LOCAL - Northside SA - May 2021

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM VOL. 9, ISSUE 11 | MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS HAPPENING PG. 05

Cornerstone Church holds fellowship event at Topgolf

CASTLE HILLS • HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE • HOLLYWOOD PARK • SHAVANO PARK • NORTH SA

Runoff for SA’s District 9; incumbents out in 2 suburbs

by EDMOND ORTIZ

SUSAN YERKES | PG. 06

HOME & GARDEN | PGS. 14-15

UNCLOGGING THE CORRIDOR

KEEPING BAD INSECTS AWAY

PICTURE THIS

Work underway on new District 9 center for the community

ONE NORTH SAN ANTONIO councilman is headed for a June 5 runoff, while incumbents in Hollywood Park and Shavano Park lost bids for another term following the May 1 election.

A site plan shows how the District 9 senior center will be accessible from Walker Ranch Park. Courtesy/Beaty Palmer Architects

by EDMOND ORTIZ

Castle Hills Place 3 Councilman Kurt May greets voters outside City Hall on Election Day, May 1. May won his race. Courtesy photo/Kurt May

CANDIDATES continues on pg. 10

Governor’s office displays art from Johnson, Reagan students ARTS continues on pg. 16

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 9 residents will finally get their own senior/community center by summer 2022.

Construction began in March on a 26,000-square-foot facility at 840 W. Rhapsody Drive. It primarily will serve FACILITY continues on pg. 12

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4 STAFF

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna EDITORIAL Editor

Thomas Edwards News Staff

Edmond Ortiz Contributing Writers

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E. Fisher Contributing Artist

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ON THE COVER – Johnson High School student Pedro Diaz’s colored-pencil piece ‘Reflection’ is one of 12 Texas student artworks selected to hang for a year in Gov. Greg Abbott’s business office. Art by Reagan High School pupil Ashton Kordas also was picked. See the story on page 16. Courtesy/North East Independent School District

TA L K LO CA L

Viva vaccines FIESTA MAY BE A SCALEDDOWN affair this year, but at least it’s still being held.

Known as San Antonio’s biggest party, Fiesta originally launched decades ago to highlight Texas independence.

Though smaller in 2021, perhaps we should look at the celebration as a way to honor humankind’s hoped-for independence from COVID-19.

Last year, thanks to the novel coronavirus, the Alamo City’s revelry was canceled altogether to limit the pandemic’s outbreak, and with good reason. The scourge swept across the planet in 2020, causing death and tragedy everywhere.

Nor are we out of the woods yet.

However, due to unprecedented cooperation between scientists, governments and health care officials, revolutionary vaccines have been rolled out and the human race now has the potential to achieve herd immunity.

Wearing masks and practicing physical distancing are also helping.

Fiesta, normally in the spring, is June 1727. Gone this time are most of the parades and Fiesta Oyster Bake.

While we may miss the festive processions, chomping on turkey legs and cracking cascarones, it’s a small price to pay to ensure the defeat of this dreadful malady.

While we honor those who broke the chains of tyranny to create the Lone Star State, Fiesta 2021 can also symbolize our struggle to be free of a tyrannical disease.

Viva San Antonio! Viva vaccines!

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

MAY

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

HAPPENING

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

City Councils/ School Districts Hollywood Park: 6 p.m. May 18; 2 Mecca Drive Hill Country Village: 5 p.m. May 20; 116 Aspen Lane

Shavano Park: 6:30 p.m. May 24; 900 Saddletree Court

Castle Hills: 6:30 p.m. May 18; 209 Lemonwood

Drive

Northside ISD: 5 p.m. May 25; 7001 Culebra Road North East ISD: 5:30 p.m. June 14; 8961 Tesoro

updates, contact Sylvia Jolet at sjolet@ earthlink.net or call 210-497-3383.

president@bexarmg.org or visit https:// bexarmg.org/.

MAY 13

MAY 13

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive, Suite 208, holds a monthly board meeting from 1-3 p.m. for members.

Contact Lynn Cox a day ahead to observe sessions, possibly over videoconferencing, due to COVID-19.

