Tammy Downing 210-355-4165
TAMDOW
The professionals at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics believe in sharing their love with the community that’s supported them for the past 15 years. Sometimes the best way to show you care is to give someone a gift they desperately
need. With budgets stretched thin, many cannot afford the dental care that will keep them healthy. 7to7 Dental recognized this problem ten years ago and determined to devote an entire day in February to provide free dental care for those who would otherwise not be able to afford it. “Over the years we would treat patients with needs as the ability rose, but it felt catch as catch can. We decided it would be good to set aside a day to serve in a more mindful way,” said practice Co-Owner Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D.
This will be the 10th year 7to7 Dental’s now 262 doctors and staff will offer Dental Hope. Saturday, February 18, the first 175 people at the practice’s Northwest location at 10103 W. Loop 1604 are guaranteed to receive free cleanings, fillings and/or extractions, depending on their needs, said 7to7 Dental’s Director of Marketing Travis DeZuba.
People will begin lining up before dawn to ensure their slot for treatment. Many depend on the day for their cleaning of the year. By the end of the day, 7to7 Dental’s professionals will perform hundreds of dental procedures on patients continually rotating through the office’s 23 chairs. “It’s our favorite day each year as we help those without access to dental care be able to smile again,” Travis said. “Most simply cannot afford the extractions or fillings needed to get them out of pain.”
“It is pretty much an all-hands-on-deck event,” Dr. Winburn confirmed. “Our dentists and hygienists are seeing as many patients as they can, non-clinical staff help process the paperwork, direct traffic and change rooms. Friends and family stop by. All told – we’ll have more than 200 people volunteering that day.”
7to7 Dental has recruited professional peers, dental supply companies and local businesses to donate goods and time to allow them to give every patient what they need. 2023 sponsors include Darby Dental Supply, Mia’s Mexican Grill, DJ Stash, Summer Moon Coffee, Halftime Convenience Stores, Bilia Eatery, HiDefComm, Monarch Trophy Studio, Sunbit, CareCredit, Little Caesars, ASC Promotions, Colgate, & Nestle. DJ Stash will spin the tunes to make sure everyone in line is having a good time while they wait, Travis added.
Travis remembers one patient who literally slept in her car in front of the office all night several years ago so she could be the first in line for Dental Hope. She had been in great pain with a toothache, but she couldn’t afford the dental treatment. She ended up needing an extraction, which relieved the problem. She was so pleased to be out of pain that she hugged everyone repeatedly as she left, thanking them again and again for helping her.
Dental Hope could not take place without the help of partners and supporters from the community, Travis said. Check 7to7 Dental’s website and social media pages to find shout-outs and thanks to all whose contributions make Dental Hope possible. “Dental Hope strikes a chord in our hearts,” Dr. Winburn said. “We love what we do and love helping people. The thing I like best about Dental Hope is that it takes away all the barriers like finances and paperwork that are the most frustrating and allows us to just help people.”
The professionals at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics care about your oral health and are available 7 a.m.- 7 p.m., seven days a week, for dentistry for the whole family and emergencies. 7to7 Dental is a local business grown in 15 years from the practice of one dentist and six staff, which now employs 262 San Antonio community members. Co-Owners Dr. Winburn and Justin Coke live in Stone Oak with their families and are part of the community.
By Amy Morgan
While chocolates and flowers can be romantic, this February, give the best gift
to your Valentine – yourself! In honor of National Heart Health Awareness month, brush up on the signs and symptoms of physical heart problems so you know what to do should you or a loved one experience a cardiac emergency.
Cardiac arrest is defined as when the heart stops beating – a life-ending condition that can be caused by a heart attack or brought on by arrhythmia, also known as an abnormal heartbeat. Any heart related symptom – chest pain, shortness of breath, chest pressure, heart palpitation or a sudden collapse – is reason to be evaluated, said Zack Baum, M.D., Medical Director of Physicians Premier free-standing emergency room. In 2017, Dr. Baum, along with colleagues including founder Lonnie Schwirtlich, M.D., opened Physicians Premier near the HEB Plus, just west of Highway 281 on Highway 46.
Seconds count when treating a cardiac emergency, Dr. Baum said. Tissue deprived of oxygen dies. The faster you can start CPR or get an AED and initiate those treatments, the higher the chances of survival and good outcome. Speedy diagnosis and treatment in the ER are vital not only to prevent death, but also to allow for the best chance of recovery and avoid serious disability, he said.
Signs of heart attack vary greatly, even between men and women, Dr. Baum said. Chest pain described as pressure, heaviness, “somebody sitting on their chest,” is a hallmark. Women may experience pain that radiates to their shoulder or jaw or gastrointestinal pain. If experiencing symptoms, Dr. Baum advises to take an aspirin, which has been clinically proven effective in reducing tissue damage in case
of heart attack or stroke and seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 or have someone drive the patient to the nearest emergency room, he said.
Trained emergency room personnel including boardcertified physicians are on premises at Physicians Premier to provide the care you need in a timely manner. Don’t delay or worry you’re being over cautious by going in.
