LOCAL - Southside Edition - June 2021

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM VOL. 2, ISSUE 4 | JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS HAPPENING | PG. 12

SOUTH SAN ANTONIO

Enjoy the goods at South Side farmers’ markets

A REAL DRAG

SOUTH SIDE FORUM DISCUSSES PERILS OF STREET RACING, HOMELESS SITUATION

by EDMOND ORTIZ

PUBLIC SAFETY continues on pg. 14

SUSAN YERKES | PG. 06

REAL ESTATE | PG. 09

HELPING MAN’S BEST FRIEND

HOMEBUYING, MARKET TRENDS

Fiesta returns, but smaller in scale

by EDMOND ORTIZ

Harlandale’s ‘Mama Patrol’ shows no sign of slowing down

AFTER THE COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of Fiesta 2020, San Antonio’s biggest party is returning with safety measures and fewer events.

PARTY continues on pg. 10

2 City Council runoffs set

by EDMOND ORTIZ

by EDMOND ORTIZ

TWO UNDECIDED MAY 1 CITY COUNCIL races are headed for a June 5 runoff.

NEARLY 42 YEARS AGO, Clara Hernandez started her first day as a school crossing guard.

Meanwhile, one San Antonio Independent School District trustee was ousted, and a

Today, the nearly 98-year-old woman dubbed the “Mama Patrol” is still going

VOTE continues on pg. 11

GUARDIAN continues on pg. 15

S Zarzamora St

4 STAFF

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna EDITORIAL

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Dodging a bullet on Prop. B

The LOCAL Community News editorial board includes Jaselle Luna and Thomas Edwards.

SAN ANTONIO may have dodged a bullet with the narrow defeat of Proposition B during May 1 elections. Passage could have led to an exodus from the police force.

However, the San Antonio Police Officers Association should not see its 51% share of the ballots as approval regarding how some police disciplinary cases are handled.

Pushed to a referendum by Fix SAPD, and growing out of a national mood of disenchantment thanks to a handful of policebrutality episodes, the measure would have repealed SAPOA’s collective-bargaining rights.

While it is true some officers fired over the years by San Antonio Police Department chiefs returned to the force thanks to contractual protections, an all-out repeal of SAPOA’s ability to secure

Controller

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the best working conditions for its members could have had disastrous consequences for the city.

The issue is not just about the small number of disciplinary cases that are overturned but, in a larger context, ensuring San Antonio can hire and retain a professional police force.

The contract ensures San Antonio’s rank-and-file officers have decent health care, a good retirement, incentives for night work and education, and more.

If Proposition B had passed, officers stripped of the ability to seek better working conditions could have left in droves, while applicants for academy classes may have started drying up. Not good in a city that continues to swell with new residents.

While the disciplinary process needs refinement, don’t deny officers the right to seek better working conditions and benefits that other employee groups take for granted.

ON THE COVER – Clara Hernandez, 98, has been a school-crossing guard for more than four decades, acting as guardian for South Side pupils. See story on pg. 01. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

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OPINION

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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

Guide dogs change lives

by SUSAN YERKES

GUIDE DOGS OF TEXAS is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. Most folks have never heard of the nonprofit. But it has quietly improved the lives

of the sight impaired across Texas for nearly 30 years. And the dream of changing many more keeps it going.

Today it’s the only school of its kind in the state accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation. And, as the demand for these amazing canines increases, it is ramping up people being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes early in their lives are now starting to lose sight. Our population is also aging, and one in three people over 65 experience some kind of eye disease.”

The organization charges $1 to clients for its services, from assessment to providing individually suited, rigorously

operations, too, in spite of limited funds.

“The population of Texas keeps growing, and the need grows with it,” CEO Sandy Merrill said. “We’re also seeing the impact of diabetic retinopathy increasing, causing blindness. And sadly, a lot of the

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trained guide dogs and continuous support. For a blind person, a guide dog can make a world of difference.

Faithful companions and skilled guides, the canines perform an amazing range of tasks and adjust to each owner.

GDTX has 30 active client-dog teams working, and more dogs in training than ever before. Still, there’s a two-year waiting list. It can be shorter if an applicant is deemed a perfect match for a dog.

