October 2007 AACOG Region Newsletter

There is one month to go in Ozone Season 2007 and, so far, San Antonio has managed to stay “out of the red zone”. Thanks in part to the cooler and wetter weather; ozone levels have remained low with four weeks to go! The luck we’ve had with cooler-than-usual temperatures helps prevent ozone, but it is important to remember it only takes a couple bad days to put San Antonio in violation of air quality standards. We cannot relax just yet!

Since the vehicles we drive are the largest source of ozone pollution in our region, we can best help to prevent ozone pollution by maintaining our vehicles and driving less. Here are a few tips for reducing ozone pollution:

Make sure your vehicle gets all its regular maintenance.
Combine errands into one trip.
Share a ride to work or school. Visit www.rcride.com for a free, instantaneous carpool match!
Take your lunch to work or school or walk to a nearby restaurant.
Avoid drive-through lanes, or turn off your engine if you must wait in line for more than a minute.
Don’t top-off your gas tank when refueling and fill up your tank after 6pm.
Walk, ride a bicycle or use public transit.

Last but not least, let's finish strong this season by logging smart miles through October. Visit www.walkandrollchallenge.com and get involved!

AACOG and Journal Communications, Inc. (JNI), have partnered to bring to the AACOG region a newsstand-quality publication that will illustrate the great quality of life we enjoy in our region and to also promote our economic strengths and growth potential for new businesses. The Business Images of the Alamo Area Region magazine will be published on an annual basis and this first edition is scheduled for distribution by March 2008. More than 10,000 copies of the magazine will be distributed and the magazine will also be available online.

Journal Communications is committed to giving AACOG businesses and members throughout the region the opportunity to be included in this year's publication. Amy Normand is the JNI advertising project manager for the publication and will soon be contacting businesses and members about these advertising opportunities. For more information pertaining to this project you can contact Joe Ramos, Government Services Manager, at (210) 362-5212 or jramos@aacog.com.

AACOG will host the Alamo Area Biodiesel Workshop on October 18, 2007, from 2-4 p.m., in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78217.

The Alamo Area Biodiesel Workshop is a chance to become involved in the discussion of how we can actively pursue opportunities to expand the Biodiesel infrastructure and market in the San Antonio region. There has been a lot of attention on Biodiesel in Texas and there is a high level of interest to both produce and use Biodiesel in the San Antonio region, by Clean Cities Stakeholders and public alike.

Those interested in attending this workshop, please RSVP with Andrew Hudgins at (210) 362-5228 by October 12. There is no registration fee.

Workshop Draft Agenda

The Academy will be hosting a peace officer job fair in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, on October 11, 2007 from 9 to 11 a.m. The job fair applicant pool will include cadets from class 2006 C, Class 2007 A, and recent graduates from our Texas Supplemental Peace Officer Course. Also, any current peace officers looking for “greener pastures” are encouraged to attend.

Any agency recruiters looking for eligible applicants can contact Academy Supervisor Ron Ray at 210-362-5272 or e-mail at rray@aacog.com to reserve their spot. There is no charge for agencies or attendees. This is a free community service provided by AACOG.

On Saturday, October 20, 2007, members of more than 15 area car clubs will embark on AACOG’s seventh annual Scenic Hills Cruise. From 7:30 to 9 a.m., cruise participants will convene at the Leon Valley Library (parking lot) at 6427 Evers Road, 1½ miles outside Loop 410 on the right side. For more information contact AACOG Tourism at (210) 362-5220 or click here to read the press release.

AACOG will recognize National Weatherization Day regionally on October 24 with an event from 1-4 p.m. in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX. The event will consist of a 1-hour briefing for legislative aides immediately followed by a 2-hour hands-on application workshop for regional citizens who are eligible for weatherization assistance. CPS Energy, the provider of funding for the weatherization of homes in Bexar County, will also participate in this event.

The Weatherization Assistance Program was institutionalized in 1979 within the U.S. Department of Energy and is operated in all 50 states including the District of Columbia. Weatherization consists of the installation of attic, wall and floor insulation, Energy Star gas appliances and refrigerators, central heating and air conditioning systems, air conditioning window units, space heaters, water heaters, and minor repairs including windows, doors, and weather-stripping and caulking.

In 2007 AACOG expects to weatherize close to 400 homes throughout the 12-county AACOG region. Since 1982, AACOG has already weatherized nearly 4,000 households in the region, successfully promoting energy conservation, improving people's health and safety, and reducing the high costs of utility bills for AACOG residents.

For more information about the AACOG Weatherization Day events, please call Tina Guerra at (210) 362-5282.

In partnership with the AACOG Alamo WorkSource Careers Centers, the IRS will be bringing the Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) program to New Braunfels and Seguin for the tax year 2007 filing season. The VITA Program provides free, tax preparation to working families and individuals who earn less than $40,000. Families eligible to participate in the VITA program may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which help many of these families improve their financial situations and become self-sufficient. VITA sites offer electronic filing to provide faster refunds. Volunteer recruitment efforts are now under way for the upcoming season. Find out more about VITA volunteer opportunities.

Anyone affected by the flooding August 14 through August 20, 2007 in Bexar, Medina, and Kendall Counties, are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or logging on to www.fema.gov. The deadline to register is December 3, 2007.