FACING HURDLES
City Council meeting, public hearing in April
Broadway-Austin Highway development still under intense review
PG.17
LOCAL SOCIETY
PG. 14
on the scene of the latest parties
PAGE 14
COMMUNITY NEWS
PAGE 23 VOL. 3, ISSUE 10
Symphony Ball Mums & Mimosas
Bohemian Soiree
Olmos Park EDC seeks to fund McCullough improvements ALAMO HEIGHTS
ELECTIONS
CROWDED FIELD Council and mayoral races, school district seat up for grabs
KING WILLIAM
MONTE VISTA
OLMOS PARK
TERRELL HILLS
APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
King William Association relocates to new digs PG.21 Fiesta fair, parade April 25 eagerly anticipated
by EDMOND ORTIZ
V
oters going to the polls May 9 face numerous contested races in central San Antonio, Alamo Heights and Olmos Park. ALAMO HEIGHTS Alamo Heights features a mayoral contest between incumbent Louis Cooper and Sarah Reveley. Cooper beat Reveley and Bill Kiel in 2011 to win his fourth mayoral term. Cooper was educated in Alamo Heights schools and at Southern Methodist University. He was first elected to the council in 2001, and owns and operates Calling Solutions Inc. Cooper said updating local zoning codes and solving flooding issues are top priorities. “I think the flooding problem must be solved for the future and safety of our city,” he added. Reveley holds degrees from the
ELECTIONS continues on pg. 15
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3
SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM
FROM THE EDITOR tedwards@salocallowdown.com
Publisher President Gregg Rosenfield Harold J. Lees Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton EDITORIAL Executive Editor Thomas Edwards News Staff Collette Orquiz, Bain Serna and Will Wright Contributing Writers Olivier J. Bourgoin, Rose Mary Budge, Joyce Hotchkiss, Carole Miller, Edmond Ortiz, Travis E. Poling and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Florence D. Edwards Production Designer Pete Morales Contributing Photographer Leland A. Outz Contributing Illustrator Jeremiah Teutsch ADVERTISING Advertising Director Jaselle Luna Account Manager Kelly Jean Garza Controller Keith Sanders READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Fax Phone (210) 616.9677 Advertising Inquiries(210) 338.8842
jluna@salocallowdown.com Story Ideas: tips@salocallowdown.com Website: www.salocallowdown.com
LOCAL Community News publications Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249 Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247 Zone 4/5: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266 Zone 6: 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261 For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 San Antonio, TX 78229 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2015 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.
COP means safer neighborhoods thanks to efforts of volunteers
I
n spite of what you may have seen on TV, San Antonio is far safer than it used to be.
The heyday for violent crime in the Alamo City occurred during the late 1980s and early 1990s, when I was a police reporter for the San Antonio Express-News. Back then, a tide of violence swept across the city thanks to youth gangs and prison gangs. One of my friends, San Antonio Police Department homicide Detective Alvin “Rusty” Brown, saw me hovering around so many crime scenes he eventually quipped, “Edwards, we have to stop meeting like this.” There are many reasons why today San Antonio sees fewer crimes of violence. One is the caliber of the police force. But, I also think a lot of the credit goes to voluntary efforts such as Citizens on Patrol. I remain impressed by the efforts of these volunteers who selflessly patrol their neighborhoods and report crimes to SAPD. They are watching for offenses ranging from thefts to car breakins and home burglaries. These residents are not paid, they don’t get medals, they aren’t mentioned in headlines or praised by news anchors, and yet each day and night these folks go out, braving all kinds of weather, to make our residences more secure. They are the civilian eyes and ears of the Police Department. And, they come from all walks of life. The one factor they have in common: a willingness to serve others. While COP volunteers aren’t allowed to carry weapons and are encouraged not to confront criminals, their observations and diligence help police map, contain and control property crimes, which otherwise have the potential to fuel offenses against people. If there is a COP program in your neighborhood, I encourage you to sign up, go through the training and start patrolling to safeguard your community.
THOMAS EDWARDS EXECUTIVE EDITOR
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
LOCAL COMMENTARY
Keeping Fiesta 2015 fun but sober by SUSAN YERKES
T
o many San Antonians, April means one thing: “Get your flip-flops on and grab a beer — it’s Fiesta time, and the party’s on!” However, keep this in mind: April also is National Alcohol Awareness Month. I thought about that after a recent conversation with attorney Joe Hoelscher, whose criminal-law practice focuses on DWI and substance-abuse cases. “Fiesta is really big for us,” he said. “Historically, I have made as much as 25 percent of my annual revenue off Fiesta-related arrests. Generally, you find the largest aggregation of lawenforcement officials in the state here
in San Antonio during Fiesta.” That’s not to say Fiesta is one big booze-fest. Far from it. Considering the hundreds of thousands of folks who attend, Fiesta is a pretty family-friendly affair. “When I moved to San Antonio and started hearing about Fiesta I thought, ‘Oh gosh, we’re going to have a lot of arrests,’” said Officer Misty Floyd, a San Antonio Police Department spokeswoman. “But in the last few years, we haven’t seen big spikes in DWIs during Fiesta. There’s definitely more of an effort on our part to keep things in line.” Last year, police reported 402 DWI arrests during Fiesta, compared to 339 in 2013, but Floyd noted that Fiesta 2014 was extended over an extra week because of the Easter holiday. This year, the Fiesta Commission and police are celebrating the fact that for the last four years, not a single person has been killed in a traffic accident related to Fiesta. While SAPD provides the bulk of manpower during the celebration, the Department of Public Safety has almost doubled its Fiesta force. Bexar County sheriff ’s deputies and deputy constables, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officers and even Texas Department of Transportation personnel are also out
there working to keep Fiesta safe. “Every law-enforcement agency is involved,” Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said. “We don’t put on extra officers, but we use everybody we’ve got. DWIs are a daily problem in this community; not just during Fiesta. But Fiesta is a two- or three-week long party, so yes, we have to be more watchful.” Maj. Richard Jauregui, of the TABC’s San Antonio regional office, is among those keeping watch. TABC agents, many of them undercover at Fiesta, are concerned with stopping anyone from serving alcohol to minors and folks who are already intoxicated. “We use all the personnel in our office, and in the past we’ve brought people from around the district, although we’ve increased our staff enough here in the past few years that now we can handle it,” he said. “Also, in the 15 years I’ve been in San Antonio, I’ve seen Fiesta become more controlled as far as our violations are concerned,” Jauregui added. “A lot of the nonprofits that put on Fiesta events have changed their ways. They have to have at least a temporary license to sell alcohol, and we also offer training to get their (alcohol) servers certified, and a lot of the groups have
been taking advantage of that.” Meanwhile, TxDOT places extra emphasis on its Person Appointed to Stay Sober, or P.A.S.S., campaign promoting designated drivers, featuring warnings about DWI on TransGuide highway signs, and promoting their Sober Rides pledges and website. “We try to remind people that a DWI can easily end up costing you up to $17,000, and you could lose not only your driver’s license, but your job,” said TxDOT spokeswoman Laura Lopez. Along with Silver Eagle Distributors and Yellow Cab, TxDOT also helps sponsor the Fiesta Commission’s Fiesta Safe Rides program, which distributes $20 taxi vouchers to folks who plan to drink, but don’t want to drive drunk. “This year, we’re giving out 2,500 free $20 taxi vouchers for use during Fiesta,” said interim Fiesta Commission Executive Director Phil Nelson. They are available at the Fiesta Store, 2611 Broadway. There’s a fine line between having fun and having too much fun, and that line can get blurry faster than your vision after a few too many brewskis. So keep that $17,000 penalty box in mind, and party like there is a tomorrow. ¡Viva Fiesta! For comments, email syerkes@ salocallowdown.com.
