Volume 7, Issue 01: July 2014
+
Creating World-Class Productions Right Here in Boerne
Vac ation: it’s a family affair the shabby bus loc al news & info
Celebrating YEARS
7
of BBM
The Fastest Internet Speeds Customized Phone Plans 24/7 Security Monitoring Crystal Clear Cable TV Fiber for Future Growth
I developed a killer business plan. GVTC designed the communications plan that’s
making it soar.
Effective communication tools are no longer a “one size fits all” service. Lightning fast Internet speeds, flexible voice plans, and future-ready fiber-optic technology are just the beginning. In fact, GVTC is rolling out lots of great ideas to help empower your business. Give your company a customized solution that fits your needs. We’re always innovating and introducing businesscritical ideas to help keep your company ahead of the game.
1 ( 8 0 0 ) - F O R - G V T C
G V T C . C O M
TM
PERSONAL SERVICE AVAILABLE IN HANDSHAKES AND HANDHELDS. With the Frost App for iPhone速 and AndroidTM you can deposit checks, transfer funds, find nearby locations and talk to a real person at the bank with a single tap.
frostbank.com Boerne Financial Center 1300 South Main Street Boerne, Texas 78006 (830) 249-6633 MEMBER FDIC
boernebusinessmonthly.com
3
publisher lAuREN TuTTlE STuMBERG director of sales & marketing RuSTy MEADOR art direction DISTINCT MEDIA, llC distribution manager DAVE WIlD for more information 210.219.6735 107 SHOOTING CluB RD. BOERNE, TEXAS 78006 lAuREN@DISTINCT-GRAPHICS.COM WWW.BOERNEBuSINESSMONTHly.COM
advisory council PHIllIP BEll Commercial Realtor, Phillip Bell & Assoc., llC BETH COylE President/CEO, Coyle•SDA MATT DIANA CEO, Covenant Services RONNIE E. HuIE Huie Financial Services MIKE lANG Owner & Escrow Officer, Kendall County Abstract Company STEVE MACK CEO, Texas Heritage Bank DAN ROGERS President/CEO, Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation CAROl SCHulTZ Realtor, loneStar Properties RON WARDEN Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Boerne Business Monthly is published by Distinct Media, LLC, copyright 2014. Reproduction is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Boerne Business Monthly are those of the writers or sources and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute the endorsement of products or services herein. Although the information and recomendations in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, Boerne Business Monthly makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information and recommendations.
publisher's note
T
this issue marks the beginning of boerne business monthly’s 7th year! i guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. in these seven years we’ve had the privilege to showcase some of boerne’s finest businesses. it’s hard to believe that with 73 issues under our belt we’ve only just begun to share with you all of the great local businesses that make up boerne’s thriving business community. i am always amazed at the types of businesses we have right here
at our fingertips. take for example this month’s cover feature, sro associates, inc. this unique businesses tucked away in the hills just outside of boerne is responsible for some really impressive creative displays. turn to page 14 to learn all about them and some of their projects which include the recreation of big tex for the state fair of texas and numerous displays for theme parks across the country. also in this issue we feature the shabby bus. turn to page 12 to see where they can take you and your friends. thanks, boerne for a great seven years! as always, if you know of a local business that should be showcased in bbm i want to know all about it. email me at lauren@distinct-graphics.com.
Lauren T. St umberg Publisher
facebook.com/boernebusinessmonthly
STRENGTH. INNOVATION. SERVICE.
• The Hill Country’s premiere mortgage company • A wide variety of loan programs and offerings to custom fit your needs • Unmatched service from our loan professionals
31134 Interstate Highway 10 West – Boerne, Texas 78006
www.SonoraMortgage.com For more information, contact the professionals at Sonora Mortgage today.
Member FDIC
Lance Lemoine NMLS# 259781
(830) 755-4635
DeAnna Huff NMLS# 460533
boernebusinessmonthly.com
5
July 2014
26 14
30
14
contents 08: from the mayor 10: planning
Vacation: a family affair provided by ronnie huie
12: feature
the shabby bus
by lauren stumberg
13: calendar 14: cover feature sro associates:
creating world-class Productions right here in boerne by lauren stumberg
12 - Betty Houston and Gabriel Delgado
18: newsworthy 20: wellbeing
Posture: the window to your health by michael a. garcia, d.c.
22: investing
are alternative investments for me?
by gregory V. dunn & delores f. wheless
24: career
executive Job search strategies by mary elizabeth bradford
your SPACE 26: outdoors
make your small yard feel bigger
29: conserve
energy-saving tips for summertime
30: art
mooney makes sense: local history
ON THE COVER: SRO ASSOCIATES, INC. STORy ARTISANS POSE WITH ONE OF BIG TEX’S OVERSIZED BOOTS
MRI NOW $
390
EVERYDAY AND ANY BODY PART. INCLUDES RADIOLOGIST’S INTERPRETATION! MRI’S are read by 14 boardcertified radiologists with specialties in Musculoskeletal, Neuroradiology, Body Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Interventional Radiology.
MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCE ACCEPTED!
830-816-5518
www.mrinowtx.com 128 W. Bandera Road, Suite 4 | Boerne
Accounting for Your Success At Akin, Doherty, Klein & Feuge, we do everything in our power to assist you with your business and personal accounting, tax and financial needs. Akin, Doherty, Klein, & Feuge, personally Serving our clients Since 1991.
830.815.1100 ■ www.adkf.com 507 E. Blanco, Suite 101 ■ Boerne, Texas 78006 8610 North New Braunfels, Suite 101 ■ San Antonio, Texas 78217 672 Ridge Hill Dr., Suite A ■ New Braunfels, Texas 78130
PRoVIDING QUALITY REAL ESTATE SERVICES FoR GENERATIoNS... The Houser family has been building, developing and selling Real Estate for three generations. We are long time Boerne residents and love buying, selling and building in the Hill Country. You can count on knowledgeable hometown service when you work with us. Baron W. Houser (210) 313-7677
www.stonehousebuilder.com
Barrett Houser, Realtor® (210) 364-6184 barrett.houser@gmail.com BarrettHouserRealEstate.com
ASK US ABOUT OUR NEW COMMUNITY!
Selling residential, luxury, and farm and ranch properties.
