LOCAL: Alamo Heights, Monte Vista, Olmos Park, Downtown, King William, Terrell Hills, November 2013

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Vol. 2, Issue 5

www.salocallowdown.com

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COMMUNITY NEWS ALAMO HEIGHTS

King William

What's

INSIDE your community

pg.16 Southtown's art scene becomes boom town

As appeal grows, so does controversy about wares, hours and First Friday

Monte Vista

Olmos Park

Musician strikes right notes for Nix patients

O

The store — in existence and owned by the same family for nearly half a century — is filled with yesterday’s appliances, from old-fashioned room and ceiling fans to toaster ovens, hair dryers, curling irons, microwave ovens and more.

Phillip Stanley, 65, owns the store. His dad, Floyd, opened the original Stan’s Appliance Service on McCullough Avenue in 1964.

Stan continues on pg. 14

pg.05 AHISD superintendent's pay closing gap with the chiefs in the bigger districts Top educators in north San Antonio make top paychecks

pg.22 Company alters controversial apartment project in Alamo Heights New design is shorter, preserves green space; but critics not swayed

fantastic deals

coupons INSIDE Discover the city through LOCAL deals from restaurants, retailers and services in your community, and save money while you do it! pg. 33

Valet driver's music at downtown hospital offers hope for many

You break it, Phillip Stanley — just like his father — will fix it LMOS PARK — Walk into Stan’s Appliance Service at 148 W. Olmos Drive and you have gone back in time.

Curbside book collections have one rule: Take one, replace one

11/2013

Son keeping Olmos Park store — and 'Stan' — in business

by Ron Aaron Eisenberg

pg.18 Little free libraries offer new chapter for readers in North Central

Terrell Hills

pg.24 Briscoe museum

brings modern perspective on the Old West

Collections showcase the historical frontier and the imagined frontier

Make Your Current Dentures Act Like the Real Thing!

“Now I can pick up an apple and take a big bite. I love it.”

2

November 2013

From the editor tedwards@salocallowdown.com December 2012

4

President Harold J. Lees Publisher LocaL is where Gregg Rosenfield you are.

Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton

Editorial president Executive Editor LocaL is what Harold J. Lees we do.Thomas Edwards publisher Gregg Rosenfield News Staff Assoc. publisher Collette Orquiz and Will Wright Rick Upton Contributing Writers eDITorIAl • Talk, laugh, sing and eat Olivier J. Bourgoin, Rose Mary Budge, Ron executuve editor ThomasDan Edwards Aaron Eisenberg, R. Goddard, Joyce with confidence again. managing editorNicole Lessin, Hotchkiss, Kate Hunger, Travis E. Poling Gianna Rendon • No messy pastes NOW Travis E. Poling, editorial Assistant Collette Orquiz and Susan Yerkes lOOkiNg fOr or adhesives. contributing Writers ART Sean Bowlin, Joyce Hotchkiss and Kate Hunger Creative Director • No major surgery proofreader Richard Fisher Jr. • Editorial Joyce Hotchkiss or long recovery.

• ad dEsign/Editorial Production Designer ArT Pete Moralescreative Director • A fraction of the cost of R. Fisher Contributingcontributing Photographers conventional implants. photographers Collette Orquiz,Huskin Leland A. Outz Josh emaiL Steven Gilmore, thomas edwards and Joshua Michaels ADVerTIsING Advertising Directors (210) or338-8842 Illustrator email ContributingJaselle Luna tedwards@salocallowdown.com Jeremiah Teutsch Account manager Dawn Radick As the San AntonioAdvertising area continues to grow, knowing serVIce Advertising reADer Director mailing Address what’s happening just down the 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 street is harder to keep up with. Talamantez Shelly Fax Local Community News monthly phone Account Manager (210) 338.8842 (210) 957.2799 Dr. Bernard Rust and Dr. Joseph Perry have partnered up to editions have got San Antonio covered exploring neighborhood Advertising Inquiries Kelly Jean Garza and Jill Hunter bring you the absolute best in Dentistry. rupton@salocallowdown.com issues and trends and letting readers know everything Controller from what story Ideas business is coming in the next Gerard "Jerry"tips@salocallowdown.com Sulaica Advanced Technology, Friendly & Caring Atmosphere, block over to how local government Website www.salocallowdown.com decisions will effect theirREADER lives.

SERVICE and Experience You Can Count On Mailing Address For advertising, customer service or editorial, please We have an independent editorial call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 staff to report without fear or favor local community NewsSA, TX 78229 • Invisalign 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 to be a trustworthy source of news.

San Antonio, TX 78229 Fax Phone Editors and reporters want to (210) 616.9677 (210) 338.8842Reproduction in whole or in part without • Cosmetic Dentistry hear from the readers, community our permission is prohibited, leaders and businesses about what 2012 Helen Publishing, LLC and Inquiries is important to them. Advertising Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

• Implants rupton@salocallowdown.com • Dentures Story Ideas tips@salocallowdown.com • Full Mouth Rehabilitation Website www.salocallowdown.com

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Can’t miss with columnist Yerkes

From THe eDITor

LOCAL Community News publications 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, 2013 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

tedwards@salocallowdown.com

DW

uring the elcomefew To Your FIrsT Issue oF last locAl commuNITY NeWs. our months, philosophy here at the newspaper readers may have in touch, informed is keeping our readers and aware of what's happening in their noticed a new neighborhoods street by street, business by addition to our business, venue by venue and even in the circles government and education. team ofofexcellent in addition, we want to help our advertisers writers.

Veteran and sponsors get the best results possible journalist Susan Yerkes has brought by making LocAL the go-to choice for consumers who want to know where the her incredible talents to the pages GETTING TO greatest products and deals can be found. of KNOW LOCAL Community News and We know readers have a wide variety of sources to is writing a monthly column. get information about the world around them, but at LocAL we'redelighted taking a new approach to an old THomAs Not only am here I personally idea: covering our local communities as thoroughly as eDWArDs Susan has joined ourbyranks, possible featuringbut storiesI on the events and news ExECuTivE EdiTor have a direct impact on your life, your family, your feel thrilled forthat our readers, who and your friends.

Armyget brat, to grewenjoy up in an neighbors honest and unique We want to focus on the everyday folks in the San Antonio voice that always informs, community as wellentertains, as the news-makers; we want to Has cats, dogs and celebrate what unique and what brings us together. horsesamazes and never fails tois deliver. but to do this, we also need to hear from you – because Favorite Imovies: have knownyouSusan many are at thefor center of what we cover.

"Planet of the Apes" And whileher it's true we areshe supported by advertising years, having first met when (original), "Star Wars and value the relationships we have with our customers, Episode IV: A Newa news-talk hosted show on KLRN the news and editorial content are independently Hope" and I was a panelist. she journalists producedAt by athe teamtime of top-flight old newspaper and photographers. was"Kid a competitor — a top columnist nickname: Death" LocAL is mailed directly each month to readers thethenow-defunct Antonio motto:at Saving world living inSan hill country Village, hollywood Park and ZiP one sentence at a time. codes 78232 78216.

Light — and I was a SanandAntonio This is not the only edition of LocAL we produce, but Express-News police reporter. it is the only edition tailored to your life, your interests, your community, your schools In later years, she moved over to the and your organizations. evenExpress-News, if you didn't have this newspaper delivered to your home or business, you can where she continued keep up with all the stories we cover by visiting SALocalLowdown.com. to share wit and wisdom with LocAL wants to her hear feedback on how we're doing, but also keep us in mind anytime you see something interesting hear ofalways something going on in your readers.

You may notorhave community you think is newsworthy. agreed with what Susan wrote, but For instance, in this inaugural edition you will find stories about how technology youemergency could Medical neverServices forgettackle it. response Her prose is helping times, efforts by neighbors living near Antonio international Airport to soundproof leftthe anSanindelible image in your mind. their homes and a comprehensive listing of news briefs in LocAL Lowdown.

Inabout addition, she isknow a sensitive So think us and let LocAL what's important to you. i am no stranger to Sanwriter Antonio, having up here and to having as a crime reporter, editor who grown knows how tugworked on the and opinion writer off and on for nearly three decades. heartstrings. The journalism awards i can be reached at tedwards@salocallowdown.com or at tips@salocallowdown.com. she has won, too numerous to mention, attest to her faCEBook.CoM/sAlocAlcommuNITYNeWs professionalism.

TwiTTEr.CoM/sAlocAlloWDoWN She does not scare easily. She is a journalist sure of her convictions and a true believer in the power of the press to right wrongs and comfort the afflicted. Already in these pages she has tackled weighty subjects including sexual predators and the debate over the controversial streetcar proposal.

I can’t wait to see what she writes about next, and I hope LOCAL’s readers feel the same way. In the meantime, Susan also wants to know what you think. Just email her at syerkes@salocallowdown.com.

•

•

Thomas Edwards executive Editor facebook.com/salocalcommunitynews

Advance To

K L A W D R A O B

Sushi & Japanese

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Tre Trattoria (210) 805-0333 www.tretrattoria.com Mediterranean Cuisine

Koi Kawa Japanese Restaurant (210) 805-8111

boardwalkonbroadway.com www.facebook.com/TheBoardwalkOnBroadway

Boardwalk Bistro (210) 824-0100 www.boardwalkbistro.net

4001 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209

4

November 2013

local our turn

Views and opinions about your community.

Politics needs dose of civility

T

hey say the art of politics is compromise, but leaders both locally and on the national level don’t seem to be getting the message.

The same goes for many of their supporters.

Here in the greater San Antonio area, angry residents launched recall initiatives to oust San Antonio City Council members who voted in favor of a nondiscrimination ordinance offering additional protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.

In Cibolo, voters upset over the debut of a Walmart in their city wanted to unseat four council members.

In Washington, D.C., we just saw the debilitating effects of a government shutdown and furloughs that left 23,000 San Antonians out of work for about two weeks. Right or wrong, the effort arose out of an attempt to derail a national health care plan that was already law and had been upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The question now is: When is everybody going to calm down? When will civility reign again? When can we see a return to decorum and the art of debate, which can help decide a political course for the betterment of our cities and our country?

These days, the message in politics seems to be, “My way or the highway.”

But there rarely are any true winners in such political standoffs.

This is not an endorsement nor is

it a denial of the decisions made by Congress and these councils. Rather, it is a reminder to political leaders and their factions that decisions can be rendered without brinkmanship and actions that threaten local economies.

What happened to good manners in the political arena? Certainly one can get his or her point across without trying to put hardworking Americans out of a job … or one can agree to concessions and compromises to preserve those jobs.

It’s easy to point fingers and assess blame, whether it’s local politics or the battles at the national level between Democrats and Republicans.

The real losers are local residents and the American people.

Temperatures need to come down, the rhetoric needs to give way to real conversations and discussion has to replace shouting matches.

America is prized for its system of representative government, from local councils to bicameral legislatures. But in these forums, not everyone is going to agree.

We used to be represented by statesman and citizen-volunteers. Today it’s ideologues and showboaters.

The common people — all of us — need to send a message to our leaders and fellow voters that enough is enough. It is time to return civility, debate and reasoned discourse to the halls of power, whether it’s downtown, Austin or the nation’s capital.

We can all learn once again to talk, to negotiate, to come together.

Take a balanced approach.

Ultimately, if you don’t like how an elected leader is getting the job done, then have your say at the ballot box and vote them out of office.

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

Send letters to the editor to tedwards@salocallowdown.com or snail mail them to Local Community News, 4204 Gardendale, Suite 201, San Antonio, TX 78229. We reserve the right to edit for taste, grammar and length.

