LOCAL - North Central SA - December 2020 by San Antonio Local Community News

ALAMO HEIGHTS • KING WILLIAM • MONTE VISTA • OLMOS PARK • TERRELL HILLS

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM | VOL. 9, ISSUE 6 | DEC. 1-DEC. 29, 2020

AGENCIES REACHING OUT, OFFERING AID … BUT FOR HOW LONG? by EDMOND ORTIZ

SPACES

Pandemic pushes changes to urban landscape MALLS, OFFICE BUILDINGS FACE TRANSITIONS by SUSAN YERKES

IT’S EASY TO TALK ABOUT RETURNING to normal when the pandemic is tamed. But, normal is unlikely to mean the same — especially when it PROPERTIES continues on pg. 08

HAPPENING LOCAL

FORD HOLIDAY BOAT CAROLING LOCAL LOWDOWN

HOTWORX

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has stretched thin community resources, but some of the hardest hit may be those striving to keep a roof over their heads or just find shelter.

LIVING

COVID-19's impact on homeless, renters, homeowners could linger Downtown nonprofit offers boost for businesses by EDMOND ORTIZ

Meanwhile, property owners and landlords — many sympathetic to their tenants’ plights — are trying not to go bankrupt. Social-service agencies are assisting, but many wonder if it’s enough and for how long. One of those aided by a relief organization is Tiffany Shelton, who lives in a Southeast Side apartment with her daughter and niece. Before COVID-19, the certified nursing assistant had a reliable weekly SHELTER continues on pg. 11

A DOWNTOWN NONPROFIT has started an initiative designed to help strengthen the landscape in the heart of the business district.

Centro San Antonio’s Main Street Business Program is leveraging existing community assets to assist street-level retail and legacy enterprises, along with mom-and-pop ventures and microbusinesses.

. . . S I R E N N I W AND THE NOV. 3 ELECTION SAW RECORD TURNOUT

The toll taken by the COVID-19 pandemic on downtown ventures is “becoming quite evident,” said Sylvia Lopez Gaona, Centro’s CENTRO continues on pg. 16

INSIDE TALK LOCAL PG. 02 HAPPENING LOCAL PG. 03 SUSAN YERKES PG. 04

LOCAL LOWDOWN PG. 06 DECISION 2020 PG. 14

2 STAFF DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna EDITORIAL Editor

Thomas Edwards News Staff

Edmond Ortiz Contributing Writers

Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes ART Designer

E. Fisher Contributing Artist

Jeremiah Teutsch ADVERTISING Senior Media Representatives

Dawn Radick and Joanne Torres Multimedia Account Representative

Michael Valdelamar Controller

Gracie Cortinez READER SERVICE Mailing Address

4204 Gardendale St., Ste. 107, San Antonio, TX 78229 Phone: (210) 338-8842 Fax: (210) 465-9455 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Advertising@localcommunitynews.com STORY IDEAS: tips@localcommunitynews.com EDITOR CONTACT tedwards@localcommunitynews.com OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS North SA: 78213, 78216, 78230, 78231, 78232, 78248, 78249, 78258, 78259 Metrocom: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239, 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266 South San Antonio: 78204, 78210, 78214, 78223, 78235

ON THE COVER –The novel coronavirus has affected nearly all levels of society, including housing. What kind of long-term effect will the pandemic — which led to furloughs and layoffs — have on people trying to keep a roof over their heads, or just ﬁnd a place to sleep? Many groups offer aid, such as Endeavors, which serves vulnerable populations including homeless veterans. In-depth coverage begins on pg. 01. Courtesy photo/Endeavors

TALK LOCAL

Not so remote PROMPTED BY THE PANDEMIC, city and county governments expanded attendance to public meetings through means other than turning out in person. The trend should continue even when the health crisis concludes. Residents wanting to stay safe but informed readily embraced the new formats: livestreaming, telephone attendance, videoconferencing, real-time access through social media, and other platforms. Many governmental entities already providing remote coverage of council meetings and commissioners courts added invites to planning, zoning, architectural reviews, town halls, historical commissions and so on. Proponents of transparency in government feared a suspension last spring of open-meeting laws due to COVID-19 represented a danger to democracy. There have been lapses, which need to be addressed. Meanwhile, a Governor’s Broadband Development Council report highlights the need for more high-speed internet connectivity in Texas, especially in underserved areas. When the 87th Legislature convenes in January, a top priority should be ensuring broadband access for all Texans. After in-person attendance eventually returns, enhanced remote viewing should be maintained, too, to keep government deliberations open to a wider audience. The LOCAL Community News editorial board includes Jaselle Luna and Thomas Edwards.

PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

DECEMBER

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DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

City Councils/ School Districts Alamo Heights: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14, 28; 6116 Broadway Olmos Park: 6 p.m. Dec. 16; 120 W. El Prado Drive Terrell Hills: 5 p.m. Dec. 14; 5100 N. New Braunfels Ave. San Antonio ISD: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 14; 406 Barrera St. Alamo Heights ISD: 6 p.m. Dec. 17; 7101 Broadway North East ISD: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14; 8961 Tesoro Drive

DEC. 2

ALAMO HEIGHTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Luncheons are at Paesanos Lincoln Heights, 555 E. Basse Road. Arrive by 11:30 a.m. for a meet

HAPPENING

and greet; a guest speaker follows at noon. Cost is $25. For updates or cancellations, call 210-822-7027 or visit http://alamoheightschamber.org/.

DEC. 2

SPROUTING AT THE GARDEN San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave., holds a 9:30 a.m. social time, followed by a 10 a.m. program. For updates or cancellations, email info@sanantoniogardencenter. org or call 210-824-9981.

DEC. 3-22

FORD HOLIDAY BOAT CAROLING Carolers on boats will sing Christmas tunes from 6-8:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6-9:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday on the River Walk. For more on the free event including COVID-19 restrictions, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www. thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ ford-holiday-boat-caroling/. HAPPENING continues on pg. 05

EDITOR’S NOTE: THE CALENDAR IS CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME, BUT SOME EVENTS MAY HAVE BEEN POSTPONED OR CANCELED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS. ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS MAY BE LIMITED OR STREAMING ONLY. CHECK WITH THE LISTED CONTACTS FOR UPDATES.

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

IMAGINE A HEALTH CARE TEAM THAT ACTUALLY WORKS TOGETHER. Accepting New Patients WellMed at Crockett Park provider group photo,

WellMed is redefining health care for people on Medicare. It’s an approach we committed to 30 years ago — and one that still sets WellMed apart today.

shot in Summer of 2019 prior to COVID -19 restrictions in effect.

