LOCAL: Stone Oak, Encino Park, Far North, 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261 January 2017

A LOOK AHEAD

DEC. 27, 2016 - JAN. 23, 2017

VOL. 3, ISSUE 8

PG.10 New council

PG.19 EAT LOCAL

member, streets, parks to be biggest issues community faces in 2017

BUCK’S BBQ

Barbecue and the flavors of Mexico on menu at North Side restaurant

COMMUNITY NEWS

SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF STONE OAK

ENCINO PARK

FAR NORTH • 78258 78259 78260 78261

LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW PG. 17

Campbell, Larson vow to revise annexation, property-tax laws

LOCAL HAPPENINGS NORTH OF 1604 — FIND OUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD — PG. 05

PRESERVING MEMORIES

PG. 04 OUR TURN PG. 03 SUSAN YERKES

PG.15 Scrapbooking club

builds lasting friendships, fosters craft of remembering

NEIGHBORHOODS AGAINST

WILDFIRE

PLAN IDENTIFIES RISKS, SOLUTIONS IN STONE OAK, ENCINO PARK — PG. 13

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DEC. 27, 2016 - JAN. 23, 2017

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 and Bain Serna Contributing Writers Gaby Galindo, Noi Mahoney, Edmond Ortiz, Arthur Schechter, Will Wright and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Florence D. Edwards ADVERTISING Account Manager Amber Montemayor Controller Gracie Cortinez

South Texas’ Original Pool Company. Gary Pools has been building and servicing swimming pools in and around San Antonio and South Texas since 1954.

We are the largest family owned and operated pool builder in Central and South Texas.

READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale St., Ste. 201, SA, TX 78229 Fax Phone (210) 616.9677 (210) 338.8842 Advertising Inquiries jluna@localcommunitynews.com Story Ideas: tips@localcommunitynews.com Website: www.localcommunitynews.com LOCAL Community News publications

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Zone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215 Zone 2/3: 78213, 78216, 78230,

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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

13800 San Pedro Ave. • San Antonio, TX 78232 • garypools.com

Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2017 Helen Publishing LLC and Local Community News LLC, all rights reserved.

LOCAL’s new website debuts

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OCAL Community News has launched its new website.

Readers visiting www. localcommunitynews.com will find the latest hyperlocal coverage of area neighborhoods, schools, government and other issues.

During the last four years, LOCAL has experimented with a variety of website options, including online flip-books.

At the same time, our audience kept asking, “When are you going to have a searchable news website?”

Well, the time has come.

We created LOCAL’s monthly print editions to fill a gap in community news, and our objective has not changed. The newspapers remain our core product.

Our website, however, allows us to expand and enhance the coverage that matters most to our audience.

There are several advantages to the website. Because of the staggered print deadlines, many calendar submissions go by the wayside. Now, there will be a forum to post these releases in a more timely fashion online.

The site also makes it easier for readers to search out stories that appeared in print.

The site is conveniently arranged by ZIP codes.

We hope readers will enjoy our latest information conduit. Please visit the site and send your feedback to tedwards@localcommunitynews.com.

THOMAS EDWARDS EXECUTIVE EDITOR

ON THE COVER: The Papercrafting and

Scrapbook Club meets monthly at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road in Stone Oak, to preserve the art, build memories and create friendships. According to members, scrapbooking consists of variations ranging from art journals to travel books. To learn more, call the library at 2072703. See the story on page 15. Courtesy photo

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LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

LOCAL COMMENTARY

Good medicine for all

by SUSAN YERKES

I

’ve always found it interesting that two of this city’s biggest economic generators are the military medical establishment and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

With thousands of military and civilian contract employees and a budget in the billions, military health is a powerful part of San Antonio’s economy.

There’s a long history of collaboration between UTHSCSA and the military medical folks. However, the

relationship recently took a huge leap forward with UTHSCSA’s creation of the Military Health Institute.

The idea came from Dr. Bill Henrich, health-science center president.

“Ask any San Antonian what is unique about the city and I would guess the military here would be one of the answers,” Henrich said. “As president here, I’ve seen a number of successful projects with the military, and a big portion of our teaching involves care of veterans and staffing the (Veterans Affairs medical facilities), but we still weren’t taking full advantage of all the opportunities to collaborate for the benefit of the military, the university and the wider community. The institute was intended to do that.”

Dr. Byron Hepburn, former commander of the 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and a one-time deputy surgeon general of the Air Force, heads the institute, which opened in late 2014. He is the perfect person to create the kind of collaborative incubator Henrich had in mind.

“We have a unique interface with VA and the Department of Defense, with the huge military presence, and the amount of research and teaching. Also, the fact the VA is co-located with us, and our faculty is doing most (of) all the research at the VA,” Hepburn said.

The focus is to fast-forward research in military medicine at these institutions through partnerships, and the Military Health Institute is working with the other such facilities, as well as with the entire UT System.

