Boerne Business Monthly - March 2016 by Distinct Media LLC

Volume 8, Issue 09: March 2016

Boerne business monthly

covenant services is Your Off-Site HR Office

what to do in volatile stock markets

new year, new tax law: but is any of it really new?

local news and info

Looking for

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boernebusinessmonthly.com

publisher's note

I just love March! I love that it holds the official start to spring, and even better, the start of Daylight Savings Time! The warmer weather and extra sunlight at the end of the day really motivate me. Speaking of motivation, have your New Year’s resolutions fizzled out? Did you resolve to get in shape, get your business on track, or maybe just be more involved in the community? Check out the articles in this issue of BBM to help inspire you. Our cover feature, Covenant Services, is your off-site HR office. Read the article on page 16 to see how they can help you and your business. Need some motivation to get outdoors and get active? Check out the article from Mark LeBaron of Camp Gladiator on the benefits of Taking Fitness Outside. If you’d just like to be more active in the community, be sure to check out the Calendar of Events for all the fun things going on during the month of March! I hope you enjoy this issue of Boerne Business Monthly!

Lauren T. St umberg

contents

March 2016

06:

calendar of events

08:

taxes by Prakash Ravi, CPA

09:

newsworthy

10:

promotion Mike Schultz Named Regional Market Manager of Sonora Bank

12:

for more information 210.219.6735

investing What To Do in Volatile Stock Markets by Karl Eggerss

13: 16:

golf Tapatio Men’s Golf Association Announces 2016 Tournament Schedule & More

cover feature Covenant Services is Your Off-Site HR Office

Publisher

publisher lauren tuttle stumberg director of sales & marketing Rusty Meador art direction Distinct media, llc

A New Year, A New Tax Law: But is any of it really NEW?

by Joseph Lilli

18:

bisd news

20:

ribbon cuttings

24:

wellbeing Taking Fitness Outside by Mark LeBaron

27:

real estate

30:

art Mooney Makes Sense: Switching Things Up

lauren@distinct-graphics.com

www.boernebusinessmonthly.com

facebook.com/boernebusinessmonthly

Boerne Business Monthly is published by Distinct Media, LLC, copyright 2016. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Boerne Business Monthly are those of the writers or sources and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute the endorsement of products or services herein. Although the information and recommendations in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, Boerne Business Monthly makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information and recommendations.

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

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March 2016

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

march 3 BISD State of the District and Honor Teachers of the Year sponsored by Jennings Anderson Ford 11:30am to 1:00pm | Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club 7900 Fair Oaks Pkwy – Boerne $35/members and $40/future members march 5 Outdoor Family Fair 10:00am | Main Plaza 100 N. Main – Boerne This community focused event provides Kendall County families of all ages with the opportunity to enjoy and learn about local services and organizations that are available. There will be entertainment and a lot of fun available for the whole family at this event! Wings Over Boerne 11:00am to 5:00pm | Boerne Visitors Center 1407 South Main – Boerne Expect the unexpected as Birds of Prey zoom through the air in the outdoor demonstrations.

March 8 City Council Meeting 6:00pm to 8:00pm | City Council Chambers 124 Old San Antonio Road – Boerne March 10 Introduction Workshop to Pinterest and LinkedIn Sponsored by: University of Texas San Antonio Small Business Development Center and hosted by The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce 11:00am to 1:00pm | Chamber Board Room 121 S. Main – Boerne This event will cover what businesses can benefit the most from these platforms, what types of content convert the best on each platform, how to work these platforms into your overall marketing strategy, as well as walk attendees through setting up a business account with Pinterest and a company page on LinkedIn. Cost is $15. GBCC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Electric Coffee 11:30am to 12:00pm 215 W. Bandera Rd. Ste, 115 – Boerne

GBCC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Boerne Short Stop Inc. 1:30pm to 2:00pm | 824 N. Main – Boerne GBCC Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by Highland Homes 5:00pm to 7:00pm 10011 Jeep Jump Ln. – Boerne 2nd Thursday Open House 10:00am to 9:00 pm | Downtown Businesses Participating local businesses consisting of one of a kind boutiques and restaurants extend their business hours and stay open until 9:00pm on the second Thursday of each month. March 11 Performance by Inishfree School of Irish Dancing 6:00pm to 7:00pm | Boerne Civic Center 829 Adler Street – Boerne For the Whole Family! Don’t miss these world champion dancers as they perform traditional dances of Ireland. continued on page 15

F R I D AY • A P R I L 8 • 2 016 7:30 PM • BOERNE CHAMPION AUDITORIUM

Tickets: $60 – $40 – $30 – $20 (student) Online: www.BoernePerformingArts.com Phone: 830.331.9079 Boerne Performing Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

boernebusinessmonthly.com

taxes

A new year, a new tax law:

But is any of it really New?

by Prakash Ravi, CPA

The intent of the new tax law, Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act) is to help grow the American economy and to shelter Americans from significant immediate tax increases. For the most part, the PATH Act did not introduce any new provisions but made several temporary tax credits permanent. By making the provisions permanent, it restored some predictability to taxes compared with Congress’s historical track record of slapping together last minute yearend deals leaving millions of Americans burdened with uncertainty each year. Some of the most notable provisions of the PATH Act are addressed below and affect a wide range of taxpayers from low-income individuals to small business owners. • Section §179 Provision: Let’s face it, if you own a business you have expenses. Expenses eat away at your profits, but the one silver lining is that they also lower your taxes. Yay! Generally, the IRS allows you take a full deduction for smaller expenses like office supplies. For larger purchases like computers, iPads, televisions, office furniture and equipment, the IRS requires you to capitalize those assets and depreciate the assets over several years. §179 is an incredibly powerful provision that allows you to deduct the full cost of your business assets right away in the same year you buy the asset and use it in your business. With §179, up to $500,000 of business assets can be deducted immediately, regardless of whether the assets are new or used. In the past couple of years businesses were wary to make large purchases since no one knew if Congress would extend the §179 deductible limit from $25,000 per year to $500,000. The PATH Act has now made the limit of $500,000 permanent and beginning in 2016, that limit has been indexed for inflation. §179 generally limits large businesses from using this provision due to a phase-out rule which removes the deduction dollar for dollar if you place more than $2 million of equipment in service during the year. • Bonus Depreciation: Unlike the §179 provision discussed above which was made permanent; Bonus depreciation was extended only until the end of 2019. Bonus is similar to §179 in that it allows you to take a larger deduction for the year on those large assets that you purchased for your business. Where bonus starts separating itself from §179 is in the finer rules that must be followed to use this provision. Unlike §179, to use Bonus depreciation the asset must be a new asset. Additionally, for 2015 you are allowed a 50% deduction on the asset where §179 allows you a 100% deduction. Despite these limitations, the advantage to using Bonus is that it is not phased-out at a certain dollar limit like §179. This means that medium and large businesses can also use this provision. • American Opportunity Credit: The American Opportunity Credit increased the maximum credit a student can receive from $1,800 to $2,500. The American Opportunity Credit allows college students a dollar for dollar tax credit for the first $2,000 of qualified tuition and related expenses plus an additional 25 percent of the next $2,000 in tuition expenses for a maximum tax credit of $2,500. In 2015, the credit begins to phase-out once the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income exceeds $80,000 ($160,000 if filing jointly). The American Opportunity Credit has now been made

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

permanent through the 2015 PATH Act. • The Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) along with the Child Tax Credit (CTC), are both geared towards helping taxpayers who earn income from a job. For 2015, the EITC starts at $503 with no qualifying children and climbs up to $6,242 with three or more qualifying children. There are multiple phase-out ranges that are based on the taxpayer’s filing status and the number of qualifying children, but generally, if your adjusted gross income is less than $55,000, this credit could potentially save you thousands. The Child Tax Credit is a separate credit but was also designed to help families with children and provides a credit up to $1,000 per child but unlike the EITC the phase-out threshold is much higher for the CTC since it only begins to phase-out at an AGI of $75,000 ($110,000 if filing jointly). The PATH Act made the current version of the EITC permanent. By making many provisions permanent, the hope is that taxpayers can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we can now count on the tax savings that were promised and make more stable plans regarding our future. If you have any questions regarding any of these provisions or any general questions, please contact us at 830-815-1100. We would love to help you navigate through the complexities of the tax code and work on a strategy that will give you and your business the competitive edge you need. BBM Prakash Ravi, CPA is part of the tax staff at Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge, P.C. Prakash earned his Bachelor of Science in Business at the University of Texas at Dallas. Prakash then went on to earn a Master of Science in Finance and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Texas at San Antonio. The firm has offices in Boerne, San Antonio and New Braunfels.

newsworthy

Agents join LoneStar Properties

Steve Bennett (left) receiving Joe M. Cullinan Distinguished Service Award from Dan Hatfield (right), past President of the Texas Association of Realtors.

