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

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INSIDE: Project Graduation times & locations

June means Project Graduation for Metrocom schools

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COMMUNITY NEWS

bracken

Vol. 1, Issue 11

pg. 12 Safe celebrations await graduating seniors

cibolo

garden Ridge

schertz

Selma

05/2014

Walking School Bus program enhances safety for NEISD students pg. 14 District seeks adult volunteers for program after student killed by vehicle What's

INSIDE your community

local commentary pg. 03 SUSAN YERKES pg. 08 Schertz pool planning down to a trickle, some say New natatorium could be years away

BUY pg. 18 Majors Body & Paint Auto body repair shop moves to Metrocom

pg. 15 Career SA firefighter is artistic director of Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio

Selma goes to Plan B to expand Lookout Road pg. 06 Denied MPO funding, city planning its own route

VOTERS IN METROCOM CITIES SELECT fantastic deals coupons INSIDE LEADERS

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Discover the city through LOCAL deals from restaurants, retailers and services in your community, and save money while you do it! PG. 22

pg.07 May 10 elections set course for future

2

MAY 2014

From the editor wwright@salocallowdown.com

President Harold J. Lees Publisher Gregg Rosenfield

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Editorial Executive Editor Thomas Edwards Managing Editor Will Wright News Staff Collette Orquiz Contributing Writers Miranda Koerner, Lakendra Lewis, Eric Moreno, Travis E. Poling, Arthur Schechter, Eric J. Weilbacher and Susan Yerkes ART Creative Director Richard Fisher Jr. Contributing Photographers Aiessa Ammeter, Josh Huskin and Joshua Michael Advertising Advertising Director Jaselle Luna Account Managers Dawn Radick and Joe Rieras Controller Keith Sanders 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 Zone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215 Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249 Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247 Zone 4: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2014 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

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

Bigotry has no place here

T

he scourge of racism is still present in our country, and remarks by a few in recent weeks brought that point home.

First came the racist musings of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, whose thoughts that blacks might perhaps be better off under slavery overshadowed his fight against the government over grazing rights.

Backers quickly disassociated themselves from the elderly rancher, whose stand had gained somewhat of a folk following.

Days later, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s disparaging comments about African-Americans – made in the privacy of his own home, but his thoughts nonetheless – surfaced. He may be stripped of ownership in the team and banned for life by the NBA. Sterling’s comments were especially disappointing because of his associations in a league predominantly comprised of minority players and employees.

Both men’s idiotic outbursts clearly have no place in our society. We as a country would like to believe we’ve gotten past the days of old, when those thoughts might not have caused much of a fuss. Today, with 24/7 news coverage, expanded social media and improving racial climate, they swiftly came to light.

Thank goodness they were just as quickly condemned.

A CNN/ORC poll released May 4 indicated that 42 percent of whites believe Sterling should be forced to sell the Clippers, versus 61 percent of non-whites who believe he should.

A CBS News/New York Times poll, out May 1, indicated 60 percent of whites believe race relations in the country are generally good, with just 46 percent of blacks agreeing.

We need to keep striving for inclusion of everybody in our great melting pot, no matter their ethnicity, creed, gender or sexual orientation.

Although we’ve made a lot of progress, evidently more needs to be done.

Will Wright Managing Editor facebook.com/salocalcommunitynews

3

salocallowdown.com

local commentary

Goal is no-kill city by susan yerkes

T

en years ago, San Antonians came face to face with a shameful reality. The gas chambers in the city pound were working overtime, killing 50,000 helpless animals a year —more than any other major city in the nation.

For many years, animal activists had railed against the pound’s gas chambers.

Back then, the idea of becoming a “no-kill” city seemed like a pipe dream to most.

“It was horrific – a real black eye for San Antonio,” said Animal Defense League Director Janice Darling. “But since then, things have dramatically, dramatically improved.”

Today, with a new strategic plan, bond money, national grants and a number of partner organizations including the ADL, Humane Society, San Antonio Pets Alive!, low-cost spay and neuter providers and other nonprofits, folks at the city’s Animal Care Services can talk about a vast improvement. And the dream of a “no-kill” city seems less like a fantasy.

In the first three months of 2014, 80 percent of the thousands of unwanted animals passing through the pound found homes. In January, the city hit a historic high when an impressive 86 percent of all animals brought in to the pound left the new, improved ACS facility alive.

The change has been driven by innovative strategies focused on three goals: Enhanced enforcement of animal ordinances; programs to reduce the number of roaming strays through education, outreach and more accessible and affordable spay and neuter programs; and continued efforts to

increase the live release rate, according to ACS spokeswoman Lisa Norwood.

Today, the city has contracts with several shelters to take dogs and cats that might otherwise be euthanized after a few days because of a lack of space. In February, the city and ADL broke ground on a new city-funded kennel and hospital facility at the ADL, which will house even more of the overflow animals from the pound when it opens next winter.

Another new adoption facility, built on the remains of the sad old pound in Brackenridge Park, opened last year.

Bottom line: Collectively, animal advocates are not just working hard, but working smarter, to deal with San Antonio’s stray, lost and homeless animals.

But no matter how hard or smart they work, the problem isn’t going away.

Spaying and neutering programs are a vital part of the picture. In 2012, an estimated 55,000 spay/neuter operations were performed by nonprofits such as the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program and Spay Neuter Inject San Antonio, the major animal shelters and ACS. But motivating folks to take advantage of those programs isn’t easy.

Last fall, the ADL was among nonprofit groups that shared a major grant to the city from PetCo to perform free spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations for pet owners living in specific ZIP codes with consistently high numbers of impounded animals.

But more than half the folks who have made appointments for the service have failed to show up.

Thousands of San Antonians are involved in the effort to save unwanted, stray or homeless animals, and that’s a big step in the right direction. But creating a culture of compassion and responsibility is the real key.

How can you help?

Email comments to syerkes@ salocallowdown.com

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MAY 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 BULLIT PROOF ARMS, 1730 Interstate

35 North, Suite 101 in Schertz, is a veteran-owned business offering highquality tactical firearms, accessories, equipment and training. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For more, call 767-3822 or visit www. bullitproofarms.com or BullitProofArms/ Facebook. (See story on page 18)

LA CABANA DE EL SABRO COCINA Y CANTINA, 170 Buffalo Place in Cibolo,

offers Tex-Mex dining in a rustic setting.

Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, when mariachis play from noon-2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. For more, call 658-6600 or visit La-CabanaPage/Facebook. (See story on page 19)

CIBOLO SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, 3929 Cibolo Valley Drive, Suite 200 in Cibolo, offers affordable veterinary services for small animals and pets. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more, call 651-1384.

IN OTHER NEWS NEW NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT Craig Follins officially assumed

his duties on March 24. According to a statement released by the college, Follins has been getting to know “the lay of the land” by meeting faculty, staff and students.

Follins met with members of the community during an official welcome on April 10.

In December, the Alamo Colleges’ board

selected Follins, formerly president of OliveHarvey in the Chicago city colleges system, to succeed Eric Reno, who retired after six years as the first president of Northeast Lakeview, the college which serves more than 6,000 students from 10 Metrocom communities and northeast San Antonio.

SCHERTZ UNVEILED A NEW FIRE/LADDER TRUCK May 1 during a brief ceremony at the Schertz Fire Department headquarters, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building 8. The vehicle, called a “quint” because its five features include a pump, water tank, fire hoses, aerial device and ground ladders, was unveiled during a housing ceremony in which firefighters washed down the vehicle and pushed it into the fire station. The apparatus was purchased in March for $835,000.

