LOCAL: Bracken, Cibolo, Garden Ridge, Schertz, Selma, October 2014

CALL FOR ACTION ON YOUTH SPORTS

PG.18 SAS WANTS CHANGES ACROSS BOARD FOR PROGRAMS INSIDE

MEDICAL GUIDE

PG.14 Bringing you the most recent news and latest trends in health care VOL. 2, ISSUE 4

BRACKEN

CIBOLO

GARDEN RIDGE

COMMUNITY NEWS

SCHERTZ

SELMA

10/2014

PG. 03 LOCAL COMMENTARY SUSAN YERKES WHAT'S

INSIDE YOUR COMMUNITY

PG.20 BUY LOCAL

ELECTIONS first look

GRIFFIN PEST CONTROL Selma business treats customers like family

PG.21 EAT LOCAL

MATTENGA’S PIZZA Fresh ingredients, authentic foods at Schertz eatery

FANTASTIC DEALS

COUPONS INSIDE Discover the city through LOCAL deals from restaurants, retailers and services in your community, and save money while you do it! PG. 23

WWW.SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

GETTING A

SECOND CHANCE PG.22 Garden Ridge woman helps

oversee theater productions, ghostly docudrama

PG.12 Old candidates,

new issues for Schertz, Cibolo voters

Nov. 4 elections will decide course of future growth

2

OCTOBER 2014

FROM THE EDITOR

presents the First Annual

HEAR for the HOLIDAYS

giveaway

Do you have a friend or family member who could benefit from hearing aids? Have they gone without these necessary devices due to cost or financial setbacks? Here is your chance to give them the perfect holiday gift!

One deserving candidate will be chosen to receive a pair of hearing aids courtesy of Doss Audiology.

For candidacy qualifications see our nomination application available online at www.dossaudiology.com or in our office.

Submissions may be mailed or emailed to info@dossaudiology.com

by November 17.

A winner will be announced on November 21, 2014.

Don’t delay.

Nominate today!

Doss Audiology & Hearing Center 5000 Schertz Parkway Suite 300 Schertz, TX 78154 210.819.5002 info@dossaudiology.com www.dossaudiology.com

wwright@salocallowdown.com

President Harold J. Lees

Publisher Gregg Rosenfield

VP Sales Anna Davis

Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton

EDITORIAL Executive Editor Thomas Edwards Managing Editor Will Wright News Staff Collette Orquiz and Bain Serna Contributing Writers J.E. Jordan, Miranda Koerner, Eric Moreno, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Florence Edwards Advertising Design Pete Morales Contributing Photographer Joshua Michael ADVERTISING Account Managers Dawn Radick and Joe Rieras Controller Keith Sanders READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Phone (210) 338.8842 Fax (210) 616.9677 Advertising Inquiries rupton@salocallowdown.com Story Ideas tips@salocallowdown.com Website www.salocallowdown.com LOCAL Community News publications Zone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215 Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249 Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247 Zone 4: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 Zone 6: 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2014 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 San Antonio, TX 78229

Step up against breast cancer

O

ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual observance to draw more attention to the disease that takes the lives of thousands of women – and yes, men – each year across the United States.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 232,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2014. The organization forecasts 40,000 will succumb to the most deadly metatastic form of the disease.

Along with the traditional orange and brown colors of October, pink has also become another symbolic shade of the month. Awareness campaigns – geared to educate about early detection screenings and diagnoses – have encouraged folks to wear pink ribbons, T-shirts, hair bands, shoelaces, including all-pink jerseys and accessories worn by players on college and professional sports teams.

Wearing pink has also heightened efforts to showcase another color – green. Through a variety of events and activities, October has become a leading fundraising month in the effort to combat this deadly disease. Many functions have been held or are scheduled later this fall in the San Antonio area.

One notable event was the Oct. 18 Circle of Cancer Care’s “Rita’s Give Back Gala,” a benefit to support female cancer patients in northeast San Antonio, Schertz and Cibolo, at the Schertz Civic Center.

Another is the “Fight Like a Texas Girl Breast Cancer Awareness Health Fair,” set for 4-7 p.m. Oct. 23 and co-sponsored by the nonprofit Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing — or WINGS — and Northeast Methodist Hospital, which will host the free event at 12412 Judson Road.

More information is available at the Susan G. Komen Foundation website at komensanantonio.org, and links at other cancer-fighting websites.

WILL WRIGHT MANAGING EDITOR FACEBOOK.COM/SALOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

LOCAL COMMENTARY

Can you spare some food for thought?

by SUSAN YERKES

T

hey say it’s more blessed to give than to receive. And San Antonio’s top cop has given us all food for thought when it comes to begging.

Police Chief William McManus will retire from the force to take a $200,000plus job at CPS Energy in December. But before his departure, he pushed hard for the City Council to adopt an ordinance making it illegal to give anything of value — even food — to panhandlers.

McManus has been a popular police chief. I’m among his fans, as a rule. But like many, I thought this was a bad idea from the start. And fortunately, so did most members of the council’s Public Safety Committee. In early October, when McManus realized his idea was going down in flames, he dropped it.

I can see how police get frustrated with panhandlers. From the guy waving an “ANYTHING HELPS” placard in the median of a busy street to the sidewalk loungers trolling for spare change, beggars can range from irritating to downright dangerous. But tasking San Antonio police with handing out fines to ordinary folks who want to give seems like the wrong way to deal with the problem. And there are already laws against begging within 50 feet of crosswalks, ATMs, bank doors, bus stops, check-cashing businesses, restaurants, parking meters and other favorite panhandling posts.

Those measures may well have curbed some public panhandling, but the practice still persists. The poor will always be with us. And some of the poor will always

3 be more aggressive than others about asking “them who have” for handouts.

A few cities have passed laws requiring panhandlers to obtain official licenses to beg. But some of those have been declared unconstitutional (remember freedom of speech?) And frankly, it’s hard to imagine the wild-haired guy with the sign or the sidewalk loungers going through the governmental red tape to get a begging license.

Finding ways to discourage people from asking for money, food or shelter can be tricky. Just making rules defining who has a “good” reason to ask is a challenge.

Does the wild-haired newspaper hawker standing in the median collecting cash for his corporate employer have a more legally acceptable right to be there than the wildhaired guy flying a hand-scrawled sign?

