A Monthly Publication Directly Mailed to the residents of Hollywood Park, Brookhollow, DeerďŹ eld, Churchill Estates and surrounding areas POSTAL CUSTOMER
December 2015 Issue
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANTONIO, TX PERMIT NO 6450
NORTH CENTRAL BAPTIST HOSPITAL AND WELCOME HOME PRESENT
Winter Celebration JOIN US FOR FAMILY FUN IN A WINTER WONDERLAND SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 10 A.M. – 3 P.M. NORTH CENTRAL BAPTIST HOSPITAL
520 Madison Oak Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258
ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY: • Featuring AirLIFE Santa & Mrs. Claus
• Winter playground with REAL SNOW
• Bring an unwrapped toy for “Living Through Giving” to get a photo with Santa
• Holiday Arts & Crafts • Mini Carnival Rides • Free Health Risk Assessments
• NEISD Elementary, Middle and High School performances throughout the day • Food, Games, Prizes and more!
For more information please call (866) 231-4742.
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www.welcomehomesa.com NCBH-WinterFest ad.indd 1
December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232 10/8/15 11:55 AM
Why Are We Different? Schedule A Visit To Find Out!
CLUB HUMIDOR
Village at Stone Oak • 210-404-0707 Thousand Oaks • 210-828-1261 Huebner Rd • 210-558-7700 San Pedro • 210-824-1209
Independent Living & Assisted Living EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNIT Y
18323 Sonterra Place • 210.404.1444 www.FranklinPark.org License #104458 Come see our newly upgraded 1 BR apartments!
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Stop By & Ask About Our Daily Seafood Specials. 9801 McCullough, San Antonio, Texas 210-377-0951 4002 East Causeway Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 361-730-1514 December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
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December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
Note From The Publisher
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Santa, Snow, Sled Rides and More! Dec 5, 2015 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at North Central Baptist Hospital
ear Neighbors, Winter Celebration featuring AirLife Santa is here! Make sure to come out to North Central Baptist Hospital for an amazing time. This is the seventh year Welcome Home and North Central Baptist Hospital are teaming up to bring the community two Stone Oak traditions: the Winter Celebration and AirLIFE Santa. The event will be held together as one celebation on December 5, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Winter Celebration always kicks off with a mini-parade highlighting the schools in our local neighborhoods. This year the Reagan High School Marching Band along with the Alamo City Marching Band will be featured in our parade. This is a great opportunity to come out and see these bands in action. The parade will also feature school mascots, spirit organizations and children’s groups . I have even been told Anna and Elsa from the Disney movie Frozen will be in our parade and they will stick around for photos during the event. We will be lining up for the parade at 9:45 a.m. on Reindeer Lane. There will be plenty of volunteers to direct you and you can visit our website for more details as they are listed. Join us for this wintry thrill! Of course, Santa is always the main attraction. He will arrive by AirLife helicopter at 10:30 a.m. after the mini parade. In exchange for your donation of a new, unwrapped toy, you or your child will receive a FREE photo with Santa, a FREE slide ride and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a general prize drawing. There will be mini-carnival rides, games, food and local entertainment from many of our NISD, NEISD and Comal ISD schools!
You can read more about the celebration at livingthroughgivingsa.org. Also, for your convenience, we will be offering FREE shuttle service from Reagan High School and Cornerstone Church. You can read more details on page 7. Mark your calendars for December 5, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a fun, family time and a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community while giving back. Our goal this year is to collect 10,000 toys for our organization, Living Through Giving, to distribute to the most needy children here in San Antonio. Come out and help us reach this goal and help each of these precious children receive a gift on Christmas morning. Welcome Home would like to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday Season! Look for our next publication in January 2016. Until next year, keep safe and God bless! Sincerely,
20770 Hwy. 281 N. Suite 108-149 San Antonio, Texas 78258
(210) 348-8233 • Fax: (210) 497-7342 Article Submissions: articles@welcomehomesa.com Ad Inquiries Email: ads@welcomehomesa.com www.welcomehomesa.com
Directly Mailed To Over 60,000 Households & Businesses in 78232, 78248, 78255, 78256, 78257, 78258, 78259, 78260, & 78261 Zip Codes. Plus, 20,000 in Rack Distribution.
