LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM VOL. 9, ISSUE 10 | APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS ALAMO HEIGHTS • KING WILLIAM • MONTE VISTA • OLMOS PARK • TERRELL HILLS
HOME & GARDEN
SUSAN YERKES | PG. 04
HAPPENING LOCAL | PG. 03
THE LESSONS A VIRTUAL OF HISTORY PAGE-TURNER LOCAL LOWDOWN | PG. 09
DEVELOPER DROPS PLANS FOR RIVER ROAD
HOME & GARDEN | PG. 06
SPRUCE UP FOR SPRINGTIME
North Central elections loom
Learning lessons from weather emergency
VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS MAY 1 by EDMOND ORTIZ
COMMUNITIES RECOVER FROM WINTRY BLAST FOLLOWING A HISTORIC WINTER STORM, relief programs have emerged while officials assess what responses worked and which ones didn’t during the emergency and its aftermath.
Hundreds of thousands of CPS Energy customers DISASTER continues on pg. 10
endured rotating or prolonged power outages for several days of subfreezing temperatures. The mercury in San Antonio dipped to record lows the week of Feb. 14, as two of the biggest
snowfalls in nearly 40 years occurred days apart. Those blackouts hampered efforts by San Antonio Water System crews to address waterpressure problems caused by pump-station failures and water leaks. Thousands of folks literally left out in the cold used social media and other means
by EDMOND ORTIZ
VOTERS LIVING IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWN will decide multiple May 1 city council and school board contests.
SAN ANTONIO Two-term Mayor Ron Nirenberg and former District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse, whom Nirenberg beat in a 2019 runoff election, headline a BALLOTS continues on pg. 11
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STAFF
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna EDITORIAL Editor
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ON THE COVER – Residents at Granada Apartments, 311 S. St. Mary’s St., wait to get bottled water during a distribution event Feb. 19. The February winter storm created many problems including low-water pressure or no water at all. Local and state officials are looking at ways to protect and maintain infrastructure when the next blast hits. See the story on page 01. Courtesy photos/District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño
WHAT TEXANS SUFFERED during February’s great winter storm can never happen again. As temperatures stayed below freezing for several days, and millions went without electricity or water, it became painfully clear no one was in charge. When essential services were needed most, they were unavailable. Texas, which has the ninth-largest economy on the planet, suddenly entered the Dark Ages. Today, the misery many of us endured during the blackouts already seems like ancient history, but it’s really not. The lingering effects may even be putting a chill on your bank account. The last few weeks, utility companies have foreshadowed higher energy costs passed on to consumers.
Nor will this be the last time Old Man Winter delivers such an icy blow to the Lone Star State, according to climate predictions. For years, Texas utilities received warnings about a potential and catastrophic collapse of the state’s electrical grid. Yet, officials failed to assess previous episodes and correlate energy needs with population and business growth. Changing the guard at local and state utility boards and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which controls the grid, must continue. Texas also has to overhaul its energy-production systems and electric availability commensurate with the last five years of expansion. The Legislature must authorize the means to winterize vulnerable equipment and safeguard the system so residents are protected for the next crisis. Texans not only deserve answers, but solutions. This tragedy cannot be repeated.
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
APRIL
PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
HAPPENING
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
City Councils/ School Districts Alamo Heights: 5:30 p.m. April 12, 26; 6116 Broadway
Olmos Park: 6 p.m. April 21; 120 W. El Prado Drive Terrell Hills: 5 p.m. April 12; 5100 N. New
APRIL 7
SPROUTING AT THE GARDEN San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave., holds a 9:30 a.m. social time and a 10 a.m. program. For updates, email info@sanantoniogardencenter.org or call 210-824-9981.
Braunfels Ave.
APRIL 8-18
Drive
The Public Theater of San Antonio, 800 W. Ashby Place, presents “Golda’s Balcony” virtually due to the pandemic.
San Antonio ISD: 5:30 p.m. April 12; 406 Barrera St. Alamo Heights ISD: 6 p.m. April 15; 7101 Broadway North East ISD: 5:30 p.m. April 12; 8961 Tesoro
‘GOLDA’S BALCONY’
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Livestreaming is 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets or updates, visit https://www. thepublicsa.org/2020-2one-season/golda.