Guide dogs are a very special breed – so special, in fact, that Merrill and her staff have developed their own in-house breeding program with Labrador retrievers.

Training starts almost at birth.

At eight weeks, volunteers take the pups for 18 months to two years.

Genetic testing for problems and regular progress assessments keep the process on track. It’s been so successful about 75% graduate as guide dogs.

Those that don’t make the cut often go to other kinds of service, such as ambassador dogs or rescue dogs, or work in the organization’s innovative Buddy Dogs Youth Program for young people 17 and under with impaired or failing vision.

Merrill never imagined she would follow this path.

“When I started 20 years ago, we were operating out of a rented house living with the dogs we were

training, and clients would come and stay with us,” she said.

Today the headquarters has kennels, a training pavilion and offices in the Shearer Hills area.

Clients don’t have to travel – GDTX sends certified instructors to them, and they spend weeks training the new human-dog teams to work together in their own environments, a practice that sets the organization apart.

It also has its own certification program, a three- to four-year apprenticeship. Merrill is hoping to expand that program with new applicants.

“It is a real career, and it’s the best job in the world, and one of the best-kept secrets. You get to work with these incredible creatures, and then you go out and you change someone’s life,” she said.

To help more people with vision issues, GDTX needs additional support, from volunteers and sustaining members to corporate sponsorships, such as the $8,000 in heating, ventilation and airconditioning improvements Shafer Services Plus recently donated.

The owner volunteered with his parents at GDTX when he was young, and never forgot the work these dedicated people and dogs do without fanfare.

Their mission deserves support.

To help, visit guidedogsoftexas.org. 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.

DISCOVER ENJOY HIRE

SAN ANTONIO

ARTIST

REGISTRY

LOWDOWN

8

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

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

Open and Opening Soon

OUTGOING DISTRICT 3 CITY COUNCILWOMAN REBECCA VIAGRAN PLANTED A TEXAS ROSEBUD TREE AT THE BROOKS DOG PARK April 22 in honor of Earth Day.

BROOKS PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, 2302 S.E. Military Drive, Suite 101, provides full pediatric dental care. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday. For more, call 210-972-6354 or visit https://brookspediatricdentistry.com.

IN OTHER NEWS

HARLANDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS NOW HAVE A “Little Locker” on campus offering free books, courtesy of San Antonio Youth Educational Support, or SA YES. Students may pick up, read and exchange publications anytime.

BLUE CARES, THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION’S NONPROFIT OUTREACH ARM, AWARDED $17,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS to 12 high school students, including Amariah Gustamante and Christian Salazar, both of Harlandale High School. The Blue Cares Scholarship was created in memory of Officer Patricia Calderon, who drowned in Salado Creek Dec. 27, 1988, while chasing a shoplifting suspect. “The scholarships, which are funded through Blue Cares’ fundraising events, sponsors and SAPOA members, are awarded to deserving students from all across San Antonio,” said SAPOA President Danny Diaz.

HARLANDALE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE SGT. GABRIEL GUTIERREZ saved the lives of a family including two students during a house fire in May,

Legend Oaks South is Accepting New Residents & offers In-Home Therapy Services ¡Se habla español!

officials said. According to a news release, Gutierrez was on duty early in the morning and driving north on South Flores Street when he passed the 200 block of East Amber Street and smelled something burning. He saw smoke roiling from a house, activated his patrol car’s bar lights, jumped a gate and banged on doors and windows. Within a few minutes, the homeowner and her children — two HISD elementary students — were evacuated as firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire.

BROOKS ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO NEW BOARD members: Alejandra “Alex” Lopez, a San Antonio assistant city manager, and Daniel “Dan” Rossiter, assistant program manager of research and development at Southwest Research Institute.

Find Local Lowdown at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

South Side housing market heats up

by TRAVIS E. POLING

IT’S GETTING HARDER to buy a home in San Antonio. Prices are seeing new highs as the competition for properties intensifies ahead of the traditional summer buying season.

Sales and prices rose across many of the South Side ZIP codes.

For example, the median sales price increased 25% to $205,000 for the 46 homes sold in April in 78223, which stretches east of the San Antonio River south from Fair Avenue to Braunig Lake.

