Monthly Archives: March 2009

Man’s Best Friend

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Man’s Best Friend – check this out:

M – utts

B – eer

F – ootball

What are the odds?  But I digress.

What to do with man’s best friend in San Antonio?  Well, from what I hear from my canine loving co-workers, not much.  I don’t have a dog but enough of my dear loved ones do…so I’m going to give you the kibbles and bits.

From what I’ve found, there are a couple animal love resources…

Fetching Newspapers & Blogs

Pet Me is “a blog about our furry and feathered friends.”  While checking out the articles in my local copy of 210SA (My San Antonio’s sister cool and happening periodical) I have been pleased with the amount of dog-oriented information.  They listed all the places that dogs were welcomed, dog photo contests at La Cantera, and I’m sure they’ll include information about the 4th annual Bow-Wow Meow Luau put on by the Pet Pals of Texas which has quickly become a San Antonio tradition.

The Dog Blog is written by the owner of a black Lab named Missy.  The dynamic duo reviews foods, talks about canine events, and even tries different recipes.

Like “The Dog Blog”, SA Paws is hosted off My San Antonio’s website.  This sub-site not only has a calendar of pet pal events, but also feeds all animal related stories from the local Express-News and of course has furry forums and cutesy pictures.  You can even find them on Facebook which impressed me as mysa.com is not known for taking advantage of cutting edge social networks.  Find information about pet product recalls, more pet blogs, and the following helpful links:

Giving Back to the Canine Community

Don’t have a dog?  Don’t want one full-time?  I know a mother with a 5 year old daughter who DESPERATELY wants a dog?  Is the mom ready for one?  NO!  So instead of dedicating their life to just one single dog…they go the San Antonio Humane Society and give their love to many dogs (and cats) who also want love and affection.  For many this is a great way to still bask in unconditional furry adoration.  I felt very comfortable visiting on a Saturday afternoon.  The facilities are surprisingly clean, bright and open.  They also have all kinds of events, some fundraisers, for adoptions, or just plain fun.  You can email the Humane Society to offer your services as a volunteer – sign up for their bi-monthly training class.  The class last only an hour and a half and with a one-time $25 fee per person.

This covers your volunteer T-shirt or apron, badge, volunteer insurance coverage in case of injury, and your HS/SPCA membership.

Want to be a foster parent?  Click on the link and download the application.  Take care of the pet of someone deployed in the military, a rescued animal, or a special needs puppy.  These are the animals that need the most love and attention.  You can be specific in how long, what type, they’re looking for pet-lovers and am sure will try their hardest to match foster parents with their ideal situation.

Kid’s birthday?  Book it at the San Antonio Humane Society and you’ll get two and a half hours of interactive, education fun.  Get behinds the scene tours, educational presentations, and playtime!

Puppy Play Time

Just like toddlers enjoying playtime and group play, Pawderosa Ranch offers day-time and overnight drop offs while you’re at work or away in San Antonio.   Another puppy playgroup to join is Camp Bow Wow which also encourages social interaction, during the day, or sleep away.

Now this is on par…

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UPDATED: (2/6/2010) Volunteer for May 2010 Valero TX Open, details on Facebook.

Will work for golf?

Last year, raising $8.5 Million dollars, the Valero Texas Open is the 3rd oldest PGA tours tournament and a San Antonio ritual.  They have an Aquafina Family Fiesta Day where you can bring the kids to pick up lots of golf related goodies and play golf-related games.

Did you know volunteers for this event receive the following:

  • Uniform shirt (women’s or men’s shirt) & a cap for only $25
    (a $65 value)
  • Complimentary food & beverage while working your shift(s)
  • Appreciation Day round of golf @ La Cantera (18 hours or more of volunteering required) ($125 value)
  • GSA volunteer badge – good all week ($65 value)
  • 4 good any day tickets for a guest ($68 value)
  • GSA volunteer parking pass – good all week ($25 value)
  • Volunteer Party with guest – Friday before tournament ($60 value)

Total Value – $405*

*Those benefits are in addition to the priceless gift bestowed to volunteers in general…

Feel like signing up for the numerous positions available – something for everyone to do, they even ask who you want to work with!  I volunteered a couple years ago AND have gone to the kids’ event numerous times…I’ve never been disappointed!

