In the Loop

By Ron Aaron Eisenberg

HUNDREDS OF ‘09ERS CELEBRATE THE 4TH

Hundreds of area residents of every age walked in two local community parades on July 4th, while hundreds more packed sidewalks and lawns along the parade routes.

The Oak Park Neighborhood Association’s annual parade attracted large numbers of families to the gathering at the Northwood Presbyterian Church on Pike Road. OPNNA Board President Gina Eisenberg (my wife) welcomed residents to the parade. Eisenberg introduced elected officials: Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, San Antonio District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry, Precinct 3 Constable Mark Vojvodich, State Representative District 121 Steve Allison, and Precinct 3 County Commissioner Marialyn Barnard. As in past years, Precinct 3 Deputies provided security and traffic control throughout the morning and along the parade route.

Dr. Bart Wilson and his wife Nicole of Mission Orthodontics were presenting parade sponsors. Families enjoyed free hot dogs, tacos, KONA Ice, and ice cold water provided by Oak Park H-E-B. Councilman Perry gave the official step-off countdown, and Alamo Pipes and Drums played as parade walkers marched down Pike Road.

Along the parade route, a Constable patrol car led the way, followed by Boy Scouts carrying the official parade banner. Andy Beckey, 77, a retired Army colonel, played the trombone alongside his wife, Twila, 75, to celebrate neighborhood residents participating in Saturday morning’s parade. His musical serenade was a welcome treat for all who walked in the parade.

In addition, a number of residents bordering the parade route put out bowls of water for the many dogs walking with their humans.

Former OPNNA president Jonathon Delmer served as the “Official” parade photographer. If you’d like to get involved with the 2023 parade email: opnna09@gmail.com.

The Alamo Heights 52nd Annual July 4th Parade stepped off at Estes & Patterson. The parade route ended at Cathedral Park. Festivities included singing, reading the Americans’ Creed, lemonade and cookies! Many parade walkers and watchers sported their best red, white and blue. Alamo Heights City Manager Buddy Kuhn estimated some 500-people marched in this year’s parade, and hundreds more watched as the parade passed their homes along the route.

Broadway Daily Bread was a co-sponsor for the event. The parade served as a kick-off celebration for the City’s 2022 centennial celebration. Parade attendees were given free centennial T-shirts.

get up to $1500 Stressless credit* or save $400 on Signature base and Classic Power TM base recliners.

September 2nd through October 17th only

® Stressless has long been considered one of the most comfortable recliner series ever produced, and with just one quick test sit, you’ll know why. Stressless ® Signature base recliners feature the BalanceAdapt™ system, giving you a soft, gentle rocking motion as your sitting angle adjusts, while the Classic Power™ base offers a full featured power recline mechanism with a space saving tuck away footrest.

*see store for full offer details

furniture and accessories for your modern lifestyle

San Antonio 18603 Blanco Road 210.545.4366 Austin 2236 West Braker Lane 512.451.1233

By Ron Aaron Eisenberg

CELEBRITY CHAMPION DOG JOINED THE OPNNA PARADE

Oak Park Northwood resident Jennifer Delmer brought her award-winning Champion dog, Ruby, to the Oak Park Northwood Neighborhood Association July 4th parade. Ruby was the number four Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the nation for 2021. She is a Best in Show winner and has 99 breed wins. Her registered name is GCHG Overo Summer Love BCAT.

The River City Cluster of Dog Shows at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Center in July was her last show before retiring from the ring. She has competed in 23 states.

According to the American Kennel Club, “The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known as one of the most agreeable of small house dogs and is a loyal, loving pet for families. They also are known for their intelligence and enthusiasm for working. Many Pembrokes compete in dog sports, such as agility, herding, conformation, obedience, and more. It is one of two breeds known as a Welsh Corgi.”

Ruby’s housemate, Reader, was at the parade as well. He is 14 years old. Ruby is 4. Now that Ruby is retiring from the show ring, Jennifer tells me she will move into agility competitions along with her cousin, Rosie, another one of Delmer’s Corgis. Plus, stay tuned for news on when and if Ruby becomes a mom!!!

THAI CURRY, NEW RESTAURANT, OPENS AT 8210 BROADWAY

If buildings could talk, 8210 Broadway St. could share stories about its many iterations. The building sits between Boss Automotive and the 24-Hour Touchfree Car Wash, across the road from The Hangar and a new tattoo parlor.

Not too many years ago, the 1,300-square feet structure housed Skin, The Day Spay, where my wife and I enjoyed occasional pedicures and therapeutic massages. After the spa closed, a restaurant called Tiger Wings took over the location. Now, a new restaurant, Thai Curry, has moved into the space.

The restaurant is owned and operated by Andrew Chaimoon, his wife, and his parents. He told me they previously operated Lemongrass Thai Restaurant on US Hwy 281 N. Thai Curry offers an intimate dining room, seating no more than 25-people. The menu includes many Thai favorites. Carryout is also available. Chaimoon told me, “We want to create a true family atmosphere where friends and neighbors will enjoy dining with us. Many of our customers from Lemongrass Thai Restaurant have already discovered Thai Curry.” Chaimoon said he and his wife love the new location. It sits across the street from several bars, which attracts many potential customers to the neighborhood.