Reader Comments Streetcars a good way to go broke Editor: In her recent column about streetcars, Susan Yerkes asks (on behalf of others): "What is wrong with rubber-tired buses, operating on flexible routes?" She attempts two answers to that question.

First: "Streetcar systems can help spur prime 'infill' development." She then counters that very argument with,

"The southern stretch of Broadway has been transformed — almost overbuilt."

Broadway is a target development corridor of all VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority streetcar proposed routes. It would seem that "development" already occurred — without the streetcars.

Second: "Uniting S.A.'s sprawling patchwork quilt of neighborhoods, in sync with existing bus routes ... through multimodal centers ..." The argument seems to be, "We need something on

Comments continues on pg. 11

local commentary

A shot in the wallet: The tangled web of U.S. drug prices by susan yerkes

A

few months ago I took a big shot in the wallet when the price of the only prescription drug I take – a generic – soared from $17 to $165 for a month’s supply. I thought it was a mistake. But it was not. Pharmacists at two different chains couldn’t explain the change.

I set out to get an answer.

Americans take a lot of prescription drugs — an estimated $326 billion in 2012. But even experts can’t fully explain the pricing.

“One of the most confusing markets for consumers is located at the pharmacy counter,” wrote Joey Mattingly in U.S Pharmacist last year. “Numerous policies at different levels of government and the private sector have further complicated this market, creating a system nearly impossible for the average person to navigate… the complexity can be overwhelming for health care professionals, as well as the public.”

When a new patented drug hits the market, the price is usually pretty high.

But the reasons are understandable.

“There’s a rigorous process for approval that can take 10 to 15 years, and a company can incur tens, even hundreds of millions of dollars,” says Lee Cusenbary, general counsel for San Antonio’s Mission Pharmacal. “To create a profit, new patented drugs may seem very expensive – for instance, when cholesterol-lowering drugs first came on the market. But when the patent runs out, other manufacturers can apply for FDA approval and sell for a lot less, since they don’t have the investment up front. And if one maker’s generic gets too expensive, in a free market somebody else will usually undercut them.”

Sounds good — but with no regulation of generic prices, their costs can vary wildly, too, depending on factors even pharmacists have difficulty pinning down.

“It’s really complicated,” said Mark Richerson, pharmacy director at University Hospital. “The insurers’ prescription benefit, individual companies’ pricing schedules, wholesalers’ prices, dispensing fees at pharmacies…all are different.”

The price of any generic drug at most big chains depends largely on the company’s formulary – a list of drugs the company may buy in bulk. Big price swings, Richerson says, “could be driven by any number of reasons.

By the time you as a consumer get your prescription, it’s not only the manufacturer

that’s part of the cycle; it’s also the supplier, insurer, the pharmacy… it gets very complex.”

While the system is baffling, there’s something you can do: Start asking questions.

Don’t expect doctors to be able to keep up with drug costs, especially given different pharmacy prices and individual insurance coverage. If you can’t afford a drug, ask about alternatives.

Many doctors can also give you free samples of some expensive drugs.

If your prescription is still under patent, the manufacturer may have a rebate program with the pharmacy that will decrease or cover your insurance co-pay.

And prices for some generics are so low at some chains or mail-order companies that you may actually save by not using your insurance co-pay. Again, you have to ask.

Dr. Jeremy Bass, who often works with low-income patients in the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s resident psychotherapy program, gave me the best tip of all – GoodRx.com, a new, independent website that compares prices for thousands of drugs at most pharmacy chains. It also points you to free, no-strings coupons for most drugs (even pet meds) and offers useful info in understandable terms.

I still believe something needs to be done to standardize prescription prices, or at least make them more transparent.

Entrepreneurs such as GoodRx.com may help create that change. In the meantime, if drug prices make you sick, don’t have a heart attack. Instead, here’s my prescription: Become a savvier shopper.

Email comments to syerkes@ salocallowdown.com.

5

Paycheck continues from pg. 01

Hours are long, but there are perks

by Travis E. Poling

S

uperintendents at the two largest school districts in San Antonio get the top pay in their field for the area, but the head of one of the smallest districts — Alamo Heights Independent School District — is catching up.

AHISD's top administrator, Dr. Kevin Brown, is making $227,000 for the 2013-14 school year.That works out to nearly $40 per student in a district that hovers around 4,800 or so pupils.

The raise is another $40,000 more per year than two years earlier, when salaries were frozen. AHISD has long been considered an attractive school system that has drawn parents to move into the district.

The AHISD school board in January approved Brown's raise and a contract

Paycheck continues on pg. 22

Wisdom begins in wonder.

— Plato CLASSICAL EDUCATION. REVOLUTIONARY SCHOOLS.™

Now HiriNg ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

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or email rupton@salocallowdown.com

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Great Hearts Academies offers a tuition-free,

liberal arts education serving grades K-12.

Currently operating 17 high-performing, schools in Phoenix, Arizona, Great Hearts will open its first comprehensive college preparatory academy in the heart of San Antonio in August, 2014.

books into great conversations, our students learn to think critically. By competing on the field and on the court, our students gain respect and character. Through rigorous math, science and language studies, our students uncover passion and confidence.

We believe every student deserves a well rounded, classical education. By turning great

And through it all, we instill a love of learning in our students.

Great Hearts Monte Vista Open Enrollment: October 30 - December 6, 2013 •

We are accepting applications for all students entering grades K-9. Applications received during Open Enrollment will enter a lottery to determine placement and, if needed, a waitlist order.

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Great Hearts has no admissions criteria or tuition.

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Great Hearts Academy is located in the heart of San Antonio, easily accessible to all families.

To enroll today please visit GreatHeartsTX.org For more information call 210.888.9485. Great Hearts Monte Vista 211 Belknap Place San Antonio, TX 78212

6

November 2013 OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH

Happening LOCAL

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

FARMERS MARKET The Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market offers produce, meats, eggs, baked goods and other items in the Alamo Quarry Market parking area near Whole Foods Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., regardless of the weather. Find out what’s seasonally fresh or check out special events at http:// quarryfarmersmarket.com. The address is East Basse Road and U.S. 281.

Saturday & Sunday

Nov

8-24

"THE TAMING OF THE SHREW" Classic Theatre

offers this popular comedy by Shakespeare about the marriage dramas of two very different sisters. Catchy dialog and mixed-up identities come with the territory. Tickets cost $25, $20 for seniors and military personnel or $10 for students. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Sunday; all performances are at the Sterling Houston

“coloratura bordered on the phenomenal,” according to Opera News, will be accompanied by Donna Hallen Loewy on piano. The performance is 2 p.m. at Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 W. Woodlawn Ave. in the Monte Vista Historic District. Tickets, $25, can be purchased at the door 30 minutes before the concert or on the Tuesday Musical Club website, www.satmc.org.

Theatre at Jump-Start, No. 108 in the Blue Star Arts Complex, 1400 S. Alamo St. For more on the show or Classic Theatre, go to www.classictheatre.org.

Nov

VETERANS DAY PARADE The

military-themed procession steps off at noon at Avenue E and Third Street and will make its way westward through downtown to Milam Park. It will be preceded by an ROTC competition in Alamo Plaza starting at 8 a.m. and a 10:30 a.m. wreath-placing ceremony at the Alamo.

9

Nov

11

Nov

Nov

12

ALAMO HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL The council

meets 5:30-9 p.m. at 1248 Austin Highway, Suite 220. It meets again Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m.

VETERANS DAY Most federal,

state and city offices, as well as schools, will be closed.

Nov

12

TUESDAY MUSICAL CLUB

VETERANS BENEFITS INFORMATION SESSION

for prospective student veterans and their families is 6:30 p.m. at the Dr. Burton E. Grossman International Conference Center auditorium, U.S. 281 North and East Hildebrand Avenue. For more, contact Karen Wyatt at veterans@uiwtx.edu or call 829-2705. To RSVP, call 832-2154 or visit www.uiw.edu/veteransinfo.

Next up in the club’s Artist 12 Series is American baritone Andrew Garland. The singer, whose

The Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market at The Alamo Quarry Market offers fresh produce from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday, rain or shine. Photos by Collette Orquiz

Nov

12

TERRELL HILLS CITY COUNCIL The council meets

5-6 p.m. at City Hall, 5100 N. New Braunfels Ave. A public hearing on the 2014 fiscal budget is scheduled.

STEM RECEPTION The rest of the name is Highlighting Jobs 13 + Training in San Antonio, and that’s what the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce intends to do at this gathering. Efforts to provide training for jobs that lean heavily on science, technology, engineering and math will be in the spotlight. Registration is at Nov

Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first.) See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverages and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 1-2-14 and reside within the promotional area.

At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.

Subaru is the ONLY 2013 FULL LINE

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Nov

14

ALAMO HEIGHTS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD Trustees

meet at 7 p.m. in the board room of the Central Office, 7101 Broadway.

Nov

16

HISTORIC HOMEOWNER FAIR This annual event,

rescheduled from late September, features representatives from historic-neighborhood associations, purveyors of renovation/restoration supplies and services, and people with information about improving older homes and “preserving the unique character of San Antonio’s urban neighborhoods.” This year it’s in a classic renovation/restoration site – the Pearl Brewery’s Full Goods Building, 200 E. Grayson St. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free and open to all comers.

Nov

20

CHILDREN'S FINE ARTS SERIES Two special-event

shows featuring the Salzburg Marionette Theatre will be held at Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University, 1 Trinity Place. At 10 a.m., it’s “Hansel and Gretel”; at 7 p.m., “The Sound of Music.” Both are recommended for children 5 and older. Tickets – $7 for the early show, $12 for the evening show – are available through a link at http:// childrensfineartseries.org/sched.htm.

Nov 21, Dec 5

TWO CLASSES AT PINOT'S PALETTE ALAMO HEIGHTS will benefit the Elf Louise

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5:15 p.m. and the reception starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. Cost is $40 a person. To register, or for more information, go to www.sachamber.org and click on Events.

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7

salocallowdown.com

Christmas Project that provides gifts for needy families: Nov. 1, "Baby it's Cold Outside" and Dec. 5, "Night Before Christmas." Bring in a toy to support children who would otherwise not receive any; a drawing at the end of each session could mean the donor wins a future seat to a class. One entry per person who brings a toy; 50 percent of proceeds will go to Elf Louise. To register, call 832-8004 or visit https://www.pinotspalette.com/.

The studio is at 7959 Broadway, Suite 402.

Nov

21

OLMOS PARK CITY COUNCIL The council's

monthly meeting is 6-8 p.m. at City Hall, 120 W. El Prado Drive.

Nov

23

ALAMO HEIGHTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLIDAY PARADE ON BROADWAY

This is the 36th installment of the popular procession. Floats and bands will celebrate the holidays, and all along the route, items will be collected for Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. at Alamo Heights High School and will run down Broadway to Barilla Place/Cleveland Court. To find the Sunshine Cottage Wish List, go to http://alamoheightschamber. org/holiday-parade.

Nov

THANKSGIVING CLOSURES

Nov

INTERNATIONAL PEACE MARKET/MERCADO DE PAZ

The Alamo Heights and North East independent school districts are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. City holidays for Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills and other municipalities are Nov. 28-29.

