LOCAL - Southside Edition December 2020

SOUTH SAN ANTONIO

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM | VOL. 1, ISSUE 10 | DEC. 1-DEC. 29, 2020

LIVING

SPACES

COVID-19's impact on homeless, renters, homeowners could linger

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

AGENCIES REACHING OUT, OFFERING AID …

BUT FOR HOW LONG?

by SUSAN YERKES

by EDMOND ORTIZ

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.

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 comes to the fates of offices, malls and shopping centers.

SHELTER continues on pg. 11

PROPERTIES continues on pg. 08

YOGA AT THE MISSION

A gift to close the digital gap

LOCAL LOWDOWN

TOYOTA TEXAS’ DONATIONS BOOST SCHOOLS’ TECHNOLOGY

HAPPENING LOCAL

BROOSTER’S BACKYARD ICEHOUSE

by EDMOND ORTIZ

A SOUTH SIDE AUTO MANUFACTURER is helping schools bridge the digital divide, especially since many districts are struggling to keep learners engaged online during the pandemic.

Manufacturing Texas announced a $500,000 donation to Southside, Harlandale, South San, Southwest, East Central and Somerset independent school districts.

“It was apparent that our local students were faced with disadvantages, being victims of the digital divide,” said TMMTX President Kevin Voelkel. “This problem has

During a recent virtual presentation, Toyota Motor

ENGAGED continues on pg. 16

. . .

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

INSIDE TALK LOCAL PG. 02 HAPPENING LOCAL PG. 05 SUSAN YERKES PG. 04

LOCAL LOWDOWN PG. 06 DECISION 2020 PG. 14

2 STAFF DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

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ON THE COVER – Southeast Side apartment dweller Tiffany Shelton is safe from eviction through year’s end, but wonders what the future holds. 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? In-depth coverage begins on pg. 01. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

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.

rd .

OPINION

4

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

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

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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

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

8019 S. New Braunfels, Suite 101 San Antonio, Texas 78235

Live Oak

12705 Toepperwein Rd Live Oak, Texas 78233

Call (210) 981-3051 for more information or visit www.21co.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.

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

DECEMBER

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

HAPPENING

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

DEC. 1, 15

ROTARY CLUB The Rotary Club of San Antonio South normally meets at noon on the second floor of Stinson Municipal Airport, 8535 Mission Road. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, sessions may take place via Zoom. For updates or cancellations, visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/8149.

DEC. 3

VILLA FINALE FINE ART & ANTIQUES Part of the free, webinar series “Power of a Legacy,” Villa Finale: Museum & Gardens presents a virtual tutorial with Lark Mason Jr., appraiser and author.

For registration, time, link, updates or cancellations, visit https://www.villafinale.org/programs/.

DEC. 5, 19

YOGA AT THE MISSION Funded by Western National Parks Association and

partners at the National Park Service, Mission San José, 701 E. Pyron Ave., is the site of a free, one-hour community session at 10 a.m. Meet in front of the church or inside the granary during bad weather. For updates or cancellations, call 210-932-1001.

DEC. 5, 12

FOR ART FANS The free Southtown Arts District First and Second Saturday Markets are at The Artisan, 1103A S. Presa

5

St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For updates or cancellations, email shop@ theartisansatx.com or call 210-9625560.

DEC. 7, 14

SAISD BOARD MEETING San Antonio Independent School District trustees meet at 5:30 p.m. at 406 Barrera St. For updates or cancellations, visit www.saisd.net.

HAPPENING continues on pg. 07

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

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

LOWDOWN

6

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 BROOSTER’S BACKYARD ICE HOUSE, 815 Pleasanton Road, bills itself as an open-air beer joint. It’s pet- and kid-friendly, too.

Norman Velez says he’s created a “laid-back” atmosphere featuring Lotería nights, yoga classes, chancla-throwing contests and even turtle races. Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and noon to 2 a.m.

Saturday and Sunday. For more, visit www. facebook.com/BroostersBackyard.

LITTLE EM’S OYSTER BAR, 1001 S. Alamo St. in Southtown, set a November opening at the corner of Beauregard Street. Led by restaurateurs Emily and Houston Carpenter and chef Benjamin Crumley, the eatery offers

Take advantage of benefits that go beyond Original Medicare.

