April 2014 78259 for web

A Monthly Publication Directly Mailed to the residents of Encino Park, Evans Ranch, Redland Heights, Emerald Forest and surrounding areas Postal Customer

April 2014 Issue

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANTONIO, TX PERMIT NO 6450

Viva la Fiesta at Franklin Park!

Franklin Park Senior Living is the best place to Fiesta this April!

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15TH ANNUAL

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TH

15

UA ANN

Co-Presented By

Brighton Center’s

The Nort hside

A TASTE OF

C O - P R E S E N T E D

BY

LY N D

A N D

H - E- B

The Club At Sonterra

UPGRADE FOR A

EXPERIENCE

AT TASTE OF THE NORTHSIDE $

The official Event Planners for A Taste of the Northside

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014 5:30pm to 10:30pm

• • • • • • •

200 Gets all of this: A Taste of the Northside Event Ticket Access to the exclusive VIP Lounge (The only indoor party spot!)

VIP Parking in covered parking garage Transportation to event in large reserved buses for our VIP’s Meet our “Fiesta Foodie” Tanji Patton from GoodTaste with Tanji Commemorative Taste of the Northside wine glass and butler tray VIP only wine & beer selections with Exclusive Chef Prepared Culinary

www.welcomehomesa.com

$55 in advance

www.BrightonSA.org or San Antonio H.E.B. locations until 4/21/2014

$60 at the door

5 Live Bands Varied Wine & Beers Stella Artois Beer Garden Fireworks Finale EACH TICKET INCLUDES:

5 Drink Tickets 8 Food Tickets Free Parking & Shuttle

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

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3/14/2014 10:24:45 AM April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

Note From The Publisher

Viva Fiesta!

S

pring has arrived! It’s the time of year when we begin spring-cleaning, sprucing up our yards, firing those grills up and planning for our summer.

This is when we all start to find time to get outside and enjoy the perfect temperatures in our wonderful city.

Inside this April issue you will find many ways to fill your calendar with great things to do here in our community.

We are once again having our Mothers Day Tribute, celebrating all the wonderful moms in our community. Please have your written submissions sent to us by April 12th.

Look for our email notifications for details.

April is the month when we celebrate Fiesta festivities all over San Antonio. At Welcome Home, we are especially excited for the highly anticipated event, A Taste of the Northside, which we are honored to sponsor once again. The proceeds from this event benefit the Brighton Center, one of our community’s greatest foundations benefiting our local children. We have three children from Brighton Center featured on our cover, along with this year’s Queen of the Vine, Natalie Pfeiffer. Brighton Center’s A Taste of the Northside will be held at The Club At Sonterra again this year. We hope you stop by Welcome Home’s booth to say hello to our staff and have your photo taken on our Welcome Home front cover.

Be ready to channel your inner celebrity with our fun, “make your own cover photo” feature, where you can pose with the Fiesta props we will be providing! All the photos will be posted on our website at www. welcomehomesa.com after the event. We look forward to seeing your best – and

funniest - photos! For more about A Taste of the Northside and other popular Fiesta events, continue reading on page 11.

As avid Spurs fans, we are so proud of how our team is doing as they approach the end of the regular season. This could be a year where we “go all the way!” If you have never been to a game (or it’s been a while) this is a great opportunity to share that exciting experience with your extended San Antonio family. GO SPURS GO!!

The end of the school year is quickly approaching and we are busy processing all of our SOBA scholarship applications.

Thank you to all of the talented students who submitted! This is one of our most treasured moments of the year, when we are able to give back to those young people in our community who have worked so hard to achieve greatness in their academic endeavors. We will be announcing our eight scholarship winners on May 28 at our Speed Networking event.

On behalf of myself and the staff at Welcome Home, thank you for your continued readership and support!

Remember, if you have good news to share, we want to give you a place in our pages to do so. Welcome Home continues its legacy thanks to all of our readers who support the businesses who make this paper possible.

Let them know you saw them in Welcome Home, YOUR community newspaper.

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Directly Mailed To Over 60,000 Households & Businesses in 78232, 78248, 78255, 78256, 78257, 78258, 78259, 78260, & 78261 Zip Codes.

Plus, 20,000 in Rack Distribution.

Welcome Home newspaper assumes no liability in advertising other than correction and reinsertion of like-size ad at no additional cost to our advertiser. The opinions stated by the writers or the information printed from other sources do not necessarily depict those of the publisher or advertisers. No liability is assumed.

Welcome Home newspaper will not knowingly publish any advertisement which is illegal or misleading to its readers. All copy and type arrangements are subject to approval by the publisher.

All stories and photos submitted become property of Welcome Home Editorial and Advertising content of Welcome Home newspaper is protected by the U.S. copyright law. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Publisher Russell Groomer Director Of Production Kristin Oliver Managing Editor Amanda Burris Office Manager Chasity Furse Writer/Copy Editors Ben Spicer Kimberly Rodriguez Production/Graphic Design Marie Ferrante

Administrative Assistant Julia Wickwire Sierra Hernandez

Staff Writers Debby Seguin Calvin Speer

Distribution Israel Vazquez

Contributing Writers Melinda Cox Cindy David Bridgett Dunlap Emma Fitzhugh Velizar Iliev Suzanne Martin James Miller Angela Rodriguez Shirley Wills

Contributing Photographers Chasity Furse Welcome Home Intern Daisy Creager Sales Representatives Patrice Long Tiffany Gailan Kathy Duguay

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

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On The Cover

By Kimberly M. Rodriguez hen you think royalty, most think beauty and vanity. But when it comes to A Taste of the Northside’s royalty, there is more than just that. Fundraising is the most integral part in being crowned queen.

This month, Welcome Home had the opportunity to highlight A Taste of the Northside, an official Fiesta® event, and feature Brighton Center’s 2014 Queen of the Vine, Natalie Pfeiffer. This year’s reigning queen worked tremendously hard to fundraise more than $200,000 for the Brighton Center. Her outstanding efforts ultimately broke the records of previous queens.

All fundraising proceeds will benefit Brighton Center, which provides Photo Credit: Chasity Furse family and community education and developmental services to children, birth Natalie Pfeiffer, 2014 Queen Of The Vine, with her kids and to age 22, with disabilities or delays children from the Brighton center. empowering them to achieve their will reign over event ensuring that the VIP individual potential making them successful lounge named in her honor has only the best in every community. food, drinks and music this official Fiesta® Pfeiffer will represent A Taste of the event has to offer.

Northside during its fifteenth annual event To learn more about Pfeiffer’s fundraising to be held on Wednesday, April 23 at the efforts and for information about A Taste of Brighton Center. The Queen of the Vine the Northside, turn to page 9.

W

Family Life

Sunday, April 20 – EASTER SUNDAY Services @ 8:30 & 11 am Bible Study - @ 9:45 am

If Nature Calls, DON’T Answer!

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By Debby Seguin

I

t all started with an episode of “Little House on the Prairie.” The family had to camp under the stars and we all thought that camping looked like fun. Oh, if only you could edit real life like a movie!

You could start by cutting the two weeks of preparation for a two-night stay.

At home, we tend to take things like bandaids, foot spray, Q-tips, food for five, paper towels, lighter fluid, potable water, wash rags, towels, and clothing for unknown temperature ranges, for granted. Taking it all with you is whole other story. We packed and piled, and piled and packed, everything in the dining room. I looked at all the stuff and while calculating the cost of a mid-size U-Haul, thought, “Heck, why not just stay here and go mountain climbing?”

We could also edit personality styles. Mine is the “figure it out as you go” personality,

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which hubby calls scatterbrained, whereas I prefer the more positive “creative freespirit,” which is normally very attractive until you get to the campsite and everyone starts demanding clean underwear and food of all things. My husband, whom I refer to as “Germ Guy,” although he prefers the more positive “hygienically perceptive,” (which is normally attractive until you are forced to sterilize the weenie fork in between marshmallows), has just begun his inventory list of various disinfectants, bug sprays, Ebola vaccine and tsetse fly netting.

I am in the car with the engine running while he has barely started alphabetizing his vitamin and herb supplements into his compartmentalized container (necessary lest we succumb to vitamin deficiency on our 48 hour diet of s’mores and lukewarm weenies).

Lastly, we could edit out the unlimited variety of crawly creatures, which either buzz, sting or eat everything except concrete.

I own a “sounds of nature” CD that features tranquil sounds of rushing water and a variety of birdsong, which is very relaxing.

But at 5 a.m., real birdsong sounds more like a college kegger, which I am in no mood for after a midnight battle with a tent flap sporting an attitude.

Despite these “edits,” there are some things I would leave in: Bacon frying in the crisp, morning air, our kids playing Frisbee and fishing down by the lake instead of watching TV, my husband COOKING (oh, I mean “grilling”), and not thinking once about bills or chores or how we are going to pay for college. Come to think of it, we may go camping again real soon…

Debby Seguin can be reached at writewell62@yahooI’llnevercampagain. com

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

JHS Experiences Dangers Of Drunk Driving Submitted By Melinda Cox he Johnson High School Jaguar PTSA continued its commitment to keeping students and its community safe by bringing the unique and powerful program, Shattered Dreams to the campus in February.

Shattered Dreams is an educational program, which started over twenty years ago, that works to remind everyone about the dangers associated with drinking and driving.

The Shattered Dreams program involves the dramatization of an alcohol-related crash and a subsequent mock memorial. The program is a two-day event and involves students, teachers, administration, the community and parent support. The crash involves two cars, one car with students who were not drinking and driving and one car with a drunk driver at the wheel.

Junior and senior students were alerted to the mock crash with a 911 call over the intercom system. Students were then directed outside to watch the mock crash event. Students were confronted with the consequences of a drunk driving accident as crash victims were injured and acting as if the accident was real. In the JHS PTSA version of Shattered Dreams, eight students portrayed the role of crash victims. One student was dead at the scene, one crash victim was taken to the hospital via AirLife and one student was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The drunk driver was arrested at the scene and escorted to the Bexar County Jail. The remaining victims were treated at the scene and transported off campus in an ambulance.

Students watching the mock crash scene were then reminded of the reality of what they had witnessed during a speech given

by Sheriff Parmaleau, where students were given specific examples of cases involving young drivers who chose to drink and drive and the consequences paid for this poor decision.

