LOCAL: Hollywood Park, Hill Country Village, 78247, 78232, 78216 November 2016

HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE OCT. 24 - NOV. 21, 2016

VOL. 4, ISSUE 11

Fate of City Hall under review in upscale town; two proposals on table — upgrade current facility or build new one PG. 11

PG. 03 SUSAN YERKES Addressing the opioid epidemic calls for participation from the entire community

PG.15 EAT LOCAL

RAY’S PIZZARIA

Nader family continues tradition of making pizza and other Italian favorites

COMMUNITY NEWS SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE

HOLLYWOOD PARK

NORTH CENTRAL 78216 78232 78247

SHOCK ABSORBER Madison gets padded athletic field with artificial turf in NEISD initiative PG. 13

THE BIG 5-0

Churchill High celebrates golden anniversary PG. 12

PG. 14

Splash park coming to Morgan’s Wonderland site The fully accessible rec area will feature water rides, other attractions for guests, including those with disabilities

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 21, 2016

FROM THE EDITOR tedwards@localcommunitynews.com

President Harold J. Lees

Publisher Gregg Rosenfield

Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton

Director of Operations Jaselle Luna

EDITORIAL Executive Editor Thomas Edwards News Staff Collette Orquiz, Bain Serna and Will Wright Contributing Writers Valerie Bustamante, Edmond Ortiz, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Florence D. Edwards Contributing Photographer Rudy B. Ornelas ADVERTISING Zone Manager Marc Olson Controller Gracie Cortinez READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale St., Ste. 201, SA, TX 78229 Fax Phone (210) 616.9677 (210) 338.8842 Advertising Inquiries molson@localcommunitynews.com Story Ideas: tips@localcommunitynews.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 4/5: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266 Zone 6: 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261 Zone 7: 78015, 78023, 78255, 78256, 78257 For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News 4204 Gardendale St., Ste. 201 San Antonio, TX 78229 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2016 Helen Publishing LLC and Local Community News LLC, all rights reserved.

Keep political views out of classroom

N

ot long ago, a student I know related that a teacher used class time to push a personal political agenda.

I support freedom of speech, but somehow, I don’t think the classroom is the place for educators to try to sway others to their political viewpoints.

Certainly teachers have a right to voice approval for candidates they support, but not in the classroom.

Teachers are the leaders in a classroom. Education, at least through high school, is compulsory, which means educators also have a captive audience. It is not fair or proper for an educator to use that special place to push a single viewpoint.

I know such instances are rare, and that 99 percent of all educators are completely professional, but my friend’s story is not the first I’ve heard about such an episode.

Educators are the custodians of facts, history, rational observations, science and mathematics. Their personal political views — or religious, for that matter — should not be aired inside the classroom. Instead, they should be the gatekeepers in a marketplace of ideas, presenting multiple viewpoints in a dispassionate and informed fashion.

The same lesson should apply to those in my profession — unless the story is on the opinion page and labeled as such.

THOMAS EDWARDS EXECUTIVE EDITOR ON THE COVER As part of the North East Independent School District’s 2015 bond issue, $10.5 million was set aside to create new fields with artificial turf that require less maintenance, with shock pads to help prevent injuries, including those to the head. See story on page 13. Photo by Collette Orquiz

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

LOCAL COMMENTARY

Chasing the dragon

by SUSAN YERKES

C

hasing the dragon is a really catchy name for a devastating reality. The term originated with opium and heroin users. It refers to the way addicts gradually build up tolerance to these drugs, and need more to feel high.

Eventually, many can’t even get that, but they still crave the illicit narcotics to stave off withdrawals. Today, heroin is the most widely used illegal opioid, and its use is increasing, especially among young people.

That rise is linked to the proliferation of

a class of legal opioid drugs developed for pain relief. Hydrocodone, Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, morphine and codeine are the stars in an array of legal prescription opioids.

And they’re probably coming to a home near you soon — if they aren’t there already. Many adults who become addicted to pain pills get started with initially beneficial prescriptions. Some children begin by stealing pills from their parents’ medicine cabinets. Others buy them at school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, more than 28,000 Americans died of opioid overdoses – almost as many as in car accidents.

Prescription drugs caused the majority of those deaths, but as dependence on pain relievers has soared, and law enforcement has cracked down on their abuse, heroin addiction has risen because it’s easier and cheaper to obtain.

When the FBI held a community screening of a documentary called “Chasing The Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict” in San Antonio in

September, school administrators, health officials, law enforcement officers and community leaders came together to stress how critical the problem is.

“We’re beginning to see teenagers using IV heroin,” Dr. Robert Jimenez, chief medical officer for Bexar County’s The Center for Health Care Services, told me.

“Heroin from Mexico is now the highest quality, and it’s being brought in across the border by the ton,” Jimenez added. Because a lot of the heroin is more pure, it is less likely to be diluted with fentanyl or other substances, which increase overdose risk, he said. However, it takes less to get high, so it tends to be cheaper.