For more information, call 210-225-5323. WellMed does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its health programs and activities. ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Please call 888-781-WELL (9355). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español (Spanish), hay servicios de asistencia de idiomas, sin cargo, a su disposición. Llame al 888-781-WELL (9355). 請注意：如果您說中文 (Chinese)，我們免費為您提供語言協助服務。請致電：888-781-WELL (9355)。

En WellMed, usted nos importa

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OPINION

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

Fix, don’t defund, SAPD by SUSAN YERKES

IN JANUARY, City Manager Eric Walsh and his team start negotiations with the San Antonio Police Officers Association to replace the labor contract expiring Sept. 30, 2021.

Expect some fireworks. Discussions and public posturing, on both sides, are likely to be protracted. Not so long ago, former City Manager Sheryl Sculley took a strong stand to trim skyrocketing benefit costs in police and fire accords, which led to years of headlines, court fights and name-calling. Firefighters union President Chris Steele once accused Sculley of treating members like “greedy bastards.” She said it wasn’t her intent, but the description provided her memoir’s title, “Greedy Bastards: One City’s Texas-Size Struggle to Avoid a

We offer a full range of services including: • COVID 19 testing • Treatment of Injuries & Illnesses • Immunizations • X-rays • Direct Hospital Admission • Lab Services • Ultrasound • CT Scans ALAMO HEIGHTS 6496 N. New Braunfels Ave. 210.930.4500

Financial Crisis.” Talks with the fire union dragged on for years; renegotiation isn’t until 2025. The crisis of Sculley’s title is what could have happened without the contract changes the city team finally won: By 2031, the rising cost of police

Wishing you joy and good health this holiday season.

ballots during May elections. The petitions call for repealing two chapters of the Texas Local Government Code involving collective bargaining rights of police and fire unions, transparency of records, and hiring, firing and disciplinary issues. As fine as the force is today, a few bad apples – officers charged with drunk driving, domestic violence and assault – can tarnish the badge. Union-backed laws allowing even a few to hang onto their jobs via arbitration after being fired do the rest no favors. Many folks seem to agree — Fix SAPD reports thousands have signed the petitions. There are positive changes already. While boosting funds for police, the latest budget moves 20 SAPD civilians who work with victims of domestic violence to the Metropolitan Health District and assigns more officers to domestic-violence prevention. Chief William McManus has banned no-knock warrants and chokeholds, plus beefed up SAPD’s protocol for mental-health calls involving violence or weapons. No sweeping change, but moving in the right direction. We need to keep taking steps. Forget defunding the police. Let’s ask our leaders to focus on fixing what’s broken – for the good of the men and women who wear the badge, and all the rest of us. syerkes@localcommunitynews.com

One of the most well-respected and award-winning journalists in South Texas, Susan Yerkes pens a column each month for LOCAL Community News. A veteran of newspapers, television, radio and online, she calls San Antonio home.

BY THE PEARL 2015 Broadway 210.961.4118 LA VERNIA 202 S. FM 1346, Suite 2 830.779.3200

and fire benefits, particularly health care, was projected to consume 100% of the city’s general fund. The new agreement, Sculley wrote, “will result in estimated savings of more than $100 million over the five-year term of the contract.” That’s good news. And, it still leaves the union members with far better benefits than most civilian city employees enjoy. So, what’s the “Defund the Police” movement? How will it affect contract negotiations? (I think “Defund the Police” is a misleading slogan. Most folks who use it actually mean shifting money in police budgets to other services such as mental health, domestic violence, homelessness and other things officers are called to handle.) But, have no fear. The city definitely is not defunding the San Antonio Police Department. In fact, in spite of an expected $120 million loss in revenue due to the pandemic, the police budget City Council approved for the coming year includes an $8 million increase. There’s another movement afoot in town, with a less divisive name – Fix SAPD. If you voted this year, you might’ve encountered their volunteers at the polls collecting signatures on two petitions for proposals they hope to get on

ALAMO HEIGHTS • LA VERNIA • BY THE PEARL theemergencyclinic.com

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

HAPPENING continues from pg. 03

HAPPENING

DEC. 3

AUDUBON SOCIETY

DEC. 3

ALAMO CITY GUARDS, CAMP 1325 The chapter holds a 7 p.m. meeting in the Fiesta Room at Luby’s, 911 N. Main Ave. Eat at 6 p.m.; no reservations required. For updates or cancellations, visit www. alamocityguards.com.

DEC. 3

NUTRITION DISCUSSION Live with Nature meets from 1011:30 a.m. at San Antonio College’s Sinkin EcoCentro, 1802 N. Main Ave. Free sessions might include health tips, recipes and plant swaps. For updates or cancellations, call 210-492-4620.

The San Antonio Audubon Society gathers at 7 p.m. in the San Antonio Zoo Education Center, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. For updates or cancellations, visit saaudubon.org or www.facebook.com/ saaudubon/.

guided by thousands of traditional Mexican Christmas lanterns, 849 E. Commerce St. For updates or cancellations, visit https:// www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ ford-fiesta-de-las-luminarias/.

at The Artisan, 1103A S. Presa St. The free event includes music. For updates or cancellations, email shop@ theartisansatx.com or call 210-9625560.

DEC. 4

DEC. 7

The San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave., holds its first virtual holiday fundraiser and livestream event at 7 p.m., with performances by San Antonio–based artists from dance, music and spoken word. For tickets, updates or cancellations, visit samuseum.org/seasonsofart.

Nutcracker Sweets is a 6:30-7:45 p.m. virtual fundraiser benefiting the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter. The family-friendly event features chef Johnny Hernández presenting a holiday meal and a children’s ballet. Registration closes Dec. 4 at noon. For updates, cancellations and tickets, visit www. nutcrackersweetssa.org.

‘SEASONS OF ART – A SAMA CELEBRATION’

DEC. 4, 18

PEARL ROTARY The club meets on alternating Fridays at 11:30 a.m. inside The Culinary Institute of America, 312 Pearl Parkway. For updates or cancellations, call 210-9137448.

DEC. 5, 12

DEC. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20

CALLING ALL ART FANS

FORD FIESTA DE LAS LUMINARIAS

Southtown Arts District First and Second Saturday Markets is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Starting at dusk, stroll the River Walk

SWEETS FOR A CAUSE

HAPPENING continues on pg. 07

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

Water the holidays made of?

LOVE

GIVING

SPIRIT

Cooler weather and cups of hot chocolate for starters. But the holidays are made of so much more.

