LOCAL: Stone Oak, Encino Park, North Central, 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261 January 2015 by San Antonio Local Community News

TROUBLED WATERS PG.13

Far North Side residents claim SAWS wrongly targeting them as water wasters EAT LOCAL

PG.29 KOYLA GRILLE Delights from India and Pakistan are on the menu

PG.28 CLAUDE HOPPER'S San Antonio's latest growler station offers Texas beers

COMMUNITY NEWS VOL. 1, ISSUE 8

STONE OAK

ENCINO PARK

PUSHING BOUNDARIES PG.17 in North Bexar County

FAR NORTH

78258 78259 78260 78261

DEC. 29, 2014 - JAN. 26, 2015

San Antonioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big annexation plans include large tract north of Stone Oak, Encino Park

SCHOOLS IN YOUR COMMUNITY

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Middle School students now zoned for Reagan High PG.22 Prize possible

as Reagan High garden takes root, flourishes

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FROM THE EDITOR tedwards@salocallowdown.com

President Harold J. Lees Publisher Gregg Rosenfield Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton EDITORIAL Executive Editor Thomas Edwards News Staff Collette Orquiz, Bain Serna and Will Wright Contributing Writers Olivier J. Bourgoin, Jacque Crouse, Ron Aaron Eisenberg, Eric Moreno, Arthur Schechter, Travis E. Poling and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Florence D. Edwards Production Designer Pete Morales Contributing Photographer Rudy B. Ornelas Contributing Illustrator Jeremiah Teutsch ADVERTISING Advertising Director Jaselle Luna Account Manager Amber Montemayor Controller Keith Sanders READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Phone Fax (210) 338.8842 (210) 616.9677

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Advertising Inquiries jluna@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 3: 78216, 78232, 78247 Zone 4: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 Zone 5: 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266 For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 San Antonio, TX 78229 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2015 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

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7/16/14 2:18 PM

Every group has a few bad apples

he national dialogue about police conduct has taken an ugly turn, and much of the bellicosity directed at law enforcement is nothing short of ludicrous. I spent more than half of my career as a reporter covering police, county law enforcement and federal agents. Like many people, I have some questions about the Eric Garner case in New York. But based on my experiences, I can say the system in the San Antonio area to catch bad cops does work. I wrote about cops under indictment, cops who went to trial, cops suspended by their chief or civil service commission, cops handed indefinite suspensions, cops forced to retire… And yet for every one of those aberrations, I could list hundreds of other officers who just did their jobs; who put up with an amazing amount of verbal abuse and eternal paperwork; who went on mind-numbing calls that ranged from parents who couldn’t control their own kids to frightened grannies scared by a raccoon in the house; and who saw more unrelenting violence than most people can comprehend. To the critics I would say: Talk to the officer who just handled the case of a baby with its skull bashed in, the same officer who has to go home and tell his or her spouse with a forced smile that it was just another day on the job, and then hug his or her own child like the world is filled with rainbows and unicorns. I wonder if the naysayers know what that’s like. Constructive criticism is helpful, but it needs to be honest. Don’t tar and feather all police because of a few rotten apples. If critics want anarchy, then let’s just do away with law enforcement. Otherwise, tone down the rhetoric and engage the brain. Every profession has its sinners … and saints.

THOMAS EDWARDS EXECUTIVE EDITOR FACEBOOK.COM/SALOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS

SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

LOCAL COMMENTARY

San Antonio a world-class city without NFL by SUSAN YERKES

hristmas is over, and Santa failed to deliver a major league football team to our collective stockings, despite the recent ballyhoo about the Oakland Raiders possibly relocating here. But, a lot of folks still have visions of the NFL dancing in their heads. So as the new year begins, I’d like to offer a reminder, and propose a toast. First, the reminder. When it comes to courting major league teams, the Raiders are not our first rodeo. The Alamodome was built after voters approved the $177 million project, thanks in part to a powerful public-relations

campaign headed by former Mayor Henry Cisneros and then-Spurs' owner Red McCombs. One of the major selling points was the idea that if we built a state-of-theart football stadium, San Antonio stood a good chance of getting an NFL team to play there, despite widespread skepticism. The skeptics proved right. Of course, the Alamodome was also sold as an expanded convention facility – fortunately, as it turned out — although it took awhile for the venue to hit its stride. The Alamodome opened in 1993, the same year Cisneros decamped to Washington, D.C., to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The dome was a “legacy” project for him. More than two decades later, Cisneros is still on the NFL bandwagon. Things heated up this summer, when the Raiders, with their current lease on Alameda County’s aging O.co Coliseum about to expire, weren’t getting far in their push for a proposed $800 million new stadium. And presto! Suddenly, they were entertaining new suitors. Some reasoned San Antonio’s a perfect fit for the Raiders. It’s hard to take the idea very seriously. Oakland is the nation’s fourthlargest media market. San Antonio is the 36th largest and no amount of annexation is going to change that anytime soon. The Bay Area boasts six times as many major

corporate headquarters, and has a much larger pool of dollars for premium seating and sponsorship. If the Raiders do anything, they’re more likely to return to Los Angeles. Even though it’s conceivable that an NFL team might play in the Alamodome for a time (the New Orleans Saints practiced and played three games here in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina), folks on the inside of the Raiders talks were pretty candid about the fact we’d eventually have to build a new stadium to keep the team here. Why would our leaders even seriously contemplate doing that? Back when the Alamodome was built, there was a lot of talk about how an NFL team would help sell San Antonio as a “world-class city.” The NFL didn’t come, but San Antonio is a world-class city anyway. We have the five-time NBA champion Spurs, one of the coolest collective class acts in sports, the WNBA San Antonio Stars and the AHL San Antonio Rampage, all playing in the AT&T Center. The Alamodome has hosted five Men's and/ or Women's NCAA Final Four basketball tournaments and a U.S. Olympic Festival.

(We just snagged another Final Four for 2018, to which the city’s committing $44 million more in Alamodome upgrades.) The dome has proved a fantastic home for our town’s only NCAA FBS team, the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Roadrunners, and high school playoff games. Not to mention hundreds of events from monster truck jams to rock concerts. And in December, Major League Soccer officials confirmed San Antonio is among four cities being considered for a new MLS team in the latest league expansion. There’s much more than sports to being a world-class city. In a 2014 Forbes magazine report comparing the business climates of 200 major U.S. metro areas, San Antonio ranked sixth. Oakland came in 62nd. We’re on a roll here, and Mayor Ivy Taylor is correct to focus on education and economic development, rather than put too much effort into pie-in-the-sky NFL dealings. And now for that New Year’s toast, in the form of a cheer: “Go Raiders! Just go someplace else!” Email Yerkes at syerkes@ salocallowdown.com.

