Mi Parque es Su Parque (My Park is Your Park)

Ever want to get away and take a walk so you can think about everything that is going on? Maybe just hang out with your friends or family but don’t know where to go? Well no problem because I’m going to introduce you to Medina Base Road Park.

This park is rather new with two assessable playgrounds that are surrounded by pebbles and each one has at least up to two slides. For the pavilion it comes with from four to six tables and two mini barbecue pits, which are scattered throughout the park. There is a .5 mile walking trail that is surrounded by trees that leads to Springvale Road which that turns into a neighborhood. The skating ramp is a good size area which has a few benches for people to sit and watch the skaters. This park also has limited amount of parking and for those who need the restroom, they have a porter potty. By the way for those animal lovers the pets have to stay out of the park. Those are the rules because the park doesn’t want to have any doggy-no nos.

What was informative about the park is that it’s in the District 4 area and has spent around $150, 000 for the skate plaza. That money also included the concrete pad and the portable skate equipment. So a nice amount of money was spent for a good quality park.

Myko Flores, 19, stated “I recently found out about this park from a friend and now I come here at least once a week. It’s very peaceful and kind of hidden, so its great to come with my girlfriend or bring my family, my little sisters love this park.” I agree, I found this place one night driving around just thinking about things and I didn’t even know where I was. I saw the park, told some friends about it. Now whenever we have no school and days off from work, we like to go to the park and have lunch and just hang out.


Josh Guerrero, 22, noted “I have a lot of problems at home so when I’m not working I bring my little brother James, 7 and my little sister Julie, 5 to the park because I don’t want them to be home when our parents are arguing. It’s good to see them having fun and it’s the only time that I actually have to spend with them.” That’s another reason why I love this park; I see a lot of families here. Just the other night I saw a mother with her three sons, the boys were on their skate-boards and the mom was watching them and reading a book.

What I enjoy about the park besides the fact it’s newer than the other parks is that it’s on the South Side and there’s not any tacky tagging, but I found out if there is they have people to clean it off. I am not trying to give the South Side a bad name but there are a lot of parks where you’ll see tagging. I’m sure that’s everywhere but to have a decent park that’s clean and in good condition, it’s an improvement for this side of town. Of course for those who clean up the park and make sure all is going well and rules are being followed, they work for the city.

Every goes to a park for different reasons such as birthday parties, social events, playing sports, and picnics. Sarah Ralston, 25, says “Jerry and I were walking to the park from the small trail when we became an official couple. I don’t think many people know about it because I hardly see people here, but I love it because it’s hidden, clean, and spacious.” “Kristi Aguilera, 18, “I’m such a tom-boy me and some of my guy friends love coming here on the weekends playing football; we can play for hours.” There’s so much space I love to run around, just friends tackling friends. Or playing soccer, which is my favorite sport. It’s very roomy and surrounded by trees so if you kick the ball you don’t have to worry about it going into the road.

For those who are looking to buy a new house to call your home, what’s a better place to look at then the new KB Home Subdivision at the end of the trail of the park? You would have a new house, a walking distance to a clean park which means you save on gas, and it’s good for family bonding. For those who have children in school Medina Base Park is in the South San Antonio ISD.

Well if you want to check out this park I enjoy going to, look up a map on mapquest.com and head on over, maybe I’ll see you there!



ADDRESS: 6303 Medina Base Road
San Antonio, Texas
78227

The Meaning of Two Photos In My Eyes

I’m much into photography so I chose two photos by Jane Hammond one is called Perpetual Love and the other one is Bee Line Trucking.

Perpetual Love is a black and white photo that shows two female children playing a ping pong game looking at an old building next to them. The building has windows with no glass so the girls can see clearly what going on in the building. You see a girl bending over and a middle-aged man spanking that girl with a paddle. When I see this photo I see something that would be true, something that people would actually do in the past.

Bee Line Trucking is a black and white photo but I think the art in it has some photo shop in this picture. It’s a photo of a Bee Line eighteen-wheeler truck that jacked-knifed and went out of control off the highway. The reason I said it looks like it was photo shop was because on the bended reeling there’s a giant slug. The photo reminds me of reality with fiction. The reality is accidents can always happen; car accidents are going on everyday and everywhere at any time of day. The fiction is there’s no way there is a 4 foot slug in this world.

Both photos stood out to me because I felt like I understood why Jane Hammond captured those photos. You automatically see the meaning and the feelings towards those photos. I found them to be rough, a flash-back, and something someone out in this world can relate to. Maybe my grandma was playing ping pong with her sister and saw their neighbors through the window getting spanked with a paddle. Or the truck loosing control and getting off the road into an accident. I know I can relate to that because my car flipped over from hw35 to 410.