Welcome Home newspaper assumes no liability in advertising other than correction and reinsertion of like-size ad at no additional cost to our advertiser. The opinions stated by the writers or the information printed from other sources do not necessarily depict those of the publisher or advertisers. No liability is assumed. Welcome Home newspaper will not knowingly publish any advertisement which is illegal or misleading to its readers. All copy and type arrangements are subject to approval by the publisher. All stories and photos submitted become property of Welcome Home Editorial and Advertising content of Welcome Home newspaper is protected by the U.S. copyright law. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Publisher Russell Groomer
Administrative Assistant Brittany Oliver
Director Of Production Kristin Oliver
Staff Writers Debby Seguin
Writer/Copy Editors Stefanie Young
Contributing Photographer Oscar McAnally
Production/Graphic Design Marie Ferrante
Sales Representatives Patrice Long Austin Jones
Contributing Writers Steven Chavez Steve Johnson Jeri Pressler Daniel Segura Bonnie Smith
Distribution Israel Vazquez
December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
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On The Cover By Stefanie Young he holiday season is here and Winter Celebration is right around the corner! Welcome Home Community Newspaper, North Central Baptist Hospital and the non-profit Living Through Giving are sponsoring the annual holiday event, Winter Celebration, on Saturday December 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In anticipation of the large number of families and children, Welcome Home is proud to once again offer a FREE shuttle service to and from Winter Celebration located at North Central Baptist Hospital. This year, The Independence Hill Retirement Community, Coronado at Stone Oak, VIA, The Haven and The Laurel and Franklin Park have all generously donated shuttles and buses for easy and convenient transportation to Winter Celebration. Shuttle service pick-up this year will be located at Ronald Reagan High School (19000 Ronald Reagan Drive) and Cornerstone Church (18755 Stone Oak Parkway). Shuttles will begin transporting the public at 9:30 a.m. and will run continuously until 3:30 p.m. Cars should enter through the Sonterra entrance. All cars
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must be clear of the parking lots by 4 p.m. Welcome Home would like to thank all shuttle service providers for assisting in transportation and ensuring that everyone in the community can attend the celebration. If you have any questions or would like more information regarding Winter Celebration, call (210) 348-8233. Welcome Home looks forward to celebrating the holiday season with the entire community!
Family Life
Say What You Mean 6519.01-WHNICU5x6_v2.indd 1
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By Debby Seguin
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ords just don’t mean the same thing anymore. It gets quite confusing. My students say “Hey, dog!” and “You’re bad!” and then assure me I have been complimented. “Cool” things are now “hot” and it’s hard to keep up with it all! I thought this just happens in the teen world. Surely this phenomenon is not proliferated throughout society at large! However, recently, I found myself taking all things “yikes!” and “no thanks” on The After Christmas Great Return trek. While standing in a line (that could not have been longer had Elvis himself been found alive and well, and working behind the counter) I hear, “May I help the next GUEST please?” GUEST? I’m a GUEST? Hmmm…when you have a GUEST in your home, does I Can Help You If You Are . . . • Startup Businesses Clients
• Large Outdoor Courtyard, Walking Paths • Close to Shopping & Dining • Full-time Concierge • Leisure, Educational & Social Activities • Grand Living Rooms with Fireplaces • Sunset-view Dining Room • Award-winning, Restaurant-style Dining • Bistro with Snacks & Beverages • Private Dining Room for Special Occasions
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(210) 492-4040 • 3220 North Loop 1604 West Shavano Park, Texas 78231 www.ShavanoParkSeniorLiving.com
