LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
SUSAN YERKES | PG. 08
LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM VOL. 2, ISSUE 7 | SEPTEMBER 2021
HAPPENING PG. 07
SOUTH SAN ANTONIO
Come to a South San Antonio Chamber networking breakfast
Women’s health care gets a boost at South Side hospitals by EDMOND ORTIZ
MAXIMUM POTENTIAL AT A KIDS’ CAMP EAT LOCAL | PG. 22
GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN
Harlandale, other school districts benefit from mentalwellness program South Side colleges boost digital-age educational opportunities by EDMOND ORTIZ
A HALF-MILLIONDOLLAR grant is helping support a mentalwellness initiative that serves the Harlandale Independent School District and other client school districts in the area.
Mission Trail Baptist Hospital on Aug. 2 opened its new women’s services section, featuring a maternity ward with around-the-clock dedicated obstetrical personnel and emergency services.
Local nonprofit Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas on July 22 announced a $558,345 grant to the San Antonio Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative.
NEONATAL continues on pg. 16
SERVICES continues on pg 20
ONE SOUTH SIDE hospital has upgraded its women’s service unit, while another neighboring hospital received formal recognition for its maternal-care services.
by EDMOND ORTIZ
A SOUTH SIDE COLLEGE is extending a helping hand to first-time students, while a neighboring university is doing its part to expand the local hightechnology talent pipeline.
Palo Alto College is starting the fall TALENT continues on pg. 14
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6 STAFF
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2021
PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna
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Legend Oaks South is Accepting New Residents & offers In-Home Therapy Services ¡Se habla español!
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Valuable lessons AFTER A YEARLONG hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this summer LOCAL Community News restarted its newsroom internship program. During the last decade, about two dozen aspiring journalists have trained at LOCAL. With our help, many of these young reporters went on to full-time jobs at other newspapers, or in public-relations or marketing positions. The feedback we receive about the program has almost always been positive. We’ve also updated the job description from “news intern” to “editorial assistant.” Semantics, yes. No matter what, though, the position calls for a bright,
eager and inquisitive young reporter, and this summer we’ve found one in Justin Kraiza, a University of the Incarnate Word mass-communication student. Justin has shown great promise. This semester, he’ll be the editor of the Logos, the UIW student newspaper. I also have to thank the instructors who have inspired Justin and his peers, past and present. I am always pleased by the level of support and interest these teachers show in our program, principally at UIW, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, the University of Texas at San Antonio and Trinity University. Justin has reminded me once again that in spite of dire predictions for the news industry, many young people still see a future in the profession. Thomas Edwards is the editor of LOCAL Community News. Reach him at tedwards@localcommunitynews. com.
The LOCAL Community News editorial board includes Jaselle Luna and Thomas Edwards.
ON THE COVER – (Left) Carolina Tovar holds her son, Ezra, who was the first baby born in Mission Trail Baptist Hospital’s new women’s services unit Aug. 3. Courtesy photo/Baptist Health System (Right) Students returning to South Side educational institutions now have more high-tech access, officials said. Courtesy photo/Texas A&M University at San Antonio
SEPTEMBER 2021
SEPTEMBER
PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
HAPPENING
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
City Councils/ School District
Monday. For more, visit the events tab of www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com.
SEPT. 8 - 12
Harlandale ISD: 6:15 p.m. Oct. 20; 102 Genevieve Drive San Antonio ISD: 5 p.m. Sept. 13, 20; 414 W. Quincy St. Southside ISD: 6 p.m. Sept. 16; 1460 Martinez Losoya Road
WORLD HERITAGE FESTIVAL
7
Mission San Jose, 6701 San Jose Drive; Sept. 11, a bike-ride tour and 5k and 10k run and walks 7 a.m. to noon at the Mission Park Pavilion, 6030 Padre Drive; Sept. 11, locals can experience music and movies under the stars 6-10 p.m. at Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave.; and Sept. 12, “El Camino De San Antonio: Caring For Creation Mass” 8-10 a.m. at Mission Espada, 10040 Espada Road. All events
LABOR DAY ARTISAN SHOW
Join the 6th Annual World Heritage Festival to preserve and promote the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Attractions include: Sept. 8-9, short film screenings, 7 p.m. at Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave.; Sept. 10 family-friendly activities and entertainment 10 p.m., at
Experience an artisan show with more than 40 handmade artisan booths, including pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paintings and beadwork on the River Walk near Shops at Rivercenter, 602 E. Commerce St. Presented by local Hilton hotels, hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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.