APRIL 8
GARDEN GAB The San Antonio Herb Society socializes at 6:30 p.m., program 7 p.m., San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave. Visit www.sanantonioherbs.org. HAPPENING continues on pg. 05
APRIL 7
ALAMO HEIGHTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Luncheons are at Paesanos Lincoln Heights, 555 E. Basse Road. Arrive by 11:30 a.m. Cost is $25. For updates, call 210-822-7027 or visit http:// alamoheightschamber.org/. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
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.
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OPINION
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
Opening our eyes to the lessons of history by SUSAN YERKES
I NEVER THOUGHT the University of Texas at Austin’s “The Eyes of Texas” was a racist song. As an alumna, I still don’t. But, I certainly know a lot more about it after a UT committee released a detailed report in March. The members found little evidence to connect the line “The eyes of Texas are
upon you” to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, and none at all to suggest it espoused slavery. However, the group found the lyric quoted in a rousing speech by former UT President William Prather in the 1900s, and Prather got it from an exhortation by Confederate Brig. Gen. John Gregg to his troops.
Gregg may have referenced George Washington’s famous quotation, “The eyes of all our countrymen are upon us.” Or, he could’ve made it up. Whatever. For now, “The Eyes of Texas” remains the official school song. But now the accusation of racism is out there, and it’ll continue to cause
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controversy, just as the protest against singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” still riles up folks. Our nation’s history includes many sad and shameful traditions, from genocide against Native Americans to slavery. I love my country, but I can’t pretend our story isn’t rife with painful discrimination. Here in San Antonio, with a Latino majority, most of my Black and Hispanic friends recall hurtful bigotry. You can legislate equality, you can cancel culture, but you cannot wave a magic wand to make prejudice disappear. Will removing Dr. Seuss books or “Little House on the Prairie” from libraries change the past? Does “whiting out” history make us a stronger nation? Plans to restore the Alamo have been hampered by a battle over what parts of the struggle for Texas independence should be presented. There’s even a debate about any mention of slavery when “reimagining” the Alamo — even though William Barret Travis’ slave, Joe, was one of the only survivors of the siege. It seems to me the truth about history, warts and all, helps us learn from the past, not repeat it. At UT-Austin, President Jay Hartzell has now created new programs to recruit and support Black students and more diverse faculty. He also wants to erect more monuments and spaces honoring minorities.
This wouldn’t erase the fact Black students weren’t even admitted there until the 1950s. Yet, it seems to me moving forward to change the world in positive ways makes more sense than searching the past for long-dead people to pillory. A few years ago, at a Texas Exes event, I had the opportunity to meet internationally acclaimed mezzosoprano Barbara Smith Conrad, one of UT-Austin’s most accomplished alums. In 1956, Conrad was one of the Precursors – the first group of Black attendees at the university. Born near Pittsburg, Texas, she enrolled at the university the first year of its desegregation. A brilliant singer, she won the lead in a student opera, but the Legislature threatened to cut UT’s funding if a Black woman was allowed to play a major role opposite a white man. Sadly, the school caved. Harry Belafonte heard and offered to pay for her transfer elsewhere. She declined. The pioneer wanted to stay and be a part of the change. A civil-rights champion until her death in 2017, Conrad proudly sang “The Eyes of Texas” at the university’s 2000 commencement. Later, she said she chose to remain at UT because, “Music can unite us.” Is it too much to hope exposing and acknowledging the past, and working to change the future, can unite us, instead of divide 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.
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
HAPPENING continues from pg. 03
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APRIL 16, 30 PEARL ROTARY
APRIL 8-25 ‘ANTIGONE’
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio presents "Antigone" at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. Call 210-589-8450 or visit classictheatre.org.
APRIL 9-11
BOOK FESTIVAL The San Antonio Book Festival is a virtual, three-day event with free, online programming. Join readers and writers from Texas, the U.S., and beyond. Depending on COVID-19 conditions, there could be last-second, physically distanced, in-person sessions. For more, visit sabookfestival.org.
APRIL 10 KID ART
While supplies last, Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star St., holds a Family Saturday Art Kit Pick Up from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities are for youngsters ages 5-9. For more, visit www. bluestarcontemporary.org.
APRIL 10 & MAY 1
ART FANS IN SOUTHTOWN Southtown Arts District First and Second Saturday Markets take place at The Artisan, 1103A S. Presa St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For updates, email shop@theartisansatx.com or call 210-962-5560.
APRIL 10
‘THE PEOPLE’S CLINIC’ 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/the-peoples-clinic/.