Thai Curry is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

By Ron Aaron Eisenberg

STAGE 3 WATER RESTRICTIONS ORDERED IN ALAMO HEIGHTS

With water in short supply and little or no rain since January 1, the City of Alamo Heights is now in Stage 3 Water Restrictions. Landscape watering (using automatic or manual irrigation systems) is permitted only once every other week between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The last number of your address determines what day you are able to water.

According to the Alamo Heights city announcement on Stage 3 restrictions, people may use drip irrigation, soaker hose, or bucket (5-gallon or less container) during any day of the week but only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. A hand-held hose may be used any day of the week at any time. All of these restrictions are still in place:

1. Wasting water is prohibited at all times. Do not allow water to run off into the street, drain, or ditch. Repair all leaks. 2. Do not use water to wash an impervious outdoor ground covering, such as a parking lot, driveway, street, or sidewalk, unless for health or safety reasons. 3. Restaurants and other eating establishments are prohibited from serving water to customers except upon request of the customer. 4. At least 25% of all non-public swimming pools’ surface area must be covered with evaporation screens when not being utilized. Inflatable pool toys or floating devices may be used. 5. Washing of vehicles or other equipment at a residence is only allowed during their designated watering day. Water is not allowed to run into the street. 6. Charity car washes are prohibited except at commercial car wash that recycles at least 75% of the water it uses, or that is certified as a conservation car wash. 7. Ornamental outdoor fountains are not to be utilized unless the water is recycled, and the only additional water used is to compensate for loss due to evaporation.

WRECKING CREW LEVELS BUILDING ON BROADWAY ST.

When Viva Books at Mini Mansions, 8407 Broadway St., closed in 2016, property owner Jimmy Hasslocher of Frontier Enterprises told me he had no plans for the site. Indeed, the 7,894-sq.ft. building has been vacant since it was shuttered. Now, following a fire that destroyed the back half of the structure on June 24, it is coming down.

The fire threatened the newly opened Wild Barley Kitchen, which sits next to 8407 Broadway. Fortunately, San Antonio firefighters were able to contain the blaze to Viva Books. The bookstore specialized in theology, spirituality, and similar works, and its coffee shop was a gathering place for area residents who frequented the store.

NEW BATTERY POWER WATER METER INSTALLATIONS IN ‘09 TO BEGIN FALL OF 2022

SAWS water meters are about to go hi-tech, providing an interactive link between residential and commercial meters and the SAWS “mother ship.”

The new meter installations, part of the SAWS CONNECT H20 initiative, are projected to begin in 78209 this Fall. On its website, SAWS describes the program as: “The union of a technology and a philosophy to empower every San Antonian to help manage our community’s water in a way that’s sustainable, simple, and secure.” The utility goes on the explain, “In 2021, SAWS piloted the ConnectH2O technology at more than 2,500 homes and businesses across the city. During the pilot, customers were given access to their water use information via the SAWS My Account website. SAWS also conducted many tests to ensure meter readings were accurate and transmitted securely and successfully to SAWS.

“ConnectH2O uses specially equipped water meters to collect hourly meter readings from each home or business and transmit them back to SAWS via a secure wireless network. That information can then be used to generate bills, trigger text or email alerts for leaks or high water use, and be made available to customers via a secure, mobile-friendly website. The SAWS Board of Trustees approved the citywide deployment of ConnectH2O in December 2021. New ConnectH2O meters are included as part of SAWS service and require no extra fee or deposit.”

Homeowners will be notified by SAWS when the new meter installations are to begin. A SAWS spokeswoman told me the meters are powered by batteries that are expected to last for some twenty years.

NATIONAL TEQUILA DAY 2022 AT MOSES JEWELERS

Moses Jewelers invited guests to celebrate National Tequila Day at their in-store special happy hour & custom jewelry event! Guests enjoyed sipping on famous handmade delicious “Chispa” margaritas from Soluna as they browsed the store’s new jewelry collection and custom pieces. Moses Jewelers offered in-store specials, promotions, and deals for its guests in attendance. Not only did new prospects and loyal clients receive 10% off custom orders, but prizes and giveaways enticed their guests as well. Their expert jewelers educated guests about their variety of services, including appraisals, repairs, custom designs, and more. The staff did their best to help clients find products they wanted along with answering any questions clients might have.

Arcadia Grove Cleaners

- BUSINESS PROFILE Keeping Alamo Heights Looking Sharp for Over 70 Years

By Meredith Kay | Photography by David Teran

With so much uncertainty in the world today, it’s comforting when some things remain consistent in our communities, like the businesses we have depended on for generations. There aren’t many legacy family businesses left in our everchanging society, but for one Alamo Heights family, making their neighbors look good has been their business for nearly 60 years. Don died. She says, “Our customers are like family to us. We have watched them grow up and start their own families and careers, and we were so touched by the love they showed us during such a hard time for our family.”