boernebusinessmonthly.com
7
from the mayor
BOERNE
is On the Move
B
Boerne is indeed on the move when it comes to growth; we can’t stop it, but we can manage it. We hear about other cities in Texas that failed to plan and now have tremendous challenges. I believe we can prevent those growth nightmares by being proactive and following an economic development plan that helps everyone win. Our destination school district, our quality of life – we have worked hard to create and preserve what we have here. So naturally others want to join us. The City and County relationship is better than ever; our relationship with TXDOT and now the Alamo Area MPO is getting stronger; and our relationships with the Boerne Chamber of Commerce and the Boerne Kendall County EDC continue to be effective. Many times I hear that our economic development efforts are only about generating more money for local government. As I have said before, nothing could be further from the truth. Boerne is the prosperous hill country community that it is because of economic development strategies and business initiatives that have been implemented throughout the last 150 years. Economic prosperity is directly tied to jobs, schools, businesses, and people. Sound economic development strategies and their successful implementation will keep Boerne prosperous long after most of us are gone. In reality what we do now is for the benefit of our children and grandchildren. We must continue working collaboratively to direct our growth plan with special focus on protecting our downtown business sector, while adding services that keep our tax dollars here in Kendall County. We must expand our perspective, because we will have more neighbors, more schools, and more places to shop in our future. I know that a big, big concern is traffic, which is why you are hearing more and more about plans to improve several of our roadways – and of course you can see some of that work already on Herff Road. More details on that subject in a future column. The city’s budget process for next year is underway. Your Boerne city council representatives and city staff are committed to ensuring that your tax dollars are used wisely so we can keep moving forward as a strong and vibrant community. We welcome your input, and as a reminder, you have the opportunity to stay informed about this and other city government issues by attending the Boerne City Council meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6pm. I want to share with you some great news - the city of Boerne has received the Texas Comptroller Leadership Circle Award for the fourth consecutive year, and at the platinum level this time, for actions that meet the highest standards for financial transparency online. The Boerne city council members and the city staff are completely committed to providing appropriate and accessible information online that goes beyond the state requirements. We post the city’s budget, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the city’s check register so you can see how your tax dollars are being spent to provide the services you expect. Transparency should not be confused with sharing confidential information however. We must be sensitive to the protection of information deemed confidential by law. Last time in this column I described the construction work being done at Veterans Park. City staff tells me the project is on schedule with a ceremony and rededication planned for Veterans Day in November. A few weeks ago, the Parks and Recreation
8
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
Department began selling commemorative brick pavers to create a Walk of Honor at the park. Personalized pavers can be purchased through the department as a permanent way of recognizing the veterans, reservists, and active duty military personnel whose service is valued in our community. You can stop by the Parks Office at 1017 Adler Road, Monday through Friday between 8 and 5, or place your order directly through the city’s secure website at www.boerne-tx.gov/bricks. Brick options include 4” x 8” bricks and 8” x 8” bricks and either size can be inscribed with a name and military insignia. In other great news - have you heard that the Boerne Animal Shelter now has a Facebook page? The staff is doing an excellent job of posting those adorable pictures, and I am told that our shelter is seeing an increase in pet adoptions. The animal shelter, located on Esser Road, is always grateful for contributions of pet food and supplies, as well as volunteers who can spend time playing with the animals. You may, or may not, have heard that our daughter Meghan, her husband Jason, and our granddaughter Mattie Jo have recently relocated from Colorado to Boerne. Carol and I are so very blessed to be able to spend more time with them now. Thank you Lauren, and the entire Boerne Business Monthly team, for all you do for Boerne, and especially for giving me this chance to share my thoughts.
- Mayor Mike
Your passion fuels your success. And we’re as dedicated to you as you are to your business. MassMutual will listen to your needs, seek solutions to your financial
WHAT DRIVES YOU
challenges and help you plan for what’s ahead.
IS WHAT DRIVES US. Ronnie Huie, CFBS Financial Services Professional MassMutual South Texas 412 River Road Suite 102 Boerne, TX 78006 830-249-0206 rhuie@financialguide.com
BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING + RETIREMENT/401(K) PLAN SERVICES KEY EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND EXECUTIVE BENEFITS PRODUCTS
MassMutual Financial Group refers to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual), its affiliated companies and sales representatives. Local sales agencies are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies. CRN201410-165836
boernebusinessmonthly.com
9
planning
Vacation: It's a Family Affair
S
provided by ronnie huie
Say "summer" and most people think "vacation." The reality is that most adults work year-round, and some seasonal workers may even be busier in the summer than during other seasons. Children of working parents may continue to have schedules just as structured as school—even if it's called "camp"—to accommodate their parents' long hours away from home. Teenagers may have jobs of their own. Still, the traditional mythos persists: summertime is vacationtime. Many families plan at least a week or two for some memorable trip or time as a family. For the past few years, with fuel prices escalating and driving up the price of travel, the "staycation" has become popular as well. A staycation involves creating the feel of a vacation without leaving the house, by suspending regular routines and concentrating instead on fun activities. It may even mean taking day trips, but always with home as a base. Vacations can provide some of the happiest memories of a lifetime. Perhaps we remember fondly a cabin by the lake rented each year, visiting grandparents in Florida, or driving cross country in the station wagon with Mom and Dad taking turns at the wheel. We naturally want to provide equally fond memories for our own children. Or, if we missed out on precious vacation memories, we may be all the more determined that our families do not. It can be a source of stress, however, when money is tight or emergencies crop up. Job loss, unexpected medical bills and the like can mean that luxuries like vacations get put on hold. We may worry that our children still will want to do what their friends are doing or what we've previously promised them— after all, they're just children and don't understand financial realities. Or do they? You might be pleasantly surprised how willing your children are to adapt to budget constraints as long as they
10
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
feel they have choices. A family is a team, and even the smallest members should have some say in family decisions. Most children embrace a challenge, so whatever your budget, why not make vacation planning a family project this year?
Here are some guidelines for planning a vacation with the help of your kids: • Parents determine the total budget for the project as well as the workable dates. Of course, you might give kids a choice between a set vacation period and a series of shorter trips, depending on your own flexibility. • Parents may veto anything that's not safe or feasible. • The entire family contributes ideas for destinations.
Make a list of all the potential expenses. For example:
• Transportation • Lodging • Meals • Admissions • Souvenirs • Equipment (bicycles, inflatable rafts, beach balls, tents, hiking shoes, maps, coolers). Even children in the elementary grades seem to be adept at online research. Let them look for airfares, car rental packages, hotel prices. If they're old enough, they can figure mileages and multiply distances by federal mileage rates to calculate the cost of driving a car. They can compare pricey hotels with cheaper bed-and-breakfasts, smaller motels, or campsites or check out menus for restaurants, and opening hours and prices for attractions. They can discover cool, out-of-the-way places they'd like to visit too. As soon as they have a budget to stick to, you may see them become very frugal! They may be willing to cut back on one item to make
room for something else more important to them. Don't forget that some organizations you may belong to, such as automobile associations, give discounted prices to members for certain rental cars, admissions, meals and the like. Also, some libraries purchase admission tickets to area attractions that may be checked out like library books. If children are old enough, have them keep a journal of expenses during the vacation, to make sure you are keeping within the budget. If certain items go over, try cutting back on something else. If you're under budget, allow yourself a splurge! When the vacation's over, discuss how it went and write down what you've learned to help you plan your next vacation!
Planning for Vacation and Your Family’s Future
While your family thinks about ways to prepare for a vacation, consider applying those same planning skills on your household’s finances. To learn more or access helpful materials, speak with a local financial professional or visit www.massmutual.com/family. BBM Provided by ronnie huie, CFbs, a financial representative with massmutual south texas; courtesy of massachusetts mutual life insurance company (massmutual). local sales agencies are not subsidiaries of massmutual or its affiliated companies. © 2013 massachusetts mutual life insurance company, springfield, ma 01111-0001 crn201502-168466
Boerne (830) 249-3955
leon springs (210) 698-8100
Health by Choice ... Not by Chance ! PRESERVING THE PAST... kendall County provides a thriving business environment with an unmatched quality of life. Growth targets for kendall County include: •health & medical •resort & Conferences •Clean industry •higher education •Corporate headquarters •existing business & industry •retail & service expansion
James Kennell, DC Michael Garcia, DC
• Business-Friendly Attitudes • Resources to Support Business Growth • Highly Educated Workforce • San Antonio Amenities 25 Minutes Away • Texas Hill Country Lifestyle 830.331.9070 • WWW.kenDallCountyeDC.Com
Achieving maximum health and wellness through chiropractic care.
115 Highway 46 W Boerne, TX 78006 830-249-8900
www.boernewellnesschiropractic.com boernebusinessmonthly.com
11
feature
WHERE CAN THEY TAKE YOU?