The group meets on alternating Fridays at 11:30 a.m. normally inside The Culinary Institute of America, 312 Pearl Parkway, but over Zoom during the COVID-19 outbreak. For updates or cancellations, call 210-913-7448.
APRIL 16
SPRINGFEST The annual Alamo Heights Junior School Springfest fundraiser is 4-6 p.m. For an update on events and location, visit https://ahjhspto. membershiptoolkit.com/calendar/ event/5373771.
APRIL 19
VIRTUAL GARDENING CLASSES Garden Volunteers of South Texas meet over Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public, but space is limited. For updates or cancellations, visit https://gardeningvolunteers.org/.
APRIL 21
RETIRED TEACHERS Normally, the San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association holds 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. During the pandemic, conferences may be over Zoom. For updates, cancellations and guest speakers, visit https://localunits.org/ SanAntonio/.
APRIL 23
SCHOOL HOLIDAY Campuses are closed in Alamo Heights, San Antonio and North East independent school districts for a holiday. For updates or cancellations, contact the appropriate school district. HAPPENING continues on pg. 08 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
SPECIAL SECTION HOME & GARDEN
APRIL 6 – MAY 4, 2021
Spring maintenance checklist for homeowners SPECIAL TO LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
• Mow the lawn. Trim the edges. • After the next rainfall, inspect your yard for standing water, which can damage your home and invite mosquitoes. Consider hiring a landscaper to level out an uneven lawn.
HVAC MAINTENANCE (STATEPOINT) — As the weather warms up, there are a few maintenance
tasks every homeowner should consider completing. Use this checklist as your guide:
OUTDOOR UPKEEP • Wash window exteriors for a better view. • Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water flow. Neglecting this task for too long can cause rot, mold and damage to your foundation. • Get your patio or deck in tip-top shape
for outdoor living. Sweep and hose it down. Remove patio furnishings from storage. Wipe down surfaces and vacuum cushions (or launder them if they’re machine washable). • Inspect lawn equipment and tools for needed maintenance, repair and fuel refills.
It's that time of year to start sprucing up your home and do some spring cleaning. Oranat Taesuwan / iStock via Getty Images Plus
• Change HVAC filters at least once each season (ideally monthly). Dirty filters make equipment work harder and cause more wear and tear on equipment. They also increase your energy bill and lessen indoor air quality. • According to Energy Star, 20-30 percent of the air that moves through the duct system of a typical home is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Consider professional duct sealing for improved energy efficiency and lower bills. • Check to see whether your furnaces and air conditioners bear the Energy Star logo. If not, consider a new unit. A properly-sized and installed Energy Star air conditioner uses up to 20 percent less electricity than older models, and doing so may make you eligible for a federal tax credit. • Have a technician give your home’s cooling system a preseason tune-up so that everything is running efficiently by the time warmer weather arrives. You know the “personality” of your heating or cooling unit best, so be prepared to provide the technician with important information. No fact is insignificant, as it may help them diagnose and fix a problem. • Be sure that all HVAC installation and maintenance is performed only by a qualified professional. Read company reviews and ask the contractor if they have technicians certified by North American Technician Excellence. NATEcertified technicians have demonstrated knowledge of today’s increasingly sophisticated heating and cooling systems. To find a NATE-certified technician in your area, visit Natex.org.
SAFETY • Carbon monoxide, often referred to as the “silent killer,” is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Protect your family by changing the batteries on your carbon monoxide detectors and ensuring you have a detector on each level of your home. When changing a furnace filter, make sure the new filter is correctly positioned and the access panel is securely fastened. Have your home’s furnace inspected and serviced annually by a NATEcertified technician. • Likewise, test all the smoke alarms in your home and replace batteries as needed. The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke alarms on every level of the home, including every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. A little seasonal maintenance can go a long way to a safer, more beautiful and more eco-friendly home.
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
HAPPENING
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
HAPPENING continues from pg. 05
APRIL
ON WITH THE SHOW!
APRIL 25
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT Ministry with KMFDM and Front Line Assembly perform in the Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., at 6 p.m. Physical distancing enforced. For tickets, updates or cancellations, visit https://www.theaztectheatre.com/.
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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/.
APRIL 28
THROUGH MAY 9
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation offers a series of educational, interactive workshops for children ages 8-10 at the Sherman Animal Care Complex, 1354 Basse Road, from 6-8 p.m. Visit wildlife-rescue.org.
Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star St., presents four exhibitions offering contemplation of today’s tumultuous times. For updates or cancellations, visit https:// bluestarcontemporary.org/.
