In the Loop

By Ron Aaron Eisenberg

OAK PARK NORTHWOOD NEIGHBORS COMPETE OVER HOLIDAY YARD DECORATIONS

Several Oak Park Northwood neighbors entered the 2022 Holiday Yard Decorating contest, vying for bragging rights and prizes, including a $100 gift certificate to H-E-B for the winner, a $50 H-E-B gift certificate for second place, and a $25 H-E-B gift certificate for third place.

Judges eyeballed entries the week of December 19. The call for entries included Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa yard decorations.

The winning home, Christmas Cheer 2022, is in the 500 block of Country Lane.

The second place home, Candy Land Christmas, is on Camellia Place off of N. New Braunfels.

The third place home, Santa Claus is Coming To Town, is in the 2000 block of E. Lawndale.

Judges based their decision on overall appearance, originality, and design creativity.

“Our neighborhood goes all out decorating their yards, trees, and porches for Fiesta and Halloween,” said Gina Eisenberg, President of the Oak Park Northwood Neighborhood. “So, the neighborhood board thought it would be fun to hold a Holiday Yard Decorating contest for bragging rights of the OPNNA.”

Eisenberg, who happens to be my wife, said she expects dozens more neighbors will enter next year’s competition.

By Ron Aaron Eisenberg

THEY’RE EVERYWHERE

Urgent Care and free-standing emergency clinics are opening everywhere, or so it seems.

The latest are an Urgent Care 24/7 and Dental Care 24/7 duo at 1206 Nacogdoches at Broadway and Next Level Urgent Care a block away, next to the Walgreen’s at 7407 Broadway, in space previously occupied by WellMed Medical Management.

More than 13 urgent care and 4 free-standing emergency rooms are within a three-mile radius of Basse, Nacogdoches, and Broadway. My observation, they’re like nail salons, one on nearly every corner and a few in between.

Just a few years ago, it was only Texas Med Clinics scattered around town.

NEIGHBORS CHEER TRASH REMOVAL

Following an eviction from a home at 603 Northridge Dr. at Haskin Dr., neighbors complained about the trash left in the yard, including furniture, clothing, and refuse piled high in the driveway and across the front yard.

Their complaints were heard, and the yard and driveway are now cleared. Plus, repairs apparently are being made to the structure, which had been left in disrepair by the previous residents. The 1,700 sq ft home was built in the late 1950s.

One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, told me she believed calls to the city’s code compliance and District 10 councilman’s office led to the cleanup. “It is nice to know our concerns were listened to and acted upon. It’s just a shame it took an uproar from the community to get the property cleaned up,” she added.

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By Ron Aaron Eisenberg

THE SOUNDS OF BLUES & JAZZ COME TO BROADWAY ST.

NEW EYE DOCTOR JOINS TEAM

Blues on Broadway, a new music venue, recently opened its doors at 8313 Broadway 78209. The site, adjacent to La Panadería Bakery, previously housed a short-lived sports bar.

On its website, the venue states, “Welcome to Blues On Broadway, brought to you by Anthem Entertainment. We are a live rock and blues music venue on the Broadway strip. Enjoy our dance floor, clean facilities, big screen TVs, and tapas with a great selection of wines, spirits, cold cocktails & beer.”

Regularly scheduled events include Open Night Band Jam on Wednesdays.

Blues on Broadway is open on: Monday - Thursday 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Friday - Saturday 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. Closed on Sundays.

For more information and a rundown on scheduled performers, call (210) 367-3175, email BluesonBroadway210@gmail.com, or visit its Facebook page @BluesOnBroadwaySA.

Joining the Oculus Eyewear team in October of 2022, CJ Dale, O.D. provides tailored, medically-based full-scope optometric care in a modern yet intimate setting. At the Oculus Showroom, located in the heart of Alamo Heights, we focus on providing our clients with comprehensive care and the highest service standards. Eye exams can often feel like a cursory step toward getting a pair of glasses, but thoughtful care requires much more than creating a prescription. Our exams are always comprehensive, and early detection and prevention are at the forefront of our philosophy. Our facilities are equipped with the latest digital examination and diagnostic equipment that enable us to view and capture images of your eyes from front to back — capabilities typically found only in the hospital and surgical settings. Dr. Dale also works with every client to evaluate contact lens options most suitable for your vision needs. As a preferred provider’s office, we also have exclusive promotional rebates we can offer our clients on purchases of contact lens supplies that can help reduce prices by up to $300.

You can schedule your next eye exam with Dr. Dale online at oculuseyegallery.com or call our Alamo Heights showroom at (512) 396-1500.

Petbar

Your Local Dog Grooming & Dog Washing in Alamo Heights

- BUSINESS PROFILE Keep Those Puppies Clean

By Meredith Kay | Photography by Al Rendon

According to research, over 70% of U.S. households own a pet, and pet owners spend over $1,000 a year, on average, on their pets. So, when Marc Hildebrand was looking for a franchise opportunity, finding something that would make the lives of pet owners a little easier was a very attractive idea. Marc and his business partner, Cyndi Flores, worked together at USAA for over 20 years, and they had always kicked around the idea of going into business together because they noticed a strong synergy whenever they worked together on projects.