THE SAN ANTONIO PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVED INTO Phase 3 of its

If your health needs have changed, or your current plan doesn’t offer the benefits and features you’re looking for, it may be time to take advantage of an AARP® Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealthcare. Plans may include:

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lobster rolls, ceviche, salads and burgers. For more, call 210-275-0055 or visit https:// littleemsoysterbar.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/ LittleEmsOysterBar/.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Now is the time to be sure your current Medicare plan is still a good fit for you.

Specialist visits

Norman Velez (pictured, left), a South Side resident who ran North Side lounges for years, has debuted Brooster’s Backyard Ice House (right) on his home turf. He says the family-friendly place has plenty to offer patrons. Courtesy photos

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p.delagarzainsurance@gmail.com Sí, hablo su idioma.

Pl i d through h h UnitedHealthcare U i dH l h I Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. Plans are insured Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll. AARP encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make specific product recommendations for individuals. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, producers or brokers. AARP Medicare Advantage Walgreens (LPPO)’s pharmacy network includes limited lower-cost pharmacies in rural ID and OR. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call us or consult the online pharmacy directory using the contact information that appears on the booklet cover. Other pharmacies are available in the UnitedHealthcare network but you may not receive preferred retail pharmacy pricing. ©2020 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Y0066_200717_100916_M SPRJ55532_002DB35E

COVID-19 reopening plan in November, expanding services at all branches, including at Mission. Amenities include computers by appointment and continuing contact-free pickup for holds during standard hours.

Wi-Fi service outside 29 locations is still available 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. For more, visit guides. mysapl.org/covid-19/how-to.

SEVERAL SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SENIORS recently were recognized for two scholarship awards. Six students were named Phase 1 Scholars for The Gates Scholarship, including Andrea Sanchez at Brackenridge High School. Also, 12 SAISD students are finalists for the QuestBridge

Scholarship Program, including Ja’Lynn Crenshaw at Highlands High School.

BRACKENRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL YESENIA CORDOVA was recently tabbed World Languages Administrator of the Year by Education Service Center, Region 20.

IN OCTOBER, THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED the North American Friendship Garden is under development at Confluence Park in collaboration with the San Antonio River Foundation and the city. The gift from Canada and Mexico, through their respective consulates general, is a 2,500-square-foot educational garden featuring large pollinator plants, art benches, a seed library and a “bug hotel.”

HARLANDALE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT LAUNCHED A COVID-19 testing initiative with Community Labs, a local nonprofit providing what officials said is a costLOWDOWN continues on pg. 18

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

DEC. 10

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

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

DEC. 10

NETWORKING BREAKFAST The South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce holds a networking breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. at Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant, 1526 S.W. Military Drive. Cost is $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers.

For updates, visit https://www. southsachamber.org/ or call 210-533-1600.

families and caregivers. For updates or cancellations, and to RSVP, call 1-877215-9355.

DEC. 19

CALLING ALL SHOPPERS A farmers’ and artisans’ market opens at 9 a.m. at Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. The San Antonio Food Bank Mobile Mercado will present healthy cooking demonstrations and nutritioneducation sessions. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. missionmarquee.com/EVENTS/ Farmers-Artisan-Markets.

THROUGH DEC. 31

DAY OF THE DEAD LIVES ON

The Estela Avery Education Center inside Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St., is home to traditional healing practices from 1-5 p.m. For updates or cancellations, visit https://sariverfound.org/events/thepeoples-clinic/.

A Día de los Muertos outside exhibit can be viewed at Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For a sneak peek of the display called “Alive in Memory and Spirit,” plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www. missionmarquee.com/portals/29/ Files/ALIVE-In-Memory-and-Spirit. pdf.

DEC. 14

DECEMBER/JANUARY

Due to COVID-19 concerns, trustees will meet at 6:15 p.m. over Zoom. For a link, updates or cancellations, visit www. harlandale.net.