THERE’S MUCH MORE THAN SPORTS TO BEING A WORLD-CLASS CITY.

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DEC. 29, 2014 - JAN 26, 2015

OUR TURN Views and opinions about your community

Services must be there for annexation

an Antonio is looking at its largest land grab in 20 years, a move that could annex five areas equal to 66 square miles and make the city the fifth largest in the nation.

Before city leaders do such a thing, they must first make sure they can provide adequate police, fire and ambulance services; take care of infrastructure such as bridges, streets and drainage; and build or maintain parks and libraries. If the city is incapable of handling such a load, then those areas — which would add about 200,000 people to San Antonio’s population — should stay outside the city limits. It’s not worth straining the city’s resources just so San Antonio can be bigger than Phoenix and Philadelphia. The city is looking at Interstate 10 West, U.S. 281 North to near the Comal County line, I-10 East, Texas 151 and U.S. 90/Loop 1604. According to District 9 Councilman

Joe Krier, if the move goes through from 2015 to 2020, it would be a limited-purpose annexation. There will be no city services, no collection of property or sales taxes during the first three years. Although residents can vote in City Council and recall elections, they are not eligible to run for office during that time, nor can they cast ballots in a bond election. However, the city can require permits and fees for commercial and residential buildings. The areas in question are all rapid-growth sectors. No doubt politcos are rubbing hands at the thought of all the new taxes. True, it can be argued that residents from the five areas driving on San Antonio streets and using San Antonio resources should pay their fair share, but there is little doubt some do not want to become part of the Alamo City. For one thing, there are fewer regulations in unincorporated areas, compared to city ordinances that cover everything from historic preservation to code compliance. Public hearings will be held in the fall. Residents should come armed with questions. If San Antonio is going to dip into their wallets, they need to be assured of adequate public services. -The Local Community News editorial board includes Harry Lees, Gregg Rosenfield and Thomas Edwards.

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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 Every Tuesday 6-7:30 p.m. the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., hosts a potpourri of activities for teenagers, 13-18. Everything from board games to crafting to cooking may be on the agenda. Have fun, chill out and make new friends. For more, call Marisa DeBow at 207-2703 or email marisa.debow@sanantonio.gov.

WEEKLY

JAVA WITH JOE District 9 Councilman Joe Krier’s weekly meetings on Wednesdays at his field office, 16500 U.S. 281 North at Thousand Oaks Drive, Suite 290, is taking a coffee break during December. Constituents Chief Adam Trevino expects the public conversations to resume in January after the holidays. For more information, with exact dates and times, email adam. trevino@sanantonio.gov or call 207-0955.

WEEKLY

TALK

OUTDOOR

MUSIC

FOOD

LIBRARY CLOSING The Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., will be closed due to New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

DEC. 31 & JAN 1, 19

EMBRACE THE SEASON Visit the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., all month (except holiday closings) until 8 p.m. each day, and enjoy the library’s Winter Walk. The community event for all ages starts by the playground and follows the trail behind the library to see winter scenes and holiday lights. For more, contact the library staff at 207-2703 or visit www.mysapl.org.

WALK WITH A DOC The first Saturday of each month, come to the parking lot at Stone Oak Hospital Medical Offices, 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd. at 9 a.m. for fun, educational and healthy exercise. Supported by the Texas Medical Association and powered by Stone Oak Women’s Center, Wellness Division, the community walk is for everyone interested in taking steps for a better lifestyle. While strolling at your own pace, have questions answered by local physicians. For more, call 6142229 or visit www.walkwithadoc.org.

DISTRICT 26-6A HIGH SCHOOL JAN BOYS BASKETBALL 2 While Johnson and Reagan tipped off the 2014-15 campaigns earlier in

NEISD BREAK There will be THROUGH no classes in the North East JAN 4 Independent School District during winter break, with school resuming

THROUGH DEC 31

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November, divisional play for the Jaguars and Rattlers commences with the new year. Blossom Athletic Center Littleton Gym, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road, is the site for daylong action, including Johnson visiting Lee at 2 p.m. and Reagan hosting Roosevelt at 8 p.m. For a complete list of this season’s North East Independent School District’s high school basketball games for boys and girls, visit http:// www.neisd.net/athletics/winter-sports/ documents/2014-15VarsityBB.pdf.

Sundays

8:30 -Contemporary Worship 9:45 - Bible Study 11:00 - Traditional Worship

Pastor - Steve Graves

12615 San Pedro San Antonio, TX ShearerHills.org 210-545-2300

JAN 4

Jan. 5. Also, campuses will be closed Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. SHAPING UP FOR THE NEW YEAR While the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., is usually a place to exercise your mind, on Mondays (except Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day), come by Meeting Room B at 10 a.m. and exercise your body. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department offers Fitness in the Park, a year-round, free program. Learn & Burn is a 10-minute health-education class followed by 30 to 40 minutes of exercise. For more, contact the library staff at 207-2703 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/ parksandrec/fitness_in_the_parks.aspx.

JAN 5, 12 & 26

HELP PETS, FILL TUMMY From 4-9 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, Trilogy Pizza & Wine Bistro, 19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 113, donates 15 percent of every purchase to Pets Alive. For more, visit www.sanantoniopetsalive.org.

JAN 7

JAN 10

SAT PRACTICE Teenage students can prepare for the college-entry examination 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HAPPENING continues on pg. 08

DEC. 29, 2014 - JAN 26, 2015

HAPPENINGS continues from pg. 07 by taking a practice SAT test and getting positive feedback. Know exactly what to expect on the big day and get a complete analysis of your results. Bring a calculator to the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St. Registration is required. For more, call the library staff at 207-2703. SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Trustees of the North East Independent School District regularly meet 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at 8961 Tesoro Drive. To confirm dates and times, call 407-0533.

JAN 12

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FIND INNER PEACE Experience the art of living. Find happiness and relieve stress as instructor Shantanu Tripathy guides you through free meditation sessions at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., 1-3 p.m. every third Saturday each month in Meeting Room A. For more, call 207-2703 or email Amy Miller at amy.miller@sanantonio.gov.

