LOCAL: Hollywood Park, Hill Country Village, 78247, 78232, 78216 December 2014

PG.10 HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE REVIEWS FUNDING OPTIONS

INFLATION DRIVES UP COST IN LANDLOCKED CITY PG. 14 EAT LOCAL

AROMA GRILL New restaurant on Blanco Road offers authentic kosher dishes with meat

COMMUNITY NEWS HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE

VOL. 3, ISSUE 1

HOLLYWOOD PARK

NORTH CENTRAL

78216 78232 78247

NOV. 24 - DEC. 22, 2014

WHAT'S

INSIDE YOUR COMMUNITY

PG.03 CITIZENS ON PATROL Volunteers in Steubing Ranch help SAPD keep neighborhood safe

PG.13 BUY LOCAL

TRADER JOE'S

HAND SIGNALS

MacArthur students offering PG.11 sign-language classes

Famous grocery franchise opens new store on Loop 1604

FANTASTIC DEALS

COUPONS INSIDE Discover the city through LOCAL deals from restaurants, retailers and services in your community, and save money while you do it! pg. 15 pg. 19 WWW.SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

ALSO IN THIS EDITION

PG. 14 LOCAL Restaurant Guide

Time to eat out!

Get great deals from restaurants in your neighborhood

PG.11 Hollywood Park officials

say new speed limit working 25 mph is ‘the magic number,’ police chief says

PG.04 LOCAL EDITORIAL OUR TURN Getting a clearer picture on the use of body cams for law enforcement

2

DECEMBER 2014

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ART Creative Director Florence D. Edwards Production Designer Pete Morales Contributing Photographer Rudy B. Ornelas Contributing Illustrator Jeremiah Teutsch ADVERTISING Advertising Director Marc Olson Controller Keith Sanders READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Phone Fax (210) 338.8842 (210) 616.9677 Advertising Inquiries molson@salocallowdown.com Story Ideas tips@salocallowdown.com Website www.salocallowdown.com LOCAL Community News publications Zone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215 Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249 Zone 4: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 Zone 5: 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, 2014 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

Keeping a proper perspective

T

he media doesn’t always do a good job of policing itself, instead often focusing on being first instead of being right. That’s thanks in part to the hurly-burly mentality of today’s Web-fed, 24-hour news cycle.

A case in point is the changing tone of stories about the Ebola virus. When the first news accounts about Ebola in America began to emerge, news anchors, Web outlets and even some print publications made it seem like a viral apocalypse was just hours away.

Then, as more health care workers faced quarantine upon returning from Africa, the tone of news stories turned scolding, castigating the government for being overly cautious. Adding insult to injury, media reports chided officials for creating a scare.

In all honesty, it was the media — especially television and the Web — that manufactured the scare.

Shark stories are another example.

Attacks are few and far between, but media accounts play up even the smallest incident to make it seem like Jaws is rampaging.

In both cases, it’s not always the government that shoulders the blame for fueling hysteria. It’s the news media. Driven by pressure to secure ratings, increase page views and shore up dwindling readership, accounts of potential threats become sensationalistic narratives that would scare the socks off anyone.

Here at LOCAL Community News, we try to slow things down a bit, assess the issues, solicit informed commentary and take a reasoned approach to subjects. We don’t always get it right (who does?) and not everyone agrees with us, but our intent is to deliver news without hyperbole.

So keep on reading and we’ll keep on delivering. In the meantime, from those of us at LOCAL to you and your cherished ones, happy holidays.

THOMAS EDWARDS EXECUTIVE EDITOR FACEBOOK.COM/SALOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS

3

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM CITIZENS continues from pg. 01

Steubing Ranch volunteers taking bite out of crime

by BAIN SERNA

E

leven years old and still going strong, the Steubing Ranch Citizens on Patrol program is using volunteers to keep the neighborhood safe by acting as the “eyes and ears” of the San Antonio Police Department.

Resident volunteers with COP — formerly known as Cellular on Patrol — monitor their subdivision on foot, by vehicle or by bicycle, and keep watch for suspicious people, vehicles or activities that might arouse concern.

Residents aren’t armed and don’t make arrests. Instead, illegal activity is reported to the Police Department.

“I became involved to help keep my neighborhood safe,” said volunteer Terry Layton. “By patrolling the neighborhood and alerting police in the event of criminal activity, it helps deter crime.”

In many cases, volunteers travel in marked vehicles and have identifying insignia.

The service provided by the volunteers to keep the community safe is invaluable, said Bruce Campbell, the COP coordinator for Steubing Ranch.

The volunteers also work closely with the San Antonio Fear Free Environment officer assigned to Steubing Ranch, as well as with North East Independent School District police to sound the alarm on “any suspicious activity that occurs on school property or nearby schools as well,” he added.