25-29

29-30

Handmade items for home and personal use, as well as a variety of artwork, will be offered for sale by 100 local and international artists and craftspeople. The market, marking its 24th year, takes place at Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

For more on the market or Esperanza, go to www.esperanzacenter.org.

dec

3

THE FUTURE OF BEING HUMAN This lecture

presented by the Mind Science Foundation offers a vision of what it will mean to be human as brain science and technology keep moving forward and interacting. The speaker is Dr. David Eagleman, director of the Laboratory for Perception and Action and the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law at Baylor College of Medicine. The event, at the

Pearl Stable, 307 Pearl Parkway, begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Admission cost ranges from $5 to $20; Foundation members are free. To buy tickets, go to www.mindscience.org/current-events.

dec

7

TAMALES! HOLIDAY FESTIVAL From noon to

5 p.m. at the Pearl, East Grayson Street and Pearl Parkway, three dozen vendors will offer holiday tamales in a range of styles – San Antonio traditional, vegetarian, South American and even sweet ones. The festival is sponsored by Silver Eagle Distributors, H-E-B and Shiner.

The weekly farmers’ market will be shifted, temporarily, to the parking lot west of the Full Goods Building.

Elsewhere in San Antonio DAR CHAPTER nov CENTENNIAL The National

9

Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s Alamo Chapter will celebrate its 100th anniversary at a luncheon at the Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave. Entertainment includes a fashion show of vintage “styles and events,” and there will be scrapbooks stretching back 100 years.

nov

16

NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY This Asian-

American dance company will perform contemporary choreography to new classical music performed by the Ahn Trio. Both groups are known for re-imagining and redefining their respective crafts, and are widely praised. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Jo Long Theatre of the Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry St. Tickets cost $35 and are available from Ticketmaster and the Carver box office. For more information, call the Carver at 2077211 or go to www.thecarver.org.

nov

20

NORTH SAN ANTONIO RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION In observance

of November's activities honoring military veterans, the group welcomes Devin Schei from the Wounded Warrior Project of San Antonio as guest speaker during their meeting at 9:45 a.m. at the San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 U.S. 281 North. For more, call Michele Bibb at 494-8197.

Submitting events: Email all

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

8

November 2013

Address of local business

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Name of local business

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

Open and Opening Soon

Day in October to honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students and staff showed their support by wearing pink attire. Also, teachers and pupils donated money to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to fund research, education, screening and treatment programs.

Students from both schools raised $1,214.

1. Propaganda Palace No. 2, 919 S. Alamo St., is the newly opened and second location of a shop specializing in video games (including retro selections), music, vinyl records, movies and pop culture. The new store is located close to Rosario's in Southtown. The staff also services what they sell. The other store is near San Antonio College at 2100 McCullough Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 400-0240, visit www.propagandapalace.com or friend them on Facebook. (See story on page 29)

The Texas Historical Commission

Bar du Mon Ami serves up specialty cocktails such as the Monk's Revenge (left), but also offers beer and other mixed drinks. Photos by Collette Orquiz

2. Inkwell Studio, 1114 S. St. Mary's St.,

Suite 210, is a new art gallery in Southtown open one day a week and by appointment only. The gallery now features a student in the Youth Arts Project each month, and the first is from Alamo Heights Junior School. For more, call 385-9395 or www. inkwellstudiosa.com. (See story on page 28)

3. Pho Kim Long, 4230 McCullough

Ave., is a new Vietnamese restaurant and noodle shop that recently opened its doors in Olmos Park. Hours are 10 a.m to 9 p.m. seven days a week. For more call, 829-8021. (See story on page 31)

4. Bar du Mon Ami, 4901 Broadway, got its start in Alamo Heights in 2008 but is changing hands. Customers have called the bar cozy, convivial and convenient, with a quiet atmosphere where patrons can relax with a favorite cocktail and the bartender knows your name. Open

has approved the State Antiquities Landmark designation for Brackenridge Park during the commission’s quarterly meeting in Goliad. At 344 acres, the park is one of the top five largest SAL designations in the state and the first under the new guidelines that replaced the old State Archaeological Landmark designation. The new designation includes 82 resources in the park, including prehistoric and historical archaeological sites, as well as historic buildings and structures such as the Donkey

recently debuted in The Stewart Center and offers counseling for families, couples, individuals and children; helps with marital conflict, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression in children and adults, substance abuse, trauma, divorce, grief, family team building and stress management. Open Monday through Sunday by appointment. For more, call 560-3965 or visit http://www. alamoheightscounselingcenter.com.

daily 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more, call 740-9229. (see story on page 30)

5. The Tiny Finch, 302 Pearl Parkway, Suite 116, recently opened as a boutique retailer in a 1,200-square-foot space at the Pearl. It offers an assortment of gifts, home decor/accents, rare jewelry, coffee-table books, apothecary items and ceramics.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday. For more, call 6017755, visit http://www.thetinyfinch.com or friend them on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/thetinyfinch.

IN OTHER NEWS...

Students at Ridgeview Elementary School, 8223 McCullough Ave., challenged their sister school Canyon Ridge Elementary to a "PINK OUT" during the 8th annual Passionately Pink

All the right moves...

6. Alamo Heights Counseling Center, 5108 Broadway, Suite 227,

If you have been been thinking about a new home, this is a great time to sell – or to buy!

I specialize in marketing the very best homes in San Antonio’s finest neighborhoods, from historic estates to contemporary high-rise. San Antonio offers many fabulous homes for sale – let me show you around!

Call me for a confidential, complimentary market evaluation of your home.

Ann Van Pelt

Realtor®

I

210-844-7001

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www.finestSAhomes.com

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3 5 1 2

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Barn and the Dionicio Rodriguez Bridge.

One of the top public parks in the state, Brackenridge Park was formally established in 1899 when local philanthropist and owner of the San Antonio Water Works, George W. Brackenridge, deeded 199 acres on the east side of the river to the city.

A new Animal Care Services

multi-use pet center has opened in Brackenridge Park at 210 Tuleta Drive.

Built on the site of the former municipal shelter, the new center features the Paul Jolly Center for Pet Adoption, the Petco Spay/Neuter Clinic and Petco Pavilion.

Keystone School in the Monte Vista Historic District is reporting the highest percentage of National Merit Semifinalists in San Antonio. The class of 24 seniors has seven National Merit Semifinalists and seven Commended Students, which means that 58 percent of the school's 12th-graders scored in the top 3 percent on the Preliminary SAT, officials said. The PSAT is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Committee to 1.5 million 11th-grade students across the country.

The NMSC only recognizes the top 50,000.

National Merit Semifinalists represent the top-scoring 16,000 students; Commended Students are the remaining 34,000. Alamo Heights High School has five semifinalists; Clark has four; Churchill has three; Health Careers has six; Saint Mary's Hall has eight; and TMI the Episcopal School of Texas has one, officials said. San Antonio also has nine National Achievement Scholars recognizing outstanding black students, and three attend Keystone. The private school also boasts seven National Hispanic Scholars and three National Hispanic Honorable Mention students.

The Alamo Heights Independent School District board selected Sue Hall, the Woodridge Elementary School librarian, as the Spotlight on Excellence honoree for October. Trustees cited Hall for all the work she does to encourage students to become lifelong readers.

The San Antonio Fire Museum

opened in October at 801 E. Houston St., the site of the original Fire Station No. 1.

The museum was first conceived in 1997 with documents, artifacts and equipment dating to 1854 stored in Fire Station No. 7 for a decade. In 2007 volunteers revived the project and helped open the museum. The nonprofit San Antonio Fire Museum Society assists with funding. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. A $4 donation is requested from adult visitors. For more, visit www.sanantoniofiremuseum.org.

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP recently

announced that Jane H. Macon, Michael D. Bernard, Blakely L. Fernandez and William T. Avila have joined the San Antonio office as partners, working in public finance, public law, corporate law and litigation. Bernard has served as the San Antonio city attorney since 2005. The international law firm has 485 lawyers in Texas, New York, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Seattle, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and London.

Peloton Commercial Real Estate

represented the seller of Olmos Park Village at 3910 McCullough Avenue near Hildebrand Avenue in a transaction that closed in October, according to the website for the company. Peloton is a regional, commercial real-estate services firm. Vice President Jason Adkison and Senior Associate Scott Boynton represented the seller of the 20,000-squarefoot building in the Midtown/North Central market. Located next to the Olmos Park Bharmacy, the center serves Olmos Park, the Monte Vista Historic District and other neighborhoods.

It includes Tuesday Morning, WB Liquors, Fantastic Sams, Slater White Cleaners and The Popcorn Place.

The Blanco Road Project has

reached its halfway mark and is a month ahead of schedule, with improving conditions for drivers and better access to businesses inside the construction zone, city officials said. Blanco Road between Fresno Drive and San Francisco Street, which was reduced to one-way traffic in March, reopened to two-way traffic in late September. A smaller one-way detour on Fresno Drive between Grant Avenue and Blanco is open to two-way traffic again. “The work on Blanco is decades overdue, which is why it is so aggressive," said District 1 Councilman Diego Bernal. "At the same time, we know it has been a challenge for residents and businesses.” Only two areas on Blanco still have detours and remain one way: southbound Blanco between Basse Road and Burwood Lane, and southbound Blanco between Fresno Drive and Lee Hall Street. They should reopen in November, and the project will remain open to two-way traffic afterwards. The goal is to reconstruct and widen Blanco from San Francisco Street to Edison Drive and from El Monte Boulevard to Olmos Creek. The project includes new curbs, sidewalks and driveways; a large storm-sewer system to improve drainage; and traffic-signal upgrades and gas, water and sewer main replacements.

THE Answer for Cancer

Take time to take care of you.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The CTRC encourages women over age 40 to schedule an annual mammogram and reminds all women that any changes in the breast should be reported promptly to a doctor. The CTRC is recognized as a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center, and is the only cancer center in South Texas to achieve this great distinction of excellence. Let our team of world-class specialists help you and your family find your answer for cancer.

Call (210) 450-5050 to schedule a mammogram, or visit our website at www.ctrc.net for more information.

UT Medicine San Antonio Medical Arts & Research Center

UT Medicine offers the power of academic medicine from our School of Medicine faculty and the convenience of a private practice setting at the Medical Arts & Research Center in San Antonio’s Medical Center.

We accept most major health plans.

For an appointment, call (210) 450-9000. www.UTMedicine.org

UT Medicine

Health Science Center San Antonio

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LOCAL Live Music

Destination: Vienna DYNAMIC. MAGICAL. REFINED.

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11/14 The Truth About Love Tour: P!NK, The Kin, 7:30 p.m., AT&T Center, $51.62/$117.67 11/15 Call To Action; Bombasta, Soul Track Mind, Emily Bell, 7 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, $10/$15

November 2013

p.m., Backstage Live, $29/$30 11/21 Glamour Kills Tour: Mayday Parade, Man Overboard, Cartel, Stage and Stereos, 6 p.m., Backstage Live, $20/$22 11/22 The Lost Project, Spies Like Us, Rat King Cole, 8 p.m., The Mix, free 11/23 Monte Montgomery, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, $13/$15 11/24 Hillbilly Casino, 11 p.m., The Mix, free 11/27 Girl In A Coma, Hacienda, Tele Novella, 8 p.m., Backstage Live, $10/$15 12/2 Crowbar, White Light Cemetery, Iron Liver, The Crowned, 7 p.m., Tequila Rock Bar, $15 12/3 The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses, Second Quest, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, $37.50/$103.50 12/4 Fates Warning, Baad Newz, Wicked Angel, 7 p.m., Backstage Live, $21 12/5 Christmas Tour: Jars of Clay, John Mark McMillan, Lainey Write, 6 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, $16.50/$22.50 12/6 Deer Vibes, Boonesboro, Wolverton, Erik Sanden, 9 p.m., Boneshakers, $5

11/16 Mike Epps and Friends Live, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, $45/$55

12/6 Xmas Tour: Wayne Static, The Defiled, Madlife, The Akuzma, Souless Affection, 7 p.m., Backstage Live, $16

11/17 Vanna, Alpha and Omega, Betrayal, Greenery, 4 p.m., White Rabbit, $10/$12

12/7 Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, Slaid Cleaves, 7:30 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, $25

11/19 Celtic Thunder: Mythology, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, $35/$55

12/8 The Story So Far, Stick To Your Guns, Such Gold, Rotting Out, Heart to Heart, 6 p.m., White Rabbit, $16/$18

11/20 An Evening with Steve Vai, 7

FEATURE:

Squeezing up to 10 people onstage and sometimes playing with a sousaphone has become normal to Deer Vibes, a local indie-rock band that also doubles as a small orchestra featuring an extensive brass, string and percussion section. Feel the musical vibrations, both soft and with a hint of bounce, at Boneshakers 9 p.m. Dec. 6 with a handful of other bands for $5. Photo by Collette Orquiz

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LOCAL HEALTH

Comments continues from pg. 04

The latest in medical, health care and fitness news for your community.