Houses there sold in an average of 26 days, down from two months the previous year.

ZIP CODE

MEDIAN SOLD PRICE

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

HOUSES SOLD

San Antonio real estate professionals say fevered sales, numerous bids and the short amount of time properties stay on the market were partly driven by people deciding they needed new quarters during the global pandemic.

“Almost every sale in the last year was COVID related,” said longtime San Antonio real estate agent Ann Van Pelt.

“People realized they needed something bigger, something smaller or that a pool was a must have,” she added. “I think it’s a very exuberant time in the market.”

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

on the market because construction costs are so high.

Materials require more capital, especially wood, which now costs builders two to four times what it used to because of demand.

Overall in April, there were 3,483 closed deals for single-family houses in the San Antonio area. That’s up 27 percent from the same period last year as the COVID-19 pandemic stalled much of the economy.

Even so, the latest statistics compiled by the San Antonio Board of Realtors from Multiple Listing Service data shows a 16% increase from a robust April 2019.

AVERAGE SOLD PRICE

SOUTHSIDE-APRIL HOUSING STATS

In the 78210 ZIP code, partly bounded by Iowa Street on the north and Fair Avenue on the south, the number of houses sold in April doubled to 36 and moved in an average of 55 days, compared to 87 days in April 2020. The median sales price rose 48.6% to $260,000.

This April, inventory in the San Antonio area was 1.3 months.

“I’ve seen a lot of things in 20 years in real estate, but I’ve never seen 1.3 months of inventory,” said Sara Gerrish, a member of RE/Max Unlimited’s Beatrice Briseño Team, with prospects that include South Side properties.

While developers and investors are snatching up land and lots wherever available, including South Side tracts, Gerrish said there is not enough new housing

9

REAL ESTATE

78204

78205

78210

78214

78221

78223

2021

$254,680

$207,125

$312,315

$164,588

$187,773

$203,304

2020

$257,500

$1,175,000

$197,024

$120,500

$170,316

$168,340

2019

$183,500

n/a

$185,031

$83,357

$162,494

$150,317

2021

$170,000

$197,500

$260,000

$138,600

$185,000

$205,000

2020

$257,500

$1,175,000

$175,000

$122,500

$172,500

$164,000

2019

$128,000

n/a

$173,000

$95,000

$173,500

$145,000

2021

20

50

55

27

33

26

2020

98

4

87

50

49

61

2019

116

n/a

33

117

63

64

2021

45

8

36

8

20

46

2020

2

1

18

14

21

24

4

0

22

8

29

28

2019

Source: San Antonio Board of Realtors Notes: Parts of 78205 also are included in the circulation area, but single-family houses in that downtown ZIP code are rare. The 78235 ZIP also is part of the coverage area, but is solely for Brooks, for which no MLS data is available.

Tips for a winning housing bid HERE ARE SOME POINTERS FROM LOCAL EXPERTS:

1

2

“They need to be quick, ready and viable,” said Phyllis Browning Co. real estate agent Ann Van Pelt of the importance of prequalification and knowing how much cash to come up with if the bid is more than the appraised value.

Offering far above the list price may be only part of what is needed to sweeten the pot, said Sara Gerrish, a member of RE/ Max Unlimited’s Beatrice Briseño Team. If the buyer doesn’t need to move in right

FreddieMac or FannieMae. But, Schneider warns that a disaster-inspection report may be required even if an appraisal waiver is in place. Most closings, he said, take 28 to 30 days.

away, but the seller hasn’t lined up the next home, the buyer can let the seller stay in the house on a lease or even rent-free after closing.

3

The appraisal process has gone from a week to three weeks because of increased business, said Todd Schneider, Jefferson Bank’s senior vice president for mortgage and sales manager. It can sometimes be shortened by moving forward with the sale with an estimated value from loan backers

4

When buying a new house from a builder, be prepared to pay more than even a year ago and know the builder may not settle on a price until construction is nearly complete because of the rising cost of materials, Gerrish said.

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

10

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

FIESTA 2021

JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

PARTY continues from pg. 01

The Fiesta San Antonio Commission has released the final Fiesta 2021 calendar, with officially sanctioned events happening June 17-27.

