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February 2014 Issue
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Note From The Publisher
Attitude Of Gratitude
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ebruary is known as the month of love. Our front cover has a beautiful couple whose marriage has stood the test of time and is a testament to all of us. Love, whether it is between two teen-agers or between two young 80 year olds is beautiful to behold. Valentines Day is this month and to honor this special day, Welcome Home has sought out some special love stories in our community to share with you. Turn to page 8 to read more on our front cover couple and page 9 for our love stories. My daughter, Rashell, is now 17 and a senior at Reagan. She will graduate this year and begin her journey into adulthood. We were blessed to be able to take a vacation during the Christmas holidays and decided to go to Disneyworld. As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I realize it’s not the “things” you buy your children that matter but the “experiences” you share with them that have value in the long run. We spent every day there together and saw and did as many things as we possibly could. We had the best time ever and were still talking when we returned home, which is pretty close to a miracle for a father and a 17 year old daughter together day and night for 12 days. Being at the Magic Kingdom almost makes you feel like you are living in a fairy tale. You start to believe that no dream is too big to become true. It was the most incredible way to start 2014. When I returned to San Antonio, I was on such an emotional recharge I was determined this year would be the best year ever. I decided to only focus on the many positive things happening in my life and business instead of the few negatives. One day I posted on my Facebook wall that I had
been blessed to meet someone and talk to them for hours. I said it felt great to be in the right place at the right time. A friend of mine on Facebook replied, “Have an Attitude of Gratitude. Keep it up and more of the right people at the right time will show up!” I just loved her advice. Too often we don’t realize what we have by living in the greatest country in the world. This month we celebrate President’s Day, and there are some local campaigns taking place. Exercise your freedoms and participate in our democracy. With our beautiful San Antonio weather, get outside and enjoy the city. Live life to the fullest. I had the honor to attend an event held by The Ferrari Kid. At the event there was a 5 year old child who had 5 weeks to live. You would not have known it by the way he or his family was acting. They were having the time of their lives. They knew the value of life. They had learned to be grateful for every second they had been given. It was a very humbling experience for me. Finally, I am so excited with all the submissions this month. We have so many wonderful children in our areas to be recognized each and every month. If you have a business in our areas that is so blessed it does not need to advertise, consider sponsoring a school page for the many different groups to be recognized. As a member of our community, remember to visit the businesses in this newspaper and let them know you saw them in your Welcome Home community newspaper.
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(210) 348-8233 • Fax: (210) 497-7342 Article Submissions: articles@welcomehomesa.com Ad Inquiries Email: ads@welcomehomesa.com www.welcomehomesa.com
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
Administrative Assistant Julia Wickwire
Director Of Production Kristin Oliver
Production/Graphic Design James Stipp
Managing Editor Amanda Burris
Distribution Israel Vazquez
Office Manager Chasity Furse
Sales Representatives Patrice Long Libby Thorman
Writer/Copy Editors Ben Spicer
Seeing to your family’s needs
Staff Writers Debby Seguin Calvin Speer
The Welcome Home Community Newspaper has had the privilege of serving the community for 11 years as one of the few local papers that shines a spotlight on the good things in life – the accomplishments of our amazing youth, inspirational stories and the residents and local businesses that comprise the heart of our area. With five different papers covering northern San Antonio, Welcome Home is directly mailed to over 60,000 households and businesses as well as rack distribution.
How To Submit Articles • We work a month in advance so submit by the given deadline (ex: if you submit in January it will be for the February edition) • Like us on Facebook or let us know if you would like to be put on our email list that will notify you of each deadline • Email articles to: articles@welcomehomesa.com
• News tips or story ideas that one of our writers can turn into a story
• Or submit articles to our website at: www.welcomehomesa.com/submit-a-story
• Announcements (births, engagements, weddings, anniversaries and grand openings)
Contributing Writers Michelle Bibb Paige Hutchinson Velizar Iliev NEISD Jennifer Starr Tapley Trudell
Contributing Photographers Chasity Furse
February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
What To Submit
• Community, School, and Sports News • Upcoming events *Always submit photos with your submissions! Welcome Home Community Newspaper is pleased to offer this free service to the community. Upon submission of a story idea or photo, you give Welcome Home the right to use that submission without compensation. By submitting to Welcome Home, you guarantee that your material is sent with the express consent of the owner, and that its contents are non-proprietary and non-confidential. We cannot guarantee all submissions will be published. Welcome Home is under no obligation to use any idea, photo or article submitted. We reserve the right to edit or alter submissions for conciseness and grammar as needed and may need to prioritize certain events for any reason before publication.
www.welcomehomesa.com
5
The Magic Of Make Believe
By NEISD ine new public school floats will be featuring magical moments, including North East ISD’s own Churchill High School. The Battle of Flowers Association announced its 2014 Parade theme, “The Magic Of Make Believe” during the unveiling of nine new public school floats to be featured in next year’s Battle of Flowers Parade to be held Friday, April 25, 2014. “A sense of wonderment will take a child’s dreams and turn them into magic for them, their families and the inner child in all of us,” said Battle of Flowers President Anne Ballantyne. Selected by their teachers and administrators to represent their high schools in the Battle of Flowers Parade, 54 young participants from Churchill, Cole, Highlands, Jefferson, Judson, Marshall, McCollum, O’Connor and Southwest high schools gathered to select a float and theme for the parade’s public school section. Prior to the parade, selected high school groups were invited to attend the “Float Picking Party” where artist’s renderings of the colorful floats were revealed for the first time, along with each float’s theme. The Battle of Flowers Association underwrites all public school floats. A $300 stipend is awarded each school to assist with make-up and costume purchases. The Battle of Flowers Association builds floats each year for the public high school section of the Parade. Each year on a rotating basis, schools are invited to participate with their student leaders, band, pep squad, and cheerleaders. “In just six short months, these colorful creations will become three-dimensional, some more than 30-feet long,” said parade chair Terrie Musselman as she described the floats. “They will soar above the parade with dazzling décor and hundreds of colorful flowers that radiate in the summer sun.” Public school participants dress in colorful costumes to reflect the theme of each float and entertain parade patrons with choreographed dance and performances. Public School Floats chair Jimmie Balling gave students the chance to pull a giant card out of a magic hat with the themes Magic of Castles, Magic Under the Sea, Magic of Sweet Surprises, Magic of Space, Magic Under the Big Top, Magic of the Wild Wild West, Magic on the High Seas, Make Believe in Monsters and Make Believe in Superheroes corresponding to a number on float renderings. Each school
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was also given a song that fit the float’s theme. The Magic Of Make Believe will transform civic, educational and commercial floats into rolling nursery rhymes with The Magic of Rhyming Words to include Humpty Dumpty, Little Miss Muffet, London Bridge is Falling Down and There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Antique Cars, amusements, carriages and wagons will choose themes from the Magic of Storytelling with children’s books. The hoofed horses with silver saddles and colorfully costumed riders forming the parade’s Cavalcade will march to the Magic of the Western Frontier. Military entries will feature the Magic of the Heroes of our Country and the Commercial Balloons will be Magic in the Skies. Begun in 1891 as the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women, all of whom are volunteers, the Battle of Flowers Association has supported the educational, artistic, social and philanthropic achievements of our community’s youth with sponsorship of parade entries for area high schools, parade and band festival art contests, essay contests for area teens, collegiate oratorical competitions, band competitions and by affording nonprofit organizations the opportunity to raise funds for worthy causes with over 45,000 parade seats sold by charities along the parade route each year.