Current projects include major research on post-traumatic stress disorder, a study of new pain relief for burns, work on long-term outcomes of vascular-extremity injuries, care of gastrointestinal injuries, new indicators of traumatic brain injury and research in how best to help family caregivers deal with PTSD. While these endeavors are geared to the needs of servicemen and servicewomen, the results can improve care for everyone.

“There are layers of goodness,”

Hepburn said. “Research done for the military also has direct applicability to all humans, from a burned child to the victim of a motorcycle crash.”

The institute’s networking function is also connecting researchers inside and outside the armed forces to coordinate studies and jump-start pilot projects, Hepburn said. After just two years, the results are impressive.

In 2016, total funding UTHSCSA received for DOD-related projects increased nearly 45 percent, from $8.5 million in 2015 to about $12.3 million.

When I asked Henrich about how much he envisions the institute growing, he said, “The sky’s the limit.”

The Military Health Institute is a great way for a lot of smart folks to work together doing important things. It’s good news for UTHSCSA, for veterans and for active-duty personnel. It’s good news for the South Texas economy.

Most important, it’s good news for medical research, and for all of us living here in Military City, USA, and beyond. syerkes@localcommunitynews.com

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OUR TURN Views and opinions about your community

Considering vouchers

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awmakers of the 85th Legislature should continue pushing for initiatives that ease the financial burden on parents wanting choices about where their kids attend school.

Efforts to use taxpayer dollars — or vouchers — allowing guardians to enroll their offspring in private or parochial institutions failed during the last session.

Many public-school educators decry vouchers. They fear taking public monies away from their districts hurts students and undermines the overall performance of Texas’ tax-supported institutions.

On the other hand, parents fed up with schools that fail pupils should have a right to decide how and where

DEC. 27, 2016 - JAN. 23, 2017 their hard-earned dollars are spent to pay for their children’s education.

Just like in a free market, the competition could help improve public schools.

Proponents also argue vouchers are a mechanism to lift low-income students out of underperforming institutions and place them in a better learning environment.

Initiatives in 2017 include giving tax credits to companies donating funds to poor or special-needs students, so they can afford tuition at private or parochial schools.

Another option could be the education savings account, which funnels taxpayer dollars to parents as a debit card to pay for schooling other than public. In the end, parents have a right to seek the best education possible for their youngsters, while also being able to decide how to pay for it.

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

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LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

HAPPENING LOCAL

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

OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH

HAPPENING KEY

FITNESS

ART

TEEN TIME Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness 27 Oak Road, hosts a potpourri of activities for teenagers, 13-18. Everything from board games and crafting to cooking could be on the agenda from 6-8 p.m. Have fun, chill out and make new friends. For more, contact 207-2703.

DEC.

SEW BEE IT For an afternoon of advice and conversation 28 leaving you in stitches, Encino Branch Library, 2515 E. Evans Road, hosts experienced sewing enthusiasts from 12:30-3 p.m. The Hand Bee is a close-knit group of adults and seniors. For more, call 207-9250.

DEC.

EVENT

OUTDOOR

MUSIC

Winter Wonderland” with daily strolls and photo opportunities from 6-8 p.m. The whole family is invited on the walking trail. For more, call 207-2703.

(Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m.); and Roosevelt (Jan. 20, 7 p.m.). Also, the squad plays Jan. 6, 7 p.m. at Lee, 1400 Jackson Keller Road.

For a full NEISD schedule, visit http:// www.neisd.net/athletics/winter-sports/ documents/2016-17VarsityBB.pdf.

FOOD

SCHOOL’S OUT North East DEC./JAN. Independent School District is closed for Christmas and New Year’s vacation through Jan. 4, while Comal Independent School District students are off through Jan. 3. For both districts, campuses also won’t open Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For more, visit www.neisd.net or www.comalisd.org.

RATTLER ROUNDBALL The DEC./JAN. Reagan High School boys basketball varsity team heads to Littleton Gym, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road to play MacArthur (Dec. 30, 6:30 p.m.); Churchill (Jan. 3, 7 p.m.); Johnson (Jan. 13, 8 p.m.); Madison

JAGUAR HOOPS The Johnson DEC./JAN. High School boys basketball varsity team in the North East Independent School District heads to Littleton Gym, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road to play Roosevelt (Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m.); MacArthur (Jan. 3, 5:30 p.m.); Churchill (Jan. 7, 1:30 p.m.); Reagan (Jan. 13, 8 p.m.); and Madison (Jan. 21, 1:30 p.m.). Also, the squad hosts Lee (Jan. 10, 7 p.m.) and Antonian (Jan. 17, 6 p.m.) on campus at 23203 Bulverde Road.

For a full NEISD schedule, visit http:// www.neisd.net/athletics/winter-sports/ documents/2016-17VarsityBB.pdf.