I read an article from The New York Times that was written back in 2002 about Jane Hammond’s art work. The article was called To a Painter, Words are Worth a Thousand Pictures. What made me understand Jane’s art work more is when I read a part in the article about changing the word painting to novel. “And that is to make paintings “as complicated, inconsistent, varied, and multifaceted as you are, as I am, as life is.””

So whenever you have the time and you want to go see some amazing art, you can catch some of Jane’s photography at the McNay Museum. Trust me you don’t want to miss it!

Known to Build Bird Houses

Samuel Mirelez was known for the bird houses he made; he recently passed away this year on September 17th with an extensive encounter of cancer. He is known as a husband, father, friend, and the man who build birdhouses.

I was reading an article on Samuel from Southern Living called “Price of Art.” It spoke about many of things, such as, how his bird houses would run from $15 to $250, it just depends on the size and the materials he needed. He made bird houses replicas of the Titanic (8feet long), Tower of Americas, the Leaning Tower, the Eiffel Tower and much more. His inspiration would come from post cards, pictures, books, and every bird house was free hand. For a big detailed bird house his daughter estimated it would take him up to 3 to 4 hours to finish depending what type of bird house he would be working on.

Ivan Mirelez (daughter of Samuel Mirelez), “My father started building the bird houses about 20years after he retired from Kelly A.F.B.” Ivan tells me that her father was invited to a Governor’s Party when George Bush was Governor, so Samuel did a replica of the White House for Bush. Underneath the bird house he left a note saying to Bush he would be living in that house one day just like his father. Since Bush becoming president, every year he would send Samuel a Christmas card.

Who knows maybe you’ll have a hobby and become known for what you enjoy doing, for Samuel Mirelez he’ll be known as the man who built the bird houses.

Art at SAMA

At the San Antonio Museum of Art, there are amazing paintings. One painting that stood out in my eyes was one called “Sportsman’s Trophy” by Alexander Pope. This painting shows contrast and value, making this piece of art looking 3-D.

The contrast is shown by the dark background and the antlers are a yellow-tan color which stands out. Another contrast that this painting has is the dead birds and the dark green background, the birds are brown, tan, with a little bit of white because those colors or light it makes the birds stand out.

The value for the painting is just about the same things with the objects that deal with contrast. You have you light colors and dark colors. This painting deals with lots of dark colors such as, the background that’s a dark green where to it almost looks black. You also have a lot of browns, such as, the guns hanging on the antlers, the birds, and other objects. As far as your light colors it’s only a tan or white color which is the antlers, the stomach area of the dead birds, and small other objects I can’t make out what it is.

In conclusion, this art work is what is known to be representational which something realistic is; things that are in the real world. Once again it deals with contrast and value that makes this art work look 3-D.

The AGUA Presentation

During the Presentation with Elyzabeth Earnely, I come to learn that she worked with AUGA in January. She also graduated from Trinity and the City Counsel passed budget “The decision makes” and approved or denied for AUGA. Thursday during the day to speak out for AGUA (Zoney Commission). Most people in society don’t really know about how the water system works.
I learned that once a week you can speak out and try to get help from development services from Zoney and San Antonio Water System (SAWS). SAWS review questions like the purpose land used allowed in ERZD (Recharged Zone). They also find out Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP). I found out that she is a very responsible person that cares about the water system.
The water system also does a site visit and negotiate with land owner. Impervious Cover (made out of conquest) any impermeable construction covering the natural land surface. Fithteen percent maximum is impervious cover but the water ysem company. I feel that our guest speaker is making a difference and it shows that anyone at any age should step up for what they believe in.
In conclusion, when wanting to speak out, it’s best to go to the City Council. What I learned is by building a commercial or residential area open land, it hurts our water system.

Hill Side Acers, My Neighborhood

How well do you know your neighborhood? I began days ago to interview people in my neighborhood starting with my mother. She has been living in Hill Side Acers for 45years, she says, “I feel safe in my neighborhood because I know my neighbors.”

So I continued on with my interviews with a small stroll in my neighborhood, as I went next door. On a nice sunny breezy day, I spoke to my neighbors on the right side of my house, I wish I could have spoken to my neighbors on my left but they moved out. Having a fantastic conversation with my neighbors I found out that they’ve lived in their house and the neighborhood for 49 years. It was interesting when speaking to the Luna’s because I found out that the house they’re living in, they built them selves. “I love my neighborhood because I own my own mobile park, but my dislikes is that there’s too many lose dogs dunning around lose,” said Eusebia Luna, 79. By the way I love my neighbors because they’ve seen me grow up and have been there for me, they’re my grandparents.