JAN 17

CALLING ALL SINGLE SENIORS Are you 50 or over? If so, fellowship, games, fun and lunch await noon-4 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Cornerstone Church’s Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway. Cost is $3 and reservations must be made in advance by calling Jeannine Owens at 821-5073.

JAN 17

PUTTING THE “HEAL” IN “HEALTH” Realize your own healing potential 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St. Mastering and balancing your body’s energy and keeping it flowing smoothly could result in reducing pain, breathing more easily, sleeping better and gaining vitality. Learn helpful information and practice Spring Forest Qigong exercises in a supportive environment. Practicing in a group helps magnify the energy and healing. No experience necessary. Dress comfortably in nonrestrictive clothes. Exercises can

JAN 15

be modified for standing, sitting or lying down. For more, contact the library staff at 207-2703 or visit www.mysapl.org.

RESTAURANT WEEK Culinaria, which promotes San Antonio as a wine and food destination, has launched a second yearly edition of its popular dining fest. Special three-course lunch and dinner menus will be offered at two price levels: $10 lunch/$25 dinner and $15 lunch/$35 dinner. Participating restaurants include Mellow Mushroom,

JAN 19-24

115 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 2100; Umai Mi, 555 W. Bitters Road; and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 7720 Jones-Maltsberger Road. Call the restaurants for reservations, which are suggested but not required. SINGLES MIXER Companionship and dinner is on the menu at 7 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at Cornerstone Church’s Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway. The evolving ministry, Singles with Purpose, is a get-together for adults ages 35-50. Cost is $3. For more call 490-1600 or visit www. sacornerstone.org/singles/dinner/fellowship.

JAN 20

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD The public is invited to the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., to sound off when the San Antonio Public Library board of trustees convene at 4:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A. For more, call Jessica Ramos at 207-2632 or email Jessica.ramos@sanantonio.gov.

JAN 28

INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT Applications are being accepted for competing in the Texas International Pageant, which has competitions for Mrs., Miss and Miss

ONGOING

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HAPPENING continues on pg. 09

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VETERAN ART SHOW The Institute of Texas Cultures is presenting the fifth annual Distinguished Artist Veteran Art Show, featuring works by more than a dozen men and women from Texas who have served the country. The paintings, sculptures, drawings and jewelry deal with ideas and issues drawn from their experiences

ELSEWHERE

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CAMP BROADWAY REGISTRATION Youths age 10 to 17 can sign up now for next summer’s weeklong immersion in stageshow production. Broadway professionals will provide instruction, master classes and seminars for aspiring performers Aug. 3-7 at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. Register online at www.campbroadway.com.

ONGOING

JAN 4

Happy Hour M-F 3-6pm 50% Off All Beer, Wine and Select Appetizers • Local, Healthy & Fresh • Lunch Specials 11am - 2pm • Dairy & gluten free menu • Vegan menu option available • Food Allergy accommodating

Teen Texas International. San Antonio winners will be selected and will take part in the state competition March 13-15 at the Granville Arts Center in Garland. The international pageant is in Florida in July. For more information, and to find application forms, go to http://www. mrstexasinternational.com, http://www. misstexasinternational.com and http:// www.missteentexasinternational.com.

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM HAPPENINGS continues from pg. 08 and struggles. The exhibit is open during regular hours at the Institute, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission prices range from $6 to $8. The Institute is at 801 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd. FICTION CONTEST The San Antonio Book Festival is looking for fiction works by young writers to showcase as part of next spring’s event. Original works by writers in three divisions – grades seven/eight, nine/10 and 11/12 – should follow the theme of “A Chest in the Attic …” and be no more than 1,500 words. Of the works submitted by the Jan. 12 deadline, 30 finalists will be notified by Feb. 3 and winners will be announced during a surprise visit to their classrooms Feb. 24. The Book Festival is April 11. Official rules are at http:// www.saplf.org/festival/fiction-contest/.

JAN 12

YOGA MOVIE An exclusive screening of “Awake: The Life of Yogananda” is 7 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Park North, 618 N.W. Loop 410, to raise funds in support of Yoga Day. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The Union Yoga & Strength, www.

JAN 15

Pre-K through 8th Grade

theunionsa.com, or Nydia’s Yoga Therapy at www.nydiasyogatherapy.com. Yoga Day is dedicated to improving people’s lives through yoga. For more on Yoga Day, call 429-4136 or visit www.yogadayus.com. “GREAT ART FOR A GREAT CAUSE” The Alamo Kiwanis 52nd annual Western & Heritage Art Show is set for the Lonesome Dove Room of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and will feature more than 300 works of Southwestern art by 40 painters and four sculptors. The fundraiser provides support for local children’s charities. The artwork, which is for sale, can be viewed before the exhibition at www.kiwanisartshow.com. The website also contains artists’ biographies. The RK Group will provide culinary creations, music is by The Countrymen and there is a Hill Country casino for those who want to spin the wheel. VIP guests get an exclusive one-hour showing at 6:30 p.m. before the doors open to the public. For more on tickets (which start at $150 per person), parking and other details, call 226-4651 or visit www.alamokiwanis.org.

JAN 16

EDUCATING BOYS FOR LIFE SINCE 1886

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San Antonio Academy admits students of all race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

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DEC. 29, 2014 - JAN 26, 2015

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

Open and Opening Soon

Address of local business Name of local business

1. THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL, 20615

Huebner Road, is a Spanish-immersion nursery and preschool where 6-weekold infants to children age 5 learn Spanish as a second language, as well as Latin culture. The school is slated to open in February. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed on weekends. For more, call 694-0740, email info@pineappleschool. com or visit www.pineappleschool. com. (See story on page 26)

4 6

2. KOYLA GRILLE, 21003 Encino Commons Blvd., Suite 110, opened a few months ago to offer the tastes of India and Pakistan. Diners will find Indian staples including biryani, saag paneer, samosas and pakoras; an assortment of goat dishes (both Indian and Pakistani); and Pakistani selections such as achaar chicken. The butter chicken and tandoori meats are also popular with patrons, according to the kitchen staff. A full bar with a happy hour is in the works.