L
Looking to do a little road trippin’ this summer? Well why not gather up your friends and hop aboard the Shabby Bus? This totally unique tour, event and shuttle bus is the perfect way to experience all that the hill country has to offer while hanging out and having fun! The Shabby Bus is no ordinary shuttle bus. As its name suggests, the bus has been completely remodeled from the inside out and has a very comfortable bohemian vibe. Moroccan lanterns and stencils, a funky tin roof and custom wood trim throughout offer passengers a warm, relaxed environment. Owner of the Shabby Bus, Summer Poole, started the business last October and is having a blast as she takes people on everything from wine tours to craft brewery tours and even “foodie” tours. “Our tours are really like grown-up field trips,” said Poole. “We have the best time, each tour is a party rolling down the road.” The bus will hold up to 15 passengers and can be booked for just
12
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
about any type of outing or event. According to Summer, “We’ve hosted birthday parties for both adults and kids, bridal showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties and weddings. We can take you and your friends to a concert, a sporting event, a shopping excursion with the girls or just a pub crawler night out with the gang.” Currently the Shabby Bus is offering a Hill Country Paddle Tour, the “Summertime Adventure” Tour which takes passengers to several different “secret” waterholes around the hill country, the Hill Country Wine Tour, the Craft Beer Tour, and of course a custom tour can be created to fit your unique wants and style! “The great thing about the Shabby Bus is that it allows passengers to just have fun. They don’t have to worry about who’s going to drive, where to park, taking multiple vehicles, or safety. If passengers live in or near Boerne, Fair Oaks or Leon Springs we can pick them up at their front door and drop them off back at their home when the tour is finished,” added Poole. “The residents of Boerne and the surrounding areas have really been great! News about what a great time the Shabby Bus is has spread by word of mouth and is keeping us busy. We were able to really utilize the community to get the word out about our business. We joined the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce, held a Ribbon Cutting out at Random, and the folks at the Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau have been a great help. It feels great to be apart of such a warm and welcoming community.”BBM
To schedule your Shabby Bus experience, visit www.shabbybus.com
July 2014
CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 4 haPPy 4th of July! Fourth oF July FireWorks 106 city Park rd. – boerne fireworks will start a little after dark. the fireworks can be viewed in many places around boerne, but the best place is boerne city Park. bring chairs, picnics and your american spirit! July 5 Farmers market at the Cibolo 8:30am to 12:30pm | 33 herff rd. – boerne July 6 cactus Pear music festiVal free young PeoPle’s concert 2:00pm | first united methodist church 205 James street – boerne the summer chamber music festival consisting of multiple weeks of performances by artistic director & Violinist stephanie sant’ambrogio and noted chamber music artists of national and international renown, held both in san antonio and neighboring south texas communities. www.cpmf.us July 8 greater boerne chamber of commerce ribbon cutting for orthoPaedic & sPine institute 11:30am to 12:00pm 136 old san antonio rd. ste. #201 – boerne
10:00am to 5:00pm | main Plaza – boerne main Plaza comes alive with great shopping in an outdoor setting. July 13 cactus Pear music festiVal free young PeoPle’s concert 2:00pm & 7:00pm | first united methodist church 205 James street – boerne www.cpmf.us July 15 abenDkonzerte 7:30pm to 9:00pm | main Plaza – boerne July 18 $1 FAMIly NIGHT AT THE BOERNE POOl 6:00pm to 9:00pm | city Park bring out the whole family and get in for only $1 per person. $1 hot dogs, drinks and ice cream! activities will include: lifeguard games, diving contest, cannonball contest, and other activities.
July 22 greater boerne chamber of commerce ribbon cutting for shutter-haPPy PhotograPhy and 10 anniVersary in business 5:30pm to 7:30pm | 720 Johns road – boerne city council meeting 6:00pm to 8:00pm | city council chambers 124 old san antonio road – boerne July 23 greater boerne chamber of commerce sPeeD netWorkinG lunCheon sPonsored by hungry horse restaurant 11:00am to 1:00pm | burdick community centerroy maas youth alternatives, inc. 121 old san antonio rd. – boerne Visit boerne.org for event cost details. greater boerne chamber of commerce ribbon cutting for medcare associates 4:00pm to 4:30pm | 120 medical dr. – boerne
July 19 Farmers market at the Cibolo 8:30am to 12:30pm | 33 herff rd. – boerne
continued on page 28
www.edwardjones.com
city council meeting 6:00pm to 8:00pm | city council chambers 124 old san antonio road – boerne July 11 Family niGht PiCniC at the lake 6:00pm to 8:00pm | city lake Park Pavilion bring out the family and a picnic for a fun evening at boerne city lake Park! Park entry will be free after 5pm. activities will include: water balloon catapult, monster Jenga, horseshoes, washers, corn hole, races, and a watermelon eating contest. July 12 Farmers market at the Cibolo 8:30am to 12:30pm | 33 herff rd. – boerne second saturday art & wine 5:00pm to 8:00pm | galleries in boerne the 2nd saturday participants go all out with complimentary beverages and a variety of hors d’oeuvres along with fantastic art! moondance concerts at the cibolo nature center 7:30pm to 10:30pm | 140 city Park rd – boerne concert under the oaks and stars at the cibolo nature center. bring chairs, blankets, picnics to the fun and casual event! www.cibolo.org July 12-13 boerne market Days
We Understand Commitment.
For decades, Edward Jones has been committed to providing financial solutions and personalized service to individual investors. You can rely on us for: • Highly Personal Service • Convenience Investment guidance tailored to your Locations in the community and face-to-face individual needs meetings at your convenience • A Quality-focused Investment Philosophy A long-term approach that focuses on quality investments and diversification
Call or visit today. Ron Warden
Rebeca Short
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor
215 W Bandera Rd, Ste 113B Boerne, Texas 78006 830-249-8286
104 Medical Drive Boerne, Texas 78006 830-249-4630
Member SIPC
Allyson Munsell Financial Advisor 1011 S Main Street Boerne, Texas 78006 830-249-2748
boernebusinessmonthly.com
13
cover feature Creating World-Class Productions Right Here in Boerne
T
by lauren stumberg | photos courtesy of sro associates, inc.
To quote William Shakespeare, “All the world’s a stage,” and for the folks at SRO Associates, Inc. this couldn’t be more accurate. Tucked away in the hills just outside of Boerne, SRO is one of Boerne’s best-kept secrets. Started in 1996 by Eddy Snell, the company is the creative force behind many theatrical and amusement park productions, as well as scenic designs and custom themed environments, both locally and worldwide. “Our collaborative team of designers and artists work with area attractions, theme parks, zoos, museums and theaters to reach their artistic goals,” said Jennifer Clauser, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for SRO Associates. “We have the resources any producer needs from concept to curtain call and anything in between.” According to Clauser, SRO can provide their clients with everything from creative concepts, artistic designs, fabrication and installation for their themed environment, historical restoration, or full theatrical production. According to Eddy Snell, President of SRO
Associates, Inc., “Having a theater background it is engrained in you that whatever is asked of you, you always say ‘Yes!’ Whatever it may be, you find a way to make it happen. That philosophy has been a fundamental principle at SRO. Whatever our clients need, we find a way to get it done for them.” This eagerness to meet the customers’ needs soon had SRO moving out of the spare bedroom in Snell’s home in the Camp Bullis area, where the company started, to a larger location in San Antonio. “One of our clients asked us to do a project that
photos (this page): sro associates, inc. story artisans pose with one of big tex’s oversized boots; design work in action
14
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
was too big to be done at my home so we had to get a larger space,” said Snell. “But it wasn’t long before we outgrew that new location as well. We began to look for our forever home and the Boerne area made sense because our employees are from Fredericksburg, Austin and all over the hill country. Once we found this location we brought all of our employees out to get their thoughts and it was unanimous, this was where they wanted to be.” SRO’s current location is out Sisterdale Road on eight acres that they have named Essaro Ranch Studios. Here Snell and his team have plenty of room to create and fabricate in their five buildings which include a graphic design studio, a carpentry shop, a paint shop, 3D Foam Sculpting area, a costume shop and even a rehearsal studio. Employed at SRO Associates are a host of creative minds referred to as story artisans, which include everyone from graphic and web designers, costume designers, project managers, engineers, lighting designers, painters and sculptors, carpenters and craftsmen, script writers and artistic visionaries. Recently, SRO has been focusing much of its attention on scenic design and custom themed environments. According to Clauser, “SRO has done a lot of work with local theme parks and attractions such as Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SeaWorld San Antonio and
sro associates, inc. was privileged to rebuild big tex for the state fair of texas after the original one caught fire in 2012. standing at 55 feet tall, everything about big tex is large, including his hat!