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
OUR TURN Views and opinions about your community
Give curfew laws another look
R
ecently San Antonio reviewed its juvenilecurfew law, which over time has highlighted two sad facts: The government feels it has to do the job of parents, and there are parents who are not properly supervising their kids. Shouldn’t it be the parents, and not the government, deciding when children should be at home? At the same time, parents need to set a good example about proper conduct for kids outside of the house. And inside, for that matter. These points come to mind in the wake of a reappraisal of the city’s 24-year-old juvenile-curfew law, with a recommendation from the Public Safety Committee to renew the ordinance for another three years. Government shouldn't be playing mommy and daddy. Created in 1991, the Alamo City law had a worthy intent: Keep kids off the streets and safe from violence. Amendments over the years also attacked truancy.
FIRST ANNUAL
In the early days of the curfew, gang violence and drive-by shootings were on the rise. Leaders wanted to curb the trauma. Under the curfew, those 16 and younger must not be on the streets, in a vehicle or on foot from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day, and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on school days. Exceptions are made for children who are working, running a sanctioned errand, caring for a parent or a caregiver, doing volunteer work or on a school or church outing. Citations for Municipal Court are issued to the parents, not the kids. The idea is to make parents feel the financial pinch. The number of citations is relatively small these days, which is one indication that maybe the curfew has outlived its usefulness. Also, violent crime has diminished. And while it’s true kids need to stay in school, the Legislature is considering whether truancy laws, and punishments such as fines and jail, are too onerous. Cities with curfew laws should worry about bigger issues, such as infrastructure and public safety involving real crimes. However, parents must also do their part by teaching acceptable values to their kids. -The Local Community News editorial board includes Harry Lees, Gregg Rosenfield and Thomas Edwards.
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM
Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.
OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH
HAPPENING KEY
FITNESS
ART
SAN ANTONIO BOOK FESTIVAL Books and readings, discussions and technology, vendors, entertainment, even cooking demonstrations will be on tap at the Central Library, 600 Soledad St., and across the street at the Southwest School of Art. There will be events for families and children, too. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is no admission cost.
APRIL 11
LITERARY DEATH MATCH The after-party of the Book Festival features four authors competing in a hilarious faceoff before three judges; the best two will battle in the finals. The literary fun starts at 7 p.m. at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St. General admission tickets are $10; VIP seats start at $50. Both include music from 5:30 to 7p.m. For more, or to purchase tickets, go to www.
APRIL 11
a
40 Conquering Cancer Years of
HAPPENING LOCAL
TALK
OUTDOOR
MUSIC
FOOD
saplf.org/events/literary-death-match1/. 2nd ANNUAL SATX INTERNATIONAL CRAFT BEER FEST The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 76 at Tenth Street and the River Walk is the site of the SATX International Craft Beer Fest. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m.. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. At least 35 flavors of beer will be featured at stations across the venue and sampling tickets will be available for purchase for adults 21 and up. Guests riding their bike to the event get their first sample for free. Visitors can enjoy live music from Micro Missile Attack and food from local food trucks. For more, find the SATX International Craft Beer Fest on Facebook.
APRIL 12
HAPPENING continues on pg. 08
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
HAPPENING continues from pg. 07 TURKS, TAILORS & UNCLE MOSES! New York’s Metropolitan Klezmer – a six-woman group – will perform a range of music, including Yiddish swing, neo-traditional folk dance, even late Soviet-era Jewish drinking songs. The setting is Main Plaza, part of Musical Bridges Around the World’s Musical Evenings at San Fernando Cathedral. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. and it’s free.
APRIL 12
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Trustees of the North East Independent School District regularly meet 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the boardroom at 8961 Tesoro Drive. To confirm dates and times, call 407-0533.
APRIL 13
ALAMO HEIGHTS The City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. April 13 in the municipal complex, 6116 Broadway, and then meets again, same time and place, April 27.
APRIL 13, 27
APRIL 13
TERRELL HILLS The City Council meets at 5 p.m. in City Hall, 5100 N. New Braunfels Ave.
MONTE VISTA BOARD MEETING The Monte Vista Historical Association board meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. in the annex of the Landa Branch Library, 233 Bushnell Ave.
APRIL 14
ANNEXATION INFORMATION The city of San Antonio is holding public information sessions on its latest annexation plans, involving five parcels from U.S. 90 West to Interstate 10 East. The session starts at 7 p.m. at the Cliff Morton Development and Business Center, 1901 S. Alamo St. Another session is scheduled for May 7. More information is available at http://www.sanantonio.gov/planning/.
APRIL 14
CULINARY SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE The San Antonio Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International is accepting applications for scholarships for women in the region for the 2015-16 school year. The scholarships will go for post-high school studies in the food/culinary arts, wine, hospitality and agriculture industries. Find application forms online at www.ldeisanantonio.org. Completed forms must be postmarked
APRIL 15
HAPPENING continues on pg. 09
2015 Fiesta River Parade Party
at the Briscoe Western Art Museum Monday, April 20 | 5:30 - 10:00pm 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio , T X 7 8 2 0 5 Indoor/Outdoor Seating • Sumptuous Buffet • Beer/Wine Live Music by Colao• Private Restrooms MEMBERS : $50 A DULTS | $25 C HILDREN 12 AND UNDER NON-MEMBERS : $75 A DULTS | $35 C HILDREN 12 AND UNDER
For tickets and more info: BriscoeMuseum.org or 210.299.4499
9
SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM HAPPENING continues from pg. 08 by April 15 and sent to Scholarship Committee, Les Dames d’Escoffier, P.O. Box 15302, San Antonio, TX 78212. AHISD The Alamo Heights Independent School District board meets at 7 p.m. in the boardroom at Central Office, 7101 Broadway.
APRIL 16
OLMOS PARK The City Council meets the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in City Hall, 120 W. El Prado Drive.
APRIL 16
RUSSIAN ‘SWAN LAKE’ The Saint Petersburg State “Russian Ballet” will perform the classic dance set to Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece at the Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E. Market St., at 7:30 p.m. The city is one of seven U.S. stops for the venerable troupe. Tickets, which range from $42 to $112, are available at the Alamodome box office, through Ticketmaster or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
APRIL 16
FIESTA SAN ANTONIO The city’s biggest party will take place over 11 days in dozens of places around town and fill the city center with parades and other big parties. Get a full list of events at www.fiesta-sa.org.