LoneStar Properties is pleased to announce the addition of several agents, new as well as experienced, to the company. Steve Bennett has served the Farm and Ranch industry in the Hill Country for many years. Tom Boswell, Becky Trussell, Scarlett Wolter and Rue Wright specialize in both residential and farm and ranch in Boerne, Comfort, Fredericksburg and Kerrville. Ariel Brooks Stevens and Jenny Wisner are agents new to the industry but certainly not new to the Boerne area. LoneStar Properties owned by Sara Baird and Carol Schultz is located at 222 S. Main Street in the heart of downtown Boerne and has been in business since 2012. In 2015 they were named as Best of the Best by the Boerne Star in two categories – Farm & Ranch and Residential, as well as having agent Karen Mathison named to that distinction as a residential agent. Steve Bennett received in December the Joe M. Cullinan Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Alliance of Land Brokers in honor of his 20+ years of service to the TALB, the business of Farm and Ranch brokerage and the Real Estate Industry in general. “We are very proud of Steve’s career accomplishments and excited to have him as a part of LoneStar Properties” said Sara Baird, broker.BBM boernebusinessmonthly.com

promotion

MIKE SCHULTZ NAMED REGIONAL MARKET MANAGER OF SONORA BANK

Mike Schultz, President and CEO of Sonora Mortgage Company and an Executive Vice President of First Sonora Bancshares, Inc., has assumed the additional responsibilities of Regional Market Manager for Sonora Bank. In this newly created position he will oversee the operations of Sonora Bank’s Boerne and Bulverde Branch locations. Bob Malone, President & CEO of Sonora Bank, said in announcing the additional duties, “Mike has been an integral part of Sonora Bank's Executive Leadership for the past five years. His background, which includes years of banking, management, real estate and financial planning experience, has been invaluable as we have implemented our growth strategy and entered new markets and expanded into new business opportunities.” Schultz has an extensive background in civic and community service, and was elected mayor of Boerne in 2011. His leadership and community involvement will assist with the

growth of Sonora Bank in area locations throughout South Texas. Mike, and his wife Carol, moved to Boerne in 1993 and have been actively involved in the community since their arrival. “It has been a wonderful experience to be associated with a company whose core values include customer service and community involvement,” Schultz said. "I am excited to be a part of our expansion in Boerne and Bulverde and look forward to growing with the area residents to help better serve them in a way that has made Sonora Bank successful for over 116 years." The First National Bank of Sonora, Texas received its Charter in 1900, and has been dedicated to providing outstanding community banking and customer service for well more than a century. Today, operating as Sonora Bank, it has grown to $350 million in assets and is headquartered in Sonora, Texas with multiple branches in San Angelo, Boerne, and Bulverde. BBM

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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

If you purchased a new home, don’t forget to get the tax advantage of a homestead exemption!

REMINDER:

Applications for Residential Homestead Exemption are due by 4/30/2016 Details and forms are available on your County Appraisal Districts Website

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investing

What To Do In Volatile Stock Markets

by Karl Eggerss

Last summer, I wrote an article discussing volatility and how investors typically make horrible decisions because of emotion. With the stock market having its toughest start to a year ever in 2016, I believe it’s time to remind readers of what steps to take to survive market drops. Investors have become accustomed to very little market movement in the past few years, so reactions to recent events in the stock market have been intense. What investors might be surprised to know is that history shows the average drop for the S&P 500 in any given year is over 14%. In other words, for those that invest in stocks, volatility should be expected at some point in the year as selloffs are a natural occurrence. It’s just the speed of the recent selloff combined with the sharp swings that have led to a high amount of anxiety. Unfortunately, this type of market environment can lead to bad decisions by investors. To be successful long-term investors, we must check our emotions at the door. Making investing decisions based on feelings like fear and regret almost always leads to poor results, and it takes great restraint and self control to stand strong through market turbulence. If we all think back to investment decisions we’ve made in our lives based purely on emotion, I’m willing to bet most of us can say the results weren’t favorable. Fear, a feeling of intense uncertainty, can sometimes overwhelm the investor. While regret, a feeling of shame, embarrassment, or guilt after a past decision gone wrong, can be equally as detrimental. People who find themselves wishing they had done something differently in a past investment situation often use that incident to shape how they handle a current event, even though the circumstances surrounding each event might be completely different. Fear and regret are natural reactions when our portfolio value is changing at a fast pace, but it’s what we do to balance emotion with reason during those times that can have a big impact going forward. Selling stocks from fear after they’ve fallen dramatically sometimes produces a feeling of relief as if we’ve “stopped the bleeding.” But, so many times investors find themselves buying back at a higher price after the stock’s recovered due to feelings of regret. The obvious fact remains that whenever we sell, both the timing of that sell and the timing of the subsequent buy have to be right. The point is that human emotions are powerful and when we don’t exercise control over them as investors, we often have unwanted consequences. Jason Zweig wrote a white paper several years ago describing how a devastating historical event produced fear that led to bad decisions. The most terrible devastation wrought by Chernobyl (1986 nuclear plant explosion in the Ukraine), did not come out of its nuclear reactors. Instead, it came from the human mind. As panicky business owners fled the area, unemployment and poverty soared. Anxiety, depression, alcoholism, and suicide ran rampant among the residents who could not afford to leave. Fearing that their unborn babies had been poisoned, expectant mothers had more than 100,000 unnecessary abortions. The damage from the radiation was dwarfed by the damage from the fear of radiation, as imaginary terrors led to real tragedies on a massive scale. While I am not suggesting the scale of current events is equal to that of the above tragedy, it is a case in point that emotional reactions can sometimes cause more catastrophe than the actual catastrophe itself. This level of self control is undoubtedly a challenge. Investors today have experienced two bear markets of nearly 50% in the last 15 years and they don’t want to get caught holding stocks in another one. Therefore, they are quicker to sell