APRIL/MAY
THROUGH MAY 9
Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St.,will host Micky & The Motorcars (April 10), John Mark McMillan (April 22) and Del Castillo (May 1). For times, costs, updates or cancellations, visit http://www. samsburgerjoint.com/calendar/.
Enter the San Antonio River Authority’s fourth annual “River Clicks” photo contest. Capture the beauty of the San Antonio River for a chance to win prizes. For submissions, visit sariverauthority.org.
APRIL
ON EXHIBIT
MUSIC TO MY EARS
BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY Meeting over Zoom, the group holds an 11 a.m. April 12 presentation hosted by city Parks and Recreation Natural Areas’ Wendy Leonard titled, “An Opportunity to Connect People with Nature.” Then, on April 28, author Julie Beever will hold a 6:30 p.m. discussion on her children’s book, “A House for Wren.” For details including links, updates or cancellations, visit https://bexaraudubon.org/.
Online consults at reupmensclinic.com or call (210) 791-0068
MAY 6
Taking place over Zoom, San Antonio chapter gatherings feature a 7 p.m. program. Normally the group gathers at Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway, and starts with a 6:30 p.m. plant exchange. For updates or cancellations, visit http://npsot.org/wp/ sanantonio/.
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Although limited by the COVD-19 pandemic, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, hosts 8 p.m. physically distanced events. They include the San Antonio Symphony (April 9-10), Doc Watkins with Strings (April 23) and “Late Night Catechism 3” (April 24). For ticket prices, updates or cancellations, visit https://www. tobincenter.org.
AUDUBON SOCIETY
TROUBLED TIMES
RIVER PICTURES
THROUGH MAY 9 The San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave., hosts “No Ocean Between Us,” an exhibition exploring the art of Asian diasporas in Latin America and the Caribbean. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. samuseum.org/.
HAPPENING continues on pg. 15
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW IN THE COMMUNITY FROM OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS TO NEWS TIDBITS.
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
LOWDOWN 9
Open and Opening Soon LITTLE EM’S OYSTER BAR, 1001 S. Alamo St., offers lobster rolls, ceviche, salads and burgers in Southtown. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more, call 210-275-0100 or visit https:// littleemsoysterbar.com/ or email eat@ littleemsoysterbar.com.
METHODIST HEALTHCARE-CARENOW URGENT CARE, 5410 Broadway, has opened at Austin Highway for patients experiencing minor illnesses and injuries. The clinic also offers immunizations, sports physicals and other medical exams, and occupational medical services. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more, call 210-998-6677.
GLASS AND PLATE RESTAURANT, 4212 McCullough Ave. in Olmos Park, recently debuted to serve American cuisine with European influences for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with a full bar. In addition to indoor dining, there’s online ordering for curbside pickup. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. For more, call 210-8647500 or visit www.glassandplate.com.
IN OTHER NEWS:
AUSTIN-BASED MNO PARTNERS DROPPED PLANS for a townhome project called The Oaks at River Road in the River Road neighborhood in Brackenridge Park, according to multiple reports. The city’s Historic and Design Review Commission initially approved the concept with stipulations in 2019, but the municipality’s Board of Adjustment overturned the decision in early 2020 after several neighbors objected. MNO revised and scaled down the scheme, but many residents still disapproved. Last November, HDRC asked MNO to further refine the proposal. However, according to various
accounts, MNO developers David Morin and Frank Navarro will focus on projects elsewhere, including in New Braunfels.
ALAMO HEGHTS HIGH SCHOOL’S CONNOR FOOTE WON two gold medals in the University Interscholastic League Class 5A swimming and diving championships. The junior placed first in the 100-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke during the Feb. 27 boys’ state meet at Josh Davis Natatorium.
IN FEBRUARY, DEVELOPER LOOPY LTD. ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUILD THE COSMOPOLITAN, a 105-unit apartment high-rise at 311 W. Laurel St. in Tobin Hill. According to reports, The Cosmopolitan will be the new home for elderly, low-income residents living in the nearby Aurora Apartments, a 92-year-old structure scheduled for renovations after tenants relocate. Loopy also owns the Aurora, and will cover upgrades there, including improved elevators and air conditioning, and bringing fire sprinklers up to code.