It would be great if we could know in advance exactly how our donations will be used, so we support only behavior we approve. But even the biggest, most respectable charities can’t always guarantee that what we give them will be spent on what we value. Of course, it ought to be against the law to solicit other people’s money on false pretenses. Oh, wait — it already is!

We already have ordinances prohibiting panhandling, being a public nuisance, buying illegal drugs, public drunkenness and just about anything another ordinance could prohibit. What we need are more constructive ideas about real solutions.

There is one good thing that may come from McManus’ bad idea about how to end begging. Perhaps the flap the chief caused will make all of us in San Antonio, Bexar County and surrounding areas think more constructively about how to deal with the dispossessed, and how to give to those in need in more truly helpful ways. Perhaps it will create a new and positive public dialogue about the poor who are mentally ill, or rampant drug and alcohol addiction.

Or who knows? Perhaps, now that the flood of undocumented immigrants across the Texas border has reportedly slowed down, those gun-toting, antigovernment militia folks who went down to “help” the Border Patrol will find a new mission — coming to San Antonio to scare the panhandlers into leaving town. This is Texas, after all.

TASKING SAN ANTONIO POLICE WITH HANDING OUT FINES TO ORDINARY FOLKS WHO WANT TO GIVE SEEMS LIKE THE WRONG WAY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.

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OCTOBER 2014

OUR TURN Views and opinions about your community

Drivers, hang up

D

istracted drivers are the No. 1 menace on the road right now.

For that reason, San Antonio is moving in the right direction with a total ban on cellphone use while driving, including texting, unless a hands-free device is used.

The San Antonio proposal is in addition to a new state law that makes it illegal to dial, text or otherwise use a cellphone in a school zone unless there is an emergency or the driver has pulled over.

Outgoing San Antonio Police Chief William McManus has argued the last few years for a full ban on mobile devices.

In 2010, the city prohibited using a hand-held mobile device (except for dialing telephone numbers or talking to another person) while driving a vehicle, with a fine not to exceed $200 per violation.

In the time since the ban was approved by the City Council, police report there have been more than 1,900 accidents attributed to distracted motorists using hand-held mobile devices. Six of those involved fatalities

and 28 resulted in serious injuries.

Meanwhile, officers since 2009 have also issued 7,038 citations to drivers using hand-held mobile devices.

Some argue that existing distracteddriver laws are adequate, but police say they are virtually unenforceable.

District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher is pushing for the total prohibition on cellphone use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that a driver conversing on a cellphone is 30 percent more likely to be involved in a wreck.

According to Gallagher, 23 cities in Texas, including San Antonio, have some sort of texting ban.

It’s already well known that driving and texting take a driver’s attention away from the road, decreasing handeye coordination and response time.

Best advice? Two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road.

Gallagher’s call to toughen the distracted-driver law is not about too much government control. Instead, it is a means to keep everyone safer on area roadways.

-The Local Community News editorial board includes Harry Lees, Gregg Rosenfield and Thomas Edwards.

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OCTOBER 2014

LOCAL LETTERS CONVERSE EDC WORKS WITH JBSA-RANDOLPH

EDITOR: I would like to take this opportunity to bring clarity to my comments in response to a letter (from Air Force Col. Matt Isler, commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph) that appeared in the letters in the August 2014 LOCAL Community News.

The Converse Economic Development Corp. recognizes the significant local economic impact JBSA-Randolph brings to this region, and we would not do anything to ever negatively impact the base’s mission.

Converse enjoys a positive relationship with the base and intends to continue that relationship well into the future.

Converse and the EDC have been participating in the Joint Land Use Study Committee meetings in both executive and advisory capacities. During the process, certain potential land-use compatibility issues arose related to the Clear Zones.

While the installation provided coordination on Converse’s 1604 Corridor Plan in 2013, what the article does not reflect

is how the city and the EDC have since met with the wing commander and landowners, and we have been working to amend our 1604 Corridor Plan to address these potential impacts to development in order to allow for economic development alongside safe execution of the Air Force’s mission.

We certainly do not ever intend to harm or undermine the mission of the men and women who work to protect our nation, and we will do everything within our power to ensure the continued success of the Air Force at JBSA-Randolph.

Katherine E. Silvas Converse EDC executive director - We love to hear from readers. Letters to the editor should not be longer than 250 words. Email them to tedwards@ salocallowdown.com or mail to LOCAL Community News, 4202 Gardendale St., Suite 201, San Antonio, TX 78229. LOCAL reserves the right to edit the letters for length, grammar and taste.

WWW.SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/SALOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS

Helping Clients Find a Better Solution

HAPPENING LOCAL

Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.

OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH

HAPPENING KEY

FITNESS

ART

TALK

OUTDOOR

MUSIC

FOOD

ALAMO CITY MILITARIA EXPO Military antiques and collectibles from a variety of dealers and individuals will be sold 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 509 Schertz Parkway. Admission is $6 for adults; free for ages 12 and under. For more, call 843-6012 or 512-731-7093; or visit www.acmemilexpo.com.

SCHERTZ TRUNK OR TREAT The city of Schertz’s Police, Fire and EMS departments, and area businesses, sponsor the annual event, an alternative to traditional trick-or treating, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the large pavilion in Pickrell Park, 703 Oak St. Candy and other treats will be shared by participants. For more, contact John Perry at 619-1300.

CIBOLO VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH FALL FEST The annual free event will be 6-8 p.m. at the church, 5500 FM 1103 in Cibolo.

Slated as a safe alternative for traditional trick-or-treating, the event features prizes, a moonwalk, face painting, cake walk, dunking booth, duck pond, ring toss and more. All ages, with or without costumes, are welcome. For more, call 658-0525 or visit www.cibolovalleychurch.org.

MORGAN’S WONDERLAND HALLOWEEN BENEFIT A “More Delightful Than Frightful” Halloween celebration, benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank, is 5-9 p.m. at Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. Children 12 and under, and specialneeds individuals of all ages, are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and help

OCT 25

OCT 31

OCT 31

OCT 31

HAPPENING continues on pg. 08

Military/First Responder

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REAL EMERGENCY CARE FROM A

REAL FULL-SERVICE HOSPITAL. On average, you’ll be seen in 9 minutes or less by a qualified medical professional.* Northeast Methodist Hospital is your neighborhood hospital with an outstanding full-service ER that is equipped to assess your situation in minutes.