Students in Southside (Dec. 21-Jan. 4); Harlandale (Dec. 21-Jan. 1); and San Antonio (Dec. 21-Jan. 11) independent school districts receive time off for Winter Break.

DEC. 12

‘THE PEOPLE’S CLINIC’

HARLANDALE ISD BOARD MEETING

DEC. 17

SOUTHSIDE ISD BOARD MEETING Trustees meet at 6 p.m. at 1460 Martinez Losoya Road. For updates or cancellations, visit https://southsideisd.org/.

DEC. 17

STROKE SUPPORT A stroke support group meets from 2-3 p.m. at Southwest General Hospital, Classroom A, 7400 Barlite Blvd. The sessions are open to stroke survivors,

SCHOOL’S OUT

THROUGH JAN. 29

SAISD STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES Applications are being accepted for pupils across Bexar County to attend San Antonio Independent School District magnet and choice programs in the 2021-2022 academic year.

After the deadline, a waiting list will be created. For school options, plus virtual information sessions, visit https://saisdchoice.com.

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

HAPPENING

7

THROUGH MAY 9

SUNDAYS

Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star St., presents four exhibitions offering contemplation of today’s 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/.

The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., hosts a meal and music by George Gaytan from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www.facebook.com/ GoodKindSouthtown/events/.

TUMULTUOUS TIMES

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/.

BRUNCH AND MORE

ONGOING

MISSION MARQUEE PLAZA San Antonio’s World Heritage Office has free fun for family and friends on the historic grounds of Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www.missionmarquee.com/ EVENTS/Cultural-Community-Events.

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

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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

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 hit, it wouldn’t surprise me to see different uses, such as schools,

Pandemic pivots: retail recovery in crisis times

by SUSAN YERKES

While the pandemic seemed like the end of the line to many small businesses, some already were pursuing positive survival strategies.

Others pivoted by adopting new practices, enabling them to grow.

Mitzi Villalobos’ Bride on a Budget Events has surfed the pandemic riptides successfully.

The South Side resident

started her business part time in 2016 and went all-in last year.

“When the pandemic hit, at first we could barely go to the grocery store. But, people were not willing to put their love life on hold,” she said. “When I started applying for financial assistance, LiftFund helped me financially, and also helped me learn about other resources.

Participating on Zoom with a SCORE (a network of volunteer

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 main-circulation 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, has gone through several transitions.

It still has retailers such as Target

commerce experts) business mentor has helped a lot, too. “ She added, “I stay affordable with very low overhead. I do almost everything myself, working from home — so, no lease or electric bills. I invested a lot in getting … software that can do all the things another employee might.”

The job still involves oldfashioned, in-person meetings, but real-time online chats are fine, too.

“I live on the near South Side just 10 minutes from downtown, so I can meet brides there, or even on Zoom now,” she said. “And, we’re tailoring our service to really intimate events – in October, I did a wedding at the Hotel Contessa for just 10 guests.”

Her business has actually

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 with these spaces without

grown during the health crisis.

“Post-lockdown, people still want beautiful weddings, but they are really on a budget, and I think our name has truly saved us. My friends in the industry are struggling, but this is our best year ever,” Villalobos said.

Meanwhile, Kela and Kevin Nabors, owners of Organically Bath & Beauty in The Elms Shopping Center, 11854 Wurzbach Road, were doing well enough in 2019 for the former to leave her career and focus solely on the family shop.

Then came the coronavirus outbreak.

PIVOTS continues on pg. 09

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

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

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 gymlike 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

SPACES

9

PIVOTS continues from pg. 08

“March was a total loss. We went from maybe $10,000 to $15,000 a month to, like, zero,” Kela Nabors said. “We moved all we could into our living room and sent out pending orders. We felt lost.”

Kevin Nabors took an extra part-time job to help cover expenses. They applied for COVID-19 relief grants, and the nonprofit LiftFund — which, with the city, has helped distribute federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds — came through with $25,000.

The couple shifted to a virtual business format, expanding their online store and shifting their popular inperson essential-oils classes to Facebook Live.

“People who found us through the online bath-bomb classes started shopping online. The grant helped us keep going. We moved back in the store in May. Before the pandemic, we got maybe one

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

online order a week. In May, we got 20. In June, business tripled again,” Nabors said.

