LOCAL: Bracken, Cibolo, Garden Ridge, Schertz, Selma, March 2014

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INSIDE

Medical guide

pg.15 Getting you the up-to-date information about the latest trends in health care

bracken

Vol. 1, Issue 9

What's

INSIDE your community

local commentary pg. 03 SUSAN YERKES pg. 12 Schertz Veterans Memorial Plaza could be ready by summer Monument emphasizes duty, honor, country

pg. 05 Report: Contractor overcharged Comal ISD by $7.1 million

cibolo

garden ridge

COMMUNITY NEWS

schertz

Selma

03/2014

MPO narrowing roads wish lists

Forums focus on short-term, long-range regional transportation

by Will Wright

N

EW BRAUNFELS – A second round of workshops to gauge public opinion on a long-range transportation plan gave residents a chance to chime in on projects they want incorporated for future growth.

Findings of external audit shock trustees

The workshop was held by the San AntonioBexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization, which distributes state and federal funds for area transportation projects.

Now in the second stage of a yearlong process to hone a regional blueprint, the organization

MPO continues on pg. 10

EAT

pg. 20 Oak Valley Vineyards Restaurant diners treated to Hill Country vistas

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End in sight for I-35 construction pg. 08 Project on schedule to wrap before summer

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From the editor wwright@salocallowdown.com

President Harold J. Lees Publisher Gregg Rosenfield

Assoc. Publisher Rick Upton

Editorial Executive Editor Thomas Edwards Managing Editor Will Wright News Staff Collette Orquiz Contributing Writers Ron Aaron Eisenberg, Miranda Koerner, Eric Moreno, Travis E. Poling, Arthur Schechter, Eric J. Weilbacher and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Richard Fisher Jr. Contributing Photographers Joshua Michael Advertising Advertising Director Shelly Talamantez Account Managers Dawn Radick and Joe Rieras Controller Gerard "Jerry" Sulaica READER SERVICE Mailing Address 4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229 Fax Phone (210) 338.8842 (210) 616.9677 Advertising Inquiries rupton@salocallowdown.com Story Ideas tips@salocallowdown.com Website www.salocallowdown.com LOCAL Community News publications

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Send us events, comments

W

e recently received a query from a reader asking about the coverage of area high school teams in LOCAL Community News. Given the recent successes of the Wagner High School girls basketball team and the Judson and Clemens boys basketball teams – all of which advanced to state tournaments in Austin – that request comes as no surprise.

As we said when we introduced LOCAL to our communities last summer, our focus centers on current events that shape the future. Business development, transportation infrastructure, city and county government decisions – they all fit into that mold.

However, we will always keep an eye out for stories that have an impact on the community, including the successes of youth sports teams. In my years as a sportswriter and news reporter and editor, I’ve seen how participation in athletics and other extracurricular school activities have positively shaped the lives of the students I’ve covered.

Again, as I said before, we believe there is no story idea out there that might seem too small or inconsequential when it comes to our readers. Now that spring is here, we’ll be welcoming information on more events, many of which will bind residents and bolster spirits in each of the communities we cover.

Notices of local youth sports activities fit into that category, as well as those for other community gatherings across the area. Some of those might be posted on various websites, but we’d also prefer to hear from you directly.

Send us your story ideas, new business openings, event notices and other thoughts to tips@salocallowdown. com or email me directly at the address below. After all, that’s why we’re here.

Will Wright Managing Editor facebook.com/salocalcommunitynews

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local commentary

Why Cisneros Airport failed to fly by susan yerkes

W

hat’s in a name?

Sometimes, more than you bargained for. That’s the lesson folks at the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce learned when they launched a short-lived campaign to rename San Antonio International Airport for former Mayor Henry Cisneros.

The concept failed to take wing.

Within a week, the plan was put “on hold.” For now, that is a wise move.

Although many supported the idea after Hispanic Chamber Chairwoman Patricia Stout announced the campaign to rename the airport at the group’s annual gala, a chorus of Cisneros-bashers leapt

into the fray on talk radio and myriad blogs, threatening to create a controversy.

And then the prospective honoree himself put the kibosh on the plan.

“I don’t want to draw the community into further contentiousness,” Cisneros wrote in a thanks-but-no-thanks letter to Chamber leaders, citing his ongoing involvement with various city projects (including airport expansion) and national efforts to pass immigration reform. He also believes that landmarks should bear the monikers of people who have died.

But the Lila Cockrell Theater, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium, Cyndi Taylor Krier Juvenile Correctional Treatment Center, Howard Peak Greenway Trails System, Phil Hardberger Park and Paul Elizondo Tower indicate San Antonio civic leaders like to honor their peers while they’re still standing.

In fact, some folks first floated the Cisneros Airport idea decades ago.

“A group of us who volunteered for Henry’s campaigns back when he was mayor talked about naming the airport for him way back then,” one longtime Cisneros supporter told me when the flak

about the recent initiative started to fly.

Aside from the controversy it might generate, the airport-naming idea also has practical drawbacks in terms of civic strategy.

On the one hand, there are plenty of airports named for people, including New York’s LaGuardia and JFK, D.C.’s Reagan National, California’s celebrity cluster (John Wayne and Bob Hope airports), New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong Airport, and Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport and Bush Intercontinental.

But while San Antonio’s airport has expanded impressively in recent years, this city is still, alas, not one of the country’s high-profile “hub” destinations. It’s a connector airport, lacking the passenger traffic that makes the big hubs household names. “With an airport our size, people from other places may not associate a person’s name with the city. I’m all for naming something in town for Henry, but we need to keep our city’s name out there on the airport,” one longtime aviation industry leader told me.

If not the airport, what would be an apt edifice to bear Cisneros’ name? The idea is not going away.

And despite the recent announcement

of a Henry Cisneros Center for New Americans on the West Side, the push to name another, larger civic venue for Cisneros is likely to continue.

“We think Henry is very deserving.

Remember too, that he has served as our Hispanic Chamber chair. I believe it is time he is recognized like other mayors and county leaders,” Stout told me.

“We respect Henry’s wishes, and we are putting this on hold,” added Chamber CEO Ramiro Cavazos.

“But we will still move forward, and work with other community leaders, to do something.”

The downtown San Antonio Public Library, famously designed by brilliant Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, has come up several times as a place to name in Cisneros’ honor.

The Alamodome seems like a good fit to me, since it was one of Cisneros’ major initiatives.

Bottom line: San Antonio has a lot of venues. Somewhere out there, one is waiting for Cisneros’ name.

Now it’s your turn, readers.

What do you think?