TEACHERS IN THE COMAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT will receive an average

4.7 percent raise beginning in 2014-15.

CISD trustees approved the measure during the board’s April 24 meeting, when it also raised salaries for first-year teachers from $42,000 to $45,000 effective next school year. “This makes us much more competitive in the area,” said Catherine Robert, the district’s executive director for human resources. “This is not only great for current teachers, but for potential hires.”

Superintendent Andrew Kim said increasing teacher pay was among his and the school board’s top priorities. Other Comal ISD employees will receive a 2 percent raise beginning in 2014-15.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 8315 in Schertz recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of an M-60 tank displayed on the post’s property, 1000 FM 78 in Schertz.

City officials and council members attended the event on May 3. Also honored was retired Maj. Gen. Jerry Bethke, who was instrumental in acquiring the tank for the VFW post. The tank was restored and painted its original color prior to the event.

THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION began expansion of

Loop 337 in New Braunfels in April. The $3.2 million project will widen Rueckle Road’s overpass over Interstate 35 to multiple lanes in both directions and eliminate the south-to-north turnaround lane and raised medians at the intersection. The area experiences increased tractor-trailer rig traffic due to a nearby truck stop.

Construction, which began in mid-April, is expected to last through the end of the year.

Most of the work will be done at night to avoid heavier traffic, TxDOT said, with some work performed during the day, making it necessary for drivers to be prepared for delays. Further south on I-35, sidewalks and curbs were being constructed along Schertz Parkway and FM 3009, where both lanes of the northbound exit closed for about a week. Finishing touches are being applied or planned in other areas along the I-35 construction zone. “Paving is the most visible remaining work on the project,” said TxDOT spokesman Josh Donat, citing additional focus at the FM 3009/I-35 overpass that includes the south-to-north turnaround lanes; I-35 main lanes in both directions between Cibolo Creek bridge and Judson Road; the Olympia Parkway overpass, and the approaches and turnaround lanes at FM 1518. “With the work remaining on the south-to-north turnaround at FM 3009, current projections have the turnaround opening the first part of June,” Donat said.

SCHERTZ AUTHOR MARJORIE BRODY’S NOVEL “Twisted,” which is about a

teenage girl’s sexual assault by classmates and the aftermath, was named the Texas Association of Authors’ Best Book for young adult fiction. Brody is a longtime Schertz resident who retired from her practice as a psychologist to pursue writing. She plans to follow “Twisted,” her first novel published in 2013, with a second novel in 2015.

CANYON HIGH SCHOOL ART STUDENT Sylvia Picazo, a senior, received a superior rating at the State Visual Art Scholastic Event held April 5 at Bryan High School.

Her metal sculpture, “The Park,” was among more than 1,600 artworks featured.

“SHREK,” A STEER RAISED by Canyon

High School sophomore Kannon Goodson, was recently named Grand Champion Steer of Show at the Star of Texas 2014 Rodeo in Austin. Goodson is the son of Lisa and Colby Goodson of New Braunfels.

PARTICIPATION IN SPUD WEEK by Comal Independent School District students recently raised more than $16,000 for a family with close ties to the district. Students across CISD shattered previous records set during Students Performing Unselfish Deeds Week by raising the money to aid Hoffmann Lane Elementary School teacher Dawn Jonas, who is battling cancer. Her husband Lance teaches agriculture sciences at Canyon High School.

The couple’s sons attend Hoffmann Lane and Canyon High, respectively. SPUD Week kicked off with more than 80 contestants participating in a 5K run, which originated from Church Hill Middle School on March 22.

Fundraisers throughout the district included T-shirt sales and pocket-change drives.

5

salocallowdown.com OUR GUIDE TO YOUR MONTH

Happening LOCAL

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

may/ june

SCHERTZ CHAMBER EVENTS

The Schertz Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the following events during May and June.

Chamber offices will be closed on May 26, Memorial Day. For more, call 5669000 or visit www.schertzchamber.org: The Chamber’s monthly Biz Ed class and breakfast, featuring guest speaker Heather Garcia of Eligibility Trackers, is 7:30-9 a.m. May 28 at the Chamber offices, 1730 Schertz Parkway. Classes are limited to the first 12 who register. Admission is free to Chamber members; $10 for nonmembers.

The Chamber’s monthly after-hours mixer will be a “Glow Party” held at a site to be determined 5:30-7 p.m. June 18. Call the Chamber for location. Admission is free for members, $10 for nonmembers.

The Chamber’s May 20 luncheon will feature an address by Schertz-CiboloUniversal City Independent School District Superintendent Greg Gibson. The June 17 luncheon will feature graduates from the Chamber’s Leadership CORE

program. Both events are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Member admission is $18, $28 for nonmembers. RSVPs deadline for the June luncheon is June 10. The Chamber has opened registration for the fifth annual Chamber/Caterpillar Golf Classic, which is Oct. 3 at Northcliffe Golf Club, 5301 Country Club Blvd. in Cibolo. Part of the proceeds will benefit DECA programs at Clemens and Steele high schools. The Schertz Chamber Toastmasters convene at the Comfort Inn & Suites meeting room, 5571 Interstate 35 North in Selma, each Monday (except May 26) at 6:45 p.m.

All meetings are open to the public.

this

summer

CIBOLO PD JUNIOR OFFICER ACADEMY The Cibolo

Police Department will hold its Junior Police Academy Program, for children ages 10-13 from 8 a.m. to noon June 16-20. Officers will introduce students to the many services, programs

and functions of police and other first responders. Participants will receive T-shirts and graduation certificates.

Applications for the free camp, available at the city website, www.cibolotx.gov, will be accepted until June 10 or until classes are full. For more, call 659-1999.

this

summer

COMAL COUNTY SO JUNIOR DEPUTY PROGRAM The

Comal County Sheriff ’s Office is currently signing up children ages 9-11 to participate in its Junior Deputy Academy Program, designed to teach children about the jobs of deputies, area firefighters and emergency-services personnel. Participants will receive T-shirts and graduation certificates.

Camps, 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, are scheduled June 16-20 at Church Hill Middle School; July 14-18 at Mountain Valley Middle School; and July 28-Aug. 1 at Smithson Valley Middle School. Additional details and applications are available

ha p p ening k ey

fitness

TALK

outdoor

FOOD

at the county’s website, www.co.comal. tx.us. For more, call 830-643-5840.

monthly

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH FREE SUPPER During the

first Wednesday of each month, St. Paul Evangelical Church, 108 S. Main in Cibolo, will host a free supper from 6-7:30 p.m. For more, call the church at 658-5874.

june

22

VFW 4676 SUMMER GOLF CLASSIC Veterans

of Foreign Wars Post 4676 in Universal City will host its annual Summer Golf Classic, beginning with an 8 a.m. shotgun start at Northcliffe Golf Club, 5301 Country Club Blvd. in Cibolo. The $60 entry fee includes greens fees, skins, mulligans and other prizes. An awards luncheon follows the event at the post, 202 W. Aviation Blvd. For more, call 658-9163.

Happening continues on pg. 06

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“It works for helping shape up my expansion plans.”

—Zoey Van Jones, Owner of Zoey Van Jones Brow Studio

Watch the Wells Fargo Works Project video series.