“You can buy it all over San Antonio,” he said. “Kids can buy it at school from each other. They snort it or chew it or put it in candy or wafers – snorting is very popular with kids. They may handle it for a while, but sadly, eventually they’re going to start shooting it, and they’re going to get in trouble, often with HIV and hepatitis. Right now the

largest number of new cases of HIV and hepatitis are coming out of the (78209) area and the North Star Mall area.

These are not just poor minorities.”

“This problem affects everyone,” Police Chief William McManus said at the “Chasing the Dragon” symposium, “and we can’t arrest it away.”

The CHCS has a wide range of prevention and treatment options, including a methadone program with about 1,000 enrollees, detoxification and residential treatment. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and University of Texas at San Antonio researchers are among those working to find alternative approaches to treating pain, and new therapies for preventing or treating addiction. Many school districts target at-risk kids, and educate students and families about symptoms and solutions.

Changing the status quo is going to take a lot more informed, enlightened community efforts. If we don’t unite to confront this dragon, who knows how monstrously high the toll will rise? syerkes@localcommunitynews.com

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S

ome area campuses are going to the dogs, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, the trend needs to continue by having more volunteers join WATCH D.O.G.S. — or Dads of Great Students.

The national program encourages male involvement at elementary schools by providing role models for children.

Dads are eligible to apply, but grandfathers, uncles and other father figures can also sign up.

The requirements are not onerous.

Participants are asked to spend one day

a year at the school helping teachers.

They monitor hallways and playgrounds; spend time in the cafeteria and library; and mentor schoolchildren.

In today’s society, there are a lot of single parents or families where both parents work. Sometimes dads don’t come home until late at night, or a child only sees a father early in the morning before school.

The WATCH D.O.G.S. program enables dads and father figures to take a peek at what their kids do during the school day, but also provides a mentor for other kids who might not have a fatherly connection.

In addition to participating in students’ daily routine, WATCH D.O.G.S. volunteers help out with bike rodeos and other school events.

If you’re a dad or a father figure, step up to the plate and take a swing at volunteering. To get started, call your local campus.

-The Local Community News editorial board includes Harry Lees, Gregg Rosenfield and Thomas Edwards.

Douglas Jennings C&J cabinets did a partial remodel to my kitchen. New cabinets were designed and built to match my current cabinets. The job turned out perfect, all employees were professional and communication was superb! I have told many of my friends about them and will continue with the referrals.

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

HAPPENING LOCAL

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

OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH

HAPPENING KEY

FITNESS

ART

BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL North East Independent School 26 District’s College Night is 6-8 p.m. at Blossom Athletic Center, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road. More than 100 institutions and universities will provide representatives to talk with students and parents. For more, visit www.neisd.net.

OCT.

DISTRICT 9 NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE Meetings are usually 26 held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Stone Oak Methodist Hospital, 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd., Classroom No. 1. The hospital is just off U.S. 281 North. For more, call Art Downey, alliance president, at 497-8873.

OCT.

SINGLE, READY TO MINGLE? Single Professionals Network, 27, 28 a friendship group for mature adults, holds a 5 p.m. social hour on the 27th at Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen, 2815 N. Loop 1604 East. The following day, attend a 5 p.m. happy hour at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 7720 Jones Maltsberger Road. Numerous times each month, SPN provides opportunities around town for single, widowed and divorced folks to make new acquaintances.

For more, visit www.spn-sa.org/.

OCT.

CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL 28 The Chargers’ season concludes with a 7:30 p.m. contest at Comalander Stadium, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road, facing MacArthur.

For results from the season and more, visit www.neisd.net/athletics/.

OCT.

MORGAN’S WONDERLAND HOSTS SENIORS Are you 62 or older? Through December, let age work in your favor during Senior Fridays at Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. For $8, senior activities begin at 11 a.m. every second and fourth Friday. For more, call 495-5888

OCT. 28 & NOV. 11

EVENT

OUTDOOR

MUSIC

FOOD

or visit www.morganswonderland.com.

MADISON HIGH SCHOOL OCT./NOV. VARSITY FOOTBALL The Mavericks season concludes with two games at Heroes Stadium, 4799 Thousand Oaks Drive.

The Mavs play at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 against Reagan and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 against Johnson. For results from the season and more, visit www.neisd.net/athletics/.

WANT TO BE MORE The Chabad NOVEMBER SUCCESSFUL? Center of Jewish Life & Learning offers “How Success Thinks: Jewish Secrets for Leading a Productive Life” at two different times and places for six consecutive weeks. Attend Wednesday seminars by Rabbi Levi Teldon beginning Nov. 9 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the center, 14535 Blanco Road, or go to the law offices of Golden Steves Cohen & Gordon, 300 Convent St., Suite 2600, starting Nov. 8 from noon to 1:15 p.m. on Tuesdays with Rabbi Chaim Block. For more, call 764-0300 or visit www.myJLI.com.

BEGINNING

LIKE TALKING ABOUT GUNS? A National Rifle Association 1 affiliate, Alamo Arms Collectors Association, holds discussions the first Tuesday of each month at San Pedro Church of Christ, 311 JacksonKeller Road. Nonmembers welcome. For more, call George Stenzel at 523-5540.

NOV.