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4. FITNESS HQ, 139 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 100, is a one-stop shop for exercise enthusiasts to find the right fitness equipment, while also offering delivery, installation and service featuring the leading brands. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. For more, call 6998100 or visit www.fitnessheadquarters. com. (See story on page 27)

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3. CLAUDE HOPPER’S, 19718 Blanco Road, is a new beer garden with growlers and craft food. Hours are 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday. For more, call 479-5445 or visit www.claudehoppers.com. (See story on page 28)

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AREA OFFICIALS AND THE REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL COLOR GUARD were among those turning out for a recent groundbreaking ceremony to launch Dwell at Legacy apartments, billed as a “hip, modern take to urban living” with an eye toward attracting Gen Y residents and others. After receiving zoning approval, Embrey Partners Ltd. started developing the 8.28 acres of commercially zoned land in the Legacy Shopping Center into a future apartment community. Located at 1810

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM LOWDOWN continues from pg. 10 E. Sonterra Blvd., close to several stores and restaurants, Dwell at Legacy is scheduled to open in late June 2015. The development will include three-story buildings, and one four-story with an elevator, tuck-under and surface parking, private garages and detached carports available for renting. The 289 apartments range from 550 square feet for a onebedroom unit to 1,200 square feet for two bedrooms. Plans call for an oversized clubhouse porch, an infinity-edge pool with cabanas and a bark park for residents’ dogs. “We are delighted to be working with John Santikos on this next phase of development for Legacy,” said John Kirk, executive vice president for development at Embrey. It’s the first project Embrey has done with San Antonio movie and real estate mogul Santikos. ART DOWNEY, WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF THE CITY’S STONE OAK PARK and helped establish Friends of Stone Oak Park, was recognized in a recent newsletter by District 9 Councilman Joe Krier for his service on the Joint City/County Citizens Bond Oversight Commission. He was just reappointed to the commission, officials

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said. Downey retired as a colonel from the Army in 1991 and has worked on many area boards and commissions to improve the community, Krier said. Downey is a Vietnam veteran and has been stationed in Korea, Turkey and Germany. In addition, he is the San Antonio River Authority’s representative on the Bexar Regional Watershed Management Improvement Advisory Committee and recently served on the board of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, Krier said. CPS ENERGY PLANS TO BUILD A NEW ELECTRIC SUBSTATION in far north Bexar County. The Bulverde Substation will provide more electric capacity needed in the fast-growing area near U.S. 281 and FM 1863, said District 9 Councilman Joe Krier. “I moved to authorize CPS Energy to secure about 5 acres for the substation, with construction set to begin in mid-2016,” he recently said. According to CPS officials, the project consists of building a new substation, transmission lines and associated distribution lines. KAREN FUNK HAS BEEN NAMED THE FIRST FEMALE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR for the North East Independent School

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12 LOWDOWN continues from pg. 11 District, succeeding Jerry Comalander after he announced his retirement in September. The board of trustees approved her appointment Dec. 8. Funk, 56, was the volleyball coach for 14 years at Madison High School. She joined Comalander’s staff in 2000 as an assistant athletic director, then was named girls’ athletic director in 2011. Comalander, who was named NEISD athletic director in 1989 will stay on through Jan. 31, and Funk moves into her new job in February, officials said. AT JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL, STUDENTS WITH THE ADVANCEMENT VIA INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION collegepreparation program recently participated in a toy drive to aid the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, hosted by the student council. A FOURTH-GRADER AT STONE OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THOMAS YARRINGTON’S class recently was honored by Think Through Math, an online problem-solving program in which students who earn points donate those points for dollars that go to a charity. The student, whose full name was not released by the school, won

DEC. 29, 2014 - JAN 26, 2015 35,000 points, a top ranking in the nation, and donated them to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, officials said. REACHING OUT TO HELP ITS SISTER SCHOOL, the Stone Oak Elementary School Student Council collected $1,388.80 for Dellview Elementary School during the annual “Feathers for Dellview” fundraiser, school officials said. In November, the council encouraged Stone Oak students to donate 25 cents per feather. Teachers said each classroom posted a bald turkey on the door, and when a donation was made, a feather was attached to the design. The funds helped Dellview families buy food for Thanksgiving. THE REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM took home the sweepstakes for second-place speech team and third place overall for the speech and debate team. Members competed at the University of Texas Longhorn Classic tournament Dec. 5-6. More than 120 schools entered. According to officials, individual finalists included Caroline King in dramatic, prose and oratory; Juan Nunez in humorous and oratory; and Christina Gayton in humorous and poetry. The coach is Katie Boles.

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM WATERS continues from pg. 01

More neighbors say they are prepared to fight utility by RON AARON EISENBERG

esidents in the upscale Rogers Ranch neighborhood on the far North Side claim the San Antonio Water System is wrongly targeting them as water wasters.

The citations — which some say don’t hold water — have led to court costs, time lost from work and even the expense of commissioning independent reports on water usage. A few Rogers Ranch homeowners wonder if SAWS is specifically pursuing the subdivision north of Loop 1604, a charge denied by utility officials. One of those taking SAWS to task is Walter Root, who said he and several neighbors have been cited in error. “I was cited for watering the morning of Aug. 15, a Saturday, even though my system is set not to water on Saturdays,”

Root said. “I went to Municipal Court to challenge the ticket. When they asked me how I wanted to plead, I said, ‘not guilty.’” His case is set for trial Jan. 14. When Root commented about his SAWS citation on a free private social network for neighborhoods, he found others in the same boat. “Dozens of people responded to my post and said they’d been cited too,” Root said. “They all claimed they’d been wrongly cited, but paid the fines because they could not afford to take off from work to fight SAWS in court.” Root said he’s confronting SAWS because many Rogers Ranch residents have been erroneously fined, which can get expensive. “I can manage to take off work to go to court, so in a way I am representing all of my neighbors in this fight. We’ve lived here for five years,” Root said. “After we first moved in we got a citation. I knew we didn’t do it, but I paid the fine anyway. This time I am not going to pay.” SAWS officials see things differently. “I can’t imagine why we’d be especially concerned with one neighborhood over another,” said Anne Hayden, a SAWS spokeswoman. She also rejected the idea SAWS was