For registration or updates, email

“PowerAmp Coaching” is from 9-10 a.m. at Greene and Associates Inc., 1110 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 700. Learn how to amplify leadership development.

For updates and registration, visit greeneandassociates.com.

BEXAR COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

BUSINESS WORKSHOP

HAPPENING continues on pg. 07

Drive

MAY 11 & JUNE 8 SEWING GROUP

A sewing club meets from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio St. Bring a power strip or extension cord. For LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

5

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.

OPINION

6

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

New hope for I-35?

by SUSAN YERKES

THE DRIVE ON INTERSTATE 35 between San Antonio and Austin always has been fraught with frustration. When lanes are added,

construction turns into bottlenecks. By the time new ones are finished, thousands more vehicles are on the road as the population soars. By 2050, demographers project there will be 2 million more cars in the region.

For as long as I can remember, folks have been trumpeting exciting news about projects certain to ease the gridlock, only to have them turn into the dreaded POTS (bureaucratic-speak for Plans on the Shelf). Back in 1989, former Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes’ high-speed Texas train project raised more than $70 million — and then went

Join

off the rails. In ’97, the Legislature created the Lone Star Rail District to ease Austin-to-SA traffic. Nearly twenty years, $25 million and a million dashed hopes later, LSRD went belly up, too.

Meanwhile, traffic keeps getting more clogged.

LOCAL as a

Recent reports of a new federal transportation plan, aiming to greatly expand America’s railroads, has given some travelers optimism. However, even an enhanced Amtrak San AntonioAustin schedule would make little difference. The trains don’t go any faster than the traffic – usually a little slower, sometimes a lot slower.

Kevin Wolff, a former San Antonio councilman, Bexar County commissioner and past Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization chairman, downplays Amtrak’s role in relieving intercity congestion.

“It’s nice if you want to take a leisurely train trip,” Wolff said.

“But, Amtrak runs on mostly Union Pacific track, and UP doesn’t care about passengers.

They care about freight.”

Wolff once told me: “You can’t build enough roads to keep up with congestion.” However, building roads is a lot cheaper than building rails.

Even so, Texas Central, an international railway consortium based in Dallas, has announced plans to start construction this year on a high-speed rail line connecting Houston and Dallas at speeds of up to 200 mph. If the plan succeeds – a big if – it could revive a San Antonio-to-Austin line.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Kevin’s dad, is skeptical.

“It would take God’s intervention for us to have highspeed rail,” he once said.

Managed traffic lanes may be a better answer. As AAMPO chair, Kevin Wolff said he helped ensure options to allow future leaders to designate new I-35 lanes as “managed” exclusively for mass transit or freight – maybe even the autonomous trucks and cars of the not-so-distant future.

Current plans are to add two new lanes in each direction on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio, with some of the work already underway.

Commuter-bus traffic in designated high-occupancy-vehicle lanes could be one solution.

Former Mayor Henry Cisneros also touted the idea when he worked on the ConnectSA initiative for VIA Metropolitan Transit.

Currently, three private bus lines make the trip almost hourly.

Dedicated mass-transit lanes for multiple-passenger transit or freight-carrying vehicles could be a positive step toward easing I-35 congestion.

For commuters, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. But, it probably isn’t a train. What do you think? syerkes@localcommunitynews.com

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MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

HAPPENING continues from pg. 05

HAPPENING

7

MAY 17

DISTRICT 10 COMMUNITY MEETING

MAY 15

SPRING CLEANING IN STONE OAK North Central Baptist Hospital parking lot, 520 Madison Oak Drive, is the site of a donate and dump event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a list of accepted items, visit http://www.stoneoakpoa. com/editor_upload/File/May%20 2021%20Donation%20and%20 Dumping%20Station%20Flyer.pdf. For updates or cancellations, visit http:// www.stoneoakpoa.com/calendar2. php?view=event&id=1490.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, monthly session are held virtually at 7 p.m. For links or updates, visit https:// www.sanantonio.gov/council/d10.

MAY 18 FORE!