Arcadia Grove Cleaners originally opened its doors for business in 1949 in the Arcadia Grove Center on Broadway. In fact, the business is only one of five legacy businesses in Alamo Heights that continues to operate in their original location. Today, Arcadia Grove Cleaners is run by Alma Small, her children, and an outstanding staff of customer service and garment care specialists. Alma’s husband, Don, sadly passed away last year, and she continues to uphold the family atmosphere that has allowed the dry cleaning businesses to thrive for so many years. Don’s grandfather purchased the business in the mid1960s after he retired from the Air Force. He was an affable and outgoing personality who loved to engage with the community, and the business allowed him to connect with his neighbors on a daily basis. Don’s father eventually took over the business, and Don and Alma followed in their footsteps, moving back to San Antonio from El Paso in 1977 to help out.

Don and Alma were high school sweethearts and attended Jefferson High School, and together they had six children. Five of the children are still in San Antonio and help out at the store when needed, and one of their sons is now living in Hawaii. Alma is very proud of her family, and she lights up when she describes how her children came together to help her with the business when Don passed. She also reflects emotionally when she describes how the Alamo Heights community responded with an outpouring of support when Arcadia Grove Cleaners offers so much more than just dry cleaning and are known for their “Cowboy Starch.” Alma says that they have loyal customers that come in from as far away as Pleasanton, Boerne, and Floresville for this specialty treatment. The store offers full laundry services, wedding gown preservation and restoration, along with alterations and seamstress work. Arcadia Grove even has an expert seamstress that specializes in creating handmade custom suits. The store also offers free pick-up and delivery, and you can often find Alma herself driving the van.

“I love to do pick-up and deliveries because it gives me the opportunity to sit and chat with our elderly customers who can’t get to the store on their own. They have been customers for years and we have become friends.”

Arcadia Grove Cleaners has seen many changes over the years, but most recently with the pandemic. Alma notes that the business now does a lot more bedding as people are more conscious about cleanliness, and are able to handle large comforters, bedspreads, and curtains. Alma and her team treat their customers like family, and they are always ready to go that extra mile to make their customers feel special. Alma smiles when she says, “We are very family-oriented, and we notice things that customers might not catch. We also love to help new, young professionals dress well as they embark upon their careers. Most of our customers have grown up with their parents bringing their clothes to us, and we want to pass along the same traditions and customer service that we have always practiced for many generations to come.”

Gary & Marialyn Barnard

The Power Couple Next Door

By Meredith Kay Photography by David Teran

For nearly 15 years now, Gary and Marialyn Barnard have called Alamo Heights home, but their amazing story began over 50 years ago when they met in high school and fell in love. Gary’s father worked in the cotton processing industry and also as a preacher, in Alice, Texas, before moving his family to Schertz. Marialyn’s father was in the military and met and married her mother while stationed in Italy during WWII. Her family moved around frequently, as military families often do, until he retired at Randolph Air Force Base. Gary and Marialyn both attended Samuel Clemens High School, and after they were married, they supported each other throughout the long years working their way through college and graduate programs. This month, Gary and Marialyn will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Dr. Gary Barnard has a thriving career and practice as a clinical psychologist specializing in children and adolescents. He received his undergraduate degree from Abilene Christian University and graduated with advanced degrees from UTSA and Texas A&M Commerce, where he received his Ph.D. In his early years, Gary taught biology and physics at St. Anthony High School, where he was also the football and baseball coach.

Marialyn Barnard has had an incredibly impressive legal career. She attended college and worked as both she and Gary advanced through their academic careers together. She attended Abilene Christian University and UTSA, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree and her master’s degrees at Texas A&M Commerce, and ultimately earning her law degree from St. Mary’s University of Law in 1992. She has served as a corporate attorney for several large organizations and currently serves as Bexar County Commissioner in Precinct 3. Marialyn also served and retired as a Texas State Justice of the Fourth Court of Appeals, appointed by Governor Rick Perry, from 2009 to 2018. Early in her career, Marialyn was a middle and high school teacher locally and around Texas as she completed her education.

Together, Gary and Marialyn have two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Brandi Barnard King (46), is a pilot for American Airlines, and she is married to Daniel King. Their son, Joshua Caleb Barnard (43,) is a Regional Sales Manager for Modernizing Medicine® Gastroenterology, and he is married to Kaessee Brown Barnard, an obstetrician and gynecologist currently working as a Medical Director for Aetna.

Marialyn is easygoing and exudes class as she speaks about their life in their Alamo Heights neighborhood. She loves the small town atmosphere and says, “Walking along the tree-lined streets in our neighborhood is like living in a park. Everyone is so friendly, and it’s such a great place to live and to raise a family.”

Personally, the Barnards are active in the community in many ways. Marialyn has served on the board at Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital since 2021, and she is also very active with the Alamo Heights Republican Women group. They are avid supporters of the athletic programs at both Alamo Heights Junior School and Alamo Heights High School, cheering on their grandchildren, and they are proud to live in a community that treats neighbors like family.