Email comments to syerkes@ salocallowdown.com

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march 2014

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

Open and Opening Soon WOOD CREEK VAPORY, 8021 FM 78, Suite 119 in the Ventura Plaza-Valero center in Converse, offers electronic-cigarette items and accessories. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. For more, call 354-7958 or visit www.woodcreekvapory. com or WoodCreekVapory/ Facebook. (See story, page 19)

OAK VALLEY VINEYARDS RESTAURANT, 27315 S. FM 3009 in Garden Ridge, offers dining, a wedding venue, special events with indoor and outdoor seating, and a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more, call 830-980-8033 or visit www.oakvalleyvineyardsrestaurant. com or OakValleyVineyards/ Facebook. (See story, page 20)

COFFEE HAUS, 3893 Cibolo Valley Drive, Suite 107 in Cibolo, offers a variety of coffees and teas, frosty drinks and breakfast and lunch items. Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more, call 5662244 or visit www.cibolocoffeehaus.com.

IN OTHER NEWS CAMPBELL, WOLFF WIN PRIMARIES – Metrocom voters went to the polls March 4 to choose nominees for several local offices.

Incumbent Dr. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels brushed back challenges by Elisa Chan and Mike Novak to win the outright Republican nod for state Senate District 25, avoiding a May 27 runoff. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff did the same in his bid to retain his position, as he easily bested Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Adkisson for the Democratic nomination. Wolff will face Carlton Soules, who defeated Gerald Ponce in the GOP primary. Debra Guerrero and Tommy Calvert are headed for a runoff

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for the Democratic nomination to succeed Adkisson as Precinct 4 commissioner.

The winner will face either Kirby Mayor Tim Wilson or Windcrest Mayor Alan Baxter, who are headed for a runoff for the GOP nomination. In Guadalupe County, Precinct 2 Commissioner Kyle Kutscher defeated incumbent County Judge Larry Jones in the Republican primary. Because no Democratic candidates filed for the primary, Kutscher is unopposed in November’s general election. Also, Republicans Kevin “Bubba” Kunde and Judy Cope are headed for a runoff for Precinct 4 county commissioner. The winner will also be unopposed in November.

METROCOM COACHING CAROUSEL – Four area high school football coaches were named to new positions during February and early March. Longtime Madison High School football coach Jim Streety, the Mavericks head coach for 23 years, retired from that position to become New Braunfels Independent School District’s new athletic director. As the longest tenured coach in North East Independent School District history, Streety posted a

343-131-3 overall record during his 40-year career and was 194-86-2 at Madison, which he led to the Class 5A Division I state semifinals last season. He ranks fourth alltime in victories among Texas high school football coaches. Accompanying Streety to New Braunfels is Madison assistant head football coach and offensive coordinator Glenn Mangold, who took over as New Braunfels High School’s head coach on Feb. 24. Mangold, who spent six years at Madison, was previously an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Judson High School. On March 3, NEISD trustees selected Judson coach Mark Smith to succeed Streety at Madison. Smith, was 19-6 in two seasons leading the Rockets, who bowed to the Mavericks in the Class 5A Division I regional championship game last December. Named to succeed Smith on an interim basis was Sean McAuliffe, the Rockets’ defensive coordinator.

GARDEN RIDGE POTTERY MOVES – Garden Ridge Pottery’s inaugural store has now closed its doors at FM 3009 and Interstate 35 in Schertz, where it opened in 1979 to serve as the flagship for the chain of home décor stores that has expanded to

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U.S. PARALYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM IN SOCHI – The U.S. Paralympic Sled

Hockey team opened competition in Sochi, Russia, on March 8 and hoped to compete in the gold-medal Game there on March 15. The team, led by local player Josh Sweeney, has been featured during segments on CBS’ “Sunday Morning” and morning shows on Feb. 23-24 and in a PBS documentary that premiered Feb. 24. Sweeney, a forward, along with defenseman Rico Roman and goaltender Jen Yung Lee of the San Antonio Rampage Sled Ice Hockey Team, are competing for Team USA. They are among several veterans who have benefited from San Antonio-based Operation Comfort.

TITAN INDUSTRIAL PARK DOUBLES IN SIZE – Titan Industrial Park, located

at Enterprise Avenue and Lookout Road between Schertz and Selma, recently expanded from 124 acres to 293 acres.

Titan Development, purchaser of the

original site in Schertz, procured adjacent acreage and will retain the Titan Industrial Park name. CBRE and Endura Advisory Group are handling leasing for the park.

Titan Development said in a statement the facility is “well located to capture additional growth within the greater Tri-County area,” which already includes Amazon.com, Caterpillar, Sysco and Arlon. Zoning for the tract in Selma is light industrial and can accommodate build-to-suit opportunities for warehouse, distribution and manufacturing occupiers and owners, the company said.

GE OIL & GAS TO EXPAND IN SCHERTZ – The city of Schertz and the

Schertz Economic Development Corp. recently announced GE Oil & Gas will make an additional $8 million capital investment and add 175 full-time jobs at its 40,000-square-foot facility in Schertz. Specializing in cryogenic plant design and the fabrication of smallscale liquefied natural gas and carbondioxide applications, the city said the building should provide a minimum of 400 full-time jobs and an annual payroll of at least $16 million by 2015.

Audit continues from pg. 01

CISD, contractor agree to settle for $5.9 million

by Will Wright

N

EW BRAUNFELS – An independent audit of construction projects associated with the Comal Independent School District’s 2008 bond indicate the primary contractor overbilled the district by nearly $7.1 million, an official told the school board.

During Comal ISD’s board meeting Feb. 27, John Arias, president and owner of San Antonio-based ACC Consulting Inc. – which was paid $200,000 to perform the certified audit – said he hadn’t encountered such a situation in his 28 years in business.

Arias said documents provided by Temple-based Baird/Williams Construction, which the district paid $127,685,260 for 13 bond projects, indicated thousands of

dollars were spent on items unrelated to the bond – such as work apparently performed at the homes of former CISD employees.

“In our review of the job-cost history, there were clearly some non-reimbursable costs,” Arias said. “Some of them weren’t even associated with the bond.”

From an office inside the district’s Support Services Building, Arias interviewed CISD staffers and reviewed thousands of construction documents.

Helen Keaton, Comal ISD’s executive director of facilities and maintenance, said her own internal review led to the outside audit approved last November by trustees.

Keaton said a line-item comparison of reports submitted by the district and Baird/Williams eventually led to a jobcost overbilling of $7,112,135, which was adjusted down to $7,074,021.

Keaton said she and Arias consulted with Baird/Williams’ auditors, and in mid-February attorneys representing both sides worked out a settlement.

“We came up with an agreement that everyone could live with,” she said.

