March 2008 AACOG Region Newsletter

Older adults, 60 years and older; people with disabilities; and their caregivers living in Bexar County now have easy access to information and referral, service coordination and other key services through the Alamo Service Connection, an important new program of the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG).

As the community focal point for people with the need for long-term services and supports, the ASC connects consumers to information and services, both public and private, by calling (210) 477-3275 or by visiting www.alamoserviceconnection.org.

Individuals in the 11 counties surrounding Bexar have access to the Alamo Network of Care site: www.alamoarea.networkofcare.org.

View the entire press release

March 4-6, AACOG will host TCEQ’s Criminal Environmental Law Enforcement Training in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700, San Antonio. Peace officers; local health and environmental officials; code inspectors; lawyers and judges of environmental courts; and public works staff who are dispatched to pick up illegally dumped materials along rights-of-way are encouraged to attend.

The course provides the opportunity to learn about illegal dumping, who does it and how to address stopping this activity which endangers our land, water, and health with existing environmental and criminal law. The course will also cover the changes in outdoor burning laws. Click here for more information about this valuable training.

The AACOG Economic Development Stakeholder Group will be meeting for its third collaborative meeting since its inception. The group will meet in Seguin, at the GBRA Annex at 905 Nolan Street on Friday, March 14, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. The Group was formed as a result of the collaborative efforts in the development of the AACOG 2007-2012 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) in early 2007.

One of the elements of the CEDS emphasizes regionalism as a key factor in the way communities should approach their respective economic development efforts. To maximize their economic development efforts communities should form collaborative partnerships with neighboring communities to share information and resources. In today's global economy a community should not isolate themselves and go it alone. When one community succeeds in its economic development efforts the impact is felt not only locally but throughout the county and surrounding counties in the region.

The Group meetings allow for economic development practitioners, elected officials and community leaders from throughout the AACOG region to network, collaborate and learn more of what is taking place in other parts of this region. The participants are learning firsthand the true meaning of regionalism. This Seguin meeting will focus on the impact transportation and water related projects have on economic development efforts, and the Group will also hear a presentation on the economic development efforts of the Seguin Economic Development Corporation.

For additional information contact Joe Ramos at (210) 362-5212, jramos@aacog.com or Kate Silvas at (830) 401-5005, ksilvas@ci.seguin.tx.us.

Music - Games - Prizes – Food

Enjoy a leisurely stroll during lunch and join us for the Second Annual Fresh Air Friday March 28, 2008 at Travis Park. The event will feature Blue Star Brewing Company, the Chuck Kerr Quartet, games, prizes and a 100-tree giveaway! Local organizations will provide helpful information on improving air quality and other “green” measures that help our environment and may save you money. This will be a great opportunity to discover what others are doing to promote clean air, improve transportation and keep our city beautiful!

Come celebrate with us anytime from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.! Contact Brenda Williams: 210-362-5246, bwilliams@aacog.com, for more information. Sponsored by AACOG and the City of San Antonio.

The Alamo Area Agency on Aging, in partnership with the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation, is pleased to announce the implementation of the A Matter of Balance – Managing Concerns About Falls Program in Guadalupe County. Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A MATTER OF BALANCE is an award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Master trainers recruit and teach volunteers to lead the sessions, recruit participants, and sponsor classes.

The classes will be held at the Eden Place Meeting Room, 1220 Jefferson Street, Seguin, Texas, beginning March 4, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Who should attend?

Anyone concerned about falls
Anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength
Anyone who has fallen in the past
Anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns

During 8 two-hour classes, participants learn to:

View falls as controllable
Set goals for increasing activity
Make changes to reduce fall risks at home
Exercise to increase strength and balance

For more information, please call Kathy Compton, Alamo Area Agency on Aging, 210-362-5263.

AACOG is currently accepting nominations for the 2008 AACOG Regional Awards, to be presented to the winners at a special ceremony on June 11, 2008. These nominations are open to the public. The deadline for receipt of the nominations is Thursday, May 1, 2008.

Categories for nomination are:

Regional Citizen of the Year
Corporate Citizen of the Year
Community Project of the Year
Governmental Regional Project of the Year

For more information about the awards, visit www.aacog.com/award.

AACOG's Mission:
To enhance the lives of all residents of the Alamo Region by working in mutual respect and partnership with all levels of government, the business sector, and the community at large to meet regional challenges and to create regional strengths.