Speaking of kid-friendly golf events, kids 6 and older are encouraged to join the First Tee San Antonio golf program.

“To register your child, stop by the Polo Field Golf Center and complete a Parent Permission Form, or download the form and return to the Polo Field Golf Center (click on ‘Learn More’ for form). We are located at 915 E. Mulberry, near Brackenridge Park and the S.A. Zoo. The program is free and equipment is provided.”

Very informative website, http://www.thefirstteesanantonio.org offers opportunities for children and families to get excited about golf!

*Check out part 1 in this golf bit series…

Links for when the lie actually matters…

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The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.
~Billy Graham

Although the misnomer we call winter is gone, spring brings not only heat waves but more opportunities to hit the driving range, the golf cart, and eventually the 19th hole…

Here are some bits of advice on the San Antonio golf scene (apologies in advanced non-local golfers…)

My San Antonio – Keyword: GOLF

I plan to post a review about local San Antonio websites, so I don’t want to focus too long on the My San Antonio website…in the search bar, if you type “golf” you’ll be redirected to their Golf section:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/golf/

Here hosts newsworthy golf headlines, course reviews, and a couple quick glances at San Antonio golf courses (their 2009 edition).

Gimmies in Golf

Golf’s not a cheap sport…and people are willing to pay…

However, if there’s a deal, I’ll find it and now I’m sharing it with you!  Some of the best bargains I’ve gotten (besides tutoring computer science students in exchange for free golf clubs…) were from online offers/mailing lists.

Although I’m sure to have other posts about the benefits of online mailing lists, this next section focuses on local deals to be had.

Course Mailing lists

I recommend going down the list and middle-clicking the “ONLINE” website for the courses you’re interested in or already regularly frequent.  As soon as you go to their homepage look for the invitation to join their mailing list (“Are you interested in hearing from us?”…something along those lines.)  I have subscribed to many golf courses, and many send out regular offers:

Free sleeve of golf balls

Later tee time = drastically discounted price

2 for 1 deals, ladies’ nights

…free beer at the 19th hole

And that’s just a few of the great offers.  Some send almost daily emails…come today and pay only $12 dollars, $9 if you walk the course.  Last year, the Quarry sent out an email for a cart, unlimited range balls, AND all 18 holes for any tee time after 2 for only $22 in the month of July!

*Middle-clicking:  Use your middle finger to click the middle button on your mouse (if it has a wheel).  This will open the link to a new page)

Entertainment 2009

Look for another post on this coupon monster book alone!!  Within these pages, there are great discounts for golf equipment AND green fees:

Discounts on Golf Equipment:

Dick’s, FogDog Sports, & Sports Authority all offer various discounts on total purchases (to include golf equipment) – 15% to 18% off

2-for-1 Deals:

Alamo Golf Course – buy one, get one bucket of balls free

Silverhorn – 2 for 1 breakfast

Blossom – golf fee

Polo Field Golf Center – bucket of balls

Rolling Oaks Golf Center – bucket of balls

Woodlake Golf Club – green fee

*more deals found on entertainment.com or in the book!

Golf Store Mailing Lists

A quick Google search of “golf store San Antonio” returned a list of local golf merchants.  Go to the familiar sites, like Golf Galaxy to sign up for their “Golf Galaxy Advantage Club” as well.  Not only will you immediately receive a discount off your first purchase but you’ll also be alerted when golf pros are stopping by, advanced notification for sales, and insight into “Member Only” events…

Stay tuned for parts two and three in the Geekette Bits Golf Series…next we’ll take a look at courses I’ve hit at and also other ways to play for free and introducing kids to the game…for free!

It’s in a book, just take a look…

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Remember the days of Reading Rainbow?

It’s a book, just take a look…

For a while I was going crazy at Half-Priced Books:

  • Joining their mailing list, getting e-mails for printable coupons
  • Using their FREE in-store calendar with monthly coupons (25% off entire purchase…)
  • Becoming their friend on Facebook

…but with the recession (and a general desire to save some of my hard-earned money…) I decided to go back to the library. (Not a novel concept, one reason I didn’t return earlier was a pending $50 fine…)

Housed off the City of San Antonio’s website, the San Antonio Public Library system (SAPL) is surprisingly user-friendly and functional. It lacks creative, modern interfaces (no Flash can be a good thing…) but you can do almost everything you want to do.

