pg.09 NEISD REPORT CARD SCHOOLS MEET OR EXCEED STATE STANDARDS INSIDE
Medical guide
pg.11 Bringing you the most recent news and latest trends in health care Vol. 2, Issue 11
HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE
HOLLYWOOD PARK
COMMUNITY NEWS north central
78216 78232 78247
OCTOBER 2014
pg.10 Operation
Homefront moves to North Side office pg. 17 BUY SANTIN AUTOMOTIVE No matter what you drive, get a bumper-to-bumper diagnostic at this newly relocated repair shop.
pg. 18 EAT BAHAMA BUCK'S ORIGINAL SHAVED ICE COMPANY New North Side franchise serving up a variety of frozen treats, drinks
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. 19 pg. 19 www.salocallowdown.com
SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY pg.15 Mom lauded
for no-cellphone campaign at Coker Elementary
Jill Rudik made own signs using universal symbol
pg.10 Death
of District 9 student prompts full review of traffic, lights, crossings, signs
2
OCTOBER 2014
Make Your Current Dentures Act Like the Real Thing!
From the editor tedwards@salocallowdown.com
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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 Luz Moreno Controller Keith Sanders READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Phone Fax (210) 338.8842 (210) 616.9677 Advertising Inquiries lmoreno@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.
It's OK to share good news
S
ometimes the most important news comes from the most unlikely sources. And some of the most quiet. I’m talking about homeowners and property owners associations. It surprises me that we don’t hear more often from all the associations in the neighborhoods covered by LOCAL Community News. While many of these associations rely on Facebook, newsletters and websites to get their message out, it is still doubtful in this onthe-go age their communications about events and developments reach all their members. These associations should consider designating a public relations person to submit newsworthy events to LOCAL. Think of us as another way to bridge the gap between association leadership and the homeowners or property owners. The entertainment media enjoys portraying these associations as control freaks obsessing over the width of a driveway or the color of paving stones — ever see “Over the Hedge” or “The Simpsons”? — but the truth is, these people are also doing good work in their communities by coordinating activities that improve the quality of life. We’d love to hear about those developments. We want to tell those stories and dispel the stereotypes. It’s as easy as sending a note to tedwards@salocallowdown. com or to our tips file at tips@ salocallowdown.com. Silence is deafening. If these associations have a success story, we urge them to share it with the rest of the world.
Thomas Edwards executive Editor facebook.com/salocalcommunitynews
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local commentary
Blessed to give? Or just illegal? by susan yerkes
I
t may well be more blessed to give than to receive. But if San Antonio’s top cop has his way, either act could get you in trouble. Police Chief William McManus will retire from the force to take a $200,000plus job at CPS Energy in December. But before he goes, he’s pushing a pet project that would penalize both panhandlers and folks who give them money, food or “anything of value.” It’s hard for me to imagine why McManus, who is generally well-liked and widely respected, would feel strongly enough about his proposed anti-giving ordinance to promise to pitch it aggressively to the
City Council’s Public Safety Committee. I can see how police can get frustrated with panhandlers. From the wild-haired guy waving an “ANYTHING HELPS” placard in the median of a busy street to the downtown sidewalk loungers trolling for spare change, beggars can range from irritating to downright dangerous. That was McManus’ argument back in 2011, when he helped push, and pass, a city ordinance making it illegal to ask for money within 50 feet of crosswalks, ATMs, bank doors, bus stops, checkcashing businesses, restaurants, parking meters and other favorite panhandling posts. There are also ordinances that ban asking for money on city streets. Those measures may well have curbed some public panhandling, but it still persists. The poor will always be with us. And some of the poor will always be more aggressive than others about asking “them who have” for handouts. McManus’ tough anti-panhandling stance is not new. In his prior posts in Dayton and Minneapolis, he proposed laws both to prohibit panhandling, and if that wasn’t doable, (there’s this pesky constitutional-rights argument about freedom of speech) to force panhandlers to obtain official licenses to beg. It’s hard to imagine the wild-haired guy
with the sign or the sidewalk loungers going through the governmental red tape to get a begging license. Finding ways to discourage people from asking for money, food or shelter can be tricky. Just making rules defining who has a “good” reason to ask is a challenge. Does the wild-haired newspaper hawker standing in the median collecting cash for his corporate employer have a more legally acceptable right to be there than the wild-haired guy flying a hand-scrawled sign? It would be great if we all could know in advance exactly how our donations will be used, so we support only behavior we approve. But even the biggest, most respectable charities can’t always guarantee what we give them will be spent on what we value. Of course, it ought to be against the law to solicit other people’s money on false pretenses. Oh, wait — it already is! We already have ordinances prohibiting panhandling, being a public nuisance, buying illegal drugs, public drunkenness and just about every
single behavior this new ordinance purportedly aims to help stop. But targeting the givers is a new twist. In politics, “popular” counts. So it’s highly unlikely City Council will pass an anti-giving ordinance. The potential for blowback, ranging from the inevitable court challenges to the possibility of a miserly national image for the city, is too great. Perhaps the one good thing McManus’ quixotic quest can do is make us all think more constructively about how to deal with the dispossessed, and how to give to those in need in more truly helpful ways. Perhaps it will create new and positive public dialogue about the poor who are mentally ill, or rampant drug and alcohol addiction. Or who knows? Perhaps, now that the flood of undocumented immigrants across the Texas border has reportedly slowed down, those gun-toting, antigovernment militia folks who went down to “help” the Border Patrol will find a new mission — coming to San Antonio to help our cops stop the panhandling, and the giving, for good.