SEASONAL WALK The at Parman Branch JAN. 1 environs Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road, transform into a “Whimsical

THROUGH

SHAPING UP FOR A NEW YOU Parman Branch 2, 9, 23 While Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road, usually exercises your mind, come work your body from 10-11 a.m.

A San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department instructor will lead a class in low-impact circuit training.

This session is designed mostly for seniors. For more, call 207-2703.

JAN.

ENCINO PARK OVER 50 CLUB For folks a half-century 3, 17 old, come to Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio St., at 11:30 a.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month for fun activities including tours, meal gatherings and events. For more, call Dyan Montesclaros at 481-7890.

JAN.

HAPPENING continues on pg. 06

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HAPPENING continues from pg. 05 CHECK THIS OUT Whether just learning or a grand 8, 15, 22 you’re master, the Parman Pawn Stars invite you to play chess for free from 2-4 p.m. All skill levels are welcome for those ages 5 and up. The group gathers in meeting room A at Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road. For more, call 207-2703.

JAN.

NEISD BOARD The next meeting of North East 9 Independent School District trustees is 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.

JAN.

SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN SEW 10 The sewing club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio St., from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bring a power strip or extension cord. For more, contact Sylvia Jolet at sjolet@earthlink.net or call 497-3383.

JAN.

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PUTTING THE “HEAL” IN “HEALTH” Realize your 11 own healing potential from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road.

Mastering and balancing your body’s energy and keeping it flowing smoothly could result in reduced pain, breathing easier, sleeping better and gaining vitality. Learn helpful information and practice Spring Forest Qigong exercises in a supportive environment. Group sessions make the training more fun. No experience necessary. Dress comfortably in nonrestrictive clothes. The workout can be modified for standing, sitting or lying. For more, call 207-2703.

JAN.

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ENCINO PARK GAME DAY Come to the Encino Park 12 Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio St., at 1:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month for various game-related activities. Non-Encino Park residents are welcome, too. For more, contact Dyan Montesclaros at 481-7890.

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HAPPENING continues on pg. 07

Helping Children and Adults Breathe and Sleep Better Understanding Your Child’s Brain Asthma attacks can occur any time of the year and they can be especially severe in the winter with exposure to viruses, changes in the weather, changes in temperature, smoke from fireplaces and stoves. Asthma attacks also occur with exposure to allergens such as mountain cedar pollen which blooms in the winter here in South Texas. Any one of these triggers can lead to an asthma attack.

Multiple triggers, especially if they occur at the same time, can lead to particularly severe asthma attacks. What many people fail to realize is that even children with mild asthma can have severe attacks. It is important for your child to see a physician to be sure their asthma is under good control, especially this time of year.

Fortunately, these days, with proper attention, asthma can largely be controlled and severe asthma attacks can often be prevented. With good asthma control, many patients experience a normal quality of life. One of the most important steps is to talk with your physician about your child’s asthma control and to be sure you have the correct preventative medications for your child’s particular type of asthma. Secondly, it is essential to be sure your child is taking the preventative (controller) medications on a daily and consistent basis. One of the most common reasons people have an asthma attack is that they stop taking their preventative medications. Talk with your physician about alternative medications that may be easier for you to take and that may fit in more easily with your lifestyle and daily routine. While you’re there, be sure your provider checks the technique you use when breathing in any inhaled medications.

Talk with your physician about having a written Asthma Action Plan, which clearly outlines which medications to take and when.

Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep Center specializes in caring for children with asthma and any other breathing difficulty that children may have. Our goal is to help children breath easier. We also specialize in the multidisciplinary fields of Pediatric Neurology and Sleep Medicine (for both Children and Adults).

Visit our website at www.TXMSS.com for more information and to find your specialist.

Can also call 210-249-5020

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LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM HAPPENING continues from pg. 06 SINGLES OF A CERTAIN AGE Dinner and a spiritual 17 conversation are on the menu at 7 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at Cornerstone Church’s Bythel Hagee Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway. The evolving ministry, Singles with Purpose, is a get-together for adults ages 35-50. For more, call 4939535 or visit www.sacornerstone.org.

JAN.

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER Encino Older Adults Club 20 explores the world on the third Friday of the month in Encino Branch Library, 2515 E. Evans Road.

Admission is free; no registration required. Space is available on a firstcome, first-served basis. For the exact event time and more, call 207-9250 or contact Barbara Kwiatkowski at barbara.kwiatkowski@sanantonio.gov.

JAN.

READ US ONLINE LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

LOCAL LOWDOWN

CALLING ALL SUPER SENIOR SINGLES Are you single, 21 divorced or widowed, and 50 or over? If so, fellowship, games, fun and lunch await noon to 4 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Cornerstone Church’s Bythel Hagee Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway.

Cost is $3. For more, call 493-9535, ext. 4 or visit www.sacornerstone.org.