Campbell said COP volunteers have done a good job of helping keep crime out of the Northeast Side neighborhood, but there will always be some challenges.

“I think our major concerns here in Steubing Ranch right now are thieves stealing from unlocked vehicles and garages, unauthorized soliciting, graffiti in drainage ditches, keeping out drug houses, keeping out gang activity and home burglaries,” he said. “Though if you take a good look at the crime stats for Steubing Ranch and surrounding areas, you will see that we are doing pretty darn good in keeping crime out of our neighborhood.”

The Steubing Ranch subdivision includes 985 homes, 32 streets, four non-gated entrances and two schools. The sheer size of the area presents a lot of ground to cover for the 20 volunteers of the Steubing Ranch program, according to Campbell.

“We patrol the streets of Steubing Ranch and two schools all hours of

the day and night,” Campbell said.

“We are not allowed to carry any type of weapon at all during patrols.”

COP classes are taught at police substations. Officer Dave McDonald, a 24-year veteran of the force, instructs and certifies the Steubing Ranch COP at the North Substation, 13030 Jones Maltsberger Road.

Police appreciate the extra help, McDonald said.

“We teach the volunteers to report suspicious activity regardless of the level of the suspicion,” the officer said.

McDonald’s class is held once a month, alternating between Saturdays and Mondays with no classes in the summer. “(Volunteers) are taught not to confront individuals and to patrol without weapons.

Individuals who have a concealed-handgun license are asked to leave their weapons at home when they are out on their respective COP patrol. We are not asking individuals to give up their right to carry; however, we see the potential for problems if they are armed while on a scheduled COP patrol.”

Most COP volunteers work through their SAFFE officer by filing reports, though they are instructed when to call 911 for an emergency or the department’s nonemergency number for other situations.

A successful COP program like

the one in Steubing Ranch brings the neighborhood together and allows residents to play an active role in making sure their subdivision stays safe, McDonald said.

“Once criminals are aware that a neighborhood is partnering with SAPD, they know it will be a harder target to take advantage of without being noticed,” he said. “Crime may be impossible to prevent completely. However, this program can be very effective in empowering citizens to reduce crime in their neighborhood.”

The veteran peace officer had high praise for the Steubing Ranch volunteers.

“Under the leadership of Bruce Campbell, Steubing Ranch COP has become one of the most active and innovative COP programs here on the North Side,” McDonald said, adding the volunteers also work with the the Constable’s Office and Bexar County sheriff ’s deputies.

“I routinely ask Mr. Campbell to speak to my COP classes regarding the activities he and his group have initiated under the COP program,” McDonald said. “Not every neighborhood is going to be able to mirror his program, but they can benefit from hearing what is possible when a neighborhood comes together to work toward eliminating crime.”

For more on COP, visit https:// www.sanantonio.gov.

16111 San Pedro Suite 109 (On the West side of 281 between Brookhollow and Thousand Oaks.)

4

DECEMBER 2014

OUR TURN Views and opinions about your community

Getting a clear picture on body cameras

T

he use of body cameras should be embraced by area law enforcement agencies not already equipped with the devices.

The cameras provide a clear record of what actually transpires during an encounter between law enforcement and the public. Police should welcome the cameras, since they are another tool to help clear an officer when someone files a false complaint about police conduct.

Those on the other side of the camera should also know their every action is being taped.

Some area departments including Alamo Heights already use the devices. Officers there have readily adapted to the cameras.

Since March, 150 San Antonio Police Department officers have participated in a pilot program involving the cameras. Police Chief William McManus

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has said the cameras are a sound move and plans to make recommendations to City Council in December.

The cameras, which have been around for a while, took center stage in the national spotlight after a black man was shot by a white officer in Ferguson, Missouri, sparking several days of civil unrest. Most of the protest probably would have been averted if a video recording of the encounter existed.

On the national level, leaders are also pushing for police departments to utilize the small cameras, which are easily clipped on the sleeves, vests or shirt seams of an officer’s uniform.

The decision on whether to use body cameras should be decided by local departments working with elected representatives and citizens’ groups. While there are privacy concerns that must be addressed, we live in the age of smartphones, YouTube and security cameras, so public recordings are nothing new.

Using body cameras should become just another tool for police to do their jobs.

10/13/14 2:40 PM

49 5 -1100 2555 Thousand Oaks San Antonio, TX 78232

5

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

HAPPENING LOCAL

Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.

OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH

$

HAPPENING KEY

$ 0mo nth lypre mium fo r me di c aland P art D FITNESS

ART

INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT ONGOING Applications are being accepted for competing in the Texas International Pageant, which has competitions for Mrs., Miss and Miss Teen Texas International. San Antonio winners will take part in the state competition March 13-15 at the Granville Arts Center in Garland. The international pageant is in Florida in July. For more information, and to find application forms, go to http:// www.mrstexasinternational.com, http:// www.misstexasinternational.com and http:// www.missteentexasinternational.com.

HIT THE TRACK The San Antonio Track Club holds fall practices 9 a.m. Sundays at MacArthur High School, 2923 MacArthur View. For more, contact 706-0363 or 815-7996.

ONGOING

FICTION CONTEST The San Antonio Book Festival is looking for fiction works by young writers to showcase as part of next spring’s event. Original works by writers in three divisions – grades seven/eight, nine/10 and 11/12 – should follow the theme of “A Chest in the Attic …” and be no more than 1,500 words. Of the works submitted by the January deadline, 30 finalists will be selected by Feb. 2 and winners will be announced Feb. 16. The Book Festival is April 11. Official rules are at http:// www.saplf.org/festival/fiction-contest/.

THROUGH JAN 12

N E I GH N E I GH BO R H e llo

TALK

OUTDOOR

MUSIC

FOOD

office, 16500 U.S. 281 North at Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 290, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Private appointments can be scheduled during the first hour; open-door sessions are the second hour. For information, contact Constituents Chief Adam Trevino at adam. trevino@sanantonio.gov or 207-0955.

THANKSGIVING Students attending classes at North East Independent School District campuses get the week off for the Thanksgiving holiday.

H e llo H e llo NOV 24-28

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N E I GH BO R N E I GH BO R BOOK SALE The Friends of the DEC Thousand Oaks Library will 6 be offering a wide assortment of books for sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event takes place at the library branch, 4618 Thousand Oaks Drive.

DEC 7

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THEATER COMPETITION Applications are being accepted in Las Casas Foundation’s annual performing-arts scholarship competition, which is open to all high school students – including home-schooled ones – in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Categories are meet 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday vocal, monologue acting, dance and of each month at 8961 Tesoro Drive. To Jimmy Awards, which is for juniors and confirm dates and times, call 407-0533. seniors who have played the lead role in their school’s musical production.

MEET THE MAYOR DEC A total of $100,000 in scholarship As part of her sweep across 9 funds will go to the 2015 winners. Go the city to meet at public You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Limitations, to www.lascasasfoundation.org to find libraries Y o u mustwith conconstituents, tinuetopayMayor yourIvy MedicarePart B premium. copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/coinsurance applications, rules, audition guidelines and Taylor will be available to talk with may change on January 1 of each year.

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DECEMBER 2014

HAPPENINGS continues from pg. 05 submit any concerns or provide additional information about municipal services.

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NEISD DATA MEETING From 4 to 6 p.m. at Harris Middle School, 5300 Knollcreek St., parents of students in fifth, sixth and seventh grade can learn about recruitment for the North East Independent School District’s newest middle school magnet program —Design and Technology Academy, or DATA — at Ed White Middle School. The program opens in fall 2015. Parents with students interested in computer programming, coding and information technology should attend. For more, contact Christina MankAllen, data director, at cmanka@neisd.net.

DEC 11

BOOK SWAP Brook Hollow Branch Library is offering adults the chance to immerse themselves in books from 2 to 4 p.m. with a Book Lovers Book Swap & Gab Session. If you don’t have a book to swap, just come and enjoy talking about books.

The library is at 530 Heimer Road.

DEC 13

DEC 16

HOLLYWOOD PARK The City Council meets 7 p.m. in City Hall, 2 Mecca Drive.

EVENING AGLOW MEETING Aglow, a Christian “transformational kingdom” group, meets the third Tuesday of the month for fellowship, song and an inspirational message. The gathering starts at 7 p.m. at Anne Marie’s Catering, 12475 Starcrest Drive (at Bitters Road). Everyone is welcome to attend. For more on Aglow International, go to www.aglow.com.

DEC 16

RETIRED TEACHERS The North San Antonio Retired Teachers Association will open its monthly meeting with a “meet and greet” at 9:45 a.m.; the meeting begins at 10:15 a.m. at San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 San Pedro Ave. The group – whose members have taught in districts all over San Antonio – meets the third Wednesday of the month during the school year, and members are encouraged to bring a friend.

DEC 17

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SONS OF THE AMERICAN DEC REVOLUTION The San 17 Antonio Chapter of the national organization will hold its monthly luncheon meeting at the Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave., at 11:30 a.m. Lunch costs $25.

Reservations are required and should be made with Bob Clark, 402-0871, or reservations@sarsat.org, by the Monday prior to the meeting. The chapter meets on the third Wednesday of the month except for July and August.