Natural Bridge Caverns. We have done a large amount of work with SeaWorld San Antonio. We printed, fabricated, painted and installed Sesame Street Bay of Play at SeaWorld San Antonio as well as numerous themed elements for Roa’s Aviary inside of Aquatica, not to mention numerous signs and other themed elements throughout the park. The SRO team has lot of experience with animal shows and the types of materials that need to be implemented in order for them to be safe for the animals as well as for them to withstand certain environments such as saltwater.” Snell added, “We spend a lot of time problem solving for our clients. Not only does what we build need to be aesthetically pleasing, but we have to make sure it will hold up in its environment and be able to come apart so it can be shipped and fit through doors. Much of what we do also needs to be made of lightweight materials so it can be easily hung or suspended. We enjoy the challenge of these projects and find that, as a company, we are best suited for them.” SRO is fortunate to have a lot of local projects due to San Antonio providing such a good tourism base with numerous attractions, however the company has projects all over the United States and has even worked in Europe and Asia. Other local projects that SRO has been involved in recently include writing and creating the laser projection for the Lone Star Nights show at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and partnering with Natural Bridge Caverns to help with their Discovery Village expansion. “The project for Natural Bridge Caverns began with a new sign but as we began talking with the clients we found out that they were looking for a way to move forward on a longstanding project and were in need of the resources SRO could provide to move forward,” stated Karen Miller, Vice President of Design and Construction. “We spent a lot of time finding out what their priorities were and headed up the design of their Discovery Village. We established a visual vocabulary for the project, laying out the area and determining the visual style of the buildings. This is an on-going project as they continue to add to the attraction.” Miller added, “We are able to contribute to our clients’ business strategies. For our theme park and attraction customers we aim to help them create
elements from the natural bridge caverns discovery Village expansion
continued on page 16
boernebusinessmonthly.com
15
continued from page 15
environments that will result in their guests spending more time and money. We combine our designs with those goals.” SRO Associates are known by their clients to offer turnkey solutions. “We can be your one-stop-shop or simply handle certain aspects of your project. Our clients appreciate that they have the flexibility of contracting us for only the services they need,” said Snell. “Each project is completely unique. We tailor our services to fit what each circumstance requires. We have the capabilities to create logos, graphics, themed signage, large-scale props, soundtracks, costumes, lighting designs, set designs, and the list goes on!” “One of our more high profile projects was the rebuilding of Big Tex for the State Fair of Texas,” stated Clauser. “When the original Big Tex caught on fire in 2012, Eddy and Karen immediately knew they wanted to rebuild him. They got in contact with the people at the State Fair and the rest is history. SRO had the honor of rebuilding Big Tex.” This is a project that SRO had to keep secret until he was unveiled at the 2013 State Fair of Texas. And what a BIG secret it was! At 55 feet tall, Big Tex was literally a huge undertaking. “Big Tex is special to us, we feel a connection to him,” added Miller. Another very meaningful project that SRO recently took on was the creation
wiggles world entrance unit at six flags fiesta texas was imagined, designed, built, painted and installed by sro associates, inc.
16
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
Just a few of sro’s seaworld san antonio projects including the arrival sign, an installation in the aquatica expansion and big bird’s ferris wheel in the seasame street bay of Play.
of a United States Army training environment. “We created a totally destructed, war-torn setting, complete with overturned vehicles, sound tracks and lighting systems. We were approached by the U.S. Army to create a realistic scene that would help to assimilate the soldiers and prepare them for what it would actually be like when they were really in that situation,” Snell stated. According to Miller, “Our principle purpose is to support the client, not to do what they do, but to help them with what they need. Whether that is making costumes and sets for the San Antonio Ballet or attractions and displays for Dollywood and Hershey Park, we are available to fill the needs of our customers and to partner with them to reach their artistic goals.” Clauser added, “SRO’s employees love that the projects they get to be a part of are so diverse and unique. Each employee takes great care in what they do and really puts their all into every detail throughout each project.” Eddy and Karen’s passion for production has been passed along to the entire team and the results are nothing short of phenomenal! BBM
www.sroassociates.com
Time for a Second Opinion on your Financial Future? call cisneros financial services today for a risk-free review. For over 40 years, Cisneros Financial Services, in conjunction with Russell Investments, a global leader in multimanager investing, has been consulting with and advising individuals, sole proprietors and business owners on strategies to help maximize their investment return in an ever-changing market. If you are: • Retired and receiving distributions from an IRA • Contributing to a profit sharing plan • Looking to diversify away from non-performing investment vehicles
Hill Country Group • Major Medical Health Plans • Individual & Small Group • Life Insurance • Medicare Supplemental Plans
Richard D. Sena
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation to get a second opinion on your financial future!
830-428-0018
2 Spencer Rd, Ste. 102 Boerne, Texas
rsena@gvtc.com
13 Upper Balcones Road | Boerne, Texas 78006 (830) 249-9900 | www.cisnerosfinancial.com Securities & Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Services, Inc., A Registered Investment Adviser and Member NASD/SPIC. Cisneros Financial Services is independent of VSR.
B
CUTS • COLOR • STYLING
725 N. Main Street – Boerne, Texas
BefoRe
After
Veronica “Barbie” Rogers, Owner/Stylist
Call (210) 836-5728
to Book Your Appointment! boernebusinessmonthly.com
17
newsworthy
GVTC unveils plans for Texas' first gigabit region Boerne, Gonzales, Bulverde partner with GVTC to bring high-speed gigabit fiber network With San Antonio and Austin vying for Google fiber, GVTC Communications, headquartered just north of San Antonio, is set to become the first rural telecommunications provider in Texas to power over 2,200 miles of fiber optic cable with gigabit Internet service. More than 39,000 GVTC rooftops will be eligible for a gig connection starting in September 2014. Trademarked as the GVTC GigaRegion™, the communications company is forming a unique partnership with the cities of Boerne, Bulverde and Gonzales to drive economic development throughout GVTC's service area. The partnership involves a two-year comprehensive marketing plan, in which, GVTC and the three municipalities, will work together to promote the business and lifestyle benefits of GVTC's GigaRegion™. "GVTC brought fiber broadband to South Texas a decade ago and we embrace this opportunity to help our community leaders fulfill their vision for managed growth," GVTC President and CEO, Ritchie Sorrells, said. "With the untapped possibilities of a gigabit Internet connection, we'll work together with our partners to make the GVTC GigaRegion™ a center of ingenuity and entrepreneurialism." The GVTC GigaRegion™ announcement also drew praise from the leader of one of the country's premier associations of community-based telecommunications companies. "NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association is thrilled to see the enthusiasm and innovation by one of our member companies in providing cutting edge telecommunications services to rural Texas," Shirley Bloomfield, CEO, NTCA- The Rural Broadband Association, said. "When I had the opportunity to visit GVTC earlier this year, I was so impressed with their forward-thinking and the top-of-the-line services they are providing to their community. The GVTC GigaRegion™ is another example of the important role our member companies can play in the enhancement of their customers' lives and the economy in the communities they serve." Heather Gold, president, Fiber to the Home Council Americas, com-
mended GVTC for taking a leading role in fiber broadband deployment. "GVTC has helped empower the Hill Country, bringing vital fiber broadband networks to rural areas, becoming one of the first rural telecommunication companies in Texas to offer gigabit services over a large geographic area," Gold said. "The GVTC GigaRegion™ will boost economic growth, strengthen communication among emergency services, and give students the opportunity to use the latest technology." The South Texas town of Gonzales is experiencing a boom of oil and natural gas activity due to the Eagle Ford Shale. Mayor Robert Logan believes being part of GVTC's GigaRegion™ will help differentiate his city as they contend for energy-related companies looking to establish an office in the Shale. "Our economic development office has already fielded several inquiries about GVTC's existing fiber Internet services, so we're excited about the additional awareness GVTC's GigaRegion™ will generate for us." Mayor Logan said. "We're also using this opportunity to begin diversifying our tax base to prepare for the day when the Shale is no longer the driving force in our area." Closer to San Antonio, Boerne and Bulverde are among the fastest growing communities in Texas. GVTC's GigaRegion™ gives these cities an important asset to help them move beyond a bedroom community for the Alamo City. "The GVTC GigaRegion™ partnership puts Boerne in a great position to compete with San Antonio, the seventh largest city in the United States, for the same jobs they are seeking," Boerne Mayor Mike Schultz said. "With GVTC's ultra-high-speed Internet, in addition to Boerne's top-ranked school system and exceptional quality of life, we will have an edge when working to attract new companies and retain those already here." "We have a successful track record of managing economic growth in Bulverde," Mayor Bill Krawietz, said. "The GVTC GigaRegion™ gives us the ability to go beyond the retail sector and target more technology-based companies which results in higher paying jobs for our community."