After an extended closed session, trustees

Audit continues on pg. 14

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march 2014

Schertz Chamber Toastmasters meet at the Comfort Inn & Suites meeting room, 5571 I-35 North in Selma, each Monday at 6:45 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.

Happening LOCAL

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

OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH h a pp e n i n g k e y

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outdoor

SCHERTZ CHAMBER EVENTS The Schertz Chamber

of Commerce will hold several events. For more, call 566-9000 or visit www.schertzchamber.org.

The Chamber’s March luncheon, featuring an Interstate 35 construction update by Texas Department of Transportation officials, will begin at 11:30 a.m. March 18 at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Member admission is $18; non member admission is $28. The Chamber’s “The Taste: Down Home,” featuring items from local restaurants, caterers and beverage providers, is 5-8 p.m. March 20 at the Schertz Civic Center. Tickets, $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children (ages 2

and under admitted free) are available at the Chamber offices. Gunn Chevrolet, 16550 N. Interstate 35 in Selma, will have its grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration at 11 a.m. March 26. The Chamber’s monthly Biz Ed class and breakfast, featuring a discussion on employer compliance, is 7:30-9 a.m.

March 26 at the Chamber offices at 1730 Schertz Parkway. General admission is $10; free for members. The Chamber will host a “Meet the Candidates Forum,” featuring candidates for Selma city offices, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 3 at Selma City Hall, 9375 Corporate Drive. The event is free and open to the public. The Chamber’s March luncheon, featuring Texas Secretary of State Nandita Berry, will begin at 11:30 a.m. April 15 at the Schertz Civic Center. Member admission is $18; non-member admission is $28. RSVPs encouraged by April 8.

New Haven Assisted Living, 2300 FM 3009, will host the Chamber’s After Hours Mixer from 5:30-7 p.m. April 17. General admission is $10; free for members. The

march/ april

RANDOLPH METROCOM EVENTS The Randolph

Metrocom Chamber of Commerce has scheduled several events.

For more, call 658-8322 or visit www. metrocomchamber.org.The Chamber’s March luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

March 11 at Blue Bonnet Palace, 17630 Lookout Road in Selma. The March Lunch-N-Learn event is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 20 at Wayland Baptist University, 11550 Interstate 35 North in San Antonio. The March Mixer is 6-8 p.m. March 27 at the Lion and the Rose British Restaurant and Pub, 8211 Agora Parkway Suite 112, in Selma.

The Chamber is hosting the American Legion Post 667 Boys State Golf Tourney, a fundraiser to send youths to the Boys State program at the University of Texas this spring, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 6 at Northcliffe Golf Course, 178 I-35 North in Selma.

The $60 entry fee includes course fees,

mulligans and skins, and an awards luncheon at Post 667 after the round is completed.

For more, call Joe Schaefer at 945-0663.

through march

BOY SCOUT TROOP SELLING FIESTA PARADE TICKETS Boy

Mar

SCHERTZ UNITED METHODIST events Schertz United

Scout Troop 512, sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars 8315 in Schertz, is selling tickets for San Antonio’s Battle of the Flowers Parade on April 26 and the Flambeau Parade on April 27. Proceeds from ticket sales, priced at $5 and $12, will benefit Troop 512. Tickets must be paid within seven days of placing orders.

For more, call 590-1667 or 334-0687.

22, 30

Methodist Church will host a drive for good, clean items to donate to Goodwill Industries, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 at the church, 3460 Roy Richard Drive. Tax-donation receipts will be available. For more, contact Jacqui at cantu1j@hotmail.com. For each 26foot truck filled with collected items as part of its Partners For Good initiative, Goodwill will donate $1,000 towards the church’s Faith In Action program. Church

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COMMUNITY IN SCHOOLS FUNDRAISER, GALA Communities In

Schools of South Central Texas is in the midst of activities leading up to its annual fundraising gala.

CIS, which benefits at-risk schoolchildren in several area districts, will hold its annual “Rock ‘n’ Roll for Kids” at 6 p.m. April 5 at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, 375 S. Castell Ave. On Feb. 28, CIS launched its annual Great Legs competition, in which male participants throughout the New Braunfels and Schertz communities “compete” for votes to judge who has the best legs. There is a $1 donation for each vote, and no limit on the number of votes that can be made online by visiting www.cis-sct.org.

The entrant raising the most money will be announced during the CIS gala. Rock ‘n’ Roll for Kids will feature a catered dinner by River City Catering, music by The Big Time and feature live and silent auctions. For more, call Communities In Schools at 830-620-4247.

Apr

RACE AT THE RANCH Kinder

Ranch Elementary School PTA will host its third annual “Race at the Ranch,” a 5K run/walk, onemile Fun Run and a health and activity fair, from 8 a.m. to noon at the campus, 2035 Kinder Parkway in San Antonio.

Race winners in all age groups will receive medals and awards. Proceeds will provide educational materials and technology for students at the school, which will hold a silent auction of baskets donated by students and community members. For more, visit www.raceattheranch.org.

5

MONTHLY

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH FREE SUPPER During the first

Wednesdays of each month, St. Paul Evangelical Church, 108 S. Main in Cibolo, will host a free supper 6-7:30 p.m.

For more, call the church at 658-5874.

May

16-17

WINDCREST FIREMAN’S PICNIC The 44th annual

Windcrest Fireman’s Picnic is 4-11 p.m. May 16 and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

May 17 at the Takas Park Civic Center, 9310 Jim Seal Drive. For more, call 599-6007.

Submitting events: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@salocallowdown.com.

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Northeast Lakeview College Welcomes Dr. Craig T. Follins It is with great excitement that I join the Northeast Lakeview College family.

Dr. Craig Follins began his post as President of Northeast Lakeview College on March 24 and is no stranger to education or to Texas. He brings 20 years of experience in education to Northeast Lakeview College. His previous stint as an educator in TX included teaching sociology as an adjunct for Lone Star College-Kingwood Campus and leadership positions at the Houston Community Colleges and Victoria College. Originally from New York City, he also held numerous other leadership positions at community colleges across the county. He says he has always wanted to “come back to Texas” and is eager to begin his new journey.

Building on the Basics Northeast Lakeview College has good “roots” with room for growth and Follins expresses his delight in having the ability to build on these basics and transition the institution into its next phase.

His experience at both small and large colleges bring new opportunities to the growing Northeast Lakeview College campus and to the communities that we serve, says Sabrina Hammel, NLC faculty senate president.

Follins wants to capitalize on Northeast Lakeview College’s current strengths and discover new opportunities that will lead the institution into its next successes.

I want to stay true to the community college mission. And serving students is what we do.