Cornerstone Church hosts a men’s fellowship event at Topgolf San Antonio, 5539 N. Loop 1604 West. The golfing and meal begins at 6 p.m. Cost is $25.

For registration, visit https://www. sacornerstone.org/event/mens-events/518-21-men-s-fellowship-at-topgolf.

MAY 15

MAY 19

Shannon Brown will teach how to create a rain garden during a 9-10 a.m. virtual presentation. For updates and access to a Facebook link via Hardberger Park, visit https://www.philhardbergerpark. org/calendar-events/blc-nature-talk-raingardens.

The North San Antonio Retired Teachers Association holds a 10 a.m. to noon session at San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 San Pedro Ave. Visit https://localunits.org/ NSARTA/.

MAY 15

STONE OAK POA BOARD MEETING

NATURE TALK: RAIN GARDENS

CALLING ALL SENIOR SINGLES

RETIRED TEACHERS MEETING

MAY 19

If you’re single, divorced, widowed and 50 or older, fellowship, games, fun and lunch await from noon to 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Church’s Bythel Hagee Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway. For registration costs, updates or cancellations, visit https://www. sacornerstone.org/singles-ministry.

Conferences are normally held at 3:30 p.m. in the Property Owners Association offices, 19210 Huebner Road, Suite 100. However, due to COVID-19, sessions may take place over Zoom. For updates, visit http:// www.stoneoakpoa.com or call 210-8588508.

MAY 16-AUG. 15

MAY 21-23

With one Sunday event a month (May 16, June 13, July 11 and Aug. 15), the Paragon Splash & Dash Series 2021 for swimmers is at the Barshop Jewish Community Center pool, 12500 N.W. Military Highway, beginning at 8 a.m.

Age-group divisions from 5-17. For updates and to register for races, visit https://www. trisignup.com/Race/TX/SanAntonio/ ParagonSplashDashSeries2018.

Visit Blossom Athletic Center’s Littleton Gymnasium, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road, for the annual NEISD PTA Used Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday.

For updates, visit https://necouncilpta. com/web/nec/?page_id=84.

WATER FUN

NEISD BOOK SALE

HAPPENING continues on pg. 18 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

LOWDOWN

8

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

Open and Opening Soon

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

BURGER BOY, 151 W. Bitters Road, the fourth restaurant in this San Antonio chain, offers the eatery’s popular burgers and other fare. The site’s design, on the edge of Hill Country Village, mimics existing locations following renovations to a 2,300-square-foot former El Pollo Loco. The original, on North St. Mary’s Street, is said to have the oldest rotating sign in Texas. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

For more, visit burgerboysa.com.

EARTH BURGER, 20821 U.S. 281 North, offers fast vegetarian food including burgers, “Chik-N” wings and wraps. It has two other North Side locations at Park North and 2501 Nacogdoches Road. There’s

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10227 Ironside Drive, features barbecue from local pitmaster Emilio Soliz, plus separate bar and dining areas, and a section with games and entertainment.

Bar hours are 11-2 a.m. daily; the kitchen is open until 11 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday, and midnight Friday and Saturday. For more, visit www.facebook.com/ Skywalk-Sports-Bar-BBQ-andGrill-104408791630792.

SABOR DEL PUEBLO, 13489 Blanco Road, offers Mexican cuisine and a full bar. Live jazz is planned for Sunday brunch. For more, call 210-721-7750 or visit www. sabordelpueblo-sa.com.

DUTCH BROS., Loop 410 and West Avenue in Castle Hills, plans an opening in late 2021 or early 2022, according to the business.

The Oregon-based coffee chain will build a walk-up and drive-thru store. It’s part of the company’s Texas expansion, including upcoming debuts in Universal City, Windcrest, East Terrell Hills and northwest San Antonio.

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After After

Parkway from Mesa Ranch Street to Canyon Golf Road. Completion is planned for late May. The city also spent April repaving parts of North Side lanes, including Jackson Hole Street, Sugar Pine Drive, Powder River Street and Shell Creek Drive.