Walk of Honor bricks available for new Veterans Plaza In honor of those who have so courageously served to protect American freedom, the city of Boerne is adding a Walk of Honor, with personalized pavers, as part of the Veterans Plaza renovation project. The inscribed brick pavers will be a permanent way of recognizing the veterans, reservists, and active duty military personnel whose service is
18
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
valued by the Boerne community. When the updated Parks Master Plan was approved last year, renovation of Veterans Plaza was identified as a top priority. Subsequently a public input committee was formed to assist staff with creating a plan to improve the entire park. The project highlights, for this first phase, include adding disability access, restoring the deteriorating monument, creating an inviting and usable space with shade and seating, and improving the Main Street frontage. Bricks for the Walk of Honor can be purchased online at www.boerne-tx.gov/brick or at the Parks and Recreation Department administrative office located at 1017 Adler. Brick options include 4” x 8” bricks and 8” x 8” bricks and either can be inscribed with a name and military insignia. In 1923 the H.J. Graham Family erected a Memorial monument near the center of Military Plaza, later named Veterans Plaza, honoring all the men and women who died as a result of military action in World War I. Additional names were added to honor those who lost their lives in World War II and the Korean War. Several years ago, a bronze piece was added to the top of the existing monument recognizing veterans of both World Wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. The monument stone, bronze sculpture and plaques will all be incorporated into the new plaza.
beC seleCTs Cps enerGY for enerGY reQuireMenTs
On July 1, 2014 a portion of the energy supplied to Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) will be provided by CPS Energy (San Antonio). Earlier this year BEC elected to evaluate alternate power suppliers to help reduce the cost of wholesale energy to their members. After receiving bids from several companies, the Board approved the recommendation to have CPS Energy provide 10% of BEC’s energy requirements. Currently almost all of BEC’s energy is supplied by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). BEC’s General Manager, William Hetherington stated that “This contractual arrangement will provide substantial savings to our members in addition to diversifying our energy portfolio and thereby reducing risk. It makes good business sense.” Bandera Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative. The cooperative was established in 1938 and provides electric service to over 33,000 meters in seven Hill Country counties, including Bandera, Bexar, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, Real and Uvalde. BEC owns approximately $166 million in assets, including equipment in 15 power substations and over 4,500 miles of line. The Co-op has approximately 90 employees. You can get updates from Bandera Electric and more information at www.banderaelectric. com, @BanderaElectric on Twitter or www.facebook.com/banderaelectric.
aDVisors asseT ManaGeMenT (aaM) expansion presenTs Career opporTuniTies Advisors Asset Management (AAM) is seeking intelligent, motivated and hard-working individuals to join its office in Boerne, Texas as Regional Advisory Consultants. These team members will be responsible for representing AAM’s expansive lineup of unit investment trusts, separately managed accounts and mutual funds to financial advisors at various firms across the country. Joining the AAM team offers individuals an opportunity to learn and flourish as part of an innovative firm which has survived many market cycles. New employees will work alongside seasoned executives who serve as enthusiastic mentors, helping lay the foundations for professionally and financially rewarding careers. Randy Pegg, Executive Vice President and Director of Investment Solutions at AAM, exemplifies the professional advancement opportunities available at the firm. He joined AAM 16 years ago in a sales capacity, and went on to establish AAM’s structured products division from the ground up in 2005. “Regional Advisory Consultants serve as the face of our firm to our clients, and we are seeking bright self-starters who can help us continue to offer the personalized, boutique level of service that financial advisors and broker-dealers have come to expect from us,” said Mr. Pegg. “We hope to find candidates who not only recognize the importance of this role, but wish to leverage our positive corporate culture to grow professionally over the long term.” AAM continues evolving to meet the changing needs of the financial advisory sector, and the impressive response to its products and services requires further expansion. The firm was founded 35 years ago as a fixed income trading and services provider, but it began diversifying its business about 10 years ago due to the cyclical nature of fixed income. AAM now offers products and services related to unit investment trusts, structured products, separately managed accounts and mutual funds, and also acts as a distribution partner for institutional asset managers trying to reach retail investors. The firm supervises approximately $9.5 billion in unit investment trust assets (as of March 31, 2014), and distributed a closed-end fund for the first time last year. To find out more about employment opportunities at AAM, please consult the firm’s LinkedIn profile (www.linkedin.com/company/advisorsasset-management-inc-/careers). Additional information about AAM is available at www.aamlive.com. Advisors Asset Management, Inc. (AAM) is a SEC registered investment advisor and member FINRA/SIPC. CRN: 2014-0520-4227 Rers.
RELAX. UNWIND. GET A MASSAGE.
SWEDISH
|
DEEP TISSUE | HOT STONE | THERAPEUTIC AROMA THERAPY/ESSENTIAL OILS
bailey tuttle is a licensed massage therapist and owner of boerne bodyworks and massage.
210.248.6165
to schedule an appointment 107 Shooting Club Rd., Ste. B | Boerne
boernebusinessmonthly.com
19
wellbeing
Posture
The window to your HEALTH.
W Bad posture is a sign of health problems, not the cause of health problems. 20
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
by michael a. garcia, d.c.