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP Meetings take place the third Wednesday of the month at Baptist HealthLink, 188 W. Bitters Road, from 4 to 6 p.m. One main topic per hour is covered in the group discussions, which may be large or small. A syllabus and more information are available at http:// chronicpainsupportsa.wix.com/cpsgsa.

DEC 17

WINTER HOLIDAYS The campuses of the North East Independent School District are closed for the Christmas break and New Year’s Day.

DEC 22 - JAN 2

ELSEWHERE IN SAN ANTONIO

THE NUTCRACKER Ballet San Antonio and the San Antonio Symphony present the holiday perennial at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts – making it this season’s all-San Antonio “Nutcracker.”

Shows are at 7 p.m. nightly through Dec. 6, with 2 p.m. performances on Dec. 6 and 7. Tickets start at $33; to purchase them, or for more information, go to https://www.tobincenter.org/box-office.

THROUGH DEC 7

GRAND WESTERN SHINDIG Mission Road Ministries’ annual shindig raises funds to serve its clients with intellectual disabilities.

The evening includes food, live music for dancing, a raffle and silent, live and country store auctions. For those age 21 and older, Club Shindig will provide a partywithin-a-party. Individual Shindig tickets are $150; Club Shindig tickets are $75.

They’re available at missionroadministries. org – under What’s Happening, click on Shindig and find the link. The party runs from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Cowboys Dancehall, 3030 N.E. Loop 410.

DEC 2

CHRISTMAS FAIRE IN THE MANSION Luncheon and shopping, and plenty of Christmas spirit, are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day in this annual fundraiser presented by the Woman’s Club of San Antonio. For tickets, which are $35, call 732-4811. Parking is available. The Woman’s Club is at 1717 San Pedro Ave.

DEC 2-5

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT Trinity University’s yearly presentation of holiday favorites features the Trinity Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Handbell Choir and vocal choirs. The concert, which is free and open to the public, starts at 7:30 p.m. in Laurie Auditorium. Trinity is at One Trinity Place.

DEC 5

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all

the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@salocallowdown.com.

7

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

Take a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.

Open and Opening Soon 1. AROMA GRILL, 14375 Blanco Road, has

been transformed from kosher-vegeterian Cafe Aroma into a kosher-meat restaurant in the Cadillac Plaza. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and closed Saturday. For more, call 764-0979. (See story on page 14)

2. TRADER JOE’S, 403 N. Loop 1604 West, is the anchor store at the new Sonterra Village shopping center. Opened in mid-October, the 12,500-square-foot location is the second in San Antonio.

The retail grocery outlet featuring select food items started in the 1950s as a chain of convenience stores before going upscale, adding cedar planks and putting employees in Hawaiian shirts. Joe’s now trades in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more, call 545-3123 or visit http://www. traderjoes.com/. (See story on page 13) 3. SA VAPORS, 14910 Nacogdoches Road, Suite 101, offers electronic cigarettes and vaping devices and accessories. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

For more, call 646-8473 or visit www. savapors.com or SAVapors/Facebook.

4. BAYSEAS SEAFOOD RESTAURANT,

13954 Nacogdoches Road, recently debuted at the corner of O’Connor Road in the Valencia Shopping Center. The menu includes catfish, shrimp and oysters. Sides are hush puppies, fried okra, coleslaw, fries, macaroni and cheese, onion rings, green beans, corn and wild rice. A house specialty is steaming gumbo served over rice. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m.

Sunday. For more, call 314-5219.

5. ELITE VAPORY, 15139 Bulverde Road, Suite 101, is a new vape shop and lounge providing vape pens, vape mods, batteries, tanks and e-liquids made in the United States. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more, call 413-5555 or visit www.Facebook.com/EliteVapory.

IN OTHER NEWS

MORE THAN 400 RESIDENTS TURNED OUT TO THE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 COMMUNITY BARBECUE NOV. 1 at the Catholic Life Building Pavilion, with guests dropping off more than 230 pounds of non-perishable food for the San Antonio Food Bank.

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BMP 1604 DEVELOPERS AND THE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 OFFICE in late October held a groundbreaking for the Bulverde Road realignment project, a public-private partnership to widen and realign Bulverde and Classen roads south of Loop 1604. According to officials, the thoroughfare extension will have three lanes in each direction divided by a raised median, with curbs, street lighting, sidewalks and bicycle lanes. The project will enable traffic to avoid two low-water crossings and will provide residents with better access from north to south. “This is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to solve problems and provide this fast-growing part of District 10 with some great opportunities,” said District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher. In addition, the project will help spur the development of the planned Bulverde Marketplace, which will provide area neighborhoods with convenient places to shop and eat, officials said.