On The Cover By Amanda Burris ebruary brings Valentine’s Day –The holiday of love. During this season of hearts, flowers, chocolates and gifts, it is important to remember that above all else, it is love that we celebrate. For husband and wife, Harry and Thelma Ferrell, this year they are celebrating their 75th Valentine’s Day together. With a love that has lasted so long, it is easily inspiring to all who meet them. Their love extends much further than just a relationship between two people. They have experienced a lifetime of memories as they have raised a beautiful family, worked jobs and have gone into retirement, traveled around the United States and now continue to get the most from each day of their lives together. Both in their 90’s, they have had the opportunity to not only see, but to change with the history happening around them. It is through all of this that they have not only stayed together, but have grown together. Love is not always about the fluff or the romance; Sometimes love is about the lasting dedication and promise that two people make to each other, which is what makes it so beautiful. This month, Welcome Home got the opportunity to learn this couple’s story and hear from some of their family. To read about the Ferrells who are
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The Game of Life By Debby Seguin
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ife is like a game show, very similar to Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. In place of Regis Philbin would be my husband, asking the questions, and I, of course, am in the hot seat. With all my lifelines available, the game begins. First question: “Why is there no green tea?” (Oo-oo-oo that’s a toughy!) “I’ll use the 50-50 please.” Which leaves A) tea farmers strike in Peru, or B) I forgot to buy it. “A—my final answer!” Next question: “How did mud get on my monogrammed brass letter opener?” (Could he mean that handy little boot scraper by the back door?) “Um-m, let me poll the audience—Kids!” Other questions follow. “Did you see the dust on the pagoda statue? (We have a
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featured on the cover, turn to page 8. To read other inspiring love stories of those throughout the community turn to page 9.
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pagoda statue?) “How long are you going to let the weeds grow by the front door?” (Sheesh! It’s nothing that a good, strong machete won’t take care of.) “When’s the last time you checked the oil?” (Hm-m, can I phone a friend?) Anytime we purchase even the most frivolous item (food, clothing, shelter, etc) we play The Price Is Right. If its not 60 percent off, two year free financing, 10year warranty, we don’t really need it. Of course, this never applies to anything from the Home Depot, which usually lands us right onto the set of The Family Feud. Jeopardy is also a favorite. “I choose Male Facts for $400.” O.K. the answer is 63:1. What is the question? “What is the ratio of the number of times a man (at least the one who lives here) is wrong to the number of times he admits it?” $400! We don’t play much Wheel Of Fortune, as some family members spell phonetically. How would it look to buy a vowel from Vanna, expecting three O’s for Jorj Boosh and only getting one? It’s just as frustrating at the grocery store when I am trying to buy pukontee soss and torteeyas. Whether its “Home late from your date? Let’s play Truth Or Consequences.” Or, “The house is a wreck, let’s play Beat The Clock,” we savor every roll of the dice, every spin of the dial, every move of our family’s playing pieces in this sometimes wonderful, sometimes difficult, but always surprising game called Life. Debby Seguin (who loves to play PIT) can be reached at writewell62@yahoo. com.
February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
Male Menopause, Yes That’s Right
By Donna Becker, D.O. Enhancement of Life (210) 545-5224 he first published papers written on male menopause was in 1939 by Dr. August Werner, Assistant Prof. of Int. Medicine at St. Louis U. “It seems reasonable to believe that many if not all men pass through a climacteric period somewhat similar to that of women, usually in a less severe but perhaps more prolonged form,” said Dr. Werner. At that time, treatment consisted of 10mg of testosterone propionate 3x a week. The standard treatment today (depending on labs) ranges between 100-200mg injections
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once a week. Dr. Werner then wrote a paper describing the effects of 30mg (low dose by today’s standards) testosterone replacement as “marked increase in erectile capacity and sensitivity of penis…their previous despondency gave way to definite elation.” But what is male menopause? Is it purely a laboratory value? No. Rather, it is a constellation of symptoms plus comprehensive laboratory analysis consisting of sex hormone binding globulin, estradiol, testosterone and more. Sex hormone binding hormone (SHBG), which increases with age, binds the active form of testosterone. So to merely measure
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By Rusty Belden, V.P. Belden’s Automotive & Tires (210) 494-0017
mport vehicles are popular on our roads, and it’s no wonder. They can be sleek and stylish and energy efficient. Unfortunately, though, people think that finding a repair facility to fix these cars can be difficult. Because foreign made vehicles require specific knowledge and parts, people often feel that taking it to a dealership is their only choice. The good news is that Belden’s Automotive & Tires is an import specialist! Belden’s has made a concerted effort
to bring in factory-trained technicians that specialize in foreign cars like Volvo, Acura, BMW and Mercedes, to name a few. These technicians have extensive knowledge of a broad range of European and Asian imports, and we provide them with the latest diagnostic equipment as well as continuous foreign vehicle training. Additionally, we are proud to be a Bosch Service Center, which aides us in providing our customers with complete care. Customer satisfaction is
Recognitions At The January Board Meeting
total testosterone without measuring SHBG means that the active portion of the testosterone, free testosterone, is missed along possibly with the diagnosis of low testosterone. True stories of men I have successfully treated over the past 10 years: One patient’s urologist gave him a 200mg injection of testosterone once a month. He told me that the last week of the month, he cried every night. I measured his levels, gave him a high potency compounded cream, which he applied daily. Happy, powerful and grateful, he no longer had crying spells. “The testosterone in Mexico doesn’t work, I took one injection and still felt weak and unable to perform,” said another patient. I told the nice gentleman that he needed to take a series of injections once or twice a week for several months, to fully appreciate the increase in muscle strength in the pelvis for the full wonderful effects
of testosterone replacement to manifest. I also told him that the muscles needed time to grow in the perineum and body under the influence of testosterone. I encouraged him to lose weight, exercise and take his injections faithfully every week. With my gentle encouragement, he experienced a return of strength over the next few months. Side effects and contraindications: Of course there is cancer of prostate or breast contraindication to testosterone. Blood levels need to be checked and closely followed. An urologist should perform a prostate exam to check for nodules or masses on the prostate. 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.