BAPTIST HEALTH SYSTEM RECENTLY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO renovate North Central Baptist Hospital’s labor and delivery units, and include a more contemporary aesthetic with lighting, new flooring, and updated décor. Upgrades will also create greater access to the hospital’s newest surgical robot, which is dedicated to advanced gynecological oncology and other surgeries, according to BHS.

CASTLE HILLS RECENTLY TEAMED WITH Legends Pharmacy regarding a local home COVID-19 vaccination program. Legends staff administered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, officials said.

IN MARCH, ANTONIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL’S Silver Dancers won their seventh championship at the ShowTime International national dance competition in Galveston. The Castle Hills-based school’s Ruby Dancers placed second overall in their initial national showing. Lauren Barthol and Emma Sitterle were named individual national champions in the duet division.

LEE HIGH SCHOOL’S BOYS SOCCER TEAM won the University Interscholastic League Class 6A state championship April 17, downing Rockwall-Heath 2-0 in Georgetown. Henry Bowland and Giovanni Garcia scored the goals.

TWO NORTH SIDE TEACHERS’ LIKENESSES created by pupils were recognized as part of nonprofit SAY Sí’s student-art portrait contest.

Kindergarteners through ninth graders submitted an original 602 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 130 portrait of a teacher and explained

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

why the instructor deserved recognition. Recent honorees included Alexandria Simmons, a first grade teacher at Castle Hills Elementary School, who was sculpted by Sylvie Brodesky, and Jessica Gonzales, a ninth grade educator at North East School of the Arts, based at the LEE High School campus. Winners received a $100 H-E-B gift card, a commemorative plaque and an art kit for class.

REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR LUKE PRIOR WON a gold medal in the University Interscholastic League Class 6A swimming and diving championships. He tied Round Rock Westwood sophomore Sonny

LOWDOWN

Wang for first in the 50-yard freestyle in the boys’ state meet held Feb. 26-27 at Josh Davis Natatorium. There, too, on March 1-2, the Johnson High School girls’ swim team placed second behind Conroe Independent School District’s The Woodlands at the 6A girls’ state meet. The Jaguars won two relay races: the 200-yard medley and 200 freestyle. Sophomore Jada Scott, gold medallist in both, also placed second in two other events — 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle.

THE MARCH OF DIMES RECENTLY DONATED SIX COMPUTER TABLETS and several care packages to North Central Baptist Hospital’s neonatal

intensive care unit to help families stay connected with their child in the NICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tablets are preloaded with March of Dimes apps and other digital resources to help parents during their stay.

REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL RECENTLY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP at ShowMakers of America’s Texas state dance and drill competition at the Marriott Rivercenter. The Rattlers received the Pinnacle Award, given to the team with the greatest cumulative points based on the three highest scores. Churchill and Clark high school dancers finished sixth and seventh, respectively, overall in the competition’s Line of Champions

9

sweepstakes. In addition, Reagan’s cheer squad placed second in the intermediate/large group at the National Cheerleaders Association’s high school national finals in March.

CASTLE HILLS RESIDENT RAFAEL VERAZA, DIRECTOR OF translational research at local biotech firm Vascular Perfusion Solutions, recently received from the Food and Drug Administration a Breakthrough Device designation for VP.S Encore. Veraza and his team could revolutionize transplants by doubling the amount of time a heart can be viable outside the body.

For LOCAL Lowdown, visit www. localcommunitynews.com.

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

DECISION 2021

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

CANDIDATES continues from pg. 01

More than 17% of registered voters went to the polls, awarding San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg a third term after facing challenger Greg Brockhouse.

Unlike the 2019 race where he was forced into a hotly contested runoff with Brockhouse, the former District 6 councilman, Nirenberg this time easily won reelection with nearly 62% of the vote.

Brockhouse secured 31%, followed by Denise Gutierrez-Homer and Gary Allen out of a 14-candidate field.

Nirenberg has made pandemic recovery, workforce training and infrastructure investment his top priorities for his next two years in public office.

“Thank you San Antonio, we did it together,” Nirenberg said in a video statement.

However, District 9 Councilman John Courage did not avoid a runoff. He finished with 47% — short of the 50% threshold.

Financial planner and prior candidate Patrick Von Dohlen placed second with 35.6%.