Students First Northeast Lakeview College prides itself in putting students first and its ultimate goal is to see every student succeed and realize their educational goals. Follins says he is passionate about what he does and understands that every student should have the opportunity for a chance at success.

As the center of educational opportunities, he realizes the importance of community colleges to provide open access, yet a meaningful educational experience to all members of the community. Northeast Lakeview College fulfills this need by providing opportunities for success through a studentfocused environment.

Looking Ahead His extensive experience in workforce development and continuing education programming will allow Northeast Lakeview College to find avenues to develop with the growing community that the college serves and respond to local business needs.

Additionally, by learning and utilizing best practices from higher education institutions, Northeast Lakeview College can better respond to the new generations of students and provide them with a high quality education in a digital and dynamic environment.

march 2014

TxDOT continues from pg. 01

Highway workers finishing ramps, expanding lanes

by Will Wright

S

CHERTZ – Finally, there’s an end in sight for Interstate 35 construction across the Metrocom.

The $24 million expansion project to add main lanes, flyovers and revisions to entrance and exit ramps on the roadway, extending from Judson Road in San Antonio to FM 3009 in Schertz, is on schedule to wrap before summer, Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Josh Donat said.

“We’re on pace to be done before the end of the school year, which is what we’ve always said,” he said. “We’re at the point to where we can say that we’re weeks from being done.”

Donat believes the project will be finished in 12 weeks, barring bad weather and unforeseen problems.

The construction has experienced several highs and lows since launching in October 2012.

Complications included design issues, inclement weather and changes in construction priorities and resources. In November, work wrapped near The Forum Shopping Center, where a new Forum Parkway bridge opened to holiday shoppers.

Shortly thereafter, months of detours ended with the completion of ramps linking Loop 1604 to I-35. The next focus was finishing construction around the FM 3009 intersection.

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The north-to-south turnaround lane opened to drivers, and after a threeweek closure the northbound 3009 exit ramp reopened. That exit now features two exit lanes flowing into five frontage lanes – a turnaround lane, a left-turn only lane, an optional left-turn/forward lane, a straight lane and a right-turn only lane. All that remains at that intersection is completion of the critical south-to-north turnaround lane.

“When we finish the rest of the 3009 intersection, the attention will turn towards finishing up the other ramps throughout the project,” Donat said.

Construction continues on the southbound exit ramp to Olympia Parkway, which closed March 2 so workers could remove temporary concrete barriers and complete asphalt work. The southbound exit to Olympia Parkway will close until the ramp is finished, and project supervisors anticipate it should reopen by March 28.

TxDOT officials said the northbound FM 1518 exit ramp is on pace to open

by April 1. Workers are widening the main lanes between Cibolo Creek Bridge and Loop 1604. The work will have an impact on traffic using access roads in both directions between FM 1518 and Forum Parkway, with paving operations at times reducing the frontage roads to a single lane.

Donat said, “Crews are also working in what has been the shoulder area of the main lanes, adding the space to make room for the extra lane of traffic being added.” He noted most of the widening work should be completed by mid-March or the month’s end.

“Again, we’re on pace to be done well before the end of the school year, which was our original target,” Donat said.

For project updates, visit www.txdot.gov or www.txdotsanantonio.blogspot.com.

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MPO continues from pg. 01

Several roadways considered for immediate improvement is hosting six public forums in San Antonio, Seguin, New Braunfels and Boerne.

When finished, the MPO’s long-range plan, Mobility 2040, will be a roadmap of prioritized projects and guidelines for disbursement of federal and state transportation funding, totaling more than $200 million annually. The latest workshops addressed foreseeable scenarios for the longrange plan, as well as projects considered for short-term funding under the MPO’s fouryear Transportation Improvement Program.

Scott Ericksen, the MPO’s senior public involvement coordinator, said the most recent meetings were not only held to consider TIP projects, but offer information on three long-range growth scenarios to fashion a Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the region, which

includes Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties and part of Kendall County.

During six forums held in late February and early March, residents considered 55 TIP projects worth $435 million and separated into five categories: Added Capacity, Bicycle/ Pedestrian, Operational, Rehabilitation and Non-Roadway Construction.

A multi-agency committee assigned technical scores for each potential project, based on criteria considering traffic volume and street capacity, crash data, construction cost and how each would fit into the region’s overall mobility plan.

Each is aligned with other projects in their specific categories. Of the 55 projects, the MPO has but $55 million available to fund projects for 2015-18.

Ericksen said public comments, pooled with technical scores assessed each project by the MPO’s Technical Policy Board, will result in a final-submission list to the Texas Department of Transportation by May 1.

“The TIP is the first four years of the long-range plan, so we combined both into the public meetings,” Ericksen said.

The TIP addresses the most urgent regional needs. There are 20 proposed Added Capacity projects – adding travel lanes to

major roadways – totaling $241.7 million.

“As we plan projects, one of the most important things folks can do is to be involved with these public meetings,” TxDOT spokesman Josh Donat said.

“The MPO is where a lot of the decisions happen about what we build and when.

They get their priorities from the community and actual hard data. “(MPO meetings) are an opportunity for people to participate in the prioritization of the projects out of TxDOT over the next few years.”

Also in the TIP are 12 proposed Operational projects – improving roadways without additional travel lanes – totaling $143 million.

Plus, there are 10 proposed road Rehabilitation projects (worth $14.7 million), seven Bicycle/Pedestrian projects ($4.1 million) and five NonRoadway projects ($30.7 million).

Within those five categories, there are projects in north San Antonio, Schertz, Cibolo, Selma, Universal City, New Braunfels, Seguin and other areas of Comal and Guadalupe counties, costing $123.3 million.

Several of those projects scored highly on the list of Added Capacity projects.

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Local projects concerned most of the 100 people attending the Feb. 26 workshop at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center. Improvements to FM 306 and a north-south expansion of Loop 337 around New Braunfels – ranked first, fourth and seventh respectively among Added Capacity projects, a proposed expansion of FM 2252 (Nacogdoches Road) between Evans Road and FM 3009 ranked second.

Residents were also asked for opinions to help formulate the region’s long-range plan, the MTP. Projections by MPO indicate that from 2010 to 2040, the population will increase by 154 percent in Guadalupe County, 140 percent in Comal County and 89 percent in Kendall County. Jobs in Comal and Guadalupe counties are slated to rise by 178 percent and 154 percent, respectively.

The prediction calls for 1.5 million more people to live, play and work in the area, and is why residents were asked to choose among three future scenarios – based on a series of growth assumptions – best accommodating traffic in the region.