The pair rented a second space in The Elms for packing online orders. The business, now about six times its prepandemic size, increased staffing from three employees to eight. They’re giving back, too. Profits from their soap end package sales go to the San Antonio Food Bank.

“Small-business owners who have managed best in COVID reiterate the same things,” said Ryan Salts, director of Launch SA, a nonprofit entrepreneurship and small-business center created through a partnership between LiftFund and the city.

His best advice: “Be flexible, maintain your website, diversify how you sell when people can’t walk in the door or find your product on a shelf. Stay relevant with your social media. Make your loyal customers feel like champs. Be involved with the community.”

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.”

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The pandemic has placed many communities at risk, including those without shelter.

Many groups offer aid, such as Endeavors, which serves vulnerable populations including homeless veterans. Courtesy photo/Endeavors

SHELTER continues from pg. 01

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

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 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

11

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.

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

LIVING

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

SHELTER continues from pg. 11

District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran praised county justices of the peace, who render legal decisions on eviction notices. They identify at-risk renters and link them to available assistance.

Viagran’s council staff has pointed many constituents toward aid. She also allocated more than $140,000 from the District 3 budget for more emergency aid.

“Because they were losing their job, because they were at risk of getting evicted, our council staff had to work hand in hand with those individuals and our city staff to get them all the

resources that were there,” she added.

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 Antonio-area municipalities have been working with private-sector agencies and nonprofits, such as Castle Hills-based SAMMinistries, to support struggling community members such as Shelton

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

for as long as possible.

“We have a robust program 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.”

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).

The organization also offers homeowners mortgage aid. Even so, 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.

• 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).

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

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

Many homeless are more at risk 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 cityleased 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

13

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

14

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

DECISION 2020

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

South Side voters mostly approve incumbents SAISD BOND, CITY MEASURES ALSO PASS

by EDMOND ORTIZ

A RECORD TURNOUT DURING NOV. 3 elections resulted in victories for many area incumbents, plus the San Antonio Independent School District, VIA Metropolitan Transit and the city.

More than 70% of voters approved San Antonio’s two sales-tax initiatives. One redirects a 1/8-cent share to support workforce development and training to help residents struggling as a result of the pandemic. “(Nov. 3) was a vote of confidence for the future of our city,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

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The other measure was a reauthorization of a 1/8-cent sales tax to maintain the Pre-K 4 SA program another eight years.

Nearly 68% of the electorate accepted 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 improvements and replacement of air-circulating chillers aged 15 years or more.

In addition, Proposition B provides $90 million 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

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

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

our facilities and our classroom spaces with those academic gains,” Superintendent Pedro Martinez said.

In area races, Democrat Rebeca Clay-Flores received 65% of the vote against Republican Gabriel Lara to win the Precinct 1 county commissioners contest.

She will succeed longtime Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez, whom she beat in the July primary runoff.

Clay-Flores, a Brackenridge High School graduate, spent 15 years serving in education and nonprofits, and has worked for the city of San Antonio.

She campaigned for additional public school funding, economic redevelopment, property-tax relief and breaking the “school-to-jail” pipeline, plus improving public safety, physical and mental health care, and veterans’ services.

“I praise God for this campaign journey and for victory,” Clay-Flores said on her Facebook page. “I will always be grateful to my volunteers, friends, family, and to the best and hardest working campaign manager in Texas, fellow Brackenridge graduate, Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe.”

The elections of Clay-Flores and Republican Trish DeBerry, in Precinct 3, marks the second time two women concurrently will serve on the Commissioners Court.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, was reelected to another term as the Congressional District 20 representative, beating Mauro Garza, R-San Antonio.

Representing Congressional District 28, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, fended off challenger Sandra Whitten, R-Laredo.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, held onto his Congressional District 35 post besting Jenny Garcia Sharon,

R-Austin.

Former state Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, upset state Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, flipping Texas Senate District 19 to blue.

“I would like to thank all the people of Senate District 19 that have helped me throughout this journey for putting their faith in me to work on the issues that matter most,” Gutierrez said on his Facebook page.