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

when there’s any sign of market weakness in order to prevent future regret. Likewise, regret isn’t just a factor when we wish we had sold earlier. It can also come into play by wishing we had purchased “that stock” when it was lower. So, what’s an emotional investor to do? First and foremost, I recommend coming up with a strategy for your overall portfolio. Every investor wants a good return with low risk and a lot of liquidity. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any investments to date that have all three of those desired characteristics. Therefore, it’s imperative that investors put together a portfolio that blends these elements. Combining stocks with non-traditional and income producing assets like bonds, real estate, and alternative investments is critical. In the first few weeks of 2016, some asset classes outside of stocks have even produced positive returns. Having non-correlated assets helps investors weather volatility in the stock market. Next, run several stress tests on your strategy. In other words, go back in history and see how the portfolio would have reacted to various circumstances during certain times. How would your portfolio have fared during a time when the stock market fell 10%? How would your portfolio have done when the stock market went up by 20%? More specifically, how would your portfolio have held up when interest rates went up to 4% on a 10-year treasury? This is the type of hard work that needs to be done first when crafting a longterm portfolio. Lastly, know that even the most thought out, wellbuilt portfolios will test you at times. But, if you find yourself tempted to make a decision based on fear or regret, we ultimately suggest simply finding a way to slow your mind down (take a break, exercise, stop watching it all day long, etc.) This allows you time to make more rational decisions not based purely on emotion. In addition, keeping a trading/investment journal is a great way to document your feelings and actions in certain investment climates and can help you better understand how to practice self-control. BBM In 2010, Karl established Eggerss Capital Management, his own registered investment advisory firm dedicated to providing clients with superior financial counsel in the changing economy. His market insight and cutting edge strategies help fulfill the mission of Eggerss Capital to help clients be protected and profitable in the face of a rapidly changing market. For more information on Eggerss Capital Management visit www.eggersscapital.com. 114 E. Highland Street, Boerne | 210.526.0057

2016 Tapatio Men’s Golf Association Board of Directors: Pictured left to right – Dan South, Hank Duby, Jim Morey, G.W. Arnold, Bill Paulson and Dave Keel. Not pictured – Dave Bagwell

T raising families. elevating health. Peterson Health has been raising families in this community for over 65 years. Helping them grow. Helping them thrive. And we’re growing right along with you as we become more than a medical center. We’re here for you in more locations than ever before, when and where you need us most. We’re elevating outcomes and your experience. We’re Elevating Health.

Learn more at PetersonHealth.com

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deep tissue

hot stone

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aroma therapy/essential oils

Book Your Appointment Today! – 210.248.6165 725 N. Main Street | Boerne (inside of Barbie’s Salon and Spa)

The Tapatio Men’s Golf Association (MGA) announced its 2016 Golf Tournament schedule as well as the newly elected Board of Directors. Membership in the MGA is one of the many optional benefits to membership at Tapatio Springs Resort, however MGA membership is also offered to the public thru 2016. This has proved itself as a great opportunity to try out the club and some of its many activities prior to a commitment to join. All tournaments will be played at Tapatio Springs Resort which has recently undergone a significant upgrade with more than two million dollars in golf course renovations as well as an additional 2+ million in resort new and renovated amenities throughout the property, with still more great improvements just ahead. Annual membership dues are $30 per year paid on application. Applications are available online at www.tapatiomga.com. The 2016 tournament schedule is as follows: February 5 - 4-Man Scramble March 11 - 1, 2, 3, Waltz April 15 - Two in One Combined (Holes 1-9 Best Ball, Holes 10-18 Two-Man Scramble) May 13 & 14 - Match Play Individual Championship June 17 & 18 - Club Championship* (must be member of Tapatio Springs) July 8 - Two-Man Modified Chapman August 19 - Fun Tournament to be announced September 15 & 16 - Ryder Cup October 13 & 14 - Member-Guest November 10 - Twenty-Man Shootout Tournament fees and registration are due no later than 24 hours prior to the start of the tournament. For more information on tournaments and membership, go to www.tapatiomga.com or contact G.W. Arnold, Membership Chairman at 830-537-5664. The Tapatio MGA also announced the 2015 Player of the Year Award recipient. Eddie French, a local Tapatio Springs resident, finished at the top of the pack in 2015 accumulating the most points for participation and scoring in MGA sponsored events.BBM boernebusinessmonthly.com

golf

Tapatio Men’s Golf Association Announces 2016 Tournament Schedule, New Board of Directors and 2015 Golfer of the Year

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Great Locations and Great Values

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Community Features • Wooded homesites in the gated • Located in Boerne, a charming Hill enclave are on the doorstep of the Country city with excellent parks, beautiful Hill Country shops, and restaurants • Access to I-10, a direct corridor to • Children attend Boerne top employers and into the heart of Independent School District magnetic San Antonio schools

For more information contact Mark Guerra at 830-981-5206 or William Rice at 830-981-4464 or visit CalAtlanticHomes.com. In the San Antonio division of CalAtlantic Homes being marketed under the Ryland Homes brand, prices, plans, elevations and specifications are subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Photographs and/or renderings are for illustrative purposes only. Hardscape, landscape, and other items shown may be decorative suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. See Sales Counselor for details on available promotions, restrictions, offer limitations and a complete list of HouseWorks® features. This ad is not an offer or the solicitation of an offer for the purchase of a new home. This information is not directed to residents of any state that requires registration or permit issuance prior to the publication of such information. RS1319

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Reserve Your Mat on Our Online Schedule at: www.EleganceandLife.com 412 River Road #104 | Boerne, Texas (located next to the Dodging Duck)

830.331.8939 New to e+l Barre?

We recommend trying us out with one of our “Introductory Packages.” You will see the most results with three to five visits a week!

New Client Specials: New Client 1st Class: $18.00 ($5.00 off!) New Cient 1st 5 Classes: $65.00 ($13.00 per class) New Client Unlimited Classes: $99.00

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

March 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS | cont’d

Serving our Friends and Neighbors of the Hill Country Since 1916

continued from page 6

March 12 The Farmers Market at the Cibolo 9:00am to 1:00pm | 33 Herff Road – Boerne Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, jellies, local honey and Texas Hill Country arts & crafts at the historic Herff Farm at the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations and children’s craft activities, too. Second Saturday Art & Wine 5:00pm to 8:00pm | Galleries in Boerne The 2nd Saturday participants go all out with complimentary beverages and a variety of hors d’oeuvres along with fantastic art! Wings Over Boerne 11:00am to 5:00pm | Boerne Visitors Center 1407 South Main – Boerne Expect the unexpected as Birds of Prey zoom through the air in the outdoor demonstrations. March 12-13 Boerne Market Days 10:00am to 5:00pm | Main Plaza 100 N. Main – Boerne Great shopping in an outdoor setting. March 13 – Daylight Savings Time begins! Boerne Concert Band Spring Concert 6:00pm to 8:00pm | Boerne High Auditorium 1 Greyhound Ln – Boerne A variety of your favorite tunes! March 14 Kendall County Commissioners Court 9:00am to 11:00am | Kendall County Courthouse 201 E. San Antonio Ave. – Boerne March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Texas Linage Day 1:00pm | Patrick Heath Public Library 451 North Main – Boerne Do you have a Texas Patriot in your Family Tree? The ladies of the Joshua D Brown Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas will be on hand to help you find out. March 19 The Farmers Market at the Cibolo 9:00am to 1:00pm | 33 Herff Road – Boerne Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, jellies, local honey and Texas Hill Country arts & crafts at the historic Herff Farm at the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations and children’s craft activities, too. Annual Easter Egg Hunt Begins at 10:30 | Boerne City Lake Park 1 City Lake Road – Boerne Over 15,000 stuffed eggs!!! Mobile food vendors will be available at this event. Wings Over Boerne 11:00am to 5:00pm | Boerne Visitors Center 1407 South Main – Boerne

“Where experience and service make the difference” From its beginning in 1916, Kendall County Abstract Company has been Kendall County’s locally owned and operated title company. Over the last 99 years, we’ve earned the trust of real estate professionals because we’re experienced, we’re professional, and we care about our customers.

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• Stewart Title Guaranty Company • Fidelity National Title • First American Title Insurance • Alamo Title Insurance

830.816.2131 | 830.249.3341 - Fax 103 N. Saunders • Boerne, Texas 78006 (across from the courthouse)

Visit Us At www.KCAC.net Expect the unexpected as Birds of Prey zoom through the air in the outdoor demonstrations.