WATERS continues on pg. 14

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WATERS continues from pg. 13 spotlighting Root’s community, “but if officers go into one neighborhood and see violations and they cite residents, they tend to go back to the area to see if the problems have stopped once homes have been cited,” Hayden added. According to SAWS, summonses can come from either employees or police officers, and the utility’s website also has a form for neighbors wishing to report suspected violations. The goal is to help conserve water, especially during the drought, SAWS officials said. Citation recipients are required to appear in the environmental court at Municipal Court, 401 S. Frio St., where a judge may hand down a fine, assess probation and court costs, dismiss the charge or follow another course of action. Those ignoring a summons could have a warrant issued for their arrest, according to SAWS. Other Rogers Ranch residents have stories similar to Root’s about clashes with SAWS, a municipally owned utility which handles water delivery, treatment and reuse in the region. “SAWS claims we were watering at 4 a.m. one morning, which my husband

IF THEY CAN’T MAKE THEIR RESTRICTIONS CLEAR, THEY ARE ONLY ANTAGONIZING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THEIR CUSTOMERS. LOUIS MANZ, ROGERS RANCH RESIDENT

and I know is not permitted,” said Kathy Goei, “but I also know for a fact that was not the case. Our sprinkler was off.” To get out of hot water, the Goeis opted for the legal route. “We both took off work and went to the courthouse on two occasions to challenge the citation,” she said, adding they brought with them an independent

WATERS continues on pg. 15

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM WATERS continues from pg. 14 expert’s analysis of their sprinkler system confirming it was working properly. “We paid $100 for the report,” Goei said. “Plus, we lost money by not going to work.” The case was dismissed, Goei said, “because the officer who cited us as a water waster failed to show up in court.” They were asked “if we would agree to a continuance, because apparently the officer was in an in-service training and could not be in court that morning. We told them, ‘no,’ so the case was dismissed,” she added. According to Hayden, that case was in 2013. Goei said they received another citation for improper sprinkler use again this year, but rather than fight, the couple decided it was cheaper to just pay the fine and be done. Hayden confirmed the Goeis were ticketed again this year and said the average fine for unlawful sprinkler operation including court costs is about $140 per incident. “Some residents just pay the fines rather than go to court,” Hayden said. “The amount is often less than their monthly water bill. Any fines paid go into the city general fund and not to SAWS.” According to Karen Guz, the conservation director at SAWS, in September the Goeis

“used more than 29,000 gallons of water, which is more than 99 percent of (what) SAWS customers use in a month. We’d be happy to send one of our technicians out to their house to educate them on water use.” Another Rogers Ranch resident upset with SAWS is Louis Manz. “I am one of the ones who got ‘tagged’ by SAWS for watering on supposedly the wrong day,” Manz said, “but the day they cited me for improper watering was my authorized watering day, unless they changed something and I did not get a clear notice about the change. I believe this is one of the most egregious, bureaucratic things I have seen the city of San Antonio do.” “If they can’t make their restrictions clear, they are only antagonizing the people who are supposed to be their customers. I have always had respect for SAWS; they have been a good service provider up until now. If I am tagged for a fine, I intend to fight it,” he said. Manz said he knows of another neighbor cited as a water waster who just paid the fine, and understands several neighbors on adjacent streets have also been ticketed for improper watering. To learn more about SAWS, wateruse citations and the environmental court, visit http://www.saws.org/ Conservation/WaterWaste/citation.cfm.

HARDY OAK continues from pg. 01

Traffic flow, roadway safety will be improved, councilman says by BAIN SERNA

onstruction on an extension of Hardy Oak Boulevard to Knights Cross Drive is set for a January start to improve roadway safety and the flow of traffic, city officials said.

A construction project to extend Hardy Oak Boulevard to Knights Cross Drive begins in January and will take an estimated 10 months to finish, officials said. Photo by Rudy B. Ornelas

A bond issue approved by voters in May 2012 funds the $8.8 million project, which will extend Hardy Oak from Stone Oak Parkway to Knights Cross. “In the end, this new four-lane divided roadway — complete with bicycle lanes, curbs, sidewalks, driveway approaches, traffic-signal and drainage improvements — will improve the quality of life for residents who live in the area,” said District 9 Councilman Joe Krier.

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Neighbors learned more details of the project during a Nov. 17 gettogether at Coronado at Stone Oak. “Staff members with the department of Transportation & Capital Improvements led the meeting and answered questions about the upcoming construction to extend Hardy Oak Boulevard from Stone Oak Parkway to Knights Cross,” Krier said. The Hardy Oak expansion will provide more space on the road to better accommodate drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, according to city officials. “The project will create a new, fourlane divided roadway with a shared-use path and sidewalks,” said Melissa Sparks, a spokeswoman for Transportation & Capital Improvements. “The appropriate drainage will also be included. The new roadway will run from Stone Oak Parkway to Knights Cross, connecting the existing portions of Hardy Oak.” The planned extension of Hardy Oak will also provide another segment of roadway for traffic to get to the new Las Lomas Elementary School. After this stretch of Hardy Oak is complete, there will only be one more remaining, which is from the school to Sonterra Boulevard, Sparks added.

A 2012 bond project approved by San Antonio voters paved the way for the extension of Hardy Oak Boulevard to Knights Cross Drive. Photo by Rudy B. Ornelas

“The Hardy Oak project is important for connectivity,” she said. “This area has many residents and connecting the two completed portions of Hardy Oak will create more efficient travel.” The work will also alleviate traffic congestion on Knights Cross, including the creation of a sidewalk, which can be used by both cyclists and pedestrians. Overall, the 2012 bond allows the city to work on 58 street and drainage projects across San Antonio. After the roadwork commences in 2015, the lengthening of Hardy Oak is estimated to take about 10 months to complete, officials said.

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Public hearings start in September and October by SUSAN YERKES

an Antonio is growing by leaps and bounds, and its broadening borders could someday include a big chunk of the far North Side — but only if sufficient public facilities are available, a city leader said.