WATER

SWEETS

Let’s build this holiday season on the blueprint of neighborhood unity. Through programs like Project Agua, you can donate to a payment assistance fund for neighbors in need. Join us in building a holiday season of helping by making a donation at saws.org/uplift.

LOWDOWN

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW IN THE COMMUNITY FROM OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS TO NEWS TIDBITS.

Open and Opening Soon HOTWORX, 999 E. Basse Road, Suite 158, is a 24/7 infrared fitness studio in the Shops at Lincoln Heights. According to a release, “Infrared fitness sessions offer semiprivate virtual instruction with all of the healing and detoxing benefits of infrared energy. The detox, anti-inflammatory benefits, stress relief and immunity boost of infrared are imperative for overall mental and physical health, especially in our current environment.” Also, the 24-hour virtually instructed isometric and cardio sessions give access to members no matter their schedule or availability. Staffed hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 830-468-9679 or visit hotworx.net/ studio/sanantonio-alamoheights/.

TOHUÍ LANGUAGE ACADEMY, 536 E. Courtland Place, is a private educational institution offering immersion in Spanish and Mandarin for preschool to kindergarten learners. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more, call 210-387-8491, visit https:// www.tohuilanguageacademy.com/ or email tohuilanguageacademy@ gmail.com.

BRASSERIE MON CHOU CHOU, 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2104, planned a November debut in Pearl. Run by executive chef Laurent Réa, and opening in the former Nao restaurant space, it features French comfort food. For more, visit brasseriemonchouchou.com.

BLACK & WHITE MODERN CREAMERY, 4011 Broadway, offers fresh-made dairy and nondairy artisan ice cream and cold treats. It opened in October next to Chocollazo. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, plus 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, visit www.blackwhitecreamery. com/ or www.facebook.com/ BlackWhiteCreamery/.

WESTLAKE DERMATOLOGY & COSMETIC SURGERY, 5500 Broadway, Suite R100 in Alamo Heights, has opened in the Magnolia Heights apartment complex at Austin Highway. Hours are 8 LOWDOWN continues on pg. 19

y h t l a e h t Lets ge pre workouts • muscle build building ding products cbd products • weight loss products inbody inbo boddy (body (boody composition coompoositioon machine) enjoy delicious smoothies Alamo Heights store #29 1248 Austin Hwy (next to the Golds Gym)

210-826-2500 • rocksdiscountvitamins.com www.

localcommunitynews.com

DIGITAL

For your community news updates, p events, coupons p and more!

STAY SOCIALL

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

HAPPENING continues from pg. 05

THROUGH DEC. 9

YULETIDE DONATIONS Christian Assistance Ministry, 110 McCullough Ave., is preparing an Emergency Christmas Store. The nonprofit is seeking gifts and toys for needy kids up to age 18. For more on desired items, how to drop-off, plus folks willing to volunteer, call Nora Oyler at 210-223-4099 or email noyler@cam-sa.org or visit www.cam-sa.org.

DEC. 10

Antonio Gun Club, 928 E. Contour Drive. For updates, cancellations, sponsorship or registration, visit https://one.bidpal.net/pullforthekids/ welcome.

DEC. 10

GARDEN GAB The San Antonio Herb Society has refreshments and social time at 6:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. program at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave. For updates or cancellations, visit www. sanantonioherbs.org.

CAMPUS FUNDRAISER

DEC. 10

“Pull for the Kids” is a clay-shooting contest benefiting St. John Paul II Catholic High School in New Braunfels. The event begins at 11 a.m. at the San

Hosted by Tori Pool, The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., presents stand-up comedians at 7 p.m. For updates

STAND-UP COMEDIANS

HAPPENING

or cancellations, visit https://www. facebook.com/GoodKindSouthtown/events.

DEC. 10

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS, CAMP 153 Hood’s Texas Brigade, Camp 153, gathers at 7 p.m. in Chester’s Hamburgers, 1006 N.E. Loop 410. No reservations required. For updates or cancellations, visit www. hoodstexasbrigade.net.

DEC. 12

‘THE PEOPLE’S CLINIC’ The Estela Avery Education Center inside Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St., offers traditional healing sessions from 1-5 p.m. For updates or cancellations, visit https://sariverfound.org/events/thepeoples-clinic/.

DEC. 16

RETIRED TEACHERS Normally, the San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association conducts a 12:30 p.m. social and luncheon, followed by a 1 p.m. presentation and business meeting at the San Antonio Botanical Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave. At least through December, due to the coronavirus outbreak, conferences will be via Zoom. For updates, cancellations and guest-speaker data, visit https:// localunits.org/SanAntonio/.

DEC. 18, 23

LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation offers a series of educational, interactive HAPPENING continues on pg. 18

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

Peace

Peace holds on to win when it comes from a love that does not let go – God’s love. And from this love, we learn how God’s peace holds our hearts steady in an unsteady world. This is the hoped-for peace that uniquely stirs us during the Christmas season as we sing Christmas carols, exchange Christmas gifts, and extend a Merry Christmas in each of our seasonal greetings.

This peace is God’s great possibility for our world. Yet it seems impossible. To make this peace possible in our sinful – the Prince of Peace lived among us, taught the way of peace, sacrificed his life, and was resurrected. Proving that – life defeats death, grace cancels sin, hope conquers despair, and that love wins in the end. At work in you and me, this peace can win over a scared, hurting world.

You’re invited to join us in-person or online this Christmas season! Christmas Concert Sunday, Dec. 6th at 6pm

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” will feature music from TBC’s choir, orchestra, and band.

Forever Loved Service Wednesday, Dec. 9th at 6pm

A time to receive comfort and honor the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

Candy Cane Drive-In Theatre Friday, Dec. 11th at 6pm

Pastor Les

D. Leslie Hollon, Ph.D. Senior Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church /tbcsanantonio /LesHollon

Events

@trinitybaptist_sa

For event locations and information about our COVID-19 protocols, please visit trinitybaptist.org/christmas or call 210.733.6201

An event for your whole family to come together and celebrate the holiday season.

Christmas Eve Worship Thursday, Dec. 24th at 5pm

Join us for this special evening to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

SPACES

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

PROPERTIES continues from pg. 01 comes to the fates of offices, malls and shopping centers.