Chambers 124 Old San Antonio Road – Boerne

Concert in the Cave-Spring Equinox with Celebration Circle 8:00pm | Cave Without a Name 325 Kreutzberg – Boerne Enjoy an eclectic mixture of contemporary acoustic music, soaring vocal harmonies, and a percussive, tribal/world-beat vibe performed on an unusual mix of ancient and modern instruments - as well as periods of stunning silence, total darkness, and upbeat, contemplative meditation.

March 24 GBCC Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by Sonora Mortgage 5:00pm to 7:00pm | 3114 IH-10 – Boerne

March 20 – first day of spring March 22 City Council Meeting 6:00pm to 8:00pm | City Council

March 25 – Good friday March 26 4th Annual Community Garage Sale 8:00am to 3:00pm | 1307 River Road – Boerne Applications to be a vendor are being accepted. Please contact Marilyn Culak at (830) 537-4096 or email kmculak@gvtc.com for information and application.

continued on page 22

boernebusinessmonthly.com

cover feature

covenant services is Your Off-Site HR Office by Joseph Lilli | photos by Ron Pritchett

It’s a common problem with many small to mid-sized companies: They cannot afford to hire a full-time human resources (HR) staff nor do they have the time to dedicate to critical HR administrative responsibilities such as payroll, employee benefits, unemployment insurance taxes, worker’s compensation, and other related functions. As a result, their business – and their bottom line – often suffers. Matt Diana, CEO of Covenant Services in Boerne, a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), knows this full well. He cites the example of one of his clients, a small manufacturing firm. “This company didn’t have good cost controls, and though they were doing business, they weren’t bringing a lot of it to the bottom line,” he says. Covenant Services quickly saw the manufacturer’s problem – they lacked proper workforce management. It had no employee manuals or handbooks, no safety program, and no organization for hiring, training, or terminating employees – tasks typically handled by an HR department. This, in turn, contributed to high employee turnover resulting in a high unemployment tax levied by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) plus the added cost of replacing employees.

“High turnover is what happens when you don’t have a system in place for correctly hiring, training or firing people, or giving them a safe and secure workplace,” Diana remarks. “And as people leave, they file for unemployment. They’ll usually win if you don’t have a system in place that makes sense or have a reason for terminating them that stands the test of the hearing.” When a company loses the hearing, the TWC charges it back for the unemployment money they pay out. That means a company’s rate goes up the next year. “This manufacturer had three times the standard unemployment rate,” Diana notes. “It also had a high worker’s compensation rate caused by the lack of a good safety program. The result: lots of claims.” After the manufacturer turned over its HR responsibilities to Covenant Services, it freed itself of its headaches and overhead of handling HR issues. No longer bothered by those things that impacted their growth and their bottom line, the company began to concentrate on growing and managing its operations. “Once they signed a contract with us, they already were ahead of the game,” Diana declares. “Take workers’ comp, for instance. My partner and co-founder,

pictured: Dean Cox and Matt Diana of Covenant Services

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

Dean Cox, brings considerable workers’ comp expertise to our clients. He negotiates for our clients’ businesses, enabling us to secure for them better rates on workers’ comp than what they could get by themselves. “So immediately, we reduced the rate for our manufacturing client considerably. That was a savings that went to their bottom line,” he adds. There were many other savings, too. For example, by implementing professional procedures for hiring and terminating employees, Diana’s client was able to hire people from a bigger pool of applicants. This led to choosing better people. The better people stayed, reducing turnover. Began in Boerne Diana and Cox opened Covenant Services in Boerne in 2001. Diana, Cox, the firm’s CFO, along with HR Director Susan Felice and Client Services Manager Jean Rhodes, have more than 50 years combined experience in the management and marketing of businesses in the private sector. Each firm member offers clients an array of experiences and expertise. Diana, who once ran another PEO company, has experience working for several Fortune 500 companies. Cox brings tremendous depth and background in casualty insurance, contract bonds and workers’ comp. Felice adds expertise in human resources, while Rhodes offers payroll processing plus an array of legal and administrative experience. Diana likes to joke that they’re in the headache business. “We’ll handle all your employer/ employee admin headaches, all those unproductive things, so you can run your business.” When Covenant Services enters into a co-employment agreement with a client, they take on the majority of the client’s HR administrative chores. At the same time, Covenant Services contractually assumes certain rights, responsibilities and risks. They include delivering and managing employee benefits, payroll processing and tax administration, workers’ compensation, state unemployment insurance, EEOC claims, mediation arbitration, Transamerica 401k’s, and more. Licensed by the State of Texas to provide employer/employee administration services for its clients, the firm serves Texas-based companies with up to 100 employees. They will, however, handle clients who have employees in other states. Their clientele includes companies involved in manufacturing, construction, computer services, property management, and medical services. Most of their clients come through referrals and all must meet specific criteria before Covenant Services accepts them. “Our number one criterion is they must be a solid financial company. They must also

follow all the state and federal rules and regulations without exception, and they must understand that their employees are their most important asset. If any of these three criteria are missing, we don’t go any further,” says Diana. Personal Customer Service Once a co-employment agreement is signed, clients are in for a treat. They receive highly personal service. They’re made to feel like they’re doing business with a human, not a company. Their website says it succinctly: “We’re small enough to care and big enough to deliver. That’s our motto,” exclaims Diana. “When you deal with us, you deal with us on a personal basis. We’re more than just a PEO, we’re your business and management consultant. “No matter how you communicate with us, you always get a person on the other end who responds to your needs promptly and courteously. We’re very hands-on. You’re not calling an 800 number and listening to some recorded message.” Sometimes companies can go online and get a payroll service where they just put the numbers in and the service does their payroll. But as Diana explains, that’s hardly a solution. “If you don’t have a HR management program in place, or a safety program, or a competitive workers’ comp policy, or a mediation/arbitration program in place, and so much more, then you’re not going to be successful in today’s economy,” he says. “We make our clients look bigger and more sophisticated because we have all the forms, procedures, and everything else in place. By offering big-company benefits – customized to each client’s specific needs – we allow small employers to compete for highly skilled workers,” Diana adds. Community Commitment As much as Covenant Services is committed to their clients, they are also deeply committed to the community. They are members of the Chamber of Commerce, have served on the board while continuing to serve on several committees, and invest in the Boerne/Kendall County Economic Development Corporation. Diana also serves as Director of the Kendall County Water Control & Improvement District #2 for the Esperanza Development and served as the Chamber Representative on the Hill Country Council for the Arts. “Our community has given us so much that we’re very happy to give back and touch the lives of others. Perhaps Winston Churchill said it best, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’” BBM

covenantsvcs.com boernebusinessmonthly.com

bisd news

New Schools Focal Point as BISD Board Calls Bond Election

Three new schools to help address steady growth in student enrollment would open in the next five years if voters approve a $175 million bond in an election called by the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees on Monday. The board’s call for the election was unanimous. The election, to be held Saturday, May 7, coincides with election for three seats on the Boerne ISD board. The bond package, developed by a community-led committee that conducted a four-month study of enrollment growth and other issues facing the district, features two new elementary schools and a new middle school to help alleviate current overcrowding in classrooms and address continued accelerated growth that is forecast for the district. Official Boerne ISD enrollment for 201516 was recorded at 7,879 on the state’s snapshot date in October (since that date, enrollment has actually climbed beyond 7,900). The demographic study commissioned by the district for planning purposes has forecast that by 2025-16 – when this year’s second graders are high school seniors – district enrollment will surpass 12,300.