A campus of Methodist Hospital, Northeast Methodist Hospital is staffed with emergency care trained physicians that are there for you 24/7. This facility is not only close to you and your family, it is designated as an accredited Chest Pain Center as well as a Joint Commission Certified Stroke Center. The expanded cardiac cath lab allows us to deliver a high level of cardiac and intensive care to those in need.

You don’t know what type of treatment you may need during or after an emergency.

You want to go where you’ll receive expert care from physicians, nurses and technicians, as well as having specialists and equipment such as MRI and surgical units just in case. Northeast Methodist Hospital Emergency Department offers full-service emergency care at one of the most comprehensive hospitals in the area, so you can be treated, not transported for care.

*Based on average wait times from June – August 2014.

Other specialties.

Outstanding and speedy ER care isn’t the only thing Northeast Methodist Hospital is known for. The Joint Academy specializes in a complete rehabilitation program with a coordinated approach to hip and knee replacement surgery. In addition, our new da Vinci surgical system offers minimally invasive procedures — both dramatically reducing the size of an incision and recovery times.

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8

OCTOBER 2014

HAPPENING continues from pg. 06 fight hunger in 16 South Texas counties.

Admission is free for those who donate at least three nonperishable-food items and those with special needs, otherwise $5. For more, visit www.MorgansWonderland.com.

BRACKEN UNITED METHODIST PUMPKIN PATCH Daily, the church is holding its 13th annual seasonal event, 9 a.m. to dusk, on its grounds at 20377 FM 2252, 1½ miles northeast of the FM 3009 intersection.

Fun-filled festivities feature fantasy characters, thousands of pumpkins and costumed scarecrows – all serving as photo backdrops. On evenings and weekends, there are hayrides and the special Pumpkin Patch Express Train for children. For more, contact the church at 830-606-6717.

THROUGH OCT 31

FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW The event, sponsored by the Good Shepherd Catholic Church Altar Society, will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 1065 E. Live Oak Road in Schertz. An array of hand-crafted and holiday gifts and home décor items will be featured, with concessions available.

NOV 1

For vending information, call Aurora at 658-4396 or Bea at 659-9132.

HAL BALDWIN SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNEY The Olympia Hills Golf and Conference Center, 12900 Mount Olympus St. in Universal City, will host the fourth annual tournament, a fundraiser to motivate high school students toward pursuing leadership roles in civic government. Player check-in begins at 8 a.m., with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. The $75 fee, if paid before Oct. 24, includes breakfast, lunch and green fees; cost is $90 thereafter. For more, call 6191000, or go to www.visitschertz.com for sponsorship and registration information.

NOV 7

WURSTFEST IN NEW BRAUNFELS The 54th annual “Salute to Sausage,” held at 178 Landa Park Drive in New Braunfels, features a variety of daily events, food booths and activities.

Wurstfest opens 5 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more, including ticket and schedule information, call 830-625-9167, 800-2214369 (toll-free) or visit Wurstfest.com.

NOV 7-16

KRIS KRINGLE MARKET Main Street businesses in Schertz will host a Kris Kringle Market 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 816 Main St. in Schertz.

An eclectic mix of items from more than 50 artisans and vendors will be on display, along with a silent auction benefiting Angels for Animals and the city’s Animal Adoption Center. For more, call 658-8887.

NOV 15

OLD GRUENE MARKET DAYS Nearly 100 vendors will be offering crafted items and packaged Texas foods from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days in historic Gruene in New Braunfels. Photos with Cowboy Kringle, taken in the breezeway between Gruene General Store and The Grapevine, will benefit Communities in Schools of South Central Texas. For more, call 830-8321721 or visit GrueneMarketDays.com.

NOV 15-16

OUT OF THE DARKNESS COMMUNITY WALK The San Antonio chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts the walking fundraiser at Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. Registration begins at 7 a.m.; the three- to five-mile walk lasts

NOV 16

from 8 a.m. to noon. For more, visit afsp. donordrive.com/event/sanantonio.

SCHERTZ CHAMBER EVENTS The Schertz Chamber of Commerce has these events in October and November: The Oct. 21 luncheon featuring “Health Marketplace Updates” from Heather Garcia of ETC HR is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Admission is $28, $18 for members.

A “Meet the Candidates Forum” featuring city council hopefuls from Schertz and Cibolo is 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Schertz Civic Center. The public is invited to the free event.

The application deadline for the next session of the Leadership CORE class, beginning January 2015, is Oct. 30.

Applications are available at the Chamber’s website; call for more information.

The After Hours Mixer, Pawderosa Ranch Doggie Play and Stay, will be 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 6 at 7 Commercial Place in Schertz. The event features

OCT -NOV

HAPPENING continues on pg. 09

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM HAPPENING continues from pg. 08

at the Austin Square and Round Dance Association website, www.asrda.org.

food, beverages and a cash drawing.

Admission is $10; free for members.

The Chamber’s annual Member Appreciation and Awards Banquet is 6-10:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Schertz Civic Center. Presented by Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, the event honors outstanding members, and features comedian Cleto Rodriguez and live music. Tickets are $75, $50 for members.

For more, call the Chamber offices.

Schertz Chamber Toastmasters convene each Monday at 6:45 p.m. at the Comfort Inn & Suites meeting room, 5571 Interstate 35 North in Selma.

For more on all events, call 566-9000 or visit www.schertzchamber.org.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH FREE SUPPER MONTHLY During the first Wednesday of each month, St. Paul Evangelical Church, 108 S. Main St. in Cibolo, serves a free dinner 6-7:30 p.m.

For more, call the church at 658-5874.

CIBOLO GRANGE The nonprofit agricultural and civic organization hosts a Farmers and Artisans Market each Thursday 2-6 p.m. at Grange Hall, 413 N. Main St. in Cibolo. For more, visit CiboloGrangeFarmersMarket/Facebook.

WEEKLY

Matthew Guthrie, left, and James Parker film “La Llorona,” which will premiere at Texas Lutheran University in November. See story on page 22. Photo courtesy Matthew Ward.

FUNDANCERS’ CALLER SCHEDULE The FunDancers’ Square and Line Dance Club meets each Sunday

WEEKLY

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FACEBOOK.COM/SALOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS

COOKING WELL WITH DIABETES NOVEMBER Participants learn to prepare diabetic-friendly recipes and nutritionally modify favorite meals at Schertz United Methodist Church, 3460 Roy Richard Drive in Schertz. Enrollees are expected to attend all sessions held Mondays 5:307:30 p.m. for four weeks beginning Nov. 3.

