The Native Plant Society of Texas San Antonio Chapter will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway at East Mulberry in Brackenridge Park.

The guest speaker, Mark Klym, who is coordinator of the Texas Hummingbird Roundup, Texas Parks & Wildlife, will explain “Hummingbirds and how to landscape for them.” A social and seed/plant exchange is set at 6:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome. For more information, contact Bea at 822-2109 or visit www.npsot.org/SanAntonio.  

Nov. 29

The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will host the “Fall Senior Design Demonstration Project Day” from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29 in the Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building First Floor Atrium on the Loop 1604 campus. The event is free and open to the public. The event, held twice a year, features UTSA Electrical and Computer Engineering students who have spent the semester developing, building and designing their own projects for review. The featured projects include an improvised explosive device jammer designed to prevent explosions in war zones by saturating frequencies with electromagnetic noise to disrupt communications. Additional projects include wireless baby monitors for respiratory and heart rate conditions on infants preventing crib death, underground human location systems to locate people buried in debris and an autonomous lawnmower that mows with a beacon and microcontroller that controls direction. One of the four departments in the College of Engineering, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering currently has 631 students enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs.

Nov. 29-30

The San Antonio Chapter of OASIS is offering tutor training classes for the Intergenerational Tutoring Program at the OASIS Center in Macy’s Furniture Galleries, 6161 NW Loop 410. Participants can tutor in a neighborhood school. Training for placement in Northside and San Antonio Independent School Districts will be held on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, 10:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The Intergenerational Tutoring Program, which began 13 years ago in San Antonio, pairs a senior with a child in Grades 1-3 to promote success in reading. Seniors spend one hour a week with the same child throughout the school year. No prior teaching experience is required; all materials are provided and hours are flexible for vacations and appointments. The tutoring program gives adults, ages 50 and older, the opportunity to involve themselves in the community and share their love of reading. Contact Gloria Jennings at 256-2335 or 647-2546 to register or for more information.

Dec. 1

Join Government Canyon State Natural Area park interpreter Laura Cauley as she discusses the unique qualities of both the Edward’s Aquifer and Government Canyon. Learn how the aquifer was formed, why it is so special to residents of San Antonio, Government Canyon’s role in aquifer protection, and what you can do to help protect this very important resource. The class will feature a lecture portion and then participants will be able to take a guided hike within Government Canyon to see features of the aquifer. The lecture will last about an hour and the hike component will be about two hours.  Participants should dress appropriately and wear sturdy hiking shoes; bring plenty of water and a snack for the 9 a.m. to noon event. This program is by reservation only; group size is limited. Participants should be at least 12 years of age or older. No pets will be allowed. Reservations are accepted by e-mail only, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , beginning at noon on Nov. 19, and ending at noon on Nov. 30. Be certain to include on the reservation the complete name, phone number(s), and e-mail contact information for each reservation. Hiking component subject to cancellation depending on trail conditions; entry fees apply. 

The Maverick Library invites everyone to a holiday celebration on Dec. 1. The fun begins at noon with storyteller Mary Grace Ketner, a member of the San Antonio Storytellers Association. Mary Grace will entertain the whole family with holiday and seasonal stories from around the world. Afterwards, stop by the open house table for refreshments and a chance to win a free prize. The next program, at 2 p.m., invites children and their families to make and decorate holiday cards. For more information, call the Maverick Library, 8700 Mystic Park, at 680-9346. Library programs are free and open to the public.

The San Antonio Area Widowed Persons Service (SAAWPS) is teaming up with Care Improvement Plus to host the Jingle Bell Ball for San Antonio’s widowed men and women. The semi-formal event will feature a seated dinner, cash bar, and dancing. Admission is an $8 donation in advance or $10 at the door. The ball will be held 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 at The Meadows, 730 Babcock Road. For information and tickets, call 734-1167.

Dec. 3

Wildhorse Homeowners Association announces a committee recruitment and planning meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the Krueger Elementary cafeteria. Organizers will be using this opportunity to recruit new members for the six standing committees: Safety, Social, Communications, Pool, Public Works, and Recreation. Participants also can meet the committee chairs, start a volunteer corps for those who want to help during events without joining a committee and discuss ideas for our committees to work together. All Wildhorse residents are urged to be there.

Dec. 6

The San Antonio Humane Society will host Canine Christmas at The Shops at La Cantera from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 outside the Food Hall. Information on pet adoptions will be available. Microchipping for $25 per pet will be offered on site, and dogs can be photographed with Santa. All pets must be on leashes. Pet calendars for the new year will be on sale. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society. Call 582-6650 for details.

Dec. 7

Grey Forest Farmers Market seeks musicians and crafters for the Dec. 7 fair, which will be the final Grey Forest Farmers Market this season. The fair will be held 2 to 6 p.m. at 18249 Sherwood Trail, Grey Forest. For more details, call (210) 695-9184.

Dec. 8

Join a staff interpreter on a hiking adventure through Government Canyon State Natural Area. Learn about its mission, history, and the many stories that relate to the land and its significance for the Edwards Aquifer and San Antonio. Be prepared for a full day and about six to eight miles of hiking. Bring lots of questions, plenty of water (no less than 1 liter per person), a sack lunch and sturdy footwear. The event is scheduled 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and no pets will be allowed. This program is by reservation only, group size limited to 12 and participants must be 12 years of age or older. Reservations are accepted by e-mail only, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , beginning at noon on Nov. 19 and ending at noon on Dec. 7. Be certain to include complete name, phone number(s) and e-mail contact information for each reservation. The event is subject to cancellation; entry fees apply plus a special, non-refundable program fee of $4 per person; payable upon entry to GCSNA. Call 688-9055; ext 292 for more details.

Dec. 19

Texans are invited to recognize the individual educators who touched their lives by nominating them for a 2008 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. Just one nomination could place an educator or a school district on the path toward winning a cash prize ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Since launching the Excellence in Education Awards seven years ago, H-E-B has awarded more than $3 million in cash and grants to educators and school districts across the state. Nomination forms are available at neighborhood H-E-B stores or at www.heb.com and will be accepted through Dec. 19. As nominations are received, an application form for the awards program will be mailed to all nominees. This form requests additional information for judging purposes, including teaching philosophies and educational goals. Following the preliminary judging, 40 finalists representing five Texas regions will be selected and invited to compete for larger cash prizes.