Two of the district’s elementary schools, Fair Oaks Ranch and Cibolo Creek, currently are at capacity. Within the next two school years, Middle School South is expected to reach capacity, as well. Should voters approve the bond package, the first new school to be built will be an elementary on a 20-acre tract on DietzElkhorn Street adjacent to the Front Gate subdivision in Fair Oaks Ranch. The school will be designed to accommodate 850 students. The district’s long range facilities plan calls for the new middle school to be built next; a specific site for that campus is in the process of being identified. The second new elementary school would be built in the Esperanza residential development off Highway 46 East. The proposed bond also would fund significant classroom expansions at Champion High School and Boerne High School to accommodate enrollment growth. Additional instructional spaces for the performing arts are also planned at the district’s two existing middle schools. The proposal also budgets funds for the purchase of real estate for

TIME FOR A LITTLE SPRING CLEANING?

future schools. In addition to enrollment growth, the bond package also addresses a number of safety and security measures as well as a list of district-wide improvements in technology and infrastructure. The bond calls for purchase of 12 new buses, both to accommodate enrollment growth and replace aging vehicles. A comprehensive repurposing of the old Fabra Elementary facility to be the new home of the district’s alternative school, its teacher professional development center, data center and administrative offices is also planned. A full list of the proposed bond components is available at www.BoerneISDBond.com. Ten years ago, the district’s I&S tax rate, providing the dollars earmarked for debt obligation, was set at 29 cents. Exercising prudent fiscal management in a favorable economic climate, the district lowered that rate twice since 2009; the current rate I&S rate is 25.4 cents. The proposed bond package would raise the I&S rate to an estimated 31.8 cents over the two-year period in which bonds would be sold. BBM

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Vic and Cheri Vaughan of Toyota of Boerne received the Texas Association of School Boards’ Stand Up for Texas Public Schools award at the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees meeting February 15. The award reflects the Vaughan family’s support of many facets of Boerne ISD – automotive technology program, FFA program, athletics, Teacher of the Year initiative, and more. Board president Dale Adams and superintendent David Stelmazewski presented the award. BBM

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You’re frustrated, and so is your child. Classwork and homework by now are a daily struggle of tears and yelling. Your child is falling behind, and the school is clueless as to how to solve the problem.

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ribbon cuttings

Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cuttings – January/February 2016

Carter TX Realty is a Texas Real Estate Firm Specializing in San Antonio and Surrounding Areas. They can assist you with your home purchase, home sale, new construction consultations, financing connections and investments and they understand every situation is different, which is why they prefer to meet you and discuss the details so they can be successful working toward the same goal. Please call Timothy Wallow and the Carter TX Realty team, they are there when you need them! Visit www.cartertxrealty.com to search and find more information. You can also call Tim at (830) 266-5556 and their office is located at 28255 IH 10 W., Suite 102 in Boerne.

Over the years, Dr. Kurt Mackie, DDS has developed a strong team approach to dentistry. He regularly collaborates with a skilled oral surgeon and orthodontist to provide his patients with the help they need for their complex problems. From the initial treatment planning and consultation through the final orthodontic or surgical treatment, you can rely on Dr. Mackie and his team to help you achieve results that will improve both your oral health and your overall wellbeing. Please call Dr. Kurt Mackie Dentistry to make an appointment at (830) 331-5682 or go online at www.mackiedental.com. Dr. Mackie’s office is located at 1677 River Road, Suite 103 in Boerne (in the new Coldwell Banker, D’Ann Harper office).

The Barthel Law Office provides personalized attention to your important legal needs. Each client’s situation is unique, and Casey Barthel will provide options to meet your needs within a cost-efficient framework. Main Practice Areas: Limited Liability Company formation, including Texas Series LLC’s, Business Law, Contracts, Mergers and Acquisitions, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Probate Administration, Gun Trusts, Conservation Easements, Hunting and Agricultural Leases. For more information, please call Casey at (830) 537-3130 and/or visit Barthel Law Office’s website at www.barthellawofficeboerne.com.

Are you looking for Texas hill country living, but still want to be close to the city and all of its conveniences? Then welcome home to Ridge Creek! You will find Chesmar Homes in Ridge Creek just outside of Fair Oaks Ranch along the I-10 access road in northwest Bexar County. Ridge Creek is an island oasis surrounded by 70 acres of greenbelt. It is a private gated community that almost 200 families will call home. Come and see Chesmar Home’s Sales Consultant Cesar Rivera and he will show you the variety of gorgeous floor plans with a list of included features that will make you realize you have truly arrived. You can find Cesar and Chesmar Homes at their Sales Center and Model home at 8618 Nichols Creek in Boerne. You can also call (210) 549-3278 and visit www.chesmar.com.

C4 Landscape & Design is a team of professionals with more than 30 years of landscaping, construction and business development experience. Their core expertise is landscape design and installation of newly developed properties, and restoration and enhancement for existing properties. C4 Landscape & Design Area Manager Eric Hill and his team serve residential and commercial clients What sets them apart is their responsive and honest approach to every prospect or client they have the privilege to serve. You can contact Eric and his team at 28720 IH 10 W., Suite 700 in Boerne. You can also call him at (21) 241-7672 and visit www.c4landscape.com for more information.

CertaPro Painters of San Antonio West, TX is a professional house painting company that services the greater San Antonio West, TX area. Owners Martha and Doug Eubanks and their painters specialize in both residential and commercial painting services. Whether your project is big or small, their trained San Antonio, TX painters can take care of all your house painting needs. Martha and Doug are certain that they will be able to exceed your expectations. After all, they are the San Antonio, TX house painting company of certainty. You can contact Martha and Doug Eubanks of CertaPro Painters at 1-800-462-3782 or (830) 816-5501. You can also visit www.san-antonio-west.certapro.com for more information.

Since opening in San Antonio in 2010, Fresh Urban Flowers has been a leading choice for clients looking for a different floral experience. Creative and cutting edge wedding floral design and artistic floral arrangements for daily delivery were its trademarks. In December 2015, Owner and President Tricia Hamil added Fresh Urban Flowers, Boerne. Housed in a fully refurbished 1800’s farmhouse that has been given a modern twist, Fresh Urban Flowers Boerne is located at 616 E. Blanco Road, Suite 100 and offers a fun take on the Urban Farm Stand with the freshest flowers and small batch, organic and artisanal candles, bath products and food items. You can call Fresh Urban Flowers at (830) 816-5778 and visit www.freshurbanflowers.com for more information.

David Adamson founded of National Write Your Congressman in 1958. He was a successful promoter of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for 23 years and was always listening and learning especially our elected officials want to hear from their constituents. David then came up with the idea for National Write Your Congressman which filled the need for an establishment that would provide citizens with non-partisan, unbiased information and make it easy for them to communicate with their lawmakers. His goal proved to be a clear and worthy one. Three generations later, this family-owned business operates in all 50 states and is the leading source of constituent mail received by Congress. National Write Your Congressman’s local representative is Ron Rossi and he can be reached at (210) 854-7045. You can also visit www.nwyc.com for more information.

The Shabby Palette’s has moved to a new location! Owner Summer Poole moved the studio/classroom to 347 N. Main Street in Boerne. They have a beautiful and unique venue that is meant to serve all ages in our growing town. Since they’ve opened, they have had many private birthday parties and events, community education classes, and several full and part time after school students. The Shabby Palette welcomes you to pop in to visit and check out their new center, give them a call at (830) 331-2161 with any questions or suggestions, or to sign up for a public class. You can also visit www.shabbypalette.com for more information.

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

The Hill Country Science Mill’s mission is to ignite the curiosity, ambition, innovation and problem-solving potential of the next generation through an innovative, immersive experience that enhances the community’s understanding of, and appreciation for, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Their experience will inspire the youth of today to discover scientific and technical principles relevant to their everyday lives. Founders Dr. Bonnie Baskin and Dr. Robert P. Elde believe THE FUTURE IS NOW. Engaging youth today to become a part of our country’s scientific and technology literate population is essential to our future economy and critical to understanding and dealing with serious issues that need to be addressed in the coming years. The Hill Country Science Mill has hold field trips, camps, as well as events and parties. You can find Hill Country Science Mill at 101 S. Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, Texas. Their phone number is (844) 2636405 and please visit their website at www.sciencemill.org.