SEPT. 3 - 6
HAPPENING continues on pg. 09
LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
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OPINION
8
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2021
More than just a camp by SUSAN YERKES
A SINGLE ACT of kindness can touch thousands of people. That’s how CAMP began more than 40 years ago.
In 1979, two Air Force pediatricians at Lackland’s Wilford Hall Medical Center were treating a boy with disabilities whose heart’s desire was to go to summer camp. But, because he couldn’t put on his shoes, the camp couldn’t accept him. Doctors Fred McCurdy and Chris Plauche Johnson talked to colleagues, and they decided to take the young man and other medically fragile kids camping for a weekend. The experience was a success. Dr. Robert de Lemos, who had a special interest in kids with disabilities, got deeply involved. So began CAMP, or Children’s Association for Maximum Potential. Today, the nonprofit CAMP serves more than 1,600 disabled people ages 5
to 50 every year at a beautiful summer camp on the Guadalupe River. Over time, the camp has expanded and added facilities for folks with mild to severe disabilities. The counselorto-camper ration is 1-to-1. More than 500 teens and adults volunteer each
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summer, along with dozens of health care workers. “Volunteers are the engine that make this run,” said Susan Osborne, CAMP’s executive director. There are only 17 permanent staffers year-round. When I visited CAMP on a clear summer day, it buzzed with activity. Children and adults splashed in the wave pool and water playground, bopped around to music and gathered in groups to chat and laugh. Osborne showed off some new cabins, the arts and crafts building and a beautiful new open-air amphitheater. Down by the river, a group of campers and counselors were finishing a picnic lunch by a small open fire. A pickup towing a flatbed to transport campers and wheelchairs back to the main camp rumbled down the steep road behind us. Out by the corral, four counselors walked alongside a horse, supporting a young camper who squealed with joy at the ride. McCurdy was helping out at CAMP that week. During a long career, McCurdy has remained passionate about CAMP and is a board member and volunteer. “We didn’t quite know what we were doing, other than that we did know these kids needed to go to camp,” McCurdy said. Air Force folks gave administrative support, the Chaplains Aid Society and the Officers’ Wives Club stepped up with sizable donations, and CAMP was up and running.
Today CAMP offers nine weeklong sessions during the summer, and 29 school-year programs. Like summer camp, the sessions provide not only great times for the kids, but also a much-needed respite for parents and caregivers. Monthly Parents Nights Out at CAMP’s headquarters at Lackland and TADA (Teen and Adult Day Adventures) can be godsends. And it all started with a boy who couldn’t put his shoes on. It is a joy and a privilege to learn about and write about CAMP and the many amazing people and programs in San Antonio changing lives for the better every day. That privilege, and the opportunity to share my own understanding of local matters, great (and occasionally not so great) has brought me enormous joy and satisfaction in my career as a journalist, and most recently, in the past eight years with the fine team at LOCAL Community News. It’s the local events and the stories of our neighbors that shape and texture our lives. This is my last personal column for LOCAL as the company changes ownership. As a reader and a community member, I am grateful. As a writer, I have been blessed to share this space, and to hear your ideas and responses all these years. I hope to see you again soon, on or off the printed page. 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.
SEPTEMBER 2021
HAPPENING
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
HAPPENING continues from pg. 07
are free and open to the public. For more, call 210-207-8612 or visit www. worldheritagefestival.org.
SEPT. 9
NETWORKING BREAKFAST The South San Antonio Chamber gathers 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant, 1526 S.W. Military Drive, for a networking breakfast. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for all others. For more, contact Jessica Furdock at 210-5331600 or email Jessica@southsa.org.
Stacey Abrams for a conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship and social justice, 7:30 p.m. at the Tobin
Center For The Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. Tickets are $44 per person and $200 for a meet and greet. For more, visit www.tobincenter.org.
