New Pediatric Office Near You! • In-Office Allergy Testing and Treatment • Flu Shots • Summer Camp/Sports Physicals
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Parents Get your Wellness Checkups ow n s n o i t a n i c c a V d n a . s t r a t S l o o h c S e r o f be
20642 Stone Oak Parkway Suite 105 San Antonio, TX 78258 210-650-0814
WE ARE FULLY BILINGUAL! www.littlebuddiespediatrics.com 3
WORSHIP DIRECTORY
Thriving NorthRock Church Launches New Campus By launching this campus in the heart of San Antonio, it is NorthRock’s desire to show the love of Jesus to people and families in their own neighborhood.
By Amy Morgan
orthRock Church just N celebrated its 10 anniversary in Stone Oak. The church is now th
building on its success sharing the love of Christ with the Stone Oak community to launch a new location in Alamo Heights September 15. Lead Pastor Jonathan Moore and the NorthRock team realized that a faithful group of families in the growing NorthRock congregation were traveling weekly from the Alamo Heights area to attend one of their four weekend services.
LIFE REDEFINED! 1278 N Loop 1604 E San Antonio, TX 78232 Service Times Saturday - 5PM Sunday - 8:30, 10, 11:30AM Stay Connected! northrocksa.com @northrocksa Northrock Church
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Winston Harris will be the campus pastor for this new location, which will be housed at Alamo Heights Junior School. He will be leading and facilitating this campus to ensure that the experience replicates NorthRock’s culture; one church, two locations. Pastor Winston describes NorthRock as a life-giving church that helps people connect to Jesus, grow in their faith, discover their design and live out their purpose. The vision of NorthRock Church is to see lives [re]defined by being filled with life in Christ. The Alamo Heights campus will live stream Pastor Jonathan’s message at 10 a.m., Sundays.
The Stone Oak campus will continue to offer services at 5 p.m., Saturdays; and 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sundays. NorthRock’s welcoming environment offers high energy, live worship music, uplifting Biblebased messages, small groups that facilitate life-giving relationships, and opportunities to serve the local church and community. Both campuses will offer the same programs for children and youth. The incredible children’s ministry, KidzRock, provides a fun, safe environment for nursery through fifth grade children to learn about the love of Jesus — with high energy and passion. NorthRock’s thriving Student Ministry also gathers Sunday evenings in small groups around the city, then combines peers from both campus monthly for one large student event. Check out the life-giving message NorthRock has for you – find them at www.northrocksa.com.
Crown of Life Lutheran Church Gathered by the mercy of Jesus to receive his great love for us in Word and Sacrament
crownoflifesa.org
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Summer Sun-Blockers Pergolas and Arbors Help Beat the Heat called TimberTech AZEK. The high quality PVC material does not retain heat and is very slip resistant when wet — making it an ideal selection around a pool. Kyle describes a patio project Diamond Decks recently completed. “The couple initially wanted concrete – but that was going to be cost prohibitive. I showed the sample colors of AZEK, and they were wowed! This is a product we truly believe in and stand behind.” AZEK resists mold and mildew and offers a 50-year, fade and stain warranty. Another unusual benefit, construction screws are capped with a matching color plug, making e’ve all watched temperatures rise over the past their presence virtually undetectable and upgrading the months. Your outdoor living area that once beckoned overall appearance. invitingly now just seems stifling. Even your grass looks tired! What you need is some shade to allow you to get back outside and enjoy your deck or patio once more.
