local: stone oak, encino park, north central, 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261 march 2015

COMMUNITY NEWS

WWW.SALOCALLOWDOWN.COM

STONE OAK ENCINO PARK FAR NORTH 78258 78259 78260 78261 MARCH 2 - MARCH 30, 2015VOL. 1, ISSUE 10

INSIDE: HEALTHY & WELL IN 2015

LOCAL COMMENTARY SUSAN YERKESPG. 03

BUY LOCAL ORANGETHEORYFITNESS

EAT LOCAL CHOCOLATEKA

PG.30

PG.33

PG.29

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COUPONS INSIDEFANTASTIC DEALS

pg. 35Reductions in premiums result of Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department’s high marks

Johnson High School launches NEISD’s first English honor society

Lower insurance rates seen for north Bexar County property owners

The Write Stuff

Far North Side resident draws from family, faith

What makes Bexar County's new DA tick?

PG.12

COSMETIC PROCEDURES GROWING OLDER

Committee looks at water, transit, housing, sustainability for next 25 years

Comprehensive plan: Road map to far North Side’s potential future

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PG.26

PG.28

more than New trends address seniors' quality-of-life issuesSKIN DEEP

Nico LaHood

DETAILS ON VARICOSE VEINS • DENTAL IMPLANTS & MORE

PG.14 PG.18

Get rid of the pounds with hearty exercises

Remember Alamo Plaza could be new battle cry

Chamoy, Takis and Belgian chocolates among tasty treats at store

2 MARCH 2 - MARCH 30, 2015

President Harold J. LeesPublisherGregg Rosenfield

Assoc. PublisherRick UptonEDITORIALExecutive EditorThomas EdwardsNews StaffCollette Orquiz, Bain Serna and Will WrightContributing WritersOlivier J. Bourgoin, J.E. Jordan, Carole Miller, Eric Moreno, Bonny Ostherhage, Eileen Pace, Travis E. Poling, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes

ARTCreative DirectorFlorence D. EdwardsProduction DesignerPete MoralesContributing PhotographerRudy B. OrnelasContributing IllustratorJeremiah Teutsch

ADVERTISINGAdvertising DirectorJaselle LunaAccount ManagerAmber Montemayor and Trina GebhartControllerKeith SandersREADER SERVICEMailing Address4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229Fax(210) 616.9677

Advertising [email protected] Ideas: [email protected]: www.salocallowdown.com

Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2015 Helen Publishing, LLC and Local Community News, LLC, all rights reserved.

For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News4204 Gardendale Ste. 201San Antonio, TX 78229

LOCAL Community News publicationsZone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247Zone 4/5: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266

FACEBOOK.COM/SALOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS

THOMAS EDWARDSEXECUTIVE EDITOR

FROM THE [email protected]

LOCAL publishes five free, monthly, direct-mailed editions that drill down to the news of area cities and neighborhoods ranging from Cibolo to Southtown, from Alamo Heights to Shavano Park, and so many points in-between.

Because I have the honor and duty of editing these stories, the big picture they paint has deepened my appreciation for our community.

Many of the articles written by our reporters highlight unique events or people doing some astounding things, whether it’s kids maintaining the Mill Springs Cabin at Bradley Middle School or neighbors in Olmos Park who create no-cost outdoor libraries.

Every four weeks (or less), our contributors' words and pictures weave a tapestry from various threads that showcase both the differences and similarities that bind all of us together.

Surely there must be something singular or amazing about where you live, some neighborhood landmark or legend no one else really knows about. Or how about the amazing deeds undertaken by your friends, neighbors, relatives or even yourself that deserve a little publicity? One thing I’ve learned during the last few years is that our residents really love to help others, whether it’s through food drives, volunteering at a nonprofit or some other endeavor.

Tell us your stories, and in turn we’ll let the world know about all the strange, the wonderful, the wild and the woolly happenings you bring to our attention. Together we can unspool that thread and keep the tapestry of (true) tales growing.

My email is [email protected].

Telling your story

ne of the best things about working at LOCAL

Community News is that I have a front-row

seat to all the diverse wonders that make the greater San Antonio area such an interesting place to live.

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LOCAL COMMENTARY

Remember Alamo, don’t forget plazaby SUSAN YERKES

In the chilly pre-dawn hours of

March 6, 1836, Mexican Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna

ordered the final assault on a band of freedom fighters holed up in a Spanish mission-turned-fortress called the Alamo near the San Antonio River.

The battle was fierce and bloody. In a couple of hours, every defender was dead. In the aftermath of the slaughter, soldiers on the side of an independent Texas carried the cry “Remember the Alamo!” into the decisive Battle of San Jacinto, which led to the defeat of Mexican troops.

Today, there’s hardly a soul in Texas who

doesn’t know the story of the Alamo. The question is not if we remember

the Alamo. It’s how we will remember its surroundings, known as Alamo Plaza. Some want decisive change, or “placemaking” — a big buzzword in urban planning. And let’s face it, Alamo Plaza isn’t exactly a jewel-box setting for the Cradle of Texas Liberty.

Today, the Alamo is surrounded by a jumble of traffic and tourist shops. Beyond the walls of the well-kept grounds, there’s little that reflects the Alamo’s significance to history. First-time visitors often leave scratching their heads and muttering, “Is that it?” For true-blue Texas history buffs that can be a bitter pill. Over the years, several glorious plans have been put forth to create something more impressive than the “Alamo experience” of today. Most have ended up on the shelf.

One reason is the expense of reshaping Alamo Plaza. Another is the sheer number of landowners involved, from the city, state and federal governments to individuals and businesses. But in 2011, when the state General Land Office took over control of the Alamo, the stage was finally set for serious change. Then-Mayor Julian Castro’s “Decade of Downtown” initiative added more impetus.

On March 6, 2014, the City Council

passed an ordinance to form a new Alamo Plaza Advisory Committee. In December, after months of discussion, with plenty of community input, the council approved a new Master Plan for Alamo Plaza. Next, the city will hire planners to create a blueprint for change.

There has been serious talk of the city leasing Alamo Plaza to the state to further streamline the process, and that might make more state funds available. The land office has already begun raising money for a state-of-the art visitors’ center, and a place to showcase the extraordinary collection of Alamo artifacts British rock legend and Alamophile Phil Collins has donated to Texas.

The new plan incorporates more of the original footprint of the Alamo. And while the Spanish mission will always be most vividly remembered because of the battle, the plan also brings in more of the history of San Antonio itself. The native peoples who settled here, Spanish soldiers and missionaries, Mexicans, Texians, Tejanos and many more immigrant groups played key roles in shaping San Antonio. They’re all part of the story of Alamo Plaza.

Alamo aficionados need not fear that change will detract from the legend that has stirred hearts worldwide. But creating a richer context for visitors to experience

the Alamo is a promising vision. Downtown housing is booming,

HemisFair Park is shaping up, and the Broadway corridor is bustling with residential life. What a great time for Alamo Plaza to re-emerge as a beautiful, and more meaningful, center of downtown. That could help connect the city in new ways.

By all means, showcase the “13 Days to Glory” siege of 1836. But in addition, connect the place more clearly with the original La Villita, the river and the historic Spanish missions on the South Side. Connect it to the reconstructed Main Plaza, where the new sound and light show at San Fernando Cathedral draws people together. Connect it better to the Institute of Texan Cultures. If Alamo Plaza is closed to traffic, as some suggest, expanded parking on downtown’s fringes will also be critical.