The celebration traditionally takes place in April.

The commission spent months working with city officials to determine when and how to resume the festival, which raises money for dozens of local nonprofits.

The festival commemorates Texas independence.

Commission President Baltazar “Walter” Serna Jr. in a statement said, “Working with health expert Dr. Marty Makary and based on the current and projected scientific data, the Fiesta San

Antonio Commission, the city of San Antonio and (San Antonio Metropolitan) Health have determined that Fiesta 2021 can occur safely.”

Citing mainly logistical concerns, organizers of more than 60 events await to return in 2022 with their events.

Some major events not happening this year include Alamo Heights Night, the Battle of Flowers and Flambeau parades, King William Fair, Taste of the Northside, Taste of New Orleans, Fiesta Oyster Bake and the daily carnival.

Attendees at all events must wear masks and practice physical distancing.

Some events will have limited capacity.

For more, visit https://fiestasanantonio.org. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

FIRST TEE INVITATIONAL

FIESTA FIESTA

June 17 at Canyon Springs Golf Club, June 22 BRACKENRIDGE PARK Golf Course

4-10 p.m.

June 17, HEMISFAIR

FIESTA DE LOS REYES

FIESTA ESPECIAL INCLUSION 5K & PARADE

June 18-27

MARKET SQUARE

7 a.m.-1 p.m.

June 19,

WINDCREST

CROWNING OF REY FEO 5:30-7 p.m

June 18

115 Main Plaza

FIESTA CASTLE HILLS 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

June 19,

CASTLE HILLS

FIESTA WOMEN’S & COED SOCCER TOURNAMENT June 19-20, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., SCHERTZ SOCCER COMPLEX,

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

June 19, SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

CHANCLAS Y CERVEZAS 5-10 p.m.

June 19, THE GREENLINE, BROOKS

INVESTITURE OF KING ANTONIO June 19, 6-7:30 p.m., ALAMO PLAZA

DAY IN OLD MEXICO AND CHARREADA 3-5:30 p.m.

June 20 and 27, Rancho del Charro,

TEXAS CAVALIERS RIVER PARADE 7-9 p.m.

June 21, RIVER WALK

TECH TREK 5-8 p.m.

June 22, DOWNTOWN TECH DISTRICT

A NIGHT IN OLD SAN ANTONIO 5:30-10:30 p.m.

June 22-25, LA VILLITA

GARTENFEST 5 p.m.-12 a.m.

June 23-25, BEETHOVEN HALLE AND GARDEN

FESTIVAL DE ANIMALES 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

June 26-27, SAN ANTONIO ZOO

CIRCLE FOR LIFE MOTOR RALLY 8-11 a.m.

June 26, JAVELINA HARLEYDAVIDSON

CELEBRATION OF TRADITIONS POW WOW 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

June 26, MISSION COUNTY PARK

VIVA BOTANICA

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JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

VOTE continues from pg. 01

Harlandale Independent School District board member rebuffed a challenge by a returning opponent.

Early voting for the runoff continues through June 1.

MAYOR More than 17% of registered voters went to the polls, awarding 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.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 Phyllis Viagran and Tomas Uresti were the two top vote-getters in the council District 3 race, advancing to the June 5 runoff.

Viagran, who is the sister of incumbent Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran, is a community outreach coordinator with Older Adults Technology Services.

The councilwoman couldn’t run again due to term limits.

Phyllis Viagran’s key issues are bridging the digital divide, addressing domestic violence, improving older persons’ services and creating jobs in the post-pandemic climate.

“We’re going to get the city back to what it’s supposed to do — address infrastructure issues, take care of our seniors and protect our citizens,” she said.

Uresti, formerly a state legislator and a Harlandale ISD trustee, is a brother of onetime state Sen. Carlos Uresti.

Tomas Uresti campaigned for further

pandemic relief for residents and small businesses, addressing homelessness, property-tax relief, expanding parks and recreation, and what he called “economic development without gentrification.”

“Thank you for trusting in us,” he said.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 Teacher and community organizer Teri Castillo and retired city employee Rudy Lopez face each other in the District 5 runoff.