Open and Opening Soon

JAVA WITH JOE District WEDNESDAYS 9 Councilman Joe Krier meets the public at his field office, 16500 U.S. 281 North, Suite 290 (at Thousand Oaks Drive).

Resident appointments for the interactive program are mornings, in 15-minute intervals. For more regarding selected dates and reserving time, contact district9@ sanantonio.gov or call 207-0955.

2. PRETTY CHIC SALON, 238 N. Loop

JAN.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all

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

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

1. BUCK’S BBQ, 203 N. Loop 1604 West,

Suite 180, serves barbecue and the flavors of Mexico. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more, call 280-8580 or visit www.bucksbbqsa.com or facebook. com/bucksbbqsa. (See story on page 19)

1604 West, Suite 205, opened this locale at the Stone Creek shopping center in March. The establishment specializes in care for hair and skin. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 410-4684 or visit facebook.com/PrettyChicSalon.

3. CRYO SA, 3111 TPC Parkway, Suite

Address of local business Name of local business

117, offers whole-body cryotherapy treatments and other “cutting-edge recovery and restoration techniques,” according to a spokesman. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more, call 467-5801 or visit cryosa.com or facebook.com/cryosa.

IN OTHER NEWS FOUR TEENS AND A 26-YEAR-OLD MAN WERE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH SEVERAL CAR BURGLARIES occurring in the Stone Oak area in November, law officers said. Police Chief William McManus told reporters a resident called about 2 a.m. Nov. 11

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 08

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LOWDOWN continues from pg. 07 after noticing suspicious activity in the neighborhood. Officers arrived and detained two people, one of whom was armed. Three others were found, believed to be associated with the original suspects. They had driven to a jewelry exchange on Nacogdoches Road in a car reported as stolen. The youths are believed to have attempted to burglarize the business, police said.

McManus added investigators are probing links between the suspects and at least 50 Stone Oak break-ins.

METHODIST STONE OAK HOSPITAL AND NORTH CENTRAL BAPTIST HOSPITAL each received a “B” in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades’ fall report released Oct. 31. The Leapfrog Group, a national patient-safety watchdog, ranks more than 2,600 hospitals nationwide biannually. Its results are considered the country’s gold standard on patient safety.

Of 2,633 hospitals measured, there were 844 “A’s,” 658 “B’s,” 954 “C’s,” 157 “D’s” and 20 “F’s.”

STONE OAK RESIDENT ALEXANDRIA WOLFE spent Thanksgiving week participating in the National American Miss pageant in Anaheim, California.

The Wilderness Oak Elementary School student answered an open-call invitation to compete. She qualified by finishing first runner-up in the Miss Texas Junior Pre-Teen competition at the NAM state event in Houston. Over five years at Wilderness Oak, Alexandria has perfect attendance. Her other accomplishments include competitive team gymnast under Olympic gold medalist Vladimir Artemov, San Antonio Dance Academy jazz performer and ballet dancer, plus San Antonio Food Bank volunteer.

A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY WAS HELD Oct. 19 at the future site of the Comal Independent School District’s seventh middle school. The campus, set to open by fall 2018, is located in the Kinder Ranch subdivision off Borgfeld Road in Bexar County. The new school is part of the $147 million bond voters approved in 2015. The facility

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 09

WEDDING & EVENTS CENTER

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LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

For Pediatric

New Patient Special LOWDOWN continues from pg. 08 will accommodate 1,150 students, and measure 171,000 square feet. It’s meant to relieve overcrowding at Smithson Valley and Spring Branch middle schools.

TRINITY OAKS SUBDIVISION has started its own Little Free Library at the neighborhood playground, courtesy of the Burell family. Little Free Library is a growing grass roots “take-a-book, return-a-book” system.

Residents are encouraged to exchange children’s and age-appropriate material by dropping them off in the library box, posted on a playground fence.

ROAN FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND COMMUNITY in November celebrated a “Leaders Trailblazing Through Time” festival.

According to campus officials, fifthgraders created a living museum featuring history’s greatest leaders.

In addition, second-graders and their teachers dressed in Greek attire,

decorated hallways and practiced period sport activities. Prekindergaten and kindergarten students donned garb portraying pilgrims and Native Americans. Meanwhile, firstgraders celebrated U.S. leaders, third-grade pupils represented San Antonio government officials, and fourth-graders assumed the roles of state government honchos.

REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH III STUDENTS RECENTLY HOSTED A MINI-EXPO to share their holiday traditions with the rest of the campus.

Twenty-five pupils created a display, many “bringing valued items from home and freshly made cuisine representative of their cultures,” according to the North East Independent School District website. “Students’ displays included Tet, a Buddhist holiday; Hanukkah, tamale-making, stocking stuffing, Chinese New Year, and Diwali.” The kickoff for the Holiday Mini-Expo took place before school in the library, and remained through Dec. 16.

