thank you everyone who came out, we had a blast and was so happy with the turnout! Here are some photos: |
Please consider helping AVCSG strengthen our community by volunteering as a Community Connector. The idea is that there is one person on each block that will help get information to their neighbors and build relationships with those who need the connection. Many neighbors are not on social media and feel isolated without access to community programs.
Send us an email at altavistasustainabilitygroup@gmail.com to connect with us on this and other ways to be involved!
Follow us on social media for weekly reminders! ***Weather Permitting***
GARDEN CLUB |
Your gardens/yards are looking amazing! We've been having such a great time on our daily walks checking out all of the blooms! With all this rain we've been having, each day is like brand new scenery! What's next for your June gardens? It's going to get drier and hotter, putting a lot of stress on our plants, let's get into the do's and do not's getting into the Summer season. We want to start focusing on extreme heat-tolerant plants. DON'T plant trees and shrubs. DO wait until early fall. But if your temped to pick up some trees during a sale, DO be sure to water it often for the rest of the summer! DO plant tropical plants such as Hibiscus, Mandevilla, Esperanza, Bougainvillea, Caladiums, and Coleus. DO continue planting Zinnias, Sunflowers, and Vinca. DO harvest your early spring planted veggies, and be sure to keep the later planted veggies watered and fed! DO plant Squashes and Pumpkins, Okra, Sweet potato, Southern Peas, Corn, Peppers. DON'T let them dry out! DO plant Basil, Rosemary, Thyme and Oregano. DO pinch off the leggy growth on your annuals, and flowers off your Basil. Behind the scenes: AVCSG is responsibly committed to making our neighborhood environment more healthy by inspiring neighbors to “go native”, primarily through the restoration of large easement spaces into blackland prairie and assisting neighbors in creating their own native landscapes. We’re working behind the scenes to find proactive ways to work with COSA Code Enforcement and look at other programs like the Texas Wildscapes Certification. AVCSG wants all neighbors who participate to feel confident and educated about their investment, as well as help empower the cultural shift towards sustainability. We’re going to keep the code plugged into our conversations, and if you ever need support working with Code Enforcement on your native wildscapes, then please connect with us! San Antonio Property Maintenance Code 302.4 “All improved premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches in height. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than shrubs or trees provided; however, this term shall not include 1) cultivated flowers and gardens, 2) native grasses, perennials and annual plants installed as part of landscaping design, or 3) natural or manmade rough areas as part of golf course in current operation.”  Join our signal group to ask questions, share photos, and inspire each other! |
RECIPE OF THE MONTH |
We are going to share a recipe each month that uses something our neighbors have planted in their gardens. If you have any submissions, shoot us an email!   |
ALTA VISTA MOVES |
Get Ready! Get Moving! Meet up weekly on Thursdays at 7pm at the AV Community Micro Garden at the corner of N Flores and Agarita. Bring a small trash bag and gloves to pick up trash along the route - only if you want, we thought it'd be a great idea because there’s so much of it! Kids and family groups are more than welcome. We’ll head out on a walk to San Pedro Springs Park, follow the trail around one time, and head back. Those who wish to run or bike are more than welcome to start off with the group. Connect with us if you’d like to lead a group walk, bike, run, or stay with those who want to use the time for stretching or light yoga.  Follow us on social media for weekly reminders! ***Weather Permitting*** |
INDOOR FOOD PANTRY |
AVCSG has partnered with Midtown Meetup to support an indoor food pantry!
The food pantry has shelves for dry goods, canned foods, and a small fridge space for fresh produce and eggs. Please consider donating food to the food pantry when you can and take what you need!
M-F 3pm - 1am and Sat-Sun 12pm - 1am
AVCSG POP UPS |
Looking forward to October - we’re moving this to the fall to line up with the next planting season and round of SAWS Water Saver Coupons and CPS Tree Rebates! |
LOCAL BUSINESS & ORGANIZATIONS |
Please forward our newsletter to a neighbor as an invite to have them sign up by emailing us to be included in our directory. Spanish speaking? We need a volunteer who can translate our materials! We’re 109 neighbors strong so far! Copyright (C) 2026 Alta Vista Community Sustainability Group. All rights reserved. |
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