• Enter the contest where you could win a similar experience, including $25,000 for your business.** • Enter at wellsfargoworks.com

Every day, small business owners across the country work hard to make their entrepreneurial visions a reality. For Zoey Van Jones of Zoey Van Jones Brow Studio,* that meant making sure her expansion plans worked as hard as she did. Helping business owners like Zoey is why we created Wells Fargo Works. It’s our commitment to small businesses everywhere. By delivering a wide range of products, resources, and guidance, we help businesses take the next step toward their goals. Welcome to Wells Fargo Works. Let’s make it work for you.

wellsfargoworks.com

*Wells Fargo awarded Zoey Van Jones $25,000 to help with her expansion plans. **THIS IS A JUDGED CONTEST. NO ENTRY FEE OR PURCHASE REQUIRED. Wells Fargo Works Project Contest runs from 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”) on 5/1/2014 to 11:59 p.m. PT on 6/30/14 (“Contest Period”) at WellsFargoWorks.com/project (“Website”). Open to legal U.S. Residents, 18 years or older, who are independent owners/operators of a small business that has been in continuous operation for no less than six months from date of entry, has no more than $20 million aggregate in gross revenues and no more than 100 full, part-time, or volunteer employees. Non-profit organizations are eligible. Owners of a franchised business are not eligible. To Enter: submit up to a 2 1/2 minute video, or 600 word essay with photo, that responds to the contest questions. Prizes: (25) $1,000 Finalists and (5) $25,000 Grand Prize winners selected from Finalists to be awarded. Contest subject to full Official Rules. See rules on Website for full details including complete eligibility, contest questions, judging criteria, and prize redemption requirements. Void where prohibited. © 2014 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. (1187667_11822)

area city council races.

6

MAY 2014

Happening continues from pg. 05 ELSEWHERE IN SAN ANTONIO TASTE OF SUMMER CANCER may CARE BENEFIT Women

17

Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing — or WINGS, a San Antonio nonprofit providing breastcancer treatment and follow-up care to uninsured women — will host its second annual “Taste of Summer,” from 6-10 p.m. at The Veranda, 1746 Lockhill Selma Road in San Antonio.

Festivities include hors d’oeuvres, multiple food and beverage stations, a signature cocktail demonstration, live music and silent auction. Proceeds will benefit programs supported by the organization. For tickets and sponsorship information, call 946-9464 or visit www.texaswings.ticketbud.com.

may

ARMED FORCES PARADE

America’s Armed Forces River Parade will begin at 6 p.m. at the River Walk in downtown San Antonio. The event will feature decorated floats traveling the San Antonio River and includes live entertainment

17

Subaru is the ONLY 2013 FULL LINE

5 Star Top IIHS Safety Pick.

from military groups and local artists in recognition of past and present servicemen and servicewomen. Free seating is available along the route, with additional seating for sale at the Arneson River Theater. For more, visit www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com.

may

28-31

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK The Magik Theatre

Council approves traffic signals along Lookout Road by will wright

will present presentations of William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” at San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. Donations of $5 are welcome to view the performances.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. with shows beginning at 8 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed. For more, visit www.magiktheatre.org.

ONGOING

Lookout continues from pg. 01

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO FEED CHILDREN

TexasMobilePack is planning a Feed My Starving Children event, where volunteers pack 4 million meals at two San Antonio locations in September. The organization seeks 20,000 volunteers to pack meals in two-hour shifts over two days. Sign-ups began May 1. For more, visit texasmobilepack.org.

S

ELMA — It’s back to the drawing board for city officials, whose dreams of expanding Lookout Road to handle increasingly heavy traffic hit a speed bump when the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization declined to fund the project.

If city officials decide to do the upgrades themselves to attract businesses and augment growth, one option could be using local taxes to help pay for the work.

AAMPO’s Transportation Policy Board on April 28 approved 19 projects for $110 million in funds, part of the region’s 201519 Transportation Improvement Program. Rejected projects included

a proposed expansion of Lookout Road in Selma and a $19 million proposal to expand FM 2252 (Nacogdoches Road) from Evans Road to FM 3009.

Although approval of the latter might have indirectly benefited Selma, the Lookout Road project could have resulted in an immediate impact, officials said. Slated to cost $8.91 million, the project promised to expand Lookout over a two-mile stretch from just northeast of Retama Parkway to the Selma city limit.

Now, Selma is considering funding the entire project itself. The city has $4 million committed, but needs another $5 million to widen Lookout from two to five lanes, with a center turn lane and a bridge over what’s now a low-water crossing on Cibolo Creek.

Selma City Administrator Ken Roberts said expanding Lookout is critical.

According to him, the road serves as a bypass for commuters seeking quicker access to businesses, which now include the Amazon.com Fulfillment Center – located on Enterprise Drive, and intersects with Lookout Road –

Lookout continues on pg. 08

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UNIVERSAL CITY PRESENTS

Universal City Park - 305 North Blvd.

78148 Activities begin at 7:00PM Movie begins at sunset, approx. 8:30PM

JUNE 21- FROZEN JULY 5 - MONSTERS UNIVERSITY JULY 19 - DESPICABLE ME 2 AUGUST 2 - SMURFS 2 AUGUST 16 - THE LEGO MOVIE

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Bring your chairs, blankets and snacks. Concessions will be available for purchase.

No glass containers or pets are allowed in the park. www.UniversalCityTexas.com/Movies

7

salocallowdown.com

Vote continues from pg. 01

Comal ISD, NEISD, ACCD select trustees by will wright

M

etrocom voters didn’t exactly stampede to the polls in deciding several municipal and school district races on May 10, as those in Live Oak approved three of four bond proposals and two Comal Independent School District trustees went down to defeat.

Only 4.8 percent of registered voters in Bexar County chose to cast ballots, with similar turnouts to decide city council races in Selma, Universal City and Garden Ridge.

Live Oak’s turnout was heavier, as voters there overwhelmingly approved bonds for citywide street

million), was soundly rejected, 59 percent to 41 percent.

Live Oak Mayor Mary Dennis and Place 4 City Councilman Ed Cimics ran unopposed for re-election. Incumbent Place 2 Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Bob Tullgren easily brushed back challenger Loretta Kusek.

Comal ISD voters, perhaps still stinging from an audit of 2008 bond construction projects that found the district was overbilled by nearly $7.1 million, sent two incumbent trustees packing.

Challenger Laurie Schley edged out District 3 trustee and Board Secretary Jason York by 15 votes – 133 to 118, with Ken Adkins receiving 52 votes. Denise Kern toppled District 4 incumbent Nancy Pappas, 386 votes to 245.

CISD accepted a $5.9 million settlement to resolve the 2008 bond discrepancies. However, trustees must now figure out how to fashion another bond package palatable to

voting results: highlighted indicate winner Only

live oak CC

4.8

percent

registered voters in Bexar County chose to cast ballots, with similar turnouts to decide city council races in Selma, Universal City and Garden Ridge.

Bob Tullgren vs. loretta kusek

Dist. 3 CISD

Jason York

vs. laurie schley

Dist. 4 CISD

denise kern

vs. nancy pappas

Pl. 3 Selma cc steve mclaughlin vs.

ken harris

live oak mayor

Mary Dennis

vs.

unopposed

Pl. 4 live oak CC

unopposed

vs.