APRIL 16-25
ALAMO HEIGHTS NIGHT APRIL Alamo Heights celebrates Fiesta 17 in its own backyard – from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway. The annual party features games and rides, music and food; proceeds benefit the Alamo Heights Rotary Club’s charities. Admission costs $12 for those 18 and older, $5 for ages 1217 or students with a school ID. Parking is available at the AT&T Building across Hildebrand Avenue, but use of the many buses that pass UIW is urged. There also will be park-and-ride service from Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825
Talk to your neighbors, then talk to me.
E. Basse Road and Alamo Heights High School, 6900 Broadway, as well as from the VIA Metropolitan Transit’s park-and-ride site at Wonderland Mall of the Americas, at Fredericksburg Road and Loop 410. FIESTA WEBB PARTY The big, crazy party that raises funds for the San Antonio AIDS Foundation will have one last go-round as an official Fiesta event. It runs from 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the Lambermont Estate, 950 E. Grayson St., with an array of bars, cuisine tastings, dancing and live entertainment. Tickets and more information are available at www.WEBBParty.net. It’s strictly for adults – IDs will be required. In 2016, the WEBB Party will become a Halloween event.
APRIL 17
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VIVA BOTANICA The San Antonio Botanical Garden celebrates spring and Fiesta in a family-friendly way, with events for the kids – and you can decorate a wagon and join in the parade. There’s a plant sale, too. The fun runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Botanical Garden is at 555 Funston Place.
APRIL 18
FIESTA POOCH PARADE This Alamo Heights tradition, presented by Therapy Animals of San Antonio, begins at 9:15 a.m. at the Alamo Heights Swimming Pool, 250 Viesca St., and takes a 5-kilometer route through neighboring streets. Register by April 18 and pay $20 for one human and one dog or $25 for a family and all the family pooches; fees on parade day are $25 and $30. Register through a link at www.TherapyAnimalsSA.org or by mail to Therapy Animals of San Antonio, P.O. Box 690221, San Antonio, TX 78269. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and there will be special pre-parade exhibits and presentations for dogs and owners. A popular feature, the Canine Costume Contest, starts at 8:15 a.m.
APRIL 25
HAPPENING continues on pg. 10
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
HAPPENING continues from pg. 09 CHANGE THE VOTE TOWN HALL The Theatre for Change activist artist group will host at least four San Antonio mayoral candidates in a program at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle. Tommy Adkisson, Paul Martinez, Leticia Van de Putte and Mike Villarreal will take questions from members of the arts community about their views on the arts as an economic force in the city. The discussion starts at 7:30 p.m. and it’s free, but tickets are required. Reserve them at tobi.tobincenter.org.
APRIL 27
STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM The Mayor’s Fitness Council is accepting student ambassador applications from youths who will be in grades five to 12 next school year. The 40 selected will help the council promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle in their own communities and citywide. The application, which includes input from parents, the school principal and a campus mentor, is available at fitcitysa. com; click on the MFC Ambassadors tab. It must be submitted by May 1.
MAY 1
HONORING MOTHERS Actress Ashley Judd will be the keynote speaker at this annual luncheon, which raises funds for Family Violence Prevention Services and the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter of San Antonio. Lunch and the program start at 11:30 a.m. at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, 101 Bowie St. Special recognition will be given to the late restaurateur Viola B. Barrios. Tickets start at $150; to purchase them, and for more information, go to honoringmothers.com.
MAY 8
“MORE THAN HONEY” This documentary film looks at the problems the world is facing as bee populations decline around the globe, offering the views of a range of scientists as well as beekeepers. It will be screened at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place; admission is free, thanks to Chipotle Mexican Grill, which will also provide complimentary burritos. Sign up at info@sabot.org, to ensure a sufficient supply of burritos. The gate opens at 6:30 p.m.; the film starts at sundown.
MAY 8
SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all
the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@salocallowdown.com.
LOCAL LOWDOWN Take a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.
Open and Opening Soon 1. ALBERICO FINE WINE, 5221 McCullough
Address of local business Name of local business
For more, call 764-6282 or check out www. zippyshell.com. (See story on page 24)
Ave., has opened in The Yard in Olmos Park and is both a restaurant and retail wine shop. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for the kitchen, 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more, call 320-8466 or visit www. albericofinewine.com or Facebook.com/ albericowinesa. (See story on page 25)
3. RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE, 7720 Jones Maltsberger Road, has reopened in the Concord Plaza just off U.S. 281 North after undergoing $600,000 in renovations that added 4,000 square feet of dining space, outdoor patio areas, a new bar and updated private-dining facilities. The restaurant has been at the Concord for 22 years, a spokeswoman said. The grand reopening Feb. 27 included a fundraiser for the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation to help children in need. Hours are lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, and dinner 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 821-5051.
2. ALAMO ZIPPY SHELL, 6903 N.E. Loop
410, Suite 113, is a mobile storage solution that brings a trailer-based container system to individuals and businesses, according to the company. Clients store their wares, then lock the container so it can be moved to a convenient central warehouse. The company also offers local moves within a 250-mile radius and long-distance transitions through the ZipMove program. While the owner said the company accommodates almost any schedule, regular hours are 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
4. URTH JUICE BAR, 812 S. Presa St., is
one of two new locations opened by the Olmos Park-based business billing itself
LOWDOWN continues on pg. 11
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Staying on Course
by Les Hollon, PhD - Senior Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church
LOWDOWN continues from pg. 10
Recently I completed a personal hike. Hiking from the front lawn of Trinity Baptist Church to the place of my birth in Kerrville was a meaningful challenge. Step by step I wanted to connect God’s current calling in my life to where my life began. So in 6 segments I hiked from here to there. And along the way I thought of Jesus’ call to “come and follow Me and I will make you fishers of people”. Here are 4 takeaways: 1) Head in the right direction and keep on walking. In life, as in hiking, it is essential to make sure you are headed toward your desired destination. Then keep putting one foot in front of the other. 2) Focus on purpose. It was easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other by visualizing my purpose. Meaning renews our energy. 3) Stay on course. With limited energy and time I didn’t want to get off course, which helped me to avoid distractions and stay headed toward my destination with each of my 172,000 steps. 4) Keep alert; danger and opportunity can show up at any time. So I kept aware of my surroundings and remained open to surprises. These are helpful reminders as we journey through life. Blessings on your adventure.