We all remember our mothers and fathers telling us to walk tall or sit up straight. Most of us never listened or brushed it off until we got into our later years. Having bad posture may not be severly debilitating but it accounts for most aches, pains and dysfunction in the body. The problem with trying to consciously fix your own posture 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is that it is near impossible. Most people think of bad posture as a conscious decision by the person to allow their muscles to be lazy. From this angle, I can see where it would make sense to strengthen these "weak muscles'' in order to fix this problem. This is usually done with a regimine of repetetive and tedious exercises that have little results by themselves. Having said this, our structural care helps patients achieve their goals by correcting the segmental shifts in the spine and supplementing with strengthening the correction. Bad posture is a sign of health problems, not the cause of health problems. Any patient of mine can tell you that we assess their posture, leg length and how far forward they are carrying their head. These findings are used as an indicator to help make recommendations for care and to monitor throughout care. The postural distortions are only seen as muscular condition only, we are looking for something much deeper. Posture is the window to the structure of your spine and function of your nervous system. This information tells us a lot about the structural and neurological health of your body. So what happens when the structural alignment of your spine, especially your head and neck, is lost? 1. Information is relayed back and forth through the nervous system. Having even small deviation(s) of spinal segments will give scambled information. This will cause the brain and other structures of the body to work harder. 2. Blood flow and CSF that exit the brain will become sluggish. 3. Spinal segments, joints and soft tissue will wear out quicker than they should as abnormal stresses are put on them. The more unstructurally sound the spine is, the more damage that occurs. When you have these three factors together it will produce "bad posture.'' More importanly, there is an obstruction of information from the nervous system to the body and a slow but steady decay in spinal health. Posture is important for the reason that it can show a nervous system problem, however, it is not the CAUSE of the problem. BBM
michael a. garcia, d.c. boerne wellness chiropractic 115 hwy. 46 w. | boerne (830)-249-8900 boernewellnesschiropractic.com
www.riverbedconcrete.com
polished concrete flooring - stained concrete flooring concrete countertops & sinks - concrete basins & firebowls As Seen On:
39390 W IH 10 #C - Boerne, TX 78006 830-981-2210 Phone - 830-755-6055 Fax Showroom by Appointment boernebusinessmonthly.com 21
investing
ARE
Alternative FOR ME? Investments
H
by gregory V. dunn and delores f. wheless, broadway bank wealth management
Have you ever found yourself frustrated because the traditional stock and bond investments don’t meet all of your investment needs? Do you want less volatility in your overall portfolio? Do you wonder what to do about inflation? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you may find at least part of your solution in Alternative Investments. While there is no clear cut definition to what constitutes an Alternative Investment, it is an “alternative” to traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit. So what are these alternative investments and how can they help? Since we cannot cover all of the nuances, we will attempt to give you the basic idea and a little flavor for how alternative investments may be of help to you by walking through a few examples. The Not-So-Evil Hedge Fund One of the most common alternative investments is the hedge fund. Few investment classes have received as much attention in the press as hedge funds. It should be noted that the one thing that those notorious funds had in common is that they were examples of the misuse by fund managers. They do not serve as good examples of what a hedge fund can do for you. The idea behind a hedge fund is that it allows much more flexibility than simply owning stocks and bonds like a traditional investment approach. With a hedge fund strategy, you can own stocks and bonds, you can short them, and you can pair them in combinations where you are long one asset and short another asset. A good example is called a market neutral strategy. Here is a very simple example of how a market neutral strategy works. With traditional stock investing, you have a choice of owning Coca Cola stock or PepsiCo stock. If you own the stock and it goes up in value, you will make money. If the stocks go down, you will lose money. Sometimes, Coke and Pepsi perform well as companies, and the investor would expect their stocks to rise. However, it
22
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
is possible that due to an overall poor economic environment, the stocks are pulled down with the overall market, and the investor loses money. Within the hedge fund strategy, an investor may still make money. The hedge fund manager may determine that Pepsi is just doing alright, but Coke is doing excellent. That manager would sell Pepsi stock that he does not own and buy stock in Coke. This strategy of selling stock that you do not own is called “short selling”. By doing this, the hedge fund manager has now taken the overall market risk out of the equation. Assume that both stocks start at $50 per share. If the market rises, Coke which is performing better as a company should appreciate more. Let’s say that Pepsi stock rises to $55, and Coke stock rises to $60. The hedge fund manager can sell the Coke stock making a $10 profit and buy the Pepsi stock that he earlier sold losing $5 per share. This strategy just netted a gain of $5 per share. If the overall market drops, Coke which is doing better as a company should still do better than Pepsi. Let’s say that Pepsi stock drops from $50 to $40, and Coke stock drops from $50 to $45. The hedge fund manager can then sell the Coke stock losing $5 per share and buy the Pepsi stock making $10 per share. The end result is that the hedge fund manager still gained $5 per share. As you can see, this is a strategy that depends on the manager’s ability to determine which of the two stocks will perform better, but he does not have to predict which direction the market will go. Since success depends on the skill of the hedge fund manager versus the direction of the market, the investor has added diversification. Volatility Everywhere….Look Again Diversification tends to reduce volatility, and one of the greatest advantages of less volatility is the smoothing out effect on returns. This concept is many times misunderstood by investors. For example, when your portfolio is down 50% one year then up 50% the next year, you are not even at the end of the second year. You are actually down 25%. However, if you are down 20% in the first year then up
20% in the second year, your final result is a loss of only 4%. Not only does the lower volatility strategy result in less pain for the investor, it also results in a better final return. Of course, if the more volatile portfolio is up 50% the first year and up another 50% in the second year, it will perform better than a strategy which is up 20% in both years. Although history has shown us that while the stock market is up approximately 70% of the years, it tends to be unpredictable and volatile. The investor who chooses alternative investments for their portfolio is choosing the lower volatility strategy because they want to be prepared for a wider variety of market conditions. There’s More Out There While hedge funds are great for lowering volatility and potentially increasing the frequency of positive returns, other alternative investments meet other needs. • Real Estate Real estate can be a good source of income or a hedge against inflation. • Commodities Owning commodities can help an investor hedge the risk of inflation. • Currencies Investments in currencies of faster growing countries can work as hedges for our larger U.S. holdings which are denominated in the U.S. dollar. • Master Limited Partnerships MLPs offer a steady source of income. • Private Equity Owning companies before they go public can have its own set of rewards. Some investors invest in funds that offer only one strategy, but the more common practice has become to use a fund of funds where a manager oversees several other managers who are each executing different strategies. Alternatives Do Have Advantages… We hope these examples have shown you how alternative investments have been developed to meet the challenges of today’s investor. The advantages can be many, but among the most important is true diversification as these asset classes generally have a low correlation to the traditional asset classes. It is the old adage of not having all of your eggs in one basket. Other advantages are volatility reduction, inflation protection, currency protection and the opportunity to earn attractive returns from non-traditional sources. And Disadvantages Any time you hear so many advantages, you probably hear a voice in your head telling you another old adage, there are no free lunches. Like any asset class, alternative assets have disadvantages as well. To know the specific disadvantages, you would need to know the specific asset type as they can
GOOD IS Hill Country Livin’. What is good? Good is living in the resplendent community of Boerne ... and knowing you can thrive and live your dream in a town that is rich in history. It’s putting down roots in a plum spot. For us, good is knowing that your hometown Broadway Bank has a hand in making it all possible.