Throughout the day, the entire campus was confronted with the issue through the sound of a heartbeat used to signify the number of DWI-related deaths. Every time the heartbeat was played, a Grim Reaper, a DPS officer and a school counselor would enter a classroom and take away a student who would then become a Living Dead victim representing a drunk driving statistic.

The victims were taken out of class, madeup in white faces and dressed in black t-shirts to symbolize death, and then returned to their classrooms to continue their day.

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EMS crews rush an injured crash victim, who is taken by AirLife, to a local hospital.

The next morning, a mock memorial service was held in the auditorium. The funeral for the crash victim was also very realistic with a coffin and funeral service provided by Porter-Loring Funeral Home.

Pastor Chris Emmitt, from Community Bible Church, gave the eulogy for mock crash victim Zachary Winterrowd and a speaker from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) brought the auditorium to silence. The service was brought to a close by pallbearers, who were Jaguar students and friends of the crash victim, as they carried out the coffin.

Shannon Moravits, JHS PTSA Jaguar President, believes the two day program is so important because it reminds us all how important it is to make the right, safe decision each time we are behind the wheel.

“We must constantly remind our young drivers to make smart choices behind the wheel and we must always remind our students and community the dangers of distracted driving and drinking and driving,” said Moravits. “As adults, we must set the example and follow the rules and lead by example. In order for our children to make good choices, we must set the right example.”

The JHS Jaguar PTSA has worked for almost two years to reinforce the message of no distracted driving on its campus and the Shattered Dreams program was the result over almost six months of commitment on the part of PTSA members, students, staff and administration at the school. The main objective of the PTSA has been to empower its student population to move the message of no distracted driving or drinking and driving off the campus and into the community. Student involvement in the Shattered Dreams program was key to its

Each Living Dead victim, taken by the Grim Reaper, symbolizes death and represents a drunk driving statistic.

success.

JHS junior, Tyler Otten, volunteered for the role of drunk driver for the Shattered Dreams program. The program involved a big commitment and an understanding of the importance of the program and its message.

He got to experience what it was like to be arrested, placed in a police car, taken to Bexar County jail and booked. Otten said the program changed his outlook on driving and thinking about your choices.

“Shattered Dreams was amazing. Going to jail was much different than I was expecting. Seeing it on TV you think that you can handle it but in no way is that the case. I wasn’t even making eye contact with the people in the jail because they were so scary,” said Otten. “Being in the cell was horrific. It smelt awful and once in, it wasn’t an act anymore. I wasn’t just playing a role. I was actually in jail. I can’t imagine someone actually being in trouble and having to stay there for more than an hour.”

The Shattered Dreams program brought the reality of choice up close and personal to Otten, as he got to experience the reality of a bad choice.

“Shattered dreams to me was not just an experience, this was real. I didn’t go to a fake jail I went to a real one. Brittany didn’t fake going to a hospital, she was actually there,” said Otten. “And Zach’s funeral was not fake, I felt as if he was really gone.

Although Shattered Dreams was fake, it wasn’t for us.”

Brittany Muller, a junior at JHS, didn’t go to a fake hospital. She was the crash victim injured in the program and transported to the hospital in an ambulance. Her dad was there to see her come into the Emergency

VIA Breaks Ground on U.S. 281 Park and Ride

By Ben Spicer new VIA substation is in the works to help local commuters get to their desired destinations.

VIA Metropolitan Transit broke ground on February 24 for a new location on the city’s far north side.

The new location will be at 20930 Stone Oak Parkway, on the southwest corner of the intersection with Highway 281.

The substation will help alleviate traffic concerns in one of the fastest growing regions of the city. And by providing express bus service for daily commuters, opportunities to travel will be abound.

“This transit project, will now connect

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the Northside of San Antonio to the rest of San Antonio,” VIA Metropolitan Transit Board Chairman Henry R. Muñoz III said.

“It will help relieve about thirty percent of the congestion that exists today, and will create the first transit priority lanes in the state of Texas, making it easier for somebody to get on a state of the art bus and travel.”

Muñoz also said the project is being approached in two phases and will allow commuters to head downtown to their place of work or something else that impacts their lifestyle – and will create new options going forward.

Jeff Arndt, President and CEO of VIA

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

echoed the sentiments.

“Its going to provide permanent parking spaces and access to express service that will take you into downtown, and then allow you to connect through the rest of our system with commutes to both downtown and the medical center,” Arndt said. “We also think this could become a hub for special events service in the future, so that folks that are going to Fiesta for example are going to be able to park here, and catch a bus and head to Fiesta and enjoy it without having to worry about the ride.”

As for a time frame for when the substation will be available for use?

“We hope this will become a Christmas

www.welcomehomesa.com

Room and watch as the mock admittance took place. The crash and trip to the hospital was very real for Brittany.

“Shattered Dreams has impacted me personally more than anything else has ever done before. It has changed my life in ways I can’t even describe,” said Muller. “Being in the crash gave me the opportunity to experience what a real crash looks and feels like, allowed me to see how it impacted others such as the student body, my family, friends, teammates and also gave me a reality check to how life could be if we decide to make dumb decisions.”

The reality check provided to students through the Shattered Dreams program was brought to the campus through commitment and the partnership of many different groups. The JHS Jaguar PTSA would like to thank the many individuals and groups involved in the Shattered Dreams program.

Many hours were committed to the event by students, staff, school administration and PTSA Shattered Dream committee members. This event would not have been possible, however, without the tremendous commitment and support of members of our community. The JHS PTSA thanks the San Antonio Fire Department, San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Transportation, Porter -Loring Funeral Home, University Hospital, Airlife Services, Sheriff Parmaleau, Bexar Bulverde Fire Department, Sherri-Lee Derrimer SAMMC Hospital, Papa Johns, Texas Towing, the Bexar County Jail, the Grim Reaper, DPS Officers and MADD. “Shattered Dreams was a very emotional event that will stick with me forever,” said Muller.

gift to the area,” Arndt said. “So we are thinking end of the year, if not then, then very early in the following year. So not very far away.”

The U.S. 281 Park and Ride is part of VIA’s SmartMove initiative. More information on this project and other SmartMove efforts can be found by visiting www.viasmartmove.com.

The northern San Antonio area is ever expanding, welcoming hundreds of new families and businesses to the community each year. Know of a new business or development going up near you? E-mail articles@welcomehomesa.com to let Welcome Home know.

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What Is An Infertility Evaluation?

S

Dr. Summer L. James Texas Fertility Center (210) 370-3800

eeing a fertility specialist for an infertility evaluation can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing what to expect beforehand can alleviate some of the stress of figuring out your fertility status. At our office, we will first talk to you about your medical history, including what medications you use, what your menstrual cycle is like and what your past pregnancies, if any, were like.

In order to conceive, you need a normal uterus, normal ovaries with plenty of

eggs, normal fallopian tubes and normal sperm. Therefore, we need to evaluate all these things. At your first appointment, we typically do a transvaginal ultrasound in the office to look at your uterus and ovaries.

During the ultrasound, we will be looking for things that can reduce your pregnancy rate, like uterine fibroids, uterine polyps and certain types of ovarian cysts. The ultrasound is usually painless and can be done at any point in your menstrual cycle.

Next, we will do some blood work to

3rd Annual ASL Idol Event Submitted By Emma Fitzhugh ohnson High School will be hosting its third annual “ASL (American Sign Language) Idol”, a sign language adaptation of the popular television show, American Idol.

This year, the event is scheduled for Friday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the Johnson High School auditorium.

The event is made possible by the school’s sign language club, who encourages both deaf and hearing people to come out and show off their visual and creative talents.

The show gives the students opportunity not only to perform in front of a live

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audience but also gain a wide variety of experience and knowledge in ASL as they spend the upcoming weeks practicing.

Any high school student can participate, deaf or hearing, and visual talents range from group skits, individually signing a song, duets, unique dances, ROTC stomps, magic acts and so much more.

Both beginner and more advanced sign language students greatly benefit from not only practicing for their performance, but for the opportunity to see others signing firsthand.

A panel of deaf and hearing judges critiques each participant and an interpreter

assess your ovarian reserve, which is how many eggs you have left. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, and the number of eggs declines with age.

Fewer eggs can make getting pregnant more difficult, and some women lose eggs faster than others. The tests you will have done are follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and antimullerian hormone (AMH). These numbers help us determine your chance for pregnancy with various types of treatment.

We will also make sure your fallopian tubes are open. This is done in a radiology department with a test called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). A small catheter is introduced through the cervix into the uterus. Under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, dye is placed into the uterus and then out both fallopian tubes. Blockages of the tubes can be visualized with this test.

Finally, we order a semen analysis.

Semen parameters – such as semen volume, sperm count, sperm motility (how many are swimming) and sperm morphology or shape – are especially important for fertility.

Millions of normally shaped, motile sperm are needed for fertilization in the fallopian tube.

Once these things are completed, you will be asked to come back to the office to discuss the results of all the tests. Based on the results, pregnancy rates for different types of treatment can be provided, and a plan of action will be formulated.

Dr. James is Board Certified in Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility and Obstetrics. Call 210-370-3800 to make an appointment or receive more info on fertility testing.

is also provided so clear communication can be made available to everyone.

The club also hosts various concessions and deaf related T-shirts.

All NEISD and neighboring district high schools get involved in this event. All NEISD high schools work together to make this event successful.

The students of the ASL Club raise funds and secure donations from community partners to serve as prizes. Proceeds for ASL Idol go to the Deaf community projects.

Tickets will be sold for $3 for students (with their ID), and $5 for adults. Any high school student interested in showing off

their visual talent(s) let the organization know!

Johnson’s ASL club hopes that ASL Idol will continue to grow every year, and are eagerly looking forward to all of the performances that will take place at Johnson High School this year.

If you would like to donate a product or service to the ASL Idol show or have any questions, please contact Janellkay Brigham via email at jbrigh1@neisd.net.

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April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

A Taste of the Northside’s 2014 Queen of the Vine, Natalie Pfeiffer, raised $265,000 for the Brighton Center.

Natalie Pfeiffer and her husband P.J., worked as a dynamic duo to help raise funds for the Brighton Center.

Natalie Pfeiffer worked with Stephanie through the Brighton Center, which inspired her to run for Queen of the Vine where she raised money for the organization.