MOMS’ COFFEE AND Visit Morgan’s 4, 18 CONVERSATION Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive, where mothers and tykes gather the first and third Friday of every month from 9-10 a.m. at The Wharf.

Price is $17 for moms; free for children age 3-11. For more, call 495-5888 or go to www.morganswonderland.com.

NOV.

HAPPENINGS continues on pg. 06

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 21, 2016

HAPPENINGS continues from pg. 05 INSTRUCTION IN SIGN Come to Brook 6, 20 LANGUAGE Hollow Branch Library, 530 Heimer Road, from 3-4 p.m. and learn American Sign Language basics.

MacArthur High School students teach the free class on the first and third Sunday of the month. For more, call 207-9030.

NOV.

ARTS FAIR Cokerfest Arts and Crafts Fair takes place at Coker 5 United Methodist Church, 231 E. North Loop Road (adjacent to eastbound Wurzbach Parkway), from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop for quilts, children’s items, baked goods and other goodies from more than 100 vendors. Free parking and admission, too. For more, call 494-3455 or visit www.coker.org.

NOV.

ARE YOU A FARMER? NOV. Come to “Dairy Days at 5 Voelcker Homestead,” 1021 Voelcker Lane in Hardberger Park, from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn about bees and

beekeeping, milking cows, how a windmill works and more. The kid-friendly event is free, but a $3 donation, or $5 per family, is suggested. No registration required. For more, call 492-7472 or visit www.philhardbergerpark.org.

TECHNOLOGY INTEREST GROUP From 11:30 a.m. to 1 10 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce holds a technology luncheon at its boardroom at 12930 Country Parkway. Bring your own meal.

The brown-bag networking and leadership event is open to Chamber members. For more, call Debby Zucker at 384-7720.

NOV.

COMPOSTING AND VERMICULTURE Come to 12 the Salado Creek classroom inside Hardberger Park, 13203 Blanco Road (eastern entrance), from 10 a.m. to noon and hear experts discuss home composting. Bexar County Master Gardeners Sara and David Adams will demonstrate, too. The kid-friendly

NOV.

event is free, but a $3 donation, or $5 per family, is suggested. No registration required. For more, call 492-7472 or visit www.philhardbergerpark.org.

HOLLYWOOD PARK FALL BEGINNING CLEANUP Brush Week starts NOV. 14 at 7 a.m. when the town will collect cut trees from residents. If the brush is not picked up by 5 p.m. Nov. 17, call City Hall at 494-2023. For more, visit www.hollywoodpark-tx.gov.

NEISD BOARD North East Independent School 14 District trustees meet at 5:30 p.m. at 8961 Tesoro Drive. To confirm dates and times of sessions normally scheduled on the second Monday of the month, call 407-0533.

NOV.

RETIRED TEACHERS MEETING North San Antonio Retired 16 Teachers Association holds a 9:45 a.m. meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 U.S. 281

NOV.

North. Attendees are updated with information useful to former educators.

For more, call Michele Bibb at 494-8197.

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP Meetings are 4-6 16 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at Baptist HealthLink, 288 W. Bitters Road. One main topic per hour is covered in group discussions, which may be large or small. Find a syllabus and more at http:// chronicpainsupportsa.wix.com/cpsgsa.

NOV.

HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE City Council meets at 17 5 p.m. in City Hall, 116 Aspen Lane. The council normally convenes in alternating months. For more, visit http://www.hcv.org/.

NOV.

EVENING AGLOW MEETING San Antonio Evening Aglow 17 International, a Christian “transformational kingdom” group, meets

NOV.

HAPPENINGS continues on pg. 07

7

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM HAPPENINGS continues from pg. 06

For more, visit www.neisd.net.

the third Thursday of each 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. For more, visit www.aglow.com.

STROLLER TIME Fitness in TUESDAYS the Park’s Stroller Strides

by Fit 4 Mom meets every Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Hardberger Park’s eastern entrance, 13203 Blanco Road. Assemble at the picnic tables. The stroller-based program is intended for mothers of tots. For more including possible cancellations due to inclement weather, call 279-7430.

AN ASTRONOMICAL EVENT NOV. Come to Hardberger Park, 19 8400 N.W. Military Highway (western entrance), from 6-8:30 p.m. and view stars with experts from the San Antonio Astronomical Association.

Telescopes will be positioned. Bring flashlights. Use the Urban Ecology Center for parking. The event is free, but a $3 donation, or $5 per family, is suggested. No registration required. For more, call 492-7472 or visit www.philhardbergerpark.org.

SCHOOL’S OUT Campuses in NOV. 21-25 the North East Independent School District will be closed for Thanksgiving break.

ELSEWHERE IN SAN ANTONIO CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE NOV. to the Freeman Coliseum 19-20 Come Expo Hall, 3201 E. Houston St., for a two-day shopping extravaganza, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20. The 38th annual local holiday tradition will feature handmade jewelry, gifts and apparel, plus decorations and outdoor art. For more, call 492-1437 or visit http://christmasshowcase.com.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email to tips@localcommunitynews.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. RAY’S PIZZARIA, 17700 U.S. 281 North, Suite 108, is the fifth location opened by the Nader family. The eatery serves up New York-style pizza, wings, subs, pasta and more. The family opened the first pizza restaurant in 2009, growing to four locations in San Antonio and one in Live Oak. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday. For more, call 530-1030, or visit rayspizzaria.com. (See story on page 15) 2. K2 CRYOSPA, 946 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 125, recently opened and offers various body-wellness treatments; spa and sauna services; health coaching, too.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday,

Address of local business Name of local business

Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 616-2295 or visit facebook.com/K2cryospa.