Cost is $20 per person, payable before the first class. Payments can be mailed to the Guadalupe County Extension Office, 216 E. College St., Seguin, TX, 78155. For more, contact Charla Bading, Guadalupe County Family and Consumer Science agent, at 830-303-3889 or email c-bading@tamu.edu.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all

at Community Center North, 4923 Morning Drive in Schertz. Lessons start at 5 p.m., with dances 7-9 p.m. For more, visit the club’s information link

the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@salocallowdown.com.

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OCTOBER 2014

LOCAL LOWDOWN Take a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.

Open and Opening Soon GRIFFIN PEST CONTROL, 17170

Jordan Road, Suite 206 in Selma, is a family-owned, pest-control business.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more, call 5666100 or visit www.griffinpestcontrol. com or GriffinPestControl/ Facebook. (See story on page 20)

MATTENGA’S PIZZERIA, 6044 FM 3009, Suite 290 in Schertz, is a family-owned and operated pizza parlor. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday; from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 592-1138 or visit www.mattengas.com or MattengasPizzeria/ Facebook. (See story on page 21) TOTAL HEALTH PRIMARY CARE, PLLC, 5016 FM 1518 in Selma, provides

Address of local business Name of local business

routine physicals, allergies, sleeping studies, back pain, osteopathic manipulation and other procedures. Open 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. For more, call 6549300 or visit www.thewrightdoctors.com.

K&I HEALTH AND BEAUTY SPA,

1420 Schertz Parkway, Suite 160 in Schertz, recently opened, offering body massages, facials and beauty services.

Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more, call 257-9509 or visit www.knihealthandbeautyspa.com or KniHealthandBeautySpa/Facebook.

SUZIE’S THRIFT AND GIFTS, 205 First

St. in Schertz, offers resale and gift items, antiques and other vintage items, including canned goods and candles.

Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more, call 399-9083 or visit SuziesThriftandGifts/Facebook.

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IN OTHER NEWS COMAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES officially set the district’s debt service tax rate at $0.35, a 4-cent decrease from the previous $0.39, during their monthly meeting on Sept. 18. Citing increased appraisal values, as well as desire to retire $6.5 million of debt early to save $1.5 million in interest, the board also approved keeping the Maintenance and Operations tax rate at $1.04, resulting in a combined tax rate of $1.39 per $100 assessed property valuation.

“Tonight’s action is a fiscally responsible decision as we are able to pay off debt early, which results in interest savings, and provides taxpayers with relief,” said David Drastata, CISD board president. “When you factor in the 20 percent homestead exemption Comal ISD provides on top of

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the $15,000 homestead exemption granted by the state, residents of Comal ISD will be paying an effective tax rate of approximately $1.12. No other school district in our area provides that type of benefit to its residents.”

Appraisal values for 2014 rose 13 percent over last year from $10.5 billion to $11.9 billion. However, because of the tax rate reduction, taxpayers will see less of an increase.

AIR FORCE CAPT. JAMES HARRIS returned from Afghanistan to surprise his school-aged kids during events at two Comal Independent School District campuses on Sept. 19.

As Indian Springs Elementary School fifthgrader Jaden Harris proudly introduced his uncle, Dolando Puller, as his dad’s standin during the school’s Fathers Luncheon, the captain returned from a seven-month deployment to give his son the shock of his young life with a big homecoming hug.

“It was totally unexpected,” Jaden said.

“It’s so much better when he’s home.”

After eating lunch with Jaden, Harris and his wife Maite traveled to Smithson Valley High School for a second surprise. With

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 11

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM LOWDOWN continues from pg. 10 members of the school’s Navy JROTC lining the stairs and cheerleaders holding welcome-home signs, Harris waited at the main indoor stairway as a staffer retrieved his daughter, junior Kia, from class. Kia sped down the stairs to embrace her dad. “I’m very emotional right now,” she said. “I didn’t expect him back for at least another two months.” After a long clinch, Harris gave his daughter a bouquet of flowers and a necklace, before personally thanking every SVHS JROTC member.

“This day has been absolutely amazing,” he said. “There truly is no place like home.”

SCHOOLS CELEBRATED GRANDPARENTS MONTH as grandmothers and grandfathers of students attending many Comal Independent School District campuses ate breakfast or lunch with their grandkids and visited classrooms.

National Grandparents Day was Sept.

7, but the district celebrated many campuses events throughout the month.

“This means a great deal and I enjoy Grandparents Day tremendously,” said Debbie Babcock, who visited her grandchildren, Landry and Logan, at Indian Springs Elementary. “It gives grandparents a chance to meet the teachers, and see the environment their grandchildren are in at school. Any chance a grandparent gets to spend with their grandchild is a great time. There’s nothing more important to a grandparent than their grandchildren.”

More than 300 grandparents visited Freiheit and Indian Springs elementary schools.

“The kids were thrilled to have their grandparents here,” said Marisa Wulfsberg, Indian Springs Elementary principal. “The teachers had activities planned, such as having grandparents reading stories with their grandchildren.

Everyone enjoyed it so much.”

CANYON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES RETURNED to their roots, as Jorie Mueller and Magen Patterson, both 2010 alumnae of Canyon High School, are now serving as first-year kindergarten teachers at Garden Ridge Elementary School.

Ever since she attended fourth grade at Comal Elementary, Mueller knew she wanted to teach. Mueller, who also attended Canyon Middle School, only had to wait 12 years for her dream job. After graduating from Texas State University this May, she was hired by Garden Ridge Elementary.

“I feel very fortunate to be in the only district I’ve ever known,” Mueller said.

“It’s such a unique experience to be able to now call teachers I knew when I was in elementary school my colleagues.”

Mueller joins current GRES faculty

Monika Arnold, Vicki Ward, Cheryl Martin, Melissa Zipp, Mary Kay Erben, Laura Cannon, Alma Martinez and Deborah Windecker, all of whom also attended Comal Elementary. Patterson didn’t arrive at Canyon High until transferring in her junior year, but it didn’t take long to discover the Comal Independent School District spirit.

“I loved everything about Canyon High, even though I only attended the school for two years,” said Patterson, who graduated from Texas Lutheran University in May. “I could sense the pride everyone in Comal ISD had. Coming back to the district to teach makes me feel like I’m building on the foundation I started at Canyon High.”