Ed cimics

citywide street improvements

If you’re like many travelers, you get a little nervous when your airplane goes through some turbulence. And if you’re like a lot of investors, you may get somewhat jumpy when the financial markets are volatile. Yet flight turbulence probably isn’t as scary as it seems, and the same may be true for market volatility — if you know how to respond.

Let’s look at some positive responses to market movements: • Don’t overreact to turbulence. Turbulence happens on most flights, but passengers are well aware that they can’t “bail out” at 30,000 feet, so they generally don’t panic. As an investor, you also need to avoid panicky behavior — by not taking a “time out” from investing. Over a period of decades, if you were to miss just a handful of the market’s best-performing days, your returns could be dramatically reduced. And the best days often follow some of the worst. So if you’re not invested in the market, you could miss out on the beginning of a new rally, which is typically when the biggest gains occur.

• Balance your “cargo.” The ground crew properly positions an airplane’s cargo to maintain the plane’s center of gravity and reduce the effects of turbulence.

When you invest, you also need to achieve balance by owning a variety of vehicles, including stocks, bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit. You’ll want your investment mix to reflect your risk tolerance, goals and time horizon.

While this type of diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against loss, it can reduce the effects of “turbulence” — that is, market volatility — on your portfolio. Over time, your “cargo” (your investments) may shift, becoming too heavy in stocks or bonds relative to your objectives. Consequently, you’ll need to periodically rebalance your portfolio to ensure it’s meeting your needs.

• Match your “transportation method” with your goals. If you are flying from New York to Los Angeles, you may experience delays or some changes in the flight plan — but your goal is still to reach Los Angeles as quickly and efficiently as possible. Consequently, you wouldn’t scrap the idea of flying and head to the West Coast on foot.

When you invest, you will also encounter events, such as market downturns, that you feel may be slowing you down in your progress toward your long-term objectives, such as a comfortable retirement. But if your objectives haven’t changed, neither should your “transportation method” of reaching them. In other words, don’t abandon your long-term strategy in favor of quick fixes, such as chasing after “hot” stocks that may not be suitable for your needs.

• Maintain perspective on your “flight path.” When you’ve flown, you’ve probably observed (perhaps with some envy) some of your fellow passengers sleeping through periods of turbulence. In the investment world, these types of people are the ideal long-term investors — they know that turbulence, in the form of market fluctuations, is normal, because they’ve experienced it many times before. Their perspective isn’t on short-term events, such as volatility, but rather on the voyage toward their “final destination” — i.e., the achievement of their long-term goals.

So when you fly, fasten your seat belt and relax. And when you invest, don’t overreact to short-term events. By following these basic guidelines, you will be a calmer traveler and a better investor.

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

to read about more results go to pg 13.

live oak bonds approved $8.76 million

You Can Cope With Turbulence … As a Passenger And an Investor

$1.15 million

expansion of Toepperwein Road

improvements ($8.76 million) and the expansion of Toepperwein Road ($1.15 million).

A proposal for additional trails and ballpark lighting at Live Oak Park ($700,000) narrowly passed, 53 percent to 47 percent, but another, to create a fitness park ($3.23

$700K

bond issue for trails, ballpark lights narrowly passed, 53 percent to 47 percent

Trails and ballpark lighting

voters, who rejected a $451 million referendum in November 2013.

In Selma, Mayor Tom Daly ran unopposed for a third term. Place 3 incumbent Ken Harris brushed back challenger Steve McLaughlin, Vote continues on pg. 13

Cedric B Edwards, AAMS Financial Advisor 3820 F M 3009 Suite 104 Schertz, TX 78154 Bus. 210-566-4540 cedric.edwards@edwardjones.com

8

MAY 2014 Lookout continues from pg. 06 as well as provides opportunities for future area economic development.

“We’ll have to pick ourselves up, dust off and get back in the game,” Roberts said. “We’ve made no secret that it’s not only to relieve congestion, but also we believe the undeveloped property along Lookout will remain undeveloped unless we can offer an all-weather road that can get (drivers)

Selma city officials are planning for a low-water crossing on Lookout Road over Cibolo Creek (top and bottom), which will cost almost half of the proposed $8.9 million expansion of the road, which intersects with Schertz Parkway (right). Photos by Josh Michael

Pool continues from pg. 01

Council could decide facility manager within 30-45 days by eric j. weilbacher

S

CHERTZ­ — Progress on the city’s proposed $9 million natatorium – approved by voters in 2010 – is taking slow steps towards becoming reality.

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The natatorium is the final project of the bond measure, which led to the creation of a new Animal Adoption Center, soccer and baseball fields and other projects. The natatorium, to be located close to the city’s new Playscape site near the corner of Schertz Parkway and Elbel Road, will include a competition pool and a recreational pool.

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from Interstate 35 to Loop 1604.”

Drivers waiting their turn at the four-way stop sign at Schertz Parkway and Lookout are often backed up for miles – and face longer delays due to flooding at the low-water crossing.

Roberts said the city’s traffic study indicated 40,000 vehicles travel the small stretch of road daily, a number that greatly differed from the MPO’s count, which totaled closer to 30,000.

Assistant City Administrator Johnny Casias said Selma projects 50,000 vehicles will navigate the route by 2030.

The City Council recently approved spending roughly $1 million for traffic signals and left-turn lanes at Lookout’s intersections with Schertz and Retama parkways and Evans Road. Also, the city already committed $1 million for environmental studies and project preplanning.

That is why the MPO decision irked Selma officials, as the project was previously shunned during 2013-16 TIP disbursements.

The MPO’s funding criteria awarded technical points based on a project’s public comments, safety assessments and its potential effect on the region’s

My recommendation... put it on a ballot Ken Roberts, Selma City administrator

overall transportation plans. However, in the most recent cycle, Lookout Road ranked next to last in technical points assessed all Added Capacity projects being considered by the MPO. Roberts claimed politics also played a part in the snub, as proposals in New Braunfels, Boerne, Seguin and Schertz – each of which entertained forming its own MPO during the past three years – received funding.

MPO-area approvals included a $2.8 million plan to install sidewalks along 3009 in Schertz and $23.8 million to improve FM 306 and expand Loop 337 in New Braunfels.

The MPO also rejected funding an upgrade of 2252 from Evans north to 3009, which would have expanded the

road from two to four lanes with a center median and widened the twolane bridge over Cibolo Creek – which ranked second in technical points but was also bypassed for MPO funding.

Roberts said the city would consider several options regarding Lookout’s expansion. One might be dipping into the city’s property taxes that are designated towards debt service.

“We lowered property taxes by 4.5 cents per $100 (assessed property valuation) last year,” Roberts said.

“If we financed this project using interest and sinking funds, we’d not only have to hike that back to where it was, we’d have to raise it another cent, to 5.5 cents.”

Another alternative is issuing certificates of obligation, bonds not requiring voter approval. During a May 8 council meeting, representatives from Southwest Securities advised members on that and other options.

However, Roberts said he doesn’t believe voters would accept either option without giving their consent.

He acknowledged the city’s 8,500 residents might choose maintaining the status quo over a project. That could spark – in Roberts’ estimation – a boom doubling Selma’s population.

“My recommendation to (the council) will be not to issue COs – but put it on a ballot,” Roberts said. “My gut feeling is that they have to have a say if we’re going to issue this kind of debt.

“But the people who live here enjoy some of lowest water, sewer and property-tax rates of any of the suburban cities around us, and the only way we are able to do that is on the backs of economic development.”