I can see how police can get frustrated with panhandlers.
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OCTOBER 2014
OUR TURN Views and opinions about your community
Drivers, hang up
D
istracted drivers are the No. 1 menace on the road right now.
For that reason, San Antonio is moving in the right direction with a total ban on cellphone use while driving, including texting, unless a hands-free device is used. The San Antonio proposal is in addition to a new state law that makes it illegal to dial, text or otherwise use a cellphone in a school zone unless there is an emergency or the driver has pulled over. Outgoing San Antonio Police Chief William McManus has argued the last few years for a full ban on mobile devices. In 2010, the city prohibited using a handheld mobile device (except for dialing telephone numbers or talking to another person) while driving a vehicle, with a fine not to exceed $200 per violation. In the time since the ban was approved by the City Council, police report there have been more than 1,900 accidents attributed to distracted motorists using handheld mobile devices. Six of those involved fatalities
Happening LOCAL
and 28 resulted in serious injuries. Meanwhile, officers since 2009 have also issued 7,038 citations to drivers using handheld mobile devices. Some argue that existing distracteddriver laws are adequate, but police say they are virtually unenforceable. District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher is pushing for the total prohibition on cellphone use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that a driver conversing on a cellphone is 30 percent more likely to be involved in a wreck. According to Gallagher, 23 cities in Texas, including San Antonio, have some sort of texting ban. It’s already well known that driving and texting take a driver’s attention away from the road, decreasing handeye coordination and response time. Best advice? Two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road. Gallagher’s call to toughen the distracted-driver law is not about too much government control. Instead, it is a means to keep everyone safer on area roadways.
Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.
OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH
ha p p ening key
fitness
BATS OF SAN ANTONIO AND THE HILL COUNTRY Nyta Brown, superintendent/ biologist at Old Tunnel State Park near Fredericksburg, will talk about the region’s huge Mexican free-tail bat population – how they benefit the area, and their system of communicating. Her presentation runs from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Salado Classroom near the eastern entrance to Phil Hardberger Park, 13203 Blanco Road. The event is free, although donations are appreciated, and a kidfriendly craft is part of the program.
OCT 4
STRIKE UP THE BAND The Churchill High School Orchestra will perform its first concert of the season at 7 p.m. in the Lanny Naegelin Theatre at the school, 12049 Blanco Road. For more, call 356-0120.
OCT 7
-the Local Community News editorial board includes Harry Lees, Gregg Rosenfield and Thomas Edwards.
ART
TALK
outdoor
Music
FOOD
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT The annual event held to prevent crime and get neighbors acquainted with each other returns to San Antonio communities. For details, important dates, registration and more, visithttp://www.sanantonio. gov/SAPD/NationalNightOut.aspx.
OCT 7
SCHOOL BOARD The North East Independent School District board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m., 8961 Tesoro Drive. Call 407-0553 to confirm dates and times prior to meetings.
OCT 13
BOARD MEETING The North Central Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association holds a board meeting 6:30 p.m. in Faith Lutheran
OCT 13
Happening continues on pg. 05
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salocallowdown.com HAPPENING continues from pg. 04 Church, 14819 Jones Maltsberger Road. PETER AND THE WOLF The Madison Symphony Orchestra of Madison High School presents the classic tale by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 10 to 11 a.m. in the auditorium at the school, 5005 Stahl Road. The concert is for fifth-graders and will be for the feeder schools of Madison. For more, call 356-1490.
OCT 15
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., and members are encouraged to bring a friend.
OCT 15
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION The San Antonio Chapter will hold its monthly luncheon meeting at the Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave., at 11:30 a.m. Lunch costs $25. Reservations should be made with Bob Clark, 402-0871, or reservations@sarsat. org, by the Monday prior to the meeting.
OCT 15
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.
OCT 15
OCT 18-31
PUMPKIN PATCH KIDS Big orange gourds and smiles for the kids are the focus of this twoweek funfest at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church that will benefit the church’s ministry to the homeless. There will be activities – including a pumpkin decorating contest Oct. 18 and a pooch parade Oct. 25 – plus food and games (games are free and unlimited for kids younger than 3). Halloween will feature Trunk or Treating and a costume contest. Monday-Friday hours are 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, it’s 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with Saturday special events starting at 11 a.m. Halloween hours are 4-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission costs $10 for those age 3 and up, and the cost is $5 on Halloween. There’s no cost to get in on weekdays. St. Mark is at 1602 Thousand Oaks 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.