State Rep. Leo Pacheco, a San Antonio Democrat, topped Republican opponent Adam Salyer to win a second term in District 118.

“I want to thank the voters for sending me back to Austin to continue to work hard for District 118,” Pacheco said in an online statement. “With budget shortfalls due to COVID-19, it’s now very important to work in a bipartisan manner for the good of our state.”

Democrat Elizabeth “Liz” Campos beat her GOP foe George Garza in House District 119, where she will succeed Gutierrez as state representative.

“I am truly honored and blessed. I am ready to get to work to represent you and your families in Austin,” Campos said in an online statement.

Democrat Javier Salazar easily thwarted a challenge from former County Clerk Gerry Rickhoff, a Republican, to win a second term as sheriff.

Albert Uresti, a Democrat, had no problem defeating Republican Stephen Pennington to retain his county tax assessor-collector’s post.

Democrat Kathryn Brown topped Republican Larry Ricketts to win the county Precinct 4 constable’s post. A sergeant in the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, when sworn in, she’ll become the first Black woman to lead as a Bexar County constable.

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

DECISION 2020

15

Former state Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio (center), talks with voters at Mission Branch Library Nov. 3. He defeated incumbent Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, to win the Texas Senate District 19 seat. Courtesy photo/Roland Gutierrez/Facebook

“As your constable-elect, I promise I will fight for you just as hard as you fought for me in the voting booth,”

Brown told supporters.

Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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

EDUCATION

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

ENGAGED continues from pg. 01

exposed deeper issues that are a barrier to education.”

The contribution is based on each district’s technological needs and infrastructure.

Officials said the six school systems and their combined 56,000-plus pupils will benefit from the gift by improving web connections, acquiring virtual education software, plus buying and providing more Wi-Fi hot spots and mobile devices, such as Chromebooks.

The Japan-based automaker, which employs nearly 3,000 workers building Tundra and Tacoma pickups at its South Side plant, is partnering with Toyota USA Foundation to address disparities in various U.S. school systems.

Thanks to a halfmillion-dollar gift, some South Side school systems are looking at acquiring technological tools to enhance campus and remote learning during the pandemic. File photo

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STAY SOCIALL

COVID-19’s spread has disrupted society in many ways, Voelkel said.

To control its proliferation, area schools have emptied classrooms at primary and secondary campuses and turned to virtual instruction, or gone to limited in-person attendance.

However, 1 in 4 households on the South, East and West sides have no internet access, according to Digital Inclusion Alliance-San Antonio.

DIA-SA also notes a large percentage without digital service, or with spotty access, are those inside Loop 410.

About 70% of the population

in each school district receiving financial support from Toyota is economically disadvantaged.

Voelkel said no one’s residence or income should determine whether they can participate in school and be successful there.

Samantha Arroyo, a Losoya Middle School eighth-grader in Southside ISD, said her school district did everything possible to survey and ensure all families owned at least one home computer and had internet access.

School systems all over sought to provide students with off-campus

THIS PROBLEM HAS EXPOSED DEEPER ISSUES.” KEVIN VOELKEL, TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING TEXAS

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

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

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas President Kevin Voelkel announced the company is donating $500,000 to six South Side-area school districts to help them bridge the digital divide. Photo courtesy/Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas

devices they could use for virtual lessons.

“But, many of my friends and family members did not have computers at home, so going to the school real fast to pick (up a device) helped out,” she said during the presentation.

Voelkel highlighted SISD’s efforts at maintaining online education, including the district collaborating with area restaurants to use their WiFi access.

Southside ISD received $100,000 from Toyota, the second biggest amount behind Somerset’s $200,000. “(Toyota) didn’t do something popular, like by going to a bigger district. Instead, they saw a school district that has a lot of needs with connectivity,” Southside Superintendent Rolando Ramirez

said.

“For (Toyota) to take that into consideration and to be able to provide what they’re doing, we’re ecstatic. It means so much to our community and it’s really going to help our school district,” he added.

Harlandale ISD Superintendent Gerardo Soto said his institutions have bolstered their digital capabilities by putting Wi-Fi availability in school buses and in more buildings. HISD also increased orders for hot spots and mobile devices.