In December, the City Council approved a plan to annex up to 66 square miles of unincorporated areas, and some 220,000 residents, from 201520, possibly making San Antonio the fifth-largest U.S. city, instead of seventh, greater than Philadelphia or Phoenix. While he has supported “thoughtful annexation,” District 9 Councilman Joe Krier said he would approach this “mega-annexation” carefully. “We need to answer some questions. Can the city provide adequate services — libraries, parks, police and fire, streets

17 and drainage, and those things — to all those new areas, still fully serving the areas we already have?” queried Krier, whose jurisdiction could encompass a portion of the proposed annexation. The far North Side tract totals 7,687 acres, and almost 25,000 residents, according to Census 2010. The five territories under consideration include more than 14 square miles alongside Camp Bullis bordering Interstate 10 West, 12 square miles down U.S. 281 North towards the Comal County line, nearly 13 square miles beside 1-10 East inside Loop 1604, 14-plus square miles around Texas 151 along Culebra Road, and nearly 13 square miles adjacent to the Lackland Training Annex in the vicinity of U.S. 90 at 1604. “San Antonio hasn’t done a big annexation in over 20 years,” Krier said. “When Henry Cisneros was mayor and I was at the (Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce), the city did small annexations every couple of years, so there was time for things to be comfortably incorporated. Before I got on the council, they asked the staff to come up with a comprehensive plan for the future.” Krier noted burgeoning cities such as San Antonio need periodic expansion to

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BOUNDARIES continues from pg. 17 avoid becoming landlocked, surrounded by incorporated municipalities and other areas, and unable to regulate growth. “The reason we are the secondlargest city in Texas (behind Houston) is because Dallas can’t grow anymore,” he said. “(Dallas) abandoned annexation, let other cities form around them, and lost their ability to control their future.” Under the plan, Krier’s District 9 includes what he calls “a huge chunk that marches straight out 281,” including Sendero Ranch, Canyon Springs Ranch, Summerglen, Lookout Canyon, Northwood Hills and other neighborhoods. Timberwood Park, contiguous to some of the proposed area, isn’t included. The city agreed a few years back not to revisit full annexation there for 25 years. Efforts to incorporate Timberwood Park also have failed. The current proposal by the city’s Department of Planning & Community Development recommends five separate “priority-area” extraterritorial jurisdictions in a 5-mile radius around San Antonio’s city limits, which eventually could be annexed. Three — including land swaths near 281 North and the far North Side’s I-10 West — will be the focus of research, public

A map presented to City Council shows the tracts in north Bexar County that San Antonio is considering annexing. Courtesy illustration

hearings and council deliberations starting in September and October, with viable limited-purpose annexation by early 2016. Such designations don’t make areas formal parts of San Antonio. Instead, it’s the city’s way of saying it’s closely scrutinizing pros and cons.

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SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM BOUNDARIES continues from pg. 18 If limited-purpose annexation is approved, the city spends three years weighing the various costs and benefits of full annexation. In the interim, city services such as police and fire, drainage and street maintenance aren’t extended. Neither city sales taxes nor city property taxes – which currently run about double the county’s residential property taxes — are assessed. Residents may vote in city elections, but not on bond issues, and they can’t run for city office. However, San Antonio does exert some control, requiring city permits and fees for commercial and residential buildings. “By 2040, San Antonio is expected to grow by more than a million residents. Annexation allows the city to ensure certain standards of land use and new construction quality are upheld,” said John Dugan, director of city Planning and Community Development. “The last citywide comprehensive plan for future growth was in 1978. Now, we need a new plan to figure out where all those people will go and how they will be served.” According to Dugan, “The city can monitor and regulate zoning more effectively than the county, and we can have better control over growth in areas such as

flood plains and the Edwards Aquifer.” Adopting developing regions bring San Antonio additional tax revenues, he added. Kevin Wolff, commissioner for Bexar County’s Precinct 3, which includes unincorporated areas north of Stone Oak and Encino Park, has seen annexation from both sides. As the former District 9 representative, Wolff helped with Timberwood Park’s non-annexation agreement. However, he’s also seen similar neighborhoods encounter problems. “Sometimes when people move to unincorporated areas, they don’t have to pay city taxes or fees, or conform to certain regulations,” he said, “but there are also sometimes unintended, unforeseen consequences. Just because an area avoids annexation doesn’t mean growth stops there, and there’s city zoning. Today, you may drive out there — it’s nice. You don’t feel like you’re in the city, and that’s great, but 20 years from now you may have streets full of potholes, scant fire protection and unregulated sprawl.” In the past three years, Wolff said, population in his precinct’s unincorporated areas has risen more than 80 percent. “Interstate 10 to 151 (including

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much of one of the two annexation areas unconsidered until 2016) is comparable to a city the size of Waco now. There’s a huge demand for county services there, but the county can’t raise our propertytax rate to accommodate that,” he said. Before the council, in December, approved the top three annexation locales, Wolff correctly predicted the spots generating the largest returns for the city as first in line. “There’s more rationale for annexing areas with positive projected revenue than one with less, but cities are not established to create profit. They’re established to provide services,” he added.

Whether the city is prepared to fully extend services to the areas under consideration near term is the riddle Krier said he’s most interested in solving as the process unfolds. “Right now the Planning Department is estimating we’ll add about 200,000 residents to the city, with a net plus of hundreds of millions of dollars in net property-tax revenues. I’ve heard people say the city is just greedy to get more property taxes, but that’s not my view at all,” he said. “I operate on the quaint philosophy that if you’re elected, you ought to do what your constituents want you to do, and those are the questions we’re hearing in District 9,” he added.

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Public response generally favorable, NEISD leader says by BAIN SERNA

change in the attendance zone for Bush Middle School now means all students progressing to high school will attend Reagan, instead of 5 percent heading to Johnson. The measure, authorized by North East Independent School District trustees on Dec. 8, takes place during the 2015-16 academic year, officials said. A grandfather clause still allows Bush students to go to Johnson, but without bus service. Officials said more than 180 students and their families are affected from neighborhoods along Evans Road between U.S. 281 and Stone Oak Parkway. The board’s decision followed several public meetings about modifying attendance zones after “Tex” Hill Middle

School opened in August. Previously, 95 percent of students graduating from Bush — educating sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders — went on to Reagan as they moved up, and the rest to Johnson on the east side of U.S. 281. “I attended one of the boundary meetings earlier in the school and it seemed that the majority of people in attendance, faculty, parents and district officials were of the opinion that it is most logical and ideal for Bush to be (a) 100 percent feeder (school) to Reagan,” said Kristie Doderer, president of the Bush PTA. “I think most feel this is best for Bush students so that we eliminate the small percentage of students being directed to Johnson across 281 and having to start all over making friends and new connections.” The boundary adjustments include the neighborhoods of Village in the Hills, Village on the Glen, Saddle Mountain and the Village at Cactus Bluff. Construction is under way at Reagan to replace portable buildings with permanent structures. “The district’s Department of Planning and Research is tasked with continual assessment of our district’s growth patterns and its effect on a school’s capacity,” said Letti Bresnahan,

the NEISD District 6 representative and school board president. “Projected capacity at Johnson High School would be attained in 2015, thus requiring a need to redraw boundary lines to balance enrollment between the two high schools geographically closest to one another.” Online sources indicate 1,498 pupils are enrolled at Bush, with 2,840 and 2,862 at Reagan and Johnson, respectively. Community reaction to the realignment has been mixed, but generally positive, Bresnahan said. Trustees realize shifts in enrollment are sometimes difficult for families and neighborhoods, but modifications remain a reality as the population booms north of Loop 1604, she added. “My personal opinion of the change is that it is the right thing to do, and that our district is exercising the utmost fiscal and managerial responsibility with this change,” said the six-year school board member whose children attended NEISD. Also, Bresnahan related a firsthand experience when her family dealt with a boundary alteration. “What I saw was a smooth transition and adaptation to the new school by everyone. It never took long to develop school spirit, loyalty and pride for their new school,” she said.