a top priority for all of our technicians. Because Belden’s can provide all the services that the dealerships do, we can be the one-stop shop for all major factory recommended services, such at the 30, 60, and 90K services. People often think that they must get their cars and trucks serviced at the dealership in order to maintain their factory warranty, but this is not true. Having scheduled maintenance at Belden’s can extend the life of your vehicle, while not affecting your factory warranty. Having factory trained and ASE certified technicians is of the utmost importance to us. The technicians are qualified to perform quality vehicle inspections and all minor and major repairs from brakes, belts, hoses, radiators, to simple tune-ups. All of our work is guaranteed for 18 months or 18,000 miles, which beats dealerships that warranty their work for 12 months or 12,000 miles.
We look forward to seeing you and your foreign or domestic vehicle at one of our locations, including our newest location Belden’s Alamo Garage located at Lockhill – Selma and NW Military. Thanks for allowing Belden’s Automotive and Tires to be your dealer alternative for your foreign car repair needs. 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.
Brook Hollow Library News By Tapley Trudell Adult Service Librarian Brook Hollow Branch Library 210-496-6315 he Brook Hollow Branch Library is proud to announce the debut of the Brook Hollow Express Collection! Express collections consist of high demand materials that typically have waiting lists. The items in the express collection do not fill holds – these items are available only to patrons who are physically present in the building when these items are sitting on the shelf. However, if a patron calls the branch to ask about an express item that is on the shelf, staff will set it aside until closing that day. Last year a handful of San Antonio Public Library branches offered express collections on a trial basis, and the experiment was declared a success. As a result, every branch will be receiving an express collection, although the items in it will be tailored somewhat to the demands of the individual branch. Brook Hollow’s collection will focus on books from the New York Times bestseller lists, both fiction and non-fiction, including some large print copies. High-demand children’s books, such as the latest Bluebonnet nominees, are also on offer. Popular movies and television shows on DVD form a part of this new collection as well. Express items checkout for the normal amounts of time – three weeks for books, one week for DVDs, but no renewals are
T (l-r) Dr. Brian G. Gottardy, Superintendent of Schools, Jakob Fenton, Betsy Sullivan, Brigitte Perkins, Board of Trustees and Justin Oxley, Bradley Principal.
By NEISD n Monday, January 13, the North East ISD Board of Trustees met during its regular monthly meeting and recognized two outstanding students. Bradley Middle School students Elizabeth “Betsy” Sullivan and Jakob Fenton led the meeting with the invocation and pledge to the American Flag and the Texas Flag. Jakob Fenton is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, Treasurer for the Student Council, participates in UIL, and plays soccer. Betsy Sullivan is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, Safe School Ambassadors, and participates in basketball and track.
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The Serna Elementary School Choir also performed two songs in honor of Board Recognition Month at the meeting. The students sang “America, the Beautiful” and “A Song of Peace” for the board, executive staff and guests. Various recognitions were given at this meeting. Firstmark Credit Union announced the winners of the 2013 Educator Award. Four NEISD teachers were among the winners. They each received a certificate and a $500 award for their innovative teaching projects. Jerry Comalander, Executive Director of Athletics at NEISD, also presented some outstanding athletes to the board for recognition of their accomplishments.
February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
www.welcomehomesa.com
allowed under any circumstances. Late fees will also be the same as other items $0.35 a day for adult books, $0.15 a day for children’s books, and $2.00 a day for DVDs. It is entirely possible that a library patron might be lucky enough to find a book or DVD on the express shelf that said patron is waiting in a long line to get on hold. Checking out that express item will not automatically cancel the patron’s hold. This can be very useful if you find that you just can’t make it through all of the latest season of Mad Men in a week. You’ll have to return the express DVD, but you haven’t lost your place in line for the regular copy! On the other hand, if you get the latest James Patterson off of the express shelf and finish the whole thing in one whirlwind read, please cancel your hold on the regular copy as a courtesy to others waiting in line.
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A Lifelong Love By Amanda Burris
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inding the love of your life is not always easy. But for Harry Ferrell, 95, and his wife Thelma, 94, who have been together for 75 years, it seemed like fate. It did not take long for the intertwined couple to fall for one another. After meeting in May, when Thelma had graduated high school, they started dating in June and got married on July 29, 1938. In just the short span of three months, they had fallen in love and committed to a lifetime that would consist of ups and downs, a family, taking adventures and above all, creating a relationship that would be inspiring to so many. “I was with my cousins, there was about three of us, and we went up to this little store up by the naval air station in Corpus,” said Thelma. “I was from Flour Bluff and we were sitting there drinking a coke in the car and Harry drove up. I had never seen him before in my life and didn’t know a thing about him.” Little did both Harry, age 19 at the time, and Thelma, age 18 at the time, know, but their lives would change completely on that day, many years ago. The Ferrells, always joking with one another (especially about their age), regaled their story light heartedly with a smile. “Well, we were dancing and he asked if I could cook or sew,” Thelma joked when asked about how Harry proposed. “He didn’t say he loved me or would you marry me until he found out! So then afterwards he asked me if I would marry him, and I did.” Harry worked for Exxon for 38 years and the Ferrells built a life in Corpus Christi, Texas and Refugio, Texas. After retiring in 1979, the Ferrells spent their time traveling around the United States, with Alaska as their favorite trip in 1992. Living now at Franklin Park Sonterra, the Ferrells continually stay active by working out, joining groups and spending quality time with one another. With happiness as the clear and dominant trait seen in their home, they continued their joking spirit when asked what has kept them together so long, saying it was Thelma’s bossing Harry about. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Harry said more seriously. “You know you argue, but you get over it.” The Ferrells have two sons, Michael (Mike) and Billy. Both are married and have children of their own. And both have gotten the opportunity to raise families with their parent’s successful relationship as a guide. “It is a wonderful thing to have a couple like them to look up to,” explained Linda Ferrell, Billy’s wife. “They have set the bar for our family really high and we all aspire to be people that live our lives in a manner that will make them proud.” With children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren it is clear that the love the Ferrells share for one another has spread to their generations of family they have helped raise. “They have experienced the past 90+ years of history,” Billy said. “They now enjoy their success with the family. They are very proud of the whole family, especially the great grandkids.” With family, age and the everyday activities of life that 75 years has brought about, the Ferrells still make spending time together one of their priorities. “They have been together so long, they worry about each other when they are apart,” Billy said. His wife Linda echoed this by saying “Harry and Thelma are a team. It is hard for me to think of one without the other.” During this season of love, it is couples like the Ferrells with their whirlwind romance who are a great example to others. Like everyone else they argue, they laugh, and experience both the good and the bad. But through all of the years together, their love holds strong and thrives.