Early voting for the runoff is May 24-June 1.

Two other North Side councilmen — District 8’s Manny Peláez and District 10’s Clayton Perry — fared better than Courage. Peláez claimed a third term with 59%, and Perry won reelection with 54%.

“I'm humbled by your support and honored to be your District 8 councilman for another term,” Peláez told constituents.

Perry said his victory is a reaffirmation by voters “for what I have done for this district.”

The electorate also passed a City Charter amendment that enables San Antonio to issue bonds for permanent public improvements, such as building affordable housing, or others

Your health is our number one priority.

Frank Paul and Place 3 Councilman Kurt May each easily won reelection, foiling challenges from Tyler Smith and Bernard Juettemeyer, respectively.

“I appreciate the support and voters who came out to make a difference in Castle Hills’ elections,” May said.

Mayor JR Treviño was unopposed in his run.

Political newcomers in Hollywood Park won approval in three council races.

Physician assistant Michael Voorhies is the new Place 3 councilman, taking over from Oscar Villarreal who was appointed mayor in March.

Because Villarreal’s mayoral appointment came after the state deadline to finalize ballots, Villarreal’s name still appeared as a Place 3 contender. Voorhies received more votes than Villarreal,

not prohibited by the Texas Constitution.

A more controversial initiative that proposed repealing police officers’ collective bargaining rights was narrowly rejected by 51% of voters. The San Antonio Police Officers Association used its Facebook page to thank Proposition B opponents.

“You voted overwhelmingly to support your San Antonio police and ensured that we can continue to keep our neighborhoods safe,” the group posted.

Police reformers such as Fix SAPD argued SAPOA misled voters into thinking a vote for Proposition B would instantly cut police funding.

Fix SAPD pledged to keep backing greater accountability for police, especially officers accused of misconduct.

In Castle Hills, Place 2 Councilman

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MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

settling the issue.

Developer executive Sean Moore defeated Del Gallivan with 67% to claim the Place 1 seat. He replaces Michael Howe, who declined to run again.

Homemaker and Hollywood Park Community Association member Glenna Pearce upset Place 5 Councilman Paul Homburg with 65%.

Shavano Park Mayor Bob Werner was reelected with 58%, fending off a challenge from former Mayor David Marne, who placed second with 30.8% of the vote, followed by MJ Smoot.

Werner’s campaign laid out several goals, including prioritizing long-range planning, quality city services, involvement in the expansion of Northwest Military Highway, infrastructure betterments, and communication with residents.

He also plans to propose a children’s public splash pad, and enhance nature trails.

“We have an excellent council, and collectively we will continue the progress marking Shavano Park,” Werner said.

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Albert Aleman and retired engineer Pete Miller were the top two vote-getters in an at-large contest where long-time Alderwoman Michele Ross was not returned to the council.

In the Northside Independent School District, retired NISD Principal Corinne Saldaña received nearly 33%, outpacing three other contestants in a race to succeed District 5 trustee Katie Reed, who stepped down.

“I wish Katie Reed well in her retirement and I will make every effort to model the same standard of fairness and intelligent decision making,” Saldaña said.

District 6 Trustee Carol Harle coasted to a

DECISION 2021

11

Voters practice physical distancing at Shavano Park City Hall while awaiting their turn to cast a ballot during the May 1 elections. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

third term with 76% over Thomas Leger. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com

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

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

FACILITY continues from pg. 01

older persons with multipurpose rooms, a dining room, exercise and dance spaces, a lounge and game room.

The $14.6 million project includes $13.2 million from the city’s 2017 bond, with another $1.46 million secured by District 9 Councilman John Courage.

On March 26, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, other city officials and community organizers joined Courage in a physically distanced groundbreaking event.

“We’re getting ready to build the best senior center in San Antonio,” the councilman said.

For years, District 9 constituents have asked for a stand-alone, communal gathering place. Districts 8 and 10 have

similar facilities. It will be accessible from Walker Ranch Park.

The new structure will also offer programming and youth and adult areas, a public-meeting spot, and a District 9 field office.