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AHEAD continues from pg. 01

Critics decry HOV lanes for U.S. 281

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raffic congestion, roadways and the Classen-Steubing Ranch acquisition are some of the big issues facing far North Side residents at the dawn of a new year.

In another weighty development, District 9 Councilman Joe Krier announced he wouldn’t be seeking another term.

Krier was appointed to City Council in 2013, filling the vacant seat of Elisa Chan, who left to pursue an unsuccessful Texas Senate bid. The following year, voters elected Krier, the former San Antonio Chamber of Commerce head, to the office.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished by working hand in hand with neighborhood, business and faith leaders, my council colleagues and our outstanding city staff,” Krier said in a statement.

The announcement came during a Dec. 1 council meeting. Krier said he wanted to give constituents enough time to research candidates vying for the position May 6.

Krier cited the Vista Ridge Pipeline project as his proudest accomplishment during his tenure. The $3.4 billion, 142-mile conduit is expected to deliver up to 16 billion gallons of water per year to San Antonio from a well field in Burleson County starting in 2020.

Proponents say the pipeline means San Antonio won’t have to rely on the Edwards Aquifer alone for most of its drinking water.

“We secured a landmark supply agreement for affordable, non-Edwards Aquifer water that will ensure San Antonio has the water we need to keep good jobs and attract new ones for decades to come,” he said.

The pipeline isn’t without controversy.

In March, Abengoa, the Spanish company at the center of the endeavor, filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. San Antonio Water System has

AHEAD continues on pg. 11

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LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM AHEAD continues from pg. 10 maintained its support for the project, which the utility’s customers are funding.

In addition, Krier said the planned purchase of more than 200 acres located off U.S. 281 and Loop 1604 is another high point during his time on the council.

The land, one of the last undeveloped areas around Stone Oak, is a subset of 600 acres owned by the Classen-Steubing family.

“We’re on our way to opening a stunning natural park in the heart of the fast-growing North Side, and developing much-needed sports fields next to it,” Krier said. “The city acquired 165 acres of the pristine Steubing Ranch, located north of Stone Oak, and I’m confident that voters in May will approve the purchase of the remaining 39 acres.”

The two-portion transaction totals $10.1 million, with more than $6 million already allocated by the city. The leftover territory, costing $3.8 million, could be connected to the 2017 bond package May 6.

City officials plan to construct recreation facilities and other amenities there, while leaving the larger acreage in its natural state as a park and wilderness area open to the public.

Art Downey, Stone Oak Property Owners Association chairman, said he’s thrilled with San Antonio’s goals for the ranchland, including facilitating a major neighborhood roadway.

“First of all, the purchase of the land will allow the city to complete the Hardy Oak (Boulevard) extension,” Downey said. “It will also allow the city to connect Huebner (Road) to Hardy Oak. The Hardy Oak Extension will be a big help with traffic.”

Downey said he also looks forward to the public green space.

“It will allow the city to extend the wilderness-trail portion of Stone Oak Park Trail with the new park,” Downey said.

City and county leaders also announced strategies in recent months addressing traffic congestion on U.S. 281 and

AHEAD continues on pg. 12

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AHEAD continues from pg. 11 Interstate 10. Toll roads on 281 have been averted, but the Texas Transportation Commission approved a project that includes building high-occupancy vehicle lanes on sections of the two thoroughfares.

“After more than a decade of debate and discussion about how best to fix this traffic nightmare, we finally have a funding plan that will allow us to expand U.S. 281 without tolls,” said Kevin Wolff, Bexar County Precinct 3 commissioner. “Thanks to years of hard work by members of the community, the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority and Bexar County, we are on our way to solving this problem once and for all.”

HOV lanes, such as in Houston and Dallas, are reserved for buses, vanpooling or cars with more than one occupant.

The $300 million activity includes converting stretches of 281 from Loop 1604 and Borgfeld Drive into a six-lane freeway with two HOV lanes, one in each direction.

Also in the works is building two new lanes in each direction of I-10

DEC. 27, 2016 - JAN. 23, 2017 between La Cantera Parkway and Ralph Fair Road. One is for HOV transports, another is for all vehicles to use.

VIA Metropolitan Transit is planning corresponding bus service with the new HOV lanes, and will open a park-and-ride garage at the corner of Stone Oak Parkway and 281, plus a park-and-ride site for I-10.

Critics find HOV lanes a waste of taxpayer money.

Terri Hall, founder and director of Texans for Toll-free Highways and Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom, said HOV access means fewer passageways for regular commuters.

“A whole lot of our tax money is going into it, but it will not benefit a lot of our drivers,” she said. “It’s really not taking cars off the road. If it is not doing that, why are we building HOV lanes?”

Hall said if state and county officials want to reduce congestion, then increasing general-use lanes is the way to go.

“Adding additional lanes, opening the lanes to everybody, is the best solution to help alleviate traffic,” Hall said.