Castillo’s campaign priorities include affordable housing, fighting gentrification, upgrading roads and transportation, supporting small businesses, environmental protection, and boosting community-led strategies to improve public safety.

Lopez advocates raising funding for streets and sidewalks, responsible development, expanding internet services and increasing older adults’ access to basic services.

PROPOSITIONS A AND B 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 not prohibited by the Texas Constitution.

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

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

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

HISD Homemaker and District 2 trustee Christine Carrillo collected 73% of the vote, foiling a challenge from insurance agent Orlando Salazar, her opponent in the 2017 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

DECISION 2021

board contest.

Educator Louie Luna tallied 38% to capture the District 3 school board seat, succeeding Esequiel “Zeke” Mendoza, who died in February.

With 73%, District 4 trustee and board President Norma Cavazos fended off a challenge from former trustee David Abundis.

Board Vice President and District 1 trustee Juan Mancha ran unopposed.

SAISD Former District 3 City Councilwoman Leticia Ozuna won the District 3 board post, receiving 55% versus Judit Vega, food-justice coordinator with the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center.

A cybersecurity systems engineer, Ozuna campaigned for shoring up SAISD’s post-

11

pandemic plans for in-person, remote and hybrid learning. She’s also worried about the pandemic’s impact on metrics and measuring students’ performance and well-being.

“Thank you all for the support during the campaign and election. I look forward to serving our community,” Ozuna said.

Lavaca resident and COVID-19 case investigator Sarah Sorensen scored 54.8% and upset two-term District 1 trustee Steve Lecholop, an attorney and a King William Historic District resident.

Sorensen focused her campaign on expanding neighborhood schools with wraparound services, and better engagement with students, district employees, parents and other community members. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

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

MAY

Seeking Volunteers for Aging & Pre-Diabetes Study (SGLT2i)

12 HAPPENING School Districts Harlandale ISD: 6:15 p.m. June 21; 102 Genevieve Drive San Antonio ISD: 5:30 p.m. June 8, 22; 406 Barrera St. Southside ISD: 6 p.m. June 17; 1460 Martinez Losoya Road

JUNE 3

‘THE SITTER’ Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star St., hosts “The Sitter,” an exhibit highlighting works by artists using contemporary portraiture and figuration to generate conversation about the subjects’ actions. For updates, visit https:// bluestarcontemporary.org.

JUNE 4

OUTDOOR CONCERT

You may qualify for a study that will evaluate a drug called dapagliflozin (Brand name FARXIGA) to reduce cellular damage and other known biological markers of aging.

You may qualify if: » You are 60 and older » Not taking medication to affect blood sugar » Have a stable body weight » No diabetes or heart failure » Willing to adhere to medication regimen for 3 months If you participate, you will receive: » Physical exam, lab work, diabetes testing & results » Visits every 2-4 weeks in 4 months

The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., hosts Michael Martin & The Infidels 8-11 p.m. as part of the First Friday music series. For updates, visit https://eatgoodkind.com/upcoming-events.

JUNE 10

SOUTH SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER The South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce holds a networking breakfast at 7:30 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 Jessica Furdock at 210-533-1600.

JUNE 18

SHOW ME YOUR MASK This official Fiesta event encourages community members to design and create their own unique festive mask to show off in competition 5-7 p.m. at

Eligible participants receive compensation for their time.

For more information call:

210-450-3333 BarshopInstitute.org/ct1

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.

JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS DEVELOPMENT

Palo Alto College, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd.

Admission is free. Finalists participate at the Fiesta “Maskarade” Runway Show.

For more, call 210-486-3954 or email plopez136@alamo.edu or visit www.alamo. edu/pac.

JUNE 19

FARMERS MARKET A farmers’ and artisans’ market begins at 9 a.m. at Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. For updates, call 210-207-3905 or visit https://www. missionmarquee.com/EVENTS/FarmersArtisan-Markets.

JUNE 19

CHANCLAS Y CERVEZAS The Greenline, 2532 Sidney Brooks Drive, is the place to be for this official Fiesta event that runs 5-10 p.m. Festivities include a chancla-throwing contest, food vendors and music. Admission is $15.