Roberts said city officials are prohibited from lobbying voters on any ballot issue, but they can explain the potential impact a project could have on the community. He said hundreds of acres bordering Lookout remain unsold and undeveloped – and that won’t change without infrastructure.

“The only way we could package and sell this – within the parameters of the law – is to try to make the case that it’s not just for the development of land along Lookout Road, but it’s for the long-term benefit for economic development in Selma,” he said. “The more businesses we attract, the less we’ll have to charge in property taxes.”

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Pool continues from pg. 08

to share construction costs, there’s been little movement on the project. An architect has not been chosen, and the city hasn’t officially selected a manager for the facility.

Clemens High School swim coach Doug Hammen, who also coaches the Schertz Stingrays of the Buffalo Valley Youth Association, said a local natatorium would greatly enhance the high school and club programs — if it could get built. “(Last summer) it seemed to have a lot of momentum moving forward, but then a lot of other things got going,” said Hammen, who added he is not speaking on behalf of SCUCISD. “I think the animal shelter and the skate park, perhaps the veteran’s memorial – there’s a lot going on, and I haven’t seen a lot of movement (on the natatorium) other than the land being cleared.”

City officials insist they’re not dragging their feet. They said all along they’ve made no secret the pool ranked low on the list of 2010 bond projects.

“This is the final project – obviously you cannot do them all at once, so we stagger them out to account for quality,” City Manager John Kessel said.

Voters in 2010 approved the city’s $6.62 million share of the project. Last fall, the SCUCISD agreed to contribute $1.625 million towards construction costs in exchange for a 15-year, rent-free lease of the competition pool for the swim teams at Clemens and Steele high schools, which would use the pool for practices and weekend swim meets.

About 80 swimmers at both schools currently train at other area pools, including Schertz’s Pickrell Park pool and the Judson Aquatic Center in Universal City, where they must arrive as early as 4:30 a.m. to finish ahead of other teams using the facility.

Divers and swimmers from both high schools also compete in Alamo Area Aquatic Association events. About 220 swimmers, ages 6-18, participate in the Stingrays’ club program, which also competes in AAAA activities.

Hammen termed progress on the new natatorium as “frustrating.”

Schertz Executive Director Brian James said completion of the natatorium could take one to 2½ years. During the April 15 council meeting, James detailed a proposed agreement with Schertz Family YMCA – which already manages two pools and the city’s recreation center at $250,000 annually – to run the new facility.

MAY 2014

If approved, the city will pay the YMCA $380,000 a year for managing all of the pools and the rec center.

As part of the deal, the Y will cover its part of construction costs by paying the city $100,000 annually over 20 years – totaling $2 million. However, there are concerns about how the YMCA will absorb the expense, such as requiring residents to be YMCA members before they use the natatorium.

Currently, residents who use the city’s rec center and outdoor pools must be Schertz Family YMCA members. The same would likely be required regarding the new facility.

Schertz YMCA Executive Director Fredy Degollado said such an arrangement would allow more residents to participate in the varied number of YMCA aquatics-based programs at the natatorium year-round.

“I think it would be a great partnership,” Degollado said. “It would be difficult for any one entity to run an operation like

I haven’t seen a lot of movement(on the natatorium) Doug hammen, youth and high school swim coach

that, and especially running a pool is a very expensive proposition. To form a partnership like this makes a lot of sense.”

Degollado said charging YMCA membership fees would only expand the organization’s current agreement with the city.

“There’s costs associated with managing a quality facility,” Degollado said. “We’ve been running the other pools for the city for the last six years, and it’s something we’re good at.”

“Within the next 30 to 45 days the city council will likely consider whether the YMCA will run the facility,” Kessel said.

Officials said a final architectural proposal is expected in the coming weeks on both the natatorium and adjacent parking lot.

That couldn’t come soon enough for some supporters of the project.

Hammen said many swim parents helped pass the bond measure to create the natatorium.

“Now, that same money won’t go as far as it would when the bond was passed,” he said. “But I’ve been told it’s moving forward. But in order for it to happen by the fall of 2015, there needs to be some digging going on right now.”

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CHERTZ — For the most part, gone are the days when high school graduations are celebrated by a nice dinner out with the family.

Now, many Metrocom high schools treat graduating seniors to chaperoned all-night parties featuring paintball, dancing, bowling and blackjack.

Welcome to Project Graduation.

Created in Maine in 1980 to promote student safety after alcohol-related traffic accidents claimed the lives of some seniors during commencement, Project Graduation offers adult-supervised, alcohol-free activities, usually held on graduation night. The festivities often start late in the evening, sometimes after commencement, and conclude with breakfast early the next morning.

Depending on the school, teachers or PTO members spearhead campaigns funding the events – and prizes such as laptops and iPads – designed for a wholesome send-off.

“It’s a safe night for seniors,” said parent Jeanne Enlow, a Dobie Middle

School secretary heading Project Graduation at Steele High School.

“They’re not running in the streets. Any kid that is a senior at Steele can go.”

The once-modest celebrations have morphed into large-venue bashes in order to steer more graduates away from the temptations of illicit shindigs held by their peers. At Wagner High School, English teacher Tina Tubbs helped take Project Graduation from dorky to hip.

“A few years ago, the kids would get a $20 gift card and pizza and they stopped going,” Tubbs said of previous activities at Wagner, which cancelled Project Graduation a few years ago because of a lack of interest. “When they asked me to help, I told them if we were going to do it, we had to do something the kids would like. “(Wagner Principal Milton Fields) came up with the idea of holding it at Main Event Entertainment, and it took off from there.”

Tubbs said fundraising for Wagner’s event normally starts at the beginning of the year. Tubbs knew she had to come up with a great idea last year to raise $22,000, which included the $17,000 venue fee.

Tubbs’ idea was “staking,” where students distributed decorative paint-can stir sticks attached to forms soliciting $20 donations for Project Graduation.

She said Lowe’s Home Improvement donated wooden sticks for the students, who reached their goal by May. More than 300 seniors in the 325-member graduating class attended last year’s event. Tubbs has already signed up 300 for this year’s celebration, which

Project graduation Area schools hosting Project Graduation celebrations include: Judson High School Date: June 2-3, 10 p.m.-7 a.m.

Location: Judson High School Gym, 9142 FM 78 in Converse Contact: Deli Finch at dfinch@satx.rr.com

Clemens High School Date: June 7-8, 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Location: Green Acres Golf and Games, 9782 U.S. 87, San Antonio Contact: Sue Eberhardt at 373-3688

Wagner High School Date: June 3-4, midnight to 6 a.m.

Location: The Main Event, 1911 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio Note: Buses to the venue will depart the high school campus at 11 p.m.

Contact: Tina Tubbs at 662-5000

Steele High School Date: June 8-9, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Location: Time Warner Park, 12001 Wetmore Road, San Antonio Contact: Steele main office at 619-4000

Roosevelt High School Date: June 6-7, 11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Location: Time Warner Park, 12001 Wetmore Road, San Antonio Contact: Roosevelt main office at 356-2200

MacArthur High School Date: June 8-9 (begins following commencement) Location: The Main Event, 1911 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio Contact: Patty Allen at 414-0883

13

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will feature a different buffet every two hours – offering fare from pizzas to continental breakfasts – as well as bowling, dancing and gravity ropes.