A Taste Of The Northside’s Queen of the Vine Raises $265,000 for the Brighton Center

By Katrina Campbell

F

iesta® is right around the corner and for San Antonio’s Northside, that means one thing, it’s time for A Taste of the Northside!

Voted the Best Fiesta Event® by WOAI for three years in a row, this event has it all for those looking to experience Fiesta® in a super fabulous kind of way.

This year, the fan favorite event will be celebrating its fifteenth anniversary and to celebrate, the hosts of the event, the Brighton Center, is pulling out all the stops.

Guests can expect additions like a Stella Artois beer garden, a 10 minute fireworks finale and a local favorite band, The Max, playing on the main stage. In regards to restaurants, there will be many veterans to the event like Kirby’s Steakhouse, P.F. Changs and H-E-B with their abundance of food, wine and sommeliers onsite to tell you more about what you’re tasting.

And no Fiesta® is complete without their own set of royalty and A Taste of the Northside is no different. The Queen of the Vine, Natalie Pfeiffer, will be reigning over the event ensuring that the VIP lounge named in her honor has only the best food, drinks and music to offer. Pfeiffer and her entire family have been tremendous supporters of the organization for more than 10 years and when the opportunity to run for Queen of the Vine was presented to Pfeiffer, she quickly jumped at the chance.

“I am blessed and honored to have worked with this amazing organization in the past and my family, friends and I continue to support them in their efforts to reach even more children in our community,” said Pfeiffer. “Based on our experience working and being involved with Brighton Center, my daughters have witnessed, first-hand, the value of inclusion and encouraging others to reach their potential.

I am so proud to know that my girls do not see disabilities, instead they see the ability in all children.”

The cover of this edition features Pfeiffer and her daughters Kenzie and Cami; an accurate reflection of how her campaign was ran, as a family effort. Through special events, raffles, online donations and auction items, every member of Pfeiffer’s family played an integral role in her quest to become Queen of the Vine. From her husband PJ Pfeiffer reaching out to numerous corporations requesting support, to her daughters selling raffle tickets, to her recruiting her friends and family to help host an event, the Pfeiffer family worked together tirelessly to raise money for the more than 2,700 children with disabilities or delays that the Brighton Center serves every year.

The efforts of Natalie and her team of supporters more than paid off with a total of $200,000 being raised for Brighton Center. Shattering every individual fundraising record set to date, Pfeiffer earned the coveted title of Queen of the Vine, and will be representing Brighton as the official Fiesta® royalty of A Taste of the Northside.

The entire 2014 Queen of the Vine campaign court included Tiffany Mock Briggs, a wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch and mother of two; and Princess of the Vine, ZZ Mylar, a marketing/advertising specialist and mother of six, two of which received services from Brighton. Collectively, these 3 women have raised $265,000 for the Brighton Center, a feat that would typically take a whole army of volunteers to accomplish in several years’ time. These women stand in good company and have followed well in the footsteps of their most recent Queen predecessors like April Ancira, 2013 Queen of the Vine; Shelly Miles, 2012 Queen of the Decade & 2008 Queen of the Vine; and Dr. Amy Jackson, 2011 Queen of the Vine, who each broke the Queen of the Vine campaign record in the respective years they ran.

You can come out and visit with the Queen of the Vine and her court at A Taste of the Northside on April 23 from 5:30-10:30 p.m. All proceeds from A Taste of the Northside benefit Brighton Center and each general admission ticket is only $55 (pre-sale) and includes eight Food tastings from over 50 of San Antonio’s best restaurants, five beer or wine tastings courtesy of Silver Eagle and Glazer’s, and Free Parking & Shuttle. Guests can also upgrade to the Queen of the Vine’s V.I.P. Lounge where they can enjoy additional food and drink tastings, exclusive indoor access, a commemorative wine glass and butler tray, as well as special reserved shuttle parking. Limited tickets are available for $200. For more information, visit www.BrigtonSA.org or call 210-826-4492.

Brighton has been serving the community for over 40 years. Brighton Center serves over 2,700 children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families each year through four distinct initiatives - an inclusive child development center, early childhood intervention, parent education and advocacy training.

Brighton Center continues to fulfill its vision to create a society where all children are valued and included.

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Five Keys To Survive In Middle School

By Leslie Jernigan, M.A. Learning Foundations Diagnostic and Learning Center 210-495-2626

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t’s past bedtime. You are tired, frustrated and still have a long ways to go in finishing your child’s homework. It often feels like YOU are the one going to school all over again, except everything is taught differently.

Even though 5th grade is almost over, that sigh of relief is all too short when the thought of Middle School creeps up on you. If this is what it’s like right now, what will happen when he has to do all this by himself, and be accountable to five or more teachers next year?

These are the five critical skills that your child will need in order to be successful in Middle School. (Notice, intelligence isn’t listed anywhere on there). Your child can be the smartest girl in her school, but if she does not have these skills, it will feel like the ground is falling under her.

In order to make it in Middle School, your child must have mastered these five skills: 1. Study skills – Creating strategies to understand and retain course material.

2. Writing skills – Being able to organize

thoughts and putting them on paper clearly and concisely.

3. Note taking skills – Identifying relevant information and organizing it in ways that make sense.

4. Organization skills – Managing and keeping schedules, planning ahead and organizing materials.

5. Social skills – Monitoring emotions and making smart choices while managing peer pressure can be THE defining factor when dealing as a teen.

These five skills are controlled by your child’s Executive Function. As they slowly develop into adolescence, your children will be given more responsibilities and control in their own decision-making. They will be expected, and will want to do more things independently. Executive Function is their inner CEO that manages their decisionmaking process, and helps them make smart choices.

The good news is that Executive Function skills can be trained. Building a strong foundation in these skills over the summer can be the difference between being the parent of a middle schooler and being the student yourself. Be proactive in strengthening your child’s Executive Function Skills now, so you don’t have to worry about your teenager’s choices in the future.

If you would like to see a full inventory of Executive Function skills, and how to teach them to your child, please visit www.learningfoundations.com/ ExecutiveFunction.

Leslie Jernigan is Program Director and Diagnostician at Learning Foundations.

Email questions or concerns about your child’s learning struggles to Leslie@ LearningFoundations.com or call (210) 495-2626.

A Survivor’s Campaign

By Amanda Burris single event can alter someone’s life completely. For Brittan Griffith, everything changed when she was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2002, right before her twelfth birthday.

As a gymnast who felt perfectly healthy, it was unexpected when she wouldn’t stop bleeding from a tooth the dentist pulled.

Brittan was soon after diagnosed with Leukemia and while it was not something she fully understood, it would be a life changing challenge for both her and her family.

“To watch your child at only eleven years of age have to fight for her life is heartbreaking,” said Laura Griffith, Brittan’s mother. “You know that if your child doesn’t go through the chemotherapy treatments she will surely die. But if she does, it will make her deathly ill and you could still lose her. As a mother, it rips your heart out. You wish you could trade places with her, but you can’t. Our faith and all of the love and support of others were what got us through this difficult time.”

Brittan went on to have chemotherapy for six months. She continued maintenance chemotherapy for a year after her hospitalization and has now been cancer free for twelve years. Every January 8th, the anniversary of her diagnosis, Brittan and her family will celebrate her good health, calling it “Life Day.” “The beginning of my journey was true devastation for both my family and I, but I have a very strong faith and I knew that

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it was not the end for me,” said Brittan. “I never felt as though leukemia would take my life. I knew that I needed to persevere and that God had bigger plans for me. I saw each chemo treatment as a step towards the finish line and each medical complication as a bump in the road. It was never easy, but I prayed a lot and counted on the support of those around me.”

Brittan witnessed an abundance of support throughout her treatment.

The support she witnessed then has only continued throughout the years as she has found various ways to Brittan Griffith at 12 years old during treatment for Leukemia. give back to the Leukemia cause that I believe in. The Leukemia and and Lymphoma Society Lymphoma Society is doing great things (LLS) since her treatment.

Each year, LLS puts on a campaign for cancer patients across the world and I for the Man and Woman of the Year title. want to continue to help them find cures for This campaign encourages candidates to diseases that continue to devastate families. raise funds for cancer research. This year, The money raised in this campaign will go Brittan had the opportunity continue her directly towards cancer research.”

The community is encouraged to donate fight against cancer and was nominated to up until May 30, with every dollar equalling participate as a candidate.

“As an adult I have wanted to give back to one vote. Previous candidates over the years LLS and this campaign is providing me the have helped LLS invest almost $1 billion in perfect opportunity to do so,” said Brittan. research to advance breakthrough therapies “For me, the campaign isn’t about the title. that are saving lives today.

“I would like to see a day when there is I will be happy whether I win or lose, but I am passionate about raising money for a no more cancer,” said Brittan. “But until that time, I want to make a difference for cancer patients and their families. the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society not only funds research and has funded drugs that are

Pediatric Eyecare & Eyewear We are Infant See providers and we’re offering complimentary eye exams for 6-12 months old.

Dr. Renee T. Dunlap

Therapeutic Optometrist • Optometric Glaucoma Specialist Board Certified Optometrist by the American Board of Optometry

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21019 US Hwy 281 North • San Antonio, TX 78258 (In Stone Ridge Market • PetSmart)

210-490-EYES (3937)

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Brittan today as a 23-year-old cancer-free woman.

used for treating various types of cancers, it provides some financial aid and patients services as well.”

To find out more about her story, campaign and events, or to make a donation, please visit her website at www. brittansbuddies.org or email her personally at blgriffith@satx.rr.com.

Did You Know?

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any flowers compete with one another to attract butterflies, birds and bees for pollination, but at least two species of flowering plants have enhanced their ability to attract insects in unique ways.

The titan arum (Amorphophallus titanium) is native to western Sumatra, where it grows in openings in rainforests. It is the largest unbranched flower in the world and can reach up to 15 feet tall. It is unwise to step in close to get a whiff of this enormous bloom, as the plant gives off a rancid odor reminiscent of rotting meat. It is sometimes known as the carrion plant or the corpse plant for this reason. The plant has created this scent to attract flies for pollination.

The rafflesia, which is native to southeastern Asia as well, is another plant that produces a rotting aroma to attract insects. The rafflesia has no stems, leaves or true roots, it’s basically one large flower.