“It’s about time that District 9 have a senior center and I’m very much looking forward to seeing this project come out of the ground,” Nirenberg said.

In addition, the grounds will sport lowimpact landscaping, 250 parking spaces, charging stations for electric and hybrid cars, plus other eco-friendly features.

Courage’s office organized an advisory committee to solicit residents’ opinions on the building’s development.

The location will also contain original works from local artists reflecting neighborhood history and culture.

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Councilman John Courage speaks at the March 29 groundbreaking for the District 9 senior center, which also offers amenities for the community at large. Courtesy photo/San Antonio (RIGHT) A rendering of the District 9 senior center shows Texas limestone among the building materials at the energyand water-efficient facility. Courtesy image/ Beaty Palmer Architects

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Dyan Montesclaros, committee co-chair, said the panel represented a cross section of the district.

“We are very excited to have our voice heard, and to be able to provide input and feedback,” she added. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

SPECIAL SECTION HOME & GARDEN

APRIL MAY 13 11 -– JUNE MAY 11, 8, 2021

Controlling insects in your garden

THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS WILL HELP YOU RECOGNIZE INSECT PROBLEMS.

FROM THE TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

MANY KINDS OF INSECTS feed on garden plants. Insect pests damage plants in two ways. Some chew holes in the leaves, stems, roots or fruit, and some stick their beaks into the plants and suck out plant juices.

Insects attack garden plants at all times of the year. Some insects will feed on sprouting seed and young seedlings.

Others feed on the growing plant or on the mature plant and its fruit.

KINDS OF INSECTS The insects that feed on garden plants

can be divided into two main groups: the sucking and the chewing insects.

RECOGNIZING INSECT PROBLEMS

CONTROLLING INSECTS

A good gardener must learn to recognize insect problems. To know when insects are damaging your plants, watch for anything that does not look normal.

Many insects can be managed without using pesticides, but this cultural control requires extra time and effort. It may also result in slight damage to your plants.

Some of the cultural methods you can use to prevent or control insect damage are: • Keep weeds and grass pulled out of the garden. Mow the area around the garden.

• Plant varieties that grow well in your area.

• Apply the correct amount of fertilizer and water when needed.

• When you have picked all the fruit, destroy the old plants by removing them or plowing them under.

• You can wash off some insects, such as aphids and spider mites, with a water hose.

• You may handpick some insects or egg masses from the plant to prevent damage.

Chemical control of insects often may be necessary. For best results, treat insects before large numbers build up in the garden.

Dusts or sprays provide good

1

Plants are stunted and do not grow properly.

2

Plants have deformed or damaged leaves.

3

Plants look yellow or light in color.

4

Plants look wilted and droopy.

If your plants show any of these symptoms, examine each plant closely for insects. Also examine the soil near the plant base, as many insects drop and hide there when disturbed.

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

15

EXTERIOR POWER WASHING AND PRESSURE WASHING

210-549-8326 Keeping your garden green and free of harmful insects takes planning, keen observation and careful application of mitigation efforts, according to the Texas A&M AgriLIfe Extension Service. File photo

control.

Before you buy a pesticide, read the label to see if it is recommended for the pest and plants you want to treat.

Before you use a pesticide, read the label to see how much you should use.

Read all information on the label and follow all directions.

All insecticides are poisonous, so handle them with care and keep them away from children and pets.

This article is from Joseph Masabni, assistant professor and extension horticulturist; and Patrick Lillard, extension assistant, The Texas A&M University System

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

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Governor’s office displays works by Johnson, Reagan student artists

by EDMOND ORTIZ

TWO NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT students’ creations now grace the walls of Gov. Greg Abbott’s business office.

Cecilia Abbott, the governor’s wife, helped choose original designs from 12 Texas pupils – including Johnson High School’s Pedro Diaz and Reagan High School’s Ashton Kordas – for a yearlong exhibition.

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The Texas Art Education Association in conjunction with Youth Art Month presents the student-art honors.

Diaz’s piece, titled “Reflection,” was generated using Prismacolor colored pencils.

It contains a surreal image of a breakfast bowl filled with milk and sections of a human face instead of cereal.