A NEW ROSS DRESS FOR LESS STORE is coming to the Northeast Corridor, a oncedowntrodden business district now getting renewed life thanks to a public-private partnership. District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher hosted a recent groundbreaking in the 13900 block of Nacogdoches Road for what will be a 28,000-square foot store.

The NEC Improvement Partnership plan focuses on restoring vitality and improving the Perrin-Beitel/Nacogdoches corridor, which has seen $23 million in investments.

Several other new businesses have located in the area including Walmart, Habanero Grill, Dunkin’ Donuts, Great Clips, Pizza Patron, Unleashed by Petco, Wingstop, Whataburger, La Tapatia, Spider Man Pest Control and First Choice Emergency Room.

PETS IN HOLLYWOOD PARK MUST HAVE A LICENSE TAG, the city is reminding animal owners. According to officials, “To purchase a tag for your pet you must register him/her at City Hall by bringing in your last vet documentation showing all vaccinations and immunizations. Please bring proof of micro-chip and … spaying or neutering.” Tag prices are $5 if the pet is spayed or neutered and microchipped; $10 if the pet is either spayed/neutered or microchipped, but not both; and $15 if the pet has not been spayed, neutered or microchipped. City Hall is at 2 Mecca Drive.

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 08

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DECEMBER 2014

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 07 RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO FOLLOW THE HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT can now visit the officers on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/HCVPD. In addition to updates about criminal activity, safety and traffic, there are historical footnotes, such as one recent reference to the fact the city’s police were once known as deputy marshals and the department was known as the Hill Country Village Marshal’s Office. Next door in Hollywood Park, the Police Department also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ hollywoodpark.police.department.

DISTRICT 9 COUNCILMAN JOE KRIER WANTS A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS of San Antonio’s beefedup distracted driving ordinance, which the City Council passed Nov. 6. The new law takes effect Jan. 1. It prohibits using a hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle on any San Antonio street and fines can reach up to $200. Officials said 40 percent of vehicle mishaps involve using cell phones. Hands-free devices are still permissible in moving traffic. “I’ve requested a study to determine the effectiveness of the law,” Krier said. “At the end of 2015, the city

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will review and report on the statistics to see whether or not this law reduces the number of crashes in San Antonio.” The San Antonio Police Department will conduct an awareness campaign called “Keep ’Em on the Wheel,” and there will be a 30-day grace period to let the public adjust to the new rules, Krier said.

JAMES DOUGHTY, A FORMER BROADCAST JOURNALIST, HAS BEEN NAMED COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER for District 9 Councilman Joe Krier. “James Doughty came to us highly recommended and after several interviews we determined he was an outstanding match for our office,” Krier said. Doughty most recently worked in television news using his mother’s maiden name, Munoz. Doughty and his wife, Angela, are members of Churchill Baptist Church. Their two children attend the North East Independent School District.

FORMER COACH AND LONGTIME ADMINISTRATOR Jerry Comalander was honored for 42 years of service to the North East Independent School District during halftime of the Oct. 17 Churchill-Reagan football game. Comalander, who coached the Chargers to the 1976 Class 5A state football championship and later served as the

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 09

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM LOWDOWN continues from pg. 08 district’s athletic director, announced he is retiring in January after 54 years in athletics and education. In the stadium that bears his name, Comalander accepted a plaque from NEISD Superintendent Brian G. Gottardy, who was joined by board members Letti Bresnahan, Brigitte Perkins and Edd White, and district administrators Donna Newman and Ron Clary. Comalander’s wife Mary and other family members also attended.

THE MADISON HIGH SCHOOL FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA sent 18 students to to the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 27-31 to represent Texas in agricultural communications, agriscience fair, agronomy and nursery/ landscape competitions. Members claimed three reserve championship titles and a thirdand fourth-place finish to round out the results.

A COKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT WHO TOOK FIRST PLACE in the campus Spanish Spelling Bee Oct. 9 went on to become champion in the first District Spanish Spelling Bee, according to the North East Independent School District.

The student, fifth-grader Jbyr Reynoso, also represented NEISD at the Region 20 competition. Other winners at the

Coker event included fourth-grader Molly Myers in second place and thirdgrader Isabella Pacheco in third place.

They are dual-language students.

ELISE ROSEN OF CHURCHILL HGH SCHOOL has been selected for the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. She will join an elite group of marching-band members performing during halftime at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome Jan. 3. The marching band recognizes the top 125 high school senior marching musicians and color guard members from across the country. The bowl will be televised live on NBC at noon.