OCT 21
60th COKER FAIR Come one, come all to the annual Coker Elementary School fair, a tradition since 1954, which today helps raise funds for initiatives not covered by the campus budget, such as drug-free awareness, Accelerated Reader programs and art lessons. Sponsored by the PTA, there will be rides, face painting, inflatables, cascarones, a silent auction, booths, food and music. The PTA is also looking for parent-volunteers. The event is 4-8 p.m. at the campus, 302 Heimer Road. For more, contact PTA Fair Chairwoman Valerie Cervantes at cokerfair@gmail.com.
OCT 24
OCT 28
HOLLYWOOD PARK The City Council meets 7 p.m. at City Hall, 2 Mecca Drive. facebook.com/salocalcommunitynews
shelters located at busier stops, which require additional seating and protection from the elements. Look for these new and enhanced shelters coming to your neighborhood soon! •
VIA’s SmartMove initiatives include such important projects as the US 281 North Park and Ride, Westside MultiModal Transit Center, Brooks Transit Center and Robert Thompson Transit Center. You can learn more about SmartMove by visiting www.viasmartmove.com.
•
With a new school year underway, now is the perfect time to take advantage of VIA’s semester pass. For only $35 per semester, students can ride VIA to and from their classes for a total of five months.
In the communIty •
•
At a recent International Bus Roadeo competition, a team of VIA’s maintenance employees were named “Best in North America,” making this the third time in four years VIA has brought home top honors. Way to go, and congratulations, team! VIA is rolling out an exciting bus shelter program featuring a new modular design. This innovative move forward allows for easy expansion of
In your neIghborhood •
We have 130 bus shelters in the works for the northern sector of VIA’s service area. These shelters have been planned, are in construction, have already been installed or slated for improvements for your convenience.
•
NORTH EAST COLLEGE NIGHT In an effort to help students prepare for a college education, the North East Independent School District will hold a college night from 6 to 8 p.m. to “assist students and parents in making informed decisions regarding post-secondary educational opportunities.” The event is at the Blossom Athletic Center/ Piper Bass Student Center, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road. For more, call 407-0348.
nov 5
EDEN HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE Dozens of vendors will offer a wide array of gift-worthy items, and you can place orders for wreaths and centerpieces, made with fresh greenery, that will be delivered in time for the holidays. The organizers promise a smoke-free, kid-friendly event, plus a food truck. The open-air market runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eden Duck Pond, at Tavern Oaks and Thousand Oaks Drive (between W.W. McAllister Park and Wetmore Road).
nov 8
LEARNING FOR LIFE There’s no reason grown-ups can’t be back in class, too, with fun, interesting or challenging seminars and courses offered by North East Independent
ONGOING
Happening continues on pg. 06
A new park & ride facility on U.S. Highway 281 North will increase mobility, promote transit-oriented development, help improve traffic flow, and stimulate economic development. The facility will include a four-level parking garage with approximately 400 parking spaces, an air-conditioned transit terminal with restrooms, environmentally-friendly express buses providing service to and from downtown, bicycle amenities and electric car charging stations. The project also includes working with the Texas Department of Transportation on direct access to potential transit priority lanes for U.S. 281, the first of their kind in San Antonio. The project is currently in design phrase.
Stay informed, get involved and make a difference.
(210) 362-2222 VIAsmArtmoVe.com
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OCTOBER 2014
HAPPENING continues from pg. 04 School District Community Education. This fall, the program has a dizzying selection of classes – financial subjects, arts, music, crafts, gardening/landscaping, cooking, computing, genealogy, dancing and much more. Many of the tutorials are held at the Community Learning Center, 8750 Tesoro Drive. To check out the offerings and register for a class, go to https://communityed.neisd. net/ComEdWeb/root/default.aspx.
Elsewhere in San Antonio
ART WITH LEGO BRICKS The San Antonio Botanical Garden has a new, gardeninspired installation – 27 pieces of sculpture made entirely of Legos, 500,000 of them. Admission costs $8 to $10; the Botanical Garden is at 555 Funston Place, at North New Braunfels Avenue. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
THROUGH JAN 4
“TWO WOMEN LOOK WEST” This exhibit at the Witte Museum is subtitled “Photographs of King Ranch by Helen C. Kleberg and Toni Frissell.” More than 50 photos of ranch life during the 1930s will be on display, along with items owned by
THROUGH JAN 4
the Klebergs, in the Russell Hill Rogers Texas Art Gallery at the Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center. Admission to the museum, 3801 Broadway, ranges from $7 to $10. WATERSAVER LANDSCAPE TOUR This annual tour focuses on landscapes that use water wisely but also feature smart, color-filled design and minimal maintenance. There will be several representative landscapes in one neighborhood, plus a variety of distinctive yards in other parts of town. The tour runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; there’s no admission cost. A list of the addresses in the tour will be available at www.watersaverlandscapetour.org.
OCT 4
SOLAR FEST 2014 Information on all types of renewable energy will be available at this year’s event, along with sustainability and green living. It will be held at San Antonio College’s newly dedicated William R. Sinkin Eco Centro, 1802 N. Main Ave. Solar Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
OCT 4
Submitting events: Email all
the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@salocallowdown.com.