IN OTHER NEWS THE HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL retained the same tax rate during a Sept. 22 budget meeting at 14.5 cents per $100 assessed property valuation for 2016-17. The council adopted a slightly lower budget of $1,543,111, compared to $1.55 million from last year.

HOLLYWOOD PARK CITY COUNCIL kept the same tax rate during a Sept.

20 budget session at 51.1 cents per

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 08

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 21, 2016

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 07 $100 assessed property valuation for 2016-17. City leaders also adopted a budget of $9,200,954, compared to $3.51 million last year.

78247 IS RANKED FIFTH among the nation’s hottest ZIP codes, according to realtor.com. The ranking is based on affordability and a low cost of living.

According to the realty site, millennials make up 36 percent of mortgages in 78247 and have an overall homeownership rate of 61 percent in San Antonio.

MAYOR IVY TAYLOR AND DISTRICT 10 COUNCILMAN MIKE GALLAGHER presented George Small with an official city of San Antonio commendation Sept. 15 in celebration of his 104th birthday. Audience members gave a standing ovation during the ceremony. Small is a daily fixture at the Northeast Senior Center, and he was surrounded by family as he received his certificate. “It’s an inspiration to us all that at 104 years of age, Mr. Small is

committed to living a social, active life and learning new things,” Gallagher said.

A PROPOSED PANHANDLING ORDINANCE introduced by District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher is under consideration by the City Council. It was heard by the Governance Committee and is being reviewed by the Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Services Committee and Economic and Human Development Committee. “I’m very pleased that this initiative is moving forward,” Gallagher said. “This is a citywide issue and we need to take a holistic approach to address all aspects and consequences of panhandling. I appreciate the work (Police) Chief (William) McManus has done to research multiple ways to address this problem and the thoughtful commentary provided (by the) Governance Committee.” In radio broadcasts, Gallagher has said panhandlers pose a hazard at busy intersections and claimed some are part of an organized group.

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DISTRICT campuses, especially at Northern Hills Elementary, according to District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher. In a recent newsletter, he reminded residents to remain aware of children walking to and from school. Those interested in training to become a school crossing guard can call 207-7393 or apply online at sanantonio.gov/hr/CareerCenter.aspx.

HIDDEN FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL received a $2,500 grant from Community First Health Plans to add a disc golf course to the campus SPARK park, which is open to the public after school and on the weekends. Parent volunteer Mops Dayal and P.E. coach Diane Trevino were excited when they found out, according to officials.

“Mops initiated the idea and the grant was submitted on behalf of our P.E. coach,” said Principal Cody Miller. “This is going to be great for our community and for our students during the school day.” Bush and Nimitz middle schools also received grants.

A 2004 MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE is serving in the Navy aboard

the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy. Petty Officer 2nd Class Raul Garza is an operations specialist on the vessel operating out of Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam in Hawaii. Garza is responsible for navigation and identifying ships and aircraft at sea. “To be on this ship, specifically, is amazing because I always strive to do my best,” Garza said in a release. “The namesake of the ship, Michael Murphy, did his best and it is an honor that makes you want to give the ship your very best work. I owe it to him and the crew to do my best all day, every day.” Murphy was a Navy SEAL killed during hostilities in Afghanistan in 2005; he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

RANDY TOMASINI IS THE NEW DEER MANAGER in Hollywood Park. He formerly served as vice chairman of the city’s Deer Committee.

Like other suburban cities on San Antonio’s North Side, Hollywood Park has programs in place to both maintain and control local herds.

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LOWDOWN continues on pg. 09

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM LOWDOWN continues from pg. 08 HOLLYWOOD PARK CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED Scott Boynton and Ben Henderson to the Economic Development Corp. and reappointed Bert Thomson and Scott Farrimond. President Brent Lane and member Sudie Sartor were not reappointed and their terms ended on Sept. 30.

A LUNCHEON HELD TO THANK SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AMBASSADORS recognized the volunteers for their dedication and hours of service, according to city officials. Last year ambassadors assisted more than 336,000 passengers and donated more than 33,000 hours to the airport. Volunteer hours are equivalent to 16 full-time staff members, or an estimated savings of more than $500,000 in salaries each year, officials said. Ambassadors donate a minimum of four hours a week to provide assistance and a warm welcome

to visitors. For more on becoming an Airport Ambassador, call 207-3546.

SWBC CHAIRMAN CHARLIE AMATO AND PRESIDENT GARY DUDLEY WERE HONORED with the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Pathfinder Award. Officials said the men personify characteristics of a pathfinder — pioneers in their field and visionary community leaders.