The City Council awarded a $6.6 million

contract to improve street and pedestrian safety in the South Texas Medical Center.

The contract is part of a multi-phase collaboration with the Medical Center Alliance. The city will fund construction from the voter-approved 2012-2017 bond program. The project will upgrade traffic signals, add 5,200 feet of 6-foot sidewalks, and install a new crosswalk system.

Construction should finish in January 2015.

Dr. Priti Mody-Bailey is the new vice

president and senior medical director at Community First Health Plans. Community First is the nonprofit health plan owned

by University Health System. Mody-Bailey previously served as president and chief executive officer of University Health System’s nonprofit provider group practice, Community Medicine Associates.

Dennis Gonzales has been named

the new vice president for mission integration at Christus Santa Rosa starting on Nov. 3. He received his doctoral

degree in organizational development from the University of New Mexico.

Baylor College of Medicine has teamed

up with The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio to provide a 10-member pediatric team that includes associate and assistant professors from the medical college. The pediatricians are led

by Associate Professor Ricardo Quiñonez. The team includes pediatricians C. David DuBose, Kelly M. Basaldua, Crystal M. Davenport, David Diaz De Leon, Sarah F. Denniston, Jorge F. Ganem, Vanessa L. Hill, Stacey L. Keller and Maria De Los Angeles Sandoval.

Methodist Children’s Hospital

recently celebrated 15 years as San Antonio’s first hospital built especially for the treatment of children in the city.

University Hospital was part of a

national study with 19 other hospitals to see if hospital workers putting on gowns and gloves before entering a patient’s room in an intensive-care unit made a difference in positive tests for two drug-resistant bacteria.

Mortgage, Equity and Home Improvement Lending made easy. Just the right fit.

rails so we can call it 'multimodal.'"

Otherwise we only have the bus. If these centers are so essential (and no good reason is given why we must have them), then the existing Amtrak station coupled with city bus service is already multi-(two) modal. Merely hoping for a Lone Star Rail (which is still in the planning phase after how many years?) will not result in a light-rail connection between regional centers. Example: How long has an Austin-to-San Antonio rail plan been touted? (For the best laid plans of mice and men, see the current financial results of the Texas 130 toll road past Austin, or "How to lose money whether public or private.")

Hoping for or even depending on a Lone Star Rail to exist is in the highrisk category of wishful thinking.

I keep hoping that better arguments exist for this proposed public investment. To date, no convincing reasons have surfaced justifying why a cable car is superior to existing or potential bus service. I do not know if it is her position, or if she is only quoting advocates, but her

sign-off, "Like it not, the streetcar plan is on track and gathering speed" is what worries me. Leadership keeps intoning, "We need cable cars to be great," while many of us in the public keep asking "why?" Or at least for a chance to vote on the issue directly. Yet Yerkes is " ... betting on sunshine."

Betting is a poor formula for public policy, but a good way to go broke.

Dave Searcey

Texas is a right-towork state Editor: This is in response to the letter last month about Texas being one of 20 odd states that allow people to be fired for being gay.

These states are called rightto-work states and a person can be fired for breathing too hard, looking weird or no reason at all.

I grant you this may seem unfair, but it is one of the prices you pay for not being a union state. I do not approve of discrimination, but I also do not approve of misrepresenting Texas.

Penelope Talley

For information: (210) 736-7700 jeffersonbank.com/mortgages

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TREATING SENIORS IS NOT JUST A PART OF OUR SERVICE. IT IS OUR SERVICE.

Musician continues from pg. 01

Flores also likes playing in zombie band

by Gianna Rendon

R

aul Flores and his music therapy are hitting all the right notes when it comes to helping others at a downtown hospital.

It all began when Flores, a full-time valet driver since 2012 at the Nix Medical Center, 414 Navarro St., started asking doctors and nurses about their careers because he was interested in the field of medicine.

One day Michelle Flaig, an employee health nurse, suggested

Rosa I. Vizcarra, M.D.*

November 2013

the last day, she was eating food.

Like many in the medical community, he is convinced music has a therapeutic benefit.

“It takes you away from the fact that you are in pain,” Flores said. “You take somebody who can’t eat or breathe on their own to they’re wide awake and now they’re set to make a full recovery.”

He added, “I’m very excited to see where this thing goes.”

Flores is not a certified music therapist; he plays music recreationally for patients. But he plans to undergo formal training soon.

“The music therapist knows how to use music in many different ways,” said Janice Dvorkin, coordinator of the musictherapy training program at the University of the Incarnate Word. She added there is more to music therapy than just music.

“Music therapy is using music to reach a clinical goal,” Dvorkin said.

There are bookcases filled with studies

Elenita Usher, M.D.*

Bilingual in English and Spanish Board certified in Family Medicine and Geriatrics Specializing in care for adults age 55 and older Accepting new Medicare patients

NIX SENIOR HEALTH CENTER TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU: NIX MEDICAL CENTER 414 NAVARRO

NIX ALAMO HEIGHTS 5307 BROADWAY

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CALL

(210) 568-5600

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*Physicians are independent practitioners and members of Nix Health medical staff.

www.nixseniorsolutions.com

Shelby Smith (left), a cheerleader at the University of Texas at San Antonio, is fresh out of surgery and enjoys a few songs played by Raul Flores, including an acoustic rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' and an original piece with a Latin jazz flare. Photo by Collette Orquiz

he should try music therapy.

He had never heard the term before, but for the last couple of years Flores said he played music for his grandfather while the older man was in a nursing home suffering from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

“I just thought what I was doing was just a way for me to say, ‘Hey, I acknowledge that you are in this and I love you,’” Flores said.

During the summer, Flores volunteered at the Nix playing his guitar for patients about four times a week. Though he can now only volunteer once a week due to school and work, he plans to increase his hours during the winter and summer breaks.

Flores remembers one patient in the intensive care unit gradually improving during the three weeks he played for her. Even though she was unconscious he felt she could still hear him. On

illustrating the healing quality of music, she added. A music therapist can move someone in a coma to a more responsive condition. Music therapists can also relax people before an operation so they won’t need as much anesthesia and help children tolerate invasive procedures, she said.

“There are people that come into the hospital to play music, but a lot of times it is their choice of music— music that affects them and not the person who’s listening to it,” Dvorkin said. “The music therapist is trained to play many genres in different areas of medicine.”

Flores has learned to play music his patients might like. He asks questions about the patients — such as whether they have a heart condition — so that he can tailor his selections.

Flores will play for 15 to 20 minutes for

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a patient. Most people don’t know what to expect when he starts strumming, Flores said. One older patient told Flores he didn’t think the music would help him because he expected him to play current tunes, but Flores surprised him with Etta James’ “At Last.”

Although Flores is 27, you are not likely hear him play a Justin Bieber song.

“I grew up listening to a lot of postmodern ’80s music and got into rock the same time I got into flamenco and Latin jazz,” Flores said. “I like the hybrid between the two because I’m not big into saying I only like to play a certain type of music.”

“I’m really into very obscure forms of progressive heavy metal and a lot of times it comes out in my playing,” Flores said. “Even on acoustic. People don’t know that some of this stuff was written by heavier bands.”

He is the guitarist in Pedagogic, a self-described dark-groove metal band that dresses up as zombies. He performs as a zombie doctor.

Some of his favorite songs for patients include a jazz version of “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson and a song called “Evolutionary Sleeper”

by Cynic, a progressive rock band.

Cynic's guitarist, Paul Masvidal, also

used to play for the terminally ill.

Flores is also a full-time student at San Antonio College and started classes at the beginning of the year. After he finishes his basic requirements, Flores wants to transfer to UIW and earn a bachelor's degree in music therapy.

“It’s an intense course of study and I tell everyone that talks about coming here that it is a hard course of study because we are combining areas that don’t naturally get combined in academia,” Dvorkin said.

Flores said he has been told it is a difficult degree to obtain.

“When I hear the word difficult, I hear the words 'not impossible,'” he said.

“I was fortunate enough to have somebody say, ‘Why don’t you look into this?’ ‘OK.’ And I looked into it,” Flores said. “Wow. This is not for everybody, but it’s definitely for me. It’s emotionally fulfilling, very rich and rewarding.”

Those who want to volunteer for the music therapy program at the Nix can call 579-3157 and request an application.

For more about UIW’s music therapy program, go to www.uiw.edu. Details about music therapy in general are available at the American Music Association’s website www.musictherapy.org.

While Raul Flores is recreationally playing music for patients at the Nix Medical Center downtown, he is pursuing formal training in music therapy, which medical experts say has a beneficial effect for patients. Photo by Collette Orquiz

14

Together We Give Thanks To The Lord Please join family and friends for the annual Thanksgiving Mass & Open House

Sunday, November 24, 2013 The Village at Incarnate Word 4707 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209

Stan continues from pg. 01

Repairs come from restaurants, loyal customers “He named it Stan’s because he hated the name Floyd. Our last name was Stanley so he adopted the name ‘Stan.’

Even as a kid he was either dad or Stan.

But never Floyd,” Phillip Stanley said.

When his dad could no longer do the

November 2013

possibility of a professional baseball career.

“If you’d asked me back then whether I’d be in appliance repair as an adult, I would have laughed and said no way,” Stanley said.

From Trinity he went into coaching.

First at a middle school and then as head baseball coach at Lee High School, where he’d played ball and learned to pitch as a kid.

He loved coaching. And he loved the students. But after 10 years and several back operations, he just couldn’t deal with the pain. He said he hated to quit but he really had no choice. He could have stayed at Lee as a biology teacher

1 p.m. Mass

Chapel of the Incarnate Word

2-4 p.m.

Reception

Phillip Stanley, alias 'Stan,' is the second generation of his family to run Stan's Appliance Service in Olmos Park. His father, Floyd Stanley, opened the store in 1964 and started using the name Stan, which customers liked. Photo by Josh Huskin

work, Stanley bought the business from him and became the new "Stan." He moved the repair shop to West Olmos Drive, just around the corner from the original location.

Appliance repair was not the son's dream job. He learned the business working in his father's store from his tween years on and got good at it. But his dream was to pitch in the Major Leagues.

Stanley attended Trinity University on a baseball scholarship. He majored in biology and physical education, and graduated in 1971. But a shoulder injury cut short the

but that was not what he wanted to do.

Now he goes to games as a fan, often to watch his customers' kids play baseball at Alamo Heights and elsewhere.

Timing is everything in life. And as he was preparing to leave Lee, his dad was ready to retire. The younger Stanley took his savings and put it into Stan’s Appliance. That’s when the son, just like his dad, became Stan.