LINDA FLEETWOOD, DIRECTOR FOR VISUAL ART in the North East Independent School District, was recently named the Texas Art Education Association’s 2014 Texas Art Educator of the Year.

FORMER DISTRICT 10 COUNCILMAN CARLTON SOULES’ CAMPAIGN to oust Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff during the Nov. 4 election ended with Wolff retaining his seat for a fourth term.

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HC VILLAGE continues from pg. 01

Developing empty parcel on Bitters Road one answer

by ERIC MORENO

H

ILL COUNTRY VILLAGE — The city is looking at a potential increase in sales taxes as well as other measures to head off a possible budget shortfall down the road, officials said.

The City Council recently met to discuss future funding options for the landlocked city, which consists mainly of large residential lots and only a few businesses. Inflation

continues to drive up costs, but officials want to avoid a property-tax increase.

“There is no immediate concern regarding the budget,” said Mayor Gabriel Durand-Hollis. “We have a balanced budget that we passed for 2015. It’s prudent planning to look forward. Over the last three or four years, things budget-wise have become tighter and tighter. During this last session, I think we all realized we couldn’t keep doing things the way we are doing them now. Something has to change.”

According to the mayor, the majority of Hill Country Village’s operating budget is supplied by sales taxes. Currently, the budget for the city is $1.3 million; sales taxes make up close to $800,000 of that, with the rest coming from other sources such as property taxes and building permits.

“We see that inflation keeps driving up our costs,” Durand-Hollis said. “That is why

THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE CONCERN REGARDING THE BUDGET ... IT’S PRUDENT PLANNING TO LOOK FORWARD. GABRIEL DURAND-HOLLIS, HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE MAYOR

we want to look at increasing our sales taxes.

If we can grow that, then we can minimize the need to increase property taxes.”

Looking toward future budgets, the council determined that today’s methods of earning revenues might leave a shortfall, especially taking into consideration the need for infrastructure improvements.

“If you look at our roads, from one year to the next, they look the same,” DurandHollis said. “But if you look at them long range, 10 years out, eventually, we are going to come upon a $2 million paving project that needs to be done, and where are we going to come up with that $2 million if every dollar we earn is going out?”

In an effort to increase revenue from sales taxes, the council has proposed several measures, including asking residents to patronize businesses within the city limits.

The council is also soliciting new businesses to open in Hill Country Village.

“We have been favorable on several new building permits that have come in, and hopefully those new buildings will become occupied and have successful new businesses move into them,” Durand-Hollis said. “I think that every bit counts and we are moving in the right direction on this.

There is still more to do, however.”

Additional revenue might be produced by any business that settles on a 13.8-acre parcel the city owns along Bitters Road, officials said. City leaders say developing the land — unoccupied and undeveloped — and soliciting tenants could be the proverbial cure for any future budgetary woes.

“At this stage, we are developing a request for qualifications that will be appropriately advertised requesting interested developers to submit their qualifications to the city for development of the property on Bitters Road,” said Councilman Carl Register. “From that pool of respondents, the city will select one or more developers that are deemed qualified to develop the property and subsequently ask them to respond to a request for proposals.

The RFQ is in draft status with a target date of mid- to late November for completion.”

Register, along with Councilman Rick Evans, was tasked during the recent council meeting with taking the initial steps toward helping develop the parcel.

Evans is crafting the RFQ, while Register is looking at Hill Country Village’s overall financial capability, especially in terms of incurring additional debt.

“Since there’s no immediate emergency, we thought it would be prudent to take a look at the property now and plan for the future,” Durand-Hollis said. “We want to start figuring out what it could be, find the right partner to help us develop it and start putting (out) some numbers so that we can make it a reality.

Developing that correctly and making sure that our current businesses and future businesses that come in are successful will take some pressure off the budget and help us to not have to do anything to the property taxes.”

11

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM SIGN continues from pg. 01

HP SPEED continues from pg. 01 Alexus De La Cruz (right), a senior at MacArthur High School and a member of the American Sign Language Honor Society, teaches the basics of ASL during a student-led class at the Brook Hollow Branch Library. Photo

by Collette Orquiz

Classes run through Dec. 14, resume in February

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The ASL Honor Society students hold the classes at 3 p.m. at the library, 530 Heimer Road, with attendance ranging from 23 to more than 50 guests who want to learn to sign.

“It’s just a great experience for both them and us,” said Mia Self, a sophomore and society member. “You get so much from it, teaching these people not only sign language, but the culture of sign language.”

Don’t be fooled because the classes are taught by teens — these high school students know what they are doing, said library Manager Charity Gallardo.

acArthur High School students teaching American Sign Language for an hour on Sunday afternoons at the Brook Hollow Branch Library say the experience lets them not only educate others about deaf culture, CHCP_Undefined_SA_MA_4.8x5.7_0914_ProductionFile.pdf but learn a few things as well.