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Located in Stone Oak WILDFIRE continues from pg. 01

Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department has stations on Borgfeld Drive west of U.S. 281, and Bulverde Road east of 281, ready to answer various far North Side emergencies. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Neighbors create bonds with Firewise Communities

by EDMOND ORTIZ

R

esidents and officials in far north San Antonio and Bexar County say a new plan will help them raise awareness about dangerous area wildfires.

Over the summer, the city finished the community wildfire-protection initiative and incorporated it into its SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan.

The protection plan identifies risk levels of grass and brushfires, how neighborhoods can decrease threats, and shapes moves by first responders should a wildfire erupt.

City Council passed a resolution in December 2015, backing the plan’s creation. The initiative got a major boost when the San Antonio Fire Department accepted a $10,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg pushed for the plan. He and other local leaders have been particularly concerned

about the North Side’s further growth into wider, hilly, natural areas with densely populated developments.

District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher is another proponent.

“It was helpful to have the Texas A&M Forest Service come in and work with us,” Gallagher said.

His district has many newer far North Side developments and older neighborhoods and underdeveloped pockets of land inside loops 1604 and 410.

Fire officials term such regions a Wildland-Urban Interface, where manmade structures and other infrastructure mix with undeveloped wilderness or vegetative fuels.

Thus, population growth within these borders greatly increases risks. Studies indicate 79 percent of Texas wildfires occur within two miles of a community.

According to a Fire Department assessment, more than 40 greater Stone Oak and Encino Park neighborhoods and areas carry moderate wildfire risk.

Reporting 83 local wildfires from 2007 to October 2015, fire authorities blamed many flare-ups on so-called miscellaneous factors, but burning debris — mainly brush — sparked several others.

Local firefighters were busy in 2011 when a lengthy drought exacerbated dangerous conditions. In July, a Stone Oak

WILDIRE continues on pg. 14

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playground burned during a grass fire.

San Antonio firefighters handle blazes inside the city limits, while the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department tackles conflagrations in the unincorporated areas.

“We encourage communities to develop protection plans,” said Logan Scherschel, a Texas A&M Forest Service WUI specialist. Scherschel and colleagues worked with SAFD to discern high- and low-risk sectors citywide.

“We did risk assessments on each community,” Scherschel said, adding Ashe juniper (mountain cedar) is the biggest potential culprit of local brushfires.

Prolonged arid conditions, affecting more than a third of Texas, compound the issue.

Scherschel said newer North Side developments typically feature noncombustible materials, however, older neighborhoods remain unprepared.

Many characteristics determine how fast and large a brushfire develops: the density of a neighborhood’s tree canopy, proximity of edifices to foliage, and the amount of overgrowth, dead trees and brush.

“Terrain also plays a big factor in a fire’s behavior. Preheating of a fire happens as it moves upslope,” Scherschel added. Wildfire-protection plan goals include ensuring residents’ safety, limiting property loss and promoting maintenance of healthy ecosystems.

“A devastating wildfire can moonscape the landscape and make it difficult (to recover),” said SAFD Wildland Program Coordinator Capt. Brian Stanish.

The plan lists objectives such as identifying shelters for public evacuations; increasing education and awareness about evacuations and reducing risk; bolstering brush pickups; and working with state and city agencies to diminish fuel on public and private lands.

Gallagher said the plan helps support public education for neighborhoods.

“It’s going to require community awareness. People need to know a problem exists in our beltway,” he added.

Local officials also said San Antonio’s initiative could encourage area neighborhoods and towns to become Firewise Communities.

The National Fire Protection

In addition to the protection provided by agencies including the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department, neighborhoods on the far North Side are encouraged to become Firewise Communities, which follow a program to limit the danger of brushfires. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Association program has recognized more than 1,200 U.S. cities and neighborhoods, which followed a five-step process embracing proactive fire protection.

Such tips include inviting firefighters to neighborhood functions, where they discuss prevention or do a risk assessment.

A Stone Oak subdivision, Big Springs, is a Firewise Community, along with the cities of Shavano Park and Leon Valley, and Los Reyes Canyons neighborhood in Helotes.

Big Springs’ residents began working in early 2015 towards the recognition.

Viki Melton, Big Springs Homeowners Association president, and neighbor Richard Mori, spearheaded the cause by attending a workshop.

“We learned a great deal about how we could help our homeowners association be safer from fires,” Melton wrote residents via the HOA website.

Big Springs held a community event May 2, 2015, on NFPA’s Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. With help from SAFD, homeowners brought in a chipper.

Guided by arborists, some firefighters volunteered to trim or remove shrubbery around Big Springs’ Phillip Mueller Park and playground, while residents collected and hauled debris to the chipper.

Folks learned about fire prevention at the family-friendly gathering, where nearly 100 people participated.

“It was a great event that was really well-planned by the city’s fire and parks departments, and our HOA residents worked really hard,” Melton said. “It was a great opportunity for them to learn how to prevent (residential damage by) wildfires.”