For more than a century San Antonio has been recognized as one of the nation’s most enchanting cities, in large part because of the richly diverse cultural mix that bubbled out of years of conflict, transition and cooperation. Let’s hope this time the stage is set for truly memorable change.

Yerkes can be reached at [email protected]

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OUR TURNViews and opinions about your community

The debate over school choice and so-called vouchers rages on in Texas, but the answer seems clear to anyone who wants to give their student a better shot at learning while also being able to afford such an education.

Each year Texans pay thousands in school property taxes, the largest source of

Time has come for school choice

funding for public schools. But if parents desire to send their child to private school, shouldn’t they also be allowed to use some of those monies as vouchers to cover tuition?

Not only is this an equitable policy, the competition would give public schools incentives to perform better.

Vouchers could also allow some parents to move their kids from low-performing public schools to a private school, where they feel their child might receive a better education.

Such an approach opens up private education to poor or working-class families who otherwise couldn’t afford such schooling or are constrained by finances and travel costs.

Not surprisingly, most public school educators have little good to say about school vouchers. Among their arguments not to support such a system are concerns that private schools won’t meet the same state standards and philosophical

Parents or guardians should have a choice about where to send their children to

school and how to pay for it, even if that means using tax dollars earmarked for public education.

OUR TURN continues on pg. 05

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5

-The Local Community News editorial board includes Harry Lees, Gregg Rosenfield and Thomas Edwards.

debates about taxes supporting for-profit educational institutions.

However, key state government officials see the merit in supporting vouchers. During the last session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, then a Republican state senator, sought — and failed — to get approval for a bill that would have paved the way for using public education dollars to pay for private scholarships for students in low-performing schools.

This session, state Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, has sponsored a bill that creates school choice for parents under the Taxpayer Savings Grant. Parents could use the grant to receive up to 60 percent of what the state spends per each student for maintenance and operation, about $5,100 annually, to send their offspring to a campus of their own choosing.

America was built on the freedom to choose. In a democratic society, shouldn’t parents have the right to choose the school they believe is best for their child, without paying extra?

OUR TURN continues from pg. 04

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OUR GUIDE

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Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.

HAPPENING LOCAL

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DANCING EXERCISE Participants will enjoy eight high- and low-impact dance-based cardio-

fitness classes at GFit Studio, 23132 U.S. 281 North, from 9:45-10:30 a.m on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weight training for strength and toning will be incorporated into workouts using popular dance moves such as Latin, jazz and hip-hop choreographed to contemporary musical hits. Cost is $48. For more and to register, call 407-0140 or visit https://communityed.neisd.net.

PLUMBING CLASS Come to Johnson High School, 23203 Bulverde Road, Room

G105, from 6:30-9 p.m. to learn basic plumbing layout, sink installation, toilet repair and more. Cost is $37, but your money won’t go down the drain. For more and to register, call 407-0140 or

visit https://communityed.neisd.net.

CLAIM YOUR LIFE Find out if there’s a part of you working against yourself. Transform

subconscious beliefs into an “exhilarating” source of power. Reagan High School, Room IND 104, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive, will host this class from 7-9 p.m. Cost is $32. For more and to register, call 407-0140 or visit https://communityed.neisd.net.

DONATION AND DUMPING STATION The Stone Oak Property Owners Association

is asking members to donate gently used items and dump large, bulky trash items during this event 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the POA parking lot, 19210 Huebner Road. A vehicle from Arms of Hope will collect the donations, and the city will have a large

truck there to pick up the trash items. For more, visit www.stoneoakpoa.com/.

RAIN-BARREL WORKSHOP The Stone Oak Property Owners Association and the Trinity Glen

Rose Groundwater Conservation District are sponsoring a rain-barrel workshop from 9 a.m. to noon at the POA office, 19210 Huebner Road. The workshop stresses conservation techniques, but attendees are urged to call soon because the last class filled up quickly. Reserve a spot for $25 a barrel by calling Angel Torres at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 467-6575.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY North East Independent School District campuses

are closed for Spring Break.

CALLING ALL ASTRONOMERS The Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., gets

to stay up past its bedtime, 7:30-9 p.m., after the sun goes down and the stars come out. The San Antonio Astronomical Association will present “What’s Out There?” All ages are welcome to look through telescopes and attend this heavenly party. For more, contact Christina Hess at 207-2703 or visit www.mysapl.org.

MILITARY WELCOME American Legion Post 10 holds a breakfast meeting 8-9 a.m. the

second Saturday of every month from September to June, at The Egg & I, 700 E. Sonterra Blvd., Suite 314. All military, active and veterans, as well as spouses and guests, are invited. For more, email Hector Cavazos, post commander at [email protected] or call 325-5627.

SINGLES MIXER Companionship and dinner is on the menu at 7 p.m. every third Tuesday of

the month at Cornerstone Church’s Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway. The evolving ministry, “Singles with Purpose,” is a get-together for adults ages 35-50. Cost is $3. Child care is provided. For more call 490-1600 or visit www.sacornerstone.org.

DEALING WITH ANGER Reagan High School, Room TX 145, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive,

hosts this two-session course from 6:15-9:15 p.m. Learn six proven tools for understanding and managing negative anger emotions with Frank Bonhannan, a certified anger-management specialist. The cost is $50, with a $6 workbook fee

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FIND INNER PEACE Experience the art of living. Find happiness and relieve stress as instructor

Shantanu Tripathy guides you through free meditation sessions at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St., monthly, every third Saturday 1-3 p.m. in Meeting Room A. For more, contact the library staff at 207-2703 or visit www.mysapl.org.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Trustees of the North East Independent School

District regularly meet 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at 8961 Tesoro Drive. The March meeting was moved due to Spring Break.

MAKING MACARONS Learn to bake this meringue treat at Young Chef ’s Academy, 20330

Huebner Road, Suite 110, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Step-by-step instruction will guide you in preparing two different fillings. Cost is $55. For more and to register, call 407-0140 or visit https://communityed.neisd.net.

MEET THE MAYOR San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor will be on hand, 5-6:30 p.m.,

payable to the instructor at the first class. For more and to register, call 407-0140 or visit https://communityed.neisd.net.

PUTTING THE “HEAL” IN “HEALTH” Realize your own healing potential 6:30-7:30

p.m. at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St. Mastering and balancing your body’s energy and keeping it flowing smoothly may result in reducing pain, breathing more easily, sleeping better and gaining vitality. Learn helpful information and practice Spring Forest Qigong exercises in a supportive environment. Practicing in a group helps magnify the energy and healing. No experience necessary. Dress comfortably in nonrestrictive clothes. Exercises can be modified for standing, sitting or lying down. For more, contact the library staff at 207-2703 or visit www.mysapl.org.

CALLING ALL SINGLE SENIORS Are you 50 or over? If so, fellowship, games, fun and lunch

await noon-4 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Cornerstone Church’s Life Center, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway. Cost is $3. Reservations must be made in advance by calling Jeannine Owens at 821-5073.

Night of Artists 2015 ART SALE & EXHIBITION

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2012

at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St. Share your comments, questions or concerns about the city. For more, call Rebeca Baquero at 207-5866 or email [email protected].