Will large retail outlets turn into empty wastelands as online shopping and delivery services like Amazon expand? Will office towers go dark, as companies lay off workers permanently, or ask them to keep telecommuting? Going forward, how will the urban landscape, and our lifestyles, be altered? For decades, Steve Nivin, professor of economics at St. Mary’s University and director of the SABÉR Research Institute, has closely tracked local, state and national economic trends. Area retail stores and shopping plazas were already feeling the impacts of online commerce before COVID-19 struck the country. “The pandemic hugely accelerated

that trend,” Nivin said. “There are stores like Sears, where it was clearly the last nail in the coffin, and other big retailers going out of business or cutting back, but I don’t think this will eliminate physical retail.” Just months ago, Sears shuttered its last San Antonio outlet. “There’s more to shopping than buying. We’re social creatures. A large part of shopping or going to the mall is hanging out with friends and family – a kind of entertainment,” Nivin said. “There will definitely be serious changes, but I think malls will be around even as some stores shift more to online.” Large footprints they created could morph into other uses. “Malls are very unusual animals, given the combination of small shops and big anchors,” said veteran San Antonio real estate broker and developer Ed Cross. “For the hardest

Staying open, starting fresh by SUSAN YERKES

When the pandemic arrived, San Antonio bars and restaurants were among the hardest hit businesses. Shuttered or limited to bare-bones service for months, some, like downtown’s venerable Cadillac Bar and Mexican Manhattan Restaurant, succumbed. Economist and researcher Steve Nivin’s second-quarter report for the City Council on the

economic effects of the outbreak found 557 accommodation and food-service establishments permanently closed. Almost all — 555 — were microbusinesses, but accounted for 14.5% of the accommodation and food-service industry, which mirrors the Texas Restaurant Association’s statewide estimate of 15% permanent coronavirus-related shutdowns by September. Pre-pandemic, Nivin’s 2018

hit, it wouldn’t surprise me to see different uses, such as schools, government offices, medical facilities, and even Amazon facilities such as last-mile distribution or storefront pickup. Also, (The Shops at) La Cantera have shown an open-air mall will work in San Antonio, so ‘cracking open’ the mall and exposing maincirculation hallways, which are really pedestrian main streets to the outside, may work as well.” Reimagining malls and big-box stores isn't a new phenomenon, but COVID-19 is likely an accelerator. Early in the dwindling of brick-andmortar retail, around the time of the Great Recession, Windsor Park Mall was transformed into Rackspace’s headquarters, infusing new economic life into the Windcrest area. Wonderland of the Americas, on 61 acres of prime land in Balcones Heights at Loop 410/Interstate 10,

study on the San Antonio culinary scene indicated eateries and food services alone represented 103,000 jobs, and nearly $3 million in labor income. State orders closed pubs for months at a time, limited eating spots to curbside or deliveryonly, and led to worker furloughs and layoffs. Even when food establishments were allowed to reopen, Texas regulations decreed dine-in seating capacity had to be kept low to prevent the spread of the disease. The good news: business is coming back, if slowly, with slimmer menus and smaller staffs. And, even in these hard times, new restaurants continue to launch. Cappy Lawton has been running well-loved eateries for 50-plus years, including Cappy’s Restaurant, the adjacent

has gone through several transitions. It still has retailers such as Target and Hobby Lobby, plus the Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro, but also serves as a community-events host. The lower level is full of medical-related offices. In addition, the “Little Shops” area offers short leases for beginning entrepreneurs. “Sid Weiss (a partner in the ownership group) saw the medicalcenter concept and we’ve had success with it,” said Wonderland Marketing Director Victoria Hernandez. “You have to think outside the box in this business.” Meanwhile, it’s more difficult to discern the survival strategies of nationally owned major San Antonio malls, since most are reluctant to share future plans or financial data. “Big malls can be converted to new uses. You look at what you can do

Cappyccino’s in Alamo Heights, and La Fonda on Main in the Monte Vista Historic District. “At the start of the year we were on track for our busiest and best year ever, and then kaboom! We were closed,” Lawton said. The economic impact proved severe. “One hundred and seventy people furloughed. Life has been very uncertain since then. We’re at roughly 65% of where we were pre-COVID, and about 20% of that is curbside,” the entrepreneur said. “Whether we’re open 50% or 75% isn’t that important – 6-foot social distancing has effectively cut the capacity of all restaurants in half. Virtually

EATERIES continues on pg. 09

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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

with these spaces without tearing them down,” said Char Miller, longtime San Antonio professor and writer, now W.M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at California’s Pomona College. “Given climate change, San Antonio is online for a spike in temperatures, so maybe we can convert these gargantuan enclosed buildings in ways that are smart and sustainable. There’s not a city in the Southwest with enough park space. Imagine North Star Mall with some cool gym-like features to serve kids, or a zip line.” Amazon continues to expand physically Miller noted, adding, “How ironic if Amazon effectively destroys the mall as a center of consumption, to make them into centers of distribution.” Ted Flato, founding partner of San Antonio’s internationally acclaimed Lake/Flato Architects, is a champion of adaptive reuse, as showcased in his firm’s design for the defunct Pearl Brewery property. The abandoned industrial area on 22 prime riverside acres became a 958,320-square-foot “sustainable village” of living, dining, entertainment, retail space, and recreation. Flato has put considerable thought into rebirthing large malls and strip centers. “Retail was shrinking well before the pandemic, and we were being hired by developers to look at rehabbing shopping centers. They are often strategic locations in big suburban areas,” he said. “And, surface parking is an enormous footprint, often bigger than what is inside.” Strategic location and the value of the real estate can make a mall ideal for transitioning into high-density housing, supporting the “village” concept Pearl exemplifies, Flato said.

Replacing acres of asphalt parking with high-density housing can support retail, restaurants and offices. The 5.2acre Quarry Village, with the 280-unit Artessa apartments, surrounded by the Quarry Golf Course, and the 54-acre Alamo Quarry Market, with its iconic industrial buildings and smokestacks, is another “new urban” neighborhood well-positioned to weather COVID-19 shutdowns and isolation. The outlook for growth is positive at Brooks, where Director of Planning and Development Marques Mitchell said there’s been no slowdown in housing expansion or light industrial manufacturing and distribution. The Cuisine Solutions plant announced in late 2018 it has begun hiring for its 290,000-square-foot operations. “Of the various elements on our campus, retail has been the biggest challenge, and it has taken a hit with the pandemic,” Mitchell added, “but (we) have land available for it and we’re working with developers to lease it.” In Converse, despite the crisis, expansion continues on an exponential track. With 3,000 new single-family homes platted and under construction, Converse Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Jimsi Kuborn said the growth trajectory is still strong. “We granted assistance to 48 companies this summer through COVID relief funds. Unfortunately, we lost a few small businesses, but we have seen the spaces refilled fast. The landlord of one restaurant had five offers to re-lease the space very quickly,” Kuborn noted. “Businesses are always looking for the next untapped market, and Converse definitely has that circumstance.” Office space is liable to be in flux here, as nationwide, for some time, Cross said. “First, it’s a big question as to when

