Local Humane Societies - There's More Than You Think

Don't be swayed by the nice phrase "Animal Shelter" in some locations around town: that may well be a nice way of saying "dog pound," which is definitely NOT a no-kill facility; for instance, the "Boerne Animal Shelter" is synonimous with "Boerne Animal Control" -- same goes for Schertz and Kirby.

Humane Societies are no-kill facilities that take unwanted dogs and cats (and sometimes other kinds of animals, too) and find them new homes. Ask around, and most people know of one or two here in town: the Humane Society off of IH10 on Fredericksburg Road, and the Animal Defense League over on Nacogdoches Road.

There are many others serving our area, though -- here's a list for you (no need to dial "1" in front of any number shown below if you're calling from San Antonio and all but Seguin has a website, just click on the names shown below to investigate):

HUMANE SOCIETY/SPCA OF BEXAR COUNTY
(210)226-7461
4804 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78229

ANIMAL DEFENSE LEAGUE
(210) 655-1481
11300 Nacogdoches Rd
San Antonio, TX 78217

ANIMAL FRIENDS HUMANE SOCIETY
(210) 509-3647
23445 US Hwy 281 North #1157
San Antonio, TX 78258

BULVERDE AREA HUMANE SOCIETY
(830) 980-2247
PO Box 5050
Bulverde, TX 78163

GUADALUPE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
(830) 372-2055
2484 N. Hwy 46
Seguin, TX 78155


NEW BRAUNFELS HUMANE SOCIETY
(830) 629-5287
1920 Kuehler Road
New Braunfels, TX 78130

HUMANE SOCIETY OF KERRVILLE
(830) 367-7722
2900 Junction Highway
Kerrville, Texas 78028

Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora BEATS a DUI?

Over at TMZ.COM, they're reporting that lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora -- you know, Heather Locklear's ex-husband who was dating Heather's former BFF Denise Richards (ex-Mrs. Charlie Sheen) for awhile and (ahem) before the divorce was final, -- will beat a DUI arrest out in LA.

The Boston Globe gives some details -- he was arrested for Driving Under the Influence, after police witnessed his Hummer weaving down a road in Laguna Beach. They quote a policeman saying that Sambora smelled like alcohol, and agreed to a blood alcohol test at the scene. His daughter Ava was in the car at the time, and the Globe suggests that Sambora could face a child endangerment charge, as well.

Now, here's where it gets interesting: TMZ is claiming that the test will show that Sambora was under the legal BAC limit for a California DUI charge - .08 percent (just like here in Texas).

And, the local ABC station clarifies that Sambora was arrested for SUSPICION of driving drunk - which sounds a bit different that the Globe version, huh?

Probably every single criminal defense attorney in the country says it's never good to voluntarily take a Breathalizer, but in this case, maybe it'll work out in Sambora's benefit.

Now, Sambora had to go through some field sobriety tests out there on the road, too, and the police will undoubtedly testify to that - but if Sambora's BAC beats the .08 limit, that test may become his new best friend and in this instance, it'll be a good thing to have on his side.

Just goes to show, though, just being pulled over for driving drunk starts the rumors running. Even if you're not a rock star, your reputation can be seriously and irreparably harmed by just the suggestion that you were driving drunk.

Don't worry too much about Mr. Sambora, tho -- earlier this month, he bought San Diego Padre pitcher Randy Wolf's Calabasas mansion for $4 million. Bet he's gonna be just fine.

Image: Sambora's mug shot released by the Laguna Beach, California, Police Department

Gone to the Dogs: Great Movie - DVD Gift for Dog Lovers

Have you heard about Gone to the Dogs? It's a British movie with a great website, filled with trailers and games and info and stuff.

The plot involves an old man who dies, and comes back as a dog - yes, Kafka does come to mind - but it's definitely worth checking out, and a great gift for dog lovers of all ages. It's funny.

Oh -- and you can always play What Kind of Dog Am I? Answer 10 questions (click on "game" in the site's left sidebar), and learn what kind of dog you are, along with lots of info on the breed including a video clip. Cool stuff.

If you want to know more about the movie itself, there's an interview with the director over at K9 Magazine.

Monorails in San Antonio

Remember long ago, in the midst of all that Y2K business, when Henry Cisneros and other big kahunas were talking monorails here in SA?