National Day of Prayer Join us at TriPoint on May 7th to celebrate National Day of Prayer. The breakfaast and program is sponsored by the YMCA of Greater San Antonio, Trinity Baptist Church, and Baptist Health Foundation of San Antoio. The program will feature Mayor Ivy Taylor, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Rabbi Mara Nathan of Temple Bethel, and more. To register for a table, visit DayofPrayerSA.com. Sundays
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as the source of “the freshest, best-tasting juices in the Alamo City.” This spot offers a “welcoming environment with blue-stained floors and the trademark lime-green walls … filled with art from local artists.” In addition to juices and smoothies, menu items include a strawberry crumble salad, a chipotle chicken panini, a feta wrap, organic teas, nut milks, gluten-free pastries, granola, parfaits and fruit cups. Other featured products come from San Antonio vendors such as Little Aussie Bakery & Café and Wildway Granola. The other new location is at 20821 U.S. 281 North in Stone Oak, and the original is at The Yard, 5317 McCullough Ave. Military and student discounts are available with active ID. Bottles can be returned for 50-cent discounts. Delivery is available for $3 or $5 through Grub Hub, with a $20 minimum order. The stores are also pet-friendly. Hours at all locations are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more, call 272-0467 or visit www.urthjuicebar.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
DIEGO BERNAL, THE FORMER DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCILMAN, was sworn in March 3 as the new state representative for House District 123 after winning a special election Feb. 17, precipitated by Mike Villarreal’s decision to step down and run for mayor of San Antonio. According to a release, Bernal told constituents he is “prepared to participate fully on the House floor, in our committees and in pursuit of a legislative agenda that strengthens our district.” Bernal also pledged to continue a tradition of holding regular public meetings “at local cafes and restaurants to discuss your concerns and ideas. Accessibility and transparency will continue to be core values of this office.” KRONKOSKY’S TINY TOT NATURE SPOT AT THE SAN ANTONIO ZOO celebrated a grand reopening and its 10th anniversary March 6 as an early-childhood resource to bring kids and nature together. According to a spokeswoman, “Opened in October 2004, Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot is one of the first early-childhood facilities of its kind in the country. Specifically targeting families with children under 5, the Nature Spot is the perfect place for children and families to get closer to nature. Tiny explorers are encouraged to dig, climb, get wet and dirty as they uncover and discover nature’s wonders.” The zoo is at 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. in Brackenridge Park. THE SAN ANTONIO CONSERVATION SOCIETY HAS RE-ELECTED Barb Machado as its fourth vice president, which includes
LOWDOWN continues on pg. 13
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM LOWDOWN continues from pg. 11 duties as the chairwomen of the 67th “A Night In Old San Antonio” April 21-24 during Fiesta. She also oversaw NIOSA 2014, the most profitable to date, officials said. Machado joined the society in the early 1980s. THE MEXICAN CONSULATE RECENTLY PRESENTED a check for $60,000 to the University of the Incarnate Word to fund scholarships for students of Mexican origin as part of the “IME Fellowship Program,” officials said. The Scholarship Program IME-BECAS was created in 2005 as an initiative of the Mexican government to contribute to the development and personal improvement of Mexican immigrants in the United States, helping students continue or finish their education. For more, contact UIW’s International Admissions Office at intladmis@uiwtx.edu or 805-5707 or Estela Gutierrez, at the Mexican Consulate, 227-1089, egutierrez@consulmexsat.org. A TEAM FROM ALAMO HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL recently won the regional competition for the 2015 National Science Bowl and is advancing to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., April 30-May 4. This is the national contest’s 25th year.
The top 16 high school teams and the top eight middle school teams in the National Finals will win $1,000 for their schools’ science departments. The NSB brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country to compete in a fast-paced question-andanswer format where they solve technical problems and answer questions on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, physics and math, according to a news release. KATHERINE MANSFIELD, A JUNIOR AT KEYSTONE SCHOOL in the Monte Vista Historic District, won first place in the 11th/12th grade division for the 2015 San Antonio Book Festival Fiction Contest with her essay “When the Dust Settles.” Festival organizers announced 11 winners from among 650 entries for the second annual fiction-writing contest for young writers from grades seven to 12. The students were asked to showcase their creativity and narrative skills with the prompt, “A chest in the attic…” The book festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11 at the Central Library, 600 Soledad St., and other locales. CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PETS IS the message from city halls both in Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills, where officials
are issuing reminders that Fido’s little messes on walks need to be collected, placed in bags and disposed of. In Terrell Hills, a city ordinance assesses fines for pet owners who don’t pick up after their pet when the animal relieves itself on private property. Alamo Heights officials remind those on walks with their animal to keep public property and neighbors’ yards clean. According to the city newsletter, “Seven pet waste stations have been installed throughout the city: Three along the La Jara median, one at the ball fields, one at the Jack Judson Nature Trail, one at the community garden and one at Vanderhoven and Castano. Each station includes a ‘mutt mitt’ bag dispenser, a steel trash can with lid, and a small sign that is attached to a steel pole to provide for a clean and easy way to pick up after your dog on walks around these popular routes.” TEXAS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE JOE STRAUS, R-Alamo Heights, has been named the 2015 Texan of the Year by the Texas Legislative Conference. The award was presented March 26 at a special reception in his honor at the New Braunfels Civic Convention Center. Officials said Straus joins an array of prominent past honorees since 1974 including Barbara Jordan, Laura Bush, David Robinson and John Connally.
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LOCAL LIVE MUSIC KEY: AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway, 444-5000 Alamo City Music Hall, 1305 E. Houston St., Facebook.com/alamocitymusichall Aztec Theatre, 201 E. Commerce St., Suite 300, 481-1200 Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., 226-5700 Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., 223-2830 The Korova, 107 E. Martin St., 995-7229 Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle, 223-8624 210 Kapone’s, 1223 E. Houston, 279-9430 4/10 Lonely Horse, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, $7/$40 4/10-12 Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez, 8 p.m./2 p.m., Tobin Center, $25/$96 4/10 Mike Tramp (of White Lion), The Blitz USA, Selfish Machines, 7 p.m., The Korova, $15/$20 4/12 For The Fallen Dreams, Oceano, Come The Dawn, Cane Hill, 6 p.m., Alamo City Music Hall, $10 4/13 Swing Nite: The Hot Texas Swing Band, 7 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, $10 4/16 Costello, Aaron Stephens, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, $8/$30 4/17 Dance Gavin Dance, Polyphia, Hail The Sun, Stolas, Hydra Melody, 6:30 p.m., Alamo City Music Hall, $15
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
LOCAL SOCIETY
Friends and fashion ring in spring by CAROLE MILLER
T
he annual Symphony Ball is held to honor the lovely Symphony Belles as they make their debut to society. This year’s black-tie event, with the theme “The Winter’s Tale,” honored the 2016 Symphony Belles.