38th Annual Jazz’SAlive
SEPT. 21
SEPT. 20
STACEY ABRAMS Join political leader and entrepreneur
ART IN THE DARK Celebrate the sense of touch during the 11th Annual “Art in the Dark,” 6:30 p.m. at La Villita Historic Arts Villages, 418 Villita St. Hosted by the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Vision Impaired, the event spotlights blind painter John Bramblitt in a live demonstration of his painting skills. Featuring local artists, potters, sculptors and jewelry designers, guests have the opportunity to bid on art while enjoying treats from local restaurants. Tickets cost $60 to $75.
For more, call 210-531-1532 or visit www.salighthouse.org.
SEPT. 24 - 25
38TH ANNUAL JAZZ’SALIVE Attend the city’s free official jazz music festival, Sept. 24, 5-10:30 p.m. and Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St., and Legacy Park, 103 W. Houston St. Hosted by the San Antonio Parks Foundation, the 38th Annual Jazz’SAlive festival features national and local musicians including Kandace Springs, The Dirty River Band, and Mike Sailors & The Higher Calling Orchestra. For more, visit the events page at saparksfoundation.org. HAPPENING continues on pg. 10
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10 HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 2021
HAPPENING continues from pg. 09
TUESDAYS
ROTARY CLUB
SEPT. 30
TEO GONZALEZ See comedian Teo Gonzalez perform 8:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St. For tickets and more, visit the events tab of www.majesticempire. com.
OCT. 1 - OCT. 2
AUTHORS IN THE ALAMO CITY Join a signing event featuring more than 40 authors, ranging from romance to suspense, noon-10 p.m. at the Hilton Palacio Del Rio, 200 S. Alamo St. For more, visit authorsinthealamocity.com.
TUESDAYS
OUTDOOR YOGA Mobile Om offers yoga classes from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Camp Outpost, 1811 S. Alamo St. Fees are $10 for a single class, $75 for 10 classes. For more, visit https://mobileomtx.com.
SEPT. 30 TEO GONZALEZ
mile
BIKE RIDE
The Rotary Club of San Antonio South normally meets at noon on the second floor of Stinson Municipal Airport, 8535 Mission Road. For updates, visit https://portal. clubrunner.ca/8149.
WALK & RUN
7:00 a.m. Mission Park Pavilion #1 6030 Padre Drive San Antonio, Texas 78214
Register by August 30, 2021 at WorldHeritageFestival.org to be guaranteed a commemorative bib, finisher's medal, T-shirt, and keepsake passport for exploring the Missions.
JOIN THE CELEBRATION! The City of San Antonio World Heritage Office and its collaborative partners present this 6th annual festival in commemoration of San Antonio's Missions as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Full event schedule at worldheritagefestival.org
#WORLDHERITAGESA
Considered by many to be one of the most beloved comic acts in Mexico and Latin America, Teo Gonzalez is coming to San Antonio to delight local fans. Having starred in TV shows such as “Al Ritmo de la Noche”,” “Festival del Humor” and “100 Mexicanos Dijeron,” Gonzalez will wow audiences Sept. 30 at the Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St. Courtesy photo
SEPTEMBER 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
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.
THURSDAYS
BREWS AND TUNES Kick back with free live music, craft beer and food 6 p.m. at the Blue Star Ice House, 115 Main Plaza. For more, visit https://do210.com.
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/.
SUNDAYS
YOGA CLASSES Community Yoga holds free classes 10-11 a.m. at Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St., sponsored by the San Antonio River Foundation. For more, visit https://mobileomtx.com.
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,
HAPPENING visit https://www.facebook.com/ GoodKindSouthtown/events/.
ONGOING
MISSION MARQUEE PLAZA 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-Community-Events.
ONGOING
ADULT-EDUCATION CLASSES The San Antonio Independent School
11
District offers free online classes through its Adult and Community Education Department. Sessions include courses in citizenship, basic computer skills in Spanish, plus certifications in customer service and information technology. For updates and to register, call 210554-2453 or 210-554-2450 or visit www.saisd.net/ace.
ONGOING
WANT A TOUR? Villa Finale Museum & Gardens, 401 King William St., has reopened its grounds. Visits are free and open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For updates, call 210-223-9800 or visit https://villafinale.org.
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TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW IN THE COMMUNITY FROM OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS TO NEWS TIDBITS.