Large-screen TVs will run photos of seniors attending the prom and other events during the night. A bus will take students without transportation from the high school and back.

“They had such a good time last year, they told their friends and we had juniors coming up to us asking if they could pay in advance,” Tubbs said, laughing.

“The thing that made it so successful is that it was something the entire Wagner community came together to make it happen. Of all the years working in the education system, this is the first time I’ve seen such a big community come together. That’s what made it so great.”

At Judson High School, parent Deli Finch has volunteered with Project Graduation events since her daughters graduated in 2008 and 2011. Even though her son is a freshman at the school, she said she loves giving seniors a fun last night.

“We want children to be safe and not out and about,” Finch said. “Both my daughters have really enjoyed it. Many of my volunteers who have been a part of

Project Graduation had so much fun they come back or send me yearly donations.”

This year’s Judson Project Graduation will feature dancing, hula hoops, games and hot dogs and hamburgers at the high school campus. Fruit and doughnuts will be served for breakfast. Seniors will receive raffle-style gifts and college- and work-related prizes such as laptops, minifridges for dorm rooms, or scholarships to help pay for books and classes.

“We make sure every kid walks out with something,” Finch said. “The more I make (fundraising), the more the kids get. I always worry I won’t raise enough money, but every year we make it.”

Sometimes it’s the students who initiate Project Graduation. After not having it last year, MacArthur High School seniors petitioned Principal Peter Martinez to reinstate the tradition.

“The kids missed it,” Martinez said. “(Project Graduation) provides an opportunity for a safe environment.

They are being observed by chaperones and participating in nonalcoholic activities as a class.”

Local businesses have also come on

Safe continues on pg. 14

Vote continues from pg. 07 while Harry Greene defeated Emily Boseman to succeed 18-year veteran Place 2 Councilman Charles Eads, who chose not to run for re-election.

In Garden Ridge, Todd Arvidson defeated Patricia Ramirez for Place 2 on the city council.

Incumbent aldermen John McCaw (Place 1) and Bobby Roberts (Place 5) ran unopposed.

In Universal City, incumbent council members Beverly Volle and Tom Maxwell were selected along with Tom England for three atlarge seats. Mayor John Williams ran unopposed for re-election.

There will be a June 14 runoff election for two board positions in the Alamo Community College District. Lorena Pulido and Albert Herrera will face off in District 4, while incumbent Gary Beitzel will face challenger Clint Kingsbery. District 9 incumbent Jim Rindfuss easily defeated challenger Felix Grieder.

In the only contested race

facing North East Independent School District voters, Place 2 incumbent Edd White won a sixth term, defeating challenger Bob Coster. Running unopposed were Sandi Wolff, wife of Bexar County Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin Wolff, for the Place 3 slot, and Place 7 incumbent Brigitte Perkins.

Elsewhere, New Braunfels voters chose Barron Casteel over Greg Gallagher as the city’s new mayor.

Casteel will succeed two-term incumbent Gale Pospisil, who reached term limits. Casteel is the son of Carter Casteel, a former New Braunfels mayor, Comal County judge and Texas state representative.

In New Braunfels City Council races, Leah Garcia edged out Bill Biggadike in District 6, with Wayne Peters selected in District 5. Peters faced a name-only challenge from Kelly Mochel, who withdrew from the race after discovering she didn’t reside in the district.

Bulverde voters chose incumbents Tom Maxwell and Yvonne Chapman over challenger Shane Reynolds for two of the city’s at-large council seats.

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Safe continues from pg. 13 board. Whataburger hosted an “Oh Whata Night” fundraiser April 24 at its Schertz location at 5570 FM 3009. The event raised nearly $500 for Project Graduation at Steele.

“Supporting the local community is something Whataburger really values,” said Lexie Gonzalez, a field-marketing representative for Whataburger, who added the eatery is sponsoring several

such events across the San Antonio area.

“We have really generous customers who like to give back. We’re grateful for the support to make happen.”

For parents and volunteers who often help set up and clean up, Project Graduation is a bittersweet experience.

“The kids aren’t even talking about it being their last night, they’re having such a good time,” Tubbs said. “(Last year) there were no incidents. Everything was what it was supposed to be. It inspired this year to start out strong.”

Walking continues from pg. 01

Parents expressing interest in volunteering

by Lakendra Lewis

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neighborhood near Braesview and Larkspur drives, where 9-year-old Tatyana Babineaux—a fourth-grader at Larkspur Elementary– was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in January while walking to school. An arrest has been made in the case.

“This is certainly something the school board supports,” said Susan Galindo, NEISD board president. “I believe we have some schools in our area who do (Walking School Bus). It’s been talked about for a while, and I think it’s exciting that (Larkspur) wants to do something.”

According to Larkspur Principal Susan Del Toro, the school is in the early stages of coordinating a Walking School Bus, a volunteer program in

Walking continues on pg. 16

The North East Independent School District seeks volunteers for a Walking School Bus program in which adult chaperones walk students to and from schools. A roadside memorial at Braesview Street and Larkspur Drive in San Antonio honors a 9-year-old girl killed by a hit-and-run driver on her way to classes.

Photo by Aiessa Ammeter

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Music continues from pg. 01

Man on fire: Paul Montalvo’s classical passion by susan yerkes

I

f a symphonic work described Paul Montalvo’s life, the music would start with energy, develop parallel yet harmonic themes and build to a powerful crescendo. Listeners would describe it as “passionate.”

The word “passion” keeps coming up when you talk to those who know Montalvo. He uses it himself, whether

“He’s passionate about everything he does — music, the Fire Department, relationships with his friends and family,” said Larry Hernandez, who met Montalvo when they were rookies at the same fire station and has become a lifelong friend.

“A Renaissance man,” COSA board Chairman Mario Ochoa called Montalvo.

“A manly man, but at the same time very articulate and sophisticated. He’s a dreamer in the very best way.”

“He’s one of those guys who, when you meet him you go, ‘Wow! Are you for real?’” said COSA Executive Director Lori Skinner. “He hooked me into this job with his passion for

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Paul Montalvo is a man on a mission, both as a full-time San Antonio firefighter and as the co-founder and artistic director of the Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio. He is a graduate of the North East Independent School District. Photo by Josh Huskin

describing his 19-year career as a San Antonio firefighter, or his role as a co-founder and artistic director of the Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio.

You might not expect a career firefighter to revel in the thrill of classical music, but that’s Montalvo.

classical music. He wants to share that passion with everyone.”

Montalvo’s love for classical music developed relatively late, but he credits his childhood exposure to the swing

Music continues on pg. 17

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Divide areas using retaining wall stones, a a visual border of live plants, or simply by changing the materials of the patio in each section. Borders can also be made by incorporating a different color of the same material to establish space boundaries.

Shade structures or pergolas over specific portions of your outdoor living space can help to visually organize your area as well.

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Walking continues from pg. 14 which adults walk children to school.

“I think everyone is concerned because of what happened and we want the children to be safe, so I think people are willing to at least talk about it,” Del Toro said. “It’s getting a commitment.

We’re not quite there yet. We would need to figure out all of the logistics.”

Del Toro, who has been principal at Larkspur for three years, said she and her staff are researching the Walking School Bus program, which is already in existence nationwide in many school districts.

Del Toro is especially interested in a walking bus for the students who live in the apartments and duplexes about a mile from Larkspur, many of whose parents are lowincome and don’t have vehicles.