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Take Bitters Exit on 281 S- We are located off Frontage Road to the right
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LEGACY PLACE
Improving Health One Life at a Time. MCCI Medical Group of Legacy Place is a state-of-the-art, primary care medical clinic with attached activity center. Our medical clinic and activity center focus on senior health and wellness. Both the physicians and staff are bilingual. The Activity Center offers recreational, educational, fitness classes and support group activities which are open to the community, 55 or older. At MCCI Medical Group of Legacy Place our goal is for our patients to live the healthiest, active life possible. Mention Local Community News advertisement to receive a complimentary gift.
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Take a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.
Open and Opening Soon 1. SANTIN AUTOMOTIVE, 11307 Perrin Beitel Road, is an auto and truck center that offers bumper-to-bumper diagnostics, repairs and maintenance, roadside assistance, on-site service, diesel and gasoline, automatic and manual transmission work, alignment and tire balancing. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 6484100 or visit www.santinautomotive. com. (See story on page 17) 2. BAHAMA BUCK’S ORIGINAL SHAVED ICE COMPANY, 12914 Jones Maltsberger
Road, Suite 101, is now open at this location, its third in San Antonio. The national franchise features snow cones, smoothies, Paradise Fruit and Island House Coffee. Products advertised as gluten free. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 402-1551 or visit bahamabucks.com. (See story on page 18)
3. BOWLERO SAN ANTONIO, 13307 U.S. 281 North, is planning to open in late October where AMF Country Lanes was located for several years. Executives with parent Bowlmor AMF say the 48,000-square-foot Bowlero San Antonio brings “a new bowling experience” to the North Side. Attractions will include 48 lanes of blacklight bowling, a gravity ropes course, amusement games and casual dining with a full-service kitchen. Menu items include the 5-pound Behemoth Burger, homemade Korean brisket tacos and Lava Wings. The venue can also be used to host group events, and will feature oversize video screens at the end of each lane, a fully equipped DJ booth and high-definition flat-screen televisions. For lane availability, reservations or to plan an event, call 496-3811. For additional information, visit www.Bowlero.com. 4. WERNERS THE CULINARY EXPERTS,
16111 U.S. 281 North, Suite 119, opened in late July under the direction of famed Executive Chef Nedra Harris, a former contestant on “Hell’s Kitchen,” according to reports. The restaurant features prime cuts of beef, plus chicken, lamb, pork and seafood, as well desserts, sauces, salads and other selections. For more, call 490-2295 or visit http://www.wernersprime.com/.
IN OTHER NEWS
THE 2014-15 TAX RATE FOR THE NORTH
40 Conquering Cancer Years of
LOCAL LOWDOWN Address of local business Name of local business
EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT is $1.4406 per $100 valuation, which means no change from last year, officials said after a Sept. 8 board meeting. According to a district news release, “The Maintenance and Operation (general operating fund) tax rate of $1.04 will be used for maintenance and operations and the Interest & Sinking (debt-service fund) tax rate of $0.4006 will be used to pay principal and interest on outstanding bonds.” The school district has more than 70 schools and magnet programs, and a fall enrollment of 70,000 students. It is the secondlargest school district in San Antonio. BRADLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL SEVENTHGRADE TEXAS HISTORY TEACHER ELIZABETH PIRTLE begins a new, twoyear term as a district director for the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, a 50,000-member organization of educators, librarians, counselors and other classroom professionals. According to school officials, Pirtle — a 14-year TCTA member — previously served as a district director during the 2012-13 school year. In June, TCTA members from District 20 — a 14-county area — elected her once again during the association’s state convention in Fort Worth. CLAUDIA GARCIA, A DUAL-LANGUAGE EDUCATOR AT COKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, was recently named the Region 20 Pre-Kindergarten Through First Grade Elementary Dual Language Teacher of the Year for 2014. She has been invited to the Fifth Annual Dual Language Conference at Region 20 to receive her award on Nov. 7. She also received the title of Region 20 Pre-Kindergarten Through First Grade Elementary Dual Language Teacher of the Year for 2013. A “WALL-BREAKING CEREMONY” KICKED OFF CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENCINO BRANCH LIBRARY at 2515 E. Evans Road, housed inside the former Adobe Cafe, on Sept. 9 with dignitaries including District 9 Councilman Joe Krier, San Antonio Public Library Director Ramiro S. Salazar and City Engineer Mike Frisbie of Transportation & Capital Improvements. “Literacy and community involvement go hand in hand, making a resource like our public libraries vital to our neighborhoods,”
LOWDOWN continues on pg. 08
THE Answer for Cancer The Cancer Therapy & Research Center lives right here in San Antonio. For four decades our team of experts has pursued one mission – conquering cancer. CTRC has a world-class team of physicians focused on helping you and your loved ones find their answer for cancer. CTRC’s oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and many others work in collaboration to review each diagnosis and make decisions as a team - for every patient. If you or a loved one is facing cancer, let CTRC be the answer. Call (210) 450-1000 www.CTRC.net
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OCTOBER 2014
LOWDOWN continues from pg. 07 Krier said. “The Encino Branch Library will be a beautiful and essential addition for District 9 residents.” According to the city, the project will transform the former restaurant into a 10,000-square-foot library serving children, teens, adults and seniors. The majority of the work will focus on the interior of the building, with some minor landscaping work. The project is funded with $7.1 million from the voterapproved 2012-17 bond program. The design by Alvidrez Architecture is being constructed by Davila Construction Inc.