Well, WOAI has an interesting article online: Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson is talking about building a local monorail again -- saying that everyone agrees that it was a mistake not to build one last time. He's talking about a light rail connecting San Antonio and Austin, but the comments to the article have some interesting ideas, like David Keeler's --

"A monorail system, ala Walt Disney World, serving from downtown to the theme parks by way of the park and ride stations would be better both as a year around transport and as a TOURIST trap, and more cost effective too. Second phase could be to make a "looper" to take the place of the present busses. The third part would be to talk the Texas State Railway into operating a "Special" between downtown and Fiesta Texas, and make a real talking point for San Antonio."

Wonder if David Keeler is going to the 2008 Transportation Choices Forum that's being held here tomorrow.

By the way, Commissioner Tommy Atkisson can be reached at (210) 335-2614 or at tadkisson@bexar.org, if you want to give him your two cents worth on this monorail idea.

Meanwhile, just one teeny question: is anyone pondering the traffic jam that is 281 right now?

Image: Disney World Monorail, Orlando, Florida

Main Plaza Project - It's Finally Finished!!!

For those of us working downtown, this Main Plaza Project has changed everything.

You take different routes to work, walking to the courthouse has to be planned around the construction site, and your clients tell you horror stories about their parking problems. (Here's a map of what's being done.)

Well, good news over at the official site for the San Antonio Main Plaza Redevelopment Project, aka "Main Plaza Conservancy." It's finished.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES ARE Sunday, April 13, 2008, beginning at 5pm with a Marachi Mass and continuing on into the night with music and a light show.

Whew.

Image courtesy of SanAntonioMainPlazaRedevelopment site.

Free Ads for Lost or Found Pets at Express News

Did you know that the San Antonio Express-News will run a free ad for lost or found pets for three full days (up to three lines)?

If you've lost a pet, or you've found one, just call (210) 250-2345 or fill in the online order form.

Fiesta 2008 Starts on April 18th

This year, Fiesta starts bright and early on the morning of Friday, April 18th, with an opening ceremony in Alamo Plaza at nine o'clock. Seems each year, there is more and more stuff to do - just check out how busy you could be, just on opening day:

9am - 10am
Fiesta San Antonio Official Opening Ceremony
Alamo Plaza

10am - 5pm
Fiesta Dances! Ballets, Polkas and Bailes
Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway

10am - 5pm
Randolph Art League Exhibit & Sale
Alamo Plaza

10am - 10pm
Fiesta Especial
River City Christian School, 5810 Blanco Road

10am - Midnight
Fiestas Fantasías at Market Square
Market Square, 514 West Commerce

11am - 3pm
Fiesta UTSA
UTSA Sombrilla, 1604 Campus

4pm - 11pm
A Taste Of New Orleans
Sunken Gardens Theater, Brackenridge Park

4pm - midnight
Fiesta Carnival
Alamodome, 100 Montana, Parking Lot C

5pm - 11pm
Fiesta Oyster Bake - The Heartbeat Of Fiesta
St. Mary’s University Campus, One Camino Santa Maria

5:30pm - 2am
Tejano Explosion
Cattleman’s Square, corner of W. Houston and N. Frio Streets

6:30pm-midnight
La Noche del Rey/El Rey Feo LX Reception
AT&T Commuinity Center at San Fernando, 231 W. Commerce

7pm - 11pm
San Antonio AIDS Foundation WEBB Party
San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave.

7pm - Mid
Fiesta Jamboree - Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
Doubletree Hotel, 37 NE Loop 410

8pm - Mid
Incognito: Fiesta’s Masked Ball
La Villita Assembly Hall

(For more information, check out the Fiesta links that are shown in the left sidebar -- or just click on the name of the event shown above.)

Don't Give Chocolate to Your Dogs This Weekend!

Chocolate can kill your dog. How?

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic. Theobromine not only is a stimulant to the central nervous system as well as the cardiovascular system, it increases blood pressure and can cause nausea and vomiting.

Baker's chocolate (390-450mg/oz) has 10 times the amount of theobromine as milk chocolate (44-60mg/oz). White chocolate has very little theobromine, so if your dog has woofed down some Easter candy, let's hope it was white chocolate.

How much does it take to be fatal to your dog? Depends on your dog's weight. For every 2 pounds, 100 mg is toxic. So, if your dog weighs 10 lbs., then 500 mgs is fatal - or one ounce of Baker's chocolate.

Ref: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th ed.