San Antonio Public library information SAPL@mysapl tweets!

Getting the Card:

Physically go to the SAPL nearest you with the following:

  1. Who are you? (I.e. driver’s license or photo ID)
  2. Proof of Residency (lease, utility statement, checkbook, etc.) <=free to all Bexar County residents…

Bits about Online Features

What’s missing, how long do I have?!

After you go to the library and create an account you can register online. Not only can you see what’s been checked out and when it’s due but you can also register for e-mail reminders (3 days out) to return which books/movies. You’ll also be notified when books/movies placed on hold are ready.

I’m still looking for the stupid book!! Help?!?!

Relax, just renew it. They even have a nice, “Renew All” button (although if you prefer you can put a checkmark next to individual titles too.)

Movies checked out for a week can be renewed once. Books, twice (potentially keeping a book for 9 weeks!)

Byte: If someone else wants the book, you can’t renew books that already have holds.

Browse/search the catalog, across SAPL branches, and find what I want!

Let’s say I moved, my old branch has a book my new branch does. No worries, I can place it on hold, either at the library or online, within my account. By finding what you want and placing it “on hold”, you’ll get a nice email letting you know everything is ready and waiting for you at the branch of your choice. You can waltz into the library, head straight to the holds shelf and find all the books you wanted, with your name on it, bundled with a little rubber band. And you’re done! (This is especially nice for parents with children who don’t feel like going or on the way home from work…)

You can place 20 items (movies and books) on hold at any time and once they’re received, they’ll keep it for 10 days.

Little Bits (LBs)

A SAPL branch by any other name is still as sweet…

You don’t have to return the book to the same location you got the book from! As long as it’s in the SAPL system you can drop it off!

It might not be too late…

As long as you drop it off before the library opens, the morning after it’s due, it’s NOT late! For example, I thought I was a day late (because my book was due Saturday) and was expecting a fine – I didn’t make it before the library closed that same Saturday. But because it was in the book slot before the library opened on Sunday I had a get out of jail card and no 10 cent fine. (This to me says, “We really want you to come and read!”)

Reserve books from across the country (or another country)…

The library doesn’t even have to have your book, if your book can be checked out from a library in Texas, the US, Canada (or other countries, as needed); they’ll ship your book to the SAPL branch of your choice in 2-12 weeks!

For example, I want to get into iPhone programming but SAPL only has a couple resources. However, by going to the Interlibrary Loan website and creating an account, you know have millions of books at your finger tips (more bits here).

One man’s old magazine is another man’s reading material…

Before you enter the library, there’s a plastic bin where you can swap your old magazines for someone else’s. Let someone else enjoy magazines you’ve finished while finding some new periodicals to peruse.

Better late than never…

Finally, don’t forget to return the books. When you have reached your renewal limits, bring the books (and especially movies!!) back to avoid the following fines:

Books: $.35/day (adult-aged, $10.00 maximum), $.15/day (kids, young adult, $6.00 maximum)

Movies: $2.00/day ($10.00 max)

Maps

Don’t forget to check out the maps to find the nearest library location AND to find out where the SAPL Bookmobile stops!

SAPL Locations on Google Maps

View San Antonio Public Library Locations in a larger map

SAPL Bookmobile Locations on Google Maps

View SAPL Bookmobile Locations in a larger map

Under Construction…

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Something that I’ve always felt strongly about is not debuting a website until you are ready to take online traffic.  You only get one chance to make a first impression and who wants to come back to a website that is “in-progress”…chances are there is a website out there that already does everything said website promises (and it probably does it bigger and better!)

But what do I know?  My website is in progress.  I am waiting for a fix for some login functionality.  My ultimate goal would allow users to post bits and bytes without having to create a new account.  I would like them to use the logins they use for facebook, Gmail, yahoo, etc – offered by OpenID.  I’m also researching Google’s new Friend Connect tool that allows you to use OpenID to login and also shows what you’ve posted on the website in an RSS feed fashion (similar to facebook.)  It’s very clever in theory but it’s in Beta so there are a lot of limitations.

In the meantime, I continue to find great deals and shortcuts bits I want to share with whoever’s listening – the whole point of Geekette Bits and Bytes.  So please keep in mind that more functionality, hopefully intuitive and fast, is coming.  (In the process, if your comments are deleted it was NOTHING personal.)