Retirement may be far off, but the April 18 deadline for IRA contributions isn’t. To learn more about the advantages of an Edward Jones IRA, call or visit today. Ron Warden Financial Advisor 215 W Bandera Rd, Ste 113B Boerne, Texas 78006 830-249-8286

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www.edwardjones.com Best Western Hotel has opened in Boerne! Formerly the La Quinta Inn & Suites, Manager Doris McHazlettCampa invites everyone to come out and look at all the improvements and features the hotel has to offer. Best Western is located at 36756 IH 10 W. off John’s Road in Boerne. For reservations for a room or to book an event at Best Western, please call (830) 249-1212. You can also visit the Best Western website, www.bestwestern.com.

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Since 1952, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance has been protecting members’ moments—the big, the small, and the everyday. Boerne Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent, Abbey Frazier, provides multi line insurance and annuities. You can find Abbey at the Boerne Texas Farm Bureau Insurance office located at 1 Sisterdale Road and give her a call at (830) 249-8837. Please visit the website www.txfb-ins.com.

THE DODGING DUCK BREWHAUS Agents and Founders Cali Redd and Jessica Johnson of The SOLiD Realty Group, live and work in Boerne providing Real Estate services in Boerne, Comfort, Fair Oaks Ranch, and San Antonio. These real estate markets are made up of diverse and interesting communities and neighborhoods. The team at The SOLiD Realty Group will tell you about each of them and let you narrow your search to the very best fit for you. You can contact The SOLiD Group at (210) 478-7265 and visit www.solidre.com for more information.

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March 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS | cont’d continued from page 15

March 26 The Farmers Market at the Cibolo 9:00am to 1:00pm | 33 Herff Road – Boerne Shop fresh local produce, farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, jellies, local honey and Texas Hill Country arts & crafts at the historic Herff Farm at the Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. Enjoy free live music, gardening classes, cooking demonstrations and children’s craft activities, too. Spring Family Fun Festival and Dr. Herff Historical Marker Dedication 10:00am to 1:30pm Bring the whole family for a day of fun at the Herff Farm including: Egg Hunts, Live Animals, Crafts, Games, Food and Music! The Kendall County Historical Commission will unveil the new Texas Historical Commission marker for Dr. Ferdninand Ludwig Von Herff at 10:00 AM. March 27 – Easter Sunday March 30 GBCC Speed Networking Luncheon 11:30am to 1:00pm | Taste of Boerne 1022 River Road – Boerne RSVP required; Cost: $35 for Chamber Members Future Members $40 BBM

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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

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wellbeing

Taking Fitness Outside

by Mark LeBaron

It’s 4:30 am, cold outside; you heard it raining all night. You turn the alarm off, get dressed and walk outside to run/train/workout. For many people, that is unthinkable, but for many, environmental factors will never outweigh the feeling of sucking in fresh air while you tax your lungs, heart and muscles into exhaustion and beyond. It's a feeling that can't be matched when training indoors. It's not for weak-minded. But for those who are willing to battle the elements, there is no substitute when exercising. We see the effects of this on our fellow co-workers at work, while everyone is rolling into work in 1st gear, the dedicated and time stressed individual who woke up early for that hustle are showing up to work in 6th gear. For the fitness lover who can’t workout in the predawn hours, they anxiously await the taxation of their bodies at the end of the work shift. Counting down the work clock as it gets closer and closer to that time where they can just open up and go all out with the same outdoor elements their counterparts were visiting earlier. The benefits of exercising outdoors are far greater than the workout routine that takes place in a sheltered and safe environment such as the “box gym”. Don’t get me wrong, I love going into the gym and throwing around some weights, but the gym has a huge disadvantage. It has a unique ability to limit us from the functional movements of life. The indoor fitness facility is limiting your potential just as much as it is helping you. Working out and “fitness” in general is something that everyone has an opinion about, including the ones who have never worked out a day past high school gym class. One of my favorite opinions is actually a negative one. It generally comes from a person with about 20 or 30 years of bad eating habits and an excuse of “I tried working out once to lose weight, went for a whole year, I didn't see any results.” Yes, even she/he has an opinion, regardless if she/he is trying to hopelessly fix 30 years of bad eating habits in 12 months. Point being. Good or bad, we all have had our own experience of working out. Anyone with a basic high school education has the obvious knowledge that to have a healthy body we have to put forth the effort to exercise the body on a consistent schedule. People workout because they have a desire. It does not matter if its to loose weight or chase the dream of longevity, we all want to be healthy and live a “fit” life. In the US, that can be hard. Despite what you might hear and see in mass distributed media, there is no magic pill. The fitness industry is unfortunately full false truths and complete garbage. There is no “8 minute abs in 2 weeks routine”. That is a complete lie, that is a fake product being sold and it is a false representation of trying to enhance an economic situation for their benefit, not yours. Transforming an out-of-shape body into something that is desirable is not easy, if it were easy, we would all be walking around with ripped and shredded bodies like Roman gladiators. But that is what makes it so desirable. So if it is not always easy to get in shape, then why can't it be fun and enjoyable? It Can! But if we are to exercise, and exercise with efficiency and with maximal benefits, then we should be doing it outside as often as possible. (ACE) The American Council of Exercise has spent an incredible amount of energy and time into studying all available and relevant research that has been published about the benefits of outdoor activities. “ A review of studies focusing on outdoor exercise concluded that “green exercise” – physical activity in a natural area- decreases the risk of mental illness and improves one’s sense of well-being. In fact, after reviewing data from 1,252 participants performing green exercise in 10 studies, researchers found that when compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization, increased energy and positive engagement, as well as decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression.” What this simply states is that outdoor activities of all types activates the dopamine receptors in your brain and causes them to fire away! The “high” you get from a great workout can only be achieved through sweat and hard work. Functional movement and functional patterns; when I refer to these terms I am referencing the movements and habitual muscle memory paths that our bodies have in everyday activities. When you get up in the morning and start your day, you walk around the house, bedroom, bathroom, closet, kitchen, then out to your car and drive to work. At work you either sit down all day at

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

a desk or walk around doing your job until it's time to leave. What I’m trying to say is, look at the surfaces, corners, angles, positions, and effort that you demand from your body to do everyday stuff. There is nothing about our daily lives that involve perfect linear movement. We never walk on a perfectly flat surface for miles and miles, when never lift, push or bend down in a way that has perfect form. No, we conform and operate on a basis that requires us to adapt to our environment that we are in. Getting on a treadmill or elliptical and walking for “X” amount of distance on a flat and smooth surface is completely artificial and in no way what the human body experiences on a daily basis. As infants, we grow learning movements in a particular order. We start with learning how to hold our head up, flap our arms, scoot along the floor, then crawl, stand-up, walk, run, jump, climb and so much more. Yet, as we grow from children into adults and mature, we forget how to do this because we never do it. This leads to injury and bad form and an overall weakness in the body, especially the core area (lower back and front abdomen area). In a personal interview I did with Andy Travis, a Gym owner and a trainer with Camp Gladiator, Andy spoke about his thoughts on functional movement. (Travis) By neglecting our body’s ability to work in an imperfect environment, we are neglecting the

