AVCSG - Newsletter #14
- Christina Wright
- Jan 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 17
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Hello and Happy New Year! The AVCSG Planning Team is working hard to get our website created for launch early this year. This will be a one stop shop where you’ll have access to all of our programming and activities. We’ll also have a garden map and interactive tools like a message board for the Garden Club. Updates will still be sent through the newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the fun. Keep an eye out for the Garden Club workshop dates TBD throughout March. Eight Alta Vista neighbors were selected to have micro-garden installations in their front yards and easement spaces; six native and two vegetable gardens. We’re working with the Texas Master Naturalists and Bexar County Master Gardeners, who will volunteer to provide education alongside the planting. They’ll cover best practices and how to instruction. See below for new information about the Food Sharing Network, Community Potlucks, the Garden Club, Community Connectors, and Alta Vista Moves. We hope to see you around! — All the best, Christina |
AVCSG GARDEN CLUB |
The AVCSG Garden Club will launch this year to encourage community action in the eco-sustainability space. In sustainability models, the environment is the largest support of social and economic health. We’re encouraged to make our neighborhood environment more healthy by helping our neighbors use underutilized yard and easement space for native plants and vegetable gardens. By creating more beauty, health, and bio-diversity in our natural, urban environment, the collective well-being of our community will become stronger. — Over time, when the land is restored to native grasses and wildflowers, there is less of a need to labor in yards in the traditional sense. Reducing the use of motorized lawn tools also helps in reducing noise pollution, air pollution, the spread of allergens, and weeds. — Beneficial insect populations will return and strengthen the natural eco-system. Seasonal Tip: Leave the Leaves! While we might be having a warmer winter this year due to La Niña, there is still a need to leave the leaves in place on the ground to provide a winter habitat for insects and pollinators. Many types of bees, moths, and butterflies, among other types of insects, burrow just below the top soil and need the leaves as an insulation layer. Leaves can be moved with gentle raking around the base of plants as needed for winter protection, or you can supplement by adding hay around the base of plants that need the help. And, then use the hay and leaves when you do cleanup in the spring for your compost. Additionally, a common misconception is that removing the leaves is needed to get sunlight to grass. Once winter starts, even if its mild, the colder temperatures signal plants to go dormant, which means that you can take a break too. |
FOOD SHARING NETWORK |
AVCSG is partnering 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! The Food Sharing Network will no longer use the form submission and email method to connect neighbors individually, but we hope that you’ll participate in the Midtown Meetup Food Pantry, and especially encourage neighbors who need assistance by letting them know or stopping by to make a bag of goods for them for drop off. M-F 3pm - 1am and Sat-Sun 12pm - 1am |
COMMUNITY POTLUCKS |
AVCSG is happy to announce the first Community Potluck for 2026! Please join us at Midtown Meetup on Sunday, January 24th from 4pm-6pm. Bring something to share, but please come even if you can’t! There will be limited space to plug in crockpots, and make sure to have a serving utensil for your dish. AVCSG will provide plates, utensils, cups, and napkins. We’ll also have water and juice. Midtown Meetup sells beer and other beverages that will be available for purchase. We’ll be set up in the annex room. At 5pm in the main room, DJ Midnight Mover will spin some disco pop. Stay for Comedy Open Mic Night at 7:30pm! We hope to see you there! |
COMMUNITY CONNECTORS |
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. Keep an eye out for block walking opportunities in the spring! A flyer will go out with the micro-garden workshop dates, community potlucks, and more activities and events. Send us an email at altavistasustainabilitygroup@gmail.com to connect with us on this and other ways to be involved! |
ALTA VISTA MOVES |
Get Ready! Get Moving! This spring, AVCSG will launch Alta Vista Moves as a weekly activity that will bring us together for social and physical health. We’ll meet-up at a central neighborhood location for stretching, light yoga, and calisthenic movement, and then take off for walking, jogging, or biking. Are you interested in volunteering to lead the group for the first part, or stay for the yard exercises to support those who can’t or don’t want to participate in the rest? Let us know - |
Please forward our newsletter to a neighbor as an invite to have them sign up by emailing us to be included in our directory. Not online? This email newsletter can be converted into plain text for easier reading or printing. Spanish speaking only? We need a volunteer who can translate our materials! We’re 86 neighbors strong who are receiving this newsletter now but our potential is exponential! |
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