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April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

An Example Of America’s Bright Future Special To Welcome Home hile January and February may be filled with new years resolutions they are also the months that Naomi Villalobos, a former Cadet Commander of Johnson High School’s Junior ROTC (JROTC) First Ladies Drill Team, conducts her duties as Cadet Wing Commander of the UTSA Air Force ROTC. Cadet Commander Villalobos was selected as Wing Commander this winter from a merit list of high-qualified UTSA Air Force ROTC candidates.

Naomi was born and raised for most of her life in San Antonio, when her father a U.S. Army Officer, was assigned to Fort Sam Houston from the University of Puerto Rico.

Naomi comes from a long line of veterans in her family. Her great grandfather served with the US Army during World War II, her grandfather served with the U.S. Marines during the Korean War, and her father served with the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation

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Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Naomi’s younger brother Roy D. Villalobos, is also a former Cadet Commander of the Johnson High School JROTC and former Cadet Commander of the NEISD JROTC 2011, and is currently a member of the Texas Army National Guard and fulltime student at UTSA (and member of the US Army ROTC.) When the U.S. Army assigned Naomi’s father back to Fort Sam Houston from Florida in 2007, her parents moved to the Cibolo Canyon community. But Naomi had to attend Douglas MacArthur High School until Johnson High School construction was completed in 2008.

During 2007 and 2008, Naomi became part of the nationally recognized Blue Angels Girls Drill Team of the JROTC at MacArthur High School.

When she transferred to the newly opened Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High School in 2008, she brought with her developed leadership and drill experience to the Johnson High School JROTC.

Naomi was one in the first class of high school students who opened the new school.

She also was one of the founders of the Johnson JROTC First Ladies Drill Team and the first Cadet Commander of the team (who took the drill team to first place) during their first drill competition at the Texas Western JROTC Region in 2009. At this drill competition her team had to compete with her former team the Blue Angels Girls Drill Team.

Naomi was also an honor student and one of the first class of high school students graduating from the Johnson High School’s first High School Graduation in 2009.

Naomi thanks her success to God and her parents who are patriots and devote Christians, and raised her in a Christian environment. She also had learned and improved from her mistakes. She also thanks the McArthur JROTC cadre; the Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson JROTC cadre, the UTSA Air Force ROTC cadre, and family and friends for her continued success.

Naomi, now the UTSA Air Force ROTC

NEISD Celebrates Texas Public Schools

By NEISD orth East ISD celebrated the accomplishments its students make each and every day during Texas Public Schools Week, March 3-7, and throughout the month of March, with the campaign to Celebrate Texas Public Schools.

Each day NEISD students acquire new skills as they Imagine, Explore and

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Discover new information, engaging their minds and bodies, building their educational foundations and futures. The efforts students led them to this year’s theme, “Leave Your Mark.” NEISD wants every student to leave their mark well after graduating from its schools.

Students are proud of their work and accomplishments and wish to share their discoveries with the entire educational

community.

“Public schools in North East and throughout the state of Texas are committed to laying the foundation for a solid education for each of our students,” said Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, superintendent of schools. “Join us, as we share our map for a great education. We invite you to Imagine, Explore, Discover our schools, during school events as we Celebrate Texas Public

Naomi Villalobos, a former cadet commander of Johnson High School, is presently Cadet Wing Commander of UTSA’s Air Force ROTC.

Cadet Wing Commander, will be graduating from UTSA with a degree in Criminal Justice and commission as an U.S. Air Force Officer, 2nd Lieutenant this May. Her parents, family, friends, Johnson High School and McArthur High School congratulate her and are proud of her achievements.

Schools.”

Texas Public Schools Week was established in 1950 by the Masonic Lodges of Texas to recognize contributions made by the state’s free system of education. Each year, the event has grown and it continues to be a meaningful way to showcase the many educational opportunities given to more than four million students attending Texas Public Schools.

San Antonio’s Tradition of Fun

F I E S TA

By Ben Spicer

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an Antonio has been celebrating Fiesta every spring since the first Battle of Flowers parade back in 1891.

Fiesta has become known nationally as the city’s signature event and it continues to offer fun for all ages.

With more than 100 events all across the city, some 3 million people take part in the fun. With great food to carnival rides to community parades, there is something for everyone.

For those looking to narrow down the events into the bare necessities, here are a few events that you will definitely not want to miss: Alamo Heights Night, April 11. The 28th annual Alamo Heights Night offers food from some of San Antonio’s top restaurants and live music. The Alamo Heights Rotary Club has raised over $2,000,000 in support of nonprofit organizations since its inception. Alamo Heights Night is organized by over 100 volunteer Rotarians who head numerous committees to make the event a success. As one of the unofficial starts to Fiesta, this event is not to be missed.

Fiesta Oyster Bake, April 11 & April 12. Oyster Bake is celebrating its 98 anniversary! Fiesta Oyster Bake began back in 1916 as a gathering of alumni. The event has grown into a yearly staple. With more than 100,000 oysters, served raw, baked or friend, Oyster Bake offers another 60 plus food booths. Savory favorites including fajitas, egg rolls, hamburgers, and sausage and chicken on a stick are also offered. Five stages play continuous music all night, and a multitude of beverages are available. Friday night is officially family night. Attendees can enjoy games and

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interactive activities, finishing up with a fireworks finale.

A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), April 22 – April 25. The historic downtown village of La Villita will host 80,000 visitors for four nights to celebrate San Antonio’s unique heritage. 15 different heritage-themed areas offer more than 240 decorated food and drink booths. The event offers non-stop entertainment stages.

Battle of Flowers Parade, April 25. Considered the founding event of Fiesta San Antonio, the Battle of Flowers parade holds the distinction of being the first celebration held in Alamo Plaza. This year’s theme is, “The Magic of Make Believe!” At 123 years old, this parade will enliven dreams of both young and old.

Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade, April 26. One of the largest illuminated parades in the U.S., the 66th anniversary edition of the Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade celebrates the theme, “A Time to Remember.” The University of Texas Longhorn band is the premiere band that leads other marching units, including out of town bands, equestrian units, and other musical groups. The night is one of incredible entertainment in San Antonio.

A Taste of the Northside, April 23. This Northside staple offers samples from more than 60 northside restaurants including top beer, fine wine, and top-shelf margaritas. Held at The Club of Sonterra, this event benefitting the Brighton Center offers both live music and free parking.

For more information on upcoming Fiesta activities visit www.fiesta-sa.org for a full list of events and times.

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We Keep You Rolling

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By Rusty Belden, V.P. Belden’s Automotive & Tires (210) 494-0017

pring time is here and it couldn’t have come sooner. Typically people are pulling out cleaning supplies and tidying up houses; and it shouldn’t be any different for your vehicles. Now is a great time to get your vehicle up to speed after all your winter driving. Come by Belden’s Automotive & Tires and let our certified technicians perform a Multi Point Inspection and get your vehicle ready for the hot summer driving. Here are a few

friendly reminders: Have all engine performance problems like hard starts, rough idling and stalling conditions checked out. These problems can affect your gas mileage and if corrected you can catch minor problems before they escalate into costly repairs in the future.

Because over-heating is the leading cause of roadside breakdowns, Belden’s Automotive & Tires attaches special emphasis to our Cooling System Service,

Hormone Therapy: It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

By Donna Becker, D.O. Enhancement of Life (210) 545-5224 t about age 50 or so, insomnia with daytime fatigue and awakening with night sweats begins in women and even in some men.

For men, the predominant sign of dwindling hormones, in my opinion, is lack of confidence with some anxiety. You tell yourself, well, I am getting older! I need to exercise more, eat better, lose weight, and then things will be better. But they don’t

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really get better – and without hormones it may be very difficult to ramp up the willpower to deny comfort foods and get out and run.

Theory behind anti-aging medicine is simple: restore hormones to a more youthful range and restore yourself. Aging is really a deficiency disease – replace that which you can no longer make inside of your endocrine glands. Anti-aging really is wellness medicine.

make sure and have your vehicle’s cooling system serviced with a comprehensive set of products and tools to ensure reliable performance of this all-important system.

Check the conditions of your tires including your spare. Remember that uneven wear, ‘cupping,’ vibrations, or ‘pulling’ to one side indicates problems with your tires or suspension system.

Have your air conditioning system serviced by a qualified technician and remember the air conditioners on older vehicles often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air through improper service.

Routine brake inspection and service is important for safety and can save you money in the long wrong. Failure to replace worn brake pads, for example, can result in more expensive damage to rotors and wheels.

Don’t forget, Belden’s Automotive & Tires wants to be your neighborhood garage.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our five locations, including our newest location Belden’s Alamo Garage located at Lockhill Selma and NW Military. Don’t forget to check us out on the web for coupons and specials at www.beldensautomotive.com.

Buckle up, Drive Safe and Remember at Belden’s Automotive & Tires “We Keep You Rolling!”

Belden’s Automotive & Tires has Five Locations: San Pedro: 210-494-0017; Medical Center: 210-690-1100; Alamo Garage: 210-366-1122; Boerne: 830981-9700; Bulverde Rd.: 210-481-3330.

For more information, call one of the locations or visit www.beldensautomotive. com

Many women have said to me, “My doctor said, you’re just getting older.” Think of yourself as a beautiful but older, sports car. You must replace parts and fix it, so the car will continue to run. Why would you go to a mechanic who might talk of driving the car less, or buying a new cheaper model?

For women, make sure you are taking a balance of hormones. Even if you don’t have a uterus, you need the calming, leveling effect of progesterone. Testosterone is not just for libido, but for drive, muscle, energy, and most importantly, for a sense of well being. The range of testosterone =2075, estradiol=35-75, progesterone= 10-20.

That is the synopsis of what I do – I get the numbers right. We are all different, you the patient, guides me. I like to ask rapid questions, so you don’t over-think your

answer, and then I am guided as to how to prescribe your particular balance.

Men need testosterone and usually an estrogen blocker. Testosterone transforms into estrogen detrimentally leading to breast and stomach size increase. Testosterone also causes an increase in red blood cells—too many cells jamming through the tiny vessels in the brain for example is not desired. So when the hemoglobin increases to 18-then one must donate 2 units of blood. Side effects, risks, and untoward effects may occur with any prescription medicine.