“Most of the kids get driven or they’re bused. But 20 to 50 of our kids who live in the apartments aren’t eligible for buses and actually walk to school,” Del Toro said.

According to the principal, about 87 percent of Larkspur’s 860 students — 700 of whom live in neighboring apartments — are economically disadvantaged. Many of the students walk or take the bus to the campus, which opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast.

“My biggest concern is the apartments on Braesview,” Del Toro said. “There’s a lot more traffic and it’s on a hill. If I could have some parents to meet where those three apartments come together, that would be amazing.”

Larkspur plans to send out fliers possibly in May announcing a

We want to set up a strong program susan del toro, larkspur elementary principal

community meeting regarding the start of a walking bus in time for classes in August. The school also would like to get San Antonio Fear Free Environment police officers and nearby apartment managers involved

to create more interest in the program.

The Walking School Bus system, which originated in the United Kingdom, was initially structured to have two adults: A “driver” who leads the children to school on foot and a “conductor” who follows them from behind, much in the same way the kids would be driven to school via bus.

The United States version of the program does not strictly follow the driver/ conductor model, but does maintain the idea of adults walking kids to school through designated routes with “pickup” or meeting points, a timetable and a rotating schedule of trained volunteers.

The bicycle train, a variation on the walking school bus in which adults supervise children riding their bikes to school, also is popular in some communities.

“We want to set up a strong program.

Ideally, it would be great to have two people walk the kids,” Del Toro said.

“But initially we would be happy to have one person willing to commit to be at a certain spot every day and walk a group, follow the route and use the crosswalk.”

Adults who volunteer for the program would be trained regarding routes and safety measures, and would need to pass a criminal background check.

“We do have some parents who walk their kids every day. So if we could get that parent to wait for a group of kids and walk them every day, that’s our goal,” said Del Toro, adding that some parents have already expressed interest.

Although Del Toro said the school would not need the approval of the school board to spearhead a walking school bus, NEISD leaders are in favor of the idea.

The city recently approved $90,000 in safety improvements at the corner of Braesview and Larkspur after Gina Babineaux, Tatyana’s mother, met with District 9 Councilman Joe Krier, city engineers, neighborhood associations and school officials. Krier, at a press conference in February, addressed complaints for better safety at that intersection.

Special concern was expressed about Braesview, where many accidents have been reported and residents complain of speeding and cars hitting their fences.

The improvements will include a new crosswalk along with overhead blinking school zone lights, brighter signage, a countdown stoplight and a handicapped accessible ramp, all estimated for completion in time for the new school year this fall.

To volunteer for the Walking School Bus program or get more information, call Larkspur at 407-4600.

salocallowdown.com

Music continues from pg. 15 and big band music his parents loved — and the piano lessons they made him and his two older brothers take as youngsters — with “planting the seed” that would flower unexpectedly in his 20s.

Montalvo’s father was a physicist at Southwest Research Institute; his mother, a cosmetologist who closed her business to be a full-time mom. From Colonial Hills Elementary School through Lee High School, he was a bright, athletic youngster, unsure of his career path.

“I went to (the University of Texas at San Antonio) and kind of felt around for the right career; I took some accounting, electrical engineering, international business…none of it gained my complete interest,” he said. At 23, after a couple of short-term jobs, he signed on with the Fire Department, where his elder brother David, now retired, was a career firefighter.

“I love all of it; the banter, the camaraderie,” Montalvo said. “It’s truly public service. Sometimes the adrenaline runs high, but we have a very strong collective will as a team to go in there and get the job done. It really is a case of being brothers in arms.”

Music came to him a year or so later.

“It was very strange,” Montalvo said.

“Every week I started buying the weekend Wall Street Journal and the Sunday New York Times. I began devouring the arts sections, and got interested in classical music. Then I got a book on collecting, and if I heard a classical piece and loved it I would collect a dozen versions of it, and I became enthralled by how many different conductors could interpret the same piece. And then I got this silly dream: How could I go about studying to become a conductor?

“I started taking piano again. I had a little upright piano, but to get the sound I went out and bought a baby grand.

And I found incredible teachers.”

One of the first of those was a nun, the late Sister Evelyn Marie Rischner.

“She didn’t laugh at me, thank God,” Montalvo said. “I can’t tell you how much she encouraged me.”

While working 40 to 60 hours a week at the fire station, Montalvo went back to school, studying piano, music theory and conducting at San Antonio College and UTSA, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in music composition.

But, “I didn’t have the chops” to become a concert pianist, he said. And although he took part in conducting workshops around

17

the world, he finally chose firefighting, his family and his deep ties to San Antonio over trying to make a mid life career switch to professional conductor.

“I thought conducting was what I really wanted to do, but I found at 30 I wasn’t young enough, and I didn’t have the experience. I couldn’t fully understand why it didn’t work — until about five years ago,” he said.

The faith that he still had a mission to fulfill in his musical life came in 2008, when Montalvo, his friend Robert Ehlers and Ehlers’ wife, Silvia Santinelli, founded COSA. Robert Ehlers, now a Valero Energy engineer, and Montalvo had both played tennis at Lee, and reconnected decades later through their shared enthusiasm for classical music. The two met Santinelli, a concert pianist, at a concert in San Antonio, and she and Ehlers subsequently married.

All three shared a burning desire to spread the gospel of classical music.

That led to the idea behind COSA. “We wanted to tear away the veil of elitism,” Montalvo said. “There will always be people who love classical music from childhood. We wanted to expand that base to people who had never really listened to it, and been moved by it, before.”

As a measure of success, Montalvo proudly noted that 75 percent of COSA’s donors last year had never made donations to the arts before.

COSA presents two carefully crafted musical programs each year, calculated to excite and inspire a wide range of audiences. As artistic director, Montalvo plans programs, then hand-picks individual musicians and conductors for each concert.

“I live it and breathe it,” he said with a shrug.

Working slowly and methodically, Montalvo, Ehlers and Santinelli built a strong board and engaged powerful supporters, including former board Chairman Mario Vasquez and Tobin Foundation Chairman and Trustee Bruce Bugg.

One of their biggest breaks came when they were selected as the resident chamber orchestra in the new Tobin Center downtown. Their first concert there, set for Sept. 6, has been more than a year in the planning. Meantime, the group’s spring concert, set for May 31 at Gallery Nord, 2009 N.W. Military Highway, is an intriguing staged radio play/chamber concert written

by San Antonio’s Rick Moore.

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BUY LOCAL

on real experience – not info from a book or a blog. I’ve been trained by some of the best combat shooters in the world, and I have trained some of the best operators in the world.”

Bullit Proof Arms is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

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

Bullit Proof owner builds gun business on military experience by eric moreno

S

Bullit Proof Arms in Schertz is a licensed firearms dealer offering accessories, custom holsters, concealed handgun license training and instruction in the use of carbines, pistols, foreign weapons and shotguns. Photos by Josh Michael

CHERTZ — In April, owner William Badburg opened Bullit Proof Arms with several goals in mind, including eliminating myths about firearm ownership.

“We are a veteran-owned and operated gun store, specializing in tactical firearms, training, accessories and equipment,” Badburg said of his shop, located at 1730 Interstate 35 North, Suite 101. “We are a full-line dealer that can meet your needs better than the big-box stores, at better prices and with better service.”

Badburg said his store is a federally licensed firearms dealership offering accessories, custom holsters and other equipment. It also provides concealedhandgun license training, as well as

instruction in the use of carbines, pistols, foreign weapons, tactical and home-defense shotguns, and more.