Open and Opening Soon
GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN, 812 S. Alamo St., offers fried chicken, baked beans, fried okra, macaroni and cheese and seasoned fries. Fried green tomatoes and fried pickle spears also are available. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 210-463-4038 or visit https://gusfriedchicken.com/ or https://www. facebook.com/GusFCSanAntonio. (See story on page 22)
ROOTS SALAD KITCHEN, 403 Blue Star, Suite 106 (The Flats at Big Tex), is a gourmet salad bar that promotes a healthy lifestyle by offering a variety of produce, proteins and toppings. Current hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11.a.m to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Owners plan to expand hours of operation to include breakfast, and to offer meal preparation and delivery service for Flats at Big Tex residents. For more, visit http://www. RootsSaladKitchen.com or call 210-701-8064.
MIXTLI, 812 S. Alamo St., Suite 103, has a rotating quarterly menu that explores cuisines from different parts of Mexico. Mixtli is featuring the Oaxaca menu through Sept. 18. Having previously opened in Olmos Park, Mixtli’s new Southtown space features a larger dining room, an open kitchen concept and a new bar. Seating tickets open one month in advance. “We are very excited to call Southtown our home,” said chef/ co-owner Diego Galicia. “The area is a legendary hotspot for restaurants, and we are so lucky to be able to be right in the middle of it. The residents have been incredibly warm and welcoming. We cannot wait to welcome every one of our guests back.” For more, visit http:// restaurantmixtli.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AT BROOKS dedicated its first mobile clinic. With support from the Moody Foundation, UIWSOM has launched the 29-foot Sam Wages Mobile Osteopathic Medicine unit that allows medical students and faculty to provide community members with osteopathic primary care, immunizations, health screenings and more. The late Sam Wages oversaw UIW’s transportation division. “Osteopathic medical students, and other health professional students, will
SEPTEMBER 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
now be able to take the classroom to the community,” said Dr. Hans Bruntmyer, associate professor. “This unique opportunity will help cultivate, not only empathetic and compassionate providers, but also cohesive interprofessional health teams.”
DEAD TREE BOOKS CLOSED ITS DOORS AT 5645 S. FLORES ST., SUITE 105, ON JULY 31, ending five years of offering used, bargain books at what had been the South Side’s lone bookstore. Owners Kenny and Lisa Johnson used social media to promote their efforts to downsize and relocate to a smaller storefront. But by month’s end, the Johnsons said they had been unsuccessful at securing a new home. “We must become smaller in order to grow. We must change in order to provide the service and the love that we have shared with you for the past five years,” the Johnsons posted on Dead Tree’s Facebook page. Much of the merchandise is now in storage, and the Johnsons said they hope to still relocate, preferably elsewhere on the South Side.
PHILANTHROPIC NONPROFIT KYM’S ANGELS IN AUGUST DONATED $510,000 TO THE SOUTHSIDE EDUCATION FOUNDATION — the largest single donation ever made to benefit Southside Independent School District students, officials said.
LEO PACHECO IS RESIGNING AS DISTRICT 118 STATE REPRESENTATIVE in order to teach public administration at San Antonio College. The San Antonio Democrat was midway through his second term representing a legislative district that covers southern and eastern Bexar County. A special election will be called to fill the rest of Pacheco’s term.
LOWDOWN
13
THE SOUTH SIDE’S NEWEST LITTLE FREE LIBRARY can be found at Mission County Park, 6030 Padre Drive, where visitors may take a book or leave a book. The San Antonio River Foundation, and the South Side chapter of the Scooby Van of San Antonio supported installation of this Little Free Library.
CONSTRUCTION CREWS WORKING ON THE SOUTHCROSS BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT most recently began replacing sidewalks and curbs at Southcross and Roosevelt Avenue with new ones. They also installed new driveway approaches.
HARLANDALE EDUCATION FOUNDATION’S EMPLOYEE FUND DRIVE ENDED THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR BY RAISING MORE THAN $75,000, the most money that Harlandale Independent School District employees have raised during their annual two-week fund drive. The money benefits HISD students starting college.