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February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
Local Love L
By Amanda Burris
ove is in the air and many individuals in the community have their own story to tell. Whether it was how they met, what has kept them together or what they love about their spouse, each story is beautiful and unique. From all of us at Welcome Home Community Newspaper, we would like to wish the following couples that shared their stories and the rest of the community a very happy Valentine’s Day!
Mark & Kathy Clark We met on Tuesday, September 22, 1970 in San Antonio. Our first date was a picnic on Saturday, September 26, 1970. The next several weeks Mark attended a work related training class out of town. We wrote to each other several times a week. During the first week Mark sent flowers to me with a lovely message. This was the start of our beautiful relationship. A trip to the Coast, a night at the movie or an evening at home, it doesn’t matter what we are doing we enjoy being together. We were married on February 26, 1972. This year we will celebrate our 42nd Anniversary. Happy Valentine’s Day Mark, All my love, Kathy.
Tim & Bridgett Dunlap The love of my life is my high school sweetheart, Tim. I met him when I was only 15 and we were both sophomores in high school. When we graduated from high school, we got married. Tim joined the military and we moved to Florida where Tim went to Desert Storm for almost a year. After Hurricane Andrew, we moved to Washington State where we had our first son, Cody. Although we were so young, we were very much in love. For those that said it would never last, we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and are still going strong. We have three wonderful boys whom we both adore. Tim works in IT at USAA (my computer nerd) and I am a teacher at Hardy Oak Elementary. We have definitely had some rough patches along the way, but I can’t imagine my life without him. He is my best friend and my forever love!
Levi & Veronica Kereti It was the summer after college that I arrived in the Philippines. I was a young girl with fresh hopes of teaching English and experiencing life outside of America. My goal was to commit one year of my life to serving, but little did I know that my heart would bring me back for another. In between my transition from year one to year two, Levi, a native New Zealander, arrived at the same campus I had been living to pursue his Master’s degree. While completing his student work hours in the admin. office, he came across my file. Immediately, he was drawn in and amazed that a 22-year-old American girl had just completed a year of study and teaching at an international school. After hearing that I had fulfilled my year and returned home, he prayed, “God if you could bring this girl across my life… that’s the one for me.” Meanwhile, my flight was booked and I was ready to head back to Asia. Our paths crossed one month later. We connected instantly with our corresponding love for education, culture, and God. We fell in love, and the rest is history. Never did we intend to find a soul mate, especially so far from “home,” but God had other plans. Levi and I, along with our two sons, will celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary this year. When life clouds our focus, we hold tight to our remarkable story, and are reminded of our special journey when our two roads fused into one. What God brought together, no man can separate.
Mike & Kelly Lepeska I met Mike in November of 1989 when our college church choir was touring the Chicago suburbs. He had graduated, but was still friends with many of those still in the choir. I was immediately taken with him, but never expected anything. He lived three and a half hours away. He visited the campus a few more times that year. In the early summer, my best friend told me to come with her to a choir get together at Mike’s family home in Wisconsin. After quite a bit of convincing on her part for me to go, I asked my parents. I never expected them to say, “yes.” We spent much of the evening talking about everything and nothing. A few days later he called and asked me out. The night of our first date, as I had four different outfits strewn across my bed, he called and let me know what he was wearing, in case I needed help. This guy has no idea how much he gets me! Being that I was still in college, and Mike was just out, we did not have a lot of money. So, we spent time talking, sharing our hopes and dreams, singing and playing the guitar-- just being together. We were married a year and a day later. On Mike’s way down to the wedding, the car caught on fire. He arrived at the church within 10 minutes of my walking down the aisle. I had no idea this was happening, and all of our loved ones went through pain staking efforts to assure that I would not know until later. Though many joked that Mike should have taken that as a sign to stay away—he said it was more of a sign to remind him of what is important, and that was to marry me. Anything can happen. In 22 ½ years of marriage, we have had four wonderful sons, lived in three different states, six different careers, had 11 different addresses, lived on opposite sleeping schedules, and lived through a deployment. Anytime we feel we are getting a little overwhelmed with whatever life is throwing at us, we take a moment to think about what is important. Love. That’s it. Happy Valentine’s Day to my forever friend, my partner in crime, my soul mate.
February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
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Toy Pick-up A Huge Success By Ben Spicer
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ack in 2012 Winter Celebration, presented by Welcome Home Community Newspaper and the non-profit Living Through Giving, collected 85 percent of the toys for the Toys for Tots program in San Antonio, collecting over 7,000 toys for local children. Bigger things were expected in 2013 and with the help of everyone in the community, both Welcome Home Community Newspaper and the non-profit Living Through Giving delivered. Toys for Tots is a nationwide organization headed by the United States Marine Corps that is aimed to change the lives of local children by keeping their spirits intact. The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during the months of October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to the less fortunate in the community. This year, 11 local schools participated in the event. Johnson High School accumulated an astonishing 872 unopened toys, good for most in the contest. Senior Christina Werckle, Student Council Secretary at Johnson, upon reflection said she was surprised to see how many students got involved. “Every month we try to do something to give back to our community and school, so November we started planning and advertising,” Werckle said. “We had lots of organizations leading it – we got PALS, student council, all the spirit – dance & cheer, and we got the teachers involved making it a classroom contest. We really got the whole school and clubs in on it.” Junior Rachel Gawlik, Johnson student council president said it became apparent quickly the school was onto something huge. “We noticed it was getting big when we started picking up the toys from the classrooms,” Gawlik said. “We hadn’t had a goal set. But next year we’re gonna try to get at least a 100 more. We want to step it up.” As a result, Johnson was the recipient of the grand prize, a gift of $500 presented by Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, as well as a trophy. Johnson will be allowed to hold onto the trophy for a full year until the next Toys for Tots challenge, where they will have to win it again, or give it up to the 2014 winners.