“You only have a certain window of time to save the heart muscle,” Dr. Baum said. “I tell patients to come in and leave the weight of the decision making to me. I get to use the tests and machinery to tell me if your symptoms are serious or not. (Physicians Premier is completely outfitted with diagnostic equipment including lab, X-Ray, and EKG to provide its professionals with the tools they need to determine the nature of a medical problem.)
“Put the onus on me and let me decide – that’s what I’m trained to do,” he added.
Physicians Premier is staffed by board-certified emergency room doctors, unlike many urgent care facilities. Nurses with years of emergency training will immediately triage each arrival. Physicians Premier offers all the capabilities of a hospital emergency room locally, without the wait or the crowd. Know the signs of heart problems so you can act quickly to alleviate organ damage and celebrate many more years with your Valentine.
Sunshine
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re featuring a love story. But rather than the traditional
boy meets girl romantic comedy, our story is how a girl meets her doggy love.
Last February Christa Dyer was in a low place. The grind of juggling the responsibilities of home, work, and tween and toddler sons as the pandemic dragged on was wearing her down. Even her job was stressful.
For years she had longed to have a dog, a pleasure she hadn’t experienced since she was a child. And something about the English Bulldog breed captured her heart. One day in early March Christa came across a post on Craigslist. A New Braunfels family was moving out of the country and couldn’t take their pup. Would she be interested in rehoming him? Christa’s heart leapt! “His photo was the cutest,” she enthused. “I saw Gordo and thought, ‘This is what I need.’” Christa loaded up her boys and headed to a meet at the dog park. Twenty minutes later, the family and their new 65-lb bulldog were headed to the pet store for supplies. “His smile just melted my heart,” she added.
Gordo immediately assumed the role of Christa’s chief cuddler and loyal companion. The two watch the news on the couch together every morning while the boys eat breakfast, she reports. His loving presence so encouraged her she gained the confidence to leave her stressful job and now enjoys working from home.
“Having Gordo has been a complete game changer,” she added. “He’s with me every day and sits on the floor at my feet while I work. He gives the unconditional love only a dog can give.” The two take walks together in the afternoon, and once a week Christa takes him to Camp Bow Wow to socialize. Having Gordo in her life has opened
the door to new opportunities. Christa’s become involved in the local English Bulldog community, where she’s met other owners and enabled Gordo to play with doggy peers. She took him to see Santa and loves dressing him up in matching outfits. Gordo even has his own Instagram page, @gordo_beefy_dyer.
An English Bulldog Facebook page provides answers when she has questions about Gordo’s care, as the breed requires some extra TLC. “If it’s over 80 degrees we can ‘t leave him outside more than 10 minutes because his smooshed face makes it hard for him to breathe,” she said, and his ropy face wrinkles need daily cleaning.
Although Christa’s husband jokes that she treats Gordo better than her own kids, the Dyers have all grown to love their furry family member. Their three-year-old especially loves to feed him “cookies” and help with Gordo’s bedtime blanket tuck-in routine.
“Gordo’s my Valentine, my sunshine,” Christa said. “He makes me smile and brought me back to life.”
Cupids & Cocktails – Saturday, Feb. 11, 7-10 p.m. Celebrate an adult’s only Valentine’s party with a night of dancing, cocktails and sweets. The Betty Kelso Center, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Place 78209; https://www.sabot.org/ events/cupids-cocktails/.
14th Annual Historic Homeowner FairSaturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Free annual event to bring together homeowners with service/ construction/preservation professionals. Tripoint Event Center, 323 N. Saint Mary’s St. 78212; www.sarehabberclub.com/hhf.
10th Annual San Antonio Coffee Festival
Activities at the Walker Ranch Senior Center — Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hot meals served daily from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for qualifying seniors and their spouses. Exercise, field trips, bingo, loteria, movies, arts and crafts, free health and wellness screenings vary daily. 835 W. Rhapsody 78216; 210-207-5280.
Stone Oak Rotary Club – Tuesdays, noon - 1 p.m. Guest speakers weekly. Dona Tota, 923 Loop 1604 W. #115 78232; www.stoneoaksarotary.org.
Shooting leagues and classes – Days and times vary. Introduction to firearms, CDL classes, date nights, kids’ classes, men’s events and shooting sports leagues for all skill levels on an indoor range. Buck and Doe’s Mercantile, 24250 U.S. 281 78258; 820-980-3637.
Single Professionals Networking Meeting – Wednesday, Feb. 1, 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for conversation, libations and food in a relaxed, social setting. Milano’s, 19239 Stone Oak Parkway 78258; www.spn-sa.org.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast presented by Reagan Stage Theater –Thursday, Feb. 2 – Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Gloria Jennings Robinson Auditorium, Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan 78258; www.reaganstage.org.
Shen Yun – Friday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 and 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 and 7 p.m. Breathtaking theatrical experience of classical Chinese dance with orchestra, high-tech backdrops and stunning costumes. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.tobincenter.org/shen-yun-23.