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WORK HAS FINISHED ON THE SALADO CREEK GREENWAY TRAIL CONNECTION UNDER WURZBACH PARKWAY, which is now open for public use west of the Buckhorn Drive entrance to McAllister Park, according to District 10 City Councilman Mike Gallagher. According to Gallagher, “The temporary trail and crosswalk at Starcrest (Drive) are now closed. Salado Creek Greenway Trail users can now travel to and from McAllister Park using the trail connection under Wurzbach Parkway and should no longer cross Starcrest Drive using the crosswalk.” THE SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENT
EXPLORER TEAM based at the North Substation took first place overall during a recent scouting competition in Corpus Christi. Teams from San Antonio represented the North, South, West and Central police substations. The North Sub is located at 13030 Jones Maltsberger Road, adjacent to McAllister Park. PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR REVITALIZATION PLAN is growing, according to District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher. The goal of the five-year initiative is to bring more businesses and retail to the Northeast Corridor, fueled by infrastructure improvements and a possible tax-increment reinvestment zone after the area saw an extended economic downturn. Gallagher, who recently held a meeting to update the community on the plan, said, “We discussed new developments, planned enhancements and some of the incentive programs available to business owners in the corridor. So far, the corridor has seen $21 million in private investments and Skyonic Corp. is investing an additional $126 million (in) the area. This totals $147 million in private investments.” The area defined as the NEC includes the land between Perrin Beitel and Nacogdoches roads north of Northeast Loop 410, O’Connor Road, and portions of NacoPerrin Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Drive.
THE TEX HILL
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS October 1, 2014–January 6, 2015
San Antonio Academy proudly announces the Tex Hill Scholarship Program which provides tuition, fees, textbooks and uniforms to two fifth grade boys who will attend San Antonio Academy during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years.
Visit sa-academy.org OR call 210.733.7331 for details. San Antonio Academy admits students of all race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest. Member of the National Association of Independent Schools
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todAy call rick upton
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www.salocallowdown.com BE HONEST. BE KIND. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.®
9
salocallowdown.com NEISD continues from pg. 01
Enhanced academic, vocational programs wave of future by WILL WRIGHT
R
ecently released ratings show the North East Independent School District is one of five in northeast San Antonio that has met or exceeded state standards for accountability, according to the Texas Education Agency.
The other school districts are Judson, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City, Comal and Randolph Field. TEA issued preliminary report cards to the state’s public school districts in August, based on data received from the 2013-14 school year. The local districts passed the first set of accountability ratings, garnering “acceptable” designations for performance tied to state standards. NEISD received 128 distinctions for its 67 schools in the assessment.
WORK
Campuses achieving the highest percentage of indicators included International School of the Americas and Northwood Elementary (6 of 6); Krueger and Nimitz middle schools (6 of 7), and Hardy Oak and Oak Meadow elementary schools (5 of 6). “We are very proud of all our schools for the progress they continue to make and we are especially proud of ISA and Northwood for meeting every single distinction, which is very difficult to do,” said NEISD spokeswoman Aubrey Chancellor. All Texas school districts in 201415 are continuing efforts to meet standards established by House Bill 5, which became law in 2013. HB 5 has reduced and de-emphasized testing, previously a significant player in determining accountability standards. Now, school districts have the flexibility to direct students down multiple career paths — called endorsements — that range from arts/humanities, business and industry, multidisciplinary, public service or STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Lawmakers have said school districts are recognizing that not all students want to go to college, with educators adding an emphasis on vocational skills. Randolph Field ISD met all 45 of
its requirements for a perfect mark. In attaining 76 of 78 indicators, SCUCISD scored 97 percent; NEISD and CISD both tallied 96 percent with 81 of 84 and 74 of 77, respectively. The five districts’ individual schools earned distinction designations in English language arts/reading; math; science; social studies; student progress; closing performance gaps; and postsecondary-readiness. Only two area schools were given improvement-required designations: NEISD’s Olmos Elementary and JISD’s Kirby Middle School. Preliminary assessments, issued Aug. 8, won’t be finalized until TEA reviews schooldistrict appeals in November. According to HB 5, school districts have been granted a higher level of control in resetting their graduation-program paths. As local districts fortify postsecondaryreadiness programs, they’re also enhancing vocational training for students opting to skip college. “In addition to college-readiness (programs), which is a focus we’ve always had – we will ensure that students at each high school have access to numerous endorsement opportunities,” Chancellor said.