Boerne Banking Center | 1012 South Main | 830.249.2547 39 Neighborhood Locations | broadwaybank.com | Member FDIC | mmm
vary much across the group. However, in general, some of the most common are higher fees, less transparency, difficulty of bench marking, more complex strategies and less tax efficiency for some investors. After weighing the advantages and disadvantages of alternative investments, we believe that you may still find a compelling argument for including alternative assets as part of your investment plan. Only through careful examination of your needs, goals and objectives can you and your financial advisor determine which of the many alternative investments might be right for you.BBM
gregory V. dunn, chief investment officer, broadway bank wealth management dolores f. wheless, wealth advisor – financial Planning specialist, broadway bank wealth management
boernebusinessmonthly.com
23
career
Executive Job Search Strategies:
M
HOW TO FAST TRACK YOUR EXECUTIVE CAREER
Many of my clients over the years have made big leaps up the ladder to better positions, exciting challenges and more money. How did they do it? Of course every case is different, but if you are looking to advance your career in the upcoming year, here are some things you can put into place right now: KEEP TRACK OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS: This is something I think all of us should be doing regardless. Avoid the mistake ooff thinking that someone is always looking over your shoulder tracking all ooff your career related accomplishments – or worse – that you shouldn’t bbecause ecause your job is “just what you do.” Take full responsibility for trackiing ng your accomplishments and stepping back to view your value to your company as a whole. In other words, don’t just note the accomplishment, but the result it helped your company to achieve in $ and/or %. Make a 30-minute meeting with yourself every 60 to 90 days to track your goals and write down your accomplishments. 30 days before your annual performance review, you can share your “progress report” with them. Many of my clients have stated that this type of initiative landed them a bigger raise. INVEST IN YOURSELF: Whether your company pays or you foot the bill yourself, obtaining certifications, involving yourself in prestigious associations, or committing to coursework to obtain an advanced degree, are all endeavors that can have big returns for you! By perhaps pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, your industry or business expertise is expanded, and you will be keeping yourself fresh and relevant by learning something new. Those you work with will be motivated by your leadership and initiative. UPDATE YOUR OFFLINE PRESENCE: Leadership resumes have dramatically changed over the last few years. Those that are professionally written tell your story in a powerful, readable, and visually compelling way.
★ ranch roads ★ chip seal ★ land clearing
24
★ stock tanks ★ septic systems ★ fencing
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
A highly polished and crisply delivered message sets the peg at a much higher level for your initial conversations, continues forward from that very professional initial contact, and gives you a competitive edge. This is why you will often hear that top resume writers help their clients land much better positions with significantly more money. To find a good professional resume writer, I have always advocated that job seekers go to Career Directors International and look for qualified writers with advanced resume writing certifications. CDI’s Certifications are notoriously difficult to get, and that’s a good thing for you. In a largely unregulated industry, it’s an insurance policy that you are getting someone who can actually help you. This is why paying for top writers is generally a very wise idea. You truly get what you pay for in this instance. UPDATE YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE: Once you have your resume aligned with where you want to be, you will also need to create continuity between your new resume and your LinkedIn profile. You can get some major leverage through LinkedIn by optimizing your profile. The secret is connecting with the right recruiters so you can find yourself in their universe when they have a search need for a candidate (like you). Key word optimizing your profile to better align yourself with your next career steps will help you to “be found.” Also, join as many relevant groups as you can and strategically connect with key group members. Just invite them into your network by introducing yourself as a fellow group member. Remember, you can change your profile settings to hide “job related” and “recruiter” groups so those group icons do not show on your profile. BBM Mary Elizabeth Bradford, CERW, MCD is an Internationally Certified Advanced Resume Writer & author of the Amazon bestseller:The Career Artisan Series:The 21st Century Resume Guide for the Perplexed (with Custom Online Resume Templates). This eBook has helped thousands of jobseekers worldwide tackle the toughest resume writing challenges - giving job seekers both word.doc templates (online link) and step by step instructions on how to easily craft a results producing resume that works in today's job market. www.maryelizabethbradford.com
★ arenas ★ metal buildings ★ barns
830.249.3006 | 210.414.8616 |
OFFICE CELL
107 S HOOTING C LUB R D . B OERNE , T EXAS 78006
your S PAC E
at home or at wor k... love the space you’re in!
THIS SECTION: outdoors | Make A Small Yard Seem Bigger
conserve | Energy Saving Tips for Summertime
art | Mooney Makes Sense: Local History
boernebusinessmonthly.com
25
outdoors |
Make Your Small Yard Feel Bigger
I
by taylor davis
Is your backyard a bit on the puny side? With the help of a few well-implemented design tricks you can quickly turn your tiny yard into an outdoor oasis. Here’s how: SEPARATE INTO SMALLER SPACES: While this may seem counter productive, creating smaller areas within your yard based on function will actually help to make the space feel bigger. For example, consider creating separate areas for a dining area, a play space, a garden storage shed and a water feature. Implementing elevation changes is another way to create creatively divide up the space. You can easily do this with the addition of a few raised beds or a nice wooden deck. Want to take it up a notch? Get a bit more creative with a more elaborated design utilizing hardscaping to delineate separate areas.
LOOK UP: Implementing arbors and using hanging baskets will draw the eye upward, adding another dimension to your small space. Be sure to add charm with colorful plantings and unique hanging containers. Another creative way to attract the eyes up is to use wall planters or wooden wall trellises get your plants off of the ground and create a more dynamic space. ALL IN THE DETAILS: Unique containers and artful accents will give your small yard a big sense of style. Choose a signature material for your planters and use it repeatedly for a polished, unified look. Adding a water garden will create a reflective surface and amplify your space as well. Small fountains, with their trickling water, are a great way to add instant relaxation and distract from any outside noises. BBM
KEEP IT TO SCALE: Select elements that complement your small outdoor space, rather than overwhelm it. Make sure that everything from the hardscaping to the plants and the furniture you put into the space are the correct scale to create an environment that is interesting but not overpowering. CREATE CURVE APPEAL: When creating paths in a small backyard, build curving paths instead of straight lines. This will not only make the distance seem longer, but it will add a bit of mystery to the space.
53 Acres – 7 Miles from Downtown Boerne FOR SALE – LOST VALLEY RETREAT
Private & Ag. Exempt Outdoor Entertaining Showplace
Living and Selling Texas
830.446.6145
bluestemranchgroup.com
26
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
Courtney Pfeiffer
1595 s. main street boerne, texas 78006
Keller Williams - Boerne, Broker-Associate 210-274-5975 – cell cpfeiffer@kw.com
HORSEMAN’S PARADISE
The Luxuries of Life Brought to Your Home
As you pull in the gate enjoy the view! Exquisite 5,300 sq.ft. custom finished main house on 14.12 acres, pool/spa, 8 stall horse barn, lit arena, 1200 sq.ft. 2br/2ba barndominium with an office and three bay garage with its own entrance. Fenced and cross fenced. Huge Oak trees. Absolutely beautiful! MLS# 1031476 | $1,550,000
Call Mark Burns today at 830-446-1506 for a free consulatation. Visit our Portfolio at: www.houzz.com/pro/boernekitchensandbaths
Remodel – Renovate – Refresh Boerne, Texas
BALCONES CREEK
Ex Balc ecutive o a Nownes Creet Ope k n!
Homes from the 430’s $
Community Features:
Homes from the $420’s
• 1/2 to 3/4-acre homesites • 3-car garage designs available • Close to historic Downtown Boerne
• Easy access to I-10, Hwy 1604, and Hwy 46 • Close to shopping, dining, recreational areas and major employers
For more information contact Cesar Rivera at 210-381-5187.
THE ESTATES AT FREDERICK CREEK
Limited Homesites Remain - Homes from the 270’s $
Community Features: • 11 home designs built on oversized homesites • Large wooded homesites
3H Rem omesite Encl ain in th s a e the $ve from 240’s
• 3-car garage designs available • Hill Country experience offering city conveniences
For more information contact Stephanie Keene at 210-415-8668.
Ryland Homes HouseWorks program offers energy efficiency with guaranteed monthly heating and cooling costs!
87
RS1125
Visit ryland.com for more information.
In the San Antonio division, prices, plans and specifications are subject to change without notice. Map is an artist’s conception for general information purposes only and is not to scale. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. Information believed to be accurate but not warranted. See sales counselor for details and for a complete list of HouseWorks® features. © 2014 RH of Texas Limited Partnership.
Frederick Creek
46
Balcones Creek
St.
10 ®
in Ma
Johns Rd.