For more about decreasing local wildfire risks, visit www.firewise. org and www.safdwildfire.com.

15

LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM CRAFT continues from pg. 01

Group is a way for ‘scrappers’ to connect

by NOI MAHONEY

P

icture this — for the past year, 15 women have come together once a month for meetings at the Parman Branch Library in Stone Oak. They love paper. They love scrapbooking. They love photos.

“Scrapbooking, for most of us, is about preserving memories,” said Christina Reyna, Papercrafting and Scrapbook Club founder. “We may all scrap different things — children, travel, pets, hobbies, but we all have the same goal: preserving memories.”

For members such as Tamara L. Tholl, joining the gathering was

also a way to make the acquaintance of others with shared interests.

“I recently moved to San Antonio from Canada and one of the first things I did was search for scrapbooking stores and groups,” Tholl said. “I found this group, and in the normal fashion of most of the ladies I have met in the scrapbooking world, they were very welcoming and helped me foster new friendships and made the transition easier.”

Reyna began renting space and hosting events at the library, located at 20735 Wilderness Oak Road, several years ago when local stores promoting scrapbooking began closing. After holding the get-together a couple of times, Parman director Haley Holmes asked Reyna if she wanted to lead a monthly scrapbooking group and open it to the public.

“I jumped at the opportunity,” Reyna said. “I became an official library volunteer and was given a six-month trial to see if there was interest in the community.”

The club has been going strong

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Papercrafting and Scrapbook Club members include Lily Maldonado (left), Bianca Benoit, Sarah Arrieta, Gracie Williams, Amarilis De la Garza, Virginia Delgado, Christina Reyna, Jessica Aceves, Hannah Yareli, Elena Perez and Kathy Hernandez. Courtesy photo

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CRAFT continues from pg. 15 since June 2015, with fresh faces always arriving, said Reyna.

“I lead the group every month. I put together a mini-project and am available to all attendees for questions, help, support, etcetera, as they work on their individual projects,” she said.

Scrapbooking consists of many different variations — from art journals to travel books. Reyna said each participant brings a unique style and personal touch to the table.

“Some members do pocket scrapbooking, similar to trade card sleeves (that) are used to insert pictures, paper cards, embellishments,” Reyna said. “Some use multiple photos in their layouts, some focus on a single photo. Some of our members dabble in multimedia and some even make their own albums out of heavy

cardboard. There is so much creativity and talent in the scrapbooking world.”

Tholl said creating scrapbooks gives her the opportunity to chronicle her family life while also remembering important events.

“I’m happy that I have been a ‘scrapper’ as we have lost some very important people in our family, and without my insistence on getting pictures to scrap we may not have as many ways to remember them and teach our children who they were,” Tholl said.

Most important, the club is a way members socialize and connect with other like-minded folks.

“I have made wonderful friends through the club,” said Hannah Yareli. “I love being able to gather as a group not only to scrapbook, but interact with others who enjoy this hobby as much as I do.”

If you’re thinking of joining this club where participants of all skill levels are welcome, or for exact dates and times, call 207-2703.

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LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM PREVIEW continues from pg. 01

School choice, border security, water issues on agendas

by WILL WRIGHT

C

urbing cities’ annexation powers and revising property-tax laws top the to-do lists of two state lawmakers representing the far North Side.

Elected leaders convene in Austin Jan. 10, adjournment is set for May 29.

District 25 Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, alongside House District 122 Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, are again vowing to support bills curtailing municipalities’ absorption of adjacent communities.

Their proposed legislation would allow residents in unincorporated areas to have a voice in the outcome.

The issue garnered headlines and generated controversy the past year, when San Antonio announced plans, later scaled back, to annex several regions in its extraterritorial jurisdiction.

A land-grab initiative north of Stone Oak and Encino Park to the Comal County line eventually was modified to include only a commercial corridor on U.S. 281. Yet, future annexation of residential areas remains viable, with annexation along the Interstate 10 corridor north of the University of Texas at San Antonio proceeding.

Those and other issues rate high for Campbell and Larson entering the 2017 legislative session.

LYLE LARSON, 57, a 1977 MacArthur High School and 1981 Texas A&M University graduate, served two terms as District 10 councilman and represented Bexar County Precinct 3 (1997-2008) before being elected to the Texas House in 2010. He was unopposed for reelection to a fourth two-year term in 2016, and has owned and operated a small business for nearly 30 years.

Larson cites water issues, child welfare, transportation, annexation and property-tax reform as his chief goals.

ANNEXATION Larson addressed the failure of state anti-annexation bills in 2015, but said, “We have not given up.” He added, “We will file (bills) in January that will allow residents to vote before being taxed by (an adjoining) municipality.”

He commended the efforts of San Antonio officials who amended the city’s annexation plan.