“When I first took over the store the phone would ring and a caller would ask for Stan. When I said Stan was no longer here, the caller would hang up. I can’t tell

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you how often that happened,” he said.

Business dwindled.

“A few weeks after taking over the business, my dad and I were sitting on his front porch drinking a beer and just talking," Stanley said.

"I asked him if he used to get a lot of hang-ups at work. I told him what was happening and he laughed and told me to just be ‘Stan.’"

And so “Stan II” was born and business picked up overnight.

The bulk of his work comes from area restaurants large and small. He’s their go-to guy for broken toasters, mixers, microwave ovens and more.

“They don’t make stuff like they used to, (but) the key parts are nearly always the same as they used to be," he said. “Once you’ve worked on a microwave you can fix them all. The same is true for toasters, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, mixers and more.”

In addition to his corporate clients, a third

of his business comes from individuals who through word of mouth have heard of his repair shop. Those customers are older, he noted. Late 40s and up. Folks who want things fixed, who aren’t as quick to throw away perfectly good appliances.

His customers worship him.

“I heard about him for years,” Joan Blanchard said. “I have a lamp I need fixed but first I brought in my Oreck vacuum cleaner to be repaired. And it’s ready to pick up. The lamp is next."

Lynn Riddick, another customer, echoed that sentiment.

“Stan does such a great job. He can repair things so fast. I’ve been coming to him for years and years," said Riddick, who used to live in the Alamo Heights area but has moved to Elm Creek. Still, she doesn’t mind the drive to drop off items needing repair.

“I’m someone who doesn’t want to

Stan does such a great job. He can repair things so fast. I’ve been coming to him for years and years Lynn Riddick

Stan's Appliance Service in Olmos Park has been around nearly half a century, creating legions of loyal customers that include restaurant operators. Illustration by Jeremiah Teutsch

throw things into the landfill," she said.

"I want them fixed. I am amazed at the stuff some people simply toss … Over the years, Stan’s fixed my curling iron, my blender, my mixer, my hair dryer and a whole lot more. Some of the appliances he has repaired I’ve had for 30 years or more. But Stan keeps them running."

“He is so good at what he does,” added Riddick, who feels that today many manufacturers "build products

so they will fail in a few years, forcing consumers to buy a new one.”

Stanley agreed.

“Some newer products are much more expensive to repair because manufacturers bundle parts and force you to buy more than you may actually need to fix it," he said. "It may be cheaper in the long run not to fix something when the repair cost approaches replacement cost for a new one. And that’s a shame.”

CHILDREN’S HEALTH IS HERE.com Pediatricians • Pediatric Specialists • PediExpress for same-day appointments

903 W. Martin

358-KIDS (5437)

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November 2013

Southtown continues from pg. 01

One door down, Tanya Kulhanek, owner of The Jewelry Box, stocks a variety of merchandise including vintage decor and accessories. Like Gonzalez, she loves her location. But while she enjoys Southtown retailing, her creative streak rules. She’s often in the back room sculpting everything from ornate crosses to comical cats for customers

decades ago and started converting them into something new and different.

Works represented in galleries on the grounds are by local, regional, national and international talents—a testament to the way the Southtown art scene has become more sophisticated and cosmopolitan over the years.

The Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum is the focal point of the complex and offers shows such as “Broken Landscape,” by internationally known sculptor Blane de St. Croix. (It opens Dec. 12.) Independently operated enclaves such as the Robert Hughes Gallery, Cinnabar and San Angel Folk Art also attract noted artists, patrons and outstanding exhibits.

There are numerous avant-garde establishments in Southtown, often tucked away in old, repurposed buildings. And in very humble surroundings sometimes, other artists work solo—determined to do their own thing whether it’s commercially viable or not.

But that’s just the beginning.

“We have people setting up tables on the streets and selling purses from China; street-sketch artists and those costumed runners who race up and down South Alamo on First Friday," Gonzalez said.

The First Friday scene can get kind of crazy, she added, but it’s fun and is a Southtown tradition.

who appreciate the handmade and original.

Kulhanek is a bit of an original herself.

She likes to ride her flower-bedecked bicycle to work and parks in front of her store next to Muerto Marta, a stylish lady skeleton who’s regularly robed in outfits befitting the season. Marta is a Southtown symbol.

“People take photos of her all the time,” Kulhanek said.

A few blocks from Marta’s digs, you’ll find the Blue Star Arts Complex. It's arguably the place that jump-started it all when artists and developers took a group of warehouses by the San Antonio River more than two

The event takes place on the first Friday of every month. It began about a quarter of a century ago and has always been loosely organized without anybody really in charge, which is part of its charm. The Art Walk when galleries stay open late (until 10 p.m.) is its centerpiece and currently combines humor— those costumed runners — as well as fare for serious art collectors and, for the less artsy crowd, much miscellaneous merchandise.

There have been some ups and downs.

Many changes have occurred over the years, according to Gonzalez. And some fairly recent ones have caused controversy.

First Friday energizes the city, supporters say

by Rose Mary Budge

A

t a spot where South Alamo Street and César Chavez Boulevard intersect, there’s a sign listing Southtown attractions such as restaurants, shops, galleries and art.

All draw the crowds, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when the area twinkles with candlelight.

But if one attraction can be pointed to as pivotal, it’s art. Bold, brave, beautiful art of countless kinds gives the venerable neighborhood its character. And more galleries and venues are opening each day as others recognize Southtown as San Antonio's booming art hub.

“I love the artistic diversity you find in this neighborhood,” said Margarita Gonzalez, who showcases the work of regional artists as well as Mexican and South American

Margarita Gonzalez, owner of Casa Margarita in Southtown, says the neighborhood is filled with a richness of artistic diversity. The offerings range from Day of the Dead paintings to festive handcrafted items. Photos by Steven Gilmore

masters at her shop, Casa Margarita.

In one corner are Day of the Dead paintings

by S.A. artist Raul Servin and, right next to them, festive headbands, table runners and wreaths by Texas-based sisters Marissa Garza and Irma Billette. The disparate pieces peacefully co-exist. And on every wall and shelf are other items, equally diverse and unique.

Tanya Kulhanek (left), artist and owner of The Jewelry Box in Southtown, is an 'original' all her own who rides a flower-bedecked bicycle to work and dresses up Muerto Marta (right), a lady skeleton, in clothes reflecting the season.

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It's not unusual in the growing art scene of Southtown to find eclectic wares that range from jewelry to brightly painted ceramic crosses. The area has also experienced some controversy, with critics and supporters alike weighing in on First Friday celebrations. Photo by Steven Gilmore

I love the artistic diversity you find in this neighborhood Margarita gonzalez

When Gonzalez arrived 10 years ago, locally produced paintings and crafts were predominant. The idea was to showcase San Antonio talent and art that had handcrafted appeal. Today, a little bit of everything from everywhere is on the scene, which upsets those who prefer the original concept.

Also, as longtime Lavaca resident Margie Rodriguez pointed out, the partying crowds have grown bigger, louder and more disrespectful of the residential properties that blend into the commercial corridor.

“I get tired of finding trash in my yard and having cars parked in front of my driveway,” Rodriguez said.

Folks living in the King William Historic District are similarly critical. Not long ago, in fact, the issues of noise and traffic boiled over and a contingent demanded an 8 p.m. closing for stores on First Friday. Gonzalez was among the merchants who refused.

She explained that it would be detrimental to business to close up so early when restaurants and bars stay open late. Partying people often drop by the stores to do a bit of browsing and buying on their way home.

Additional dissension involves spaces that are rented by retailers to First Friday vendors. Some people think the growing presence of mall-like merchandise should

be banned. Others aren’t so sure.

“I do think original art should take precedence, but it’s hard in this economic climate to tell a struggling merchant he can’t rent a space in front of his establishment to somebody with, maybe, cellphone covers to sell,” Gonzalez said.

Despite concerns, though, the love affair with First Friday goes on. Almost all agree the Southtown event energizes the city while providing a financial boost.

Echoing this thought is Elizabeth Lyons, program and marketing manager for the Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum. She said San Antonio is fortunate to have a First Friday and Southtown, which is constantly producing creative spaces for people to live, work and play. She’s convinced the current artistic scene, even with its problems, has significantly strengthened the urban core.

Southtown photographer Al Rendon agrees.

And he’s not disturbed by the changes and challenges. In fact, he’s planning on a major change at his gallery to revitalize his business. Instead of focusing on the work of other artists, which he has done for years, he intends to spend more time developing and showing off his own work. He thinks the new approach will keep his gallery fresh and evolving—just like Southtown’s art scene.

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November 2013

Book continues from pg. 01

Wee libraries are spreading around local S.A. neighborhoods

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ome are plain wooden boxes out by the curb, while others blaze in a riot of eyecatching colors or ooze charm as miniature log cabins or cottages.

What they all have in common is on the inside—a selection of free books, there for the taking.

If you haven’t spotted a little free library already in your neighborhood, chances are you will before too long.

Little free libraries in the San Antonio area can be found in Alamo Heights, Olmos Park and Terrell Hills. The wee libraries offer readers books to take from the shelves, with the only request being they leave books for others to enjoy.

That’s it.

Jackie and Verlyn Stahlecker put one up this summer at the curb outside their home on Argo Avenue in Alamo Heights.

Jackie Stahlecker is a retired reading teacher and a quilting instructor. Her husband built the two-shelf library and she painted it in vivid folk-art style.

“I’m a book nut,” Stahlecker admitted when asked why she decided to create a library of her own after reading about one in a Fort Worth newspaper. “I read a lot.”

A recent visit to the Stahlecker’s library

revealed about 50 books on the shelves, including a copy of George Orwell’s “1984” and the recently acclaimed “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot.

Olmos Park resident Elizabeth Tichy put up a little free library and reading bench on her property near City Hall, hoping to foster a sense of community and encourage people to get outside and connect. She filled the two shelves and since then, visitors have been taking and leaving books, many of them for children.

“Every two weeks, it’s a completely new set of books,” Tichy said.

Neighbors Nancy and Jed Maebius said discovering the tiny book collection across the street delighted one of their grandchildren on a recent visit.

They plan to add to its collection.

Jed Maebius said only a few subjects are guaranteed to make strangers comfortable talking with each other.

Located on Argo Avenue in Alamo Heights, this little free library is kept up by self-described 'book nut' Jackie Stahlecker and her husband Verlyn, who built and painted the small curbside library. The main rule with all free libraries is simple: If you take a book, replace it with another. Photos by Collette Orquiz

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up by people interested in building community, fostering literacy and sharing a love of learning.

“Books certainly are a combination of both memory of the past, dreams of the future and imagination,” Brooks said.

Other little free libraries have been popping up in the San Antonio area, including one installed this fall at the Terrell Hills playground at Crestwood and Arvin streets.

The little library at the playground

is one of two sponsored by St. David's Episcopal Church. The second is on the church property. John Brooke, a Terrell Hills resident and member of the church, led the effort to start the libraries.

"People have given so many books I don't where to put them," he said, estimating he has 1,000 books ready to put in the two libraries, which turn over about 50 books a week, combined.

For more information, go to www.littlefreelibrary.org.

cy cl

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Among them?

“Babies, pets and this library,” he said.

Neither Stahlecker nor Tichy has encountered any thefts, vandalism or questionable reading material in their libraries.

“I’ve had a thank-you note from a teacher,” Stahlecker said.

For her part, Tichy believes books claim respect.

“It’s been really kind-spirited,” she said.

“There seems to be a... reverence for books.”