TEEN TIME Every Tuesday, 6-7:30 p.m., the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness

Oak St., hosts a potpourri of activities for teenagers, 13-18. Everything from board games to crafting to cooking may be on the potluck agenda. Have fun, chill out and make new friends. For more, call Marisa DeBow at 207-2703 or email [email protected].

SHAPING UP FOR A NEW YOU While the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness

Oak St., is usually a place to exercise your mind, on Mondays, come by Meeting Room B at 10 a.m. and exercise your body. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department offers Fitness in the Park, a year-round, free program. Learn & Burn is a 10-minute health-education class followed by 30 to 40 minutes of exercise. For more, contact the library staff at 207-2703 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/

parksandrec/fitness_in_the_parks.aspx.

JAVA WITH JOE District 9 Councilman Joe Krier meets every Wednesday with the public

at his field office, 16500 San Pedro Ave., Suite 290 (U.S. 281 and Thousand Oaks Drive). Resident appointment hours are 10:30-11 a.m. For more information and to reserve a block of time, email [email protected] or call 207-0955.

PARMAN CHESS CLUB Whether you’re just learning or a grand master, the Parman

Pawn Stars want you. Kids and teens, from kindergartners to high school seniors, are welcome. The chess club meets every Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Parman Branch Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak St. For more, contact the library staff at 207-2703 or visit www.mysapl.org.

NEISD COMMUNITY EDUCATION This spring, the North East Independent

School District is offering a variety of adult and community-education classes, including instruction on home and garden techniques, community choir, culinary arts and financial planning. For more, call 407-0140 and option 3, or visit links through the NEISD

website at www.communityed.neisd.net.

ELSEWHERE IN SAN ANTONIOLACROSSE REGISTRATION Mission Lacrosse Club seeks teams to compete in

its summer league and youths interested in learning the game. The league is open to boys in grades three through 11; those registering before March 15 will receive a $75 discount. For more, including costs, schedules and lessons, visit www.missionlacrosseclub.com.

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

program helps taxpayers, whose incomes totaled $60,000 or less in 2014, prepare and e-file federal tax returns. VITA volunteers will be available at Thousand Oaks Branch Library, 4618 Thousand Oaks Drive, and other locations. For more, visit www.vitasa.org for information on all the services offered, including Express Service and Virtual VITA, and a full list of sites.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to [email protected].

HAPPENING continues from pg. 07

WEEKLY

WEEKLY

WEEKLY

ONGOING

THROUGHAPR 15

WEEKLY

ONGOING

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LOCAL LOWDOWNTake a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.

Open and Opening Soon Address of local business

Name of local business

1. ORANGETHEORY FITNESS, 427 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 106, located in the Sonterra Village shopping center, offers group personal training. Instructors say they have a “scientifically proven” workout guaranteed to produce results for clients, including pushing them into the “orange zone” — or 80 percent of the maximum heart rate to burn calories. Hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For more, call 802-4348 or visit www.orangetheoryfitness.com. (See story on page 30)

2. MODA MIA, 18720 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 152, is the boutique’s second San Antonio location and is found in Stone Oak Plaza. Created by Glenda Alvarez, Moda Mia offers apparel and accessories for the contemporary woman, with modern, bohemian and chic styles. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 10

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3. CHOCOLATEKA, 18720 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 101, opened less than a year ago and is a dessert and snack destination specializing in Belgian chocolate and homemade chamoy, the salty, spicy sauces in Mexican cuisine made from pickled fruit. The eatery serves a wide variety of treats including the Tamarindo Apple, which is chopped and covered with a chamoy recipe and chilitos, and the Choco Berry Cups, incorporating sliced strawberries and a German wafer smothered in Belgian chocolate. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 375-9395. (See story on page 33)

4. VORTEX BAR & GRILL, 26108 Overlook Parkway, debuted not long ago on the corner of Canyon Golf Road. Billed as an “American restaurant and sports bar,” it features food, domestic and bottled beer, wine and the Vortex Punch, as well as 10 flat-screen televisions. Patrons can also head outside to enjoy the outdoor-projection screen. Appetizers include

pulled-pork nachos and Buffalo wings, plus burgers, sandwiches and salads. Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and noon to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more, call 481-9232. (See story on page 32)

IN OTHER NEWSLOCAL DIGNITARIES INCLUDING DISTRICT 9 COUNCILMAN JOE KRIER and representatives from the city’s Transportation & Capital Improvements held a shovel-turning ceremony Jan. 20 for the Hardy Oak Extension Project. The addition to Hardy Oak Boulevard will run from Stone Oak Parkway to Knights Cross Drive. The project entails a shared-use path and sidewalks, plus curbs and driveway approaches. Included, as needed, will be traffic signals and drainage improvements. “This project is about connectivity. We’re bringing people together and creating access that is important to students, churchgoers and other residents of this area,” Krier said. Added Mike Frisbie, city engineer and director of Transportation & Capital Improvements, “When voters approved the 2012 bond, they told us what was important. We look forward to delivering this project on time and within

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 09


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SAN ANTONIO PUBLIC LIBRARY OFFICIALS report the Encino Branch Library, 2515 E. Evans Road, is expected to have a May grand opening. Built in a repurposed restaurant, the library will have a drive-thru window, the first of its kind in the public library system. According to officials, it will allow “busy families, commuters or the mobility impaired to reserve their materials online and then conveniently pick up those items without leaving their vehicles.”

A CITY COUNCIL DELEGATION, INCLUDING DISTRICT 9 COUNCILMAN JOE KRIER, TRAVELED TO WASHINGTON, D.C. in early February to meet with military, transportation and other officials. According to Krier’s statement, “More than ever, the Pentagon is supportive of San Antonio. Based on our Pentagon meetings … I would be surprised if there were any Pentagon recommendations to move or reduce missions in Military City USA.

However, we will need to continue our efforts to make the case for San Antonio.” The councilman also said the new Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center will bring about 350 military and civilian jobs to San Antonio next year, and the delegation “assured military leaders we will be ready for these new residents.” Krier and other council members also held discussions with the federal Department of Transportation. Officials there “reviewed with us how the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grant program works best. It allows the department to invest in roads, rail, transit and port projects.” San Antonio and Bexar County leaders are working to generate “a positive response” from the transportation department so funds from a seventh round of roadway projects will be implemented for the city. In addition, Krier said local officials are coordinating with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, both San Antonio-based Texas Republicans, to secure “funding for a new federal courthouse in San Antonio.”

THE MEN AND WOMEN OF SAN ANTONIO FIRE STATION NO. 46 at 1165 Evans Road received a special visit from

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 10


12 MARCH 2 - MARCH 30, 2015

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe staff who asked firefighters to “be mine” during a Valentine’s Day “Cookie Drop.” The firehouse goodies were a way of saying “thanks to those who give so much to our community,” said a cafe representative.

JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECENTLY CELEBRATED RESPECT WEEK by focusing “on the importance of respecting each other’s culture, race, gender and traditions. Each day had a theme and a designated attire,” according to North East Independent School District officials. Pupils and staff signed a “Resolution of Respect” banner, indicating a willingness to promote safety for everyone on campus. The signature activity was one of three sponsored by the Johnson Unity Club to be recorded with the Anti-Defamation League as the school seeks a “No Place for Hate” designation.

REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS finished first and second in the SkillsUSA organization district Skills Carpentry event Jan. 31. Daniel Ayala won with a 551.50 score and Chaz Chism followed by tabulating 474.50, campus officials reported. Ayala will next vie in the state

competition against 11 others representing different Texas districts. He’ll have six hours to complete the build-off, with the winner advancing to nationals. Reagan hosted the local competition featuring seven contenders who were handed a blueprint for a sawhorse to be built from materials supplied by Lowe’s at Blanco Road and Loop 1604. Once constructed, they tackled a three-sided structure, which included properly framed walls, and openings for both a window and door. “The final portion of the structure consisted of two roof rafters, which the students had to calculate, lay out, cut and then place on the structure,” according to a release.

OUT OF 600 CONTESTANTS, MAKAYLA BONHOMME, a Johnson High School AVID I College Prep student, was named an area finalist for the San Antonio Public Library Foundation’s 2015 Fiction Contest. The entry was based on a story compiled as part of her AVID 1 Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading assignments.

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 11 LAHOOD continues from pg. 01

LaHood has had some ups and downs in his journey to the courthouse, culminating in the Nov. 4 defeat of incumbent Republican Susan Reed. The former state district judge held the top prosecutor spot 16 years.

While seeking justice for crime victims is

New district attorney teaches Bible studyby SUSAN YERKES

Ensconced in a well-appointed office atop the Paul Elizondo Tower of

the Bexar County Courthouse, new District Attorney Nicholas “Nico” LaHood exuded relaxed confidence. Just a week into the job heading one of the county’s most powerful elected positions, the Democrat and far North Side resident was undertaking a host of procedural duties, as well as workplace changes in accommodations and personnel.

LaHood’s main goal, he said there’s another component, one learned from valuable lessons years ago: the power to mend.

“My focus in this job is about an office that functions effectively,” he said. “It’s also about being effective as a community to refocus our efforts on healing people.”

His life reflects a man with many interests. A martial-arts master, LaHood is

close friends with the Spurs’ Tony Parker and Tim Duncan — the latter voicing an election-eve robocall to voters for him. The Bexar County electorate witnessed his trim torso and heavily tattooed arms in anti-LaHood political fliers featuring the politician in a sleeveless undershirt. (He makes no apology for the tats commemorating his Christian faith, children and murdered brother Michael.)

To some, the San Antonio native rocks. To others, he’s still tainted by his arrest at 21 for selling 200 Ecstasy tablets to an undercover officer in 1994. For the record, LaHood wasn’t convicted. State District Judge Sid Harle granted deferred adjudication — a plea deal wiping the slate clean if all conditions set by the court are followed — but in the hurly-burly of Bexar County politics, the issue re-emerged in LaHood’s unsuccessful

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Others want to change the way their mouths look.

NOT SO ‘VEIN’ AFTER ALLDr. Greg Hamon, of The Vein Institute

of San Antonio, 7940 Floyd Curl Drive, said that although many women experience problems with spider or varicose veins after menopause, it can start much younger.

“I’ve seen girls as young as 19 with fairly bad spider veins. Estrogen is a very big venous violator. If they’re on some sort of supplement like birth-control medications, they can tend towards having spider veins,” Hamon said.

The bigger factor is genetics, he added. “If one parent had them, your

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Hamon, who studied at the American College of Phlebology and performed vascular surgery for nine years in California, has used lasers for the past 12 years at The Vein Institute to treat varicose veins. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes it to collapse and seal shut. For spider veins a tiny needle injects a medication that irritates the lining of the vein. In response, the veins collapse and are reabsorbed.

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SKIN continues on pg. 17

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It can never cause a problem again,” Hamon said. But since the function of the veins depends on the health of valves within them, other veins branching off from the treated vein can develop problems.

Hamon said there is no surefire prevention, but the best thing is to stay healthy and, in cases where there is a family history of vein problems, consider “some compression stockings from an early age, especially if you’re on your feet a lot.”

BEYOND THE TOOTH FAIRYHere’s a shocking statistic from the

American Dental Association: About 25 percent of adults 60 and older no longer have any natural teeth. The most common causes of tooth loss are periodontal — or gum — disease and tooth decay (cavities). Because the teeth of older people can decay due to gum recession, they may have new decay at higher rates than children.

The effects of tooth loss are not confined to the mouth. The ADA warns an abnormal bite or missing teeth can lead to other health problems.

Even without tooth loss, smoking, coffee and tea consumption, poor dietary habits and hit-or-miss hygiene can rob smiles of

their sparkle. A number of local dentists offer both surgical and nonsurgical ways to preserve existing teeth, to replace missing teeth and to make smiles more attractive.

Dr. Terry Lee, a dental surgeon with 24 years’ experience, explained some of the procedures available – from surface whitening to implants.

Lee called dental bleaching “a very excellent procedure for people who

want a better, brighter smile – the best smile they can get.” However, before bleaching, the mouth must be healthy. Cavities must be filled, gum problems addressed, and teeth should be professionally cleaned, said Lee, who is with DDS Dentures & Dental Services, 6051 FM 3009, Suite 250 in Schertz.

The in-clinic bleaching procedure takes only 10 to 15 minutes. But Lee said his clinic can also give patients a do-it-yourself kit for use at home. The cost of the in-home treatment is about the same, but saves the patient trips to the clinic for repeat bleaching. (Over-the-counter products are not approved by the ADA – only those prescribed and dispensed by a dentist.) If you smoke, the whitening effect will not last long; smoking stains the teeth, as do many foods and some drinks. Check with your dentist for dietary advice for the days after treatment.

Dental implants are artificial tooth-root replacements that are used as a part of prosthetic dentistry to compensate for tooth loss. Implants can stabilize existing dentures and act nearly like natural teeth.

Lee said the depth of posts for implants depends on how much bone the patient has left in his jaw. Dental implants can help prevent further bone loss and gum

SKIN continues from pg. 15

17

disease and keep the facial structure from collapsing. Implanting is a three-step process in which a metal crown is fitted over the titanium post, and finally covered with a natural-looking ceramic cap.

If the bone has already degraded and there is not enough to support implants, Lee said the procedure is “not impossible but very difficult.” There are bone grafts, he said, but adds that is a much more complicated procedure and more costly.

Lee said it is difficult to say how long implants will last because “implant surgery hasn’t been around that long.”

“We do see some patients lose implants due to lack of proper care. Just because you have implants doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them, because bone is alive.”

Smoking increases the risk that a dental implant will fail to integrate with bone tissue, and also affects gum health.

Although natural teeth can be replaced by dentures, implants, or a combination of both, Lee stressed, “Taking care of your own teeth is probably the best way to go. With the level of dental care we have in the U.S., there’s no reason for a patient not to retain their own teeth for a very long time. Coming to a dental clinic for cleaning and checkups is not easy, but I urge people to check it out. Good preventive measures go a long way.”

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TECH SUPPORTNo longer referred to as nursing

homes, senior-living facilities have changed dramatically. Understanding folks in their twilight years are still active and vibrant, the majority of these establishments now include assisted or independent options, depending on the level of care required. Amenities resemble a summer-camp menu with everything from group outings to on-site gyms, restaurants, coffee shops, hair salons, pools and movie theaters.

Independence Hill, 20450 Huebner Road, offering full-service apartments, garden homes and assisted-living communities, has added technology courses to keep residents happy, healthy and in touch. The computer center is home to classes in social media, email, photo sharing, texting and video chatting.

“We encourage technology use because it’s a big, evolving world and this helps residents stay connected with friends and family members,” said Martha Weld, executive assistant.