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EATERIES continues from pg. 08

80% of people want to sit outside, and while La Fonda has a lot of outdoor tables, we’re limited at Cappy’s. It’s an extremely hard time for the whole hospitality industry,” he said. Lawton estimates about 70% of his personnel have returned. “We’ve lost probably about 15% forever – some have shifted to other work or left the city. Another 15% or so have people at home they’re taking care of, they’re scared to come back in, or they have children they’re home schooling,” he said. Lawton noted he’s still on track to reopen the iconic Mama’s Cafe at Nacogdoches Road and Loop 410 — a project years in the making. It, too, has been delayed by COVID-19. “We pay well, but we can’t find the 80 to 100 good people we need,” he said, so its reboot has been postponed to early 2021. Adam Lampinstein and his family are relatively new to San Antonio. They moved from El Paso, where he co-owned a restaurant

corporations are going to ask people to come back. I also think corporate America is going to have a bunch of layoffs. That will mean downsizing (on) space. Most companies have leases, not ownership, so they may have 10,000 square feet now and only need 5,000,” he said. Cross added, “In my business right now, a lot of companies are saying they may try to sublease some of their space, but I’m not aware of any pre-COVID office decisions here that have been canceled — yet. I don’t think that is really going to manifest itself until early next year. San Antonio has more back-office workers, and (many

for several years. His wife became a dual-language teacher in Alamo Heights Independent School District. The restaurateur always wanted to run a deli with a Texas accent, he said, but never thought he’d do it in the midst of a crisis. His place, The Hayden, a “new-school deli” opened in mid-October with a full bar at Broadway and East Hildebrand Avenue. “We started this a year and a half ago, when no one could imagine the pandemic was coming. But, when you sign a lease and put half a million (dollars) into a space, you keep going,” he said. He’s reduced staff, trimmed menu items, and curtailed operating hours, he added, but business is steady. Lampinstein credited his education and experience in advertising with helping get The Hayden successfully underway. “We have really put a lot into social media, which is great. Most people who come in want to take pictures and post them, and that really helps get our marketing out,” he said.

of them) will be pushed out of offices to work remotely, which will lead to more co-working demand for spaces like WeWork.” Locales such as Pearl and downtown will benefit by offering Wi-Fi, food and entertainment, Cross said, but also, perhaps, surviving malls converting vacated department stores into coworking spaces. “This whole issue of repurposing buildings and real estate is going to be huge over the next 10 years,” he noted. “I am fascinated with the acceleration of all these trends. We are strapped to the back of a tiger, not sure where we are going.” LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

Southeast Side apartment dweller Tiffany Shelton is safe from eviction through year’s end, but wonders what the future holds. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

SHELTER continues from pg. 01

workload, providing health care services for three to four patients in their residences, and working at a nursing home. Since the outbreak and resulting public-health restrictions, Shelton had to choose between servicing only one of those clients or the nursing home. She applied — and got hired — for jobs at two businesses, but those nursing facilities saw local outbreaks.

So, Shelton had to settle for her lone home health care patient. “I’m barely making 21 hours a week, give or take,” she said. “Things started to spiral. Bills started to stack up.” Shelton contacted SAMMinistries, which previously aided her. The organization is one of many extending life preservers to people struggling to stay afloat in the current emergency, which has caused job furloughs, layoffs and closures by numerous companies, nonprofits and governmental agencies. In the disease’s wake, the United States lost 10.7 million jobs by September, according to the University

LIVING

of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy. Shelton is also among millions of renters nationwide hoping to stave off eviction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a nationwide order Sept. 4 to protect an estimated 40 million renters from eviction through year’s end. CDC officials reason that mass evictions would hasten COVID’s spread by forcing millions of people into close quarters with friends or family, or into homeless shelters. However, landlords and managers of multifamily communities nationwide have used loopholes in the CDC’s directive. They filed 20,500-plus evictions in 22 cities tracked by the Princeton University’s Eviction Lab between Sept. 4 and Oct. 17. San Antonio hasn’t been tracking local numbers, but the city and Bexar County do offer emergency housing aid and other COVID-19 assistance to eligible residents, organizations and businesses. The Alamo City received 34,775 household applications for emergency housing assistance, with 19,716 approvals by Nov. 2. By the same date, the municipal program exhausted $55.3 million out of a committed $67.5 million in COVID-19-related local aid, including $45.6 million to temporarily assist renters or mortgagors. The city has helped more than 53,000 individuals. Veronica Soto, San Antonio’s Neighborhood and Housing Services director, said even before this emergency, the Alamo City faced a

challenge dealing with its chronically homeless and expanding affordable housing. “There’s a lot of gaps and lot of needs. Now, we have a fullblown housing crisis,” Soto said. “The people who before were house-burdened, experiencing homelessness, or were on the brink of homelessness, are now a larger number.” After the pandemic hit last spring, many people managed to get by with an income-tax refund and/or federal stimulus check. Those who lost jobs received unemployment bonuses. Now, most can’t rely on such short-term fixes. “People who had never come for public assistance, who never imagined they’d be seeking assistance, are now seeking help to pay for their mortgage,” Soto said. Some local leaders say even more should be done for residents in the greatest danger as the pandemic continues, especially with flu season and winter on the way. District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño and his staff successfully achieved the expansion of a homeless initiative in San Antonio’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget, extending outreach services into downtown and other council districts. These efforts, including cleanups of areas with high numbers of those without homes and connecting individuals to social services, began in the Dellview neighborhood. Treviño said COVID-19 is an SHELTER continues on pg. 12

EDITOR'S NOTE FOR ADDITIONAL STORIES AND OTHER MATERIALS ON THIS SUBJECT, VISIT WWW. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

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LIVING

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

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additional barrier to resources available to homeless people and others trying to avoid displacement. “As this pandemic continues to be an expanding crisis affecting our most vulnerable communities, designing opportunities for lifelines of support is imperative to ensure that we all make it through this unprecedented time safely,” the councilman said in a statement. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act helps fund many local government’s aid

programs. But, uncharted waters are on the horizon. Starting Jan. 1, 2021, most significant CARES Act-backed initiatives and the CDC eviction moratorium expire. Soto and her counterparts expect another wave of residents seeking housing and other assistance. It’s partially why San Antonioarea municipalities have been working with private-sector agencies and nonprofits, such as Castle Hillsbased SAMMinistries, to support struggling community members such as Shelton for as long as possible. “We have a robust program