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The July ordinance that established the new speed limit was approved after a traffic survey and study was done recommending the speedlimit change based on the demographics, location and structure of Hollywood Park.

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OLLYWOOD PARK — Lowering the speed limit by five miles, to 25 mph, to decrease cut-through traffic, increase public safety and create consistency across the city seems to be working, officials said.

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“It was the need to get people to slow down as well as a concern for people’s safety,” said Mayor Chris Fails.

“There were a few reasons why the City Council approved the speed-limit change,” added Police Chief Shad Prichard.

For years, residents have had to contend with cut-through traffic as motorists sought a way around the sometimes clogged U.S. 281-Loop 1604 interchange, officials said.

In some cases those drivers sped through the city, creating safety concerns.

The heavily wooded town also has a sizable deer population, which has contributed to traffic mishaps.

Emails sent to residents asked whether they favored the change to 25 mph or wanted the posted speed limit to remain the same, with the response in general favoring the new limit.

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SIGN continues from pg. 11 “It’s been really nice to see how much people love learning and how the students are really engaged in teaching it,” Gallardo said. “They’ve been nothing but dedicated and very professional the whole time. I’ve been very impressed.”

Attendees are divided into three groups: beginners, intermediate and advanced. Each week the groups are taught something new, and the student-teachers do their best to catch up people who miss a class or two.

The classes, which started in fall 2013, are primarily for people who are not hearing-challenged but want to communicate with those who are.

Lorraine De Chavez, a senior and vice president of the honor society, said most hearing people know very little about the lives and culture of the deaf community.

“They don’t know that it’s a whole different world for them, and so they need to understand that just because they are deaf, it’s not a disability,” De Chavez said. “They can do as much as hearing people can.”

American Sign Language is the predominant sign language of the deaf community.

The honor society chapter at MacArthur was created by ASL teacher

Each American Sign Language lesson by students from MacArthur High School teaches something new. The sign above depicts a turtle during a class where the advanced group at the Brook Hollow Branch Library learned about animals. Photo by Collette Orquiz

Timothy Kitterman. He holds classes at the high school and is also a professor at Our Lady of the Lake University.

Kitterman helped create the partnership between the library and the honor society, since members need to complete 10 hours of community service each semester to graduate with honors. He also saw it as an opportunity to increase communication.

“Deaf people are still misunderstood,” Kitterman said. “There’s been lot of progress, but anything that can help bridge that gap — more hearing people that know sign

(or) more hearing people that understand deaf culture — (is) going to help.”

In order to participate in the honor society, students must maintain an A average in ASL each semester, have a minimum of an 87 overall grade point average, maintain excellent character, attend required monthly meetings and complete the 10 service hours.

Most of the classes at the library average about 30 learners, Kitterman said.

Anita Luna-Caulk, a student at the library’s ASL classes and mother of one of the student-instructors, said she has always had an interest in sign language and thinks the classes are a great opportunity.

“They make sure that we will understand what’s going on. They’re very attentive. They want us to feel like we’re learning here, and that’s what I like about it,” Luna-Caulk said.

Kitterman said classes are fun and informative, with no homework or presentations. He wants people to come, relax and learn at their own pace in a friendly environment.

Gallardo said the partnership has been great for Brook Hollow. She has even seen people enter the library who may not have visited otherwise.

Classes for the fall run through Dec. 14. They will start again in February. For more information, email tkitte@neisd.net.

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HP SPEED continues from pg. 01 was also a factor, the chief said.

“We had about three different speed limits through the city — we had a 30 mph, a 25 mph and a 20 mph,” Prichard said. “That can get confusing for people as they are driving around here. It was a bit inconsistent. We wanted to have a consistent speed limit and 25 mph was the magic number.”

Because of the consistent speed limit, there have been fewer mishaps, the chief said.

The change has not led to an increase in tickets, he added.

“We have not seen a real spike in traffic citations, which means that everybody has pretty much taken notice of the speed limit and is being compliant,” Prichard said.

Fails agreed.

“Traffic fines are a bit down,” Fails said. “We’ve actually had fewer speeders with the new speed limit, and accidents involving drivers hitting deer have been reduced by half.”

Officials said the change was prompted by calls from residents.

“There are a lot of walkers in this community, and golf carts are allowed to be driven on the streets,” Prichard said.

“Things like that are great reasons why you want to reduce the speed limit.”