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DEATH continues from pg. 01
Several steps suggested to make school zones safer by BAIN SERNA
T
he hit-and-run death of a student in District 9 has prompted Councilman Joe Krier and his City Hall colleagues to call for a review of all school zones to make it safer for kids traveling to and from campus.
Krier, who represents District 9, and the other council members are directing city staff to conduct a comprehensive report on school-zone traffic safety, and take a full inventory of traffic and pedestrian features including sidewalks, signage, crosswalks and flashing beacons. “I wanted to know what we could do to make school zones across the entire city safer,” Krier said. “I know that we can never be perfect, but there is always
OPERATION continues from pg. 01
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n a broiling Saturday not so long ago, more than 30 volunteers gathered in a cooled warehouse at Lockaway Storage near Fort Sam Houston to pack up 700 backpacks with school supplies collected by Operation Homefront. Chantae Peters did a lot of the heavy lifting. “I’m here because I served 20 years in the military, and I like to give back to the military families,” Peters said. That sentiment is typical of those working with the agency, which recently moved its headquarters from Windcrest to a larger location at 1355 Central Parkway South, Suite 100, just off U.S. 281 near Bitters Road. Operation Homefront’s mission is to provide emergency financial assistance and aid to wounded warriors, other
The City Council has called for a review of traffic safety in all school zones, a move partly prompted by the hit-and-run death of a North East Independent School District student. File photo
room for improvement. We need to make them safer than they currently are.” The review, conducted by Transportation & Capital Improvements, will also suggest improvements when it is completed. The case Jan. 15 of Larkspur Elementary
DEATH continues on pg. 14 service members and their families. Aaron Taylor, director of media and marketing communications, said the new location on the North Side provides office space to 50 caseworkers and other staff, both at the national level and in the Texas field office. Taylor said Operation Homefront started in the San Diego area about 12 years ago after the terror attacks of Sept. 9, 2011, when several military spouses formed an online community to help each other. Taylor said the organization went nationwide when it merged with the Armed Forces Foundation. By 2006, Operation Homefront had a growing base of operations in San Antonio. But Taylor said moving the headquarters to San Antonio in 2008 crystallized the organization and allowed it to begin building tiers of assistance for military families beyond emergency financial assistance and moral support. Today the organization also provides food assistance, housing and morale-boosting programs. “Operation Homefront is an initial contact, providing acute emergency financial assistance,” he said. “And then we get them on a long-term stability path. And we hope that once we get them on a stable path, that they will come back and volunteer with us.” For more, call 659-7756, 800-722-6098 or visit http://www.operationhomefront.net/.
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advancements in the treatments of psoriasis,” said Dr. Christy Rainey of Dermatology of Castle Hills, 1650 Lockhill Selma Road. “Those include new injectable treatments as well as oral medications.” Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. The most common form is plaque psoriasis. It is characterized by the appearance of scale-like lesions on the skin’s surface, and can result in psoriatic arthritis. “These new treatments can significantly improve the conditions of skin psoriasis and joint disease. Often I have prescribed these and have seen miraculous improvements in patients who have never had any kind of results before,” Rainey said. On the cosmetic side, a number of new fillers have been developed that replace the lost volume and shape in skin and can allow a dermatologist to sculpt an area. Fillers are collagen-based materials that are injected underneath the skin. Dermatologists use the fillers to fill in sunken cheeks or lines
DERMATOLOGY continues on pg. 13
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13 DERMATOLOGY continues from pg. 12 or wrinkles around the eyes and lips. “There’s a newer type of filler ... called Voluma from Allergan,” Rainey said. “It has revolutionized how we inject the deep furrows around the mouth and nose. With the Voluma, we inject the filler. With this, we inject in the upper cheeks, the apple of the cheeks if you will, and that helps to give you a kind of facelift without having to pay for surgery or deal with the downtime of surgical procedures.” Another common and well-known procedure is receiving injections of botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox), which is renowned for its ability to diminish wrinkles and other facial lines. According to the AAD, new manufacturers have introduced botulinum toxin formulations in recent years, making pricing more competitive and affordable. It is also highly recommended by the AAD to seek out a certified dermatologist for all serious skin-care needs. This will ensure the highest level of patient safety. “We do Botox, micrographic surgery, laser hair removal, chemical peels, and more here at our facilities,” Garrett said. “Our physicians— Dr. Paula Vogel, Dr. Nicole Owens and Dr. Eric Greeson — are all board certified.”