EMILY GIEHLL, FIFTH GRADER AT LEWIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WON THE GRAND PRIZE in the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation’s spring art contest. Emily will be honored on the Texas Cavaliers’ float during the Fiesta River Parade, which along with other Fiesta events, moved from April to June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emily also gets free Whataburger for a year. All winners received scholarships to the Southwest School of Art’s summer art studios. Thanks to sponsors and donors, the Texas Cavaliers will also donate $46,000 to local schools’ art programs in 2021, officials said. Find LOCAL Lowdown at www. localcommunitynews.com. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
PRAYING THROUGH DAY TO DAY SITUATIONS From the recent March tragedy in Atlanta to the other heartaches in our lives, we need to know the best way forward for creating peace. Prayer is the spiritual path by which to live peacefully through our day-to-day events. Instead of just fleeing or fighting tough circumstances, first imagine that you are following Christ through your emotionally charged situations. Typically, in these moments we can feel a lack of peace. But God can produce a calm inside of us so that we can rise to the challenge and respond to the trouble. Peace starts within and ripples out. Crises come to all of us but through prayerful awareness, the Spirit calms our troubled hearts to create inner peace. From prayer – feel the Spirit filling you with God’s love, and enter into the peace He’s already provided. It’s right there for the taking. Through prayerful awareness, God calms our troubled hearts so that we can then be His peacemakers in our troubled world. Les Hollon, PhD Senior Pastor
Worship on Sundays
Join us on Sundays in-person or watch our services streamed live at 10:30am facebook /tbcsanantonio www.trinitybaptist.org
Connect with Us:
319 E. Mulberry Ave | (210) 733-6201 24-hr Prayer line: (210) 738-PRAY info@trinitybaptist.org /leshollon /tbcsanantonio @trinitybaptist_sa
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
GOVERNMENT
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
DISASTER continues from pg. 01
to share frustrations they endured during and after the wintry blast. Many residents and merchants spent weeks fixing burst pipes and other damages. SAWS customers may apply for plumbing-repair reimbursement by visiting www.saws.org/cpr. Eligible homeowners in Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills or Olmos Park may seek similar compensation at https://www.bexar.org/3360/PlumbingAssistance. San Antonians who sustained stormrelated property damage or loss of personal property may visit https:// strongertogether.sanantonio.gov or call 311, option 5, for aid. Mayor Ron Nirenberg appointed
a committee on winter-storm preparedness and responses. The panel includes District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry, and is chaired by former District 8 Councilman Reed Williams. “While many of the factors that triggered the devastating electrical and water outages in our community were not within our control, it is our duty to report to the community how our emergency-response operations and public utilities got in this situation and what can be done to be better prepared for the future,” Nirenberg said. Olmos Park, Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills staff worked during the storm to help residents and businesses adversely affected by the disaster. “Alamo Heights had long power outages just like other areas in the
region,” City Manager Buddy Kuhn said, adding City Hall and emergency dispatch briefly ran on power from a generator. While many structures sustained frozen pipes, Alamo Heights has its own water infrastructure and maintained enough pressure to avoid boil-water notices SAWS temporarily issued to its customers. Terrell Hills City Manager William Foley said City Hall had one damaged water line. Streetdepartment personnel also fixed a broken pipe. State and local leaders now are scrutinizing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. The state’s power-grid operator ordered energy providers to implement rolling blackouts to stabilize Texas’ power supply during the storm, which left millions without heat. Several ERCOT board members resigned.
Texas also aims to help residents worried about exorbitant energy bills. The Public Utility Commission ordered energy providers to temporarily stop disconnections over unpaid bills. PUC also determined there would be no invoices or bill estimates until future accounting issues are addressed. In addition, Gov. Greg Abbott asked power companies to better shield their equipment against severe winter weather, and mandated the 87th Legislature make overhauling the state’s energy preparedness a priority. “The state of Texas will continue to investigate ERCOT and uncover the full picture of what went wrong, and we will ensure that the disastrous events of (February) are never repeated,” Abbott said. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.