Donna Becker, D.O., Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. Enhancement of Life is located at 14603 Huebner Rd., Suite 2601, San Antonio, TX 78231. For more information, call (210) 545-5224 or visit www.antiagingsa.com.

15th Anniversary Of A Taste Of The Northside

Special To Welcome Home n Wednesday, April 23, the Brighton Center will celebrate their 15th Anniversary of A Taste of the Northside presented by Lynd and H-E-B. This is THE Fiesta event you don’t want to miss! Your ticket gets you tastings to over 50 of San Antonio’s most popular restaurants, a variety of different beers including our featured beer, Stella Artois and choices from over 45 international wines!

Plus, you’ll get to enjoy great live music at three different stages and free parking and shuttle. Located at the Club at Sonterra, A Taste of the Northside benefits the Brighton Center, a local non-profit organization serving children with disabilities or delays and their families.

Voted Best Fiesta event three years running by News4 WOAI, A Taste of the Northside is going to live up to the reputation

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in 2014 with even more surprises and Fiesta fun to help celebrate their 15th anniversary!

New features include a Stella Artois Beer Garden and great entertainment from five live bands including Grooveline, Decibel Band and THE MAX on the main stage plus Blue Finger Disco and the Joe Caruso Trio in the VIP Lounge. The night will end with a “bang!” with a special fireworks finale.

Guests can also upgrade to the Queen of the Vine VIP lounge brought to you by M2 Technology with Fiesta Foodie Tanji Patton. This is an exclusive area inside Sonterra’s Clubhouse featuring some of San Antonio’s best restaurants such as Umai Mi – Modern Asian Fare, Kirby’s Steakhouse, Tejas Steakhouse, Paloma Blanca, and Boudro’s Texas Bistro who will pair their samplings with fine wines from around the world. All V.I.P. guests receive the perks of general admission plus additional food and beverage tastings, a signature wine glass and butler tray & live entertainment inside

the VIP Lounge area. Limited quantities of V.I.P. tickets are available for presale for $200.

Tickets to the 15th Annual A Taste of the Northside are $55 in advance and include eight food tasting tickets, five drink tickets, and free parking & shuttle to the event.

Some of the restaurants you can find at this year’s A Taste of the Northside include: H-E-B Central Market, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, The Egg & I, Tiago’s Cabo Grille, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill, Texas Roadhouse, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Chela’s Tacos Mobile Truck, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Farm to Juice, Bagel Factory, La Hacienda de los Barrios, Orange Leaf, County Line BBQ and many more!

Tickets can be purchased at www.

BrightonSA.org, San Antonio H-E-B locations or by calling 210-826-4492.

Information on parking and a full list of restaurants are available by visiting the website. “Like” their Facebook page –

Encino Park’s The Little Mermaid Jr. Submitted By Cindy David he Encino Park Elementary Music Department is preparing for this year’s all-school musical performance of, “The Little Mermaid Jr.” 47 enthusiastic Kinder through fifth grade students will present three performances of the show, April 10 – 12.

The performers, directors, production crew, parents and volunteers are anxious to bring this production to the whole community.

The cast for “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

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began rehearsing in September 2013. For many this will be their first Broadwaystyle musical, while others are becoming “seasoned professionals” due, in large part, to this unique opportunity afforded to students at Encino Park. This crosscurricular experience is one that these students will remember for many years to come.

Show times for the Encino Park Elementary Music Department’s presentation of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” are as follows: Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m.

Brighton Center’s A Taste of the Northside – to keep up with all the latest deals and ticket specials!

Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students (through high school). Tickets go on sale March 17 and will be available for purchase at the Encino Park Elementary box office.

Box-office hours are: 7:15-7:45 a.m. and 2:45-3:15 p.m. each weekday. You may also contact the school for information at 210-407-3200 or email Cynthia David, cdavid3@neisd.net. Tickets go fast, so don’t delay in purchasing yours.

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The Tutoring Solution

Huntington Learning Center

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By Amanda Burris

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here is nothing more frustrating to a student than falling behind in school and then having to continue to move forward each year, still struggling. At Huntington Learning Center, their certified teachers work one-on-one with students to develop an individualized approach that ultimately get them back on track.

Founded in 1977 by Dr. Raymond Huntington and his wife Eileen, new curricula and instructional methodologies were developed that could benefit students of all grades and ages.

With their belief that children will advance more quickly and see success through an individualized approach, the company has since grown to include hundreds of locations nationwide, which have helped to achieve this goal.

In 2007, Huntington Learning Center found its start in San Antonio, first opening in Stone Oak and one year later opening a second center at DeZavala/I10. The DeZavala Center just recently was relocated to the Alon Shopping Center as of the beginning of April. Tom Rice is the owner of the two centers and has staffed each location with a dedicated and highly qualified staff, including center directors Staci Dennis and Mark Anne Millburn who are continually reaching out to those students who may be struggling or falling behind.

While children begin to learn academic skills in early grades, each subsequent grade level continues to build on top of that, making it difficult if a student has fallen behind.

Many times parents may only see a child is struggling, appear unmotivated or just is not doing well in their academics.

“Sometimes it’s interpreted as they just don’t like school or they have a bad attitude about school,” Rice said. “But it typically really is that you don’t like to do what you’re not good at, and that the skills aren’t in place with the student that are making them really struggle in the classroom.”

“We identify where the gaps are and go back to make sure all of the skills are in place for [the students] to be able to do their work independently going forward,” Rice said.

At Huntington Learning Center, the staff has a variety of ways to approach academic problems, which can ultimately build to better confidence for the student.

Whether a student needs help to transition into mainstream classes, needs assistance on particular subjects, wants to polish their study skills or is even looking for course enrichment in subjects to provide a challenge, Huntington Learning Center can make all the difference for students in K-12 (and even for adult students).

“We start with a thorough academic evaluation to see what specific areas our students need help in,” said Staci Dennis.

“Then we customize a program to help them reach their goals. We work closely with students’ parents and school teachers to ensure that we are all working together to make them successful at school, home and in the future.”

While Huntington Learning Center aids in the learning process, it is not meant to be a replacement for school

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Seeing the peace that comes from not having to worry about grades, no longer having to fight over homework and having a child that looks forward to school instead of dreading it – that is what I love most about working at Huntington . . . My goal for all [the students] is to become confident, motivated, life-long learners that know they have the skills they need to pursue their dreams.”

– Staci Dennis, Center Director at Huntington Learning Center

rather, it should be more of a partnership. The learning center is comprised of certified teachers who are dedicated to seeing their students succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. Their approach, however, is more successful when they have a better understanding of what goes on in the student’s school life – they may even go in to talk to the student’s teacher.

“It may be that there is something going on in the school that we don’t pick up from testing or working with them. So we can individualize their program by going to the schools and talking with them,” said Mark Anne Millburn.

Through the learning center, Huntington targets the cracks in the student’s learning foundation and looks to put them back on course through their structured program.

“Organized program is a benefit for children who don’t have structure in their life,” Millburn said. “They will bloom and grow faster when they have those boundaries.”

Besides the learning center, students can also go to Huntington to prepare for college entrance exams such as the SAT/PSAT and the ACT. Preparing for college can be stressful and overwhelming to students, so Huntington Learning Center helps to alleviate that by developing a personal test prep program by giving the students an actual test under similar conditions while examining their strengths and weaknesses. The ultimate goal is that the student will be prepared and confident when they take the real test so that they have a better chance at getting into the college of their choice.

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By focusing on all aspects of academics, Huntington Learning Center is designed to be the whole tutoring solution for parents.

“The natural progression is first the learning center at a younger age and getting them up to speed and getting their skills in place. Once those are in place, they may have certain subjects that they hit along the way that they may need help in and so subject tutoring helps them with that,” said Rice. “And then, when they are in high school we have an outstanding course to prepare them for SATs or ACTs.” “Seeing the peace that comes from not having to worry about grades, no longer having to fight over homework and having a child that looks forward to school instead of dreading it – that is what I love most about working at Huntington,” said Dennis. “…My goal for all [the students] is to become confident, motivated, life-long learners that know they have the skills they need to pursue their dreams.”

Huntington Learning Center Huntingtonhelps.com 19141 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 605 210-494-5858 10003 NW Military Hwy. Suite 1103 210-558-0636 13

Mathletes Place In Mathcounts Competition Special To Welcome Home n Feb. 8, the Tejeda Middle School Mathcounts team took fourth place, at the regional Mathcounts Competition at St. Mary’s University.

According to Lynn Bodet, a GT math teacher and the UIL school coordinator and coach, the team missed advancing to the state level by just half a point.

“This team of four had the highest score in the ‘team’ portion of the competition,” Bodet said. “This is a real tribute to their ability to work together and solve very difficult math problems in the limited time of twenty minutes.”

Among Tejeda’s 18 student participants, Sandra Moon placed seventh, Tyler Glenn placed 21 and Libby Banks placed 23 in the individual competition.

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“More than 100 individuals competed Saturday,” Bodet said. “Being in the top 40 is great!”

As well as qualifying for the state level competition in Austin, Moon excelled in the Countdown Round, an event in which the top ten individuals compete head to head to answer questions in 45 seconds. The first student who answers the most of the three questions advances. Moon triumphed over several students who had placed higher than her in other areas.

“Sandra answered more questions correctly in the Countdown Round than any other student in the entire competition,” Bodet said. “Congratulations! Tejeda is very proud of the countless hours all the students spent preparing for this meet.”

Tejeda Middle School Mathletes compete and place in regional Mathcounts competition Feb. 8. From Left: Jason Palmer, Alex Rodriguez, Tyler Glenn, Sandra Moon and Jared Casarez.

UIL Teams Win District Championship Special To Welcome Home or the 12th year in a row, Tejeda Middle School’s UIL team has won the District Championship in UIL competition. The team captured 2014’s title February 1 with a total of 639.65 points, 200 points higher than the closest competitor.

University Interscholastic League, UIL, is the governing body for all competitions in Texas. An academic meet consists of eight events: Spelling, Number Sense, Calculator, Science, Math, Maps, Charts & Graphs, Dictionary Skills and History.

This year’s coaching staff is a very dedicated group of hard working teachers: Mrs. Brown, Number Sense, Mrs. Crocker, seventh and eighth grade math, Ms. Hearn, sixth grade math, Mrs. Henning and Mrs. Castellanos, science, Mrs. Flood, Dictionary Skills, Mrs. Wright, Spelling, Mr. Schuler, History, and Mr. James, Maps, Charts and Graphs. Mrs. Bodet is the UIL coordinator for the school and the calculator coach.