“Since it’s for Toys for Tots, it’s really meaningful,” junior Emily Ross, Johnson student council historian said. “Not all kids get toys every Christmas. When you bring in a couple toys it’s barely anything to you, but you make that kid’s Christmas… you don’t realize how much that could mean to someone else.” Congrats to both the students and the faculty at Johnson on their outstanding work. In another interesting note, Vineyard Ranch Elementary and Wilderness Oak Elementary tallied 258 and 256 toys respectfully. The two schools were in competition with one another to see who amongst themselves could have the higher total. Well it looks like Wilderness Oak will have to wait a year to exact revenge on their friendly competitor. Welcome Home Community Newspaper, the United States Marines, and Living Through Giving would like to thank to the following schools who contributed to Toys for Tots this year: • • • • • • • • • • •
Indian Springs Elementary Rahe Elementary Monroe May Elementary Brandeis High School Vineyard Ranch Elementary Hardy Oak Elementary Wilderness Oak Elementary Bush Middle School Tuscany Heights Elementary Johnson High School Stone Oak Elementary
Wilderness Oak Elementary Grade level representatives for the Toys for Tots pick up. Kinder: Bryce Folsom; First: Johnny Flores; Second: Aidan Richard; Third: Gianna Ayon, Fourth: Alexis Ponseti, Fifth: Allison Sandoval.
Elementary students assisted Marines with the loading of toys into the military vehicle.
Thank you to the 2014 Winter Celebration prize donators: •• Broadway Bank •• Camp Gladiator •• Candlewood Suites •• Diane Belcher •• Drury Hotels •• DutchBoy Cleaners •• The Egg & I •• Fred Astair Dance Co. •• Holiday Inn •• Home Woods Suites •• Hyatt Place North Stone Oak •• JW Marriott •• Marriott North Stone Oak at Legacy •• Mays & Thousand Oaks YMCA •• Nothing Bunt Cakes •• Oak Haven Massage •• Residence Inn North Stone Oak •• Santikos •• 2 Bros BBQ
Thank you to the 2014 Winter Celebration Volunteers:
Johnson was the recipient of the grand prize, a gift of $500 presented by Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, as well as a trophy.
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•• Broadway Bank •• Diane Neuenschwander Schofield •• Empire Enterprise •• Fit Community •• JJ Rodriguez •• Kathy Masterson •• North Central Baptist •• Patty Labarbara •• Reagan High School HOSA •• Reagan High School Leo Club •• Reagan High School students •• Rick Carter •• Todd Bufalino •• Winston Churchill High School Students February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
Grand Prize Winner Amazed By Win By Ben Spicer
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n December 14, Welcome Home Community Newspaper and the non-profit Living Through Giving teamed up to host the 10th annual Winter Celebration, a community event filled with fun games, activities, and vendors. More than 10 thousand people attended the event, taking in the festive atmosphere while contributing to a worthy cause. For one lucky guest, Linda Wickwire, by attending it changed her life for the better. As part of the day’s activities, many guests donated an unwrapped toy and took part in a scavenger hunt on the grounds; those participating had the opportunity to win amazing prizes during the end of the day’s grand prize raffle drawing. The process for the scavenger hunt was simple: go to as many vendors on the grounds as possible, and get a card stamped to prove you had visited. Each stamp equaled 1 general prize drawing ticket and every 15 stamps equaled one Grand Prize drawing ticket. When Linda Wickwire arrived, she donated two toys for the Toys for Tots drive―one a toy Hot Wheels carwash, the other a doll sitting in a high chair. She began collecting stamps around 10:30 a.m. Despite the difficulty of getting from vendor to vendor, (she had her grandson with her who was more interested in playing) she managed to accumulate 30 stamps for two grand prize drawing tickets. “It was very well organized and laid out so that it was very easy to go from table to table,” Linda Wickwire said. By the time she was done collecting stamps at 11:40 a.m., she had resigned herself to the fact that she
wouldn’t win any prize. Many others had participated, some with several more grand prize drawings tickets. Despite the drastic odds, Linda Wickwire won the grand prize drawing. The $1000 grand prize was hers. After winning, she decided on being practical with the cash. “I gave my grandson $100 to put in his bank and bought some well needed tires for my car,” she said. When friends of hers found out about the winnings, they too were excited. “They wanted to know where I won it,” Wickwire said. “People (my friends) want to attend Winter Celebration next year.” It wasn’t just Linda Wickwire who had a good day. Many others walked away with gifts making the scavenger hunt time well spent despite not winning the grand prize. Aldolpho Alcola not only won $500 in movie passes from Stantikos, but a one night stay at a local hotel as well. The McQuin family was also extremely lucky and walked away with both a YMCA gym membership and an iPad Mini. And Dustin Ochonnor received a two night stay at Homewood Suites with breakfast. In all, more than 10 lucky guests won prizes, not including general prizes handed out throughout the day, due to the generosity of some extremely considerate vendors. A special thank you goes out to all the participants and vendors of the event. It is with their help, that Welcome Home and Living Through Giving is able to put on such a strong community event. “It’s a wonderful program for the children whether you win or not,” Linda Wickwire said. “It is fun time spent with the family.”
Local Fencers Find Gold Submitted By Velizar Iliev arrah Lee-Elabd, representing Team USA3, won the gold medal in the team competition at the 2013 Cadet European Cup in Klagenfurt, Austria on October 26. Her team won the preliminary round against Ukraine (45-43), and then defeated Serbia (45-38). In the semi-finals, they came up against another American squad, Team USA2, where the San Antonian and her teammates pulled off a 45-38 upset win. In the gold medal round Farrah and her teammates faced Romania. When Farrah stepped into the fencing strip as team anchor (the last team member to fence), her team was losing (37-40). However, with great focus and determination, she was able to reverse the losing score to win the bout 4543. The following day, Farrah competed in
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the women’s individual event and placed 13th out of 174 fencers, losing in the quarter final round (12-15) to the Ukrainian Inna Brovko, who ended up taking the gold medal. With this result, Farrah earned enough points to move from 11th to 5th place in the Cadet Women’s Epee national ranking for ages 17 and under. Farrah, a sophomore at Saint Mary’s Hall, also won a Gold medal in Cadet Women’s Epee division for 17 years and under on Sunday, December 15. There she competed against 102 of the top female cadet epee fencers in North America, and in the finals she beat Kasia Nixon (Los Angeles, CA), who is currently the number one US rated fencer in the division. Farrah has qualified to compete with Team USA at the 2014 European Cadet Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden next month.