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS were the beneficiaries of the first-ever “Dining With The Stars” event, hosted by McAdoo’s Seafood Co. in New Braunfels on Sept. 30.

“We are so excited to be a part of this new event,” said Chris Douglas, executive director of CIS, a nonprofit that partners with local school districts, businesses and community organizations to empower at-risk students to stay in school and do well in life.

Events included a special menu, select beer and wine offerings, live entertainment and bucket raffles.

Among the celebrities scheduled to serve as waiters were New Braunfels City Manager Robert Camareno, Schertz Mayor Mike Carpenter, SchertzCibolo-Universal City Independent School District Superintendent Greg Gibson, Comal County Commissioners Scott Haag and Donna Eccleston, Comal County Judge Sherman Krause, Guadalupe County District Attorney Heather McMinn and Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp.

INDIAN SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL held a Sept. 9 pep rally celebrating an endowment designed to produce transformational results such as higher academic achievement, fewer discipline problems, and increased engagement among teachers and parents.

“The Leader in Me” grant, based on author Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” equips students with self-confidence and abilities needed to thrive in the 21st-century economy.

“This program will not only teach our students skills they will use in elementary school, but as adults one day,” said Marisa Wulfsberg, Indian Springs Elementary principal.

The rally included a surprise visit from the world-famous Spurs Coyote, who received cheers from more than 700 students.

12

OCTOBER 2014

ELECTIONS continues from pg. 01

Cibolo bond issue to address roads, infrastructure

by WILL WRIGHT

T

housands of Metrocom residents head to the polls Nov. 4 to cast ballots in national, state and local elections, including two City Council races and a mayor in Schertz, and four council members and three bond proposals in Cibolo.

Cibolo voters will decide three bond proposals in November. One is designed to improve roads in advance of commercial development, such as the Cibolo Market Place center being constructed at North Main Street and FM 1103. Photo by Joshua Michael

Henry Flores, who holds a distinguished professor’s seat in political science at St. Mary’s University, said past data indicates light turnouts in off-year elections. However, he added that local personalities and issues could sometimes draw crowds to the polls.

“Historically it’s been very low – in San Antonio, I’ve seen it as low as 8 percent,” he said of local turnouts in nonpresidential elections. “I would think in

smaller municipalities it might be that low, or lower, but if personalities get involved and there are burning issues, it could involve everybody and go much higher.”

In Schertz, Mayor Michael Carpenter again faces challenger Steve White, the city’s former Economic Development Corp. director, who lost the race to Carpenter in 2012. Place 1 incumbent Jim Fowler opposes Bert Crawford, while incumbent and Mayor Pro Tem David Scagliola squares off

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against Grumpy Azzoz for his Place 2 seat.

After losing to longtime Mayor Hal Baldwin in 2010, Carpenter was elected in a three-way race in a special election held seven months after Baldwin’s 2012 death. Carpenter was first elected to the council in 2005.

Fowler seeks his fifth term on the council against Crawford, who lost to Daryl John for the Place 3 spot in 2013.

Azzoz, loser to Place 4 Councilman

Cedric Edwards in 2013, again runs – this time against Scagliola, who seeks a fourth term after losing the Republican primary for Precinct 4 Guadalupe County commissioner last spring.

Development is brisk in Schertz, and several bond projects approved by voters in 2010 have, or are on schedule to, become reality. Officials are planning additional improvements to city streets and facilities.

Meanwhile, Cibolo — the fastestgrowing city in Guadalupe County — is still reeling from the aftereffects of last year’s recall election sparked by a flap over a new Walmart. In spite of political upheavals, the city has attracted businesses while trying to satisfy residents’ quality of life.

Voters there will choose council members in four single-member districts.

Two incumbents, both appointed to spots vacated by recalled council members, are now running unopposed for full terms.

In December 2013, Jim Doty was appointed to the seat vacated after Karen Hale’s recall, and Jay Hogue was named to succeed recalled Place 6 council member and Mayor Pro Tem Steve Liparoto.

Doty, who during the summer briefly

ELECTIONS continues on pg. 13

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM ELECTIONS continues from pg. 12 forfeited his position after mistakenly filing for a seat on the Green Valley Special Utility District’s board of directors, was reinstated in September and is running unopposed in District 4. Hogue also is unopposed for a full term.

The two contested races include District 1, where Dave Caplan and Jennifer Schultes vie to succeed incumbent Ron Pedde, who survived last year’s recall by one vote. Jim Russell is challenging another recall survivor, Mayor Pro Tem and District 5 incumbent Larry Carlton.

In addition, Cibolo voters will decide three bond proposals. Proposition 1 involves issuing $7 million in general-obligation bonds for improvements to streets, bridges and sidewalks, and additional betterments to FM 1103. Proposition 2 would appropriate $4 million to create a new fire station and improve public-safety facilities. Proposition 3 would designate $2.5 million for additional street improvements, specifically along Haeckerville Road.

City officials said if approved, the projects would be spread out over four years. Cibolo voters approved a $2.8 million bond issue to upgrade two

major intersections and other Fire Department facilities last November.

Those and other planned infrastructure upgrades are designed to handle additional traffic in Cibolo, where 13 new businesses have set up shop since 2011 with others on the drawing board.

The most prominent retail projects are the controversial Walmart Supercenter at Cibolo Valley Drive; a commercial center slated to house a new H-E-B and other businesses at the corner of North Main Street and FM 1103; and Cibolo Market Place, a 24,000-squarefoot retail center already under construction at 701 N. Main. All hoped to bolster the city’s tax base, largely being shouldered by residential taxpayers.

On Oct. 23, the Schertz Chamber of Commerce will host a “Meet the Candidates Forum,” featuring Schertz and Cibolo council candidates from 6-8 p.m. in Building 5 of the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway.

Early voting begins Oct. 20 and ends Oct. 31. For more – including poll locations – visit election links at the Schertz and Cibolo city websites, and elections department links at websites in Bexar, Guadalupe and Comal counties.

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If you work for a medium-to-large company, you may now be entering the “open enrollment” period — that time of year when you get to make changes to your employee benefits.