vast amount of capability our body has. Basic linear movements develop less than 10% of our physical capability! Crazy right? So what discipline should we be practicing in order to fully utilize our body? The discipline of life! Not modern, comfortable life. Wild outdoor living. Rock climbing, tree swinging, mountain climbing, hay-bailing, wrestling, tumbling…. I don’t think there is enough paper in the world to list all the possibilities! By walking/exercising and exposing yourself to an environment that has these obstacles your body retains that ability to be able to step off a curb and have the strength to prevent you from rolling your ankle or jump up and grab something off a shelf that you can't reach. Gym machines generally have isolated and controlled movements. Yes, you have burned a few calories on the treadmill, packed on some muscle maybe using the weighted machines, but you can't even hike a trail or climb a set of uneven stairs at a park, or pull your head over a bar one time (pull-up) without fear of injury and self-doubt!! The New York Times did an article about the benefits of outdoor exercise and identified that (Times) “The stride we take in regards to an anatomical function when running outdoors is unique. Generally, people flex their ankles more when they run outside. They also, at least occasionally, run downhill, a movement that is not replicated on a treadmill and that running downhill stresses muscles differently than running on flat or uphill terrain. Outdoor exercise tends too, to be more strenuous than the indoor version. In studies comparing the exertion of running on a treadmill and the exertion of of running outside, treadmill runners expended less energy to cover the same distance as those striding across the ground outside, primarily because indoor exercisers face no wind resistance or changes in terrain, no matter how subtle.” It's no surprise when you see an injury in an adult intramural sport or company softball

team and the injured person is the “guy/girl” who goes to the gym seven times a week… That person is training in a perfect linear environment, and thinks they have the muscle coordination to be able to do sprint burst on uneven sand and then tears a tendon. I wonder how that might have been prevented… Obviously there are some direct reasons that many people have for staying and/or exercising in a gym. Physical limitations, injuries, asthma, the list is long. And indoor gyms do have many pluses and has a positive impact for the community The benefiting factor of being outside and including a fitness routine that is applicable to the outside environment around you is huge. Training beyond the typical “box gym” mentality and realizing that an entire fitness facility exists right outside in your own community is easy. It's the comfort zone and cosmetic appearance that the gyms offer that is so difficult to get past. The limitations you unknowingly put yourself into on a treadmill or isolated machine lack functional patterns and contain movement that is perfectly straight while we live in an imperfect world. Breaking past these false limitations and exploring nature while getting exercise will give you a high and a feeling that no other drug or drink can give you. Except for the medical and physical limited population, outdoor exercise should be an obvious addition to everyone's lifestyle if not already involved in any.BBM Mark is a primary trainer with Camp Gladiator outdoor fitness in the Boerne area. He is certified through the American Council of Exercise and is currently pursuing a major in exercise science. A prior military combat veteran for the united states Marines, Mark has been on the leading edge with countless styles of functional and progressive fitness trends. www.campgladiator.com

Sources: “The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors.”Well The Benefits of Exercising Outdoors Comments. N.p., 2013.Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/the-benefits-of-exercising-outdoors/?_r=1> “Exercise Under Extreme Temperature Conditions.” Exercise under extreme temperature conditions. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <http://www.fsps.muni.cz/~tvodicka/data/reader/book-4/11.html> “Think Outside The (Gym) Box: Creative Techniques for Taking Your Favorite Classes and Workouts Into the Great Outdoors.” ACE Fitness. Web. 8 Nov. 2015. <https://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/2581/ think-outside-the-gym-box-creative-techniques-for/>

TEXAS INVESTORS TITLE Performance is Our Priority Locally Owned ~ Nationally Recognized 116 W. Blanco Rd., Suite 101, Boerne, Texas 78006 Office: (830) 816-5888 ~ www.TexasInvestorsTitle.com Stephen V. Vallone President, Escrow Officer steve@texasinvestorstitle.com Becky Edmiston Vice President, Escrow Officer becky@texasinvestorstitle.com Beverly McCormick Residential Escrow Officer beverly@texasinvestorstitle.com

Representing Stewart Title Guaranty and First American Title Insurance

COMMERCIAL ~ RANCHES ~ RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES boernebusinessmonthly.com

Spring Into Sports! Spring Break Sports Camp

Fabra Elementary Fields and Boerne ymca Gym We are excited to offer a Spring Break Sports Camp this year. While the kids have off of school let them come enjoy the outdoors with our YMCA Sports staff. We will have basketball, track and field, soccer, and flag football. Each Sport will be an hour and a half long, and the first 45min will be skill-building and drills pertaining to the sport, the second 45 min will be scrimmages. The kids will receive shirts and have the opportunity to win medals at the end of the camp. · · · ·

1 2 3 4

Sport: $40 for members Sports: $60 for members Sports: $80 for members Sports: $100 for members

$60 for non members $100 for non members $140 for non members $180 for non members

Ages: 8-13 Years Old Times and Location: Mon thru Thurs, 3/14—3/17 • BASKETBALL @ YMCA GYM 8:30-10:00am • TRACK AND FIELD @ FABRA FIELDS 10:30-12:00pm • SOCCER @ FABRA FIELDS 1:00– 2:30pm • FLAG FOOTBALL @ FABRA FIELDS 2:30-4:00pm

BOERNE FAMILY YMCA

Boerne (830) 249-3955

leon springs (210) 698-8100

(830) 815-815-1040 joinymca.org

Fresh, Spring Styles

Book Your Appointment Today!

CUTS • COLOR • STYLING Appointment booking available online at

barbiesinboerne.com BOERNE FAMILY YMCA

(830) 815-815-1040 Barbie’s has the Best Stylists in Boerne!

Let Them Work Their Magic to Create a Beautiful You

Kimberly Prescott, Stylist Offering Hair Color, Cuts & Styling, Brazilian Blowouts, Jane Iredale Makeup & Application

(210) 827-9310

Stylist Space Available - Call for more info! 26

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

(210) 836-5728

725 N. Main joinymca.org

Street – Boerne, Texas Veronica “Barbie” Rogers, Owner/Stylist

real estate

Call These Top Producers to Economics panel: Sell or Buy Texas housing, office markets strong Real Estate! despite oil prices

Overall, economists at the "Finding Shelter" conference at the FederalReserve Bank of Dallas had good news for Texans, despite continuing concerns about declining oil prices. During the conference's economic outlook panel discussion, Real Estate Center Chief Economist Dr. Jim Gaines said one question he gets asked a lot is whether Texas is in a housing price bubble. His succinct response: "I don't think so." Gaines said Dallas and Houston built more houses last year than 19 states, and 2015 was a record year for Texas home sales and prices. He said the state's housing inventory remains "extremely low relative to market activity." In a related session, Dallas Fed Vice President and Associate Director of Research John Duca said he doesn’t think a Texas market housing bust is likely. “The banking system is in much better shape and financial regulation is much sounder, so there’s less of a buildup of excess pressure because of that," he said, noting that there's also less construction recently, meaning there's no supply overhang problem like there was in the early '80s. "If anything, we have a shortage, not an excess supply." Another key factor is the state's diversified economy, which he said will help keep the oil price collapse from hurting the demand for housing as much as it did previously. Meanwhile, economist Keith R. Phillips, also with the Dallas Fed, said the state's overall Texas office market is strong. He doesn't expect this to change except in Houston, where layoffs in oil and gas jobs will take their toll. “We’re going to see a rising vacancy rate in the Houston market," he said. "The good news is that the Houston market had such a low vacancy rate to begin with that it can sustain some rises, so I don’t see a big problem occurring in terms of the office markets in general.” Other notes from the panel discussion: Gaines said infrastructure and education will be the state's biggest issues for the next four or five decades, along with how to pay for it. Dallas Fed economist Evan Koenig said there's been overall stronger growth in the U.S. economy during the last six quarters, and financial variables suggest 2 percent U.S. GDP growth through the third quarter of this year. A strong dollar and low oil prices are helping U.S. households but hurting manufacturers, Koenig said.