“This year’s championship victory was a

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true team effort,” Bodet said.

The sixth graders took seven of the eight available first place medals. Rithvik Pakala won four while Jared McGlothlin won three.

First place finishers for the seventh grade included Quinn Murphey in Maps, Charts & Graphs, Alex Lomeli-Azoubel in Calculator and Number Sense, and Aidan Drozdick in Science.

The eighth graders were led by Sandra Moon who won Calculator, Number Sense and Math, Nitesh Kartha, Science and Maps, Charts and Graphs, Kevin Guerra in History, and Vikas Dodda in Dictionary Skills. Eighth grade Maps, Charts and Graphs was the best event for Tejeda: three boys shared first place honors. Kartha, Derek Carreon and Saketh Amasa each received a gold medal, and Guerra moved up to place second overall.

“I am very proud of these young men and their amazing leadership of the team this year,” the team’s coach, James, said.

What Is Ortho-K?

By Monica Allison, O.D. Stone Oak Vision Source (210) 495-9020 would like to use this month’s article to answer some questions I hear from patients when I bring up ortho-k as an option for their nearsighted child. I truly believe in this treatment, as my own daughter has been using it since she first became nearsighted at age nine. For those individuals who grew up nearsighted and every trip to the eye doctor brought a higher number in a prescription and thicker

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glasses, this could help those children from not experiencing the same thing.

What is ortho-k? Ortho-k is a treatment that uses a specially designed device that a patient can wear while sleeping that changes the shape of the front the eyes, also known as the cornea, similarly to how they would be shaped with LASIK, except this is a temporary reshaping. Each night the molds must be worn to reshape the corneas again and all day long the patient can see clearly without any glasses or daytime contact lens use. It can be compared to someone using

This year marks Tejeda’s 12th District UIL Championship in the 13 years since the school opened. The students who participated are pictured with the school UIL coordinator Lynn Bodet (back row, far left) and the school principal John Bojescul.

Most NEISD schools’ UIL competition season consists of only three district meets.

Not only has Tejeda dominated each district contest, its team also has taken first-place sweepstakes in three other area meets, according to Bodet.

Over the course of the next three Saturdays, team members will compete to qualify for the State tournament April 5 at UTSA. Each must meet a “qualifying score” on each individual tests to advance.

a retainer that reshapes their teeth at night, but if they quit using it, the teeth will shift back. So, while the patient wears the molds nightly, they see the effects, and if they stop wearing them, it is reversible.

Who can try Ortho-k? Any mild to moderate nearsighted person may be a candidate for ortho-k. There are no age minimums for ortho-k and we’ve had children as young as seven years old who were successful.

I was a child that got worse and worse every year until my glasses were so thick they couldn’t close at the hinges. I can see the changes it has made in my daughter’s life and how her prescription has stabilized much earlier than mine, so I believe this helps to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. I believe in Ortho-k for those that

are good candidates.

Call today to see if this is an option for you or your family at 210-495-9020. In addition to Ortho-k, we handle all aspects of primary eye care. No matter what you need for your eyes, we are happy to help.

Drs. Monica Allison and Lindsey Denison practice at Stone Oak Vision Source located at 19202 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste. 106. All of the doctors are members of Vision Source, the nation’s number one network of private practice optometrists.

Founded in 1991, the Vision Source network includes more than 2,100 offices in all 50 states and Canada. If you or a loved one needs to find a family eye doctor, please call (210) 495-9020 or visit www. visionsource-stoneoak.com.

Johnson Theatre Competes In OAP Contest Submitted By Suzanne Martin and Bridgett Dunlap he Johnson High School Theatre Department presented its UIL OneAct-Play, “Side Man,” on Wednesday, March 19 in the Johnson Theatre.

Tickets were $5 at the door. Johnson Theatre then hosted and competed with that play in the District One Act Play Contest on Saturday, March 29. Last year, Johnson

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Theatre took their one act play all the way to the state competition.

Playwright Warren Leight’s beautiful memory play tells the story of a fractured family and the music of their lives. Moving in and out of the past, Clifford, the only son of a gifted jazz trumpet player and his lost and isolated wife, takes us from his parents’ first meeting during the heyday of jazz, through the decline of the big bands and the

dissolution of their troubled marriage. With humor and grace, “Side Man” brings us to a world of cobbled-together club dates and some of the most beautiful music ever made.

Cast and Crew members for the performance included: Kevin LaTorre (Clifford Glimmer), Joshua Riding (Gene Glimmer), Maddie Houston (Terry Glimmer), Lexi Wilson (Patsy), Kendall Dunlap (Jonesy), John Dadi (Al), A.J.

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Perez (Ziggy), David Lunan (Alternate), Ximena Alvarez (Alternate), Dania Juarez (Alternate), Raphael Nigaglioni (Alternate), Tara Polk (Stage Manager), Joshua Kieslich (Lights), Braden Randolph (Sound), Victoria Blom (Properties) and Jasmine Lopez (Special Effects).

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

Women Bring Cardiac Support Group To SA Submitted By Shirley Wills San Antonio woman, who never lost hope that she could overcome lifethreatening heart disease and lead a normal life, is working to give hope to other local women with heart disease by bringing WomenHeart, a national cardiac support group, to San Antonio.

In 2006, Salina Rivera was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at age 29. She was in the final stages of heart failure. Her doctor advised her that she had less than six months to live and though she needed a heart transplant, she probably would not live long enough to receive one.

“I was fighting to stay alive for my 19 month old son,” said Rivera. “On the advice of my cardiologist, I was one of the first patients to have what was then an experimental pump called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implanted to help my heart pump blood.”

Dr. Roberta Bogaev, M.D., Rivera’s cardiologist, recommended the LVAD therapy even though the device had not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Rivera was given a less than a one percent chance of recovering, yet her heart began to improve. In March 2008, the LVAD was removed since her heart had healed.

“Those two years were hard. I dedicated myself to my faith in God and the power of prayer,” said Rivera. “Now I want to give hope to other women. I want them to know that having heart disease is not the end of

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the world. You can still lead a normal life.”

She also developed a lasting relationship with Dr. Bogaev, who learned of the WomenHeart program. Dr. Bogaev connected her with Cynthia Freeman, another one of his patients living with the challenges of heart disease. Together Rivera and Freeman received training as WomenHeart Champions (group leaders) through online videos and a trip to the headquarters in Minnesota. Rivera, Dr. Bogaev and Freeman were the driving forces in founding the WomenHeart San Antonio Support Group WomenHeart is a national effort to help women who are living with heart disease, women concerned about their risk for heart disease, and women with a family member or friend who is affected by heart disease.

The support group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, located at 1139 E. Sonterra Blvd. These free meetings last for one hour with a presenter and time for sharing stories.

In addition to providing the meeting place, Methodist Stone Oak Hospital helped underwrite group leader training.

Methodist Stone Oak Hospital recently received the Women’s Choice Award from WomenCertified®, distinguishing it as one of the 2013 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience in Heart Care. The award is based on robust criteria that include female patient satisfaction measurements as well as clinical excellence considerations.

“For decades, Methodist Healthcare

SASPA Performs During Dine With Stars

has been a leader in heart services. Since we opened Methodist Stone Oak Hospital in 2009, we have taken that legacy to an even higher level,” said Dean M. Alexander, FACHE, chief executive officer at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital. “We are proud that our efforts are being recognized and also to have the opportunity to partner with WomenHeart to offer this very beneficial program to San Antonio women.”

Upcoming topics for the support group include: April 24, 2014: How WomenHeart San Antonio Support Group Founders, pictured (L-R), Salina Does Diabetes Relate to Rivera, Cynthia Freeman and Dr. Roberta Bogaev tell the audience about the Heart Disease? new support group at the Methodist Stone Oak Hospital Heart & Soul Cardiac May 29, 2014 : Link Connection event held in February. between High Blood in maintaining their treatment/medication Pressure and Stroke June 26, 2014: Get Your Heart Pumping: regimen.

The WomenHeart schedule and topics Exercise - Yoga to Cardio!

August 28, 2014: How does Anger Affect are subject to change. For more information, Your Heart? Learn Anger Management contact cfreemanlovemuch@gmail.com or visit www.SAHealth.com/HeartandSoul.

Skills September 25, 2014: CPR: Skills on How to Save a Life October 30, 2014: Don’t Let Stress Control You. Learn Stress Management Skills.

Women Heart has found that support makes a difference. A recent survey of 5,000 patients who participate in WomenHeart Support Network meetings indicated everything from feeling their quality of life was enhanced to feeling that the meetings helped them to better understand heart disease and cope with their challenges

Student Competes At Junior Olympics

Submitted By Velizar Iliev n February 17, Saint Mary’s Hall’s student Robin Cheong won the fifth place finalist medal in the Cadet Men’s Epee fencing event at the 2014 Junior Olympics Championships in Portland, Oregon.

Robin competed against 208 top male epee fencers in the United States age 17 and under. Currently, Robin is ranked fifth in Cadet Men’s Epee national points list for ages 17 and under. He presently trains at the Olympian Fencing Club in San Antonio with some of the best fencers in the nation.

He is coached by Velizar Iliev a United States Olympian and 3-time World Champion. To learn more about the Olympian Fencing Club and their upcoming

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Local Dancers shine at the Oscar Fundraising Gala on March 2. The dancers raised $375 towards the student scholarship fund.

Submitted By Angela Rodriguez n March 2, while Hollywood stars walked the red carpet before the Oscars, in San Antonio the red carpet was rolled out for dancers from the San Antonio School for the Performing Arts – where they took the stage and entertained guests during the Dine with the Stars Oscar Fundraiser Gala.

The Dancers raised $375 toward SASPA’s student scholarship fund. The San Antonio School for the Performing Arts company dancers would like to thank PARTI Supporting Charities 4 SA organization for

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organizing this event, Raffles Restaurant for hosting this event and everyone who came out to support them.

The San Antonio School for the Performing Arts consists of five dance companies (Fleurettes, Sasparillas, Coming Attraction, Saspa Live, and Nouveau) with three different ethnic dance groups (Flamenco, Folklorico and Highland) and TapSations, SASPA’s tap company group.