“What sets Bullit Proof Arms apart is the fact that I have (military) experience,” said Badburg, whose resume includes a decade of service in the Army. He said he has also provided high-threat diplomatic security in Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel.

Badburg said he wants to ensure each customer walks out of the store with the right firearms and training.

The Bullit Proof philosophy is a sound one, he added.

“We will not tell our customers what they want to hear – instead, we will tell them the truth,” he said. “Our training and information is based

BULLIT PROOF ARMS 1730 Interstate 35 North, Suite 101 in Schertz For more, call 767-3822, go to www.bullitproofarms.com or visit BullitProofArms/Facebook.

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salocallowdown.com

EAT LOCAL

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

La Cabaña offers rustic Tex-Mex dining

sopapillas, that are designed to be shared and enjoyed as a family,” she said.

La Cabaña is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, when mariachis play from noon-2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

by eric moreno

C

La Cabaña de el Sabro Cocina y Cantina in Cibolo offers made-fromscratch Tex-Mex dishes and margaritas (above) for diners, all within a rustic setting. Photos by Josh Michael

IBOLO — La Cabaña de el Sabro Cocina y Cantina — a restaurant in a log cabin nestled along Cibolo Creek — is offering made-from-scratch dishes sure to please anyone who enjoys South Texas fare.

The eatery is at 170 Buffalo Place.

Since November 2010, co-owners Joyce Sanchez and husband Alfred Ruvalcaba, as well as their staff, have worked to maintain the authenticity customers enjoy at traditional Mexican-food restaurants.

“We serve quality food and deliver excellent customer service at very reasonable prices. We have something for everyone,” Sanchez said, touting amenities such as the kiddie

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playground in full view of the patio dining area and a full-service bar.

Sanchez said the excellent food puts their locale above the competition.

“The key is to use the freshest, best-quality ingredients – and that is what we do here,” she said.

La Cabaña offers full lunch and dinner menus including many TexMex staples and traditional favorites such as cheese enchiladas, carne asada, chalupas and puffy tacos.

Sanchez and Ruvalcaba also own El Sabrocito Mexican and American Restaurant, located at 9141 FM 78 in Converse.

“Restaurants (like ours) offer appetizers, like queso flameado, entrees like fajitas for two, and desserts, like

Wednesday Service

9:00 AM Prayer Group 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting Worship Service 7:30 PM Choir Practice Nursery always provided

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• Live music on our patio every Thursday, Friday and Saturday From 7pm to 10pm • Mariachis every Sunday from 12pm to 2 pm and from 6pm to 8 pm • Playground for kids within view from patio dining • Full service bar - Come watch your favorite sporting event on our many flat screen TV’s • Party room available up to 60 people

Closed on Mondays. Tue-Fri 11AM -10PM Sat 9am-10PM Sun 9AM-9PM

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20

MAY 2014

Live LOCAL Restaurant and Wedding Venue

Join us for Kids Summer Activities!

Texas inspired menu and attentive service with rustic elegance.

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

Real Estate LOCAL Trends ZIP Code

•Vacation Bible School

78109

78148

78233

78239

MAR-13

$127,500

$135,900

$108,000

$130,000

MAR-14

$121,000

$145,000

$109,950

$124,950

New listings

MAR-13

68

32

59

39

MAR-14

65

25

70

39

Average days on market

MAR-13

117

102

105

105

MAR-14

87

88

88

60

MAR-13

46

17

47

30

MAR-14

39

18

42

32

Under contract

MAR-13

56

15

48

3.1

MAR-14

58

9

48

2.8

Months supply of inventory

MAR-13

4.7

4.8

2.8

3.1

MAR-14

4.1

2.7

2.9

2.8

Median sold price

•Family Movie Nights •Youth Camp ...and more!

Closed sales

Mondays Closed Tuesday - Wednesday 4pm - 9pm Thursday - Sunday 11am - 9pm

Weekend Services: Saturdays at 5pm Sundays at 9 & 11am

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www.reallife.org

Source: San Antonio Board of Realtors: Texas Market Trends report

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The properties are new listings put on the market from March 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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OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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mention LOCAL to receive these offers. Some Restrictions may Apply. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 6/30/14

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mention LOCAL to receive these offers. Some Restrictions may Apply. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 6/30/14

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22

MAY 2014

WORK

AlAmo Discount solAr screens & shADes Decreasing energy costs & increasing comfort

in your backyard

· Our Solar Screens are EXTREMELY durable · Daytime Privacy · Good Ventilation · Excellent Outward Visibility · Stops Interior fading of carpets and furniture

someone

to develop

20% t N DisCOU

business

Blocks 80-90% of sun’s raDiation

his ad ention t

um

When Yo

Start Saving Today

210.587.7050

Free estimates

in the greater

www.alamosunshades.com

Made in Texas • Veteran Owned

randolph

Metrocom

FASHION AFFAIR The Latest Fashions at reasonable prices!

Enjoy You have $10 Off to see it to believe it!

Any Purc $30.00 hase of Some R or More estrictions A Expires

06/30/14 pply

Open Mon.-Sat. 10-8 Sun. 12-5

6051 FM 3009 #246, Schertz, TX

724-3729

(Across from Walmart, next to Dollar Tree)

“Fast Reliable seRvice”

SEALING WOOD, FLAGSTONE, & PEBBLESTONE

since 1980

Emergency Service 7 Days a Week FREE Second Opinion Military & Senior Discounts

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Spring A/C Clean & Service

48

$

.00

Expires 6-15-14 Not valid with any other offer.

210-657-4776 www.AllServiceAC1.com

FROM THIS

TO THIS

Deck & Patio Care

Cleaning & Sealing Patios and Decks for 28 years...

Fences too! www.deckandpatiocare.com Call

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$60 OFF

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$10 $30.0

Some rest Expire

{featured picks}

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MEXExpires 06/30/14

OPEN 24 HOURS

uneral Home & Cremat F t o Pe

N

.9PL9ATE 5ICAN

IN HEAVE S W ry

$

P

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18

$

98 Plus Tax Most Cars

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(Across the street from the Department of Public Safety)

(210) 659-8400 WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY SPECIAL

15

$

98 Plus Tax Most Cars

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Mailing address: PO Box 2109 | Canyon Lake, Texas 78133

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we are on

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23

salocallowdown.com

*****ECR WSS Postal Customer Prsrt Std US Postage Paid Permit 6450 San Antonio TX

We’re Moving!

Please visit us at our new location.

SERVICES: • Same or next-day appointments

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y w Pk

• Physical exams and well woman care

• Lifestyle modification and care for chronic conditions

. ve eA

• Immunizations and preventative care

s pri ter En

• Schools, sports and camp physicals

Schertz

• Osteopathic manipulative medicine

Victoria S. Chang, DO Board-Certified Internal Medicine

Blaine Carmichael, PA

Kirsten Fikes, PA

Call (210) 656-5600 or go visit Med1st.com to learn more about us and schedule an appointment today.

5/12/14 1:33 PM

COMMUNITY NEWS

6775_MedFirstShertz_MovingAd_.indd 1

4204 gardendale Ste. 201 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78229

An affiliate of Baptist Health System

MedFirst Shertz 16977 IH 35 North, Suite 210 Schertz, TX 78154 (210) 656-5600