They include: Emma Keaton Andersen, Anne Elizabeth Atwell, Taylor Renee Bailey, Francesca Battah, Sydney Lauren Berry, Samantha Megan Boldt, Brook Alyse Canty, Brianna Margaret Cathey, Mollie Deborah Farrimond, Lillian Aimee Goebel, Cecilia Louis Herdeg, Mary Caroline Krenger, Kelsey Norma Lansdale, Julia Aissa Medellin, Martha Marie Milner, Melissa Anne Mitchell, Olivia Joan Nastala, Avery Elizabeth Riester, Claire Marcy
Schenken, Margaret Virginia Vassar, Ellery Madeleine Vaughan, Olivia Rose Viroslav, Alegra lamar Volpe, Annaliese Marielle Welmaker, Hannah Virginia Williams and Isabella Anna Zertuche. Rosalind Wiseman, the well-known author of the best-selling book “Queen Bees and Wannabes” — which inspired the movie “Mean Girls” — spoke at the Mums & Mimosas luncheon held at the San Antonio Country Club. Wiseman, who is an expert on issues such as bullying, parental conflicts, social media and the power of simple human dignity, was a splendid choice for a delightful afternoon presented by the Mays Family Foundation, with proceeds benefitting Good Samaritan Community Services. The Bohemian Soiree Trend Preview Party at Neiman Marcus showcased artwork by local artist Lucy Peveto from The Anarte Gallery. And the spring trends fashion show gave San Antonio’s fashionistas a preview of the top five trends for spring: New Bohemian, Spice Market Colors, Mix-and-Match Prints, Head-to-Toe White and Enchanted Evening. A portion of the art sales benefits the San Antonio Public Library Foundation.
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Rosalind Wiseman and Meredith Brewer
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Becky Cathey, Emily Hakes, Lynne Ahlstrom and Mckinley Ahlstrom
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM ELECTIONS continues from pg. 01 University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She has spent years in interior design and planning. She’s been a volunteer historian and genealogist, particularly concerning the Alamo. Reveley’s top issues are implementing the city’s comprehensive plan, developing park land and greenspace, and infrastructure improvements. “I will have an opportunity to talk about how important it is to face issues head-on instead of avoiding them,” she added. The race for Place 1 features general contractor Lawson Jessee and two-term incumbent Bobby Hasslocher, whose family owns the Jim’s Restaurant chain. Jessee wants to address parking issues, ensure a dependable water supply and follow the comprehensive plan to realize the city’s potential. Incumbent Bobby Rosenthal is running unopposed for Place 2.
OLMOS PARK Three of five candidates with the most votes will win at-large seats on the Olmos Park City Council. Incumbent Enzo Pellegrino withdrew his candidacy, but two incumbents remain: manufacturing business executive Sharon
ALAMO HEIGHTS MAYORAL RACE
COOPER
REVELEY
Plant and attorney Ron Hornberger. Plant said an effective mayor and council have overcome local political divisiveness by calling for more professionalism, accountability, performance-based salary increases and fiscal responsibility. “The only outstanding issue to be resolved is how to pay for improvements the residents and businesses would like to see on McCullough Avenue,” Plant said. She added “an alternate/realistic source of funding” via the local Economic Development Corp. tax could help to support these improvements. Hornberger stressed maintaining the quality of life and level of basic services, fiscal responsibility, community input,
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AH COUNCIL
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HORNBERGER
transparency and collaboration. Deb Bolner Prost owns and runs a marketing firm, and presides over the city’s EDC. She said the city should be more aggressive in planning, especially with roadwork and revitalizing the business district. “It is critical for any organization and importantly so for the city to be proactive in its planning and implementation of city projects, execution of city services and allocation of human and financial resources,” she added. The other candidates are Juliana Decamps, an event coordinator with Rackspace, and Roberto Romero Jr.
PLANT
PROST
DISTRICT 1 Four residents are running for San Antonio City Council District 1. Roberto Trevino, appointed in December to fill the remainder of Diego Bernal’s term, seeks a full term. He’s an architect who has served on the Bexar Appraisal District board and the San Antonio International Airport advisory committee. Bernal stepped down to successfully run in a February special election for the state House District 123 seat. Trevino will face educator/entrepreneur Roger Scott, private law enforcement
ELECTIONS continues on pg. 16
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professional Jesus Reyes and Peter Kurzon, who is self-employed.
way that increases density and creates walkable communities where people can live close to work and shopping — makes a difference,” she said.
DISTRICT 2
MAYOR/ BALLOT PROPOSITIONS
Three residents are running in San Antonio City Council District 2. Current representative Alan Warrick II leads a nonprofit that provides jobs and job training for disabled people. Keith Toney, the school liaison officer and interim District 2 council member whom Warrick beat in a December runoff to fill the remainder of Ivy Taylor’s term, now challenges Warrick for a full term. A third candidate, Antonio Diaz, is an independent contract driver. Taylor stepped down from the District 2 seat after she was appointed mayor, following the departure of Julian Castro to take over as secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama administration.
Several candidates are vying for San Antonio mayor in addition to Taylor, an urban planner who is seeking her first full term. Other candidates in the crowded field include Paul A. Martinez, Douglas S. Emmett, Michael “Commander” Idrogo, Raymond Zavala, Mike Villarreal, Tommy Adkisson, Leticia Van de Putte, Rhett Rosenquest Smith, Julie Iris “Mama Bexar” Oldham, Cynthia T. Cavazos, Gerard Ponce, Pogo Mochello Reese and Cynthia Brehm. Voters in San Antonio will also decide six propositions. Four involve changes to the City Charter. Proposition 1 gives voters an opportunity to weigh in on streetcar and light-rail projects; Proposition 2 relates to paying the mayor and council members a livable wage; Proposition 3 sets adequate time limits to fill by election vacancies for the mayor and council members; and Proposition 4 scrubs outdated charter language. Also, voters will be asked whether to continue a 1/8th-cent sales tax that dedicates revenue to protecting the Edwards Aquifer and extending the Linear Creekway Parks Development Program. For more, including polling sites and times, visit www.bexar.org/elections.
ELECTIONS continues from pg. 15
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Air Force retiree Mike Gallagher, 68, hopes to win a full first term as the District 10 representative. In January 2014, the longtime Northeast Side activist was appointed to fill the position vacated when Carlton Soules unsuccessfully challenged Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff in November’s general election. Gallagher previously presided over the Northeast Neighborhood Alliance, and chaired the city’s Board of Adjustment. He also has served on numerous city boards and committees. He is a Graduate-In-Residence at the National War College, and earned degrees from New Mexico State University and the University of Oklahoma. Gallagher is stressing strengthening neighborhoods, public safety, fiscal responsibility, transportation and infrastructure. “I will not waiver in my goal to ensure the completion of the numerous programs and projects planned or currently underway in District 10,” he stated on his campaign website. Opposing Gallagher is Celeste Montez-Tidwell, 47, who worked in customer service and public relations for several years and served with numerous local youth organizations. Montez-Tidwell has a degree in communications from San Antonio College, and majored in criminal justice at Temple University. Caring for emergency first responders, managing the city’s growth and fostering economic development in the district are among her key issues. “The way we grow — whether sprawling as (it is) now, or in a planned
SAISD Four residents are running for the District 6 seat in the San Antonio Independent School District: incumbent and SAISD retiree Olga Hernandez, former fullBAYLESS time teacher Jody Bayless, 80/20 Foundation Deputy Director Scott Meltzer and retired firefighter David Soto. “Of the issues that are currently on the agenda of goals for our district, (a key one) is increasing the engagements of families and the community’s involvement as active partners in the educational process,” Bayless said. Council terms in Alamo Heights, Olmos Park and San Antonio last two years; SAISD board terms last four years. Neither Terrell Hills nor the Alamo Heights Independent School District will have elections due to uncontested races. Early voting starts April 27 and runs through May 5.
SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM BROADWAY continues from pg. 01
Councilman: ‘So many moving parts’ by BAIN SERNA
A
LAMO HEIGHTS — Plans for a heavily debated proposed mixed-used development at Broadway and Austin Highway continue to inch forward, but the project still faces scrutiny by the City Council. “There are a lot of Alamo Heights citizens that are against it and there are also quite a few that are for it as well,” said Councilman Bobby Hasslocher. “There’s so many moving parts involved in it that I think it will have to be looked at ... each item individually, when it comes to council. Nothing has been finalized and won’t be finalized until the council votes the project either up or down.” Longtime observers note the community is still smarting from a similar debate in 2013-14 when another concept involving an apartment with retail shops — Alamo Manhattan — was proposed for the same location. The developer eventually scrapped the project, saying its plans had been altered too much by the city to make the development economically viable. The new development is part of proposed plans by the Broadway Ellwood Co. in partnership with Austinbased developer Argyle Residential. The proposal calls for a complex featuring 150 residential apartment units; 7,000 square feet of amenity space; 5,100 square feet of various retail space; and two levels of underground parking. On Feb. 17, the Architectural Review Board unanimously voted to recommend the proposal to the council. On March 2, the Planning and Zoning Commission requested that Argyle Residential provide additional information regarding traffic, public safety, parking and sustainability. Several residents have expressed concerns about what kind of impact the development will have, especially since the parcel of land is in the center of the city, near the intersection of two of Alamo Heights’ busiest arteries. “They (P&Z Commission) have to make a recommendation to the City Council on two questions: number one, right-of-way abandonment;
17 and two, the special-use permit,” said City Manager Mark Browne. The special-use permit relates to a series of variances to the city code that would allow for building structure, density and how many units would be built on the property. Officials from Broadway Ellwood Co. and Argyle Residential said the development team “is working diligently to provide all requested information to ensure that all questions and concerns are addressed.” The project team goes before the P&Z Commission again on April 6 to discuss the updated information. According to officials, the commission will then make a recommendation to the council. The council is expected to conduct a review during a meeting and public hearing 5:30 p.m. April 13 at the municipal complex. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to address the Planning and Zoning Commission’s concerns and remain optimistic that we will gain their support.” said John Burnham, managing director of Argyle Residential. “We are committed to building a project that will benefit and enhance the community of Alamo Heights.” Questions about rights of way are part of a request by the Broadway Ellwood Co. to acquire additional city land adjacent to the development. “There’s five parcels that they’re looking at that all basically surround the property that is owned by the developer,” Browne said. “They’re relatively small parcels, but it does expand the building envelope that they can build on if we were to approve all of that to them.” The company already owns an .8acre plot between Ellwood Street and Ausway Lane. The other parcels include a .37-acre tract out of the Ellwood Street right of way, a .152-acre tract out of the Old Kampmann Avenue right of way and three tracts from the Austin Highway right of way, measuring .082 acre, .04 acre and .023 acre. Public enthusiasm seems to be on the upswing for the project, Burnham said. “We have garnered the support of numerous Alamo Heights residents, a group that continues to grow each day,” he added. “This project will be of significant economic benefit to the city of Alamo Heights and will help create a vibrant city center for the community.” Critics, however, have continued to express concerns, citing worries about safety and traffic flow, especially if rights of way are closed. A recent protest was staged at the site.
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
New principal’s interests include playing ice hockey by COLLETTE ORQUIZ
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LAMO HEIGHTS — The incoming principal for Alamo Heights High School is vowing to build on the legacy of more than two decades of educational excellence established by the retiring Dr. Linda Foster.
ALAMO HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
TAKING OVER THE REINS
“The legacy that she is leaving is just so impressive,” said Cordell Jones, the principal at Alamo Heights Junior School who is taking over from Foster when she steps down at the end of the school year. “I’m just fortunate to have learned from her and to be following her and the great school that she helped Alamo Heights to be.” Foster has been a principal in the Alamo Heights Independent School District 29 years and spent 24 of those at the high school. Both she and Jones hold doctorates in educational studies.
This won’t be Jones’ first assignment at the high school. The New Jersey native started his career at AHHS in 1998 when Foster offered him a job as the assistant principal in charge of discipline. He spent five years there, then moved to Woodridge Elementary School as the principal for eight years. His current post at the middle school has lasted three years. “He has high expectations and understands the school district. He’ll do a great job,” Foster said. Several parents have greeted the news of Jones’ move to the high school with enthusiasm, including one who called Jones a Renaissance man — including a mention that the principal also plays ice hockey. Jones said his mother saw leadership skills in him at an early age, and that education has always been
PRINCIPAL continues on pg. 19
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM PRINCIPAL continues from pg. 18 important to his family. His mother was a high school English teacher and taught him his senior year. The principal is a graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina, with a master’s degree from Trinity University, and his doctorate from Texas A&M University. He also teaches graduate administration courses at Trinity. Kevin Brown, the AHISD superintendent, described Jones as a personable, intelligent and hardworking administrator who has a strong sense of ethics. “I think he’s very well prepared, but he’s also really proven himself as a principal,” Brown said. “He cares greatly about students and he’s an innovator. He’s always looking for ways to improve.” Jones also took courses with Brown at Texas A&M. The new high school principal said a key ingredient to being an effective administrator is a thorough knowledge of students, parents, faculty and staff. He’s been building relationships for 17 years, and many of his students have grown before his eyes and moved through their education careers with him. Trip Delph, an eighth-grader at
A group of sixth-grade girls beckons Alamo Heights Junior School Principal Cordell Jones to sit and chat with them during their lunch period. Jones is taking over as principal of Alamo Heights High School when Dr. Linda Foster retires at the end of the school year. Photos by Collette Orquiz
HE HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND UNDERSTANDS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. HE’LL DO A GREAT JOB. LINDA FOSTER OUTGOING ALAMO HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
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the junior high, is one of a handful of students who have had Jones as their principal since the beginning of their education. His mother, Cindy Friend, said she believes Jones wants to see every child in the district succeed. “I believe he is truly involved with the students every step of the way, (and) the kids feel free to speak with him any time,” Friend said. Delph will move up to the high school in the fall when Jones takes over the administration. “It’s important for children to be in a place where they’re known. I think he (Jones) is going to know the kids pretty well, so I think that’s a pretty special thing,” Brown said. While Jones jokingly said students may need a break from him, the fact he is going to see some familiar faces made the choice to take the job even easier for him. Finding out what strengths the AHHS faculty has and getting to know the children are his first goals as the new principal. Jones said the school already performs at a high level and changes may not be necessary. “I really have no agenda. I’m not coming in to change anything. The school’s really an amazing school, and the first year I
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PRINCIPAL continues from pg. 19 should really take some time getting to learn how they do things,” Jones said. Though he’s been absent from the high school 11 years, Jones hopes to get back into the swing of things quickly. Brown said the high school operates with high standards, including a 98 percent graduation rate for the class of 2014, and the district as a whole is doing better than ever due to “remarkable” principals and teachers. “We really are the heart of the community, and I think this community is very passionate about our children and making sure they have an outstanding education and that they’re prepared for the future,” Brown said. The superintendent said Jones has participated in many leadership conferences at the state and national level and was involved in the Harvard Principal Academy as well as the School Leaders Network, where he has served as a member facilitator and on the board of directors. Jones also was recognized in 2012 as one of five recipients of the regional principal of the year award by H-E-B for his work at Woodridge. “Being a principal is the greatest job there is,” Jones said. “It is just fabulous to be able to work with strong teachers and
Alamo Heights Junior School sixth-grade math teachers Erica Castillo (left) and Candice Chapman (middle) are among the faculty members who have worked over the years with Principal Cordell Jones (right), who is moving to Alamo Heights High School to be the new principal during the 2015-16 academic year.