Dancers range from 7-15 years old. SASPA’s dance company’s members have performed at many local festivals, school events, and demonstrations.

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

Mark your calendars. SASPA company dancers will take the stage for a free public performance on May 3 at 3 p.m. during the 6th Annual Northside Arts Festival held at McAllister Auditorium. Also on May 3, SASPA company dancers will join the Alamo City Dance Company in the Classics 2 Contemporary Spring Show. Performance times will be 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets will be $12 and go on sale April 1.

The San Antonio School for the Performing Arts was founded in 1984 by Nancy Grossenbacher with two major goals: to provide a quality foundation in

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Coach Velizar Iliev with Robin Cheong after receiving his fifth place finalist medial in Portland, Oregon.

events, feel free to go to their website, www. olympianfencing.com.

Congratulations Robin! the performing arts for those who desire the arts as a career and to instill and perpetuate a genuine appreciation of the arts in our youth, thereby nurturing the artistic growth of San Antonio for future generations.

Now directed by Scott M. Conway, the school has a faculty of professional teachers with a combined total experience of teaching and performing equal to over 500 years.

For more information about SASPA’s Dance Companies or other classes offered by the San Antonio School for the Performing Arts Association, call 210-495-2787 or visit the website at www.saspa.org.

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Powell Siblings Take Of With A New Hobby

By Daisy Creager rom playing sports in the backyard together to having family game nights, parents have different ways of connecting to their kids. However, when high school begins and school sports, extracurriculars and friends fill up teenagers’ schedules, it gets harder to work in that parent bonding time. For seniors Hannah and Blake Powell, that bonding time comes partly in the form of their dad teaching them to fly a plane. “[My dad and I] spend a lot of time together because it’s something that he loves and I enjoy it also,” Blake said. “So we spend a lot of afternoons together with him teaching me how to fly.”

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By putting several thousand feet between them and any distractions, the two seater plane Blake and Hannah are learning on gives both of them good one on one time with their dad.

“It gives me and them a common bond,” their father Ward Powell said. “It gets us away from their friends and gives us something we can share together. I really enjoy teaching them.”

Powell is a pilot for Southwest Airlines.

He also has his instructor’s license.

“My children are just getting licensed to fly out of the clouds,” Powell said. “There can be clouds in the sky, they just can’t enter them. Other licenses are required for them to be able to fly in clouds or charge for their services, like a commercial driver’s license.

There are other levels and they can pursue those if they’d like, but because I am a pilot and we have access to the airplane it’s easy for them to learn the basics.”

In order to be licensed, the twins must each log at least 20 hours flying with their father instructing them, 20 hours flying alone, and be certified to use different instruments on the plane.

According to Powell, teaching his children is a little different than teaching other students.

“Teaching them sometimes I have to bite my tongue,” Powell said. “Sometimes I expect a little more out of them than I do a normal student because they are my children.

So sometimes I get a little bit irritated but I’ll bite my tongue and compose myself into being an educator and not a parent.”

As well as having another opportunity to

HOURS: SUN: 9 am – 10 pm Mon – Fri: 7 am – 10 pm Sat: 8 am – 10 pm

Hannah, Reagan and Blake Powell in front of a plane their dad has taught them to fly.

spend time with his kids, Powell says that flying will be a useful skill for them.

“If not a profession I think it’s a great hobby,” Powell said. “It’s something that you love to do, like swimming or gymnastics or football. It’s a passion. Giving them their private license builds confidence, helps them find out what they want to do, and gives them the ability to travel places at a moment’s notice.”

According to Powell, flying could help the twins in their career.

“Say they get a job and their boss had an airplane and needed to go someplace, they would be able to help them with that,” Powell said. “It looks good on a college resume. It builds confidence and esteem.

They may use it, they may go on and get an instrument rating and be able to fly in the clouds. They may even follow in my footsteps and become a commercial airline pilot which would be kind of cool.”

While neither Blake nor Hannah plan to become pilots, flying can be useful in other ways.

“It will be a helpful skill when it comes to seeing my family and friends while I’m off in College Station,” Blake said. “Also, it would be a nice job to have if I ended up not falling in love with what I plan to study in college.”

As well as gaining quality time with their dad and a new skill set, the twins now have a new perspective on flying.

“I’ve realized that bigger planes are a lot safer,” Hannah said. “On smaller planes it’s not scary, but you have a lot more control so when you do barrel rolls and stuff like that you feel yourself move. You just realize how safe and stable normal planes are. Not that small planes aren’t, but you can feel all

the movements.”

According to Blake, the acrobatics a small plane can do are his favorite part.

“Loops, rolls, barrel rolls, twists and dives, there’s such an adrenaline rush,” Blake said.

As well as acrobatics, both twins admit to enjoying the freedom that comes with flying that driving does not allow them.

“When you’re taking off and you feel in control, it’s like the first time you drove a car but you have access to something totally different,” Blake said. “You have the freedom to not only go left and right but to go straight up if you want to. Just one movement will push you into the sky. It’s definitely scary because it’s so powerful.”

According to Powell, opportunities such as learning to fly are not as out of reach as teenagers often think.

“When I was a kid I went and saw the thunderbirds perform out in my home town,” Powell said. “[Flying was] always a dream of mine. That’s something that a lot of people don’t understand is that you see planes as a high school student or a junior high student you really don’t think that you can accomplish it until you put your mind to it.”

Encino Park Kinder Round-Up Submitted By James Miller ncino Park Elementary is preparing to welcome their Kindergarten Class of 2014.

On April 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Encino Park will be opening the campus to all new kindergarteners and their families.

Families will get to explore the campus, meet teachers and staff, and have several family orientated activities. Even several storybook characters and mascots will even be on hand and available for a meet and greet. The evening is completely designed to create a positive experience for you and your children while you take home valuable educational information. Parents will receive information about kindergarten

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Hannah Powell and her dad flying a plane.

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readiness and strategies to help prepare your child for when they begin school.

Some of the booths located at the event include: an early registration booth, the KIN program, the PTA, Watch D.O.G.S., nurse, cafeteria, HEB, Main Event, SA Public Library, and many more.

While there, make and take activities include recognition flash cards, popcorn sight words, cookie sheet writing, and a 100s chart for math skills.

For more information please contact Encino Park Elementary at 210-407-3200 or email jmille20@neisd.net.

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

& DIRECTORY

Medical Allergy & Immunology Family Allergy & Asthma Specialists Dr. John Mastrovich 20650 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 106 Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology 342-6200 • www.faasonline.com

Allergy & Immunology

Stone Oak Allergy & Asthma Amanda Trott-Gregorio, MD Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology 155 Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 101 494-0690 • stoneoakallergy.com

Professional

Facial Plastic Surgery

William R. Thornton, M.D., F.A.C.S. Ophthalmic/Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Cosmetic Eye Lid & Facial Surgery 15316 Huebner Rd., Ste. 101 576-5150 (by appt)

General Dentistry

Canyon Dental Care Jeff Beal, DDS & Justin Rich, DDS 3111 TPC Pkwy., Ste. 114, San Antonio, 78259 424-3611 www.dentalworks.com

General Dentistry

Anti-Aging Enhancement of Life Dr. Donna Becker, D.O. 14603 Huebner Rd., Ste. 2601 545-5224 • www.antiagingsa.com Expert Hormone Replacement for Women & Men

Colon & Rectal Surgery San Antonio General Surgery Jorge L. Rincon MD, FACS 1162 E. Sonterra, Ste. 210 587-7744 www.sageneralsurgery.com

Dr. Perry E. Wood Family Dentistry, Cosmetics & Orthodontics 16616 San Pedro (281/Thousand Oaks) 491-9898 Accepts most insurance

General Dentistry

Garrison Family Dental Austin J Garrison DDS, Gary J. Garrison DDS 22100 Bulverde Rd., Ste. 114 494-7222 www.garrisonfamilydental.com

News From City Council District 9 Councilman Joe Krier District 9 (210) 207-7325 ear Friends and Residents, Much has happened since our last newsletter in the areas of streets, drainage, public safety, and Intergovernmental relations.

Streets and Drainage Good streets and drainage are the cornerstone of the City’s core functions. I was delighted to vote for the approval of more than $25,000,000 for the 2014-2015 Streets Maintenance Program. These funds provide for more than 25 projects in District 9. If we are truly going to get back to basics in City Government, completing long needed street improvements is essential.

Police and Fire Since I became your Councilman, I have attended four meetings of the Legacy Task Force, chaired by former Councilman Reed Williams. The task Force has been studying the long-term benefits and costs of our current police and fire contracts. The Task Force has issued its report with the following conclusions and recommendations: Public Safety expenses have been growing faster than the General Fund revenues and City Council should establish policies and approve budgets that assure these expenses are managed and balanced within the General Fund revenues and

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expenditures.

The City should continue to study active compensation, pre-funded healthcare for retirees, and retirement benefits and submit those recommendations to the City Council through its Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

The City Council should review adjusting the uniformed level of healthcare benefit and contribution levels to more closely align with civilians, other peer cities, and public and private employers in San Antonio.

The Police and Fire Unions have issued a Minority Report in response to the Task Force recommendations. I continue to believe we must have the best police and fire force possible. But, we need to do so consistent with sound and sustainable City finances.

Java with Joe Our weekly Java with Joe continues at your District 9 Field Office at 281 and Thousand Oaks. I hold open door office hours every Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Working together, we can make District 9 and our City a better place for everyone.

P.S. Remember to mark your calendar for the special election for districts 9 and 10 on May 10.