Aides to District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño and state Rep. Diego Bernal worked with Devils River Distillery employees and other volunteers Feb. 19 to supply bottled water to residents at the Aurora Apartments in Tobin Hill. Courtesy photo/Roberto Treviño
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
BALLOTS continues from pg. 01
14-candidate mayoral contest. Nirenberg’s priorities include affordable housing and workforce development, plus ensuring the community’s COVID-19 response and recovery is equitable. “As national leaders call for unity, in San Antonio we’re looking out for one another, lifting each other up, and working together to come back stronger than ever,” he said. Brockhouse, a mortgage banker and former council aide, is focusing on job creation, postpandemic economic recovery, plus strengthening police and other first responders. “We’re bringing new energy, bold
ideas and real urgency to make San Antonio the jobs capital of Texas for all of our families,” he said. Other hopefuls are Gary Allen, Tim Atwood, Ray Basaldua, Antonio “Tony” Diaz, Joshua James Galvan, Denise Gutierrez-Homer, Michael “Commander” Idrogo, Justin Macaluso, Dan Martinez, Jacq’ue Laurel “J.” Miller, Frank Adam Muniz and John Velasquez. Five opponents are challenging District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño including Mario Bravo, an Environmental Defense Fund project manager. Bravo’s priorities are improving public health and safety, and postpandemic economic development: “We need to recover equitably,
DECISION 2021
ensuring that the unemployed and underemployed in our city are our No. 1 focus.” Seeking a fourth full term, Treviño wants to concentrate on expanding pandemic relief for homeowners, renters and food-and-beverage industry workers. “We will continue to produce and implement plans instead of making empty promises,” he said. Others running are Lauro A. Bustamante, Cyndi Dominguez, Matthew J. Gauna and Raymond Zavala. District 2 incumbent Jada AndrewsSullivan faces 11 challengers. They include Carl Booker, Dori Brown, Pharaoh J. Clark, Nneka “Miss Neka” Cleaver, Norris Tyrone Darden, Chris
Dawkins, Michael John Good, Walter E. Perry Sr., Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, Andrew Fernandez Vicencio and Kristi Villanueva. Eleven residents vie to succeed District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, including real estate agent and Lone Star resident Marie Crabb. Gonzales cannot run again due to term limits. Crabb supports affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, reducing recidivism in crime-control efforts, and more collaboration among area colleges, schools, businesses and nonprofits. “We should be training our future leaders,” she said. BALLOTS continues on pg. 12
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
DECISION 2021
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
BALLOTS continues from pg. 11
Other candidates include: Jesse “Jay” Alaniz, Irma G. Barron, Teri Castillo, Ray Garza, Anthony Gres, Norberto “Geremy” Landin, Rudy Lopez, Jason Mata, Ricardo Moreno and David Yañez. Army Reserve officer Gabrien Gregory, Administrative Law Judge Ezra Johnson, grassroots activist Emily Norwood, and educator Alex Svehla oppose District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry’s third-term bid. Perry beat Johnson in the 2017 runoff election. San Antonio is also proposing two City Charter amendments. One would repeal police officers’
collective bargaining rights, a goal for reformers. The second lets the municipality issue bonds for permanent public improvements, such as building affordable housing, or others not prohibited by the Texas Constitution.
TERRELL HILLS Either attorney Kristyl Smith or Emmy Rogers Ballantyne, daughter-in-law of former Mayor Anne Ballantyne, will replace outgoing Place 3 Councilman William Ochse III. Having managed San Antonio’s Edwards Aquifer protection program, Smith said a city government must chiefly reach
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out to all community members, listen to their priorities and concerns, and advocate on their behalf. “My greatest skill is being able to truly understand the multiple motivations behind any apparent conflict, and find clever solutions,” she added. Meanwhile, Ballantyne pledged to help maintain a close-knit community, be approachable for all constituents, and act as a good steward of city resources. A nearly lifelong Terrell Hills resident, Ballantyne has served on the city’s parks committee and Board of Adjustment. “I was able to gain valuable experience and develop
relationships with our great team at City Hall,” she added. Place 4 Councilman Peter Mako is unopposed.
ALAMO HEIGHTS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT San Antonians Clay Page and Elissa Sangster aim to succeed outgoing Place 5 trustee Bonnie Giddens. A parent and general contractor, Page is campaigning for fiscal responsibility, extracurricular activities to enhance all children’s abilities outside the classroom, and helping students cope with “the silent epidemic of stress-related illnesses and the constant
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
pressure of being on top.” Sangster, a nonprofit leader and veteran PTO member, wants to help maintain educational excellence, attract and retain top educators, and keep setting high achievement standards. She also backs AHISD’s Profile of a Learner and communitybased accountability to further reflect “on how we collect input from our stakeholders and track the signals where additional support is required.” San Antonian Carey Watson Hildebrand and Alamo Heights’ Travis Wiltshire vie to succeed Place 7 trustee Perry Shankle, who isn’t running again. An AHISD parent/volunteer and substitute teacher, Hildebrand previously lived in Wyoming, working in its educational system. Her priorities are fiscal responsibility, listening to all constituents, and educating “the child as a whole with a focus on academics and good citizenship.” Principal/owner of CNG Engineering, Wiltshire is an AHISD parent/volunteer who has served with business groups and mentorship programs. Wiltshire supports fiscal responsibility, ensuring student and teacher safety, and fully equipping all learners for educational and professional success. “I believe my diverse background and experiences along with my business knowledge and engineering mindset would provide a valuable new perspective to the board,” he said. Place 6 trustee Lisa Krenger is unopposed.