help teachers continue to develop with the whole goal of trying to create the best educational system we can have for kids. I’m a huge public school supporter.” When Jones isn’t at school, he’s
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spending time with his family and their dog, Echo. His wife, Catherine, whom he met at Trinity, works in the district’s technology department. Son Landon is in college and daughter Caspin is finishing
her senior year at the high school. In addition to ice hockey, which he plays twice a week, Jones also enjoys reading, running and traveling. Jones and his family took a skiing trip over Spring Break.
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New KWA office has more space by ROSE MARY BUDGE
K
ing William Association staffers are celebrating these days — and not just because it’s nearly time for Fiesta and the annual King William Fair/Parade.
They recently completed a successful office move to spacious new digs at 122 Madison St., and have settled into a spot that Executive Director Cherise Bell believes is perfect for current activities and an exciting future. A general meeting and social for association members already has been held. According to Bell, compliments flowed about “this marvelous new place,” including praise for the parking lot in front of the entrance. Next on the agenda: the fair/parade on April 25, an eagerly anticipated Fiesta event that attracts big crowds for a day of fun, food and frolic in the hospitable ‘hood. “For the first time, we will be within the fair zone. It’s so great … a wonderful convenience to be in this building that formerly housed the Villa Finale Visitor Center,” said Zet Baer, fair manager. Added Sue Duffy, chief parade wrangler: “Our family-friendly, pet-friendly parade is a moving stage and the new office is ideally situated for me, as stage manager, to hold meetings with the participants.” But a convenient location isn’t the only reason the new digs are proving ideal. The building also has a colorful past. The association’s website points out the mid20th century modernist gem was designed as the showroom and manufactory for Graham Knight’s Clare Candles (Knight is a former KWA president). Noted architects O’Neil Ford & Associates drew up the plans, and down through the decades and a variety of tenants the place has been whimsically referred to as “the waxworks.” KWA staffers are awed at their good fortune in finding a building that provides them with a 2,800-squarefoot space and ample room to store fair/parade paraphernalia. “It was just so lucky for us to discover the vacancy and then to get moved in time for the 2015 fair,” Bell said. She explained that Villa Finale decided to move its Visitor Center/gift shop to the carriage house adjacent to the mansion at 401 King William St. The KWA quickly agreed to take over the Villa’s lease on the Madison Street space and, as a bonus, got a first option to buy
OLMOS PARK continues on pg. 22
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KING WILLIAM continues from pg. 01 the building if it ever comes up for sale. The KWA’s transition to Madison after 14 years at 1032 S. Alamo St. (a 1,600-square-foot office in an old home) was a surprisingly smooth one. Lots of boxes to unpack, but remodeling wasn’t necessary, according to Bell. “The Villa Visitor Center moved out and we moved in,” she said. “No major rearranging or other problems at all.” The association now has the room it dreamed of for years. And, noted Bell, the idea of finally being able to do extensive programming and exhibits relating to history and the King William Historic District is energizing the organization. Bell especially envisions using the bigger office for events related to cultural arts (the historic district has been designated as a cultural arts district by the Texas Commission on the Arts). The office also will be a meeting center for the KWA’s board and growing number of association members —a major improvement over the past, emphasized the group’s executive director, when lack of sufficient space for such essential activities and community projects was frustrating. “Our former office on South Alamo was built a century or so ago and never
KWA FAIR SET FOR APRIL 25 n It started out as a simple Fiesta block party and arts exhibit. But from those modest beginnings in 1968, the King William Fair took off, later adding a parade. n The 2015 edition starts at 9 a.m. April 25, when a parade showcasing decorated kiddie wagons, barking dogs, homemade floats, clowns and musicians will wind through the neighborhood. The San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 75th anniversary, is grand marshal. Members will march in keeping with the theme, “Music in Our Streets.” n “We hope to hold on to the original small-town feeling. So, we aren’t planning to get bigger, just better,” said Zet Baer, fair manager. n Sue Duffy, chief parade wrangler, said people can watch the parade free of charge if they head for either Guenther or Wicks streets. View the action elsewhere along the 1.5 mile route and you’ll need to pay the fair
admission of $10 per person. Children 12 and under are free. n The admission price grants day-long entrance to the fair, which begins right after the parade and continues until 6 p.m. Vendors (200 of them) will be selling everything from Fiesta finery and elegant jewelry to rustic birdhouses. Get weary of shopping and you can move on to food stands, musical entertainment or simply watching the children having a wonderful time with face painting and the climbing wall at Kids Kingdom, which is operated by Rotary Club members. n More street performers and a new stage are being added to the fair lineup this year, according to Baer. And there’s going to be a Fiesta Beard Decorating Contest sponsored by the Alamo Beard Club. n The Alamo City Roller Derby annually zooms along and keeps crowds in order. n All the preparation and hard work is worth the effort, For more, visit www.kwfair.org Baer said.