The Hero Twins Blood Race at the Magik Theatre – Saturday, Feb. 4 – Sunday, March 5, days and times vary. Live theater production of the action-filled adventure inspired by classic Mayan narratives. The Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. 78205; www.magiktheatre.org.
San Marcos Half – Sunday - Feb. 5, 13.1, 10k, 5K, 7:30, 8:30 a.m., staggered starts. The second of the Texas Hill Country Challenge Series. Start at the Tanger Outlets, 4015 135 N., San Marcos 78666; www.scallywompus.com.
2023 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo - Feb. 9-26. Established in 1949, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo has grown to one of the largest, most prestigious events in the city. AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway 78219; www.sarodeo.com.
Foster Perry Travel presents the inaugural Jazz on the Water series Friday, Feb. 10, 7 and 9:30 p.m. By Land & Sea Concert features nationally recognized Smooth Jazz artists like Javier Colon and the Bob James Trio. 501 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. 78207; www.buenavistalive.showare.com.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Taste fresh coffee, learn about beans and roasting, enjoy live music and food. Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St. 78205; sacoffeefest.com.
Single Professionals Networking Meeting
Friday, Feb. 17, 4:30- 6:30 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for conversation, libations and food in a relaxed, social setting. Fish City Grill, 5311 N. Loop 1604 W. 78249; www.spn-sa.org.
Chuckwagon Breakfast at Frost Bank Friday, Feb. 17, 7:30 a.m. Kick off the rodeo season close to home with a free chuckwagon breakfast. Frost Bank Stone Ridge, 21011 US 281 N. 78258; www.locations.frostbank.com/san-antonio/21011u.s.-highway-281-north.
Texas Birdwatching Tour – Saturday, Feb. 18, 9:15-11 a.m. Learn about resident and migrant birds at the Botanical Gardens. San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Place 78209; https://www.sabot.org/events/texas-bird-watchingguided-tour/.
Single Professionals Networking Meeting
Friday, Feb. 24, 4 - 6 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for conversation, libations and food in a relaxed, social setting. Stone Werks, 999 E. Basse Road 78209; www.spn-sa.org.
Glenn Miller Orchestra Greatest Hits Show
Sunday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m. World famous Glenn Miller Orchestra performs timeless Jazz and Swing classics. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.tobincenter.org/ glenn-miller.
Send
Wrigley Rudnick exudes enthusiasm. The Ronald Reagan High School senior student loves
everything about being a Rattler. Her vibrant smile and outgoing personality make her a peer favorite –as evidenced by the student body selecting her as a senior princess on the 2022 Homecoming Court.
Wrigley especially loves cheering for the Rattlers. Her older brother, Zenin, played football for Reagan, and Wrigley supported him from the stands. She enjoys participating in sports herself — she’s been part of Reagan’s Special Olympics track, basketball and bowling teams every year. Wrigley looks forward to track meets and bowling tournaments as they allow her more opportunity to mingle with others. She’s especially fond of basketball coach and PE teacher John Hirst, who, “Goes out of his way to let her know how special he thinks she is,” said her father, Dennis Rudnick. “There are a lot of great people over there,” he added. She also enjoys helping with the school’s garden and interacting with her PAL mentors. “Wrigley’s so proud to be a member of Reagan,” Dennis added.
The Northeast Independent School District has been a second family to Wrigley. Dennis has been with the district 29 years, coaching almost every boys’ sport offered. He’s now Assistant Director at the Academy of Creative Education (ACE) after spending six years at MacArthur High School. Wrigley’s mother, Tracey, teaches health at Nimitz and Ed White Middle Schools. The two met in 1998 while coaching at Robert E. Lee High School and married in 2000. Dennis credits the loyalty and value of the educational system at NEISD as a reason for their tenure. “The layers of support from Central Office have been incredible,” Dennis said. “We knew this was where we wanted to make our careers and raise our children.”
Wrigley has benefitted from NEISD’s ALE support ever since beginning school at Wilderness Oak. She’s particularly close with Ms. Carolyn Bull, who has helped Wrigley be successful at Reagan. While Wrigley always loved to draw, she learned how to hone her skill in a Reagan art class taught by Ms.
Karen Fox. In fact, her colored pencil drawing of the Reagan Rattler mascot was selected to grace the cover of a cookbook of favorite recipes recently produced by Reagan’s ALE students under the direction of Ms. Denise Caywood. The cookbook was featured on the NEISD website and social media posts.
Wrigley hopes to pursue further education in art, perhaps obtaining a degree from one of the Alamo Community Colleges. Community Bible Church (CBC) offers Wrigley another outlet for social connection. She’s part of the AXCESS group for special needs teens and adults. A NEISD teacher volunteers to teach the Bible classes in a small group environment tailored to the participants. Wrigley also loves dressing up and dancing at CBC’s annual Tim Tebow Night to Shine Prom in February hosted by the church.
Wrigley is considering whether she wants to attend NEISD’s Transitional School or stay at her beloved home campus in the 18 and Beyond program next year. Either way, she will continue to develop the life skills learned at Reagan that will enable her successful future.
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