Besides tech helping seniors feel hip, it also keeps them hopping. Independence Hill utilizes the Wii gaming system for golf, bowling and other activities the elderly might otherwise be restricted from enjoying due to physical limitations.

“It is important to us and them to stay active,” Weld said. “This way they can participate in a sport they love, just in a different way.”

HOME HEALTH CAREPreviously, recurring ailments

portended ominous scenarios for seniors with endless doctors’ appointments often requiring outside transportation, as well as a seriously diminished quality of life for sufferers of dementia, congestive heart failure or chronic emphysema. A new “high-tech house call” program from WellMed is working to help seniors with persistent illnesses not only manage their condition, but also with minimal disruption to their lives.

Known as palliative care, this service provides the same treatments and procedures received in a clinic such as X-rays, joint injections and more, all from the comfort of residences.

“We turn the home into a mini-urgent care center,” said Dr. Elizabeth Glazier, associate medical director.

Unlike hospice care, which is generally for the terminally ill who have chosen to forgo curative treatment, the goal of palliative care is to prevent exacerbating maladies and hospitalization while

improving the patient’s quality of life.

RETHINKING ‘ONE SIZE FITS ALL’When it comes to diabetes, health care

professionals traditionally have taken a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all standard. According to Dr. Jennifer Argumedo, with Diabetes America, the mindset is changing as it pertains to the elderly.

“The goal now is not ‘strict’ control, but instead we focus on ‘adequate’ control,” she said.

In the past, the target for diabetics was a hemoglobin A1c level of less than 7 percent. The A1c blood test indicates a person’s average blood-sugar level during the past three months. Now the consensus is a slightly elevated level may be OK, depending on the patient.

“We are tailoring diabetic control based on age and pre-existing medical conditions,” Argumedo said.

Several reasons precipitated the retooling. For example, when levels dip too low, the elderly have a greater chance for becoming weak or dizzy, which could result in falls, Argumedo said.

“We don’t want them to fracture a hip or sustain any injury that may decrease their quality of life and their ability to live independently,” she added. “This offers us more flexibility in how we control the illness.”

THE DIGNITY THEY DESERVE“Namaste,” loosely translated, means,

“The spirit in me salutes the spirit in you.” At Arden Courts of San Antonio,

15290 Huebner Road, an assisted-living facility focusing on memory care, the term is embodied through specialized programs and activities designed to honor those in the last stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

This approach to end-of-life care revolves around a sensory experience designed to simultaneously stimulate and relax residents.

During Namaste Care, patients are escorted to a cozy room with a fireplace, positioned comfortably in a recliner and covered with special blankets. A lavender scent and music fill the air as staffers administer hand and foot massages, and facials using cold cream.

When a resident dies, the staff sings hymns and a bell is rung three times to pay homage.

In subsequent weeks, a notebook filled with memories and photos is sent to family members.

“It’s an honor for us to take care of these people, right up until the end,” said marketing director Barbara Conley. “This is our way of honoring their lives and treating them with dignity and care.”

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Immunology

The best way to alleviate misery, according to Dr. Priyanka Gupta of Central Texas Allergy & Asthma, 12414 Toepperwein Road in Live Oak, is to get inoculations prior to allergy season.

“If you know (what you’re allergic to), be proactive and see your doctor ahead of time,” she said.

Hang on to your tissues, though. According to recent research, warming trends will cause blooming periods to

Surviving South Texas allergies nothing to sneeze at

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According to Gupta, a board-certified allergist, one of the most common culprits in San Antonio in the spring is live-oak pollen.

“Live oak is endemic to Central Texas and pollinates through March, April and May. It’s that yellow pollen that covers everything. We have lots of eye complaints, especially during that time,” she said.

Adverse reactions to the dreaded mountain cedar – produced by the pollen from the tree of the same name in the Hill Country – usually afflict sufferers during the

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cooler climates of October to December. When allergy season arrives, there

are many simple preventative measures to help thwart or curtail suffering. Avoid outdoor activity on warm, blustery days because wind lifts dry pollen and scatters it through the air. When it’s cold or damp, pollen counts usually decrease. If you own offending nearby vegetation, consider a replacement. A tree in your own yard could expose you to 10 times more pollen than one down the street.

Keep windows closed at home, as well as during drives; use a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter; don’t hang laundry to dry outside; and remember, since pets can carry pollen on their fur, don’t allow animals who spend time outdoors into your bedroom.

If your year-round allergies escalate in damp weather, most likely mold is the culprit. Unlike pollens, molds live beyond the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become dormant during the winter while the indoor fungi thrive in damp areas.

Wage war on mold fungi with vigilance. Keep areas where moisture is commonplace – such as kitchens, bathrooms and basements – as dry as possible. Use air conditioning instead of attic fans, change filters often and

wear a dust mask if working outdoors. There are over-the-counter treatments

to ease pollen/hay fever and mold allergy symptoms. Some of the most popular choices include nasal corticosteroids such as Omnaris, Flonase and Nasonex and antihistamines including Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec. Common nonprescription decongestants include Sudafed or nasal sprays like Afrin.

For moderate and severe allergic suffering, doctors may prescribe corticosteroid nasal sprays or recommend immunotherapy with a board-certified allergist. Immunotherapy allergy shots – which desensitize a person to the allergic substance, thereby reducing symptoms – are stronger and much more effective.

An allergist/immunologist is a physician specially trained to diagnose, treat and manage allergies, asthma and immunologic disorders. Look for an allergist who is certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

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Tuesday is the newFriday! When you’re headed downtown to enjoy a night out with family and friends, the option of FREE park-ing makes it easier to explore all downtown has to offer. A variety of restaurants, cool bars, inviting mu-seums, eclectic food trucks, unique events and more await discovery in the center city. Downtown Tuesday is an ini-tiative of the City of San Antonio that provides free parking at all City-operated parking garages, lots, and meters every Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. It was launched three years ago to encourage San Antonio residents to experience the vibrancy of our urban core. The popularity and excite-ment surrounding the program is growing by the week. More than 70 downtown partners, including restaurants, museums, hotels and food trucks, offer Tuesday-only spe-cials. A list of participating facilities offering FREE parking, as well as a list of partners offering Tuesday-on-ly specials, can be found at www.DowntownTuesday.com. This month, Downtown Tuesday will celebrate its third anniversary with a “Be-Cause” event, which benefits The United Way of San Antonio. Be-Cause events highlight what makes downtown San Anto-nio unique, including the arts, live music, food and drink, and more. Previous Be-Cause events have featured a live music bash, a River Walk bar scavenger hunt, a tour of the Tobin Center before it opened to the public, and a progressive din-ner along the River Walk. The next Be-Cause will be March 10th…look for details on our website or social media pages! Keep up with specials and events at www.DowntownTuesday.com, and get social with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Downtown Tues-day, on Twitter @DowntownTues-day and on Instagram at Instagram.com/DowntownTuesday.

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he switched to lawyer — like dad. Athletic and outgoing, he abandoned

football after becoming intrigued by martial arts, which he still practices faithfully. Some friends credit the rigorous self-control and Zen nature of the discipline with helping LaHood channel his drives.

LaHood’s natural energy is bolstered by years of healthy living. He doesn’t drink and claims despite his youthful flirtation with selling drugs, he never partook. His workouts include CrossFit, light sparring and Muay Thai, a martial-art form known for incorporating fists, elbows, knees and shins. In 2013, he bought Ballistic CrossFit, but now trains primarily at home where half the garage is outfitted as a gym. His diet is Spartan.