SWBC INSURANCE SERVICES ACQUIRED SAN ANTONIO-BASED Levy & Levy & Lefton Insurance Agency, one of the oldest independent insurance agencies in the city. David Lefton, principal of Levy & Levy & Lefton, will join the SWBC family and continue to serve his clients. Lefton was named vice president of insurance services. Levy & Levy & Lefton was founded in 1919. Lefton joined his father, Arthur Lefton, at the firm in 1969 after graduating from the University of Texas.

LOCAL IS WHERE YOU ARE. LOCAL IS WHAT WE DO.

THE TEX HILL

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Options for Bitters Road property discussed

by COLLETTE ORQUIZ

H

ILL COUNTRY VILLAGE — Plans for developing a tract on Bitters Road owned by the city aren’t showing much movement in spite of discussions, meetings and organizational sessions held the past two years.

During two gatherings — a Sept.

22 town-hall meeting and an Oct. 11 City Council/Zoning Commission session— residents and city leaders reviewed several possible uses for the land, ranging from residential, building a new City Hall on the lot, rezoning for commercial use or doing nothing.

Similar discussions took place in 2014 about the 14 acres at South Tower Drive and Bitters. Even after the latest meetings, the city has not decided on a final plan.

Zoning Commissioner Kirk Francis said the city has been “kicking that football down the road a long time; (they) need to make a decision.”

Suggestions about rezoning the land as commercial have met with opposition from some residents. During the Sept.

22 gathering, zoning commissioner and former chairman George Blasko said the idea had been tabled.

George Dennis said rezoning the tract as commercial was a “blood-pressure deal” for him, because his yard is adjacent to the property. When he bought his house in 1997, he was told the surrounding area would never be commercial, Dennis said.

“You’re going to gut my property value. My wife and I are talking about moving out of the Village, putting our house up for sale before that happens so that we don’t lose a quarter of a million

BITTERS continues on pg. 10

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BITTERS continues from pg. 09 dollars,” Dennis said Sept. 22. “I just think that I moved here for the same reason you did: to enjoy the quietness of my property, to have this little gem.”

The city purchased the land in 1999 for $700,000, with the idea a new City Hall would be located there.

But those plans for a municipal complex were put on hold. Today the land is zoned for three residential lots, about 4.5 acres apiece.

The City Council last year selected Five Star Development in Arizona to evaluate possible uses.

“We selected a developer to help us assess options on Bitters, nowhere else,” said Mayor Gabriel DurandHollis at the town-hall meeting. “No agreements have been signed, because we were hearing different perspectives and comments about Bitters.”

Five Star envisioned the tract as the site of a small grocery store, a drug store and several local shops and office spaces, while keeping

OCT. 24 - NOV. 21, 2016 in mind the city’s No. 1 criteria: Keeping the development’s impact on neighboring lots to a minimum.

The development team also sketched out green spaces and buffers such as fences and landscaping. Two years earlier, city leaders suggested attracting businesses to the site to help beef up sales taxes in the landlocked city, which is primarily residential.

Also, at the Oct. 11 meeting, the mayor asked design firm LPA Inc. to look into what it would take to put a new City Hall on the tract.

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Elizabeth Worley sent a letter to residents June 24 that outlined ways the city could use the land. She detailed various options considered by the council during the year, including: n Retain ownership and keep the land as it is. This option, however, does not generate any revenue. n Sell the lots as currently platted and zoned for three 4.5-acre residential lots.

“The sale would bring in an estimated $1.5 million. Assuming each of the three

future buyers puts a $500,000 house on their lot, those three properties would generate property tax revenue to the city of $1,377 apiece annually. Initial sale: $1.5 million. Annual revenue: $4,132,” according to Worley’s missive. n Rezone the lots to R-1, a residential category that allows for six 2-acre residential lots, doubling the number of houses from the previous option. Worley said the initial sale at $1.5 million could generate about $8,265 in property taxes. n Rezone the lots for 1-acre residential parcels, with a green belt facing Bitters to protect those lots from the busy thoroughfare. “This option would require a zoning change, and would require allowing lots smaller than 2 acres in Hill Country Village,” Worley said. “Imagine 10 one-acre lots with a $400,000 house on each lot. Initial sale: $1.5 million. Annual revenue: $5,800.” n Rezone the lots for garden homes and sell the land to a residential developer to build 50 2,000-square-

foot garden homes, each on a lot of about .2 acres, with an expected value of $300,000 apiece, similar to the Enclave at Hollywood Park or the Gardens of Hollywood Park, Worley noted. “This option, too, would require a zoning change. Initial sale: $2 million. Annual revenue: $21,750.” n Rezone the land as commercial, with the city keeping ownership and signing a land lease for commercial development.

“The city would have a continued revenue stream from the lease of the land and from the sales tax generated by new businesses. The city would retain the right to decide what stores or restaurants go into the development,” Worley told residents. “We’ve been told the land-lease alone would bring in about $500,000 annually. Add onto that figure the projected sales tax revenue of approximately $300,000. Initial sale: $0. Annual revenue: $800,000.”

The next council meeting is 5 p.m. Nov. 17.