13
Allergists Warn: “Prepare for Oak Pollen Season NOW”
SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Lavaca resident and COVID-19 case investigator Sarah Sorensen faces District 1 trustee Steve Lecholop, an attorney and King William resident pursuing reelection. Sorensen, an SAISD parent/volunteer and Lavaca Neighborhood Association leader, supports students, employees, families and community members having more weight in district decisions. She also backs community schools with wraparound services, and “prioritizing curriculum and strategies that are culturally relevant, culturally sustaining and anti-racist, and reduce the use of standardized testing and computer-based assessments.” An SAISD parent and former teacher, Lecholop said SAISD must make “student-centered, transparent decisions that will improve academic outcomes for kids.” Though Olmos Park and Alamo Heights lack contested races, residents in the latter are asked to reauthorize a sales tax to fund road maintenance. Voter registration ends April 1. Early voting is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 19-22 and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 24 and 26-27. Locations include Lions Field, 2809 Broadway; San Antonio College Victory Center, 1802 N. Main Ave.; Tobin Library at Oakwell, 4134 Harry Wurzbach Road; and the county elections office, 1103 S. Frio St. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www.localcommunitynews.com. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
South Texans know the two rules of oak pollen season: “don’t wear black, don’t wash your car.” Allergy sufferers wish they could add a third: “don’t breathe.” Hot on the heels of a relentless mountain cedar pollen season, oak looms large in their minds, and this year promises to live up to their sense of foreboding.
Shortly after oak leaves fall mid-February to early March, male oak trees grow flowering structures called “catkins” which release the infamous yellow-green powder. (Yes, it’s the males causing all the trouble: female flowers are a good bit smaller with fine filaments which catch a tiny amount of the pollen - these later become acorns. The rest of the pollen dusts our streets and fills our noses!) Peak oak season is typically between St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo. Unfortunately, oak pollen is a potent allergen for many San Antonians, sending their immune systems into a frenzy. This leads to upper respiratory disturbances, sinus problems, eye irritation, and aggravation of underlying conditions such as asthma. To make matters worse, oak pollen counts can reach into the thousands. Can anything be done to combat this yellow scourge of nature? It turns out the answer is yes. The board-certified allergists at CERTIFIED Allergy & Asthma of San Antonio (CAASA) advocate for three main approaches: reduce your exposures, medicate your symptoms, or best of all - treat your actual allergy ahead of time. “Many people don’t know this, but you can actually make yourself less sensitive to oak pollen right before the season starts,” says CAASA allergist, Dr. Daniel Ramirez. “Traditionally, patients have taken allergy shots for this, and while they’re highly effective, they’re inconvenient and impractical for some who suffer primarily from oak allergies.” Instead, Dr. Ramirez explains, patients can take oral drops of specially-prepared oak pollen extract in the convenience of their own homes, starting just before oak pollen season begins. His cousin and colleague Dr. Robert Ramirez agrees: “We have found that starting allergy drops to oak right before the season is a highly successful and natural way to treat the underlying allergy rather than just masking symptoms with medications. The results have just been tremendous for many of our patients.” Those seeking a novel approach to their oak allergies would be well-served to see the specialists at CAASA. With oak pollen around the corner, there is still time to get a p on the season. jump
Medical Center: (210) 614-3923 Lincoln Heights: (210) 822-5300 www.sanantonioallergist.com
• Jeffrey Hallett, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI • Daniel Ramirez Jr., MD, FACAAI • Robert Ramirez, MD, FACAA
14
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2021
Travis Park Church marks 175th anniversary by EDMOND ORTIZ
A DOWNTOWN CHURCH that initially held services at the county courthouse in the 1840s is now celebrating 175 years of community service.