“While we are pleased the city is working toward an agreement that delays annexation of 281 neighborhoods, we are still working to prevent annexation of (those) in the Interstate 10 area.”

WATER ISSUES “We have major challenges ahead of us when it comes to securing Texas’ water future, but we’re confident it can be done if we continue working together … and resist the temptation to fight each other along arbitrary political boundaries,” he said.

He added, “We intend to file legislation to address groundwater regulation and incentivizing the use of technologies such as brackish desalination and aquifer storage and recovery to ensure we can meet the needs of our growing state.”

CHILD WELFARE “As you may know, state leaders recently instructed the Department of Family and Protective Services to develop a plan to immediately (enhance) state protection for children at risk of abuse,” Larson said. “The Legislature will address this challenge … (as) ensuring and protecting Texas children is a top priority.”

TRANSPORTATION Larson cited funds generated by voter approval of Proposition 1, and later Proposition 7, which allocates billions of dollars for Texas road improvements – without tolls – in upcoming years. The lawmaker said he remains committed to seeing area projects – including expansion of the north 281 corridor – become reality without additional taxpayer burden.

“San Antonio, which claims eight of the state’s most congested roadways, was awarded $170 million to build additional

PREVIEW continues on pg. 18

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PREVIEW continues from pg. 17 highway capacity,” he said. “One of (the) most congested is the section of U.S. 281 (extending north) from Loop 1604 to the (Comal) county line, (which) will soon be expanded, free of tolls.”

He added, “We are proud that over a decade of hard work has paid off.”

Larson noted construction bids expanding the first phase of 281

will go out in February, and the second phase by early 2019.

PROPERTY-TAX REFORM “Though the state does not levy a property tax and local governments are responsible for setting their own tax rates, it has become clear the Legislature must act to decrease (an) undue burden on state homeowners,” Larson said. “My office (will) file

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legislation to address this problem.”

Larson cited time spent by homeowners fighting higher appraisals, which result in tax hikes.

“We are drafting a bill that would prevent an appraisal district from increasing a valuation more than 5 percent, or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, following a year in which a settlement is reached,” he said.

DONNA CAMPBELL first entered office in 2013 and was re-elected in 2014. A parent of four, the 62-year-old physician lists property-tax reform and curbing annexation high on her agenda. Other focal points include school choice, ending subsidies and sanctuary for undocumented aliens, and enhancing border security through military preparedness.

ANNEXATION “We need to pass reform, and I will make another effort this session to protect private property rights by ending forced annexation,” Campbell said. “No Texas citizen should become a forced taxpaying resident of a city without the freedom to vote or have a say in the process.”

PROPERTY-TAX REFORM Campbell said she aims to “rein in bad behavior, fiscal

irresponsibility and skyrocketing property taxes at the local level.”

She added, “I will make a strong effort to protect taxpayers and homeowners through major property-tax reform, (which includes) lowering the rollback tax rate and initiating a vote by the citizens if a city or county sets a tax rate in which revenue exceeds the rollback rate.”

SCHOOL CHOICE “(It) continues to be a priority of mine … so many parents feel their child is trapped in a failing, troubled or chronically underperforming school,” she said. “We need greater transparency of how schools are performing and (offer parents) increased access to opportunities to ensure their child’s specific educational needs are being met.”

BORDER ISSUES “We need to protect our military installations and the $150 billion (annual) economic impact they bring into our state by investing in them and shoring up their ‘mission-readiness,’” she said.

“We must do everything we can to prevent future base closures and secure the jobs of Texas military families.”

According to Campbell, “Finally we must secure the border, end tuition subsidies for illegal immigrants, and ban sanctuary cities that encourage unlawful behavior and undermine our legal immigration system.”

The Legislature gavels into session Jan. 10 in Austin, with at least two area lawmakers seeking sweeping reforms.

Courtesy photo

19

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Buck's BBQ on the North Side features menu items including pulled-pork sliders (above) and frozen margaritas and Texas Picnic Punch (below). Patrons can also watch all the latest games on one of six flatscreen televisions. Photos by Collette Orquiz

Barbecue with southof-the-border accents

by GABY GALINDO

B

uck’s BBQ, which opened Aug. 1, offers country ambience while serving up barbecue and the flavors of Mexico.

Located at 203 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 180, Buck’s BBQ is part of a family restaurant chain that includes Scuzzi’s Italian Grill, Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen and Papa Nachos Cantina.

General manager John Flores describes Buck’s BBQ as a “very unique restaurant that offers full-service dining, and the only restaurant in San Antonio to incorporate Mexican cuisine with barbecue.”

“Some of our dishes include brisket nachos, street tacos, Turkey Diablo (smoked turkey with delicious mild cream sauce on top), sausage fondue, brisket brochette and more,” he added.

Flores said he is a fan of the restaurant’s barbecue chimichanga, which comes with a choice of smoked meat, beans, Monterey

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