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM HC VILLAGE continues from pg. 01

Projects aired at town-hall meeting

by COLLETTE ORQUIZ

H

ILL COUNTRY VILLAGE — Officials are reviewing whether to upgrade the existing 33-year-old City Hall or build a new municipal facility.

According to figures released at a town-hall meeting Sept. 22, upgrading the current City Hall could cost up to $1 million. Building a new complex and demolishing the old one is estimated at $1.75 million.

City Council could vote to approve one of the proposals at a future date, though no timeline has been announced for deciding the eventual fate of the 5,210-square-foot structure, built in 1983 at 116 Aspen Lane.

McCall & Associates, which is tasked with updating the current City Hall, and LPA Inc. — which is considering options for a new municipal complex — presented their findings and rough costs during the community meeting.

During a council and zoning commission workshop on Oct. 11, Mayor Gabriel Durand-Holis asked LPA to develop a study on how their new design would fit into a 14-acre parcel on Bitters Road owned by the city.

“It’s just a study, no heavy investment,” the mayor said.

Representatives with McCall & Associates said the existing City Hall needs to be brought into compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and Texas Accessibility Standards.

Estimated costs to make the facility more accessible to the physically challenged are $350,000 to $380,000, officials said.

City leaders also want changes to the Police Department, located in the City Hall complex.

Including all the additions and improvements, the total cost to update the current building rises to $1 million.

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Police additions/improvements: • Male/female locker room/changing room • Weight/exercise room • Holding cell • Larger property/evidence room • Weapons/munitions room • Larger patrol room • Break room • Sally port • Secured parking area with external storage area • Interview room with handcuff hooks for prisoners • Storage room(s) Other additions/improvements: • Enlarging the existing conference room • Another conference room • Two extra offices • Separate room for the computer server • More storage rooms Source: Hill Country Village

“Making the ADA improvements and renovating and adding on as depicted in our proposed plans would certainly be less expensive; however, the ultimate decision of which way to go will be the decision of the City Council,” said Al McCall, principal architect at McCall & Associates.

LPA Inc.’s proposed new building would offer an additional 2,505 square feet, a 48 percent increase and 1,637 square feet for the Police Department, officials said during the September session.

“The existing building has handicapped-accessibility and energyconservation issues. It also lacks spaces to adequately support the Police Department,” said Mickey Conrad, principal architect at LPA Inc. The new City Hall would comply with current building codes including handicapped access and the International Energy Code. It also would have space to support the needs of the Police Department, city administration, Public Works Department and the council.

Conrad’s proposed spot for the new building is to the right of the old one, behind a pond and some live oak trees.

Architects also suggested putting in a patio to create a space for city employees to eat or view the pond and trees.

The slab for the old building would be kept to create a covered parking area for police officers, as well as retaining the lots already there for use by the public.

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OCT. 24 - NOV. 21, 2016 to celebrate the golden anniversary of Churchill opening its doors.

Halloran and fellow Churchill grads, along with school officials and area residents, have been working together to organize a number of anniversary festivities.

The main celebrations will be held during the final weekend of October.

Halloran and fellow alumni have worked to collect old photos, films, videos and other keepsakes from years past at Churchill. When he was a student, Halloran remembers McDonald’s and Pizza Hut setting up shop across from campus.

“Fields were all around there. It was the country school. H-E-B wasn’t there. Blanco was a two-lane road,” he said. “We used to have classes in stairwells or in the cafeteria because there wasn’t much room. So much has changed since that time. How do you determine what is most significant?”

According to Principal Justin Oxley, despite the ongoing growth in the area, the community remains tightly

CHURCHILL continues from pg. 01

Principal praises community help

by EDMOND ORTIZ

C

hurchill High School turns 50 this year, and students past and present — along with educators — aren’t holding back on celebrating the milestone.

John Halloran, a 1976 Churchill graduate, remembers his alma mater being the first public school in San Antonio to offer a computer class; it was during his junior year.

Student enrollment wasn’t as high as it is today, and only a few businesses were located around the West AvenueBlanco Road intersection. The school had opened 10 years earlier, in 1966.

Opened in 1966, Churchill High School relieved overcrowding at the North East Independent School District high schools of the time. During the 2016-17 academic year, the school and community are holding several celebrations to honor the 50th anniversary of Churchill. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

The scene is a far cry from today’s busy intersection surrounded by retail centers, apartments, single-family homes and churches. Enrollment has soared to nearly 2,950 students, officials said.

“You had to have 15 students to make the computer class go,” Halloran recalled.

Yet Churchill alone could not field

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enough students for its first computer class. Pupils from the other North East Independent School District high schools of the time — Lee, MacArthur and Roosevelt — were bused in to fill the class.

“Nowadays, we can’t live without computers,” Halloran added. He serves on a committee planning yearlong activities

CHURCHILL continues on pg. 13

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM MADISON continues from pg. 01

Aim is to reduce injuries, lower maintenance

by COLLETTE ORQUIZ

T

hese days, the athletic field is a little softer at Madison High School thanks to new safety padding — the kind used by pros like the Dallas Cowboys — under the recently installed artificial turf.