“I am very honored for my artwork to be displayed and appreciated at the state Capitol and am very thankful for the opportunity,” Diaz said.

Kordas’ ink piece, titled “Cornutraditum,” captures colorful dogs playing and enjoying themselves.

His work at a doggie day care inspired him. Kordas had snapped a photo of a random group of canines and reproduced it with a sketching.

“I just thought it’d be cool to draw a picture of cute dogs hanging out,” he said.

“There (are) a variety of dogs I see at my job.”

A junior at Johnson, Diaz said he didn’t take art seriously until seventh grade. Music is one of his main muses.

“When I hear a song I like, I begin to visualize what the song would feel like or look like if it was put on paper,” Diaz said. “I rarely ever draw if there is no music playing on my speakers or headphones because I

don’t have any inspiration when there is complete silence.”

Kordas, also a junior, said he’s been creating art since early childhood.

“I was drawing all the time, using whatever I could use. I’d be drawing on menus in restaurants,” he recalled.

Teacher Ryan Williams said Diaz has a keen eye for mapping out detail, proportions and value with his pieces, especially portraits.

Williams suggested Diaz study Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo and other surrealists to produce a nontraditional portrait for the TAEA contest.

“His work retains his crisp, clean and meticulous mark-making, but now also has a layer of intrigue and mystery to it,” Williams added.

Kordas’ instructor, Karen Fox, said her art-honors student successfully acclimated to remote classes during the pandemic.

She credits his previous teachers at Lopez Middle School and the North East School of the Arts.

“Ashton is self-sufficient and extremely talented. His work ethic and attention to detail and light shows in his work that was created in ink,” Fox said. “Ashton continues to produce stellar art on each assignment given.”

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

ARTS

17

Reagan High School student Ashton Kordas’ ink piece ‘Cornutraditum’ was picked by Gov. Greg Abbott’s wife, Cecilia Abbott, as one of a dozen artworks by Texas pupils to hang in the governor’s business office. Courtesy/North East Independent School District

Aside from receiving the governor’s office honor, Kordas’ works have garnered awards in academic art competitions. Yet, he doesn’t plan to pursue the craft in college or professionally.

“I just want to keep it a hobby. I want to continue to do it while I have the time,” Kordas said.

Diaz plans to attend college and study

to be an art teacher, while also continue creating illustrated works as a side career.

“I’ve already sold many commissioned drawings to clients and plan on continuing that in my career and hopefully make a business out of it,” he added. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com

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HAPPENING

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

HAPPENING continues from pg. 07

MAY/JUNE

SCHOOL’S OUT

MAY 22

VIRTUAL NATURE WALK: INSECTS Through online observation, discover the insects of Hardberger Park. Nicolas Phillips will deliver a presentation from 9-10 a.m.

For updates and access to a Facebook link, visit https://www.philhardbergerpark.org/ calendar-events/virtual-nature-walk-insects.

MAY 23

SAFE FLYING DURING COVID

Carmen C. Garcia, CPA 6800 Park Ten Blvd., Ste 190W San Antonio, Texas 78213 Ph 210-732-7701

carmen@ccgarcia.com • www.ccgarcia.com Members: AICPA & TSCPA

“Is it safe to fly during COVID” will be just one of the topics discussed by El Al Airlines CEO Yoram Elgrabli. The Hadassah San Antonio Chapter group hosts the Zoom presentation at 3 p.m. Cost is $18. The link is https://hadassah-org.zoom.us/j/8626938 6719?pwd=YU83ZS9zVjJncSsxZ1dYV1Bqe lFkZz09. For updates and to register, email Jordana Pazin at jpazinphd@gmail.com.

MAY 25

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Bythel Hagee Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway, on the campus of Cornerstone Church, is the spot at 6:30 p.m. for a singles ministry for ages 30-50. For updates, visit https://www.sacornerstone.org/singlesministry.

MAY 26

DISTRICT 9 NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE The group gathers at 7 p.m. in Stone Oak Methodist Hospital, 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd., classrooms No. 1 and No. 2. For updates, call Art Downey, alliance president, at 210497-8873.

