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Good news: San Antonio will within the next three years
have a Bus Rapid Transit, which uses specialized vehicles on roadways or
dedicated lanes, thereby allowing passengers to have a quicker, more efficient
transportation when heading to their destinations. This is by far the
most significant step forward that the VIA has introduced to the city since its
inception 30 years ago. The low-cost technologies will help attract more
passengers, resulting in less traffic congestion in the process (and who doesn't
want to say goodbye to unnecessary traffic?). The environmentally
friendly vehicles and vehicle system is fairly new, and through a new system
will help reach the benefits of a pricier rail transit. As with most
things new nowadays, technology is a major factor in BRT, with features such as
fare cards and proof-of-payment options helping pick up the pace of travel
times, as well as making the system more reliable. BRT incorporates ITS
applications such as street light/signal priority, automated
scheduling/dispatch systems, and real-time passenger information for faster, more
convenient trips. The line will travel from Fredericksburg Road, traveling from the South Texas Medical Center
to downtown San Antonio.
This isn't the only thing for which the VIA is making news. They’re
working to reduce air pollution by implementing new technologies that reduce
emissions. Instead of vehicles that run on biodiesel or propane, they’re
pursuing battery-electric buses; the federal government has awarded them with a
$5,000,000 for the VIA Metropolitan Transit to purchase and operate three electric
powered buses in the downtown area and is also the only transit agency to be
awarded in this process. Because the buses have zero emissions and run on
rechargeable batteries, they’ll offer the cleanest transportation known in the
world--such a very refreshing form of bragger’s rights for our evolving city.
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Some very promising findings
for residents of San Antonio (and of Texas in general):
According to the Brookings Institution's MetroMonitor study, we have the strongest
economy in the nation. They ranked the 100 largest metros in the country
by averaging the ranks of job growth, employment, economic growth, and home
prices. All data combined, San
Antonio appears to be the place to be for residents
and businesses alike. Using data and analysis from the study,
Businessweek.com ranked the forty strongest US metro economies. Not only
did San Antonio come out on top: Texas had five metros in
the list's top 10. For such desolate times, we have a comparably robust economic
climate.
Consider San Antonio's military
projects such as BRAC, or the new JW Marriott Hotel, Toyota plant, or new Caterpillar plant under
construction. This seemingly perpetual growth of the city leads to new
jobs in construction, followed by new jobs after the completion of the
projects. Our gross metropolitan product only dropped 0.8% from last
year's peak. To be specific, we ranked third in job growth; fifth in
gross metro product; fourth in unemployment change; and tenth in home price
change. Averaged out in comparison with the rankings of all other cities
in the nation, the statistics put San
Antonio at number one. San Antonio being the best place in
the country to live? Tell us something we don’t know.
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Start
your Halloween with some tailgating at the Notre Dame vs. Washington State
football game this Saturday, October 31.
Reminisce of childhood fairy tales by
watching Cinderella at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium on October 30.
Glam
it up by visiting the McNay Gala Fundraiser Event: A Night at the Opera. The prices are a little steep, however, so
don't plan on it unless your pockets run deep (and if they don"t… join the
club).
Third Eye Blind will be playing at Sunset Station on November 9.
Take
your four-legged buddy to the Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade at the North Central
Baptist Hospital Atrium. Raise funds for
the American Heart Association and try and win a contest for either Best
Costume (for the dog); Most Like Owner; Best Trick; and Most Popular, along
with dog races, all on October 31.
For what Unsolved Mysteries and other Texas magazines consider the real deal, experiment with San Antonio's most famous
ghost story for yourself. Park on the
railroad tracks right by the San Juan Mission to see if the children hit by a
train in the fatal bus accident will actually push your car to safety (put a
little powder on the back of your car for proof of little hands).
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Grape stomping has been a worldwide, time-honored tradition for thousands of
years. Every year, usually between late
August and October, wineries all around the country hold grape stomping
festivals to offer people a chance to feel the squishiness of the grapes
underneath their feet. Because Texas is one of the country's top producers of wine, you
can engage in a little stomping without traveling to Napa Valley
for some grape action: by taking a short trip out to Vintage Oaks, located in
the Texas Hill Country, you'll be able to stomp away much closer to home.
Texas, one of the country’s top grape and wine producers, is home to over 220
family-owned vineyards that cover about 3,100 acres, and contributes more than
$1.35 billion annually to the state’s economy and creates thousands of jobs for
Texans, as well as a chance for you to stomp away. Over 100 teams are scheduled
to crush over 1,000 pounds of grapes this season.If you prefer to keep your shoes on, you can still have a
great time: Local restaurants and Texas Hill Country wineries will be on hand
preparing foods and pouring award-winning wines by the glass. Jazz Blues and
Diamonds will be providing live music.
Adults won’t be the only ones participating in the action: There is a
children's area for stomping grapes as well.
The Grape Stomp Championship benefits local charity, Comal Education
Foundation. There will be special gifts made available by GO TEXAN and the
Department of Agriculture for the first 400 who buy tickets online prior to the
event. Arrive early to register for the
grape stomp competition conducted by Dry Comal Creek Vineyards. Visit their website at www.grapestomp.com for more details, including location and ticket information.
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