Catholic Schools Take Part In Fiesta
Submitted By Jennifer Starr ope for the Future and the Catholic Schools of San Antonio are ready to Fiesta as they gear up to take part for the first time in the Battle of the Flowers parade during Fiesta 2014. The theme for this year’s parade is “The Magic of Make Believe,” and the Catholic schools’ float will be a whimsical representation of a magical school bus ride to success that a Catholic school education gives to all of its students. The Catholic schools of San Antonio have
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been educating leaders for over 170 years and 97 percent of Catholic school graduates go on to college, well prepared. Focusing on faith, service and academics, these schools have an ever-expanding and evolving fine arts curriculum, and the Catholic schools of San Antonio are proud to display their talents through this year’s float. The float will also present a message from Hope for the Future that there is assistance to all families that would like to send their child to Catholic school but feel they may not be able to afford it. Through the Hope for the Future tuition assistance program,
February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
Grand Prize winners show off their prizes won during the Winter Celebration’s Scavenger Hunt.
Linda Wickwire with her grandson, is all smiles after finding out she had won the $1,000 cash prize.
Saint Mary’s Hall sophomore Robin Cheong represented Team USA and competed at the 2013 Cadet European Cup in Chalons, France on November 23. Robin participated in the men’s individual event and placed 15th out of 170 fencers. Robin is currently ranked number 7 in the nation in Cadet. Both Farrah and Robin at age 15 have goals to move into the top three in the nation so they can qualify for the 2014 Cadet World Championships in Bulgaria. London Olympic medalist Kelley Hurley (San Antonio, Texas) won her fourth individual gold medal on Friday, December 13 in Dallas at the 2013 North American Cup which included fencers competing in Division I, Cadet, and Veteran events. Kelley, a two-time Olympian, claimed the title for Division I Women’s Epee by defeating Isabel Ford (Salem, OR) by a
PHOTO CREDIT: Nina
Velizar Iliev, Farrah Lee-Elabd and Viktor Svatenko gather after Farrah Lee-Elabd won a gold medal in Austria.
score of 15-9. Claudine Barjak, another Olympian Fencing club competitor, took the 5th place finalist medal in the Veteran-40 Women’s Epee.
more than $1.9 million has been distributed annually to families in need of support. The 43 Catholic schools in San Antonio neighborhoods and surrounding areas serve more than 13,000 students. Local Catholic school students and faculty proudly representing a wide variety of these schools and ages will ride on the float in the April 25 parade. A mock up of the float that Catholic Schools of San Antonio will contribute to the Battle of the Flowers Parade during Fiesta.
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& DIRECTORY
Medical Allergy and Immunology Family Allergy & Asthma Specialists Dr. John Mastrovich 20650 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 106 Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology 342-6200 • www.faasonline.com Stone Oak Allergy & Asthma Amanda Trott-Gregorio, MD Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology 155 Sonterra Blvd., Suite 101 494-0690 • stoneoakallergy.com
Anti-Aging Enhancement of Life Dr. Donna Becker, D.O. 14603 Huebner Rd., Suite 2601 545-5224 • www.antiagingsa.com Expert Hormone Replacement for Women & Men
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., Suite 101 576-5150 (by appt)
Professional
Gastroenterology & Pain Mgmt
Theda Oaks J. Theard MD, S. Dar MD, L. Rosenkranz, MD U. Dar MD, M. McKee MD, M. Naeem, MD 19284 Stone Oak Parkway 268-0129
General Dentistry Smile Source® Dr. Cheryl E. Hubble & Dr. Kaci L. Tibbetts 2950 Thousand Oaks Dr., Suite. 16 496-5422 www.cherylhubbledds.com
General Surgery
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Pharmacy
Lynnell C. Lowry, M.D. Alamo Eye Institute Board Certified Ophthalmologist 18720 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 119 697-3821
Stone Oak Pharmacy Specialty Compounding & Delivery Retail Pharmacy Services & DME 18866 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 101 494-4272
San Antonio Eye Center Abrams, Erdmancyzk, Hahn, Harris Ming-Zhao, Nicolau, Roberts, Stephenson 14807 San Pedro (281 & Winding Way) 226-6169 www.saeye.com
Orthodontics Schatz Orthodontics Eric Schatz, DDS 22610 U.S. Highway 281, Suite 201 272-7129 • www.alohasmiles.net
San Antonio General Surgery Jorge L. Rincon 1162 E. Sonterra, Suite 210 587-7744 www.sageneralsurgery.com
Pediatrics
Neurosurgery Neurosurgical Associates of S.A., P.A. Donald L. Hilton MD., Arnold B. Vardiman MD. Donald P. Atkins MD. 18626 Hardy Oak Blvd., Suite 240 477-1956 • www.neurosurgerysa.com
Enactus Making A Difference Submitted By Paige Hutchinson rue Vineyard Ministries and the Texas State Enactus team have paired up and contributed to numerous good causes. True Vineyard Ministries is a non-profit store in San Marcos that reaches out to the most vulnerable people in Rwanda and creates environments where they are empowered to live out their full potential at work, home and in their spiritual lives. Those who volunteered with True Vineyard Ministries sold a variety of products in San Antonio at the Woman’s Club yearly vendor gathering. Enactus students have been volunteering at TVM for a couple of years now and devote multiple hours each week at the store and across different cities in Texas. Enactus students are taught the value of business and are enabling themselves, as well as others, to prepare for a better future. As one of the biggest projects, Enactus truly loves volunteering with TVM and allowing their business skills to help better the lives of women in Rwanda. True Vineyard Ministries welcome each and every widow along with her own unique healing journey before her. Many are rape survivors from the 1994 genocide, are suffering from HIV/AIDS, or have
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experienced marginalization, hunger and lack of other basic necessities. These women are also mothers to multiple children. Enactus is a global, non-profit organization that is literally changing the world through highly dedicated student teams on more than 1600 university campuses in 40 countries. Enactus offers these students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, thereby improving the standard of living for millions in the process. The Texas State Enactus is one of the leading collegiate teams within the United States. Enactus has been helping others achieve their dreams through free enterprise education for more than 25 years. Today, Enactus is the world’s prominent and largest university-based free enterprise organization. If you would like to learn more about Enactus please visit the Enactus website, www.business.txstate.edu, or contact Sam Walton Fellow, Vicki West at vw03@ txstate.edu or 512-245-3224, Enactus President, Zachary Goss at zg1012@txstate. edu or 281-785-9189, or Paige Hutchinson at ph1127@txstate.edu or 210-618-8011.
