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For the last several months, roughly two dozen District 7 residents have been planning a Jefferson Community Garden. Michael Soto, an English professor at Trinity University and a candidate for a place on the San Antonio ISD school board, is one of several co-founders of the community garden. I recently spoke with him about the project.
EG: Have you been a gardener for long?
MS: It’s funny that you should ask. I grew some tomatoes and radishes as a kid—that’s how I came to enjoy radishes—and my wife and son and I occasionally grow tomatoes or squash and we usually grow basil and rosemary for cooking, but to be honest I’m not much of a green thumb. I try to be as frugal with water as possible, much to the chagrin of my plants. But community gardens aren’t so much about growing plants as they are about bringing neighbors together and improving the quality of neighborhood life in tangible and lasting ways.
EG: The community garden movement has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. How would you explain this phenomenon?
MS: Community gardens are fantastic resources, particularly within an urban setting: They bring neighbors together in fun and healthy ways, they’re an educational resource for neighborhood schools, they promote the benefits of locally-grown produce, and they encourage a mindful relationship with the natural environment. Community gardens accomplish all of this for a minimal financial investment.
EG: Where will the Jefferson Community Garden be located?
MS: We’ve been considering a number of potential locations, and we’ve settled on a site at the Jefferson United Methodist Church. The church’s leadership, including Rev. Tamara Strehli and board president Bill Kraus, has been very supportive of the effort. The church council and board recently voted to endorse the idea. We’re excited about the location and I’ve had the pleasure of visiting with the garden’s future neighbors along W. Gramercy; they’re also very enthusiastic. Apparently we’re not the first group to suggest the space for a garden. The site offers plenty of open space for gardening and neighborhood gatherings—we plan on making it an attractive and inviting space—and it’s within walking distance of Jefferson High School and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy.
EG: When will the garden be in place? When will the gardening begin?
MS: Hopefully we’ll get going within a few weeks. We just learned that we’ll receive a generous starter grant from the Green Spaces Alliance (formerly the Bexar Land Trust). The Alliance has done a wonderful job supporting community gardens throughout the county, and its staff has been supportive throughout this process. Since the church is located within the Monticello Historic District, we’ll also need to go before the Historic and Design Review Commission to gain its approval for landscaping and structural changes. But most of the members can’t wait to get out their shovels and start digging.
EG: Is it still possible for interested readers to participate? How can they get in touch?
MS: There’s ample room for people to get involved—the more, the better. Just give me a call at 738-8520 or send me an email at michael@michael-soto.org.
Be A Part of Something BIG – Volunteer with VITA!
San Antonio VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) is one of the nation’s largest volunteer program. Every year, VITA provides FREE tax help for individuals with low-to moderate income (under $45,000 yearly income) who cannot prepare their own tax return. The typical client coming to VITA is a single mother with children. Last year during tax season, volunteers processed over 40,000 tax returns.
Individuals interested in volunteering with VITA complete the free Integrated Tax Return Preparation training certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The training covers basic and intermediate tax return preparation. Once certified, volunteers will be assigned to VITA sites in neighborhood community centers, libraries, churches, and other convenient locations. Some VITA sites provide extended hours – such as evenings and weekends – to accommodate working people.
Current Volunteer Count: 0
Our Goal: 500
Anticipated Tax Returns for 2009: 50,000
Volunteer Positions Available:
- Tax Preparers (Free Basic Tax Preparation Training Available)
- Greeters
- Quality Tax Reviewers
- Volunteer Mentors (Returning Volunteers Only)
Training time:
- 12-14 hours (TRAINING starts in December)
Time Commitment Expected:
- 2-3 hours per week (20-22 hours over a 13-week period)
NEW Feature:
- “Link & Learn” training and certification option at your leisure and at your own pace (live on our web site in November 2008)
How can YOU help?
1. Sign-up to become a VITA volunteer. Call (210) 222-2975 ask for Uli (ulichapa@vitasa.org) or Eva (volunteer@vitasa.org).
2. Referrals
Let others know about the VITA volunteer opportunity. These individuals can be employees, friends, family, neighbors – ANYONE.
For additional information, please visit their web site at www.vitasa.org.
“The training not only benefits our VITA customers, it also helps the volunteers themselves, allowing them to learn more about their own personal taxes while providing a valuable service to the community,” said Dennis Campa, director of the Department of Community Initiatives. “Anyone can volunteer. If an individual has a desire to help, we can equip them with the necessary skills to do the job. Our volunteers are the link to the VITA program. A successful VITA site is dependent upon well-trained enthusiastic volunteers.”
Dr. Ricardo Romo and the San Antonio Public Library Foundation cordially invite you to a book signing and reception on November 12th to celebrate Legislator, Leticia Van De Putte and the Road to Leadership in the Central Library Auditorium.
During the event, author Dr. Sharon A. Navarro and Senator Leticia Van de Putte Latina will be signing copies of the new book.
I look forward to seeing you there and celebrating Latinas in Texas politics!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Central Library Auditorium
600 Soledad
San Antonio, Texas
RSVP: Tiffany Champion, (210) 733-6604
Bring your family out to Texas Recycles Day on November 15th at Woodlawn Lake Park from 9am – 2pm organized by The City of San Antonio Solid Waste Management Department!
In addition to kid’s activities, food and entertainment, this event will provide an opportunity for our community to drop off recyclable items and learn about how to minimize the amount of waste we use everyday.
Take a look around your home to bring at least one item for recycle with participating companies who include HEB, InkSell, Goodwill, Corona Visions and the San Antonio Food Bank.
Download the flyer (.pdf) for a detailed list of recyclable services available on-site at the event.