DISTRICT 3 CITY COUNCILWOMAN PHYLLIS VIAGRAN AND HER COUNCIL STAFF PARTNERED WITH THE SOUTHSIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A DRIVE-THRU BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH ON AUG. 5 at Southside High School. Superheroes greeted students along the drive-thru route, and the San Antonio Fire Department created a water-arch at the entrance. SISD students received backpacks, school supplies, hot dogs, T-shirts and snow cones at the event. In addition, the University of the Incarnate Word provided COVID-19 vaccines to people ages 12 and older. Those who got vaccinated also received an admission ticket to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Find LOCAL Lowdown at www. localcommunitynews.com. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
EDUCATION
SEPTEMBER 2021
TALENT continues from pg. 01
semester by launching the PAC Advantage Program, designed to empower first-time students with a personalized “student success team” from the beginning. College officials said such resources can act as a support system to help build a strong foundation for collegiate success. “Our goal has always been that our students leave Palo Alto College with the knowledge and experience to enter high-wage, high-demand careers that will lead to upward mobility,” said PAC President Robert Garza. “We are excited to provide first-time college students with an advantage through personalized coaching and long-term goal-setting during their time at Palo Alto College.”
FIRST-TIME COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO FULFILL A “COMMIT TO COMPLETE” FORM CAN RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES UNDER THE PAC ADVANTAGES PROGRAM: • Assigned a certified enrollment coach to assist in the admissions process • Assigned a certified advisor to support degree completion • A dedicated certified career navigator by career path • An assigned tutor liaison • A free laptop-loaner program for students who choose Palo Alto as their home school and are enrolled in the fall 2021 semester with at least six hours • $200 supplemental grant for books and instructional materials • Access to free additional resources
including child care, clothes closet, personal counseling and food pantry Visit alamo.edu/pac/advantage or call 210-486-3100 for details. Meanwhile, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is collaborating with the San Antonio Independent School District on the Digital Inclusion Scholars Program,
and a technology help desk, to assist in closing the local digital divide. Students tapped for the scholars program are being trained and mentored by TAMUSA help-desk professionals to deliver reliable, home-based broadband Internet access and support. One out of four San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio, welcoming students to a new academic year, is launching a collaborative program to help bridge the local digital divide, and another program to better prepare women students for tech careers. Courtesy photo/TAMUSA
SEPTEMBER 2021
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
households have no internet access, according to the Digital Inclusion Alliance, a figure that is amplified across the South Side. The help desk is part of the Connected Beyond the Classroom project established with several local school districts and neighborhoods.
Officials from TAMUSA and SAISD said they hope this initiative will also help create a talent pipeline for careers in information technology services by bolstering problem-solving skills sought by many tech-centric employers. “These programs will be necessary to addressing future scenarios, as qualifying students will also be able to receive online instruction should changes in safety and health conditions require that,” said Carl Sheperis, the university’s dean of the College of Education and Human Development. SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez added: “We are excited to be partnering with A&M-San Antonio and the city of San Antonio in the Connected Beyond the Classroom project as we influence the future of digital literacy and career paths.” Additionally, TAMUSA announced it was receiving a $255,000 grant to support its Texas Two-Step for Increasing Women in Technology program. The program is one of 18 workforce skills training and job-placement initiatives from across the state chosen as part of $5.5 million in Texas Talent Connection grants awarded by the Texas Workforce Investment Council in Gov. Greg Abbott’s Economic Development and Tourism division.
THE TEXAS TWO-STEP PROGRAM INVOLVES: • Providing participants with tools to help them focus on career development and financial wellness • Offering technical training through online modules in asset security, communication and network security, identity and access management, and security engineering and operations, and network certification. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.
LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
EDUCATION
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
MEDICAL
SEPTEMBER 2021
NEONATAL continues from pg. 01
Just a day later, Ezra Tovar, son of Carolina Tovar, was the first child born in the new unit, delivered at 4:45 p.m. Meanwhile, the nearby The Birthplace at Texas Vista Medical Center earned a Level III maternal care center designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services, making it the only South Side facility offering an advanced level of maternal and neonatal care. Mission Trail CEO Michael Cline said the South Side’s continued growth spurred Baptist Health System to further invest in OB/GYN services at the South Side facility. He said about 600 expectant mothers visit Mission Trail each
month. But, he added, many momsto-be or growing families living on the South Side end up going to downtown or North Side hospitals, facing various challenges while seeking comprehensive quality care miles from home. “We thought it was very important to step up on the South Side of San Antonio and really be able to provide that service and keep people here together in the community,” Cline said. Mission Trail’s new women’s services unit includes nine labor and delivery recovery postpartum beds, seven postpartum beds, four obstetrical emergency department beds, two cesarean-section suites, an eight-bed neonatal intensive care unit and an eight-bed nursery. It cost BHS $2.5 million to repurpose
the existing hospital space over four months. Patti Tanner, BHS public relations director, said feedback from expectant parents has been positive about the expansion.