When the pandemic hit, forcing most employees to work from home, the idea of finding something different led Marc to get serious with his franchise research and business model analysis. He came across a franchise opportunity that had started in Dallas, and he reached out to Cyndi, who loved the idea of opening a pet spa. Marc says, “Cyndi and I have different strengths, and we complement each other’s talents in a cohesive way that just works.”

Petbar, in Alamo Heights, is currently the only San Antonio franchise location. The spa offers pet washing and grooming services for dogs and, sometimes, cats. This is a modern, open-concept pet spa featuring self-service pet washing stations, full-service pet washing appointments, as well as professional full-service pet grooming. Marc and Cyndi wanted to have a place where pets are treated like royalty, and they have several “party rooms” where your pet can wait comfortably in a spacious, individual playroom for their scheduled appointment.

Cyndi states, “When you take your dog to the groomer, it will more than likely be kept in a small kennel or cage most of the day until the groomer can fit the dog in. It can be very stressful for a pup to stay kenneled all day, especially if that is not something the dog is used to. We wanted to avoid this because we wouldn’t want our own dogs to be treated this way.”

The goal at Petbar is to get each pet serviced as quickly as possible so that your four-legged baby can be returned to you quickly, happier, and cleaner. The layout at Petbar is one of total transparency so that owners can always see their pet while it is being serviced. They have open pet washing bays and doorless grooming stations, and they offer everything you could need to get your pet washed thoroughly and safely, and the best part is that there is no cleanup. Each of their multiple pet washing stations offers four different treatment options depending on your pet’s needs. There is a tearless shampoo for the sensitive types, a color-enhancing shampoo for those that are prone to fur staining, a “dirty dog” shampoo for the more “rough and tumble” breeds, as well as a gentle conditioner for longer-haired pups. Petbar also offers specialty treatments that can be used if your curious pup

decides to tango with a skunk, and each wash station has a unique system that perfectly mixes the right amounts of soap and water to produce the cleanest canine possible.

The business operates on a pay-per-visit or membership option, which offers members four full-service baths per month and unlimited self-service baths and brushing for one low monthly price, and it is based on the size of the dog. It’s a great plan for anyone who likes to wash their dog(s) at least once a month, and memberships provide ongoing discounts on other products and services as well.

Marc and Cyndi, who ironically both have dogs named Bowie, have created a warm and welcoming environment at Petbar, and they hold events throughout the year where you can bring your pup in for seasonal photo shoots. The partners love being a part of the Alamo Heights community and give back by offering discounts for fosters and rescue groups throughout the year. Petbar is open for tours during business hours, and there is even an outdoor area with artificial turf for those necessary potty breaks.

Petbar

Chris, Melissa, Mitchell & Mallory Mireles

Life for the Mireles Family is Grand on Grandview

By Meredith Kay Photography by Al Rendon

Sometimes life is all about timing, and it was perfect timing when Chris and Melissa Mireles met each other while they were both students at Texas A&M University. Both of them were born and raised in San Antonio, and they even attended Churchill High School at the same time but, ironically, did not connect until they were both in college.

Melissa received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Texas A&M and then went on to receive her master’s degree in Counseling at Sam Houston State University. Chris received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Texas A&M and took a position working for the Tennis Industry Association before moving into a position with an advertising agency in 2006. Melissa began her career as a school counselor, and together the couple had two children while living in Hilton Head, South Carolina, after living in the Washington, D.C., area for several years.

Mallory (19) graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 2021, where she was a defender on the soccer team, and she is currently a sophomore at DePaul University in Chicago studying Neuroscience and Mathematics. Mitchell (14) is currently a freshman at Alamo Heights High School and plays on the J.V. tennis team.

The family returned to their roots, moving back to San Antonio in 2011 to be closer to family and so that Chris could start an advertising and public relations firm with his brother, Ken. The agency, Public Alliance, is a full-service advertising and public relations firm working with clients from several different industries. Chris serves as the agency’s Creative Director, and he is also in charge of operations and business development.

Melissa spent several years working for the U.T. Health Science Center as development director for the School of Nursing, but she most recently made a career change and now serves as the Director of Marketing & Development for Clarity Child Guidance Center – the only nonprofit in South Texas serving children with mental health conditions. “This new position has allowed me to come full circle in the field of mental health; I am very dedicated to Clarity’s mission of helping our youngest community residents in crisis, regardless of their ability to pay.”

The family recently moved into their home on Grandview Place a little over two years ago, and they have completely renovated the home, uncovering original walls that serve as a focal point to their beautiful dining room. The multi-level home is very modern and cozy and is under the command of their adorable but droopy basset hound named Scout.

The Mireles’ spent the holidays together in Playa del Carmen, near Cancun, and they love their neighborhood and the proximity to downtown. The couple loves having the ability to walk to local shops and restaurants and the overall friendly vibe of the area neighborhoods. Melissa says, “Everywhere you go, you run into people you know. Everyone is always so friendly and welcoming, and it’s easy to build lifelong friendships when you’ve grown up in the same schools. It’s a great place to raise a family.”