A few houses down there is Irene Bustemante, who is my grandma’s best friend, they’ve been friends for years. Irene is like a second grandma to me, she said “It’s good to know your neighbors and get the chance to see them when you go to the store or church.”

One thing I love about my neighborhood is I know the people from church or going to school with them. It’s great when I go running at the Miller’s Pond down the street and I run into someone from elementary or middle school and we just begin to reminisce about things.

I grew up going to Devine Providence Catholic Church, our priest for the time being is from Africa and it’s a benefit and comfort that he lives in our neighborhood just in case anyone needs him.

Something I found out that’s really neat is that there’s three generations living in our neighborhood. For example, my grandparents, my mom, and my sister and me; not only us but there’s other third generations of families living in the Hill Side Acers community.

I have lived in my house and neighborhood my whole life of 20 years, to grow up and go to school, church, and the park with people I learned to know makes me feel safe. I can go put gas at the Valero and have a conversation with my friend’s dad; I can be at church and after mass start having a chat with a budding from college. During the day when I have time to sit outside I see the boys from the corner house playing basketball and I notice when the school buses drop off all the kids I see how each generation is changing. At night when I don’t have to wake up early I enjoy going to my back yard, lying down on the trampoline just looking up at the stars. Sometimes I hear the train and coyotes because behind my back yard are the woods, but other nights I can hear people when the have a party with loud music and chaos. I love my neighborhood.

More Meaning to the Alamo

I decided to watch the movie The Alamo. DVD. Dir. John Lee Hooker.2004.2hours, 38minutes. In this movie I’ve learned that in 1836 the Alamo was founded as a mission and the Vejaranos called that piece of land the Alamo. When Sam Houston and David Crockett were in San Felipe, Texas, they were having a discussion on handling Mexico without a fight. As the men arrived in San Antonio, Texas Seguin was looking around the Alamo, a man was showing him the church and basically told Seguin that the church was built in 1756 but had no roof because the Catholics never got around to it. That really amazed me because when I was on my field trip to visit the Alamo; our tour guide explained that to us. Another thing I thought was interesting is when Santa Ana gave his men the okay to raise their flag and the flag was red with a black X which says “Death to the Traitors.” I just didn’t understand if Santa Ana only wanted to rule Mexico why were they battling for the Alamo? Something I think that is very memorable from the film is when the men are inside talking and Sam Houston says, “Gentlemen, I will raise an army, we will relieve the Alamo, but only after we have declare independence and created a government that can be illegally recognized by all the nations in the world, that is what every diseased men are fighting for.” When he said that, I was speechless! In a good way though, like it was words of inspiration to have pride for what you do, and it’s something that can still be used today, I feel it has a strong meaning. As time passed by the Texans realized they didn’t have enough men as the Mexicans, so they took off to Gonzales, Texas to get some Tejanos. Those Tejanos didn’t know much about shooting but they were good horsemen and that’s what they were looking for. Finally the battle begins and once all our men were dead, one was alive; that man was David Crockett. He tried to surrender to Santa Ana the following morning but the guy who translated “twisted” Crockett’s words around. With having no fears in his eye, Santa Ana gave a few of his men the command to kill Crockett which they stabbed him to death.
What I noticed about the Anglos, it seemed they had fear but didn’t show it when they went out to fight. They had ideas of how they wanted to fight this battle and did what they could to make sure it turned out the way they’ve planned. The Mexicans acted as if they didn’t care about anything. Santa Ana just wanted to rule Mexico and did whatever he could; even fight a battle if that’s what was standing in the way. Santa Ana seemed really cold-hearted and he seemed cocky, as if he was all that. The Tejanos were Texans who welcomed Houston, Crockett and their men; they did what they could to help to try to win the battle.
Finally, when reading the story of the Alamo, going to visit the Alamo, and watching a movie about the battle of the Alamo, I’ve learned a lot. It’s superb feeling living in San Antonio my whole life and not knowing much about the Alamo, just that we lost. When I visited the Alamo I learned about the church at the Alamo and a few other small details about the Alamo. I felt being at the Alamo, walking where history was made, where numerous of men were killed, it was very surreal. Reading about the Alamo got into detail how things were and settled when an event came up. In addition it describes the main people such as, Houston, Crockett, Seguin, & Santa Ana. And with the movie it helped me imagine how the battle began and ended. Seeing the movie makes me question, was Crockett really killed last? Who killed Houston? How old were these men who are known as defending the Alamo? Who has the facts?
So next time you’re downtown, pass by the Alamo and really see it for what hundreds of men died for. Remember they had pride and it’s a part of history.