Many of the wee libraries are affiliated with Little Free Library, a nonprofit created in 2010. It all began in 2009, when Todd Bol put up a small schoolhouse themed little free library as a tribute to his mother outside his home in Wisconsin. Bol’s effort was a hit.

Before too long, Bol and Rick Brooks cofounded the nonprofit Little Free Library.

Today, Brooks estimates 10,000 to 12,000 little libraries—and possibly many more— have been established in 54 countries.

Perhaps half of those are not officially registered with his group, Brooks said.

Volunteers are working their way through a backlog of registered libraries to include them on the group’s searchable map online.

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Elizabeth Tichy (above) built a little free library on her property in Olmos Park near City Hall and even added a bench (left) for people to enjoy reading outdoors. Photos by Collette Orquiz

20

November 2013

Paycheck continues from pg. 05 extension through 2018, just three months after a vote by district patrons to increase the school property tax rate, which is still one of the lowest in the area. The tax increase is expected to bring in about $874,000 more each year to make up budget shortfalls.

The Legislature has since restored some state funding.

Meanwhile, Dr. Brian Gottardy — the superintendent in neighboring North East ISD — kept his place as the second highestpaid education chief in the San Antonio area, even with a only a modest bump in pay.

At $265,200 a year, he is second only to Dr. Brian Woods, superintendent of the larger Northside ISD. NISD just enrolled its 101,000th student this year, and the district remains the state's fourth largest.

And while enrollment is slowing in NEISD, the district is still adding students.

"We continue to grow every year,” said Aubrey Chancellor, spokeswoman for NEISD. The district has 68,000 students. Two new elementary schools, a new middle school under construction and a major technology initiative make the superintendent’s job a dynamic one. The job also comes with constant wrangling with school funding and

testing issues in the Legislature and agencies.

Detractors of superintendent pay say the salary for the top job in the district should be tied to better salaries for teachers or is too high because property taxes must keep pace with school funding.

But defenders of superintendent pay packages say they need to offer money that is commensurate with the skills needed to run a district. School boards are looking for an educator, administrator, lobbyist, business manager and someone who can act as the public face of the district.

But in tough times for school districts and ongoing funding of education statewide in constant flux, many superintendents aren’t looking for big increases in salary.

Gottardy “actually asked the (school board) for no more than a 2 percent raise because that’s what the rest of the district was getting,” Chancellor said.

School districts can’t pay traditional bonuses, but Gottardy did receive the same 1 percent “retention supplement” in place for employees districtwide who stayed on to June 30.

While the raise might be modest, the perks of the job minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Gottardy’s contract gives him a $1,000-a-month auto allowance, fully paid family health care coverage and a communications allowance of $600 a

month for phone, other mobile devices and home office. It also comes with an $18,000 annual retirement contribution and an $80,000 group life insurance policy.

Superintendent pay, as with pay for coaches, is often misunderstood relative to teacher salaries, insiders say.

Coaches often make more because they are teaching classes, but some also have extended working years beyond the typical 187 work-day year of a teacher. Some coaches start training athletes before the school year starts, and work long days and weekends, officials said.

Others also have to be certified to drive buses to take athletes to games, especially in small districts.

Superintendents, likewise, work outside business hours with school board meetings and public forums. They also are 12-month employees with just two to three weeks of vacation and school holidays during the academic year.

Last year, 44 percent of returning superintendents did not receive a pay increase, according to a survey by the Texas Association of School Boards and the Texas Association of School Administrators. The results are based on 639 Texas districts responding to the survey.

Results for the new school year are expected to be released soon.

Those who did report a pay raise got an

average of 2.5 percent compared to a 10year low of 1.6 percent the previous year.

But the average superintendent pay was up by 3.5 percent overall for an average of $127,358, according to the TASB and TASA. Average salaries for superintendents started at $86,782 in small districts with less than 500 students. The average for districts of more than 50,000 students was $281,722.

State Rep. Stefani Carter, R-Dallas, filed a bill in the Legislature that would require school district voters to approve a superintendent pay raise recommended by the school board.

The bill was sent to the house public education Committee in mid-february and never came up for a committee vote.

What prompted the initial action was the school board decision by the 160,000-student Dallas ISD to pay the superintendent a base salary of $300,000 a year and the possibility of earning incentive pay of up to $200,000.

Compensation for the now-retired superintendent of Beaumont ISD also came under scrutiny because regular annual raises over many years were written into his contract, garnering him a salary of $347,834 in 2011-12. That made him the highest paid superintendent in the state that year, according to a Texas Tribune analysis, for a district of less than 20,000 students.

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November 2013

Design continues from pg. 01

Proposed building 'inappropriate for Alamo Heights,' councilman says by nicole lessin

A

the project right now, and I think that’s what gives most people the concerns is that they believe it’s just too many units on a small piece of property,” said Mayor Louis Cooper. “I think they know that the project—as it stands right this second— the council would not be able to approve it, but we have heard all those concerns, and now it’s really up to Alamo Manhattan really to

respond to us, to put the citizens at ease to the questions that have been brought up.”

Alamo Manhattan President Matt Segrest said the project is still evolving and they want to keep communicating with the community.

“We are committed to the public process,” he said. “We have done a lot of these urban rezoning(s), and we know they can be very complicated. This one is very complicated.

A tract in Alamo Heights at Broadway and Austin Highway has become the focal point of community debate over plans to build a luxury apartment complex and retail space. Photo by Joshua Michaels

LAMO HEIGHTS — It’s gotten shorter and has a new design, but Alamo Manhattan’s plan to build Alamo Heights Gateway is still receiving a less-than-enthusiastic response from some elected officials and residents — at least in its current form.

But many others say the apartment-andretail project could help lure new commerce to the city that has otherwise gone to the Pearl or the Alamo Quarry Market.

Designed by the award-winning architecture firm Overland Partners, the 210-unit luxury apartment building would be located on a 1.6acre plot at Austin Highway and Broadway, one of the busiest intersections in the city.

“The biggest problem is the density of

But we are committed to working with the city to educate and respond to their comments. In the end, we are looking for something that’s a win-win for the city and for the development team. “ An earlier proposal called for a sixstory, 220-unit apartment building with no retail space, and also required building over a triangular public green space some call Ausway Park.

In contrast, the most recent plan, which was presented informally to the City Council in October, allows for 4,000 square feet of retail space, preserves the public green space, lowers the maximum height from 85 to 65 feet and cuts the number of apartments by 10 units, among other changes to the design.

However, resident Bill Kiel said the proposal still has many unresolved issues, including several needed variances to city code as well as the developer’s request to purchase and use several public rights of way from the city, including Ausway Lane and a section of Ellwood Avenue—both of which are used by motorists heading north up Broadway from Austin Highway.

“They have come down in height, and frankly they have really improved the exterior. It has kind of an older feel to it, a brick-architectural style that you might have

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Supporters who favor locating a new apartment and retail complex on a plot in the heart of Alamo Heights say it will help attract new businesses to the city. Others are afraid it is not the right size or design for the community. Photo by Joshua Michael

seen in the ’20s and the ’30s that seems to fit in better,” Kiel said. “But I think the most controversial part is they are going to try to come to the city and see if they will either sell or turn over this land, and I don’t know anybody on the council that is favorable to this project in the way that it is being proposed.”

Place 4 Councilman Elliot Weser said he has been beleaguered by phone calls and emails

from his constituents opposing the project.

“I think it’s inappropriate for Alamo Heights,” he said. “It’s too large; too dense …

I am not convinced it will act as a stimulus.”

Kimberly Lubianski, who lives near the proposed development site, said the project’s massing and height would not fit in with the rest of the neighborhood, and that cutting off entire lanes of traffic while adding more

people to an already busy area would increase congestion, among other problems.

“It’s the ugly step-sisters trying to put their foot in Cinderella’s shoe,” she said.

“It doesn’t fit logistically. It doesn’t fit economically, and it doesn’t fit physically.”

But longtime business owner Jimmy Satel voiced his support for the project.

“We need something new to spark the neighborhood,” he said. “Most of the retail has gone to the Quarry or the Pearl.”

Resident Jerry Lammers also said he thought Alamo Heights Gateway would help the city.

“It would be a catalyst for change in the downtown,” he said. “The commercial area has been just hanging on for the last 10 to 15 years. This development would bring young professionals and I think older retired people as well. The rents that they are going to try to get for this building are going to be some of the most expensive in San Antonio, and these people will frequent the restaurants and other retail establishments in the area.”

What’s more, the redesign would allow pedestrians more options due to the addition of walkways and other such features, said Lammers, an avid runner.

“Right now, it’s a no-man’s land from a pedestrian point of view,” he said. “It’s a busy

intersection with no adequate sidewalks, and right now there are no crosswalks.”

Resident John Joseph said while he agreed that the area needed some kind of re-development, he thought the project in its current form would not be beneficial.

“I want to see downtown Alamo Heights revitalized, and this whole debate is on how to achieve that,” he said. “But I don’t think the majority of Alamo Heights residents want to see Broadway and Austin Highway lined with five- and six-story buildings, lined to the curb like down on Grayson and Josephine streets. It would be a dangerous precedent if the city approved this because then every developer or property owner in the future would want the same approvals, and it would literally open the floodgates to other people to do the exact same thing.”

Nonetheless, Segrest said he and his staff have received a lot of positive reaction to the project. He plans to continue listening to concerns during the public process.

“We are not looking to push anything on the community at all,” he said. “We are looking for our end product to be a project that the community can be excited about and rally around … We believe in the transformational nature of this project and what it could do for downtown Alamo Heights."

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November 2013

Frontier continues from pg. 01

Exhibits shed light on themes of people, lands by dan r. goddard

B

y mixing the real with the imaginary – showing historical artifacts alongside contemporary paintings and sculptures — the Briscoe Western Art Museum downtown offers a unique way of looking at life on the American frontier.

After undergoing a magical $32 million transformation overseen by Lake Flato Architects, the former Hertzberg Circus Museum, originally built in 1930 in an art-deco style as the San Antonio Central Library, is now the 54,000-square-foot, three-level Briscoe museum on the River Walk, featuring more than 700 works of art and artifacts spread across nine galleries.

The museum just celebrated a grand opening Oct. 26-27 at 210 W. Market St. “We want to set ourselves apart from

other museums of the West,” said Director Steven M. Karr. “We want to show Western art like no one else in the country.”

While you can find Santa Anna’s sword and a Bowie knife, you’ll also see paintings, sculptures, photographs and folk art by diverse artists of the West, ranging from vintage portraits of Indian chiefs

by Edward Curtis to a full-scale teepee painted with buffalo motifs in neon colors by contemporary Comanche artists Calvert Nevaquaya and Tim Tate Nevaquaya.

“We’re an art museum, not a history museum,” Karr said. “We don’t have everything lined up chronologically like you find in most history museums.

Instead, we took a thematic approach, exploring topics such as the people and landscapes of the West along with movement, work, conflict and opportunity.

These broad topics give us a lot of leeway

We’re an art museum, not a history museum Director Steven M. Karr

Weight Loss Through healThy alTernaTives The Briscoe Western Art Museum, housed in a building on the River Walk that once contained a library and circus collection, aims to showcase the narrative of westward expansion, both mythic and real. Photos by Joshua Michael

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in how we organize our exhibits.”

For example, instead of lining up spurs and saddles, the Briscoe has mounted them in glass cases so they appear like hovering swarms. A touch screen allows visitors to find the silhouette of each spur or saddle to get more historical information.

“It’s like aquariums of spurs and saddles,” Karr said.

Kevin Sayama, exhibit design consultant, said the sideways view provides a better way to appreciate the beauty and design of these utilitarian objects, showing how

spurs and saddles evolved over 300 years.