“We want to develop a regional vision for the future for the four-county study area, to see how we’ll make transportation

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investments through the year 2040,” Linda Vela, MPO consultant project manager, said about the future plan, which will include all modes of transportation – pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle.

When all input is collected and combined, the MPO’s Transportation Policy Board, serving as the organization’s board of directors including regional elected officials and representatives, will

finalize Mobility 2040 by December.

“We need to figure out where an additional 1.5 million people will fit into which area, and we’re asking people to express a format in which they prefer to see their area grow,” Ericksen said. “It’s not going to be one-size-fits-all – each (area) will have their preferences on the three scenarios, but we’ll figure out how to monitor all of those individually.”

Linda Vela, San Antonio-Bexar County MPO consultant project manager, explains projected growth scenarios to New Braunfels-area residents during a Feb. 26 meeting. Photo by Josh Michael

Financial“Spring Cleaning” Can Brighten Your Investment Picture The days are getting longer and warmer — a sure indication of the arrival of spring. Another sign of the season may be the urge you get to do some spring cleaning. But you might not have realized that some of the same spring-cleaning techniques that can be used on your home can also apply to your investments and your overall financial strategy.

Here are a few ideas to consider: • Get rid of “clutter.” As you do your spring cleaning, you may well find some clutter — a bunch of items you no longer need. As an investor, you might look at your portfolio and also find “clutter” in the form of investments that are no longer appropriate for your objectives. For example, perhaps some of them are virtual duplicates of other investments you own, thereby diminishing your potential for diversification. Or maybe some investments are now too risky for your needs. In any case, you may be better off rebalancing your portfolio.

• Get organized. As you clean your home, you might find ways to organize your belongings and furniture more efficiently. And you may also be able to organize your investments more effectively. One possibility: Consider consolidating your investment accounts with one provider. If you have an IRA here, another one there and some other investments scattered about, you may be paying more in fees and commissions than is necessary. By consolidating these investments, you might save money and paperwork — and more importantly, you may find it easier, with all your investments under one “roof,” to follow a single, unified investment strategy.

• Seal “cracks.” Over time, the grout between your kitchen or bathroom tiles can crack, so you’ll need to re-grout to protect your flooring. And you may find that, in looking at your overall financial strategy, your “protection” component — primarily in the form of insurance — might have developed some “cracks” or “chips.” Specifically, has your life insurance kept up with changes in your family situation? Events such as marriage, remarriage or the arrival of a new child can all trigger the need to review your life insurance. And you’ll also want to make sure you have adequate disability insurance. Consult with a financial professional for information on appropriate protection vehicles.

• Do some “dusting.” As part of your spring cleaning, you may need to dust furniture, shelves and other surfaces in your home. And if you’ve been investing for a long time, you may need to metaphorically “dust off” your financial strategy to “freshen it up” to reflect changes in your life. To cite one possibility, as you get close to retirement, you may need to shift some — but certainly not all — of your growth-oriented investments into income-producing ones. But you may also need to review and revise your financial strategy at other points in your life, such as when you begin saving for your children’s college education.

Just as spring cleaning can bring more light into your home, sprucing up your investment picture can help you brighten your financial outlook. And these improvements can help you in all the seasons of your life.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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Memorial continues from pg. 01

Plaza dedicated to past, present, future veterans

by Miranda Koerner

S

CHERTZ – Brick by brick, the Schertz Veterans Memorial Plaza is slowly nearing completion.

Final construction at the site, located near the Schertz Senior Center on Schertz Parkway, began last December. When finished, the $220,000 project will feature outer and inner pentagons honoring veterans who served in each of the five branches of the United States military.

Veterans Plaza board member Ruth Tienor said she believes the plaza will be ready in time for a celebration honoring servicemen on Independence Day. Tienor said she and her late husband Robert, a 22-year Air Force veteran, got the idea after seeing a veterans’ plaza in Temple.

“We had visited veterans’ memorials all

over the country, and Schertz didn’t have one,” Tienor said. “The military presence is so big in Schertz, it was embarrassing not to have a way to remember our veterans. “(The plaza) will honor veterans from the Civil War to future veterans.

It’s a project we want to be reverent and respectful for everyone. (These men) signed a blank check when they signed up for the military, and we want to honor that.”

Tienor said she approached former Mayor Earl Sawyer in 2010 about the possibility of the city donating land for a future memorial site. The city did, and subsequently agreed to provide maintenance when it is completed.

City Engineer Larry Dublin, an Army veteran and board member, came up with the design for the plaza, which will feature an outer pentagon containing a star with its five tips pointing to individual monuments representing the five branches of the military.

A smaller pentagon within the star is the central point of the plaza and contains three flags – for the United States, Texas and prisoners of war. Inside the center pentagon will be a bronze figure of a

young boy with tears running down his cheeks as he salutes a bronze Battle Cross statue situated on a small, rocky hill.

The statue was designed by famed western-themed artist Mike Scovel, whose work at Temple’s veterans’ memorial so inspired the Tienors they visited Scovel in New Mexico to plan their vision.

“We wanted the plaza to be a formal place for people to sit and remember,” Tienor said. “It’s for the veterans and a place to pay our respects for them.”

A $10,000 donation from Garden Ridge Pottery founder Eric White got the project off the ground three years ago, when the first phase of construction began. Much of the subsequent funding has come through sales of $75 bricks engraved with veterans’ names and placed at the memorial’s center.

“When you’re buying bricks for $75 each, it’s not enough capital for a big project,” Tienor said. “It’s been hard to get the word out. When people saw it going up, it gained more interest.”

Since then, there have been additional donations from White, who added another $25,000 last summer, Guadalupe Valley Electrical Cooperative ($20,000), and the local Veterans of Foreign

Wars chapter. To date, donations have totaled nearly $200,000.

The five-phase project is in its last stage of landscaping and irrigation, which the board discussed in mid-February. City Executive Director-Development Brian James said many residents are looking for ways to honor their loved ones.

“It really becomes a tangible representation of how important our veterans are to the community,” James said. “We talk about the importance of their service and this is a physical way to show it. It’s indicative of how much it matters to the number of people who have made this happen.”

Air Force veteran and board member Leon Jones said the plaza is a prime example of how veterans share their love of service to the country.

“It is a testament to the dedication of the men and women who served and those who gave their lives for a purpose greater than themselves,” Jones said. “It also shows the passion of loved ones and the patriotism of the citizens of Schertz. I thank the members

Memorial continues on pg. 14

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Memorial continues from pg. 12 of the Schertz Veterans Memorial Plaza committee for allowing me to be a part of this great event.”

Tienor said even future veterans are looking forward to the dedication of the memorial, which to her also serves as a bittersweet tribute to her husband, who died last year.