Tenants’ rights and resources by EDMOND ORTIZ

Renters, especially those at risk of eviction, have various rights and responsibilities including: • An eviction notice doesn’t mean immediate removal. • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current evictions moratorium applies to individuals earning less than $99,000 yearly, or couples earning $198,000 annually. • Eligible residents must prove in writing they’re unable to pay full rent or make a full housing payment due to substantial loss of household income and/or compensable hours of work or wages, a layoff, or out-of-pocket medical expenses

that pays rent to landlords and property managers for renters needing assistance,” said Nikisha Baker, SAMMinistries president and CEO. “We see a need to continue providing that resource.” After the pandemic hit, Shelton’s apartment manager gave her and fellow tenants a list of resources where they could turn for help. “SAMMinistries was the only place that called back,” Shelton said of her application process. “Everybody else we called was out of funds, they had a long list, or you had to be in their ZIP code.” The organization also offers homeowners mortgage aid. Even so,

caused by the pandemic. Visit https://www. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/ declaration-form.pdf for details. • No moratorium relieves a tenant of paying unpaid rent and/or any fees or penalties.

Where eligible renters and homeowners affected by the coronavirus pandemic can turn for local aid: • Alamo Area Council of Governments’ Alamo Service Connection — utility payments for adults ages 60 and older; housing vouchers for disabled individuals ages 18-61 (210-477-3275 or info@ askasc.org or www.askasc.org). • City of San Antonio Emergency Housing Assistance Program — rent, mortgage, utility and internet aid to qualifying individuals or families within city limits. In addition, qualifying households receive $150-$300, based on household size, for food and other necessities (210-207-5910 or www.sanantonio.gov/ emergencyhousingassistance). • Bexar County Temporary Rental Assistance — available for qualifying individuals or families within Bexar County, but not inside San Antonio’s city limits (210-940-1180 or www.habctx.org/ TRAM).

Baker expects to see “an even larger number of families and individuals once the CDC moratorium ends.” The local homeless population got hit hard in multiple ways, too. Based on the Northwest Side, South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless is the lead “continuum of care” agency for the city and county — an alliance of service providers addressing homelessness and supportive housing. Since the outbreak, SARAH has held weekly calls with partner agencies. Many homeless are more at risk

• SAMMinistries — rent, mortgage, utility aid to qualifying individuals or families. Relocation help is also available (210-340-0302 or www. samm.org/get-help). • Society of St. Vincent de Paul — rent, mortgage, utility aid to qualifying individuals or families. Help with relocation, too (210-2202463 or www.svdpsa.org/gethelp). • American GI Forum — services for veterans: emergency housing for homeless, financial aid for rent and community resources. Relocation help is also available (210-234-4892 or www. agif-nvop.org). • Endeavors — Services for veterans and other vulnerable populations: emergency housing for homeless, financial aid for rent, and community resources through case management (210-4699664 or www.endeavors.org). • Workforce Recovery Program — free workforce training and education to San Antonio residents negatively affected in industries of hospitality, food service or retail, based on unemployment claims (210-224-4357 or www. workforcesolutionsalamo.org). • The Center for Health Care Services — housing vouchers and aid for individuals with mentalhealth or substance-use disorders (210-2611250 or www.chcsbc.org).

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of exposure to COVID-19, especially seniors and those with underlying health conditions. But, for months, the downtown shelter Haven for Hope used its intake space as a dormitory with several beds, and relocated at-risk residents to a city-leased hotel in order to accommodate social distancing on campus. While in-person assessments at Haven for Hope have resumed, SARAH and other collaborators are sticking with telephone assessments. “It’s been incredible seeing how people have come together,” SARAH Executive Director Katie Vela said. “We want people to remain resilient because we’re all in this for the long haul.” One SARAH partner agency, Endeavors, serves homeless veterans statewide and elsewhere, from its Northwest Side office. During the pandemic, it has assisted 4,000-plus homeless individuals in Texas and North Carolina, with more than 85% not returning to an unsheltered life on the street. The pandemic’s effects have also had an adverse impact on veterans working in the food-service industry, and families with young children. “We are currently servicing about three times the amount of clients that we would normally serve,” Chief Marketing Officer Shannon Gowen said. “We have been able to assist with rental arrears, utility arrears and vehicle repairs.” As for Shelton, her family’s rent is paid through 2020 thanks to SAMMinistries. But, despite her jobapplication efforts, her employment prospects are few and far between, and so are housing options. “I’m just trying to stay above water,” she said.

LIVING

Landlords adapting to COVID rules by EDMOND ORTIZ

COVID-19 RULES HALTING EVICTIONS put many property owners at risk, they say; others are trying to give tenants a financial break without going under themselves. Many multifamily community-management companies, housingindustry groups and individual landlords have called regulations to temporarily upend suspensions of evictions overreaching and even unconstitutional. “The fact of the matter is that, like any business, we can’t provide services for free,” said Mike Rust, general operations manager for Highland Commercial Properties. HCP owns and operates 12 apartment communities in San Antonio, covering 1,271 apartment units, and 350 single-family rental homes. Rust added: “We have employees who count on us to support their own families. We provide water and electricity to many of our residents. All of our apartment residents receive free, high-speed Wi-Fi. We have normal repairs that need to be made. Of course, taxes and city fees aren’t going

down, so the potential impact is severe.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a nationwide moratorium on evictions through Dec. 31. CDC officials argue people left unsheltered could help spread the novel coronavirus by forcing folks to live with family in crowded conditions or increasing homelessness. The moratorium doesn’t completely stop evictions. Requirements call on tenants to demonstrate they have tried obtaining government assistance or attempted to pay their landlord. In turn, landlords can still contest the eviction protections in court. Meanwhile, the City Council passed an ordinance this summer requiring landlords and property managers to provide renters a “notice of tenant’s rights” to help curb any push for mass evictions spurred by nonpayment. The San Antonio Apartment Association urged property managers and owners to waive tenants’ late fees. HCP gave every resident 10% off April and May rents, plus a 5% June discount. HCP also opted to forgo

fees, and postponed scheduled rent hikes. “In certain clear and compelling instances, we’ve waived all back rent,” Rust said. He added San Antonio’s coronavirus relief program has helped most residents who apply for and receive funds, and his firm’s properties negotiate with “residents who will work with us.” “Essentially, if they show us they are making an effort, we work with them,” Rust concluded. Even so, HCP has delayed some property upgrades due to direct impacts on the company’s income. Alamo Community Group, which developed and currently manages 11 affordable-housing communities citywide, guided eligible, affected residents through the city’s housing-aid program. “We’ve also helped our residents to locate other programs and resources outside the city of San Antonio, like the San Antonio Food Bank and Alamo Area Council of Governments,” said Michael Shackelford, ACG’s policy director. The apartment association also responded by updating members on guidance and actions taken by state and national apartment associations. The Texas Apartment Association in October launched an eviction diversion program in Bexar County and 18 others statewide, offering eligible participants up to six months of rental assistance, including debt started in April 2020.