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designed to handle crowds. It always required reliance on venues such as Blue Star and SAY Si to accommodate large get-togethers or displays of size,” Bell said. In fact, even before the KWA had the South Alamo address (the association was there by 1991) space was an issue. According to Nora L. Peterson, KWA
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publicist, the association had an ongoing history of having to turn to group presidents or benefactors for room to function. In the beginning, the group — founded in 1967 — met at the residence of its first president, Rayford Dobie. By 1972, it was space-sharing with still another president. And, in 1977, there was simply
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a mailing address, 222 King William St., a situation that continued through eight association presidencies. Therefore, the first official residence, that aforementioned little house on South Alamo, was more than welcome — at least, at first. But as the years went on and community programs and responsibilities multiplied, it proved woefully inadequate for the group’s needs. The handwriting was on the wall: It was time to move if the organization intended to deal with future demands while preserving and promoting the past. Respect for the past is, of course, the lifeblood of the KWA. Indeed, ask any longtime member and you’re bound to get an enthusiastic history lesson regarding the neighborhood. You’ll learn that the area started out as farmland; was divided into tracts and sold in the 19th century to successful pioneer settlers, many of them German immigrants, who began building mansions using Revival, Victorian and Italianate architectural styles. A number of these historically significant mansions still stand, thanks to dedicated preservationists. To learn more about the KWA and its new location, go to www. kingwilliamassociation.org or call 227-8786. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM OLMOS PARK continues from pg. 01
Pedestrian safety, bike lanes part of focus by EDMOND ORTIZ
O
LMOS PARK — Officials with the Economic Development Corp. and the city remain hopeful they can secure funds to make comprehensive improvements to McCullough Avenue, though it won’t be anytime soon. The EDC recently learned it did not get far in a review for its federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant submission. Still, EDC President Deb Prost said she is unfazed by the TAP grant not being awarded this time around. “It’s our first time writing a grant. There are specific things we are learning to include the next time we write one,” Prost said. “The (Alamo Area) Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) is interested in helping us to reapply.” “The grant was written fairly quickly. We learned a lot of things,” added Mayor Kenneth Farrimond. The process continues to develop. EDC members said they have been trying to follow through with viable improvements that local residents and merchants identified in a 3-year-old survey for McCullough Avenue, the city’s main northsouth thoroughfare. The City Council at the time endorsed the EDC initiative to make those improvements a reality. The grant, if approved, would have required matching funds from Olmos Park. But the EDC also hoped to secure pledges of financial assistance from San Antonio’s District 1 City Council office, as the proposed improvements
are designed to benefit part of Olmos Park’s western city limit. The EDC has identified $2 million worth of potential improvements. Aside from pursuing money for comprehensive improvements along Olmos Park’s commercial corridor, the EDC has helped several businesses update or relocate their signage. The corporation also spent money on an engineering study resulting in local utilities installing new poles. Meanwhile, Prost and others are reviewing what went wrong with the TAP grant. The Federal Highway Administration runs the TAP program, but the AAMPO facilitates the grant application. Prost talked with individuals with knowledge of how the review went for the Olmos Park EDC’s grant application. She said reviewers felt the grant was not as detailed about envisioned McCullough improvements as they wanted. “They weren’t sure about what we wanted to do,” said Prost, referring to the three options of lane upgrades included in the application. The EDC and the council had considered a turn lane down McCullough in one scenario, and a bicycle lane in another. “They want you to have a specifically defined project,” Prost said. “This really should be a city project, not just an EDC project.” According to Prost, the grant application scored well with the AAMPO’s pedestrian advisory committee, with plans to upgrade pedestrian safety along the McCullough business corridor. However, with a lack of emphasis on bike lanes in the final application, the group’s bicycle mobility advisory committee scored the submission poorly. “If we’re going to get federal funds, it’s got to be a more well-defined plan, it’s got to be a city project, and it must have a bike lane,” Prost said. Last year while discussing the EDC’s vision for McCullough improvements and
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grant application, some council members expressed concern that making the plan too specific would appear as if Olmos Park was committing a great deal of city money to all items in an approved plan. “The city feels we need to go after additional sources of funding, which is what we would do anyway,” said Prost. “It is a difficult thing to do. I understand the city has many needs and wants, but unless we all sit down and get a more focused plan, things won’t get done proactively.” Another call for projects is looming, and the AAMPO is encouraging the EDC and the city to apply. “We’ll try to modify the next grant to fit more closely what the AAMPO and the federal government would want to see out of it,” Farrimond said. “But right now, let the EDC form the proposed plan and, whenever adequate funds become available, we all can look at it to go forward.” The mayor said the city is considering a budgetary move in which the city’s reserve fund can accommodate future money to be used toward matching grants. In the meantime, the EDC is contracting with Bender Wells Clark Design, a local firm, to draw up plans for beautification and engineering along the McCullough business corridor, including the roundabout at Olmos Drive.
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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM
EAT LOCAL Learn about the newest neighborhood places for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks
‘5-star restaurant with … blue-collar’ prices debuts in Olmos Park by OLIVIER J. BOURGOIN
O
LMOS PARK — Hailed as a “five-star restaurant with a blue-collar price tag,” Alberico Fine Wine is now open in The Yard. The quote comes from a customer’s post on a popular food blog about the new business, which combines fine dining with a wine store at 5221 McCullough Ave. After 25 years working as a wine specialist, owner Ricardo “Rick” Ramos opened an Alberico in McAllen in July 2011 and then, just a few years later, expanded operations to San Antonio. He named the eatery and store after his father. “He taught me to be humble, to be
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thankful and to follow a simple philosophy in order to be successful in life,” Ramos said. More outlets are coming, he added. “The game plan is to loosely follow the border. Next is going to be El Paso; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Scottsdale, Arizona; and San Diego. All the border states benefit from a sort of dual economy and I want to take advantage of that,” he said. Alberico, located in a 2,000-squarefoot space that for many years housed a washateria, opened its doors Dec. 15. Three distinct areas greet patrons. At one end, a small bar offers several beers on tap. The main dining room sits in the middle, with large windows and photos of world-famous vineyards and estates. The third section contains a selection of fine wines, stored and arranged in hardwood bins, with the highest stocked bottles requiring a ladder to reach them. Ramos said he wants to make wine affordable. “I came up with the concept for Alberico to purposely avoid typical restaurant wine prices,” he said. “I come from the school of thought that people work hard for their money and they enjoy their dining experience. Why should they buy a white wine with chicken or fish, if I can deliver a fantastic red that pairs well with what we have on the menu?”
Whether it’s the 12-ounce peppercorn tenderloin inspired by The Stock-Yard Restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, (left), or the French-cut lamb influenced by the kitchens of Bordeaux, France (above), each dish from Alberico Fine Wine was created from places the owner has visited. Photos by Collette Orquiz
The fare includes steak tartare served with capers and a quail egg; French-cut lamb chops with an olive panko crust, potatoes dauphinoise and basil jelly; and duck steaks. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for the kitchen, 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
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APRIL 6 - MAY 4, 2015
LIVE LOCAL From real estate trends and neighborhood listings to home improvement, we’ve got you covered.
Real Estate LOCAL Trends ZIP CODE MEDIAN SOLD PRICE
NEW LISTINGS
AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET
CLOSED SALES
UNDER CONTRACT
CATHY BUREAU Principal Broker/Owner
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MONTHS SUPPLY OF INVENTORY
78204
78209
78210
78212
FEB-13
$137,500
$240,000
$62,500
$177,500
FEB-14
$432,000
$327,500
$64,550
$136,350
FEB-13
16
92
20
23
FEB-14
5
74
19
28
FEB-13
24
171
149
72
FEB-14
103
126
55
185
FEB-13
6
37
12
17
FEB-14
2
52
8
16
FEB-13
6
43
19
14
FEB-14
3
39
14
14
FEB-13
4.8
7.4
5.7
6.1
FEB-14
13.5
4.5
8
5.6
SOURCE: San Antonio Board of Realtors: Texas Market Trends report The properties are new listings put on the market from in Fenruary 2015. The properties may no longer be on the market by publication date or prices may have changed. Local Community News assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
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