“I don’t know anybody as health-conscious about food,” said longtime friend Russell Reyes, who owns Perico’s Mexican Restaurants. “I kid him that he’s way too healthy, that all he ever eats is grilled chicken and avocados. I think it all kind of roots back to his self-discipline.”

Reyes, like many of LaHood’s closest personal acquaintances, is also a congregant at Summit Christian Center on the far North Side. LaHood began attending services there about a decade ago. Today, he

describes himself as a former “functional angerholic.” His rage derived partly from his elder brother’s 1996 slaying by carjackers in the family’s front yard.

“About 10 years ago, I hit a plateau in my faith. I wanted to get right before I got married and had kids, so I really pressed in hard. I went to a lot of churches, but Summit was all about faith and not at all about politics,” LaHood said.

Sandy Ross, LaHood’s first cousin, has been the Woman’s Ministry pastor at Summit for nearly three decades. Twenty years LaHood’s senior, she’s known him since birth.

“He was the funniest little kid! I used to baby-sit him all the time. He was really sweet and made us laugh all the time. He had a lot of energy, a lot of life,” Ross said. “He also has a lot of faith. He has become a man of very strong convictions, and he honestly lives what he talks. He teaches a Bible study every Tuesday morning, and he reaches out to a lot of young men to help build them up.”

In addition, LaHood serves as a facilitator for his friend Jorge Araujo’s Christian Apologetic study group at Summit every Thursday evening. Their pastor introduced the two in 2010, when LaHood and his wife Davida sought a

22 MARCH 2 - MARCH 30, 2015


LAHOOD continues on pg. 23


builder for their new home on 10 acres of unspoiled land in far north Bexar County.

“Nico takes his faith very seriously and I do, too,” Araujo said. “It’s had a very positive impact on both our families, but he is also very funny and thinks so quickly when he needs to lighten the mood; and he and Davida and his kids have such a great relationship. He is so considerate of her; he wants to do whatever he can to help her. I always joke that he assumes the role of servant in his home.”

Careful with his choice, LaHood married Davida Gil in 2006.

“I wasn’t looking for a party girl. I wanted to meet someone humble and easygoing who could share my life,” he said. “A friend of mine worked with Davi — she was a salsa dance instructor and did taekwondo. She was perfect.”

Gil, who was raised in Mexico and moved to San Antonio with family, still teaches a few dance classes, but her current primary role is full-time mom to the couple's three children: Maya, Michael and Leah.

Last year, while LaHood was thick into his second hard-fought battle for district attorney, Michael, the couple’s middle child, was diagnosed with autism.

“We knew it was coming. He was not verbal yet at 4 1/2. Last December he said

his first word — ‘Mama’ — and Davi cried for joy all night long,” LaHood said. “That added a lot of anxiety, but we’re very grateful. Dealing with his condition has taught us so much. I tell my kids I love them with ‘just-because love,’ with no strings attached.”

He wants his kids to achieve their principles, he said — a lesson he remembers from the night his father picked him up from jail more than 20 years ago.

“I will never forget my Pops sitting in his chair and telling me that it takes years to build up a good reputation — and minutes to mess it up,” he said. “We live in a culture that says ‘live for the moment.’ That’s crappy advice. It’s so important to live by your values, to remember your identity. Substance abuse, drug abuse, promiscuity, people-pleasing … those are all masking something deeper.”


Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas 'Nico' LaHood is still settling into his office, including stocking shelves with mementos of his legal career, family and faith. Photo by Rudy B. Ornelas

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PLAN continues from pg. 01

The comprehensive plan will help strategize overall expansion through 2040, a road not taken in San Antonio since the Master Plan of 1978, said John Dugan, the director of the city’s Department of Planning and Community Development.

“There was an update in certain areas in 1998,” he said, “but now we’re looking at the entirety. Plus, we’re doing a transportation plan, a sustainability plan and a big water-risk plan ... as part of the comprehensive plan to feed into it those other values — air quality, water quality, things to do with resilience in terms of adapting to disasters and hurricanes and things like that.”

The analysis springs from SA2020, a shared community snapshot for Alamo City improvements this decade, produced by a series of public forums in 2010.

“SA2020 is the vision of a great city, a world-class city that’s walkable, has great transportation, great neighborhoods, smart growth, infill development,” Dugan said. “The (comprehensive) plan is the blueprint for turning the built environment part of that vision into reality.”

The plan should be completed in early 2016. Dugan said input is sought from 26 municipalities in Bexar County, plus those in adjacent counties.

Handling growth will be essential to the proposal. Studies predict almost twice today’s population — currently 1.4 million, according to federal figures — in the greater metro area by 2040, officials said.

“We’re looking at how to distribute that new 1 1/2 million people, half a million new housing units, and half a million new jobs in a way that reduces traffic congestion, or at least doesn’t make it worse,” Dugan said.

One theme is mixed-use development, which would provide housing closer to work and lessen commutes, he said.

“Where we have a lot of jobs now with no housing, we need to look at bringing housing in. That’s the case for almost all of our major growth centers,” Dugan added.

Those include the South Texas

City’s population could double by 2040, experts sayby EILEEN PACE

The City Council Comprehensive Plan Committee’s outline for

San Antonio’s growth during the next 25 years could have sweeping implications for the far North Side.

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Medical Center, the University of Texas at San Antonio and San Antonio International Airport, he said.

Appointed by the council, the committee began meeting last summer, chaired by District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg. It developed an advisory group comprised of 50 to 60 local-organizations representatives to tackle core issues including transportation, housing, green and healthy neighborhoods, historic preservation, military and environment.

FAR NORTH SIDE GROWTHAs officials examine the city’s

northern reaches, annexation is sure to be central to discussions.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has lobbied for it on a large scale, but San Antonio District 9 Councilman Joe Krier, a committee member, wants annexation to be done in a measured fashion.

“I am philosophically in favor of periodic annexation,” said Krier, whose district takes in big swaths north of Loop 1604 to the city limits.

Krier is concerned the current annexation proposal would add an estimated 200,000 residents, making San Antonio the fifth-largest U.S. metropolis.

“The first question is whether we are providing sufficient basic services such as police and fire, streets and drainage, parks and libraries to the people who already live in District 9,” he said. “Secondly, if we’re going to expand northward, how can we be sure that we will be able to provide the new areas with the services they will be entitled to within three years of being annexed as state law requires?”

The city’s chief planner said San Antonio is weighing options.

“The state law has changed,” Dugan said. “Not only do we have to go through more careful procedures to annex, but we have to budget for providing those services. Services in the newly annexed areas have to be equal to, or exceed, public safety in areas already situated.”

Krier anticipates the planning department to return numerous proposals for public hearings in 2015, and work toward limited annexation by year’s end.

TRANSPORTATIONAnother key planning component

is transit, Krier said. District 9 constituents responding

to recent surveys have increasingly expressed needs for buses, he added.

“In District 9, practically everybody owns a car — most own more than one,” Krier said.

“My sense is the reason interest has gone up in bus service in recent years is that as the baby boom gets older, they can see the day when they’re not going to be driving those cars to the doctor or downtown or the grocery store.”

The concern is bigger than it was 10 or 15 years ago, he added.

