Officials from VIA Metropolitan Transit were circulating about town in Leon Valley last week, updating communities about the Fredricksburg line of the Bus Rapid Transit project, slated to launch in 2012.

A June 28 community forum at Crossroads Mall was one of many that took place that offered updates and accepted input from the public.

“The BRT public meetings went well,” said VIA public information officer Andy Scheidt. “They were well attended. … Most of the comments were favorable.”

Leon Valley Mayor Chris Riley, who has expressed interest in getting a BRT line for Leon Valley to fight Bandera Road congestion, was also present at the meeting.

In late May, the VIA board authorized the purchase of a 60-foot hybrid BRT vehicle, as opposed to one powered by traditional diesel fuel. The vehicle will be powered equally by clean diesel and electric power. VIA says while the hybrid was more expensive, it offers better fuel economy and runs cleaner and quieter.

The new BRT line will run mostly down Fredricksburg Road between downtown and the South Texas Medical Center.

Terminals will be developed on each end of 8- to 10-mile route that will include several stops, including six to eight station locations.

En route

Here’s where the Fredricksburg Road BRT line will travel:

Starting from the Medical Center Transit Center, the line will travel on Medical Drive, through the South Texas Medical Center to Fredricksburg Road.

On Fredricksburg Road, the route then goes through Balcones Heights, the Balcones District and the Deco District.

At Woodlawn Avenue, the line will enter Interstate 10 briefly and exit near the proposed Westside Multimodal Center in Cattleman’s Square.

From the WSMM, the line will travel east through downtown on Market Street to the Robert Thompson Transit Center before turning back around to the Medical Center Transit Center.

Special to the Northwest Weekly 

Northside ISD once again is a Recognized district, thanks to a focused effort to improve standardized test scores in all student demographics. The Texas Education Agency released accountability ratings today.

Based on the state rating system, Northside ISD has 15 Exemplary schools – five times as many as last year – and the number of Recognized campuses increased from 37 to 45. All other campuses were rated Academically Acceptable. No NISD schools were rated low performing.

In 2006, Northside was Recognized, but last year, the standards were raised and Northside’s overall rating was Academically Acceptable. Returning to Recognized status this year was a top priority of the district’s instructional leaders.

“I am so proud of our students and teachers,” Superintendent John Folks said. “This is an incredible accomplishment, especially considering the size and diversity of our district.”

Northside ISD expects to have about 88,500 students for the 2008-09 school year. Almost half of the district’s students are classified as economically disadvantaged.

NISD students scored higher than the state average in every subject at every grade level, Folks added.

The 15 Exemplary campuses include: Health Careers High School and Aue, Beard, Blattman, Colonies North, Elrod, Hatchett, Helotes, Krueger, Lackland City, Leon Springs, Linton, Raba, Scobee, and Thornton elementary schools.

For a campus or a district to achieve an Exemplary rating, 90 percent of the total student body and each of the student groups – white, Hispanic, African American, and economically disadvantaged – must pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills in all subject areas. For Recognized, the minimum passing rate is 75 percent.

Campus accountability ratings and TAKS scores will be posted on www.nisd.net next week.

A farmers’ market at H-E-B at Potranco and Loop 1604 features fresh produce from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is held at this location every other week.

Join the Friends of Government Canyon Volunteers on the second Saturday of each month for a guided, five- to seven-mile hike on one of the many trails at the State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Road. Meet at the visitor center by the rainwater harvesting tower at 8:30 a.m. The trails are rough and rocky, so wear boots or sturdy hiking shoes. Participants must be 13 or older. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and group size limited to the first 10 people. Entry fees apply.

Low-cost vaccinations are available for dogs and cats at these clinics on Saturday: 9 to 11.a.m. at Wal-Mart, DeZavala Road and Interstate 10 West, and 12:30 to 2 p.m. at H-E-B at Marbach Road and Loop 410.

Tony & Eva Parker Celebrity Casino Night at Pedrotti’s North Wind Ranch, 13715 FM 1560 North, has attracted a number of Hollywood and local celebrities, including San Antonio Spurs player Tim Duncan, Sean Elliot, “House” star Jennifer Morrison, Willie Garson of “Sex and the City,” Adam Rodriguez of “CSI:Miami,” David Zayas of “Dexter” and World Series of Poker star Phil Hellmuth. A silent auction will take place during the event to raise additional proceeds for Eva’s Heroes. Tickets for the Tony and Eva Parker Celebrity Casino Night are available for purchase by visiting www.evasheroes.org or by calling 694-9090. Tickets cost $100 for the casino, $300 for the casino and Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament.

Sunday

Low-cost vaccination clinics for dogs and cats are set for Sunday at these H-E-B stores: 9 to 11 a.m. at Guilbeau and Bandera roads, and Loop 1604 and Potranco Road; and 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Loop 1604 locations at Bandera and at Culebra Road.