The Madison High School varsity defense practices on new artificial turf supported by added padding under the surface. The Brock PowerBase shock pads, funded though the 2015 bond, are being installed at seven North East Independent School District athletic facilities. Photo by Collette Orquiz

All seven North East Independent School District high schools and Comalander Stadium will have the Brock PowerBase shock pads in place by next school year, officials said.

As a part of NEISD’s 2015 bond issue, $10.5 million was set aside to create new fields requiring less maintenance. They can be played on almost all year and the shock pads help prevent injuries, including those to the head, officials said.

Heroes and Comalander stadiums are already outfitted with artificial turf.

The staff and athletes at Madison

say the grass is definitely greener this season, in a manner of speaking.

“We’re not at the mercy of weather, drought, excessive rain, etc. and obviously it’s a facility that all of our programs are able to use,” Madison head football coach John Campbell said.

On Aug. 18, the Mavericks held a ceremony to dedicate the transformed field to former coach Jim Streety, a four-decade gridiron veteran with 194 wins — the most in San Antonio — during his time at Madison.

“Having the field dedicated to me is

something I never looked for or expected ... a tremendous honor,” said Streety, who today is the athletic director at the New Braunfels Independent School District. “I hope my name on the field will leave a legacy of hard work, effort, humility and class.”

He added the new turf is long overdue.

Campbell came on board in March, happy to see the transition from the old grass field to the new one.

“The quality of the (original) field was like most high school competition fields

CHURCHILL continues from pg. 12

Depending on the project, construction will last on-site through 2019. The new work will also have an impact on the remaining original structures on campus.

“Churchill will be newly renovated, top to bottom,” Oxley said. “The ability to do these improvements is tied directly to the support of the community. Lots of exciting things happening here.”

During the rest of the academic year, alumni from different athletic squads, from volleyball to crosscountry, are being honored. The 1976 Class 4A state champion football team, among other title-winning individuals and teams, will be saluted.

Invites have gone out to famous alumni such as Olympic swimmers Josh Davis and Jimmy Feigen, former NFL players Cody Carlson and Alex Van Pelt, politicians Bill White and U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, and physician Dr. Mark Kline.

As for the main celebration weekend in

October, festivities kick off Oct. 27 with a yearly spirit dinner. The evening includes a memorabilia walk and a pep rally.

Oct. 28 features a football game against MacArthur at Comalander Stadium. During halftime, fans may pay tribute to past Churchill administrators and staff. The Charger band will give its competition performance post-game.

On Oct. 29, National Honor Society members will guide alumni on campus tours. That night, the Charger Sports Association, the all-sports booster club, will have its “Back in Black All Sports Gala” at Rebecca Creek Distillery on Bulverde Road. The event includes a dinner, music and auctions.

A commemorative pin is being sold at $5 apiece at the school’s front office, 12049 Blanco Road.

For more anniversary information, visit http://wcpta.txpta.org or https:// www.facebook.com/WC50th.

knit and supportive of the school.

“Each year we have the Meet the Chargers rally before the Gucci Bowl game with Clark,” Oxley said. “Every single time, alumni come up to me, talking about the new buildings, how the campus has changed, but that the school is still great. This is a stable community with wonderful students and parents.”

Academically, Churchill has received recognition from The Washington Post and Newsweek. Churchill has ranked in the top 1 percent of all high schools nationwide, and continues to have 90-plus percent of its graduates going to college.

Physically, change continues at Churchill. The $499 million bond approved by voters in 2015 will fund improvements, additions and structural replacements around the campus.

MADISON continues on pg. 14

14

OCT. 24 - NOV. 21, 2016

MADISON continues from pg. 13 that get overused — it was downtrodden.

Functional, but any kind of poor weather or anything like that, and there were some areas that were definitely less playable than others,” Campbell said.

Since the installation of the new turf and padding, the football players have not had to go inside due to inclement weather.

The school also doesn’t have to worry about cutting the grass or irrigation.

Dan Sawyer, the CEO of Brock International, said the Brock PowerBase is made of the same materials used in food-container products.

“There is no leaching, odor, chemicals or heavy metals, and it will never go to a landfill, so NEISD has chosen the safest, most environmental approach to these fields,” Sawyer said in NEISD’s community newsletter.

The padding is not only used by the Cowboys in their indoor stadium and two outdoor fields, but also at Harvard Stadium, the University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium and on practice fields for the Houston Texans, the San Francisco ‘49ers and the Arizona Cardinals.

Madison senior and varsity outside linebacker Jack Bellinger said the grass field wasn’t very pleasant because it had bald patches with just dirt.

“There’s no comparison. This is the best field I’ve ever played on,” Bellinger said.

“It definitely helps in the field, cutting and traction. It’s the same feeling as in the game.”

However, he does think the field needs to be broken in a little more, considering impacts are a lot different.

“Sometimes when you fall, you get burned a little bit because it’s rubber, but it’s all right,” Bellinger said.

Installing the Brock PowerBase underneath the synthetic turf helps prevent injuries and keeps students safe, said NEISD’s executive director of athletics, Karen Funk.

Commenting in a newsletter, Funk noted that regular turf becomes hard over time, and NEISD wanted a padding that would cushion the body and the head.