“We want people to appreciate both the artists and artisans of the West,” Sayama said. “Craftsmanship is no longer as highly regarded as it once was, but the historical artifacts we use in the exhibit are designed to evoke more of an emotional response from viewers. People can draw upon their own memories and experiences they’ve had with these objects, so that everyone has a different adventure as they go through the museum.”

A highlight is a 1920 saddle that belonged

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to the Mexican revolutionary “For many people around leader Pancho Villa, decorated the world, San Antonio is the with snakes and devils. most iconic city of the West,” For the visitors to the Karr said. “It’s where the Alamo who often claim the cowboy originated and the old mission is not exciting beginning of the long cattle enough, the Briscoe provides a drives. We want our exhibits stirring, scale-model diorama to create a real sense of place.” of the March 1836 battle A full-scale replica of a with hand-painted, all-metal Wells Fargo stagecoach runs Mexican and Texian soldiers. over rocks and a rattlesnake 210 W. Market St. Spotlights, touch screens in the main first-floor and headphones enable you gallery, topped by wild Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, 10 a.m. to to listen to the stories of key horses painted on large wood 4 p.m. Wednesday figures, such as Lt. Col. William panels by famed California and Thursday and 10 Barret Travis, Lt. Jose Enrique muralist Millard Sheets. a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday de la Pena and the African Arrayed around a mezzanine through Sunday; American known as Joe. gallery overlooking the it's closed Monday.

Travis drawing the famous stagecoach are paintings and Admission is $5 for line in the sand is re-created in adults and $4 for bronzes by both historic and seniors (65 and older), a larger-than-life-size bronze contemporary Western artists students and military.

by James Nathan Muir, while such as Frank Tenney Johnson, Free for children Bruce Greene pays homage to Frank Earle Schoonover, Henry 12 and under. Visit Susanna Dickinson — "Lady Raschen and John Moyers.

BriscoeMuseum.org of the Alamo." Fritz White Contemporary works include or call 299-4499 for imagines the battle’s most Chinese-born artist Z.S. Liang’s more information. controversial moment in the dark, dramatic "Eagle Dance bronze "And Finally Crockett Potawatomi" and a lifelike Fell." Also in the “conflict gallery” is a bronze red-tailed hawk by Sandy Scott. siege cannon used during the Alamo battle Evoking the Spanish colonial era and and guns, knives and pistols that might the influence of Mexican vaqueros on have seen service on the Texas frontier. the development of American cowboys With a Native American chief in South Texas are a large selection of art overlooking a cascade of buffalo and artifacts provided by South Texas backed by a cowboy gazing down at a cattle rancher Enrique E. Guerra and waterfall of longhorns, Arizona artist his family, including a Comanchero John Coleman’s 13-foot-tall bronze jacket from the 1750s, worn by Hispanic "Visions of Change" is the centerpiece traders who dealt with the Comanches; of the two-story lobby that now has a a vaquero’s sombrero, rope and spurs plush, retro Western art-deco style. dating from 1910; and a sword that “The building has been restored was presented to Santa Anna in 1852. to 90 percent of what it looked Adjoining the main building like in 1930,” Karr said. of the Briscoe is the three-level, Once covered with white paint, the 21,000-square-foot Jack Guenther lobby’s ceiling featuring ornate cast-plaster Pavilion and accompanying McNutt patterns in bronze, gold and copper has Courtyard & Sculpture Garden. been restored to its original condition.

Tracy Wolff, a Briscoe board member, Silver medallions in the design of buffalo said the museum received some criticism and Indian-head nickels form the cornice, for building the pavilion before the and the stairs now have leather padding. exhibit galleries, but it’s paid off.

But instead of the original cowhide, Karr “Admissions aren’t going to cover our said the museum decided to go with operating costs so we have to be realistic buffalo. At the top of the stairs are naturalabout raising money to support the history scenes with a stuffed bobcat, museum,” Wolff said. “But the pavilion coyote, javelina and a Rio Grande turkey. has proved to be a popular rental A Hill Country landscape by Porfirio facility for everything from weddings Salinas hangs over furniture from the to corporate retreats. As a result, the home office of the museum’s namesake, museum is in the black and we’re in Gov. Dolph Briscoe, whose $4 million a pretty good financial position.” gift began the museum-building process To attract local residents, a series 10 years ago. Also from Briscoe’s private of gallery talks has been scheduled collection is Melvin Warren’s quintessential on the first Tuesday of each month South Texas scene, "Rojo Caballeros," from November to April, to take showing Mexican-American cowboys advantage of the free city parking tending livestock in a dust storm. offered on Tuesday nights.

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November 2013

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November 2013

BUY LOCAL

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

New Southtown gallery reaches out to young artists by olivier j. bourgoin

I

nkwell Studio is a new Southtown art gallery the owners hope will offer fresh concepts for the local — and growing — art scene. They are even sponsoring a Youth Arts Project that financially helps featured young artists.

"We are only open one day per month — or by appointment," said Michelle Poplawsky, an art dealer and owner of the gallery at 1114 S. St. Mary's St., Suite 210.

Poplawsky and art director Clayton "Clay" Rodgers said their business model is based on direct relationships with patrons, as well as organizing special events and private wine dinners for clients.

"I grew up in San Antonio," said Poplawsky, a Churchill High School graduate. "But I was gone for 25 years,

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more recently in Austin and now I'm back to make a mark. What we want to do with this gallery is to promote Texas artists in general and local San Antonio artists in particular."

About 90 percent of the art is homegrown and the rest is from across Texas, she added.

"We want for this gallery to reflect our sense of community and get more people involved," Rodgers said. "Our monthly events have been and are going to be fun and open to the public. We have also implemented a youth program as a community service."

The first recipient was an Alamo Heights Junior School student.

"We are sponsoring young local artists and some of their work is mixed in with all of our exhibits,"

Rodgers said."We will return 100 percent of the proceeds to the artists when their pieces are sold.

We want to bridge the gap between school, business and art studio."

The upstairs, 1,500-square-foot gallery held an opening bash Sept.

19. Usually there are 30 to 40 pieces on exhibit and more than 100 in storage at a remote location.

"Our specialty is modern abstract contemporary art across all mediums, including live performances as an expression of art; but no landscaping or nature scenes," Rodgers said.

"But we also are 'full-spectrum' art dealers and we will search for specific items, including 'art oddities' by request for private buyers."

The next event is a special holiday show titled "Sanctuary" on Dec. 7.

Inkwell Studio, the newest art gallery in Southtown, features a focus on Texas-based works and is giving back to the community by starting a Youth Arts Project. Photos by Collette Orquiz

Inkwell Studio 1114 S. St. Mary's St., Suite 210 For more, call 385-9395 or visit www.inkwellstudiosa.com

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Southtown's Propaganda Palace makes retro fun all over again by rose mary budge

W

hy did A.J. Martinez open a Propaganda Palace in Southtown? To begin with, he loves the neighborhood.

“It’s one of the coolest places in San Antonio and I wanted my business to be part of the scene,” he said.

The store is at 919 S. Alamo St. Martinez also wanted to fill a void.

He said the area had everything going for it except a place where folks could find retro video games, VHS tapes, vinyl records and other types of collectible media.

The summertime move is paying off. Crowds are clamoring to buy, sell or trade audio/video treasures. And if customers aren’t shopping or making money unloading treasures they no longer want, they’re hanging out with employee Bobby Andrews in the VHS room (thousands of tapes) or listening to Martinez wax nostalgic about his inspiration—his father, Alex.

Martinez’s dad was an Atari salesman; peddled the game from door to door back in the 1970s and rocked his son’s world.

“My greatest Christmas was when I got my first Atari,” Martinez said.

The worst Christmas came when Martinez lost his job and

was almost broke. His wife, Raven, encouraged him to sell part of his audio/video collection. He did on eBay; then sold at flea markets and small shopping centers, eventually opening a Propaganda Palace at 2100 McCullough Ave. Now ensconced in his second store— the building that once housed Jive Refried —he likes to show off a rare Nintendo robot and yesterday’s music on the shelves. Customers are constantly bringing in similar items that he buys to beef up inventory. And cool discounts are offered on trades.

The Southtown store is open seven days a week—11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The newest Propaganda Palace, located in Southtown, has walls lined with numerous vintage vinyl records, video games and VHS tapes (far left), as well as a rare Nintendo robot (right). Photos by Collette Orquiz

Propaganda Palace

919 S. Alamo St. For more, call 400-0240, visit www.propagandapalace.com or check out the Palace on Facebook.

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November 2013

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

New owners keeping tradition alive at Bar du Mon Ami

by Olivier J. Bourgoin

A

LAMO HEIGHTS — Businessman Michael Rossetti and bartender Christopher Philbreck have teamed up to take over ownership of Bar du Mon Ami — French for "my friend's bar"— at 4901 Broadway.

The unpretentious watering hole has been a neighborhood fixture for several years.

Gerry Shirley recently sold the bar.

He and his wife, Mon, own Mon's Thai restaurant. Shirley in a couple of months plans to open a new Italian/ pizzeria restaurant named SOBRO. Rossetti fell in love with Bar du Mon Ami after leaving corporate America and Connecticut and moving to San Antonio. In fact, it was the first local tavern he walked into after his arrival.

"This bar encompassed various

elements from many of my favorite bars all over the world," he said. "I went from being a frequent patron to proprietor."

Philbreck moved from Portland, Maine.

"We are and want to remain totally devoid of pretension," the bartender said. "We want to promote a convivial atmosphere where people feel comfortable and where they're not going to be judged or be afraid to order the 'wrong thing.' We can make you a fancy cocktail or just as easily one of the classics."

Rossetti wants to upgrade the wine list at Mon Ami — which is what most of the regulars call it, but otherwise not much else will be altered.

"There is very little we are going to change," Rossetti said. "We plan on building a small barrier (on the front patio) in order to clarify our boundaries, but other than that, we want to keep the same friendly and relaxed feel that's special to this place."

He also wants to patrons "to feel like this is home," he said.

"Most people here we know by name and what they do and probably even the name of their dog. That's not by accident. We take a genuine interest in our customers," he added.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

Bar du Mon Ami offers the Rye Briar, Basil Collins and Monk's Revenge (far left, top) while providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere as a comfortable neighborhood bar.

Photos by Collette Orquiz

Bar du Mon Ami 4901 Broadway For more, call 740-9229

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Vietnamese dishes offered at new Olmos Park eatery

by Olivier J. Bourgoin

O

lmos Park —Authentic fare is on the menu at Pho Kim Long, a traditional beef noodle-soup Vietnamese restaurant at the roundabout.

And don't be surprised if Vietnamese is the only language you hear spoken in the dining room or kitchen. The staff of seven are all either natives of Vietnam or grew up speaking Vietnamese.

The new restaurant, 4230 McCullough Ave., opened in August and occupies a spot that's been home to several other eateries — Shiraz, Tangeré, McCullough Avenue Grill and more recently Chez Laurent.

New owners Tram and Long Lai are keeping everything in the family.

Tram's mom, Thuy, is in charge of the kitchen and her father, Bob Tran, watches over the front. Vu Nguyen, a family friend, is the general manager.

Long Lai is in the military and is stationed in Japan. Nguyen said his favorite dish is the Ap-Chao — pan-

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fried flat rice noodles, served with chicken, stir-fried veggies and a homemade brown sauce.

Half of the noodles are crispy and on the bottom of the dish, and the other half are "melt-in-your-mouth" soft.