“A majority of our kids come from a lower socioeconomic status, but our families understand the importance of education, so they would sacrifice and buy devices for our students,” Soto added.

Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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LOWDOWN

DEC. 1 - DEC. 29, 2020

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 06

effective protocol. Exams started Nov. 10 and are geared to improve the speed and accuracy in identifying asymptomatic — or silent — spreaders who show no outward signs of infection. During the trial period, the initial phase included McCollum High School athletes, fine-arts learners, and students participating in competitive state academic activities. Staff members could request a voluntary screening.

IN RECENT MONTHS, SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR Advanced Placement art student Sandy Rojo placed third in the 2020 Battle of Flowers art contest, receiving

monetary awards both for herself and her campus. In addition, Rojo earned a gold medal for her work at the Visual Arts Scholastic Event Regional competition and was named an All-State Artist by the Texas Art Educators Association.

DISTRICT 3 COUNCILWOMAN REBECCA VIAGRAN stopped by the San Antonio Food Bank Oct. 23 to assist in distributing meals during the ongoing pandemic. Across the city, nearly 1,000 households received supplies during the event. “The San Antonio Food Bank is doing critical work at this time helping feed thousands of people on a weekly basis. ... This is a tough time for many families around our city and the District 3 team is

thankful for events like this where we can assist in times of need,” Viagran said. The Food Bank has pantries across a 16-county service area. For more, visit safoodbank.org.

ROBERT AND DEBRA ALSTON WON THE Republic Oaks Homeowners Association inaugural Halloween house-decorating contest.

District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran’s office visited the neighborhood to help select the residence with the most spirit. “I was honored to participate in this fun and spooky event. All houses looked fantastic,” Viagran said in a prepared release. “The overall winner incorporated ghosts, goblins, skeletons and Halloween lights in their decor, which immediately stood out among the rest.”

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Renee Schorsch, a Matthey Middle School science teacher in Southside Independent School District. The 32-year educator aided students at the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak by making sure they had needed supplies, and in some cases, even food. “You’re supposed to reach out and help people,” Schorsch said in a statement.

“Sometimes you don’t know you make the difference until you meet with somebody that tells you.” Spurs Give is the official nonprofit of Spurs Sports and Entertainment. According to a release from the foundation: “Rather than let the new normals of virtual learning stifle her desk-side manners, Mrs.

Schorsch did what she always does and went the extra mile.”

THREE CAST MED HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS at Brooks recently volunteered at the San Antonio Vascular and Endovascular Clinic: Destiny Valadez, Rodrigo Lerma and Letza Martinez.

Lyssa Ochoa, founder and surgeon at the SAVE clinic, said the internship allows students to gain experience being part of a medical unit.

The interns interacted with patients, experienced the front desk, worked alongside medical assistants and watched procedures. “This internship is a very amazing opportunity mainly because we actually get to see it and to see the impact that (Dr. Ochoa) is making on people,” Martinez said. CAST Med is in the San Antonio Independent School District.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON Burbank High School’s latest main structure. Scheduled completion is at the end of 2022. “This new building ties our legacy together with the original building from 1937 to the present and will be more than capable of meeting our requirements for the future and for the staff and students that come after us,” said Principal Irene Talamantes. Burbank is part of the San Antonio Independent School District.

The upgrades are among the district’s $450 million bond package approved by voters in 2016.

Find LOCAL Lowdown at www.localcommunitynews.com.

MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED. MORE PEOPLE PROTECTED. DID YOU KNOW? The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza (flu) is to get a flu vaccine every flu season.

Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. Everyone six months and older should get an annual flu vaccine.

Do your part and get vacinated, call 210.207.8894 to schedule your appointment for a flu vaccine at the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department’s Eastside Clinic.

EASTSIDE CLINIC Monday - Friday (Immunization Records and Vaccines) 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Appointment ONLY 210 N. Mel Waiters Way (formerly 210 N. Rio Grande) San Antonio, TX 78202 210.207.8894 **Please Note: Clinic may close early and without notice if full to capacity and total service transactions cannot be completed by 4:30 p.m. **

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