Your benefit package can be a big piece of your overall financial picture, so you’ll want to make the right moves — especially in regard to your employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Take a close look at your 401(k) or similar plan, such as a 403(b), if you work for a school or a nonprofit group, or a 457(b), if you work for a state or local government. And keep these possible moves in mind: Boost your contributions. If your salary has gone up over the past year, or if you just think you have a reasonable “cushion” in your disposable income, boost your contributions to your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Even if you can’t afford to contribute the maximum amount — which, in 2014, is $17,500, or $23,000 if you’re 50 or older — to your 401(k) or similar plan, try to put in as much as you can afford. Remember the key benefits of these plans: Your money can grow tax deferred and your contributions can lower your annual taxable income. (Keep in mind, though, that you will eventually be taxed on your withdrawals, and any withdrawals you take before you reach 59½ may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty.)

Don’t miss the match. Try to take full advantage of your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered. Your employer may match 50% of employee contributions, up to the first 6% of your salary. So if you’re only deferring 3% of your income, you are missing half the match — or leaving money “on the table,” so to speak.

Rebalance, if necessary. You may be able to change the investment mix of your employersponsored retirement plan throughout the year, but you might find that the best time to review your holdings and rebalance your portfolio is during open enrollment, when you’re reviewing all your benefit options. Try to determine if your investment allocation is still appropriate for your needs or if you own some investments that are chronically under performing. And always keep in mind the need to diversify. Try to spread your money around a variety of investments within your plan, with the exact percentages of each investment depending on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. As you near retirement, you may need to lower your overall risk level, but even at this stage of your career, you’ll benefit from a diversified portfolio. While diversification can’t guarantee a profit or protect against loss, it can help reduce the impact of volatility on your holdings.

Review your beneficiary designations. Your retirement plan’s beneficiary designations are important and, in fact, can even supersede the wishes you express in your will. So if you experience changes in your life — marriage, remarriage, a birth or an adoption, etc. — you’ll need to update the beneficiary designations on your 401(k) or similar plan. It won’t take much time today — and it can help prevent a lot of trouble tomorrow.

You work hard for the money that goes into your retirement plan —so make sure your plan is working hard for you.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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L

osing weight – it’s on everyone’s mind. New and improved solutions appear on the cover of nearly every magazine next to the supermarket checkout counter.

For every need there’s a diet, an exercise plan, a medical procedure or a device guaranteed to work.

Locally, there are many options available to those who want to go beyond the traditional, self-orchestrated caloriecounting and gym-membership approach.

Wellness coach Jeff Carrell runs the Functional Fitness Center at Alamo Heights Chiropractic Health Center, 4501 McCullough Ave., Suite 107. Carrell said the center’s healthy weight-loss program works because it’s customized to the individual.

“I always tell people they are not a cookie and therefore a cookiecutter (approach) doesn’t necessarily work for them,” Carrell said.

Participants take supplements which cause

WEIGHT LOSS continues on pg. 16

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WEIGHT LOSS continues from pg. 14 rapid weight loss when they are combined, Carrell said. Exercise plays a part as well.

Carrell said the supplement program alone can achieve weight loss without exercise. However, exercise makes weight loss more sustainable, he added.

Dr. Felipe Garcia-Ghinis is a boardcertified obstetrician gynecologist and the founder of Healthy Woman, an OB-GYN clinic at 2632 Broadway.

Garcia-Ghinis offers a medically supervised diet utilizing foods sold through his office.

Simply Slender, 18730 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 106, offers an alternative to liposuction for body reshaping called i-lipo. The company’s website says it is medically tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Kurt Jacquin at SuperSlow Zone, with locations at 11825 Interstate 10 West and 700 E. Sonterra Blvd., said the program he offers is all about strength training.

However, he added, it does contribute to weight loss. Programs are set up for individuals according to whatever muscles and body parts they want to improve.

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for the better. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get confused.

However, there are some basic truths to remember. The website for the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (www.fitness.gov) offers guidelines.

There are other approaches to weight loss as well.

Yacon syrup, promoted by television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, contains a substance the taste buds recognize as sweet.

But supposedly, 40 to 50 percent of the syrup is made up of fructooligosaccharide – sugar molecules connected in a way that renders them unrecognizable by the digestive system, making it a low-calorie alternative to sugar.

Science Daily wrote on Sept. 3 that scientists at The University of Manchester in England theorize resetting a cluster of nerves in the center of the brain known as the “body clock” could lead to banishing excess pounds and inches without surgery.

Then there are the drugs – some already on the market, some still in trials.

Contrave, also known as NB32, is the name of the latest weight-loss drug seeking FDA approval.

There are other weight-loss drugs already on the market, but most carry dire warnings regarding side effects.

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Local practices offer advancements in dermatology and cosmetic procedures

by ERIC MORENO

A

ccording to the American Association of Dermatology, there are more cosmetic and dermatological procedures available for potential patients than ever before.

These are available for patients at inoffice visits or as at-home treatments.

One new technology is fractional resurfacing, a laser-based technology that allows dermatologists a safer way to treat patients with severe to extensive skin damage. The results increase the production of collagen, the protein that chiefly makes up the fibers of skin tissue.

This allows for more dramatic results in the improvement of skin appearance and texture with less downtime for the patient.

There are also new laser-based procedures used to treat varicose veins, a medical condition in which the veins (generally in the lower extremities) become twisted and distended with blood. It can cause swelling, cramping and a host of other medical conditions.

“At our clinic, we have a procedure that is new to our practice,” said Melissa Garrett of Skin Care Specialists of San Antonio, 2632 Broadway, Suite 401. “It is endovenous laser treatment of varicose veins. This procedure reduces the need for surgical vein surgery, reduces pain and recovery time.”

Laser technologies are also being used to treat vascular lesions, such as birthmarks. A trained dermatologist can determine whether a patient’s birthmark would be receptive to treatment; infants are often eligible.

Conditions such as psoriasis, acne, hyperpigmentation and more are now being treated with better results. There have also been significant advances in cosmetic procedures to treat aging and scarring.

“There have been some great advancements in the treatments of psoriasis,” said Dr. Christy Rainey of Dermatology of Castle Hills, 1650 Lockhill Selma Road. “Those include new injectable treatments as well as oral medications.”

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. The most common form is plaque psoriasis. It is characterized by the appearance of scale-like lesions on the skin’s surface, and can result in psoriatic arthritis.

“These new treatments can significantly

improve the conditions of skin psoriasis and joint disease. Often I have prescribed these and have seen miraculous improvements in patients who have never had any kind of results before,” Rainey said.

On the cosmetic side, a number of new fillers have been developed that replace the lost volume and shape in skin and can allow a dermatologist to sculpt an area. Fillers are collagen-based materials that are injected underneath the skin. Dermatologists use the fillers to fill in sunken cheeks or lines or wrinkles around the eyes and lips.