Brock PowerBase is one of the leading shock pads and drainage layers in the industry, and has been proven to reduce the peak force of impact, or G-max, which may decrease the risk and severity of a concussion, according to the company.

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WONDERLAND continues from pg. 01

Opening expected during the spring

by VALERIE BUSTAMANTE

T

he Northeast Side will soon be home to the world’s first splash park fully accessible to those with special needs.

Expected to open in spring, Morgan’s Inspiration Island, a $15 million project, will sit on 4 acres between Morgan’s Wonderland and the South Texas Area Regional Soccer Complex, overlooking the park’s 8-acre catch-and-release fishing lake.

“Morgan’s Inspiration Island will be the world’s first ultra-accessible splash park where guests of all ages and abilities can get wet and have fun together,” said Gordon Hartman, CEO of the Gordon Hartman Foundation.

Founded in 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland, which Hartman created with his daughter Morgan in mind, became world’s first theme park specifically designed as a place for special-needs individuals. It is located at 5223 David Edwards Drive.

Not long after the park’s debut, planners began receiving feedback from visitors about having a place to cool off during the summer.

Just like the parent park, Inspiration Island has been designed as a place of enjoyment for guests of any age and ability, but one that especially keeps special-needs people in mind.

“Guests will be able to exceed expectations and do things thought not to be in their realm of possibility.

They’ll be able to have just as much fun as park guests without physical or cognitive challenges in a nonjudgmental atmosphere,” Hartman said.

Others are looking forward to the new water-themed park’s unveiling in a few months.

“I back up Morgan’s Inspiration Island 100 percent. It is going to expand the use of the facility as the majority of the park is outdoors and it gets hot in the middle of the months in a year here,” said Melinda

Fagan, a regular park guest since 2010.

The Children’s Rehabilitation Institute of TeletónUSA, the rehabilitation center for children 18 and younger with neurological, muscular and skeletal disabilities, is the most recent addition to the park and opened in 2014.

Construction on Inspiration Island began in January after a planning team conducted nearly three years of research with local doctors, parents, special-needs therapists, caregivers and water-park consultants from Florida, Texas, Canada and Arizona.

“In many ways, creating Morgan’s Inspiration Island feels a lot like it did when our team designed and built Morgan’s Wonderland with specialneeds individuals in mind – it’s never been done before,” Hartman said.

Inspiration Island will include six tropical-themed sections. Five will be splash areas called Calypso Cove, Hang Ten Harbor, Rainbow Reef, Castaway and Shipwreck Island.

All splash areas are expected to have geysers, dumping buckets, sprays and waterfalls. One of the splash areas will utilize heated water for guests who may be sensitive to cold temperatures.

Fagan believes her daughters, Sloane, 9, with non-verbal autism, and Reese, 6, with verbal autism, will benefit from the experience, similar to water therapy.

The sixth section will be a wheelchairaccessible water ride called the River Boat Adventure, which will “twist and turn more than an eighth of a mile through a jungle setting with bird and animal sounds in the background,” according to a release.

To prevent any guests’ motorized wheelchairs from getting wet, the park will have special conveyances designed for water conditions and private rooms where occupants can be lifted in and out of their wheelchairs.

“While I know that District 10 families will appreciate having this water park, the real winners here are all families in the San Antonio area that have a family member with some sort of limitation,” said District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher.

Other features include plenty of shade, cabanas, concessions, an event venue and large changing areas.

The park will also use radiofrequency identification wristbands, which contain embedded chips to help track and identify the wearer.

15

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

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

North Side pizza restaurant is latest for family

by COLLETTE ORQUIZ

T

he Nader family has been making pizza and other Italian favorites since 2009, and recently opened its fifth location.

“I think what we try to personify here is more like a family friendly atmosphere with really good food without having to break the bank,” said Charbel Nader, owner and manager.

Ray’s Pizzaria is located at 17700 U.S. 281 North, Suite 108 in the Arbor Park shopping center. The first location is at 7214 Blanco Road,

with others on Fredericksburg Road, Walzem Road and in Universal City.

Ray’s Pizzaria features New York-style pies, subs, wings, pasta and its owners pride themselves on making all of their sauces and fresh dough every day from scratch.

“We actually use a brick oven, so you’re going to get the pizza cooked at 600 degrees. It’s not going to go through like a conveyor belt, which is basically the equivalent of a microwave,” Nader said.

The new restaurant has daily lunch specials. Some of the favorite dishes include chicken Parmesan and eggplant Parmesan.

Nader didn’t always want to be in the

Diners visiting the family-run Ray's Pizzaria can order the meat calzone (left) with ricotta, mozzarella, pepperoni and Italian sausage; or try the pepperoni pizza (above). Photos by Valerie Bustamante and Collette Orquiz

restaurant industry, but after switching his major from pharmacy to business while studying at the University of the Incarnate Word, it made sense to him to join the family concern.

“I brought my passion to it. I started learning how to cook, started learning how to cook really good, started liking it more,” Nader said. “It’s a lot of work, but no matter what you do, it’s going to take a lot of work and grind, so I might

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