VIA Metropolitan Transit is building a park-and-ride terminal at U.S. 281 and Stone Oak Parkway.

WATER AND SUSTAINABILITYThe plan’s environmental

recommendations will look at green space, river corridors, pedestrian and non-vehicular access, and building on the city’s current trail system.

Krier believes there’s support for most environmental efforts providing they’re cost-effective and residents retain freedom of choice.

As for wading in on the area’s future water supply, this issue surfaces in nearly every sustainability discussion, the councilman added.

Krier said the renewal of the aquifer-protection and linear-parks sales tax would include $10 million for, among other things, demonstration projects improving water quality and managing stormwater runoff in areas of new development.

“One of those is a proposal from

a locally based company that thinks you can put miniature aquifers under houses, under shopping centers, under roads in a cost-effective way,” he said.

“What they propose is really a neat idea. If you’re going to build a new house, before you put a slab down, you would dig down and fill a pit with gravel, then, add the foundation slab on top. Then, you’ll put pipes in that will channel rainwater and runoff into the gravel. Then, a pump would pull the water out when you want to water your yard,” Krier added.

MILITARYWith so many military and retired

veterans in San Antonio, Dugan said the city should ensure local installations remain vibrant. Thus, the city and county are participating in a Joint Land Use Study with Randolph Air Force Base and have completed others.

He said agreements with those institutions are fairly straightforward, and the far North Side has already seen one.

“Camp Bullis did one a couple of years ago,” Dugan said. “We want to be sure to continue those operations and the planning we do will continue to enhance and support and protect those bases.”

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INSURANCE continues from pg. 01

Appraised by the New Jersey-based Insurance Services Office Inc., the department was reviewed last July by an ISO inspector. The firefighters learned in January the department received a score of three on a scale of one to 10, with one as the best. Previously, the department merited a four.

The figure is important because property/homeowner insurance companies use ratings as a major factor to determine premiums, based on a department’s ability to react to fires and other emergencies.

“Many factors contributed to the

improved score as we saw higher marks in most every major category measured,” said Fire Chief Jerry Bialick. “These included increased manpower, a new fire station since the last survey, additional vehicles and equipment, improved training, better record-keeping and water-supply access.”

The inspection included a comprehensive review of the department’s equipment and personnel.

“The ISO is a nationwide insurance rating service,” said Ken Jarvis, the department’s public information officer.

“All fire departments are rated and the departments don’t have a say in it. … Now, we have moved up to a three out of 10.”

The ISO is funded by insurance companies and performs several functions including evaluating and ranking U.S. fire departments and monitoring responses to structure fires and first-responder calls. Its records indicate of the 49,080 departments evaluated in 2014, only about 7 percent earned a three rating or better.

“Our score finished only a few points from a two, and puts us in a category

not easily achieved,” Bialick said. “The rating is an indicator to those we serve that we have strived, and will continue to strive, to improve our services for their protection. The ISO inspection provides a good, independent snapshot of a fire-department’s capabilities.”

Which is good news for residents.“For the property owners in our

district, those that previously had their property rated as a four are now rated three, and they should expect lower property insurance premiums as a result,” said the fire chief. “They should contact their carrier and inform them of the new score for that consideration. This new rate goes into effect on March 1.”

The chief said the department is always seeking to improve services and firefighters want an even better ISO rating next year, which is one reason the department purchased a custom-built 2014 SVI Heavy Rescue vehicle from Fort Collins, Colorado.

The price tag is about $600,000, with additional on-board equipment estimated at $150,000. Officials said this is the only Heavy Rescue vehicle designated for a county fire department; San Antonio has two.

New rate goes into effect March 1by BAIN SERNA

Homeowners in far north Bexar County could see lower insurance rates

after March 1 now that the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department has achieved an improved score for response times and service.

INSURANCE continues on pg. 27

A new rating earned by the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department could mean lower insurance premiums for property owners. The department wants to do even better next year, and purchased this 2014 SVI Heavy Rescue vehicle to improve services. Photo by Rudy B. Ornelas

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The new fire truck is fitted with advanced tools for structure fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous-materials emergencies, as well as trench, cave, swift-water and high-angle rescues.

Some of the equipment includes hydraulic machinery known as the Jaws of Life, refill air tanks, an inflatable boat, climbing and swift-water gear, plus power and hand tools. The vehicle can transport a six-man crew,

and sports an on-board command center with elevated scene lighting.

“It is to be used to support the demands of the growing population of our district and will also assist other volunteer fire departments in the county,“ Bialick said. “Its main purpose is to provide a higher level of technical capability to more serious incidents that require such specialization to resolve. We already have a technical rescue team in place and they will lead the training efforts for the new vehicle.”

The Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department's new 2014 SVI Heavy Rescue vehicle is outfitted with the latest lifesaving tools, including swift-water gear. Photo by Rudy B. Ornelas

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WRITE continues from pg. 01

“When he touched my hand, it sent sparkles up my arm,” Evelyn Tilley said.

Honor-society student Alanis Quintero smiled and ate up Tilley’s every word.

Quintero and fellow society members interviewed Tilley and other residents at Franklin Park Sonterra, an assisted-living facility, so the club could create and frame one-page narratives given to the seniors as keepsakes.

The project is one of many community initiatives the students have undertaken

during the short existence of the group, created halfway through the first semester of the current school year.

The society’s prologue started with pupil Taylor Cantu, who expressed to English teacher Gabe Oviedo that students at Johnson interested in literature and grammar had no club to call their own. The educator then took steps to organize the group.

To many young people today, communication is “140 characters on

Twitter or something on Facebook,” Oviedo said, adding he wanted to help promote a deeper understanding of literacy.

“The art of reading and writing is important and I think that’s what all these kids recognize,” he said.

Sigma Tau Delta, an international collegiate honor society for English students, agreed to grant a charter to the high school chapter — the first in the North East Independent School

District, according to officials. Oviedo and fellow English teacher

Megan Stokes became co-sponsors.Students run the society. Leadership

includes an elected president and vice president, as well as various chairmen. Some members described themselves as self-proclaimed “English nerds” who want to help the community come together through writing and reading.

Stokes said seeing adolescents engaged and passionate about a cause make them a “powerful force,” especially since they do so much on their own.

“Honestly, in this society in which we highlight the negativity of teenagers, to see such positivity in a group wanting to enact change, desiring that change ... it’s remarkable, it’s fulfilling,” Stokes said.

Another society service project is reading to younger students at nearby elementary schools.

President Claudia Serrano said it is very rewarding to read fairy tales and storybooks to the children.

“I find that a lot of parents aren’t sitting down with their kids every night and reading with them anymore,” Serrano said. “We’re in a new technological age, and it’s this one-on-one experience

Several community projects planned by society membersby COLLETTE ORQUIZ

Wide-eyed and scribbling down notes, members of the English Honor

Society at Johnson High School recently listened to a senior citizen describe the first encounter with her soon-to-be husband.

WRITE continues on pg. 29

Alanis Quintero (left), a member of the English Honor Society at Johnson High School, interviews Evelyn Tilley, a resident at Franklin Park Sonterra. Quintero is writing a one-page narrative so she can give it to Tilley or her family. Members of the society have undertaken a number of community-service projects. Photo by Collette Orquiz.

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WRITE continues from pg. 28

with kids that we’ve got to have.”Another proposal involves a book and

blanket drive, with donations benefiting hospitalized children or an orphanage.