“There’s a newer type of filler ... called Voluma from Allergan,” Rainey said. “It has revolutionized how we inject the deep furrows around the mouth and nose. With the Voluma, we inject the filler. With this, we inject in the upper cheeks, the apple of the cheeks if you will, and that helps to give you a kind of face-lift without having to pay for surgery or deal with the downtime of surgical procedures.”

Another common and well-known procedure is receiving injections of botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox), which is renowned for its ability to diminish wrinkles and other facial lines.

According to the AAD, new manufacturers have introduced botulinum toxin formulations in recent years, making pricing more competitive and affordable.

It is also highly recommended by the AAD to seek out a certified dermatologist for all serious skin-care needs. This will ensure the highest level of patient safety.

“We do Botox, micrographic surgery, laser hair removal, chemical peels and more here at our facilities,” Garrett said. “Our physicians — Dr. Paula Vogel, Dr. Nicole Owens and Dr. Eric Greeson — are all board certified.”

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Do you notice that you have a runny nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes this time of year? September officially means back to school for our children and marks the unofficial start of “ragweed season” in our area that can linger into November. Each fall, tiny pollen grains are released from weeds and enter human noses and throats, triggering the symptoms listed above.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, commonly called “hay fever,” can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life including their ability to function well at school or work.

Millions of children and adults suffer from ragweed/weed allergies.

Ragweed pollen in the air can also trigger life-threatening asthma symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing in certain individuals.

Ragweed is one of many common “weeds” that pollinate here in Central Texas. Other weed pollens include sagebrush, pigweed, lamb’s quarters, and tumbleweed. To reduce exposure to ragweed, you can keep windows closed, use the A/C, take a shower after being outdoors and minimize outdoor activity.

Over the counter and prescription medications are available to treat hay fever. If medications do not help, consider talking to a Board Certified Allergist for further treatment options. You may be a candidate for allergen immunotherapy or “allergy shots”. Allergy shots can provide long term relief by stimulating the immune system to fight allergies safely, effectively and naturally.

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SPORTS continues from pg. 01

Nonprofit believes legislation, education will change atmosphere

by ARTHUR SCHECHTER

A

n outcry sparked by controversial coaching tactics on a reality show about a kids’ football league that included a team practicing in northeast San Antonio is prompting efforts to standardize future training.

San Antonio Sports, an organization dedicated to transforming community youth sports by promoting healthier scenarios, is pushing for the binding reforms — even by making them law, if need be.

But others, including some coaches, say too much regulation could put a chill on recruiting volunteers.

“I’m not going to sit here and condemn

any league or organization for what they do,” said San Antonio Sports President & CEO Russ Bookbinder, “because sometimes you just don’t have control over some of the coaches. But I think that whole incident provided … a platform for the discussion.”

The nonprofit is mounting a concerted effort to create a standardized training program for all area sports teams’ youth coaches. The regimen includes informative seminars, improving dialogue – especially among instructors and youth players – and other curriculum.

In addition, SAS seeks legislation, creating a white paper it hopes will be shaped into a bill by state Rep. Jose Meñendez, D-San Antonio, during the next Legislature.

“I think it’s incumbent to try to get some standardization. … Based on what our organization stands for, we believe this is the right thing to do,” Bookbinder said.

Public consternation over episodes of “Friday Night Tykes” broadcast this past winter on Esquire Network led to suspensions of two Texas Youth Football Association coaches in San Antonio.

The controversy began nearly 12 months ago, when television cameras caught a volunteer youth-football head

coach leading 8- and 9-year-olds on an obscenity-laced chant denigrating a rival. “(Expletive) the Rockets,” the North East Colts parroted, on Selma’s practice field adjacent to Retama Park’s thoroughbreds.

About the same moment in a different corner of greater San Antonio, the Junior Broncos’ head coach in the same league added injury to insult by instructing his players to use football helmets as weapons against opponents when game time arrived.

Five San Antonio-based TYFA squads were featured last season, with some segments providing haunting visual images of youngsters crying, vomiting and being injured.

The high visibility of the program, which cast a national spotlight on a sport many Texans have almost come to regard as a religion, also showed what some consider a darker side to youth sports.

For those reasons, among others, SAS is pursuing the reforms.

One SAS white-paper element mandates that adult instructors of youthsports teams involving ages 13 and under receive mandatory background checks and sex-offender screenings.

An informal survey among youth teams indicates there is no standard practice.

For instance, the president of one area community center said his organization didn’t screen all prospective youth-sports coaches “primarily because they are parents and we know who they are.”

The official hastened to add the volunteers are always paired with a paid adviser.

Besides vetting, SAS’s white paper proposes coaches undergo a four-hour coaching tutorial – two hours comprised of skill-based information unique to a sport, and two hours of trait-related instruction focused on proper behavior, personality, interaction and communication.

According to Bookbinder, current certification is “all over the board,” varying from sport to sport and league to league, and SAS seeks government intervention regarding coaching credentials.

“Getting legislation passed is extremely difficult,” Bookbinder said. “We may not get it to a place where it’s even on the agenda, but we’re sure going to try. The person that we entrust our young kids to should at least (be held to) some sort of level,” he said. “To be a hairdresser you need a license, to be a personal trainer

SPORTS continues on pg. 19

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you get training and accreditation.”

The initiative has broad appeal, he added.

“There’s not a coach that we interacted with that’s not supportive of what we’re doing,” Bookbinder said.

However, several youth-sports coaches – volunteer and paid – said they’re opposed to overarching mandates handed down by the state.

Matt Markette, board president of Alamo Heights Little League Baseball, which only employs unpaid coaches, said legislation isn’t the answer.

“I don’t think it’s the responsibility of the Legislature,” he said. “The more you regulate it and make the red tape thicker, you’re going to discourage volunteers. It’s one of those things that sound great on the surface, but, in practice, is probably not a good idea.”

Rob Kane, an AHLL coach, agreed.

“I have mixed feelings; the goal is laudable,” he said. “My initial apprehension is putting an additional burden on volunteering.”

However, Bookbinder insists it’s time to act.

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“I have seen kids unfortunately get a bad start to the world of sports because of untrained, inappropriate coaches,” he added.

To the contrary, Berler said the interplay between children and instructors can be quite rewarding.