Huebner Pediatrics Dr. Michelle Storandt, Dr. Adelnery Gonzalez 15714 Huebner Rd., Bldg. 3 447-3000 www.huebnerpediatrics.com
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by at 9:45 a.m. to enjoy a “Meet and Greet” complete with light refreshments. The guest speaker will be Dr. Deborah Valdez, Executive Director of the Bexar County Family Justice Center. The BCFJC consists of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who work together in one centralized location to provide services to
South Texas Radiology Imaging Centers North Central Imaging Center 155 E. Sonterra Blvd., Suite 100 www.stric.com 617-9000
To add your listing, call 210-348-8233
Fun Facts About February
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ebruary is the shortest month of the year, but many people have no idea why that is. The Romans developed a 10-month calendar that began with the Spring equinox in March and ended in December. When the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, took to the throne in 713 BC, he had plans to make the calendar more accurate by synchronizing it with the actual lunar year, which is roughly 354 days long. Thus, two new months, January and February, were added to the end of the calendar. Both January and February had 28 days. At the time, even numbers were considered bad luck, and these months were not looked upon favorably by the king. So he decided to make changes once more and added a day to January. February was left untouched, remaining an “unlucky” month and one devoted to honoring the dead and performing rites of purification. February remained the last month of the year for roughly 200 years until the calendar was reevaluated and February was reassigned as the second month, with January being the start of the New Year. This new 355-day calendar simply could not stay in sync with the seasons because
NSARTA Hosts Director Of Family Justice Center Submitted By Michelle Bibb he North San Antonio Retired Teachers Association will be having its monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 19. NSARTA meets the third Wednesday of each month at San Pedro Presbyterian Church located at 14900 San Pedro. Come
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victims of family violence. The Bexar County Family Justice Center provides comprehensive services in the areas of law enforcement, employment and education assistance, child therapy, life coaching and providing professional clothing assistance. All partners work together to fulfill the mission of assisting
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it did not account for the amount of time it takes the Earth to orbit the sun. Therefore, an extra “month” of 27 days was added after February 23 each year to play catch-up. Sometimes this extra month was overlooked or not scheduled in time, continuing the calendar conundrum. Julius Caesar was responsible for tackling calendar problems further when he was in power. He wished to make the calendar solar-based, like the one Egyptians used, instead of the older lunar-based calendar. This led to the creation of the Julian calendar. Ten days were added to the calendar year in various months, and February was increased every four years (leap year) to 29 days to coordinate the calendar year to the solar cycle of roughly 365.2425 days. No one really knows for certain why February was relegated to the shortest month. However, with so much trivia and special events surrounding the month, it is still a special time of year.
victims of domestic violence in their journey from “survivor to thriver”. Please join the February meeting, NSARTA loves welcoming guests and new members!
February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
Discoveries Thru Vision By Dr. John M. Nevelow Nevelow Eye Associates (210) 349-2437 • www.drsnevelow.com Blue light is necessary as part of our color perception and its benefits to our circadian here is a new enemy to our visual rhythms. This is our biological clock that system that has been around for a helps us get up in the mornings and go to long time but is ever increasing in sleep at night. However, not all blue light is our daily lives. This is the high-energy beneficial. There is an area of blue light that short visual wavelength of blue light. We can cause damage to our eyes and optical have known for years that the ultraviolet system. This wavelength is given off in wavelength of blue light is harmful to our LED lights, compact fluorescent light bulbs, eyes. We are now finding out that there is computer screens, digital phone screens and another component of blue light that is also tablets. With the increased use of all these harmful and can affect our daily life as well newer devices we are exposing our eyes to a as have long-term effects.
“Blue Light: Friend Or Foe?”
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new and potentially harmful area. The increased development of ocular diseases, such as corneal degeneration, cataracts at earlier ages and macular degeneration, cannot entirely be contributed to our aging population. Studies have isolated a high-energy part of the blue light, which is not entirely absorbed by the anterior structures of our eyes. Now what can be done to protect our eyes without affecting the benefits of blue light in our visual spectrum? Yellow filter lenses have been known for years to help hunters in early morning to see better. However, these types of filters block all blue light and this is not helpful. There is a new filter that can be added to your glasses that blocks only the harmful blue light while transmitting the beneficial part of the blue wavelength. These lenses help protect our eyes when
using computers, cell phones, tablets, LED and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Antireflective coatings are helpful for reflections from light, but with the addition of a blue light filter to selectively block the narrow band of blue-violet light could become an important element in preventive eye care. Nevelow Eye Associates are recommending theses new filters to all our patients for their continued ocular health. Should you want more information on this or other eye topics please contact our office at 210.349.2437 or visit us on website drsnevelow.com or on our Facebook page. John M. Nevelow, O.D., is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Erin M. Nevelow is a doctor of Optometry. Nevelow Eye Associates is located at 19190 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 120. For more information, call (210) 349-2437 or visit www.drsnevelow.com.
Is Organic Food Really Better For You?
By Peter Arguello, CPT ave you ever been told that organic food is healthier for you, and that you will benefit by eating organic vs. non-organic foods? There have been studies to show that just because it’s organic doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s good for you. Just like most things in life, there are good sides and then there are bad sides of things. Eating Organic foods does have its perks. For instance, Organic foods are cleaned and grown without any pesticides. It may be cleaner for your foods and doesn’t have any
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chemical enhancements done to the product. Let’s take a piece of fruit for example, if the fruit is kept clear of pesticides then the fruit will grow naturally and will keep in more nutrients. By keeping the fruit Organic the fruit will be all natural and excluded from any chemicals, which will lead to a brighter color and will be even healthier since it will keep in more nutrients. There are some items that you see and tell yourself, “wow, that must be better for me since it’s organic.” But let’s take a closer look into some specific items. While
shopping I came upon Organic Sugar. The first thing that came to me was I didn’t know there could be organic sugar. I overheard a couple talking about how much better the Organic sugar is for them because it says it’s organic. Then I thought to myself sugar is sugar and no matter if it’s organic or not, it’s still in a way not good for you if you consume too much. It’s a different topic from a piece of fruit to sugar since a fruit will keep all of its natural nutrients as for sugar it’s processed, even if it’s organic. So, from looking into this subject I have
come to a conclusion that Organic is just like many other items we see or purchase, some of the product has its benefits and there are some of the products that really doesn’t matter if it’s Organic or not. HealthLink is a health and fitness center owned by the Baptist Health System. HealthLink is located at 288 Bitters Rd., San Antonio, TX 78216. For more information, call (210) 297-9900 or visit www.healthlinksa.com.
