11.21.2023

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Today’s Forecast

53º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:29 a.m. | Sunset 5:48 p.m.

🌳 Reduction junction, what’s your function

Carbon Reduction Program: Encouraging fewer cars (and carbon emissions)

An aerial shot of people walking on a crosswalk next to a bike lane

Funding will go toward projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions. | Photo by Omar Elsharawy via Pexels

Did you know that as of 2021, 28% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US come from transportation?

That stat makes the transportation sector the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to the burning of fossil fuel for vehicles like cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes.

Yeah, we know… kind of a bummer, and maybe not the news you want to start your morning with. So let’s get to the good stuff: the Carbon Reduction Program, an effort to reduce transportation emissions through local and statewide projects that are federally funded.

What is the Carbon Reduction Program?

In an effort to reduce transportation emissions across the US, the Carbon Reduction Program was created in 2021 to distribute $6.4 billion in formula funding over a five-year period.

The funding goes toward states developing carbon reduction strategies and projects that reduce transportation emissions. Some examples include:

Creation of new road diets for traffic management
Electrification of freight vehicles or personal cars
Construction of rapid public transit corridors
Installation of bike safety infrastructure

What’s driving the news?

By Wednesday, Nov. 15, states and designated metropolitan planning organizations were tasked with unveiling their strategies to reduce emissions through the program.

They also had to disclose which projects will be funded by the program — whether that be installing protected bike lanes in one city, creating a new bus rapid transit system in another, or a different project that helps reduce carbon emissions.

Funding

While the FY2024 funding that will be allocated to urbanized areas hasn’t been released yet, you can still view last fiscal year’s funding sheet, which shows that a total of 224 urbanized areas with a 200,000+ population — from Washington, DC to Chattanooga, TN — received funding.

Asked

What kind(s) of projects in our city would you like to see funded by the Carbon Reduction Program?

A. Public transportation
B. Pedestrian-friendly roads and facilities
C. Fuel alternatives
D. Traffic management/road diet projects

We're curious

Events

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Nature Journaling | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Government Canyon State Natural Area, 12861 Galm Rd., San Antonio | $6 | Flex your creativity with a writing session in the great outdoors.
Mesa De La Gente | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 4-8 p.m. | San Fernando Cathedral – Main Plaza, 115 N. Main Ave., San Antonio | Free | Join the San Antonio Food Bank for an evening of giving and gratitude at this canned food drive.
Nurse Blake: Shock Advised Tour | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 8-9:30 p.m. | H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio | $50 | Enjoy a night of laughs and fun with this healthcare comedian.
Nightcall | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 9 p.m. | Brass Monkey, 2702 N. Saint Mary’s St., San Antonio | Free | Enjoy this 21+ event featuring Indie, Darkwave, Synthpop and Electro music by DJ Eddie with $2 drink specials.

Wednesday, Nov. 22

Friendsgiving | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 5 p.m. | The Rustic, 17619 La Cantera Pkwy., San Antonio | Free | Take your friends and family out for dinner featuring live music by The Texases, yard games, and more.
Spice World Movie and Market | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 6 p.m. | Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex, 108 Blue Star, San Antonio | Free | Celebrate the 1990’s + Y2K fashion with local vendors and a screening of “Spice World.”
Jazz in the Garden | Wednesday, Nov. 22, Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Jardin, 555 Funston Place, San Antonio | Free | Enjoy dinner at the San Antonio Botanical Garden with live music by Rick Barroso.
TayGiving: Feeling 22 | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 8 p.m. | The Rock Box, 1223 E. Houston St., San Antonio | $19.05 | And by the way, we’re going out tonight to enjoy themed drinks, a lip-sync contest, friendship bracelet swapping, and more.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Last week, we told you about the city’s Voluntary Weapons Exchange where residents could trade in up to 20 guns for H-E-B gift cards. During the event, over 900 weapons were collected and the event ended early due to organizers running out of gift cards. (KSAT 12)

Ranked

H-E-B was ranked No. 5 on Forbes’ “America’s Largest Private Companies” list. Out of 258 companies around the country, the local grocery store giant made the list based off of its revenue + number of employees, and is the only Texas company to make the top 10.

Biz

Bexar County Commissioners approved a $40 million agreement between the county, the city of Windcrest, and Cleveland-based developer Industrial Commercial Properties LLC to develop the former Rackspace headquarters building. The agreement includes $21.5 million for the building and an additional $18.5 million for renovations. No word on when construction begins. (SA Business Journal)

Read

NBA icon and San Antonio Spurs superstar George “The Iceman” Gervin released his memoir “ICE: Why I Was Born to Score.” The book written with Scoop Jackson highlights Gervin’s basketball career and his contributions to the growth of Nike + the Spurs. Grab a copy for $25.99. (SA Current)

Eat

Voodoo Donut and El Camino are offering Pink Friday deals all week long. Stop by the Portland-based doughnut company for $1 donuts through Monday, Nov. 27, and then visit the food truck park for $1 margaritas all week. (MySA)

Active

Zen Haus is bringing wellness classes to the second floor of Beauty Haus at St. Paul’s Square. The studio will also include a bistro and three community spaces offering a variety of classes including yoga, meditation, ceramic art, and more. The space is now open at 119 Heiman St., Suite 200. (SA Current)

Drink

Good Neighbor Coffee Co., a new coffee shop concept, is designing 10 projects in San Antonio and New Braunfels. This is the latest venture of Hooper Hospitality Concepts, a Las Vegas-based restaurant group. No word on construction dates and locations. (MySA)

Regional

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Texas State University in San Marcos (about 45 minutes north of San Antonio) will host the first of four presidential debates on Sept. 16, 2024. This is the first time a Texas university will host a presidential debate.

Edu

Deciding what school is right for your child can feel daunting — but it doesn’t have to be. Luckily for San Antonians, Somerset Academy offers different options for every student at any stage in life. Learn more.*

Shop

Have you heard of the “Target Phenomenon” — why people can’t leave Target without a cartful of goodies? Brad’s Deals explains 11 reasons to love Target.*

Outdoors

⛸️ Ice skate the night away

Ice skating returns to downtown San Antonio for the holidays

Visit the Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park this holiday season. | Photo by Michael Cirlos, Centro San Antonio

The Rotary Club of San Antonio’s outdoor ice skating rink, the Rotary Ice Rink, is back at Travis Park. Just like last year, this year’s rink is approximately 5,000 sqft, and guests can enjoy skating through Monday, Jan. 15.

The Rotary Club of SA has hosted the ice rink since 2019, bringing over 200,000 guests to Travis Park since then. Proceeds from the ice rink help benefit Diploma Plus, Kingdom for Kids, and other rotary programs.

A limited number of skaters will be admitted to the rink every 30 minutes. Tickets are $16.79 (includes fees) for all ages, which includes skates, and advance reservations are highly recommended.

Here are its days and hours of operation:

Monday to Thursday: 5-10 p.m.
Fridays: 5-11 p.m.
Saturdays and all school holidays: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sundays: 12-8 p.m.

Deals and holiday hours

The Buy

The Buy 11.21.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These women’s workout leggings with high waist tummy control — they’re “squat-proof” and 30% off today for Black Friday.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Adriana

From the editor

When I was younger, my friends and I loved going ice skating at the Ice & Golf Center at Northwoods on Friday nights. So going out to the Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park brings back the best memories of ice skating, even though all my skills have disappeared. This ice rink is a great place to bring the family out too (especially on Tuesdays), or on a date night with your significant other.

Don’t miss: The H-E-B Christmas tree lighting ceremony is happening next to the Rotary Ice Rink this Friday.

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