46 Fair Oaks Blvd.® 87
Map not drawn to scale.
boernebusinessmonthly.com
27
July 2014
CALENDAR OF EVENTS | cont’d CRS,E-Pro, GRI 210.268.3691 (cell) | Carol@LoneStarBoerne.com
July 24 greater boerne chamber of commerce Ribbon Cutting for O'Reilly Auto Parts 11:30am to 12:00pm | 1599 S. Main St. – Boerne greater boerne chamber of commerce Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by Road Hawgs Saloon 5:00pm to 7:00pm | 31138 IH 10 West – Boerne July 25 Christmas in July – Movie in the Park 6:30pm to 10:00pm | Main Plaza Fun for the whole Family! "Dr. Seusse's How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
8+ Acres in Diamond Ridge
Remarkable long distance sunset views can be achieved with this "double" lot in Diamond Ridge. 8+ acres gives you the room to design the home of your dreams to capture the sunshine and shadows of any given day. Even though you are elevated to enjoy great views, there is a wonderful level building site on this acreage!! Easy access from the road but plenty of seclusion with the topography. Beautiful gated community has outstanding homeowners' park with pond, covered picnic area and tennis facility.
Please go to www.HillCountryProperties.net for more pictures and additional listings.
28
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
July 26 Farmers Market at The Cibolo 8:30am to 12:30pm | 33 Herff Rd. – Boerne Music From The Heart Of Darkness Cave Without A Name 7:30pm | 325 Kreutzberg Rd. – Boerne July 29 Abendkonzerte 7:30pm to 9:00pm | Main Plaza – Boerne July 31 GREATER BOERNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Business After Hours Mixer sponsored by Kendall County Fair Association 5:00pm to 7:00pm | Kendall County Fairgrounds 1307 River Road – Boerne BBM
Energy-Saving Tips for Summertime
T
This summer choose to change your energy habits and your wallet will thank you. • Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away. For every degree you raise your thermostat, you can save about 2% on your cooling. Ceiling fans are a more energy-efficient way to keep cool. Always take into account health considerations and be sure to drink plenty of fluids in warm weather. • To help minimize peak loads for your electric cooperative, avoid running your appliances during peak hours, 2 to 6 p.m. • Do your laundry efficiently by using the warm- or cold-water setting for washing your clothes. Always use cold water to rinse clothes. • Line-dry clothes whenever you can. When you need to use the dryer, run full loads, use the moisture-sensing setting, and clean the lint trap after each use. • Operate swimming pool filters and cleaning sweeps efficiently. Reduce the operating time of your pool filter and automatic cleaning sweep to four to five hours during off-peak time. • Turn off appliances, lights and equipment when not in use. • Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they aren’t in use—most new electronics use electricity even when switched off. Turn computers and printers off at a power strip. • Unplug and recycle any spare refrigerator in the garage if you don’t really need it. • Opt for a microwave. Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove. • Push a button to wash your dishes. It may come as a surprise to know that your dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand. But remember to only wash full loads and then let dishes air-dry to save even more. • Fill up the fridge. Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open, so your fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to stay cool. The same is true for the freezer.BBM
www.banderaelectric.com/content/ energy-conservation or www.togetherwesave.com bandera electric cooperative, inc. is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative. the cooperative was established in 1938 and provides electric service to over 33,000 meters in seven hill country counties, including bandera, bexar, kendall, kerr, medina, real and uvalde. beC owns approximately $166 million in assets, including equipment in 15 power substations and over 4,500 miles of line. the co-op has approximately 90 employees. you can get updates from bandera electric and more information at www.banderaelectric.com, @banderaelectric on twitter or www.facebook.com/banderaelectric.
Serving our Friends and Neighbors of the Hill Country Since 1916
“Where experience and service make the difference” From its beginning in 1916, Kendall County Abstract Company has been Kendall County’s locally owned and operated title company. Over the last 97 years, we’ve earned the trust of real estate professionals because we’re experienced, we’re professional, and we care about our customers.
ashlee Pfeiffer, manager
Agent for:
• stewart title Guaranty company • Fidelity national title • First american title insurance • alamo title insurance
830.816.2131 | 830.249.3341 - Fax 103 N. Saunders • Boerne, Texas 78006 (across from the courthouse)
VISIT US AT WWW.KCAC.NET
Offering Services in Accounting and Tax for Small Business, Individuals, and Non-Profits
830.995.5810
marcie@mlcoxcpa.com | www.mlcoxcpa.com boernebusinessmonthly.com
29
art |
- Betty Houston and Gabriel Delgado
30
B oerne B usiness M onthly | July 2014
Phillip Bell
& Assoc., llc
PHILLIP BELL
REALTOR®, GREEN/Consultant
210.415.8483 pbell@texas.net
• ENERGY EFFICIENT • WATER CONSERVATION
phillipbell.net
LAND SALE
NEW LISTING
FOR
IN THE NEW
RARE OPPORTUNITY – HISTORIC, CIRCA 1800 “JAMES HOUSE” zoned b-1 office/Commercial. located just off main st. on .4298 ac. with room for expansion. registered with the texas historical Commission. updated electrical and a/C. interior can be updated for commercial offices. two story with side entrance. original long-leaf pine floors. Garage with storage room. this is one of the few historical buildings remaining in boerne. great investment! $475,000
2.99 ACRE LOT – 1025 BLANCO RD. is ready for mixed-use development. located at 1025 blanco rd., property is complimented by mature trees and ideal location for commercial development opportunity (zoned b-1) and residential development with access from dawnridge street (zoned r-1). txdot estimates appx. 7000/ day traffic count. house to be removed, does not convey. call for details. $595,000
INDUSTRIAL ZONE
COMING SOON! INDUSTRIAL/TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS PARK: this 28.4 acre property is available for development. recently annexed with industrial zoning (i) pending, this property is ready for a professional developer to work with the city of boerne for a most-needed industrial park. city water available. city sewer service in progress. approx. 1400 feet of frontage on shooting club road with additional access on hwy 87 (main street). the property is under ag-exemption. 39 horse stalls, office and apartment to be removed. contact listing agent for full details. $3.35/Sq.Ft.
34± ACRES: this property at 7 becker ln is offered for potential development. located behind ingram readymix, with50 ft. easement fronting on ih-10 access road.there are two family homes and various out-buildings on the property with two wells and three septic systems. the 34+/- acres is not in the city limits but is in the etJ. ideal for light, industrial development. electricity is available from bandera elect. co-op. water and sewer service available from kendall utility. survey, plat and aerials are available. call for details. $2.00/Sq. Ft.
OTHER UNLiSTED COMMERCiAL PROPERTiES AVAiLABLE! boernebusinessmonthly.com
31
Meet Our Real Estate Agents!
Ed Trevino, Broker
Professional Real Estate Services and Property Management
Allison Davis
OUR TEAM OF REALTORS CAN HELP YOU SELL, LEASE OR BUY YOUR NEXT PROPERTY!
! D L SO
! D L SO CARRIAGE BLVD. MLS# 1044758
Heather Alaniz
! D L SO
GUADALUPE RIVER LIVING! MLS# 1041322
ER T! D N U RAC T CON ISLAND PRIVILEGES MLS# 1058683
ER T! D N U RAC T CON
MT. EDEN MLS# 1045940
BOERNE/PLEASANT VALLEY MLS# 1052913
Let Us Help You Get Your House SOLD! EVERYTHING FROM HOME STAGING, LICENSED AND INSURED CONTRACTORS, HANDYMAN SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPERS! 20+ YEARS EXPERIENCE AND AN OFFICE IN THE HEART OF BOERNE. CALL ED TODAY!
Office: 830-331-2666 Reach the Broker Day or Night! | Cell: 210-535-1355 103 E. Kronkosky – Boerne, Tx 78006
HomeSweetHomeBoerne.com