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

Internal Medicine

Orthodontics For Adults/Children

Internal Medicine of Stone Oak Lubna Naeem, M.D. 19272 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 105 490-3800 Laser treatment, Botox, Skin care available

Schatz Orthodontics Eric Schatz, DDS 22610 U.S. Highway 281, Ste. 201 272-7129 www.alohasmiles.net

Ophthalmologist/Optometrist

Pediatric Dentistry

Alamo City Eye Physicians, P.A. J. Mark Berry M.D. William T. Walton M.D. 19026 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 216 491-2020

Stone Oak Pediatric Dentistry Dr. “Susie” S. Hayden, DDS, P.A. 20322 Huebner Rd., Ste. 103 491-4141 www.drsusie.net

Ophthalmologist

Speech Therapy

Lynnell C. Lowry, M.D. Alamo Eye Institute Board Certified Ophthalmologist 18720 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 119 697-3821

Speech & Language Center of Stone Oak Barbara A. Samfield 19272 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 108 495-9944 www.stoneoakspeech.com

Optometrist

Urgent Care

Texas State Optical Renee Dunlap, O.D. 21019 U.S. Hwy. 281 N., Ste. 832 490-EYES (3937) www.stoneoak.tso.com

Fossil Creek Urgent Care Clinic 22250 Bulverde Rd. (Corner of Evans Rd.) 401-8185 • www.fossilcreekurgentcare.com Open Late and Weekends Family and Pediatric Medicine

Stone Oak Pediatric Dentistry “Caring for your children as if they were our own!”

• Convenient appointments

t forge Don’t regular t to ge ck-ups! che

Dr. Susie Hayden Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

• Ask about complimentary presentation for your mom’s groups, preschool or elementary • Accepting new patients

Dr. Courtney Alexander Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Renee Mikulec Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Royana Lin Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

210-491-4141 • www.sopdtx.com

20322 Huebner Suite 103 • San Antonio, TX 78258

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Original Freedom Writer Inspired NEISD Students

By NEISD very student has a story, and it is important that every student’s story gets better throughout his or her lives.

Bringing that message home was Manny Scott, the inspiration for the character Marcus in the movie “Freedom Writers.”

He shared his story with students at Garner Middle School on Feb. 19, with the message that if you cut off the “weights” in your life and hang on to the “wings,” you can succeed.

By age 16, Scott’s story was almost over, missing 60-90 days per school year, from fourth- through ninth-grade. He eventually dropped out of school at age 14. Growing up in the inner-city, he lived in 26 different places and was exposed to extreme poverty, intolerance, violence, drug abuse and even witnessed the brutal murder of a close friend.

He stole his first car, broke into his first home and tried drugs when he was only 11 years old. He has seen his biological father for just 15 hours his entire life. His stepfather was addicted to crack and beat him, his mother and brother. All these factors led Scott to an unfortunate and dark conclusion: “I was at the point where I felt like people like me aren’t supposed to make it,” said Scott. “It’s impossible for us to succeed.”

He spoke of a “crossroads” moment on a park bench where he considered how he could push his deep anger and resentment onto others. At that same moment a man—a complete stranger to Scott—inspired him to change his perspective on life.

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Manny heard that man say, in essence, “Just because you live in the hood, the hood doesn’t have to live in you;” “You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control your response;” “You can become the father you never had, and the man you’ve never met;” and, “You can create a future better than your past.”

The boy from a broken childhood returned to school, landing in the back of Erin Gruwell’s English class, a group now known worldwide as the Freedom Writers, portrayed in the 2007 MTV movie.

Staggered throughout the day, sixth, seventh and eighth graders and staff listened to Scott share his personal struggle. He opened with a movie trailer for “Freedom Writers,” then later flashed a photo of the actor who portrayed Marcus.

“In the movie his name is Marcus and Marcus captures a lot of who I used to be,” Scott said. “He’s an actor playing my real life story. And I used to bring all those issues to school.”

Ultimately, Scott realized he had to cut off the people who were weighing him down and “hold on to the wings,” such as his teachers and coaches.

“I beg you to take the opportunity that you have at this school with these teachers,” said Scott. “You have a chance to leave this room and go back to these classrooms and become the person that you know that you can be.”

Scott drove home the message that you can’t always control your environment or the way people treat you. “You do have the power to control your response to everything

Did you know that there are

enefits that can help VA Boffset the cost of living in a

that happens to you,” he said. “You have the power to decide how to respond to life’s challenges.”

It was this realization that prompted Scott to return to school.

After high school, he attended the University of California - Berkley and earned two degrees. He is now pursuing a Ph.D. Scott considers himself a “wounded healer,” because along his journey to heal himself, the energizing speaker aims to let students know that they can – and will – conquer obstacles that will lead to stories of success and happiness.

Scott shared his story again the next day at Nimitz Middle School.

NEISD Holds Board Election

By NEISD orth East ISD is holding board elections May 10. Board members will be elected in Districts 2, 3 and 7. Members of the NEISD Board of Trustees serve staggered terms of four years and elections are held every two years.

These positions are currently held by Edd White, Susan Galindo and Brigitte Perkins, respectively. The period for filing to run has ended. Mr. White will run against one opponent, candidate Bob Coster. Susan Galindo will not run for reelection. There is one individual running

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an informational session by the Veteran’s Administration experts to find out what benefits are available to you.

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(210) 209-8956

RSVP to

by Sunday, April 27th

Refreshments Served Lic. #100102

Pastor Russell Howelton

God really loves you.

This Easter celebrate the love of

Jesus Christ

Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 at 2:00pm 20500 Huebner Road San Antonio, Texas 78258

in her district, and she is candidate Sandi Wolff. Finally, Brigitte Perkins is running uncontested in District 7.

Because there is only one person running in Districts 3 and 7, board elections will not be held in those districts.

This saves NEISD a lot of money, since they will only have to pay the county to hold a joint election for District 2.

The last day to register is April 10. Early voting is April 28 through May 6. Election Day is May 10. For more information on registering, go to the Bexar County Elections Department’s website.

SKYBRIDGE

COMMUNITY CHURCH

retirement community or assisted living?

Manny Scott, who has spoken for the Department of Education and the National Education Association in the past, works to empower students and leaders to take responsibility for their own success.

www.skybridgechurch.org LOCATION: Ice & Golf Center at Northwoods 17530 Henderson Pass San Antonio, TX 78232

www.welcomehomesa.com

SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Worship 9:30 – 10:45 am Children’s Sunday Ministry 8:45 – 9:45 am Wednesday Bible Study 7 – 8 pm

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

You Are Invited 12th Annual SOBA Business Expo Y

10 West Business Association presents:

Guest Speaker City Council District 8

Ron Nirenberg Join us & Councilman Nirenberg for this informative meeting about news & business in District 8.

ou are invited to sample cuisine from local restaurants while learning all about what approximately 100 local businesses have to offer at the 12th Annual SOBA Business Expo.

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2014 Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Place: Reagan High School Cafeteria 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive Cost: FREE

Performa

Las Lomances by: s Choir and Reagan JR OTC

Where: Luce Ristorante e Enoteca (in the Strand Shopping Center) 11255 Huebner Rd, Ste #200 Cost: Members – $15, Non-Members – $20, Door – $25 (Lunch is included.)

You will also be able to purchase raffle tickets for your chance to WIN gift certificates, gift baskets and other donated items or services from local businesses in the many prize drawings done throughout the evening. Remember, SOBA designates all funds raised from the expo to provide scholarships for graduating seniors at Johnson and Reagan High Schools.

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E-mail: info@10westbusiness.com

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Stone Oak Business Association

Ronald Reagan H.S.

When: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Lady Bird JOHNSON H.S.

To RSVP, call 210-348-8233 or visit www.10westbusiness.com

More Info: (210)348-8233 • e-mail: soba@satx.rr.com www.StoneOakBusiness.com

Stone Oak Business Association Presents

2014 Business Expo hosted by Ronald Reagan High School

Stone Oak Business Association (SOBA) is excited to be welcomed back to Ronald Reagan High School for the 12th Annual SOBA Business Expo. This well attended event benefits both Reagan and Johnson High Schools. As a vendor your business will gain exposure to the community, parents, teachers and students. All funds raised from the expo will help the SOBA Scholarship Program to award scholarships to outstanding seniors graduating from Reagan and Johnson Fine Arts Departments.

Donated raffle items are also needed and appreciated.

CALL TO RESERVE YOUR BOOTH SPACE TODAY! S

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When: Thursday, April 24, 2014 5:30 – 8 pm

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Stone Oak Business Association

Ronald Reagan H.S.

Lady Bird JOHNSON H.S.

Performa

Las Lomances by: s Choir and Reagan J ROTC

Where: Ronald Reagan High School Cafeteria 19000 Ronald Reagan Dr. (Off Sonterra Blvd.)

Cost: $85 for Members | $125 for Non-Members

BOOTH RSVP: (210)348-8233 • e-mail: soba@satx.rr.com www.StoneOakBusiness.com April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259

www.welcomehomesa.com

19

Our Family u u u u u u

Caring for Yours

Saturday Urgent Care: 10 AM – Noon Patients 2 Years & Up Wellness Care & Preventive Medicine Acute Illness & Chronic Disease Care Our Doctors Make Daily Hospital Rounds Physicals, Pap Smears, Well Child Exams

Express Care Services FOR OUR ESTABLISHED PATIENTS

Now Open Continuously 8 AM – 4:15 PM • Convenient Same Day Availability

John Phillips, MD

Wendy Nguyen, MD

Stephanie Hoefle, MD

Rohan Coutinho, MD

John Nguyen, MD

700 E. Sonterra Blvd, Ste. 202 www.sofdpaweb.com • (210) 496-7999

Seeing to your family’s needs

10 OFF Dry Cleaning

$

(Min order of $ 40) Bring this coupon and receive 10 OFF with $ 40 of drycleaning.

Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other discounts or 3 pant special.

One coupon per day. Exp. 4/30/14 NC $

$

5 OFF

Cleaning

(Bedspreads & Comforters) Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other offer.

One coupon per day. Exp. 4/30/14 NC

50% OFF Dry Cleaning (Max discount $10)

Wearing apparel only. Not valid on household item, leather, or suede.

Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other discounts or 3 pant special.

One coupon per day. Exp. 4/30/14 NC

4th Men’s Shirt FREE Laundry Bring this coupon with 4 shirts and get your 4th shirt FREE.

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t Nevelow Eye Associates, we focus on the specific needs of each patient. Regular eye exams are key to healthy eyesight as well as early detection of certain diseases, including glaucoma, diabetic eye diseases and macular degeneration. We provide the latest fashions in glasses, all types of contact lenses as well as laser vision consultations for the entire family.

Coupon must accompany incoming order.

Not valid w/other discounts.

Men’s shirts only.

One coupon per day. Exp. 4/30/14 NC

www.drsnevelow.com Nevelow Eye Associates • 19190 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste. 120 • 210.349.2437 20

www.welcomehomesa.com

April 2014 • Welcome Home • 78259