“You put a book in a blanket and give them as a gift to just lift spirits through English,” said Cantu, the vice president.

The group holds a general membership meeting once a month, with officers conferring every two weeks.

Bennet Blevins, the academic chair, said it’s not hard to be passionate about English.

“There’s not a singularity to it, there’s no one right answer. It’s all interpretation, that’s what makes it fun and you’re able to express yourself through it,” Blevins said.

One of the society’s goals is to show children the subject of English doesn’t have to become “more monotonous and more boring” as they progress through school, said member Lindsay Willson.

The honors group is embarking on a project to create $500 grants for early literacy programs at NEISD elementary schools. Oviedo said the students are targeting campuses with an increased need for reading, writing and phonetics instruction.

Sheila Richards, an academic dean at Johnson, praised the club for volunteering. She said the society wouldn’t

IN THIS SOCIETY IN WHICH WE HIGHLIGHT THE NEGATIVITY OF TEENAGERS, TO SEE SUCH POSITIVITY IN A GROUP WANTING TO ENACT CHANGE, DESIRING THAT

CHANGE ... IT’S REMARKABLE, IT’S FULFILLING.MEGAN STOKES, ENGLISH TEACHER

be possible without Oviedo’s guidance.“He’s modest, but he’s

fabulous,” Richards said.Members must be juniors or seniors

in high academic standing in English, and required to attend a number of meetings and participate in activities.

They pay a one-time $20 fee to the national organization, and $10 each year to the local chapter. Dues help fund scholarships, grants and community-service events.

Someday, members hope their organization has the same name recognition as longstanding groups

such as the National Honor Society.“We have this big inventory of ideas

that we haven’t even executed yet, and it only has greater potential after this

first year,” said Armand Chavez, the senior-community service chairman.

For more information, email [email protected].

Members and sponsors of Johnson High School’s recently organized English Honor Society gathered Jan. 29 at Franklin Park Sonterra to collect stories from residents as part of living-history mementos. Milton 'Sunny' Lee (photo, left) discussed her experiences with the students, as did Bill Levin (photo, right). Photos by Collette Orquiz

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the intended effectiveness for 12-15 minutes. The enduring EPOC phenomenon promotes post-workout caloric combustion, which can last up to 36 hours, Ramon said.

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The facility offers group personal training, with clients attached to heart monitors to ensure reaching peak rewards.

It is located in the heart of Stone Oak in the Sonterra Village shopping center.

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MODA MIA18720 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 152

For more, call 494-2557 or visit www.shopmodamia.com

Beginning online in 2008, owner Glenda Alvarez the following year debuted a brick-and-mortar outlet at 6449 Blanco Road. A change of scenery in early 2014 brought the owner to Alon Town Centre, 10003 N.W. Military Highway, Suite 2113.

Now, Alvarez has christened a second shop for far North Side residents. The new store, opened this past December, is located in Stone Oak Plaza, at 18720

Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 152.“We’re very excited that we can

serve the community in any aspect that we can,” Alvarez said.

Moda Mia sells apparel and accessories for the contemporary woman, with modern, bohemian and chic styles.

“We do offer great prices and it’s all the latest trends,” the store’s creator said.

A Houston native, Alvarez lived 12 years in Mexico and returned to the United States at age 21 to teach. She later decided to change careers.

Inspired by her mother’s boutique, Alvarez opened one of her own.

A mother of two girls, Alvarez said she thinks like a customer in regards to pricing,

Moda Mia debuts second location in Stone Oak

Fun prints, vibrant colors and the latest trends from the runways of New York

City and Los Angeles line the shelves and racks at Moda Mia, a fashion boutique that recently opened a second store in Stone Oak.

understanding family budgets can be tight. Her goal is to help patrons find

whatever they need, whether it’s matching colors to suit a person’s appearance or finding the right size and style.

“We don’t want it to be like when you go to the mall, you’re just another person,” Alvarez said. “We want it to be where you can get help and find what fits you best.”

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Moda Mia, which has opened a second location in Stone Oak, is stocked with trendy apparel and accessories for the contemporary woman. Photos by Collette Orquiz

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For more, call 481-9232

The owners of Vortex Bar & Grill had a single goal in mind when they opened their business: create an old-fashioned, neighborhood-style watering hole where every patron instantly felt like a regular.

The sports bar came on tap last year at 26108 Overlook Parkway. Since that time, the owners say they have achieved their objective.

“We aim to be everyone’s neighborhood sports bar,” said Michael Culver, one of Vortex’s owners. “We’ve got great (Buffalo) wings and burgers and sliders and sandwiches. We just wanted to be a place people can come and relax and get a good bite to eat.”

With 10 flat-screen televisions at Vortex, sports fans are sure to be pleased. There’s also a projection screen outside

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on the patio to watch the action. “We also have a good selection

of domestic and imported beers to choose from and a good wine menu,” Culver said. “One thing that is pretty popular on our menu is our Vortex Punch. It’s pretty good punch that’s a version of a Long Island iced tea.”

Vortex also features regular live music performances (contact them for dates and times) and live trivia contests on Wednesdays. According to Culver, it is the atmosphere, menu and amenities that have gone a long way towards making Vortex a place everyone wants to come.

“From the beginning we wanted to make our place everyone’s favorite, friendly neighborhood bar,” Culver said. “Everybody knows everybody here. It’s kind of like S.A.’s version of ‘Cheers.’”

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CHOCOLATEKA18720 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 101

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“We import all of our chocolate from Belgium. It costs a little more, but it’s top quality and it tastes better,” said Luis Tena Guerra Jr., 25, who operates the family-owned business with two older sisters.

Other treats on the menu include chamoy — the salty, spicy sauces in Mexican cuisine made from pickled fruit — and Takis, the lime and chili-pepper flavored mini-corn tortilla snacks in the trademark purplish bag.

Hard to miss are the 5-foot tall chocolate fountains towering over the serving counters.

Dishing up sweet treats in Stone Oak

It’s all about the chocolate — and more — at Chocolateka, a family-run snack and dessert

shop now open at 18720 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 101.

The company started in Monterrey, Mexico, with two stores and branched out to Laredo. Then, Guerra moved to San Antonio to run the store in Stone Oak Plaza, which opened last May.

“Our best store in Monterrey was in a mall, near a booth that sold cellphones. When they relocated to another part of the mall, the traffic patterns changed and the sales dropped in half,” Guerra said. “That was also a factor in us closing down the Monterrey operation. After we closed those two shops, we opened two in Laredo in 2007 and this one is the third one, although we are about to open another one in Laredo.”

With six employees, the 1,700-square-foot San Antonio store can seat up to 55.

“My sisters and I have a five-year plan

to open a total of five locations in San Antonio and one in Austin,” Guerra said.

“Our best sellers are the Tamarindo Apple, which we serve chopped-up and covered with our homemade chamoy recipe and chilitos,” Guerra added. “Also, our Choco Berry Cups are big movers.”

The cups include sliced strawberries and a German wafer covered with Belgian chocolate. The store also offers catering.

Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

From the Choco Berry Cups (far left) to chocolate-covered apples and chamoy, Chocolateka hopes to tantalize taste buds with a variety of snacks and desserts. Photos by Collette Orquiz

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The properties are new listings put on the market from early January 2015. The properties may no longer be on the market by publication date or prices may have changed. Local Community News assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

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