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DEATH continues from pg. 10 School fourth-grader Tatyana Babineaux, 9, who was struck by a pickup while she crossed Braesview Street on her way to school, motivated Krier to issue the call for to make school zones safer, he said. Babineaux, who was not in a school crosswalk when she was struck, later died at University Hospital. The pickup drove off, but an arrest soon followed. “There’s nothing more difficult than going to a funeral home to visit the mother of a little girl who has been killed,” Krier said. “I don’t ever want to do that again. It was a heart-wrenching experience. That made it (school-zone traffic safety) an issue for me for the long term.” A difficult childhood incident of his own is also a catalyst for change, Krier said. At age 4, he ran out from behind a parked car to cross the street and was accidentally hit by a motorist, suffering a broken leg and several other injuries. Krier and his colleagues recently signed the memo asking for a report on schoolzone traffic issues in all 10 council districts. “I wanted to make sure that we were trying to make all school zones in the city safer, not just one school in one councilman’s district,” he said. Newly appointed District 2
Councilman Keith A. Toney said he supports the initiative led by Krier. “I thank District 9 Councilman Joe Krier for his initial memo, which provided the impetus for this significant report,” Toney said. “All San Antonio residents have the right to safe travel to and from their destinations. This extends to our youngest residents as they make their way to school every morning and back home again in the afternoon.” Other council members who joined the call include Mike Gallagher, Shirley Gonzales, Rebecca Viagran and Ray Lopez. No deadline has been announced yet for the report. There are several ways to improve safety, Krier said: n Educate schoolchildren more about safely crossing streets and using proper, designated school crosswalks. n Having highly reflective signage and blinking lights in school zones. n Remind drivers to stay off their cellphones when driving through a school zone, which is now state law, and to maintain slower speeds. Krier wants the review to indicate how many school zones are in need of safety improvements and enhancements. Positive changes are already being made in District 9, including at Larkspur and Coker elementary schools.
“What I’d like to see is which school zones we are lacking those in, what would it cost to get them, and over what period of time could we do all that, because we may not have the money to do that immediately,” Krier said. A couple of weeks after the death of Tatyana, Krier convened a publicinput meeting that included North East Independent School District Superintendent Brian Gottardy, Police Chief Chief William McManus and other officials.They wanted suggestions on how to modernize, replace and improve traffic-safety features at Larkspur. The list of improvements carried an estimated cost of about $90,000, and Krier drew half of that amount from his own District 9 discretionary fund, with the other half provided by the city. “We had one school zone (Larkspur Elementary) that was needing safety improvements and to fix that was not inconsequential in cost and would take time. Fortunately, we got all of that done in time for the opening of this school year,” Krier said. The city put in more reflective signs, created better street crossings and signage, and added overhead blinking yellow lights. “Child safety is our number one concern,” said Larkspur Principal Susan Del Toro. “We have apartments nearby and so you have a high concentration of
automobiles. I think that the improvements Councilman Krier has made to the area have been super helpful. Now we have more visibility…They’ve relocated some of the school safety lights and the signs to make more people aware.” Larkspur has 900 students and a large portion of them walk because they live in or near the apartments, Del Toro said. “It’s important for everyone to slow down and pay attention and for us to teach kids about safety, too, such as using designated crosswalks and to look both ways. It’s an educational opportunity for everyone, both children and adults,” Del Toro said. The principal said some of the most important ways to improve traffic safety issues are for drivers to stay off their cellphones and not be in a hurry, and for students to use designated crosswalks instead of crossing in the middle of the street. State law forbids the use of mobile devices in a school zone unless handsfree technology is available. San Antonio is looking at a citywide ban on the use of mobile phones on all roadways. Some methods that drivers/parents can use to improve safety include allowing more of a time cushion when leaving home, following proper procedures in a school zone, parking and walking a child, and being patient in drive-thru lanes.
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Inspired by Coker mom, councilman paying for signs by BAIN SERNA
J
ill Rudik is a strong believer in the power of signs — especially when they save the lives of schoolchildren. The mother of three helped create an awareness campaign using handmade signs to remind motorists to put down their cellphones in the traffic zones around Coker Elementary School. Coker Principal Tiffany Gill and District 9 Councilman Joe Krier said Rudik’s actions have inspired others to assist their community. “She was the one who initiated the cellphone signs to remind people not to use cellphones in the school zone,” Gill said. Though Rudik actually launched the campaign during the previous school year, a ripple effect is being felt across the North East Independent School District as Krier, police, education officials and
A safety campaign last year by parent Jill Rudnik led to more awareness about driving and using a mobile device in school zones at Coker Elementary. Photo by Rudy B. Ornelas
community stakeholders search for ways to ensure children are not in harm’s way as they journey to and from their campuses. “Councilman Krier’s office decided to fund two signs for the (Coker) campus and they’re working on getting those posted,” Gill said. Krier publicly praised Rudik’s efforts in a recent newsletter, citing her dedication to promoting school-zone safety. Krier’s office
MOM continues on pg. 16
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MOM continues from pg. 15
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also sent an email stating the councilman was “pursuing other avenues, which includes having the (District 9 office) pay for the signs and Coker will get them installed.” Rudik, whose daughter is a secondgrader at Coker, said many have helped in the effort, including school staffers, crossing guards, the PTA and Krier’s office. Her greatest hope is that “no individual ever gets hurt because someone was talking on their cellphone while driving through a school zone,” Rudik said. A state law that went into effect Sept. 1 bans the use of cellphones by drivers in all school zones, with the exception of wireless hands-free devices and calls made in emergency situations. Prior to that law going on the books, dozens of cities were given leeway by the Legislature to make it illegal to use mobile devices while driving through a school zone, which San Antonio chose to implement. Rudik felt that more awareness was needed about the rule and started her initiative last spring. “My initial concern was that drivers were using their cellphones while driving through crosswalks in the school zone,” Rudik said. “Witnessing drivers on the phone driving through the crosswalks, I
thought maybe they really didn’t know what they were doing was unsafe and also illegal.” She hit upon the idea of the signs. Rudik decided to use a symbol that would be universally understood, rather than just a slogan worded in English. “I went home and made two signs that I felt would apply to most, a visual,” Rudik said. “Coker had signs posted but they were in English. I thought it odd that it wasn’t a symbol or sign like most other road-safety signs. So I found a sign on the Internet that I believe is actually posted in other school-zone areas.” Rudik got her three kids involved. They used recycled cardboard and two paint stirring sticks to handcraft two signs. Rudik printed a black cellphone image with a red circle around it and red line through it. Stenciled in bold letters beneath the symbol were the words “thank you” in English on one side, and “gracias” on the other. Rudik took the two signs to the crosswalk the very next day and held them up. Eventually so did the crossing guards, and over the next several days they noticed a change in drivers’ attitudes for the better. Rudik said anyone could do what she has done, so long as they truly want to change their community for the better. “Do something rather than nothing,” she said.