Travis Park Church, 230 E. Travis St., is having a yearlong anniversary observance. “We’re raising hope and are anchored in faith,” Senior Pastor Eric Vogt said during a February virtual press conference at the sanctuary. “For 175 years, we’ve been a community of
Christ seekers and followers who share God’s unconditional love and justice in action.” In 1835, Lt. Col. William Barret Travis of the volunteer Texian Army
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wrote a letter calling for the establishment of a Methodist presence to serve an area where settlers began to revolt against the Mexican government. Only months later, Travis died during the siege of the Alamo. Methodist missionaries spent the next decade developing such a presence. One clergyman, John Wesley DeVilbiss, was assigned in 1846 to organize a church. Methodists and Presbyterians created what is now Travis Park Church, one of the city’s first Protestant congregations. Over the decades, its ministries have helped a range of vulnerable populations including homeless and hungry people, immigrants, and LGBTQ community members. “We’ve also been working hard for LGBTQ inclusion and equality both in the church and beyond,” Vogt added. Elected leaders representing the downtown area took part in the news conference to read city-, county- and state-approved proclamations formally recognizing the milestone. District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño delivered the municipal declaration, saying the church and its ministries do “one of the most important things anyone can do,
which is make sure you’re seen, heard and taken care of.” Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Calvert complimented the parish’s welcoming of diversity. “It’s an incredible legacy that we all share. The people of Travis Park Church break down the walls of prejudice and embrace all our brothers and sisters,” he added. Treviño’s predecessor on the council, state Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio, offered a state announcement lauding the chapel’s mission. “The church doesn’t just develop a personal relationship with God, it helps people to develop a working relationship with God,” he added. Travis Park Church is also using its anniversary to promote a capital campaign, raising money to expand various programs, and to support repairs to the youth building, where a roof collapsed after a heavy rainfall in 2019. For more, visit https:// raisinghope.travispark.org. eortiz@localcommunitynews. com Find this story and more at www.localcommunitynews.com.
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HAPPENING continues from pg. 08
THROUGH MAY 9
WESTERN ART LOVERS The Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., presents its annual extravaganza, “Night of Artists.” The 20th anniversary public exhibition and sale is a hybrid event with online and in-person celebrations. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. briscoemuseum.org/noa/ or call 210299-4499.
THROUGH JUNE 13 BEER-CAN ART
Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios, 1112 S. St. Mary’s St., displays beer-can designs by 25 emerging artists as part of the brewing company’s annual competition. The gallery is open from 4-10 p.m. for First Friday events, and noon to 6 p.m. on weekends. Socialdistancing protocols enforced. For updates or cancellations, visit https:// pabstblueribbon.com/blue-ribbonstudios.
THROUGH SEPT. 19 ART DISPLAY
Installations at the McNay Art Museum, 600 N. New Braunfels Ave., include “Limitless! Five Women Reshape Contemporary Art.” For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. mcnayart.org/exhibitions/.
WEDNESDAYS
MOVIES IN SOUTHTOWN In concert with Slab Cinema, The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., hosts weekly, physically distanced, open-air cinema. Upcoming foodie-friendly flicks include “Big Night” (April 7); “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” (April 14); “Eat Drink Man Woman” (April 21); and “I Am Love” (April 28). Films start
15
at 7 p.m. Cost is $8. For future titles, updates or cancellations, visit https://www.slabcinema.com or https://www.facebook.com/ goodkindsouthtown.
WEDNESDAYS
ALAMO HEIGHTS TOASTMASTERS The chapter meets at 7 p.m. in the Administration Building (Room AD 225) in the University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway. RSVP appreciated, but not required. For updates or cancellations, visit alamoheights. toastmastersclubs.org.
SUNDAYS
GET CANINES MICROCHIPPED Dogs can receive free microchipping by Animal Patrol from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the District 1 Field Office, 1310 Vance Jackson Road. Bring valid ID. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www.facebook.com/ RobertoTrevinoD1/.
ELSEWHERE IN SAN ANTONIO
MAY 6
HUNGRY FOR A CAUSE Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio will present "Taste of Home Benefit: A Toast for 45 Years" featuring local chefs, area celebrities, music, silent auction, and more. While the 6:30-7:30 p.m. virtual event is free to view at https://www.HabitatSA.org/ TasteofHome, call Bethany Thomas at 210-223-5203, ext. 148 or email Partner@HabitatSA.org for updates, cancellations, sponsorship, or crowdfunding opportunities.
SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@localcommunitynews.com. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
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