Learning about the Alamo

“Remember the Alamo!” What does it really mean? What comes to mind when you think of the Alamo? Well when I think about the Alamo I know it’s a battle that we lost but we had pride and no backed out. Every time I pass by the Alamo I stare at it and I can picture in my head a battle going on with men on horses with swords going every which way.
When I recently went to visit the Alamo, I learned plenty of things I did not know about but it was very interesting. Something that caught my attention is the rectangular grass area in front of the Alamo is known as the heart of the Alamo. Also when you walked inside the Alamo it was a church too, and back then when they had the battle the Alamo didn’t have a roof like it dose now. Walking around the Alamo I walked in a room where it had a black and white photo of a man named Jose` Francisco Ruiz who was a native of San Antonio de Bexar, before I died he was known for being a solider and state man; he also commanded the Alamo Company.
If you get a chance go to the Alamo and walk around. I’ve been to the Alamo before but only the front area I never until recently walked into the Alamo and looked at everything. It really makes you think and I can say I proud to live and be a part of my city, the good ol’ San Antonio!

Espada Aqueducts~Then to Now

Espada Aqueduct carries water from the beginning of the San Antonio River across where Piedras Creek is; the water continues to provide for the mission irrigation system. To go out to the aqueduct today and see it still stand today with hearing the water as it flows on by; I could only imagine if it sounded that same way years ago when the people who built the missions were still alive. I also think the river helped the missions when people needed directions. I feel that it had a wonderful impact on the missions and it made a difference. I read an article on the web at: http://www.historicbridgefoundation.com/ipages/texas/southtx/bexar/aqueduct.html and it says how it was completed in 1740 and it goes into details about the dam and what-not. Reading the article on the web I said “Even so, the dam, ditch, and aqueduct survived a century of Indian attacks, ravaging floods, and controversy before the Espada Ditch Ompany repaired the dam, in 1895. In 1941, to help insure the preservation of this singular colonial aqueduct, the San Antonio Conservation Society purchased the adjacent lands.” What excites me is that still today by the Missions and the aqueducts some or most of the residents are Native Americans. I think it’s important today that we have the missions and the aqueducts because it’s a part of our life and our culture and who we are. Anyone can read about the Espada Aqueducts but to go there and see it and to know it’s a massive part of history; it’s impressive to see it still stand today and have more meaning. I just think back then people cared about their environment and did what they could to take care of things. Now I’m not saying people don’t care but obviously some people don’t because it was depressing for me to visit the aqueducts today and see the main sign spray painted on. Even the sign is a part of history. Because of history the missions and aqueducts we’re who we are and where we are. What if the water wasn’t there back then? Would we be here still today? History is important, it teaches you why things are the way they are. Today still having the aqueducts, knowing it’s a landmark, knowing its history, knowing everything that has happened there, still having water flow on by; it’s all incredibly important.

Another thing that’s remarkable about the Espada Aqueducts is the architecture. “16th century Spanish explorers knew that water meant life, success, and survival,” written by Public works project.

Mission Espada, San Antonio

Mission San Francisco de la Espada through My Eyes

Just last week I took a trip down to what is known as Mission Espada. Before my adventure I only knew a little about Mission Espada, but when I took my trip down there I learned so much more and to be outside where the court yard is; I was walking where history took place.
Small history lesson: Mission Espada was first established in Mississippi, then around 1720 it was in Austin, and finally settled in San Antonio in 1731. Carmino Real is one of the oldest roads in Americas and its right by the Espada Church.
Walking into the church at Espada was amazing, but it was not the first church there that was built. The first church was not strong enough, so they knocked it down and built the second one which still stands today. There’s a story behind the arch where the doors are at in front of the church and a story behind the statues inside.
What hit me the most is when I was at the court yard? When Park Ranger Martinez was explaining everything that went on and where it took place, it amazed me. I could picture things happening in my head, but everything was black and white. The black smiths were by the first made church to the left and by Carmino Real road is by the soldiers were practicing their drills. I could see Mexicans and Native Americans, the children sitting by the will learning their Latin/Spanish for school.
If you get a chance to take a walk at Mission Espada, please do. When you’re reading the history about it and you see the church, the will, and the bricks, it’s overwhelming. Take it all in and appreciate what you have but don’t forget where you came from.