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maintenance, Santin Automotive offers a full array of services including alignments, oil changes and tuneups — and more. “We do brakes, a/c repair and diesel work, which not everyone can do,” Santin said. “All of the mechanics here are … certified professionals. You’re going to get the best parts and the best service when you come to us.” Santin Automotive also offers specialized roadside assistance. The mechanics work on manual and automatic transmissions, as well as customized vehicle work including adding accessories and window tinting. “I make a guarantee to all customers that they will get honest service when they come to us,” Santin said. “What separates us from many other places is our experience. If someone comes to us, they know that we know what we are doing
Esteban Santin, the owner of Santin Automotive, wants customers to know their autos will be in good hands at his new shop, 11307 Perrin Beitel Road, where all of his mechanics are 'certified professionals.' Photos by Collette Orquiz
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t’s not often a successful pharmaceutical sales rep turns in her briefcase for an apron and a batch of shaved ice, but that career change makes Colleen Marsh very happy.
Party packs, a variety of drinks and a large selection of shaved-ice treats are among the offerings at the newest Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company in San Antonio. Photo by Collette Orquiz
Marsh and her husband, chiropractor John Marsh, own San Antonio’s newest Bahama Buck’s Original Shaved Ice Company, located at 12914 Jones Maltsberger Road. “I used to be out calling on pharmaceutical clients and it would be so hot, and I was just looking for something cool,” Colleen Marsh said. “And then I tried the Bahama Buck’s on Bandera Road.” Marsh said she got excited about the
brand and the drive-thru convenience. She began buying Bahama Buck’s Party Packs to take to her clients. “Clients raved about them,” she said. Marsh said the franchise was a perfect fit for her family. Daughter Chelsea Marsh previously had managed a Marble Slab Creamery and a Papa John’s Pizza and is in her senior year at the University of Texas at San Antonio working on a business degree. Bahama Buck’s serves up shaved ice with a variety of toppings, party sprinkles, lemon-lime and chili salt, cinnamon sugar and chocolate crème. Also on the menu are plenty of cold drinks, from flavored lemonade to smoothies with vitamin boosts, and frozen coffee
drinks. Marsh said the cooler weather will bring hot chocolate in a variety of flavors, such as White Chocolate Egg Nog. “This is the original shaved ice company. It’s different from snow cones with the crunchy ice. This is soft and fluffy – and the syrup stays on all the way,” she said. Marsh said Bahama Buck’s originated in Lubbock in 1990 and now is gaining traction and building franchises across Texas, the South and California. The Marshes opened their store July 22 and have plans for a Stone Oak location. “We get a lot of after-school children and a lot of families,” Marsh said. “We provide board games like Connect Four, Uno, checkers, things like that, and a lot of people come in for a shaved ice and play a game with their kids.” Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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10% Military & Senior Discount
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512 HeImer Road san antonio, texas 78232
LOW MONTHLY FEES NO CONTRACT
210.639.9496
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UNIQUE AlzhEImEr’s CArE
Deep Relationships
With only 16 residents at each AutumnGrove Cottage, our caregivers know their residents’ preferences and personalities, allowing them to build deep relationships. The intimate environment encourages our family members to become friends and each others support system.
Homelike Environment
From the moment you drive into the driveway of our cottages, you will experience the look and feel of a private home. It is our belief that people should be able to age in the same manner they are accustomed to living.
Specialized Care
Alzheimer’s care is not something we do ... it is all we do. Our building design, high staff-to-resident ratio, brain stimulating activities, and educational programs center around specialized Alzheimer’s care.
“Our purpose is to honor our residents and those who love and care for them.” SAN ANTONIO LOCATIONS:
BLANCO LIC. 105328
sTONE OAK LIC. PENDING
Call us at 210.853.5567
COMMUNITY NEWS
www.AutumnGrove.com
4204 gardendale Ste. 201 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229
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