“Robert would be so thrilled,” said

Tienor, adding her husband bought the Air Force flag that will be displayed at the monument, which was also funded through contributions as part of his memorial. “(The Air Force) was one of the most meaningful things he did in his life.”

For more, visit veteransplaza.org.

Those wishing to make tax-deductible donations or sponsorships may write checks to the Veterans Memorial Plaza, in care of Schertz Bank and Trust, 519 Main St., Schertz, TX 78154.

Audit continues from pg. 05

unanimously approved terms of the settlement, whereby Baird/Williams agreed to pay $5.9 million – roughly 83 percent – of the 2008 bond overbilling.

However, the deal also absolved Baird/ Williams’ possible overbilling for projects associated with the 2005 bond, in which it also served as primary contractor.

The board chose to accept the settlement over a possible legal battle, which could have resulted in CISD receiving less than the agreed $5.9 million, said David Drastata, CISD board president.

“While it (the settlement) is unfortunate, it’s important to note that checks and balances are now in place,” Superintendent Andrew Kim said.

“Hopefully, this will close the chapter on this so we can all move forward.”

District projects in the 2008 and 2005 bond totaled $205.5 million and $189.2 million, respectively. According to district records, CISD paid Baird/ Williams $188,972,551 over the past seven years. Voice mails and messages requesting comment by Baird/Williams CEO Blair Williams were not returned.

What most irked trustees were Arias’ reports that Baird/Williams billed the district for a $27,000 contribution to the Comal Education Foundation; a $15,000 donation to Canyon High School; purchases totaling $7,000 to the Comal County Livestock Show and Auction; $18,000 for a recreational vehicle; $6,000 for a trailer and $6,000 for home improvements at former CISD employees’ residences.

“Let me clarify something – so the district paid for the funding for the education foundation, which was supposed to be coming from Baird/ Williams?” Drastata asked.

Keaton said Thomas Bloxham, CISD’s former assistant superintendent of support services, signed off on most

items associated with the 2008 bond projects. She told trustees former CISD Superintendent Marc Walker was the person ultimately responsible for the approval of construction services.

Walker and Bloxham resigned their positions in 2012. Documents obtained by LOCAL Community News and confirmed

by CISD officials, indicate the Comal County Sheriff ’s Office and Texas Rangers are currently investigating events associated with the bond. Keaton said both agencies were forwarded copies of the audit’s findings.

She added her investigation had also initially targeted payments made to SHW Group, a national architectural firm with offices in San Antonio and Austin.

The firm was not associated with the certified audit, Keaton said. SHW officials did not return telephone calls requesting comment.

Last fall, CISD trustees moved to disband the district’s seven-year involvement with Baird/Williams and SHW Group. The board also adopted “best practices” for future procurement of professional architectural, engineering and construction services.

Keaton cited CISD’s lack of protocols in place to review bond expenditures, as well as approvals of line-item expenses by individuals instead of multiple officials, as contributing factors with the 2008 bond problems.

With corrective measures now installed, she is confident the district will move ahead “with positive change,” she said.

“Now that we’ve moved through this process, (CISD employees) recognize the goals of the new administrators in the building and that we’re empowering them to take responsibility for their jobs, which they (previously) weren’t allowed to do.”

After approving the settlement, trustees in a unanimous vote extended the contract of Kim until 2019. He brought Keaton aboard to investigate events that occurred prior to his arrival in early 2012.

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ogging on to the computer to check personal medical records could become as commonplace as checking your bank account or a credit score in the near future. The idea being put in place by Healthcare Access San Antonio is one executives say will not only place health knowledge in the hands of patients, but also save lives and money.

Working with hospital systems and physician practices, the nonprofit organization is compiling thousands of medical records available only to the patient and medical providers with patient permission.

“If you’re in Dallas or Houston and in a car wreck, the emergency physician needs to see your records,” said Kimberly Harris, who heads marketing and business development for HASA. Harris likens it to

MEDICAL HEALTH CARE going to France on vacation and using a bank card from back home to get money.

The initiative is one of several around the country to create a health-information exchange. That includes medical records from hospitals and doctors that could be accessed from anywhere as needed by the patient, and a personal health record that could include test results, medications and doctor and insurance information.

The Baptist Health System, Methodist Healthcare System, Christus Santa Rosa Health System, Nix Health System and University Health System have all provided secure patient records to HASA. Those 600,000 patient records eventually will be connected to a statewide network, said Gijs Van Oort, CEO of HASA. In all, more than 1,900 doctors and 83 hospitals in the region have signed on, according to HASA. It’s all part of a federal effort to connect health care providers across the state and in neighboring states. Because of the size of Texas, the state has opted to give the task to regional groups such as HASA. All are overseen by the Texas Health Services Authority. HASA received federal

march 2014

funds in 2010 to launch the initiative in Bexar and 22 surrounding counties.

Like credit reports, the patient records allow people to check their data for accuracy.

“A lot of people simply want to see their record (at the doctor’s office or hospital) and sometimes find the information is not correct,” Van Oort said. It also is a way to educate the patient, track data for chronic diseases and “gives them more purpose to take action,” he added.

While larger medical groups, which mostly are using advanced electronic record-keeping systems, have seen the value of the healthinformation exchange idea, it has been a harder sell to doctors in solo practice, Van Oort said.

The advantage for solo doctors is they can easily get access to their patients and patient records without so much paper changing hands or long waits.

What’s more, front-office staff can readily call up insurance and billing data without seeing the patient’s medical records, he said.

Dr. Ramone Figueroa, who heads technology initiatives for San Antoniobased medical group and insurer WellMed, said all the clinics in the WellMed family will soon be on one system that can help

generate reports on who needs care.

The clinics, which serve about 45,000 senior citizens in the San Antonio area and 55,000 in Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley and parts of Florida, once had 11 different electronic medical-record systems.

In the works for WellMed is a portal where patients can securely check their test results, past reports and even make an appointment.

Van Oort said smaller hospitals sending patients for additional specialty care in San Antonio also will benefit from the records exchange.

Under the HASA system, the San Antonio hospital can search records electronically and be ready; meanwhile, the doctor back home can access the San Antonio records for follow-up care.

Harris said future steps include healthprovider access, as needed, to living wills and power-of-attorney records if a patient is unable to decide on medical treatment for himself, and health coaching for patients, especially those with chronic disease.

As the system rolls out, those interested in pre-registering for their own patient records page can go to HASATX. org and click on MyHASA.

Get in. Get out. Get well.