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

DECISION 2020

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

Voters OK Alamo Heights bond, new Terrell Hills mayor by EDMOND ORTIZ

NOV. 3 ELECTIONS saw record turnout and overwhelming approval of Alamo Heights’ $13 million bond to improve Broadway, while Terrell Hills chose a new mayor.

Elsewhere, voters gave a thumbs up to ballot measures from San Antonio and VIA Metropolitan Transit to fund workforce development, Pre-K 4 SA programs and future transportation services. In addition, most incumbents in the North East Independent School District and the Alamo Colleges District won

their races. The San Antonio Independent School District also celebrated passage of the

Mayoral candidate John Low (right) speaks with resident Jane Buchek while greeting voters at Terrell Hills City Hall on Election Day, Nov. 3. The councilman won his bid. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

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biggest bond issue in its history. In Bexar County, 64% of registered voters cast ballots for regularly scheduled elections, plus May 2 contests delayed by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Alamo Heights’ bond — one of the postponed votes — gained 78.8% approval. The city proposed raising its property-tax rate 2.2 cents per $100 valuation to back the referendum, which will cover the city’s portion of a total $31.6 million in improvements around the Broadway/Austin Highway intersection.

Alamo Heights also envisions pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly upgrades, a two-lane reduction and landscaped medians with turn lanes on Broadway. “While we have a lot of work ahead of us, Broadway will be forever changed for the benefit of our businesses and future generations,” Mayor Bobby Rosenthal said. San Antonio has also undertaken renovations on its portion of Broadway. Terrell Hills’ mayoral race was another COVID-19-delayed

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

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WINNERS IN THE RACES U.S. SEN. JOHN CORNYN, REPUBLICAN SAN ANTONIO

U.S. REP. JOAQUIN CASTRO, DEMOCRAT SAN ANTONIO, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 20

U.S. REP. LLOYD DOGGETT, DEMOCRAT AUSTIN, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 35

STATE REP. BARBARA GERVIN-HAWKINS, DEMOCRAT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 120

STATE REP. STEVE ALLISON, REPUBLICAN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS HOUSE DISTRICT 121

TRISH DEBERRY, REPUBLICAN BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PRECINCT 3

BEXAR COUNTY SHERIFF JAVIER SALAZAR, DEMOCRAT

election. Receiving 71% of the vote, Councilman John Low will succeed Mayor Anne Ballantyne, who declined a fourth reelection bid. Councilman William Ochse III opposed Low. “I am humbled by the show of support evidenced by the election results for Terrell Hills and look forward to serving as its mayor,” Low said. “We have a great staff at City Hall and I will do my best, along with my fellow council members, to give them direction and guidance when needed and stay out of their way.” Real estate agent Kate Lanfear was the only person to file for Low’s Place 2 spot. More than 70% of the electorate OK’d San Antonio’s two sales-tax initiatives. One redirects a 1/8cent share to support workforce development and training to help residents struggling in the pandemic. The other was a reauthorization of a 1/8-cent sales tax to maintain the Pre-K 4 SA program for another eight years. Nearly 68% of voters approved VIA’s proposal to let the agency collect from San Antonio’s 1/8-cent share for the job-training program. The revenue will be available for VIA’s long-range transit improvements starting in 2026. “An additional 1/8-cent sales tax will move us closer to our goals and toward parity with peer transit agencies in other major Texas cities,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey Arndt said. Combined at $1.3 billion, both of SAISD’s bond measures gained nearly 70% voter acceptance. Proposition A directs $1.21 billion for renovations to 36 existing campuses, including security betterments and replacement of air-circulating chillers 15 years old or more. Proposition B provides $90 million LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

DECISION 2020

for technology upgrades in all SAISD classrooms. “We’re one of the fastest improving school districts in the state. And now, we’re able to match our facilities and our classroom spaces with those academic gains,” Superintendent Pedro Martinez said. In NEISD, District 4 trustee David Beyer was one of four sitting school board members who retained their seat. The landscape architect collected 63% to defeat Joseph Hoelscher, a child-welfare attorney and former educator. Beyer is a resident of the Oak ParkNorthwood neighborhood. A fifth incumbent, District 6’s Tony Jaso, lost his reelection bid to Robert “Steve” Hilliard.

Hoelscher, Hilliard and other NEISD candidates questioned the district’s sex-education curriculum, and their campaigns echoed some concerns expressed by the conservative group San Antonio Family Association. In ACD, Gloria Ray, a federal civil service retiree, ousted District 2 trustee Jose Macias Jr. with 57% of the vote. A runoff election will settle the ACD District 9 contest where attorney Leslie Sachanowicz fell short of the 50% threshold while leading incumbent Joe Jesse Sanchez on Election Day. Michael John Good placed a distant third. Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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CENTRO continues from pg. 01

chief economic development director. City-center commerce has fought to stay afloat amid closures, reopenings and public-health restrictions. Some urban-center restaurants, such as Alfredo’s Gelato, Spaghetti Warehouse, Eastside Kitchenette and Gourdoughs, permanently shuttered due to the crisis.