“Moms are very excited. They get to stay in the neighborhood. They don’t have to travel to downtown or north of downtown or across town,” she added. On the Southwest Side, officials at
Mission Trail Baptist Hospital’s new women’s services unit features nine labor and delivery recovery postpartum beds, seven postpartum beds, and four obstetrical emergency department beds. Courtesy photo/Baptist Health System
SEPTEMBER 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
Texas Vista Medical Center recently celebrated the state’s designation of the facility’s maternal care ward, The Birthplace, which offers services including a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, an obstetrical emergency department and boardcertified OB/GYN physicians on site 24 hours a day. In order to earn a Level III designation, facilities must meet various criteria, including treating pregnant and postpartum patients with complex conditions that present a high risk of maternal illness or death. “Nothing is more important to us than supporting the health and wellbeing of every mother and baby who comes through our doors,” said Dr.
MEDICAL
Houmam Al-Hakeem, chief of staff of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas Vista. TVMC’s designation follows an announcement by Palo Alto College that ensures infants born at Texas Vista will have access to postsecondary education. Texas Vista recently began Healthy Horizons, a program created to
address the disproportionate health disparities in south Bexar County. Healthy Horizons promotes models of health equity via health screenings, partnerships with community agencies such as the San Antonio Food Bank, and activities designed to advocate healthy lifestyles. Palo Alto, another partner of TVMC, uses its Educate South
NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ... THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF EVERY MOTHER AND BABY.” DR. HOUMAM AL-HAKEEM, TEXAS VISTA MEDICAL CENTER
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community initiative to raise educational awareness at the earliest years by building public and private partnerships to foster a college-bound culture on the South Side. “Bringing together programs that focus on health and education not only improve the quality of life for residents on the South Side, it also means healthier families, a healthier community and a healthy future,” TVMC President Jon Turton said. Palo Alto President Robert Garza added: “In order to fully develop the potential of our community’s children, Educate South embraces the fact that education starts at birth.” eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.
18
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
SCHOOLS
SEPTEMBER 2021
South Side school districts to see pay increase in budgets by EDMOND ORTIZ
TWO SOUTH SIDE school districts have approved pay hikes, just as educators wrestle with a continuing pandemic and how to use new federal recovery money.
The raises are taking place in the Harlandale and San Antonio independent school districts. A projected savings of $42.2 million from its 2020-2021 school year are being used to support HISD’s deficit budget for 2021-2022.