A New Leader In Me Special To Welcome Home edland Oaks Elementary School recently received the great news that they have earned Leader In Me (LIM) Lighthouse Status. The school will be joining approximately 63 schools internationally to achieve this status that was made possible through the dedication and hard work of the students, teachers and parents. The Leader In Me program aims to use the following “7 Habits Of Highly Effective People” to improve the performance of the school, the students and the programs: • Habit 1 –Be Proactive • Habit 2 –Begin with the End In Mind • Habit 3 –Put First Things First
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• Habit 4 –Think Win-Win • Habit 5 –Seek First To Understand, Then to Be Understood • Habit 6 –Synergize • Habit 7 –Sharpen the Saw
The results of this program have been an increase in students’ self-confidence, teamwork, initiative, creativity, leadership, communication, problem solving, school culture, diversity awareness and academic performance. The students of Redland Oaks Elementary School have been showing their leadership skills all over their campus already. Congratulations to Redland Oaks on their Lighthouse Status and on being leaders of the community.
Getting Kids To Go Green
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co-friendly lifestyles aren’t just for adults. Encouraging kids to go green at a young age can set them up for a lifetime of making decisions with the environment in mind. The following are just a few ways parents can impart a sense of responsibility to the environment on their youngsters. Lead by example. Many kids try to mimic their parents’ behaviors, and moms and dads can take advantage of that by making sure kids see them as they recycle, conserve water or make other eco-conscious choices. If kids want to know why you’re separating trash or opting for tap water over bottled water, explain to them the positive impact that such behaviors can have on the health of the planet. Encourage eco-friendly hobbies. Today’s youngsters have a host of technology at their disposal, and parents know full well
that such access can be both good and bad. While technology can enhance learning in the classroom and beyond, gaming systems and other electronic devices have made it easy for kids to forgo outdoor activities in favor of more sedentary hobbies. Many medical researchers believe that such hobbies are contributing to higher rates of childhood obesity. But they also can harm the environment. Gaming systems, whether played on televisions, computers or handheld devices, use a substantial amount of energy. Parents who encourage more eco-friendly activities, such as reading or playing outside, can get the best of both worlds, as kids will be getting out and about and embracing activities that don’t harm the planet. Ride bicycles more often. Reducing fuel consumption is one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint, and
February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
even though kids can’t drive, that doesn’t mean they can’t pitch in to conserve fuel. Children who attend school close to home can ride their bikes rather than taking the bus or hitching a ride with mom or dad. Explain to youngsters the impact that such a choice can have on the environment, and ride bikes with your kids whenever possible, be it on trips to the park or to visit friends and family members. Many kids love to ride their bikes, and they might like it even more if they understand the positive impact that such a hobby is having on their planet. Teach kids to reuse products. Waste is a significant environmental issue, but reusing products is a great way to cut back on waste. Items that would once be tossed into the trash after serving their purpose can be repurposed when tackling projects around the house, and kids can get in on the act, too. Rather than purchasing store-bought
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decorations for holidays like Halloween or Chanukah and Christmas, reuse old products to craft homemade decorations. Birthday gifts or items exchanged during the holidays can be wrapped in old newspaper instead of store-bought wrapping paper. Many products that would otherwise be discarded can be reused, and kids might enjoy finding new ways to make use of old items.
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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
Welcome Home Community Newspaper is looking for FIVE motivated individuals for the position of Sales Representatives! We’re looking for individuals with: • Strong Communication Skills • Ability to Develop & Maintain Professional Business Relationships • Experience a Plus!
Express Care Services FOR OUR ESTABLISHED PATIENTS
Now Open Continuously 8 AM – 4:15 PM • Convenient Same Day Availability
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SPACE AVAILABLE What we offer: • Salary + Commission • Flexible Schedule • Fun, Friendly Environment
If you are interested in joining a growing company and maximizing your potential, send your resume to koliver@welcomehome.com.
John Nguyen, MD
700 E. Sonterra Blvd, Ste. 202 www.sofdpaweb.com • (210) 496-7999
NOW HERE! 2014 SOURCE The Guide With All Your North Side Information The Source is a Business & Medical Directory. It includes: Things To Do, Restaurants, Shopping, Medical, Maps, and more!—right at your fingertips. Pick up a FREE 2014 copy at any of these locations: • Falcon Bank – 19230 Stone Oak Pkwy. • Frost Bank – Stone Oak at 18762 Stone Oak Pkwy. • Frost Bank – Stone Ridge off Evans Rd. by HEB Plus • Green Fields Market – 19239 Stone Oak Pkwy. • Janie Christine's Gift Boutique – 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 109 • Jefferson Bank – Stone Oak at 19002 Stone Oak Parkway • Randolph Brooks FCU – 23737 Bulverde Road (Near Johnson HS) • State Farm/Betsy Dippo – 19190 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 112
For additional information call 210.348.8233 or visit
www.StoneOakBusiness.com
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February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
Stone Oak Business Association Presents
2014 Business Expo hosted by Ronald Reagan High School
The 2014 Stone Oak Business Association Expo is excited to be welcomed back to Ronald Reagan High School for the 12th annual 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 High Schools. Donated raffle items are also needed and appreciated.
CALL TODAY AND RESERVE YOUR SPACE! Go Rattlers!!! S
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Stone Oak Business Association Ronald Reagan H.S.
Lady Bird JOHNSON H.S.
When: Thursday, April 24, 2014 5:30 to 8:00 PM Where: Ronald Reagan High School Cafeteria 19000 Ronald Reagan Dr. San Antonio, Texas 78258 Cost: $85 for Members | $125 for Non-Members
To RSVP: 210-348-8233 E-mail: soba@satx.rr.com www.stoneoakbusiness.com
Stone Oak Business Association presents:
Small Business Tax Preparation Join us and guests speakers Judith Kenton & Cassie Meuth of ATGK, on Thursday, February 20, as we discuss key tax topics related to running your business. For just over 30 years, ATKG has specialized in tax, accounting, and advisory services for a select client base of closely held businesses and large family groups.
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Stone Oak Business Association
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Where: Franklin Park Stone Oak 21802 Encino Commons Cost: SOBA Members: $15 Non-Members: $20 Door: $25
To RSVP: 348-8233 E-mail: soba@satx.rr.com www.stoneoakbusiness.com February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248
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Boerne, TX 78006
22000 Bulverde Rd.
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(210) 481-3330
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San Antonio, TX 78259
San Antonio, TX 78213
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The next “move” is yours... Make it a good one!
We are known for our integrity and reputation that only comes with years of experience and knowledge of serving our residents. We do this with unexpected little extras and surprises to make every day exciting and new.
Full Service Apartments, Assisted Living and Neighborhood of Homes 20450 Huebner Road San Antonio, Texas 78258
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Call us for lunch and a tour to see why everyone loves living at Independence Hill!
(210) 209-8956 www.independencehill.com Lic #100102
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February 2014 • Welcome Home • 78232/78248