By Amy Morgan
W
The craftsmen at Diamond Decks are experts at designing and installing coverings for any space. Co-owners Donnie Ferguson and Kyle Brooks bring their combined 27 years of building experience to customize outdoor spaces for their satisfied customers. If shade is your goal, Diamond Decks can build you an arbor or pergola. Right now, newer synthetic building materials are consumer favorites. For arbors, Kyle recommends a product that looks very much like painted wood – complete with wood graining, although it is actually made of metal. Homeowners may choose Alumawood in white or match colors to their home’s siding or paint. Advantages to Alumawood — low maintenance — no fading, no rotting, no warping and no moving, said Kyle, and it remains cooler to the touch. “It is a great product for those who don’t want to stain their arbor every year.” Another plus, because many of the pieces are already pre-cut, Diamond Decks can erect an arbor in just a day or two. Adding a covering provides benefits in addition to the obvious immediate shade it casts underneath. Coverings can deflect sunshine from a home’s walls and windows, enabling the interior temperature of the home to remain cooler and reducing electricity bills. Some chose to completely enclose the top of a structure and add guttering to redirect water runoff in a more desirable direction. Homeowners can add screens, walls — really the sky is the limit when creating the addition that will rekindle your desire to venture outside. Have you ever stepped out barefoot in the heat of a summer day and burned your feet? Diamond Decks has a solution for that problem, too. They are one of the few in the area to work with a low maintenance decking material
“I like it because it looks real,” Donnie said. “It is the closest to natural wood without the maintenance.” Diamond Decks offers a variety of outdoor entertainment solutions including decorative concrete, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, and masonry products. They work with a wide selection of materials including natural wood for decking, patio covers and handrails. The company has a no-money-down payment policy and offers many attractive financing options at low interest rates. In its five years in the San Antonio area, they have grown into the largest outdoor living space builder in town, Donnie said. You’ll find Diamond Decks’ showroom inside the HEB at Stone Ridge Market at 281 and Evans Road.
Call for a Free Estimate or Consultation
210-383-8113
www.diamonddeckstx.com (see our ad on the back cover)
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SENIOR MOMENT
Senior Swim Champ Embracing Active Life at Independence Hill By Amy Morgan
P
atricia Shecter didn’t realize her swimming talent until she reached her 80s. Although she taught water safety and swim lessons throughout her life, it wasn't until she moved to Independence Hill Retirement Community eight years ago that she began to participate in the Senior Games. Since then, she has won 12 swimming medals and looks forward to competing next year, when she will qualify as a 90 year old. The independent octogenarian keeps active. Just last month, Patricia was busily downloading a playlist by the Beatles for the water aerobics class she would teach the next day. Afterward, she headed to a line dance. A high-tech great-grandma, Patricia dedicates a room in her “tree-house” cottage to her hobbies and philanthropic efforts. She’s part of the Military Officer’s Association of America and serves as webmaster and past president of the Society of Military Widows. Patricia annually attends the group’s convention and has lobbied the U.S. Congress for 21 years to change a regulatory loophole and increase benefits for widows of WWII and Korean War veterans. Back at the Hill, Patricia runs a competitive poker game in the clubhouse on Mondays. The group plays wild card games like Follow the Queen and Cincinnati, she said. The social butterfly has established great friendships in the community. She and several ladies created a shared patio in their breezeway complete with a garden table and planters full of flowers. They love to meet in the evenings for a cordial while they admire the wildlife in the greenbelt. They’ve seen deer, possums and even a bobcat! Patrica and daughter Diane, who lives in Shavano Forest, enjoy creating intricately beaded jewelry. She also paints and often attends Independence Hill’s art workshops. Patricia joined the Air Force at the age of 18. Only a few years into her career, she met and married her first husband and spent 21 years traveling the world as an Air Force wife. She eventually ended up in Panama City, Florida, where she raised three children. She tried her hand at many occupations including running a shell shop on the beach and airbrushing t-shirts, but her love of the water led her to teach sailing at a marina. She shared this passion with her second husband, Fred. The two crewed sailing vessels together off the Florida Coast and throughout the Keys. They were married in 1988 and had 12 wonderful years together. Their last adventure was to explore the United States in an RV. Widowed twice, Patricia began traveling with friends she met when living in Arizona. She discovered she loved cruising and has since been to Antarctica, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and South America. She enjoys it so much that she treated her family to a cruise vacation to celebrate her 80th birthday. Patricia’s next venture, a cruise to Alaska this month. For more information call (210) 764-5260 or go to www.independencehill.com.