Proceeds will benefit Brooks Gives Back.

Capacity will be limited to 500 people at all times. Face masks and physical distancing are encouraged. For more, visit www.livebrooks.com.

JUNE 19

FLOATING FOR FIESTA The Mission Reach Flotilla Fiesta, an official Fiesta event, takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning and ending at the Mission County Park trailhead, 841 VFW Blvd. Participants paddle the San Antonio River, and learn more about efforts to restore the area’s ecosystem and enhance recreational opportunities.

Mission Adventure Tours provides kayaks for free. For more, visit www.sariverfound. org/sarf-events/mission-reach-flotilla-fiesta.

JUNE 20 & 27

A DAY IN OLD MEXICO Asociación de Charros de San Antonio offers Fiesta-goers a chance to explore the customs and family traditions of Mexican horsemanship from 3-5:30 p.m. at Rancho

del Charro, 6126 Padre Drive. The family friendly event includes food, ballet folklorico performances, live mariachi music and a charreada, which predates and partially inspired the American rodeo. Admission is $20. For more, call 210-385-2167.

THROUGH JUNE 13 BEER-CAN ART

Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios, 1112 S. St. Mary’s St., hosts a display of select 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. Physicaldistancing protocols enforced. For updates or cancellations, visit https:// pabstblueribbon.com/blue-ribbonstudios.

HAPPENING

SUNDAYS

ELSEWHERE IN SAN ANTONIO

Mobile Om presents free yoga classes 10-11 a.m. each Sunday at Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St. Those interested in participating remotely may do so by following the livestream at youtube.com/ mobileom. For more, visit https:// sariverfound.org/events.

MISSION MARQUEE PLAZA

YOGA ALONG THE RIVER

SUNDAYS

BRUNCH AND FITNESS The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., offers brunch and musical entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also, come at 10 a.m. for exercise. For updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/ GoodKindSouthtown/events/.

13

ONGOING

Experience culture, art, education and more on the historic grounds of Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. Also, until November, the seasonal, outdoor film series has returned. Movies begin 15 minutes after sundown. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. For times, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www.missionmarquee.com/ EVENTS/Cultural-CommunityEvents.

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

TUESDAYS

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 over Zoom. For updates, visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/8149.

Summer at Central Catholic

WEDNESDAYS

OPEN-AIR CINEMA In concert with Slab Cinema, The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., presents physically distanced, open-air cinema. Films start at 7 p.m. Cost is $8.

For movies, updates or cancellations, visit https://www.slabcinema.com or https:// www.facebook.com/goodkindsouthtown.

SATURDAYS

OUTSIDE MARKET The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., hosts bazaars featuring local vendors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For updates, visit https://eatgoodkind.com/ upcoming-events/.

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14

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

PUBLIC SAFETY

JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

Street racing, homelessness key issues at South Side forum

by EDMOND ORTIZ

A DISTRICT 3 PUBLIC SAFETY forum for residents explored how the city is tackling homelessness and street racing on the South Side.

Participating in the virtual forum April 27, Police Chief William McManus expressed frustration with the rising number of calls about street racers.

More than 100 arrests relating to the unsafe operation of vehicles have been made citywide from September 2020 to mid-April 2021,

according to police.

District 3 accounted for 38 calls about street racers.

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Reports can range from two autos in a speed match to large events blocking roadways with several racers.

“It seems to have escalated to a point where we are overwhelmed by some of the events, by the numbers of people who show up,” McManus said.

Brazen spectators at races have taunted or threatened responding officers, even tossing firecrackers or bottles at them.

Various San Antonio Police Department units and other local law-enforcement agencies make up a task force to discourage street-car races.

But even arrests and impounding cars have not proven a significant deterrent to the illicit roadway contests, the chief said.

Chris Benavides, the Police Department’s Traffic and Emergency Operations Section commander, said organized street racers typically call themselves “car clubs,” but are often linked to criminal activities.

Benavides and McManus said there are legitimate car clubs where members gather to show off their vehicles, but they don’t engage in illegal racing or other activities.

Outgoing Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran worried that some businesses didn’t know races occurred on their property after-hours or let them happen on site.