Tuesday

Are you a first-time homebuyer trying to find your way through the mortgage maze? Are you confused about loan fees, points, closing costs, etc? The Maverick Library will host a 7 p.m. presentation by local mortgage broker Earl Prince, who will address financing questions and discuss a federal grant program that can help qualified first-time homebuyers. A local real estate agent will also be available to answer questions. For more information, contact the Maverick Library, 8700 Mystic Park, at 680-9346. All library programs are free and open to the public.

Wednesday

A low-cost vaccination clinic for cats and dogs is scheduled 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at H-E-B, Babcock and Huebner roads.

The Cavender Chevrolet 2008 Live Music Series at The County Line, a benefit for the San Antonio Food Bank, is held 6 to 10 p.m. each Wednesday through Oct. 29 at the County Line Bar-B-Q, 10101 Interstate 10 West. Tonight, the event opens at 6:30 p.m. before featured act Austin Collins at 8 p.m. The live music series is free. Customers are asked to make a food or monetary donation to the San Antonio Food Bank.

Aug. 14

Spay-Neuter Assistance Program will offer low-cost procedures and rabies vaccinations for cats only at 6758 Ingram Road. Pets should be dropped off by 7:30 a.m. in a pillowcase or carrier. Call 673-7722 for details.

Richard Alvarado will offer free basic Latin dance lessons 7 to 8 p.m. every second Thursday at Igo Public Library, 13330 Kyle Seale Parkway. No experience is necessary, but participants are asked not to wear tennis shoes. Flat shoes or dress shoes are preferred.

Aug. 15

The Aztec Indoor Soccer 5K run is today at 8 a.m. Early registration, until Aug. 11, is $20. After Aug. 11, the cost is $28. For more information, call 473-5225.

The location of the Grey Forest Farmer’s Market has moved. Check out the market from 3 to 6 p.m. next to the Grey Forest Fire Department at the corner of Scenic Loop Road and Sherwood Trail.

Aug. 17

During “Nature Crafts for Children,” 9 to 11:30 a.m., TPWD Park Ranger Niki Lake teaches kids to make pressed leaf and flower bookmarks, yucca rope, rain gauges and buffalo gourd rattles while learning natural and historical concepts. Open to children over age 4; children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring water and a snack. Reservations, which are required, end at noon on Aug. 15. For more information e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Aug. 20

A free public forum on myelodysplastic syndromes, treatment options and quality of life issues will be held 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Omni San Antonio Hotel. Roger M. Lyons, M.D., hematologist with the Cancer Care Centers of South Texas MDS Center of Excellence, will speak.  Breakfast and lunch are included for participants. As part of the program, attendees will be able to participate in a question-and-answer segment. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases in which bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells.  Reservations are required for the MDS Patient-Caregiver Forum.

For more information, phone 1-888-MDS-0839 or visit www.cancercaresouthtexas.com.

Aug. 22

The grand opening of Leeza’s Place, a resource center supporting caregivers and those recently diagnosed with debilitating conditions, is set for 3 p.m.

Leeza’s Place is at the The Bob Ross Senior Multi-Service Health & Resource Center, 2219 Babcock (San Antonio Medical Center). Special guest is television personality Leeza Gibbons, founder of the center.

ONGOING

THURSDAYS

The Rotary Club of Leon Valley meets at 7 a.m. at Luby’s, 6200 Bandera.

The San Antonio Northwest Rotary Club meets at noon at Cha-Cha’s, 2026 Babcock.

The Helotes Optimist Club meets at 7 p.m. at National Underwriting Services, 14893 Bandera.

FRIDAYS

Bingo is conducted at 7 p.m. at Helotes Lions Club, 14690 Bandera.

SATURDAYS

The Friends of Government Canyon Volunteers, the second Saturday of each month, conduct a guided five- to seven-mile hike on one of the many trails at the State Natural Area. Group size is limited to the first 10 people. Entry fees apply.

SUNDAYS

“Exploring Government Canyon” interpretive walks, conducted the third Sunday of each month, begin at 9:30 a.m. at the visitor center by the rainwater harvesting tower. The hikes are subject to cancellation.

Government Canyon Haiku Hikes, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the first Sunday of each month, combine immersion in the natural world and creative writing. For reservations or more information, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Bingo is conducted at 2 p.m. at Helotes Lions Club, 14690 Bandera.

TUESDAYS

The Helotes Historical Society meets at 1 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Old Town Grill & Bistro, 14436 Bandera.

The San Antonio Northwest Lions Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Martha’s Restaurant, 5822 Babcock.

The Helotes Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 14690 Bandera.

WEDNESDAYS

The San Antonio-Turtle Creek Optimist Club meets at noon at Oak Hills Country Club, 5403 Fredericksburg.

DAILY

Casa Helotes Senior Citizens Center, 12070 Leslie Road, serves lunch for seniors Monday through Friday for $3.

On Thursdays, it’s $2.

Breakfast, $2.50, is served Tuesday and Friday from 8 to 9:15 a.m.

John Igo recalls his parents dropping him off at a storyteller’s house in lieu of a babysitter’s. It was the first carpeted floor he could remember.