MAY 27

IT’S A ‘C’ THING This cancer support group for survivors ages 20-40 and their loved ones meets at La Madeleine, 722 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 201, from 6:30-8 p.m. For updates, contact Chelsea Hart at Chelsea.hart@lls.org or call 210-998-5127.

The last day of classes in the North East Independent School District is May 28; it’s June 3 in the Northside Independent School District. For updates, visit www.neisd.net or www. nisd.net.

JUNE 5

AMERICAN LEGION BREAKFAST All military members and guests are invited to an 8-10 a.m. meal at Lupe Tortilla, 21103 U.S. 281 North. Contact www.post10.weebly.com.

JUNE 12

SUPPORT GROUP Myasthenia gravis sufferers meet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Baptist HealthLink, 288 W. Bitters Road. For updates, visit www.mgsouthtexas.org.

MONDAYS

SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN SING San Antonio Chordsmen, a barbershop chorus, rehearses at 7 p.m. in The Backdoor youth center behind Colonial Hills United Methodist Church, 5247 Vance Jackson Road. For updates, visit sachordsmen.org. Meanwhile, The Friends in Harmony Chorus also exercise vocal cords at 6:45 p.m. in University United Methodist Church, 5084 De Zavala Road. For updates or cancellations, contact Wendell Peters at wendellpeters@sbcglobal.net.

MONDAYS SCOUTS

Boy Scout Troop 511, ages 11-17, meets weekly at Voigt Park, 700 El Portal Drive in Hollywood Park, from 7:15-8:30 p.m. For updates, call Buck Buchanan at 210-313-7006 or email buckbuchananusmc@gmail.com or D’Layne Kelly at 210-573-8694 or email dlaynekelly@gmail.com.

MAY 11 - JUNE 8, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

TUESDAYS

WEIGHT-LOSS SUPPORT GROUP T.O.P.S., or Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets at 10 a.m. (weigh-in 9-9:45 a.m.) inside House of Prayer Lutheran Church, 10226 Ironside Drive. For updates, call Carolyn at 210-415-0937.

TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS OLMOS BASIN FARMERS MARKET

San Antonio Farmer’s Market Association offers area growers’ farmfresh produce from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 100 Jackson Keller Road. For updates, visit sanantoniofarmersmarket.org.

THURSDAYS

STONE OAK ROTARY CLUB Guest speakers normally visit from noon to 1 p.m. at The Club at Sonterra,

HAPPENING

901 E. Sonterra Blvd., but during the COVID-19 outbreak, sessions are over Zoom. For speakers or updates, visit www.stoneoaksarotary.org or call Erin Nevelow at 210-528-0377 or email erinnevelow.rotary@gmail.com.

THURSDAYS

ROTARY CLUB MEETING Northwest Rotary Club members gather at Outback Steakhouse, 12511 Interstate 10 West, at noon. For updates or cancellations, call 210-576-5475.

FRIDAYS

LOCAL PRODUCE Drop by St. Matthew Sports Complex & Recreational Area, 11121 Wurzbach Road, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. as the San Antonio Farmer’s Market

Association presents farm-fresh fare.

For updates or cancellations, visit sanantoniofarmersmarket.org.

SATURDAYS

19

North, is home to farm-fresh produce and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For vendors and updates, visit fourseasonsmarkets. com.

FARMERS’ MARKETS

ONGOING

Come to 16607 Huebner Road from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for local and organic produce, plus baked goods and handcrafted products. For updates, visit hillcountryfarmersmarket.org. Also, Four Seasons Market, 11602 Huebner Road in Huebner Oaks shopping center, sells wares from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For updates or cancellations, call 972-884-0680.

The Barshop Jewish Community Center hosts 1 p.m. virtual fun over Zoom.

Tuesdays are reserved for chatting; bingo and more is every Wednesday; also, a movie on the first and third Thursday in the month. For links or updates, call Isabel Resendez at 210-302-6860 or email resendezi@jcc-sa.org.

SUNDAYS

ENCINO FARMERS MARKET Village at Stone Oak, 22610 U.S. 281

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