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Patricia Shecter, starting at the age of 80, has won 12 Senior Games swimming medals while residing at Independence Hill Retirement Community.
I Can’t Wait To Be a
Senior!
No matter the age…The desire for a
fun-filled life is always there. You’ve retired so let us do the work and you focus on
“playing!”
(210) 764-5260
20450 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78258 www.independencehill.com
Full Service Apartments, Assisted Living and Neighborhood of Homes
Lic #100102
STAFF PROFILE
No Place Like Home San Antonio Native Returns to Join Local 7to7 Dental Practice 7to7 provides free prescription-strength mouthwash for patients after deep cleaning and gives necessary fluoride treatments whether or not patient insurance is willing to pay. “We are able to do what is best for the patient and worry about the money later,” he said. Danny also is an enthusiastic proponent of proper oral hygiene and loves to instruct patients on best practices of home care. “People like that I reinforce what I do,” he said. “They are in shock and awe when I finish a cleaning and take time to pull out the mirror to show them how to properly brush and floss. I always knew I wanted to do something to help people, but I didn’t know what. I really feel a sense of fulfillment from my work.” By Amy Morgan
S
an Antonio native Danny Ruiz realized 15 months ago that there really is no place like home. The dental hygienist returned from the Houston area just in time to join the new 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics office when it opened last year at 20122 Stone Oak Parkway. The Madison High School graduate attended dental hygiene school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. A classmate who works at 7to7 Dental highly recommended the local practice, and Danny jumped at the chance to return to his hometown. He was attracted by 7to7 Dental’s flexibility. Because the office is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m., weekdays and on weekends, he can work hours that fit in well with his active lifestyle. “I’m not a 9-5, Monday through Friday kind of person,” he said. “I prefer to work afternoons and weekends. I knew this was going to be a great fit within the first five minutes of my interview. It was an instant ‘yes!’” In his valued down time, Danny enjoys biking San Antonio’s trails and taking his Chihuahua/poodle mix, nicknamed Chubacaba, to the Pearl farmer’s market. Danny is impressed by 7to7 Dental’s dedication to their patients. “They really put the patients first,” he said. Danny described how
Danny particularly remembers a patient who came to 7to7 Dental’s annual free clinic. He had neglected his oral health, and his lower teeth were black and filled with tartar. “I told him, ‘When we get done, you are gong to look like a million dollars!’ I showed him the mirror after the cleaning, and he was very impressed. He was able to smile and not be embarrassed,” Danny said. In addition to cleaning, dental hygienists help patients monitor their holistic health: they measure patients’ blood pressure, which can register early problems, and check glucose levels for diabetic patients. Danny feels a close personal connection to his colleagues at the Stone Oak 7to7 Dental office. He had an unexpected health crisis on the job, and his co-workers immediately noticed he was not well. Tiffany Winburn D.M.D., co-owner of the practice, made a special trip to the Stone Oak location to personally check on him. “She is the owner, and she’s here to make sure I’m doing all right! That’s a lot of support. This is the best office I’ve every worked for — both in hygiene and interpersonally. They are really good people.” Although 7to7 Dental occupies five convenient offices around San Antonio, it is not a franchise. The practice is locally owned and operated by your neighbors – Dr. Winburn and Justin Coke, who both live and work in Stone Oak with their families.