HISD estimated $139.1 million in expenses and $135.1 million in revenues for the new academic cycle. Harlandale and other districts worry
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about flat student enrollment figures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, HISD officials said it was crucial to maintain support for employees. HISD’s new budget includes a salary increase of 3% to 4% for teachers depending on their years of service; a starting teacher salary
of $55,000; a general 3% hike based on paraprofessionals and classified employees’ midpoint; and a minimum hourly rate of $13 for new paraprofessionals and classified employees. Susan Salinas, a Texas State Teachers Association regional organizer, said HISD’s pay hikes are
SEPTEMBER 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
SCHOOLS
19
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a good starting point to help make Harlandale more competitive with neighboring school districts. “The district needs to look to the future to address this issue in depth so that we’ll be able to attract the best and the brightest,” she said. Harlandale ISD is receiving $38.7 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The money was part of a larger allocation of funds for U.S. public schools contained in the American Rescue Plan Act, the latest COVID-19 emergency relief package approved by Congress. Harlandale has the next three school years to spend the funds, which are restricted to supporting academic functions, maintaining social/emotional and other district services, and coronavirus safety measures. Like all other public school systems receiving ESSER funds, HISD is crafting a plan and getting community input toward using its federal relief money. So far, HISD stakeholders have suggested using the ESSER money to fund summer programs, hiring and retaining staff, counseling and intervention/tutorial programs. Harlandale’s new budget also features a $600 stipend for all employees, and for middle school baseball/softball programs. The retention stipend was another proposal that community members sought for ESSER fund use. Meanwhile, several HISD parents backed the financial boost for baseball and softball programs. They said teaching those sports to seventh- and eighth-graders during the class day will help interested students develop skills before getting to high school. “If we can get these kids started earlier, have them be more
successful in high school, it does give them a better opportunity to get scholarships,” said parent Roy Bonilla. Harlandale is keeping its property tax rate at $1.42 per $100 valuation. Meanwhile, SAISD’s $487.5 million budget for 2021-2022 includes a 2% scale adjustment for teachers, nurses and librarians. There’s a 2% pay hike for all other full-time, permanent employees, and a one-time $500 longevity stipend. SAISD’s new budget also contains a $10,000 additional time stipend for approved teachers. SAISD trustees approved a separate plan to use $78.3 million in ESSER money to hire more teachers for campuses with a higher level of pandemic recovery needs. The same relief money will also support expansion of specialeducation resources, extracurricular programs, student access to social workers and emotional health care, and extend the school year. Several residents, educators and students at the June 22 SAISD board meeting criticized the district, saying there was little public engagement about using ESSER funds. Superintendent Pedro Martinez promised to regularly brief the board on how individual campuses use the recovery money. He added campus leaders were key in planning the use of ESSER funds. “This has to be a collective effort across the entire community,” he told school board members. “It isn’t me making a decision; it isn’t yourself making individual decisions. It really is driven by the schools.” SAISD is keeping its property tax rate of $1.50 per $100 valuation. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT)
READ THIS
what is
IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM HEEL PAIN
shockwave therapy
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment (EPAT)
A NON-INVASIVE muscle & tendon treatment option
how The problem with most treatments for heel pain
does it work?
is that they are focused on treating inflammation.
Low frequency soundwaves (shockwaves) are aimed at the
Most of the time heel pain is caused by degeneration of tissues and NOT inflammation.
In fact, inflammation is only the first step in the
SURGERY DOWNTIME NEEDLES RISK
held applicator. The shockwave penetrates
healing process.
NO
injured area through a hand
Curing the diseased tissue in
deep into the soft tissues,
your heel that is causing your
stimulating blood flow and
pain is the key to long term
accelerating the body's natural
relief from pain.
healing process.
EPAT or Shockwave Therapy
can get there by helping you heal naturally.
What your body is pleading for...
is help to heal... not just less inflammation.
Q&A from last issue:
Don't just
treat
the problem
heal
the damaged tissue!
Due to limited space we will select one question to answer per issue.
Q: ask the doctor A:
Is in-grown toenail removal painful?
Scan the QR code to learn more about how shockwave therapy(EPAT) can help relieve your heel pain!
Yes. Ingrown toenails are a painful condition to begin with. Commonly tender to every touch. Luckily, here at Next Step we have a 5-step "pain-free" process we follow with patient approved results! Scan the QR code > hover over the "conditions" drop down menu at the top > and you will find more info under nail & skin care.
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One of our two doctors, Dr. Silvester & Dr. Larsen, will answer your question in the next issue.
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
SUPPORT
SEPTEMBER 2021
SERVICES continues from pg. 01
districts. But in the upcoming 20212022 school year, the grant will permit the collaborative to extend services to Southwest and Somerset independent school districts. Officials from Harlandale, other school districts, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the collaborative member agencies gathered July 22 at Harlandale’s Sosa Engagement Center to celebrate the grant announcement. HISD offers free mental-wellness services at the Harlandale Care Center, which opened at 7026 S. Flores St. in 2020. “I get very emotional about the care center because it’s been a dream of mine for years,” Brian
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The funding will help the 2-yearold collaborative expand its services into more school districts and reach more students needing critical behavioral health resources. Comprised of six local nonprofits, the collaborative offers free wraparound mental health care services, including counseling, psychiatry, education, substanceabuse assessment and consultation, and parenting support. Such services are currently available to students and their families, teachers, administrators and other employees in the Harlandale, South San and Edgewood independent school
SEPTEMBER 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS
for the collaborative. Member agencies include Jewish Family Services of San Antonio, Family Service Association, Clarity Child Guidance Council, Rise Recovery, Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, and Communities in Schools of San Antonio.