"Thuy grew up in Vietnam and she knows how to make all kinds

of traditional dishes," Nguyen said. "She is a talented cook and it all depends on her mood. She shoots from the hip sometimes, but it's always a good surprise."

She is often inspired to make some Banh Beo, a colorful dish of steamed mini-rice cakes served at the bottom of several small bowls with condiments and a small cup of fish sauce to pour on top.

"Although we don't sell alcohol here, you can bring your own and we don't charge a corkage fee," Nguyen said. "We want to provide a family atmosphere with more opportunities for our customers to drink what they want and so everyone can feel free to bring their own."

The restaurant is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Whether it's a slurp of pho, a traditional beef-noodle soup (bottom far left and left), or a combination meatand-shrimp plate with fried noodles (top far left), Pho Kim Long serves up traditional Vietnamese grub in Olmos Park. Photos by Collette Orquiz

Pho Kim Long 4230 McCullough Ave. For more, call 829-8021

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November 2013

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

Supply of houses getting tighter in SA

Median sales prices on the rise in 78204, 78209, 78210 and 78212

Recent

PROPERTY LISTINGS zip code guide

by Travis e. poling

M

ost home sellers in the San Antonio area are getting their initial asking price as the inventory of available single-family residential homes for sale shrank in September, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

In fact, inventories dipped to the lowest level in six years in September to an estimated 4.6 months supply and with sales closing in an average of 70 days, SABOR’s analysis of Multiple Listing Service data found. The more houses there are on the market, the more likely the seller is to try and negotiate a lower price or walk away for a sweeter deal, so shrinking inventory is seen as another sign of recovery, officials said.

That held true for neighborhoods in the 78204, 78209 and 78212 ZIP codes to the near north and south of downtown, where median prices rose and houses available for sale shrank from September

We have seen our inventory getting smaller and smaller all year SABOR Chairman Steven Gragg

2012. Median prices were up only slightly in 78210 as the supply of inventory rose.

“We have seen our inventory getting smaller and smaller all year, making this more of a competitive market,” said SABOR Chairman Steven Gragg. “Low inventory could result in sellers receiving multiple bids on homes located in prime locations or being able to sell closer to their asking price.”

September’s average sales price was up 7 percent from the same month last year to $205,728 and the median price also was up 7 percent to $168,700. That mirrors the year-to-date average and median prices and increases for the first nine months of the year, SABOR officials said.

The number of houses sold in the San Antonio area in September climbed by nearly a fourth to 2,031 closed deals.

In the 78204 ZIP code, the median sold price was up 37 percent to $381,750 and supply of inventory dropped to seven months from 11.3 months, according to data from the Texas Market Trends Report database.

The median home sale in the 78209 area was up 16.5 percent to $290,000 for the month and inventory dropped to three months from 5.3 months in September 2012.

The median sales price out of 10 closed sales in 78210 in September was up 5.6 percent to $83,450, but supply of inventory went contrary to the citywide trend and rose to 8.6 months from 4.9 months the same month last year.

For the 78212 area, the median price rose sharply to $330,000, an increase of 159 percent over September 2012.

78204, 78209, 78210, 78212

Street Address

List Price

SQ. FT.

Built

BR

FB

ZIP

209 Cedar St

$279,000

1,244

1920

2

1

78210

240 Halcyon Place

$571,900

2,598

1937

3

3

78209

519 Circle St

$975,000

6,734

2007

6

6

78209

344 Redwood St

$399,999

1,846

1941

3

2

78209

116 Lamont Ave

$589,900

2,643

1938

4

3

78209

106 Wildrose

$649,000

2,750

1960

3

3

78209

211 Elmview Pl

$1,125,000

4,321

1941

3

5

78209

631 Mistletoe Ave

$200,000

1,700

1919

3

2

78212

Real Estate LOCAL Trends ZIP Code

78204

78209

78210

78212

Sept-12

$279,000

$249,000

$79,000

$127,500

Sept-13

$381,750

$290,000

$83,450

$330,000

New listings

Sept-12

5

69

22

23

Sept-13

2

55

16

14

Average days on market

Sept-12

46

165

108

198

Sept-13

280

131

95

145

Sept-12

3

51

21

15

Sept-13

2

53

10

15

Under contract

Sept-12

4

55

8

15

Sept-13

3

40

13

9

Months supply of inventory

Sept-12

11.3

7.1

4.9

8.1

Sept-13

7

4.9

8.6

5.2

Median sold price

Closed sales

Source: San Antonio Board of Realtors: Texas Market Trends report The properties are new listings put on the market from Oct. 8-Oct. 31. 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 ommissions.

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141 Vassar Ln

$149,900

1,131

1947

2

2

78212

532 Kings Hwy

$152,750

1,300

1925

2

1

78212

413 Santa Clara Pl

$259,900

1,984

2006

3

3

78210

603 Hollywood Ave

$139,900

1,283

1955

3

2

78212

729 Kings Hwy

$142,700

1,624

1927

3

2

78212

826 W Summit

$164,950

2,319

1920

2

1

78212

220 Wyanoke Dr

$625,000

2,921

1953

3

3

78209

213 Vine St

$25,000

1,092

1940

2

1

78210

2112 Presa St.

$106,000

2,566

1917

3

2

78210

1427 Hicks Ave

$79,000

1,381

1930

3

1

78210

G r a n a da H o m e s

1044 Rigsby Ave

$95,000

1,581

1920

3

2

78210

3328 Belknap Pl

$119,000

1,008

1942

3

1

78212

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337Whittier

$72,000

890

1940

2

1

78210

529 Devine St

$160,000

1,498

1920

3

2

78210

114 Carolina St

$254,900

1,660

1930

3

2

78210

6Oxford Hall

$1,875,000

4,290

1996

3

3

78209

442 Queen Anne Ct

$200,000

1,264

1922

2

1

78209

250 Lullwood Ave

$220,000

1,244

1930

2

1

78212

225 Mistletoe Ave

$360,000

3,212

UNK

6

4

78212

105 Kings Hwy

$1,500,000

4,150

1907

3

2

78212

414 Calumet

$325,000

2,298

1954

3

2

78209

502 Nottingham Dr

$335,000

1,736

1953

3

2

78209

602 Rockhill Dr

$245,000

1,571

1954

3

2

78209

2647 Country Square St

$265,000

2,041

1980

3

2

78209

2610 Country Square St

$269,888

1,895

1984

3

2

78209

258 Cave Ln

$1,950,000

5,671

1956

4

4

78209

7218 Robin Rest Dr

$249,000

2,565

1972

5

4

78209

8110 Countryside Dr

$849,900

4,572

1966

5

5

78209

450Laramie Dr

$255,000

1,700

1955

3

2

78209

702 Nottingham Dr

$199,000

1,844

1954

3

2

78209

2902 Woodcrest Dr

$204,000

1,783

1962

3

2

78209

7503 Bridgewater Dr

$525,000

3,550

1961

4

3

78209

214 Oak Park Dr

$399,000

2,499

1960

3

2

78209

118 Brittany

$1,250,000

4,967

1936

4

3

78212

245 Lovera Blvd

$150,000

1,818

1940

3

2

78212

1510 Beacon Ave

$43,000

1,944

1947

4

2

78212

227 Saint Francis Ave

$140,000

1,985

1918

3

1

78204

231 Saint Francis Ave

$140,000

866

1918

3

2

78204

407 Aransas Ave

$45,000

1,282

1907

4

1

78210

8113 Scottshill

$134,900

1,531

1981

2

2

78209

2110 Lawndale Dr

$357,000

2,125

1957

3

3

78209

8314 Laurelhurst Dr

$425,000

2,637

1962

4

3

78209

519 Greenwich Blvd

$239,000

1,316

1948

2

2

78209

125 Lyman Dr.

$199,000

1,269

1958

3

2

78209

159 Ivy Ln

$670,000

2,904

1950

3

2

78209

321 Garraty

$317,500

2,468

UNK

4

2

78209

101 Seford Dr

$349,900

1,673

1950

4

2

78209

1113 Wiltshire Ave

$589,000

2,384

1952

3

2

78209

309 Morningside Dr

$1,850,000

5,178

1941

5

4

78209

753 Morningside Dr

$140,000

1,570

1951

3

2

78209

244 Seford Dr

$159,000

2,074

1950

3

2

78209

829 Terrell Rd

$797,000

4,599

1952

4

3

78209

43 Bristol Green

$676,000

4,291

1998

3

2

78209

• Courtesy patrol provided for building • Fire detector system and emergency alert system in each apartment • On-site service coordinator to assist with supportive services to enhance standard of living • Chapel, game room, TV room, library, thrift shop, ballroom, laundry room & garden patio • Lunch program available Monday – Friday • Socials – Birthday parties, bingo, bake & rummage sales, blood pressure & blood sugar checks and more • Government rental assistance available

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GUCCI • CHANEL • PRADA LOUIS VUITTON • FENDI

feel good about great taste

FREE 3 Ounces of Yogurt

With Regular Priced Menu Item 5920 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209

Limit one coupon per customer per visit.

Present before ordering. Not valid with any other offer.

We’re accepting Winter clothing NOW!

• Service & integrity are #1 • No appointment necessary • Receive up to 70% on high end designer handbags

20% OFF one unreduced item with this coupon.

Not to be combined with any other offer or special sale.

Expires 12/31/13

134 w. olmos dr. san antonio, tx 78212 210.826.0606 www.otravezconsignment.com

$1000 OFF Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment

New patients only. Cash patients only.

Offer expires 11/30/2013

FREE Whitening with Complete Exam & X-Rays Offer expires 11/30/2013

Find your picture perfect dress at

C.I. CASTRO & CO.

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING & FABRIC OUTLET FEATURED BRAND:

Join Us on Nov 15 &16, 10AM-5PM for our

Early Black Friday Sale

Additional markdowns on already reduced sale items, girl’s & boy’s clothing & more!

Rafael L. Mercado, DDS 1354 Basse Road, Suite 3 San Antonio, TX 78212

(210) 732-4570

call today to schedule your appointment! www.bassefamilydental.com

26 105 1

NEW HOURS: Mon-Sat 10AM – 5PM Location: 3503 Northeast Parkway San Antonio 78218 (Behind HEB, near Austin Hwy & Harry Wurzbach)

(210) 733-3961

facebook.com/cicastro

Visit our website for in-store offers!

We DeLIVeR In youR aRea!!!

Join The Union for the greatest workout experience in San Antonio. Our 26 postures are done by the top instructors in a 105 degree heated room to ensure maximum flexibility. We also complement the yoga with Bust A Move Cross Fit the number 1 exercise rage that combines flexibility, cardio and flexible strength.

JOiN US

15% OFF AnY OF OUR FITnESS PACkAgES

pHaRMaCy Two old GoaTs... the natural Choice for arthritis & fibromyalgia pain..

Come in for your free sample

one per customer Expires 11/15/13

7959 Broadway, Suite 106 San Antonio, TX 78209

HOLLYwOOD PARk (210) 494-9642

18130 US Hwy 281 N, Suite 94 San Antonio, TX 78232

HUEBnER OAkS (210) 690-9642

11255 Huebner Rd., Suite 202 San Antonio TX 78230

100 ct. bottle of healthmart pain relief with any new prescription. limit one per customer

CALL US TODAY ABOUT OUR SPECIALS ALAmO HEIgHTS (210) 824-6100

www.SA-kIDSkLOTHES.COm

MetRopoLItan pRofessIonaL BuILDIng

1303 McCullough, suite 128 san antonio, tX 78212

210

227-7207

Find more LOCAL deals online at salocallowdown.com

with basse family dental

LOCAL DEALS

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