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Eagle Scout and Football Quarterback
By Amy Morgan
T
he Boy Scout motto: “Do a good turn daily” exemplifies Ronald Reagan High School senior Rhett Buell. The Eagle Scout has taken these words to heart in all aspects of his life – whether scouting, serving with his church or on Reagan’s varsity football team. Rhett has patterned himself after the example of his parents, Melinda and Jeff Buell. Jeff is a partner at a successful local building company, but the couple takes time to actively support the Reagan community as presidents of the Diamondbackers Sports Association. As Rhett spent many hours on Reagan’s practice fields, he noticed the campus was lacking a place to store bulky track equipment. In fact, the girls’ track coach was taking the hurdles home in her car every night! He knew he wanted his Eagle Scout project to serve his school in some way, so he approached Athletic Director Lyndon Hamilton about building a storage shed to house the overflow and was met with an enthusiastic response.
Eagle Scout and Reagan Quarterback, Rhett Buell,
Rhett did not just cobble together a few 2x4s – he tackled the project with the professional expertise he had stands in front of the equipment shed he organized to build for the athletic department at Reagan High School. learned working summers for his dad. He requested funding from the Diamondbackers, worked with a purchasing manager to connect with contractors and secured donations from vendors to keep the project under budget. He overcame obstacles – finding a replacement when the original shed door was the wrong size and ensuring subcontractors showed up to work. Rhett also negotiated a $7,000 budget down to only $300 out of pocket. Then he enlisted the help of his fellow scouts of Troop 650 to paint the 244-square-foot building Rattler green. The shed has been put to good use in time for Rhett’s senior football season. He plays quarterback and was selected to the spring Leadership Council. In that capacity, he was responsible to inspire teammates to keep up their grades, execute drills correctly and arrive on time. Sometimes these duties require more than just being a positive role model. Rhett noticed a team member who was struggling to attend early morning practices and went out of his way to provide needed transportation. “It was the right thing to do,” he said with a smile, adding that his goal is for the Rattler Football team to win district this year. For the past three summers, Rhett has traveled to Oklahoma on a mission trip with his Concordia Lutheran Church Youth Group. While the group’s original project focused on providing post-tornado disaster relief, Concordia’s youth continue to rejuvenate the community. He’s rebuilt a roof, created a garden and reclaimed an elementary school to return it to productivity. “You get to see the progress of what you’ve done and how it has changed over the years,” he said. Rhett takes AP classes, participates in Winner’s Circle and leads in FCA. He is considering playing football in college or may focus on his degree alone and stay closer to home at a school in Texas.
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PET TIP
Canine Swimming Safety
If your pup has never been around water, begin slowly and let Fido get used to the shallows before being introduced to the deep. Never toss an animal into the water! Despite common misperceptions, swimming is not a natural skill for all dogs/breeds. Just like for humans, an unpleasant initial experience can cause your dog never to want to go near the water again. A proven way to ensure your beloved pet’s safety is to have him wear a life vest. Before you head out to the river or lake, have Fido practice wearing the vest around the house to build his familiarity with the strange new garment. Then, try it out in shallow water. Some find it helpful to fill a baby pool in the backyard for their pup’s initial introduction to water. Your whole pack might just enjoy the opportunity to cool off together prior to venturing to a larger body of water. Once you are ready to take the plunge, take it slow and allow your pup to enter the water at his own pace. Make sure he understands boundaries, so he doesn’t try to climb on others in the water. Keep an eye on your furry family members in the water just as you would your human ones. You’ll want to make sure they are swimming without distress and not swallowing too much water, especially if they are playing fetch or diving. Dogs may not show immediate signs of water in the lungs. If you notice him coughing, vomiting or becoming lethargic, even hours after a water excursion, call your vet immediately.
By Courtney Crowley
A
lthough August’s hot days are known as the dog days of summer, there’s no need to wilt in the heat. Gather up your family members, furry or human, and head to the nearest body of water for a cooling dip. Before you go, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these safety suggestions so you can include all the members of your pack.
If you discover Fido loves swimming, water sports are a great way to keep your pup exercised and cool in the summer months. Dock diving and air retrieve are great fun for any dog who’s keen to fetch and swim. Competitions are another place to enjoy an outing with your canine companion and meet fellow dog lovers. You can find trainers throughout San Antonio to help get you and your pup started.
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