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Work on garden helps teach skills by COLLETTE ORQUIZ

eagan High School students are sowing more than just vegetables in their campus garden after being named among the semifinalists in the Spurs’ Silver & Black Give Back Team Up Challenge. The pupils have already won $2,500, but the eventual grand prize for The Reagan Garden Project could be $20,000 applied towards an initiative that serves the community. Alternative learning environment, or ALE, and general-education students have united to cultivate fresh produce from the ground up at the school. “We’re very excited about this challenge and that we’ve got this far,” said Nancy Starr, the campus coordinator for special education. “We’re very hopeful we’ll be the grand-prize winner.” ALE students have developmental disabilities or special needs requiring a little more help learning, educators said. Working hand in hand with ALE students on the garden are pupils taking Community-Based Vocational Instruction classes, and peer tutors, who aid ALE students and teachers. Creating a budget from the $2,500 provided by the Team Up Challenge, the group started building and planting in late October. The challenge is a youth-led service program encouraging students to apply classroom learning to the real world. Students select a project from one of five categories — arts and culture, education, environment, health and wellness and uniformed services — with the Reagan garden qualifying for environment. Twenty semifinalists were selected based on proposals submitted for ventures to improve their communities, Team Up officials said. In April, five groups will be named as champions, each receiving $20,000 to continue the service-learning projects. Nina Swallows, an ALE senior, said broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and beets are growing in the Reagan garden. “Our main focus is so we can grow different vegetables that we can share with other people, so we can teach others to eat healthy,” Swallows said. Diane Valderama, a group sponsor and

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25 REAGAN continues from pg. 22 vocational instructor, said the garden lays the groundwork to a learning process and creates an opportunity for students, especially since Reagan has no horticulture classes. The garden also enriches and empowers, enabling ALE students to obtain lifelong expertise by growing vegetables, as well as practical experience. Working on the land may help land a job one day, she added. “It’s a sustainable skill, because it can serve them for the rest of their lives,” Valderama said. “Who knows? Maybe all these kids will one day have a little square in the backyard and they can grow something of their own.” The garden work also helps the general-education students, teachers said. If the project is rewarded as a finalist, Valderama said the money would go towards beautifying a part of the school and making it an outdoor classroom for the art department, perhaps a gazebo or an awning with tables for young artists. Austin Paterson, a senior and peer tutor, said the garden sheds light on ALE students. “It would be kind of cool to just have some recognition in this area of the school that most of the time doesn’t get anything,” Paterson said. “It would be cool for people to see what we do here.” Rebekah Rosenheim, an ALE senior, said the garden exemplifies environmental productivity. “I think the reason why (we) made it to the semifinals is (we) put a lot of effort in it and a lot of thought,” Rosenheim said. San Antonio Rampage players recently left the ice rink and visited Reagan’s garden. The athletes used gardening tools instead of hockey sticks to score points with students and assist in building the Reagan Scarecrow. “It was awesome. It was so fun. They were very friendly and they really were focused on helping us,” Swallows said. Winning the ultimate prize would be great, but Valderama said for ALE students the acquired know-how is what matters most. “We want them to learn something, to go out and get a job,” Valderama said. “The garden kind of leads to job skills, and for the rest of your life you can grow your own vegetables, you can feed yourself.” Her vocational classes have partnered with Methodist Healthcare System, Marshalls, H-E-B, The Egg and I and more to give ALE students the opportunity to get hands-on experience. “The employers are so grateful, they love having us there ... they really do contribute,” Valderama said.

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Spanish-immersion education grows at The Pineapple School by COLLETTE ORQUIZ

fter almost five years of success with its Spanish-immersion program at the original campus and a long waiting list, The Pineapple School is planting a second location in Stone Oak. The newest campus at 20615 Huebner Road is slated to open in February. Programs for children from infancy to age 5 help them learn a second language and become exposed to Latin culture. Krisana Puccio, administrator and one of the founders, said the school cultivates an academic foundation for student growth and enjoyment.

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“One of our main goals here besides teaching Spanish language and culture is teaching children to love to learn,” Puccio said. “We do our best to make learning fun.” The family-owned company first took root in August 2010 with a school at 12222 Huebner. Puccio, husband Juan, and parents Hugo and Susan Carvajal own the school. Pineapples symbolize hospitality, friends and family, according to Krisana Puccio’s mother, who helped name the school. “We want to be a place that’s welcoming for children and their families, and we’re a community where friends and family are very important,” Puccio said.

WE DO OUR BEST TO MAKE LEARNING FUN. KRISINA PUCCIO ADMINISTRATOR AND CO-FOUNDER

The establishment’s concept developed because the Puccios couldn’t find schools or daycares accommodating their work schedules. “We realized that there were a lot of really strong programs out there, but many of them had very limited hours and were designed for households where one of

Young children at The Pineapple School are immersed in activities that teach Spanish and increase awareness of Latin culture. Photos by Collette Orquiz

the parents doesn’t work,” Puccio said. She’s proud to provide a high-quality program to parents trying to juggle conflicting schedules, Puccio added. The new campus will mirror the original’s learning environment, plus a couple more classrooms, to total 14, with lots of windows for natural light, wide hallways and plenty of outdoor space for learning and playing, she said. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed on weekends.

THE PINEAPPLE SCHOOL 20615 Huebner Road For more, call 694-0740, email info@pineappleschool.com or visit www.pineappleschool.com

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Fitness HQ aims to be a 1-stop shop for workout needs by ERIC MORENO

n September, Fitness HQ strengthened its local presence by opening a facility at 139 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 100.