Of the five main human senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing, vision), what is the most important to YOU? Not surprisingly, most people answer “vision”. That is because we live in a world where healthy vision is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. There are several stages of vision to consider. For example, did you know that you should have your child’s eyes examined as early as six months old? Cooing, sitting up, and crawling are signs that your baby is growing! Your baby’s vision has stages of development too, but the signs marking progress are not so obvious. Between six and twelve months of age, a qualified Optometrist can evaluate the visual status, as well as the health, of your baby’s eyes. There is a wonderful public program called InfantSee that can help you find a doctor who has devoted time to seeing these youngsters.

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Dr. Leigha M. Nielsen is a qualified Optometrist and offers all these services at her practice. Call or go online now to schedule an appointment, and receive in return a lifetime of healthy vision.

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My name is Dr. Roman Klufas and I have been an optometrist in Schertz for 9 years. I previously had a location at 3009 and I35 but moved my office to a larger location on Schertz Parkway between the Chamber of Commerce and the Police Department. In today’s article I would like to address a very common misunderstanding in the vision care world, the dreaded ASTIGMATISM, or as I like to refer to it “a fancy doctor word for not round.” Even the name is challenging to many people, who incorrectly call it “stigmatism.” Astigmatism is usually caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Meaning that instead of the cornea having a perfectly round shape like a baseball, it is irregular like a football. Like nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism is a refractive error, which is not an eye health problem but simply a problem with how the eye focuses light. Common symptoms of astigmatism are squinting, eye strain and headaches, especially after reading or other prolonged visual tasks. Astigmatism can be classified as regular or irregular, nearsighted, farsighted or mixed. I find that astigmatism is much more common than patients think and there are certain ethnicities that are more prone to astigmatism.

Astigmatism can be corrected in several ways, including glasses, soft contact lenses, gas permeable contact lenses and laser vision correction.

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rom educating parents about whether children need antibiotics to protecting youngsters from cancer, today’s pediatricians say their jobs keep them busy — but also feeling rewarded.

“I love my job,” said pediatrician Ryan Van Ramshorst. “I just love going to work every day knowing I’m making an impact on children and their families.”

One of the biggest challenges faced today by pediatricians is helping parents understand when antibiotics should be used.

He and his colleagues prescribe them only when truly needed, Van Ramshorst said. According to the latest research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, evidence indicates that “unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful by promoting resistant organisms in (a) child and the community.”

Dr. Leah Jacobson said at her practice, Through the Years Pediatrics, she often tries to discuss with families when it’s right to take antibiotics.

“We consciously try to limit prescribing antibiotics. Over the years the tendency was to offer an antibiotic whenever a parent requested one for their children,” said Jacobson, a boardcertified pediatrician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

According to the academy, about 10 million antibiotic prescriptions are written every year for upper respiratory infections that likely won’t improve through antibiotic use.

Plus, unnecessary antibiotic use puts

We need to do better getting more girls and boys vaccinated with HPV because that will save lives Ryan Van Ramshorst, pediatrician

children at risk of side effects or a potential allergy to the medications, and increases the risk of antibiotic resistance by bacteria, AAP researchers said.

Another issue Jacobson has seen is parents choosing not to vaccinate their children.

“One of the first things we do with new patients is discuss vaccinations with their parents,” said Jacobson, a mother of three who serves on the Bexar County Medical Society’s board of directors.

“If a parent says they do not want their children vaccinated, we politely tell them our practice is not for them and encourage them to seek out another pediatrician.”

She added, “We are seeing diseases in children we thought we wouldn’t see again, like pertussis – whooping cough.”

That disease is largely preventable with the vaccination DTaP — a threein-one protection against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, physicians say.

According to the CDC, children who haven’t received DTaP vaccines are at least eight times more likely to get pertussis than children who received all five recommended doses of DTaP. Pediatricians also recommend protection against human papillomavirus, or HPV, which has been linked to cervical cancer in girls and genital warts in boys, among children 11 and 12 years of age.

The HPV vaccine was embroiled in a political battle in Texas a couple of years ago when Gov. Rick Perry wanted all children in the state to be vaccinated.

That flap led some parents to refuse the vaccine, known to many as Gardasil.

“We need to do better getting more girls and boys vaccinated with HPV because that will save lives,” Van Ramshorst said.

The CDC reports cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world. In the United States, about 12,000 women get cervical cancer every year and some 4,000 are expected to die from it.

According to HealthGrades.com, there are an estimated 633 pediatricians within 25 miles of downtown San Antonio.

So how does a parent pick one?

Experts suggest talking to friends and neighbors for recommendations on a pediatrician. Suggestions include looking for pediatricians whose office staff seems caring, welcoming and professional.

For more information on pediatricians and children’s medical care, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website at www.aap.org.

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Wood Creek Vapory offers smokeless alternatives by eric moreno

C

Wood Creek Vapory in Converse has picked up on a national trend, as more businesses are offering smokeless alternatives to an expanding clientele of smokers. Photos by Josh Michael

ONVERSE – Mark Twain said: “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know, because I’ve done it thousands of times.”

Perhaps Twain might have been able to refrain, had Wood Creek Vapory existed in his day.

Since its January opening at 8021 FM 78, Suite 119 in the Ventura PlazaValero Center, the store’s mission has been to provide customers with a smooth vaping experience by offering affordable electronic cigarettes.

Nationally, the vaping business is experiencing positive smoke signals, as more folks opt for electronic cigarettes and/or vaporizers over traditional tobacco blends.

“(E-cigarettes) are an excellent evolution from smoking’s bad aspects to the smooth, healthier focus on a vaping experience, shared with friends or during quiet moments of reflection,” said store owner Gary Wood. “My particular vaping device is an electronic pipe, or ePipe. Think of the enjoyment of a nice pipe without having to worry about smoke, fire, the smell of cigarettes and the rest.”

Wood Creek offers free trials of flavors and brands, as well as instructions and information.

Customers are offered selections from Wood Creek’s Dragon series line of eJuices, which come in flavors such as wines, teas and coffees. Also popular are the Lava Tube XB and

eGo-T starter kits, which also are in a variety of styles and colors.

“People are learning there is a real opportunity to reclaim our breathing, while stopping the stench of smoking and actually enjoying a vape,” Wood said. “It is safe, fun and enjoyable.”

Because e-cigs are new, medical research on the practice is in its infancy, but Wood said he and others are pledged to Wood Creek Vapory’s success.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

WOOD CREEK VAPORY 8021 FM 78, Suite 119, Converse For more, call 354-7958, visit www.woodcreekvapory.com or WoodCreekVapory/Facebook.

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EAT LOCAL

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Oak Valley Vineyards aspiring Hill Country bistro by eric moreno

G

ARDEN RIDGE — The owners of Oak Valley Vineyards Restaurant opened their venue in November with a singular vision — to create a bistro offering visitors a taste of the Hill Country not far from San Antonio.