Allergy Drops Guru Takes on Mountain Cedar “Cedar fever!” Few words evoke such visceral disdain from South and Central Texans, and it’s no wonder. Mountain cedar is one of Mother Nature’s most prolific pollinators, reaching pollen counts north of fifty thousand. For reference, oak rarely passes counts of 15,000. Mountain cedar (Juniper asheii) is actually not a cedar tree (nor do we have any mountains!); it’s actually a juniper and is native only to South and Central Texas as well as bits of Oklahoma and Arkansas. Mountain cedar season peaks right around Christmas and New Year holidays. This is typically when the dreaded “pollen fog” occurs, often getting mistaken for forest fires by the uninitiated. The immune systems of those allergic to mountain cedar attack the pollen, leading to familiar symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sinus pressure, and red itchy eyes. This can lead to sinus infections, asthma exacerbations, and even pneumonia. Sometimes, avoidance of allergens and medications aren’t enough to handle this problem. Fortunately, doctors like Dr. Jeffrey Hallett from CERTIFIED Allergy & Asthma of San Antonio have been at the forefront of successfully treating mountain cedar allergies for decades. “Historically, therapies like allergy shots have helped patients lose their sensitivity to allergens like mountain cedar. However, for various reasons, allergy shots are not for everybody.” says Dr. Hallett. For those patients, a safer and pain-free form of immunotherapy has emerged: allergy drops. With allergy drops, patients instill extract of an allergen - such as mountain cedar - under the tongue. “Over time,” Dr. Hallett explains, “patients lose their sensitivity to mountain cedar. What’s more, these drops can be taken seasonally, and not all year.” While some allergists have only recently added allergy drops to their treatment arsenal, Dr. Hallett has successfully used them since 2008, and even taught other Texas allergists how to administer them. Dr. Hallett adds: “Not all drops are the same: we use high dose European protocols, which can make a huge difference in effectiveness.” But what about mountain cedar this year?“If patients can start drops now, they can be at treatment doses prior to peak mountain cedar season.” Dr. Hallett and the allergists at CERTIFIED Allergy & Asthma of San Antonio are board-certified in the treatment of allergies and asthma. They share a passion for improving the quality of life of their patients, which likely explains their stellar online reviews. “It’s not complicated,” says Dr. Hallett, “we feel so gratified because we see our patients enjoy the winter holidays without fear.” With one location in the Medical Center and one in Lincoln Heights, same-day appointments are often available, including telemedicine appointments for follow-ups or sick visits. At CERTIFIED Allergy, patients are all treated with a personal touch and always see a board-certified allergist, not a physician extender like an assistant or nurse practitioner. If you or a loved one suffer from mountain cedar allergies, go to sanantonioallergist.com and book an appointment online today.

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“In May, (Centro San Antonio) started looking at ways to extend, support and build relationships with downtown businesses so they can thrive and so the entertainment district can be revitalized,” she added. Centro is working with the city to help implement the small-business aspect of San Antonio’s Recovery and Resiliency Plan.

Centro San Antonio is helping downtown businesses connect with resources during the pandemic through its Main Street Business Program. Wong’s Bodega, 1502 S. Flores. St., was a recently spotlighted site. Courtesy photo/Centro San Antonio

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The group’s outreach effort involves connecting businesses with vital resources and opportunities, including grant applications, facilitating webinars and improving e-commerce and socialmedia platforms. Registration fees toward funding and seminars could provide small enterprises with an immediate influx of capital, Gaona said. “Our outreach to businesses includes asking a business owner, ‘What are your needs and what’s your status?’” she added. Centro has contacted more than 700 ventures since the summer, linking about 200 with some form of assistance. Since the health emergency, the city and Bexar County have offered aid programs to eligible local small

COMMUNITY

businesses. According to Gaona, Centro San Antonio is enhancing its long-range strategic planning for downtown with an eye on the coronavirus outbreak and its continuing impact on the community. “Revitalizing local businesses will take intentional, measured steps,” she said. “That starts by listening to our business owners and collaboration.” Centro’s website contains a survey for small-business owners, and its “Navigator Spotlight” highlights a downtown company on the organization’s socialmedia outlets. Wong’s Bodega at 1502 S. Flores St. was a recently spotlighted commercial site. Raul Martinez-Salinas III opened the store just as the pandemic took hold. Emphasizing healthy eating and living,

Wong’s provides vegan foods, plus locally sourced produce, proteins and beverages, among other goods. On the Spotlight, Martinez-Salinas said his place became a destination for neighborhood customers seeking unique, healthy items during the pandemic. “I was trying to be a resource,” he said in the account. Centro’s additional long-term plans include occasionally focusing on a downtown space by hosting an open house there, and inviting neighboring business owners, residents and other stakeholders. “It’s like having a guided conversation during an open house,” Gaona said. Centro also is doubling its efforts to improve downtown’s retail real estate,

seeing where gaps exist and the types of businesses best suited for the immediate area. Overall, Gaona said, Centro San Antonio’s goal is to ensure the ecosystem as a fun, safe place for merchants, residents and visitors. To this end, Centro worked with the city and the American Institute of Architects’ local chapter to organize the Shade Equity Design Competition. Design teams from across Texas were urged to submit plans for shade structures in three downtown locations; neighbors could provide input. “People who work or live in downtown want it to be a nice place to work and live,” Gaona said. Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

FREE Public Montessori School within SAISD Now Accepting Applications Ahora Aceptando Aplicaciones PreK-3 thru 2nd Grade Offering Non-Dual Language and Dual-Language pathways Deadline to apply January 29, 2021

For information sessions call (210) 438-6873 or email us at RodriguezInfo@saisd.net saisdchoice.com

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

HAPPENING

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

DECEMBER

HAPPENING continues from pg. 07

TOBIN PERFORMANCES workshops for children ages 8-10 at the Sherman Animal Care Complex, 1354 Basse Road, from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 23. Also, at the same place, from 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 18, adults can learn how to coexist with and appreciate wildlife during a free tutorial. For updates or cancellations, visit wildlife-rescue.org.

THROUGH DEC. 27 ‘FULLY COMMITTED’

The Public Theater of San Antonio, 800 W. Ashby Place, presents “Fully Committed.” COVID-19 health and safety protocols will be enforced. For more, visit http://www. thepublicsa.org/event/655f1d37f288897e288ce7e663e193e0.

The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, hosts socially distanced events. Those include Greater Tuna’s Jaston Williams in “Blood and Holly” (Dec. 2-5); Ballet San Antonio’s “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 4-6, 11-13); the music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” featuring Doc Watkins and his trio (Dec. 8-20); and Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (Dec. 20). For ticket prices, show times, updates or cancellations, visit https://www.tobincenter. org.

THROUGH JAN. 17

WESTERN ART EXHIBIT The Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., presents “Visual Voices: Contemporary Chickasaw Art.” COVID-19

Rich in tradition, Devoted to care, Together in community.

health and safety protocols enforced. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www.briscoemuseum.org.

THROUGH MAY 9 TUMULTUOUS ART

Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star St., presents four exhibitions offering a contemplation of tumultuous times: “Sanctuary City Project;” “Ryan Takaba: A Relationship with Flight;” “Theresa Newsome: Objects of Aggression;” and “Please Form a Straight Line.” For updates or cancellations, visit https:// bluestarcontemporary.org/.

WEDNESDAYS GOOD VIBES

The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St.

Mary’s St., hosts “Wednesday Vibes in the Garden.” Experience music, yard games and more from 6-10 p.m. For updates or cancellations, visit https://eatgoodkind.com.

ONGOING

SAISD FREE SCHOOL MEALS Qualifying campuses in San Antonio Independent School District serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge. For updates or cancellations, call 210554-2290.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@localcommunitynews.com.

THA2N02K0 FYALOL UFLING