The 2,600-square-foot store is a onestop shop where customers can find the leading brands in cardiovascular fitness and strength-training gear, and have the items delivered and installed in their residences. Service on the products is also provided. “We make it our policy to sell only really good, quality equipment for people to use at home,” said Brandon Gray, manager at the 1604 location. “We sell all of the top manufacturers in the industry, like LifeCore Fitness, Cybex, Spirit Fitness and more.” Featuring everything from free weights and treadmills to elliptical machines and exercise bikes, other wares include

WE MAKE IT OUR POLICY TO SELL ONLY REALLY GOOD, QUALITY EQUIPMENT. BRANDON GRAY MANAGER

rowers, home gyms and accessories. Employees at Fitness HQ said the company is one of the leading purveyors of exercise equipment in Texas, and the staff helps ensure customers are matched with the right apparatus to help patrons achieve their fitness goals.

Fitness HQ recently opened at 139 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 100, selling everything from treadmills, ellipticals and other workout machinery to accessories and non-mechanical fitness equipment. Photos by Collette Orquiz

“We have our showroom where customers can come and test the equipment,” Gray said. “Quality is what we stress and that’s what sets us apart from the other big-box type of stores. If a customer has a question or a problem with their equipment after they purchase it, we will take care of it.” Other statewide Fitness HQ locations include Frisco, Dallas, Plano,

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FITNESS HQ 139 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 100 For more, call 699-8100, or visit fitnessheadquarters.com

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Claude Hopper's growler station features more than 40 beers on tap such as Yellow Rose (India Pale Ale) Lone Pint (far left) and snacks including street tacos (left) stuffed with pork, cilantro, goat cheese, shallots and served with salsa verde. Photos by Collette Orquiz

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New growler station on tap in Stone Oak by OLIVIER J. BOURGOIN

laude Hopper’s beer garden is the latest growler station to open in San Antonio during the past couple of years.

It debuted Oct. 17 in Stone Oak, about a mile north of Loop 1604 at 19718 Blanco Road and Huebner Road. Claude Hopper’s is backed by Allen Tharp, already operating a string of Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pubs. At 600 square feet, an eightemployee team can wet the whistles of about 35 seated customers and 60 standing. A spacious patio is outside. “We get packed on the weekend and it seems that the majority of our patrons live on this side of town,” said Joshua “Josh” Reeves, who recently moved from St. Petersburg, Florida, to become one of the bar managers.

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“Our menu is limited but tasty,” added Reeves, highlighting the popular pork and chicken street tacos that are served on tortillas made locally. Other dishes include hummus, wings, salads and a couple of seafood offerings, including scallops. “We sell a lot of flatbreads also, but no desserts — because we’re not a restaurant,” Reeves said. The growler station offers 48 beers on tap and dozens of Texas brews, as well as a small selection of in-state wines. “One of my favorite beers is the Yellow Rose (India Pale Ale) Lone Pint from Magnolia, Texas, near Houston,” Reeves said. “One of the things that differentiates us from some of the other growler

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stations is that we have some 1-liter growlers. Not too many places do that.” A growler is a container of beer — including cans sealed by lids — bought by the measure. According to lore, seals in the 1800s made growling sounds when opened. “We have some stainless-steel growlers, but we will fill any growler as long as it has a lid,” he said. Hours are 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday.

CLAUDE HOPPER'S 19718 Blanco Road For more, call 479-5445, or visit www.claude-hoppers.com

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Koyla Grille offers tastes of India and Pakistan by JACQUE CROUSE

hough Koyla Grille opened a few months ago, co-owner Karim Punjani is revamping the menu, hours and service for his restaurant, which offers an array of Indian and Pakistani dishes at 21003 Encino Commons Blvd., Suite 110. The restaurant sits just off U.S. 281 North. “There was nothing like this in the area,” said Punjani, an original investor who recently took over operations with a partner. “Most of the menu will remain the same, but we are improving speed of service and trying to make it easier for the customer.” Koyla Grille diners will find Indian staples such as biryani, saag paneer, samosas and pakoras, Pakistani delicacies

including achaar chicken, and an assortment of goat dishes from both countries. The butter chicken and tandoori meats are popular items. Pakistani bun kabab sandwiches and chicken puff patties are available, and the yogurt-based drink lassi is served either sweet or salty. Among the top draws are grilled items such as the seekh kabab, Bihari beef and chicken tikka or tandoori. While these specialties might take a little longer to prepare because they’re cooked to order, Punjani has added online ordering to keep diners from having “to sit and wait,” he said. “Customers can go to the website and order online, drive over, sit down and have the salad that comes with the meal, and the main dish will be ready,” he said. “Especially if someone orders who lives within five miles, we make

Koyla Grille offers a mix of Indian and Pakistani cuisine including the mixed grille plate (far left) filled with an assortment of seekh kabab, Bihari chicken, Bihari beef and tandoori chicken, served along with appetizers such as the cucumber salad and mint sauce (above). Photos by Collette Orquiz

sure to expedite the order so it is ready.” Plans call for the restaurant to have a full bar by January, with happy-hour prices from 4-6 p.m. on drinks and food items. Restaurant hours are 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

KOYLA GRILLE 21003 Encino Commons Blvd., Suite 110 For more, call 481-5555, or visit www.koylagrille.com

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LIVE LOCAL From real estate trends and neighborhood listings to home improvement, we’ve got you covered.

Real Estate LOCAL Trends ZIP CODE

78258

78259

78260

78261

NOV-13

$332,805

245,021

312,325

214,327

NOV-14

$289,777

236,450

320,000

308,000

NEW LISTINGS

NOV-13

NOV-14

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

NOV-13

149

104

NOV-14

103

129

104

NOV-13

NOV-14

MEDIAN SOLD PRICE

CLOSED SALES

UNDER CONTRACT

MONTHS SUPPLY OF INVENTORY

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NOV-13

NOV-14

NOV-13

5.1

3.6

5.2

5.7

NOV-14

4.6

3.8

3.7

4.9

SOURCE: San Antonio Board of Realtors: Texas Market Trends report The properties are new listings put on the market from early November 2014. The properties may no longer be on the market by publication date or prices may have changed. Local Community News assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

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8434 Airport Blvd | San Antonio, Texas 78216 | 210-787-2959 | bmwofsanantonio.com