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

BUY LOCAL Learn more about newest purveyors of goods and services in your area

Sail the culinary seas with new Trader Joe’s

by COLETTE ORQUIZ

A

ffordable prices, wholesome products and an intimate shopping experience make Trader Joe’s a great place to visit, browse and buy, said Jorge Macias, the general manager — or captain in Joe’s parlance — of the chain’s newest store in San Antonio.

Trader Joe’s debuted Oct. 15 in the Sonterra Village shopping center at 403 N. Loop 1604 West.

Macias moved to San Antonio two years ago to start the city’s first Trader Joe’s in the Quarry Village at 350 E. Basse Road.

“I’m really excited to get the opportunity to open this store in this community (North Side),” Macias said.

Nearly 90 percent of the food, wine and beer sold at Trader Joe’s is the company’s own brand. The label stays away from artificial flavors and preservatives, synthetic colors, monosodium glutamate, genetically modified ingredients and partially hydrogenated oils or artificial trans-fats, company officials said.

“The private label allows us to control the quality ... and bring the customer a great value, where quality and price intersect,” Macias said.

Coupons and discounts don’t exist at Trader Joe’s because all the products, from

shelves to freezers, are always sold at a low price, according to Macias.

Food selections run the gamut from imported to ethnic varieties, he added.

“We like to think of ourselves as the traders of the culinary seas and bring in a variety of new items for customers to try,” Macias said.

In keeping with the nautical theme, other employees are called merchants and mates. The store’s founder, Joe Coulombe, created the concept after a trip to the Caribbean in the

1950s, according to the company.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

TRADER JOE'S 403 N. LOOP 1604 West For more, call 545-3123, or visit www.traderjoes.com

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DECEMBER 2014

EAT LOCAL Learn about the newest neighborhood places for breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks

Aroma Grill features kosher-meat menu

by EILEEN PACE

A

roma Grill has re-opened as a kosher-meat restaurant and is the second iteration of Café Aroma, which offered dairy and vegetarian dishes.

The revamped restaurant debuted not long ago at 14375 Blanco Road in the Cadillac Plaza.

Under new management, Aroma Grill is said to be the city’s only kosher meat-restaurant. The menu features authentic Middle Eastern cuisine

and non-meat parave dishes.

Kosher foods are those conforming to the rules of kashrut, or Jewish dietary law.

Kashrut supervisor and chef, Michal Barker, said the owners “saw that there was no kosher-meat restaurant” and decided to re-open under a different name.

Barker’s job is to search for meat that qualifies as kosher, which can mean shopping several places.

“We have bought it from Houston in the past and now we are getting it from Baltimore,” she said. “I check that no part of the meat is not kosher, check

Shawarma, a Middle Eastern dish of young chicken thighs with lamb, is served with sides at the new koshermeat restaurant Aroma Grill. Photo by Collette Orquiz

all the vegetables, check for cleanliness and other kosher standards.”

Preparation is an intricate process.

“It has a special seal, which is basically a kosher symbol. It’s glatt kosher, the most kosher meat you can find,” Barker said.

Selections served at Aroma Grill range from ground lamb and beef to veal and tilapia. Other dishes

including falafel, shawarma and shakshuka also are kept kosher.

“As with everything else, the nonmeat dishes need to have the kosher seal. Otherwise, we cannot bring it into the restaurant,” she said.

The restaurant also offers special Israeli salads and ice cream or fruit for dessert.

It’s a place to linger as well.

“We serve Turkish coffee as well as Lavazza espresso — an excellent Italian gourmet coffee,” Barker said.

“The restaurant is a clean, friendly environment, with absolutely great food, and you don’t leave hungry.”

There is mint lemonade, desserts and parave dishes prepared with non-dairy creamers such as almond or soy milk.

Aroma Grill is open noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and is closed on Saturday for the Sabbath.

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Tuition  Books  Supplies  Transportation Assistance

HEALTH PROFESSIONS CERTIFICATE TRAINING

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must meet low income guidelines, determined on individual basis, one or more: · 200% FPL · WIA eligible · SNAP recipients · TANF recipients

Medical Assistant Medical Front Office Pharmacy Technician

Information Sessions FOR MORE INFO CALL ALAMO COLLEGES HPOG OFFICE

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A study funded by the federal government is being conducted to determine how these training opportunities help people Improve their skills and find better jobs. During the study, eligible applicants will be selected by lottery to participate in these training opportunities. Not all eligible applicants will be selected to participate in these opportunities. This document was supported by Grant 90FX0018 from the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS.

COMMUNITY NEWS

(210) 485-0247 (210) 485-0251

1 PM Thursdays 4204 GARDENDALE STE. 201 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229

*Must have a High School diploma or GED *A criminal background check & drug screening will be conducted *Must be 18 years old or older

Spring 2015 Classes