“I think a person who is coached to win and lose, and how to navigate both victory and defeat, is a person who’s getting a lesson not only in football, but a lesson in life,” he said.

In August, SAS successfully held a clinic for more than 300 football coaches, and is planning to conduct a similar seminar for basketball coaches in December.

For more information, visit http:// www.sanantoniosports.org/coached/.

ry

Now HiriNg

In formulating its game plan, SAS sought advice from prominent therapists who treat adolescents. Monte Vista Historic District resident and child psychologist Michael Berler, who was not solicited

by SAS, said kids are impressionable, especially sports participants.

“When you throw in performance, such as athletics, the person who is a supervisor of that has a tremendous impact on that child’s sense of growth,” Berler said.

During his 32-year career, Berler has dealt with the aftereffects of out-ofcontrol grown-ups “due to the rather unanticipated attitude of coaches being an angry parent … and some pretty bad war stories about adults acting like bullies.”

P

SPORTS continues from pg. 18

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ELMA – Griffin Pest Control blends family values with professional service to get rid of unwanted creepy-crawlies in homes and businesses, said owners Rick Weirich and Matthew Kearns.

“We really wanted to be a familyowned and family-oriented business,” Weirich said. “It’s (offering) more of a personal touch to the customers; that we’re able to deal with them one-on-one.

It’s more of a small-town atmosphere (in) the way we run our business.”

Griffin Pest Control opened a few months ago at 17170 Jordan Road, Suite 206, and uses the most current technology to help residential and commercial customers

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EAT LOCAL Learn about the newest neighborhood places for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks

Mattenga’s Pizzeria boasts fresh, authentic foods

by BAIN SERNA

S

CHERTZ – Eating at Mattenga’s Pizzeria is so relaxed and casual it’s like going to a friend’s house, said owners Matt and Hengam “Enga” Stanfield.

“Our restaurant features a livingroom feel, with great pizza, great beer and a great time for everybody,” Matt Stanfield said. “My family loves to provide hospitality for people and we have a good time with them, so (opening) a restaurant seemed like the thing to do.”

Mattenga’s Pizzeria, located at 6044 FM 3009, Suite 290, held a grand opening Sept. 8, but has been in business since March. The menu is filled with handcrafted pizzas, subs, salads, wings, desserts and

more – all made with fresh ingredients.

“Weekly, we shred more than 500 pounds of 100 percent premium mozzarella cheese, without the additives, preservatives or modified starch like (those at) the fast-food pizza places,” Stanfield said. “Our vegetables are sliced or chopped fresh every morning, and our dough is made daily in-house as well. The smell of mushrooms roasting with garlic often permeates the restaurant and smell of pizza is always heavy in the air.”

Daily lunch and happy-hour specials, online ordering and live bands on Saturday night are also featured at the restaurant, which hosts BYOP — Build Your Own Pizza — Nights for kids on Tuesday, Persian Surprise Feasts on Wednesdays and Date Nights on Thursdays.

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Handcrafted pizzas, subs, salads and more are served up fresh at Mattenga’s Pizzeria, which opened in March. Photos by Joshua Michael

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OCTOBER 2014

THEATER continues from pg. 01

ArteFest among several projects for area actress

by SUSAN YERKES

G

ARDEN RIDGE – When Shelly Chance decided to help start the Theatre for Change, her life changed, too.

The Garden Ridge resident became reborn, inspired by her appreciation of the theater and her desire to support others in need.

Creative life is full of such surprises.

For instance, who would think the old Mexican folktale of “La Llorona,” about a ghostly woman grieving her drowned children, could be made into a movie to raise awareness of the contemporary tragic deaths of youngsters trying to cross the Rio Grande?

Chance’s version of “La Llorona,” a short-film docudrama depicting the

plight of would-be immigrant children, premieres Nov. 1-2 at Theatre for Change’s ArteFest at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. The free event includes concerts by Grammy-winning icon Flaco Jiménez, Dia de Los Muertos altars, dance, food and activities. It is TFC’s first film and second major production.

Like all the group’s projects, it uses timeless storytelling techniques to focus on compelling social problems.

Several feature-length horror films including “The Cry” have also detailed the curse of La Llorona, which can be traced to Aztec myths and the Spanish conquest of the Southwest.

When Shannon Ivey, a TLU theater professor, co-founded the nonprofit TFC in early 2013, Chance was already an integral part of the enterprise. Its mission, changing minds and lives through dramatic arts, fuels Chance’s creative drives, too, as an actress, writer and producer.

After getting a degree in theater arts at the University of the Incarnate Word, Chance taught a couple of years, then traveled to Japan to teach English. Returning home in

2002, she settled into a secure insurance job, and stayed involved in theater around town. She fell in love, but her fiancée became seriously ill. His struggle lasted years.

When he died in 2009, Chance’s life felt like it was falling apart. She moved in with her parents in Garden Ridge, and slowly began to rebuild her life.

About then, Ivey, an old college drama friend who had been working in New York and Los Angeles, moved back to Texas with her husband to teach at TLU. When she called Chance, the conversation turned to theater and a collaborative effort.

The Iveys, who are foster parents, got a last-minute request to plan a holiday party, complete with gifts, for hundreds of foster children. Among the donations were 250 tickets to the musical “Annie” at The Playhouse in San Antonio. A show about an orphanage inspired Chance and Ivey to make the performance an awareness event, inviting agencies working with foster children to set up in the theater’s lobby.

Soon Elisabeth Reise, recruitment director for the Court Appointed Special Advocates’ San Antonio chapter, asked

for help spotlighting child abuse.

With support from TLU’s Brown Cultural Enrichment Endowment Fund, Ivey and television and film actor Windell Middlebrooks wrote a pilot TV script titled “Region 8,” named after the Texas foster-care tract extending from San Antonio to Victoria.

An “I Am Region 8” awareness campaign culminated in staged readings and expert-panel discussions at TLU and San Antonio’s Charline McCombs Empire Theatre this past April.

All this was a precursor to this season’s ArteFest and “La Llorona,” which began with a symbolic shrine dramatizing the sad deaths of children and escalated into a movie. Chance and a film crew shot the picture in Austin and Gonzales this summer.

“I’ve spent 30 years trying to figure out how to combine my love for theater and desire to help the helpless,” Chance said. “Just when I was getting burned out, Theatre for Change brought it all together and rekindled this fierce passion. It gave me a new lease on life.”

For more, visit www.artefest.com.

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