*Tiffany Joslin (210) 394-4399

*Rene Campbell *Steven Karam (210) 542-0148 (210) 414-0105

Jim Campbell Naomi Weckesser (210) 838-1896 (830) 688-0282

Information courtesy of Real Estate Center Online News. BBM

Fixed Mortgage Rates Resume Decline

Freddie Mac yesterday released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, which showed fixed mortgage rates resuming their decline. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.62 percent with an average 0.6 point for the week ending Feb. 25, 2016, down from the previous week when it averaged 3.65 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.8 percent. The 15-year FRM this week averaged

2.93 percent with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.95 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.07 percent. Meanwhile, the five-year Treasuryindexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.79 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.85 percent. A year ago, the five-year ARM averaged 2.99 percent.

Information courtesy of Real Estate Center Online News. BBM

Wiley & Kathy Cloud, Brokers (830) 755-8693 | (210) 710-6601

Real Estate Office: (830) 755-8693 Career Inquiries (830) 431-3133 boernebusinessmonthly.com

Phillip Bell

& Assoc., llc

• Energy Efficient • Water Conservation

COMING SOON! INDUSTRIAL/TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS PARK: This 28.4 acre property is available for development. Recently annexed with Industrial zoning (I) pending, this property is ready for a professional developer to work with the City of Boerne for a most-needed industrial park. City water available. City sewer service in progress. Approx. 1400 feet of frontage on Shooting Club Road with additional access on Hwy 87 (Main Street). The property is under Ag-Exemption. 39 horse stalls, office and apartment to be removed. Contact listing agent for full details.

PRIVATE REAL ESTATE

TRANSACTIONS • FAMILY • ESTATES • COMMERCIAL • INVESTORS (210) 415-8483 – Call for Details

Phillip Bell

Realtor®, GREEN/Consultant

210.415.8483 pbell@texas.net

phillipbell.net

12 Ac Commercial IH-10 frontage: Twelve acres (out of 33 ac estate) with approx. 1,250 ft. frontage on IH-10 access road offered for commercial development. Can be sold as 2- 6 ac lots. Located 2 miles west of Boerne city limits in the ETJ, next to North 40 Business Park. Call for details: 210-415-8483.

It’s in My DNA!

LAND

Pre-Development 12 Ac IH-10 Access Rd in ETJ 28 Ac Hwy 87 & Shooting Club Rd Zoned "I"

pbell@texas.net

other unlisted commercial properties available! 28

B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

cont’d

newsworthy

Bending Branch Winery announces departure

John Rivenburgh is leaving Bending Branch Winery after 9 years

Bending Branch Winery announced today that co-founder and grapegrower/winemaker John J. Rivenburgh will be leaving to pursue other projects. He will remain at Bending Branch Winery through the transition over the next few months. "It has been an inspiring time working together with John over the last 9 years. His creativity and innovation in all areas of the wine business are exceptional. He is already an important leader in the Texas wine industry and he will continue to make great contributions in the years to come," co-founder and winemaker Robert W. Young, M.D., said. Young and Rivenburgh made the first Texas wine under the Bending Branch label in 2008 and co-founded the winery in 2009. They've made wine each successive vintage, growing the program from 1 to 27 wines and producing approximately 15,000 cases in 2015. Together, they have pioneered new grape varieties for the state, including Tannat, Sagrantino, Souzão, Charbono, and Picpoul Blanc. They've employed groundbreaking technology in winemaking, including using flash détente, and Bending Branch Winery is the world leader in cryomaceration. In the past year, the winery began offering custom crush and vineyard management contract services. "Bending Branch Winery will continue to make premium world-class wines building on our foundation of great vineyard partners and cutting-edge winemaking techniques," Young said. Rivenburgh is very active within the wine industry. He helped lay the groundwork for the Texas Hill Country Wineries Association. During his three-year tenure as Member at Large, Vice President, and President of the Texas Hill Country Wineries, the group doubled in size and matured from a small wine trail to a large industry organization. Rivenburgh was integral in developing the Hill Country Growers Committee and increasing education and research to establish more grape growers within the state. He was Member at Large and Treasurer for the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association and has served on the Texas legislative committee for three years. During that time, Rivenburgh has been instrumental in furthering growth of the state's wine industry. He helped develop the bill that re-established the Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner's Advisory Panel on which he serves for the Texas wine industry. "To all my friends, colleagues, and family, I've had a great 9 years growing and developing this brand. I truly love these wines and the foundation they have created in the Texas wine industry. At the same time, I'm excited to be working toward creating new wines and services for the Texas wine industry," Rivenburgh said.

About Bending Branch Winery Bending Branch Winery sits on a 56-acre estate nestled in the Texas Hill Country. There are 20 acres of grapevines planted with 17 varieties, and the winery harvests grapes from 8 vineyards throughout the Texas Hill Country and Texas High Plains American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Bending Branch Winery has two tasting rooms that are open Thursday through Sunday at 142 Lindner Branch Trail, and at Branch on High, 704 High St., both in Comfort, Texas. BBM

ALL OF OUR LINES ARE MEMBER SERVICE LINES. Some deliver electricity. Others deliver information. All must deliver on the Bandera Electric Cooperative mission: to enhance the quality of life by providing highly reliable electricity. Learn more about your cooperative at (866)226-3372 or visit BanderaElectric.com.

YOUR SOURCE OF POWER AND INFORMATION. boernebusinessmonthly.com

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B oerne B usiness M onthly | March 2016

222 S. Main | Boerne, Texas

830.249.7979

www.hillcountryproperties.net PRICE REDUCED!!

1776 Privilege Creek – Pipe Creek, Tx

High on a hilltop hugging Privilege Creek is an impressive 27± acre estate with a custom plantation style 5bd/3ba Clark Lang home and a 1380 sq. ft. 2bd/2ba log cabin. What a beautiful retreat! Inspiring views abound from the back porch of the log home to the back yard gazebo to the east wall of windows in the expansive living/dining rooms to the spacious 2nd story east & west balconies for sunrise/sunset relaxation. Approx. 1000ft of Privilege Creek for your own private water play area with springs.

MLS#1128324 | $985,000 Contact Carol Schultz – (210) 268-3691

Mystic Shores Subdivision 305 Warbler Drive – Spring Branch

141 Shin Oak Way - Tierra Linda - Gillespie County

Beautiful 7 acre residential estate offering spacious living accommodations for your active family. The 3,700 sq. ft. main house has been tastefully remodeled. Hand scraped wood flooring, large game room, living room w/wood burning fireplace, large Master Bedroom w/private office, state of the art appliances, Guest House and large workshop.

MLS#1149575 | $925,000 Contact Steve Bennett – (210) 287-3776

Cibolo Oaks Landing Subdivision 163 Oak Acre Lane - Boerne

Welcome to your dream home in Mystic shores with a sprawling floor plan & Hill Country Views! Offering 4Bds/3.5Ba, 3+car garage, formal dining, study, butler’s pantry, HUGE mud room, and split floor plan. Master suite with walk-in closets, shower, and separate garden tub. 1.03 Acre lot with pipe fenced back yard, a new 5 ton AC unit in 2014, and a new water heater in 2016. Granite counters, gas cooking, large rock fireplace, beautiful wood flooring, large back porch and deck to soak in views and entertain!

Charming home on nearly ½ acre with great flow for entertaining. Granite in kitchen and all baths with newer cabinets. Tiled showers. Scraped wood floors, 16” tile in kitchen, high ceilings, floor to ceiling fireplace, patio access from kitchen, living and master. Large bedrooms with walk-in closets. Oversized garage. Backs to greenbelt. New roof, heating & cooling units 2010. No city taxes or HOA. Mature pecan trees. Country feel but close to town. $297,000

MLS#1162121 | $469,000 Contact Scarlett Wolter – (210) 254-7414

MLS#1163560 | $297,000 Contact Carol Schultz – (210) 268-3691

Experience • Skill • Dedication

boernebusinessmonthly.com