“We offer people a really unique setting,” said Beth Colley who, with husband Tim, owns the business located at 27315 FM 3009. “(It’s) a unique, one-of-a-kind setting.”

Diners at Oak Valley Vineyards can choose to have meals served in either the Basement Wine Cellar or the Upstairs Room. The Cellar offers a more intimate and Diners in the Upstairs Room at Oak Valley Vineyards Restaurant in Garden Ridge enjoy their meals in a Hill County setting (above). Wine rustic setting; the Upstairs Room bottles adorn a light fixture in the venue’s Basement Wine Cellar features Hill Country vistas. (right). Photos by Josh Michael

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“We are definitely a destination spot,” Colley said. “Our business isn’t based on drive-by traffic. We make it a point to feature Texas products on our menu, bringing a fused taste of the Hill Country to your plate.”

Dishes include the Texas tenderloin tower, cilantro-grilled chicken and jalapeño Parmesan creamed spinach.

“Also on the menu is, of course, our smoked peppered rib-eye, Texas quail, homemade cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding,” Colley said.

“The Vineyards (is) here to provide our guests with Southern hospitality and our Texas-influenced food, no matter the size of the group.”

Roses bloom during the year on the property, and guests are

encouraged to tour mature vineyards dotted with flowing waterscapes.

“We have a beautiful covered pavilion surrounded by the vineyards,” Colley said. “Our experienced event coordinator is on staff so that they can assist with any need, making us a one-stop shop for weddings, receptions, business meetings, banquets or other functions.”

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and offers a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

OAK VALLEY VINEYARDS Restaurant 27315 S. FM 3009, Garden Ridge For more, call 830-980-8033, visit www. oakvalleyvineyardsrestaurant.com or OakValleyVineyards/Facebook.

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

SA-area home sales off to improved start I-35 corridor cities from Schertz to Cibolo see mixed January

by Travis e. poling

S

an Antonio home sales remained strong during the first month of the new year, which comes on the heels of the best year of sales since 2006. Even in a month when sales tend to be slow, January saw a total of 1,348 sales in the area, up 7 percent from January 2013.

Statistics compiled by the San Antonio Board of Realtors based on Multiple Listing Service data found that two-thirds of sales priced at less than $200,000, and nearly a third were between $200,000 and $500,000.

“December 2013 closed out our biggest sales year since 2006, so it is no surprise January 2014 showed an increase over January 2013,” SABOR Chairwoman Missy Stagers said. “San Antonio’s growing economy has allowed more people to realize the dream of homeownership and the affordable home prices mean they can make their money go further.”

The median sales price of a home in San Antonio was up 7 percent to $161,000 and the average price in January rose 6 percent over the same month in 2013. Houses sold in January moved an average of 75 days after hitting the market, 16 percent faster than a year ago, SABOR reported.

Despite the health of the housing market for the area, neighborhoods and small cities just northeast of San Antonio experienced a mixed month for prices and the number of deals.

In the 78108 ZIP code, closed sales were down by one in January at 33 deals, and the median price dropped 4.5 percent to $182,500, according to data from the Texas Market Trends Report. Average time on the market remained steady at about four months.

The median price in 78132 was down 1.7 percent to $307,000. The number of sales, including those in high-end communities, rose by five to 21 completed deals. Houses did move more slowly, however, with average days on the market at 268, up from 190 days last January.

In the 78154 ZIP code, the median price had a solid gain of 7.3 percent to $167,000. Closed sales were up by four to 29 deals for January, and homes sold in an average of 72 days compared to 118 days the same month last year.

The largest drop in median price for the area was in the 78266 ZIP code, which was down 35.1 percent to $204,000 on three closed sales.

Angela Shields, SABOR president and CEO, said strong sales early in the year portend even better results later, when more people are in the market to buy homes.

“The winter months can be a slower sales time in housing, but this year we have been experiencing tremendous growth,” Shields said. “We expect to continue that trend as winter winds down and we enter the spring buying season.”

PROPERTY LISTINGS

zip codes: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239

Street Address

List Price

SQ. FT.

Built

BR

FB

ZIP

408 Ashley Park

$179,900

2,554

1998

4

2

78154

133 Bentwood Ranch Dr

$254,900

2,909

2004

5

3

78108

401 Turnberry Way

$255,000

2,909

2007

5

3

78108

105 Green Brook Place

$240,000

3,136

2004

4

2

78108

125 Green Brook Pl

$279,900

3,113

2004

5

3

78108

217 Gardner Cove

$220,000

1,838

2010

4

2

78108

3633 Marietta Ln

$165,000

1,757

1998

3

2

78154

309 Longhorn Way

$139,900

1,375

2005

3

2

78108

100 Rawhide Way

$223,351

2,639

2014

5

3

78108

156 Harness Ln

$152,900

1,493

2008

3

2

78108

1024 Gate Creek Ln

$179,900

2,186

1995

3

2

78154

5308 Storm King

$169,500

1,745

2009

3

2

78108

145 Phantom Creek

$179,900

2,167

2004

3

2

78108

4608 Flagstone Dr

$259,000

2,724

1998

4

2

78154

21107 Tree Top Ln

$474,900

3,656

1998

5

3

78266

1308 Birchwood Circle

$350,000

3,674

1997

4

3

78154

140 Gruene Haven

$479,900

3,693

2011

4

3

78132

1016 Spanish Trail

$429,900

2,918

2008

3

2

78132

2001 Summit Skwy

$245,000

2,277

1989

3

2

78132

520 Thurber Dr

$199,900

1,865

2003

3

2

78154

609 Silo St

$179,900

1,785

2007

3

2

78154

657 Silo St

$189,000

2,476

2008

4

2

78154

649 Silo St

$199,900

2,607

2007

5

3

78154

621 Silo St

$214,900

2,533

2007

5

3

78154

140 Foxglove Pass

$143,500

1,631

2005

3

2

78108

280 Weil Rd

$249,900

1,782

1997

4

2

78108

15522 Hill Ln

$189,000

1,705

2006

3

2

78154

320 Primrose Way

$179,000

1,494

2009

3

2

78132

301 Randolph Ave

$59,000

828

UNK

1

1

78154

250 Allemania Dr

$383,444

2,668

2014

3

3

78132

242 Allemania Dr

$399,444

3,042

2014

4

3

78132

254 Allemania Dr

$409,444

3,042

2014

4

3

78132

The properties are new listings put on the market from Feb. 26-March 7, 2014. The properties may no longer be on the market by publication date or prices may have changed. Local Community News assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

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