Benavides said officers have identified 17 suspected racing properties inside District 3, meeting with several owners of those vacant, industrial or commercial properties as a means to curb the contests between drivers.

“If you hear it, please call it in (to 911).

It’s important because it continues to build up those cases of what we see and experience in District 3,” Viagran said.

Attendees also heard from Mary Jo Rodriguez, the new homeless outreach manager with the city’s Department of Human Services.

She and colleagues are meeting with unsheltered people in each council district.

“We’ve been instrumental at establishing other resources that will be helpful to the homeless population across the city,”

Rodriguez said, including more aid for substance abusers.

Nancy Williams, homeless services special projects manager, and Joe VanKuiken, a veteran who works with Human Services, also are key in the city’s attempts to help the homeless, officials said.

“Many of you have worked closely with (Williams and VanKuiken) anytime an encampment becomes a health and safety concern,” said Morjoriee White, city homeless services administrator.

Daniel Groven, the city’s homeless outreach coordinator in District 3, checks for individuals without housing in wooded areas, parks and creekways.

“We’re working collaboratively to get certain sites cleaned up,” he said. “I’m out in the area, talking with people, trying to get them services and help people relocate to more permanent housing situations when they’re willing to do it.”

Williams said the city focuses on keeping clear drainage channels, where some homeless individuals camp. The city gives 48 hours notice before a cleanup.

Assistance is offered during and shortly after a camp is cleared.

The city is also bolstering its customer service system where residents and property owners may dial 311 and request an examination of a suspected encampment.

Also, the Homeless Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799 lets people experiencing homelessness discuss their circumstances and get counseling or other resources.

In addition, Viagran updated residents on building a police substation in District 3. Population and commercial growth have prompted more calls for a standalone facility.

“No location has been identified, but we are looking for an area that can be more centralized in the district,” she added.

The department’s longtime South Side substation is at 711 W. Mayfield Blvd. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

JUNE 1 - JULY 6, 2021

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS

EDUCATION

15

GUARDIAN continues from pg. 01

strong in the Harlandale Independent School District.

On school days Hernandez, who joined Nov. 11, 1979, can be found at the corner of Southcross Boulevard and Pleasanton Road, helping Adams Elementary School students safely get to and from class.

“I love my kids. I love them. They’re like mine,” said Hernandez, who was recently featured in a video on HISD’s social media.

A longtime Harlandale neighborhood resident, Hernandez recalled first hearing about schools needing crossing guards. She immediately filled out an application.

“They called me right away,” Hernandez said.

She has spent nearly all of her crossingguard career patrolling at Adams. Over the decades she has received various honors from the San Antonio Police Department, which oversees the school crossing-guard program.

Hernandez’s longevity has led to accolades from students’ families and school employees, as well as the nickname “Mama Patrol.”

Adams Principal Julia Gimbel remembers seeing Hernandez safeguarding students as she and her siblings walked to class as children. “(Hernandez) is an amazing citizen of our community who keeps our students

Harlandale Independent School District resident Clara Hernandez has spent more than 40 years as a school crossing guard. She’s been a mainstay at Adams Elementary School. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

and families safe here at Adams and our surrounding middle and high schools, rain or shine,” Gimbel said. “Her continued dedication to our families is admirable and a pillar to the Harlandale community.”

The almost-centenarian said she is grateful for the praise.

“I’m glad (SAPD, Adams Elementary) appreciate me,” Hernandez added.

According to Hernandez, she has never encountered a close call with a motorist

during any of her shifts.

“Nothing has happened with any of the drivers. They respect me,” she said.

Hernandez said her supervisor joked about her stamina and willingness to remain a crossing guard.

“My supervisor told me to be careful, don’t rush, just take care of your kids like you always do, and that’s what I do,” she said.

Hernandez does not plan to hang up her handheld stop sign or whistle anytime

soon. “(SAPD) asks me, ‘How long are you going to stay?’ I say, ‘For however long,’ but if they think I’m not doing good enough anymore, I guess I’ll quit,” Hernandez laughed. “That’s why they got us (crossing guards) here, to take care of (students), and that’s what I’ve been doing all these years and I’m going to keep on doing it.” eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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