SUPPORT
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In addition to the $4.75 million in funding from Bexar County, the collaborative has secured money from the city of San Antonio and other foundations. Jewish Family Services CEO Talli Goldman-Dolge is also lead CEO for the wellness collaborative. She said the partner agencies are positioned to bring their resources to underserved communities where costs, language, transportation and access are obstacles for many families seeking mental-health care aid. “We wanted to provide a holistic approach to mental wellness by breaking barriers and bringing services right into the schools,” Goldman-Dolge said. “This approach encompasses all people who may touch a child’s life, and we know this is a community effort.” Jordana Barton, vice president of community investment at MHMST, said these services could prove “the difference between a student who might be labeled as being disinterested in school or a delinquent or a troublemaker and getting the right intervention that will change their life forever.” The new funding will also allow Methodist Healthcare Ministries to work with the collaborative to develop a telehealth mental wellness counseling program. The telehealth program, MHMST officials said, will be part of their existing Connecting Beyond the Classroom initiative in Edgewood, as well as efforts to expand the collaborative into rural counties that have little or no access to behavioral health services. For more, visit https://jfs-sa.org/ sammwc or call 210-860-5086. eortiz@localcommunitynews.com Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com. LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM
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Join the 2021 celebration with a series of in-person, online and televised events for all ages!
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LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS SEPTEMBER 2021
LEARN ABOUT THE NEWEST NEIGHBORHOOD PLACES FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER.
HOURS ARE CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME, BUT CHECK WITH THE BUSINESS FOR UPDATES.
‘World-famous’ fried chicken honors Southern roots by OLIVIER J. BOURGOIN
GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN has brought its Memphis, Tenn., tastes to Southtown with the debut of a fifth Texas location.
The latest Lone Star State site is at 812 S. Alamo St. Mark Topham, a native of Wisconsin, is running the show and said he’s enjoying the feel of the near South Side. “We looked at several different possibilities for
this first Alamo City outpost and I’m very happy that we settled on this location. Where else can you find a space to rent in a 100-year-old building?” he said. Fried chicken front and center
on the menu. Side dishes include baked beans, fried okra, macaroni and cheese, and seasoned fries. Fried green tomatoes and fried pickle spears also are available. All the chicken is fresh, never frozen, natural and hormone-free, and fried exclusively in peanut oil, employees said. There are 33 restaurants in 14 states and counting. The eatery traces it roots to Maggie and Napoleon “Na” Bonner, who died in the early 1980s. Vernon “Gus” Bonner inherited the restaurant his
(Below) Customers pack one of Southtown’s new eateries, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. Originating in Tennessee, restaurants in the chain feature nononsense decor and fresh, never frozen chicken fried in peanut oil. A neon sign (next page) beckons customer to try the Southern fare at the dining spot. Photos by Olivier J. Bourgoin
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GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN
812 S. Alamo St.
SEPTEMBER 2021
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parents built in Mason, Tennessee, in 1973. He also inherited the recipe they had been perfecting since 1953, when they first started selling their spicy fried chicken between two slices of white bread from the back door of a local tavern. Originally named “Maggie’s Short Orders” to honor Gus Bonner’s mom, in 1984, Bonner and his wife, Gertrude, introduced a new moniker, “Gus’s World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken.” Enter Wendy McCrory, a native of Memphis and an early fan of Gus’s fare. A single mom working multiple jobs, McCrory started picking up shifts at the restaurant, then by 2001 she took over as a master franchisor for the brand.
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The recipe has remained true to its origins, and the decor is unchanged — simple and no-nonsense. “As you can see, all our table covers are mismatched and that’s by design,” said Topham, who holds a degree in restaurant management. “When Wendy McCrory opened her first restaurant, she didn’t have a lot of money to spend so she went and bought whatever furniture she could find and most of it was mismatched. We want to honor our roots and her entrepreneurship.” Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 210-463-4038 or visit https://gusfriedchicken.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/ GusFCSanAntonio.
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