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the GUEST bathroom have a dirty diaper clogging the toilet? Does it have toilet paper strewn about so that no matter what you do, like some magnetic science project gone awry, it will cling unbeknownst to your GUEST to be paraded around in public? Does it have a big sign on the back of the doors that says if your GUEST shoplifts, they will be hunted, tortured AND they will tell mom!? Do you get rid of the towels and hang a giant blow dryer on the wall? Do you have conversations like this with your GUESTS: “May I help you, ma’am?” “This vase is broken.” “How did it break, ma’am?” “I don’t know. I just took it out of the box and it was broken.” “Oh.-----You took it out of the box, ma’am?” “Well, yes. Yes I did” (feeling strangely guilty). “I’m sorry ma’am, but if you break the hermetically sealed box, that voids the warranty. Here is an 800 number if you have any more questions and, oh, thank you for shopping with us. Next GUEST please!” Why not just say, “May I help the next naïve person who is hoping I can solve their problem when I just want to take my break?” Doesn’t sound as nice but at least this GUEST won’t be expecting tea and pastries served on the good china, right? Words have changed, folks. Better take your teen with you so you know if you are “down with that,” if something is “beast” or how to reply to a sincere, “Sup, Dawg?” Debby (who is taking New English classes) can be reached at writewell62@ yahoo.com
December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
FREE Shuttles To Winter Celebration Special By Welcome Home he holiday season is nearing, and Winter Celebration is right around the corner! Welcome Home Community Newspaper, North Central Baptist Hospital and the nonprofit Living Through Giving are sponsoring the annual holiday event, Winter Celebration, on Saturday December 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In anticipation of the large number of families and children, Welcome Home is proud to once again offer a FREE shuttle service to and from Winter Celebration located at North Central Baptist Hospital. This year, The Independence Hill Retirement Community, Coronado at Stone Oak, The Haven and The Laurel, and Franklin Park have all generously donated shuttles and buses for easy and convenient transportation to Winter Celebration. Shuttle service pick-up this year will be located at Ronald Reagan High School (19000 Ronald Reagan Drive) and Cornerstone Church (18755 Stone Oak Parkway). Shuttles will begin transporting the public at 9:30 a.m. and will run continuously until 3:30 p.m. Cars should enter through the Sonterra entrance. All cars must be clear of the parking lots by 4 p.m. Winter Celebration featuring AirLIFE Santa is a wonderful family event for all ages. The celebration begins with an opening parade showcasing performances from school choirs and area high school marching bands. The event itself includes photos with Santa, raffles for prizes, vendors as well as other activities to create endless fun for families and volunteers. Santa’s arrival by helicopter always brings excitement from the crowd, and of course, the celebration would not be complete without 60,000 lbs. of snow for snowball fights and snow angels! Over the past thirteen years, Winter Celebration has become the largest Christmas toy drive in Stone Oak, San Antonio. Welcome Home would like to thank all shuttle service providers for assisting in transportation and ensuring that everyone in the community can attend the celebration. If you have any questions or would like more information regarding Winter Celebration, call (210) 348-8233. Welcome Home looks forward to celebrating the holiday season with the entire community!
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December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
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Hormones: Precisely Prescribed Produce Powerful Results
By Donna Becker, D.O. Enhancement of Life (210) 545-5224 rue stories: (1) a woman told me she had been instructed to rub in about ½ tsp. of over the counter progesterone cream each day for relief of hot flashes. (2) Another patient came to me saying she had been told to apply a man’s prescription testosterone gel, “a little dab,” to see if that would help with her lack of libido. She had done that, but wondered if it was too much or too little. In the first example, progesterone cream
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is not well absorbed, thus blood levels remain less than optimal. Progesterone is the one sex hormone that is best prescribed orally or intravaginally. Progesterone acts on the brain to affect calmness, on the breast and uterus to down regulate estrogen. (YES, even if you had a hysterectomy). Testosterone made for a man is far too potent, too strong, for women. Permanent, as in forever and ever, masculinizing effects could occur after months of this use, such
as facial hair, deepening of the voice and cystic acne. We women need testosterone, but not the same as a man. Just the right amount improves mood, libido and physical endurance. For women, a compounded testosterone cream, made by a certified compounding pharmacist with special training, must be applied using a syringe or a metered dose application for accurate dosage. Men need testosterone blood levels, too. A gentleman came to me after months of applying a prescription testosterone gel without much benefit. His blood level
Home Centers vs. Plumbing Suppliers By Mike and Molly Sowry Virtuoso Builders (210) 525-8750 hy does it cost more to purchase difference. The items you are looking at a faucet at the specialty plumbing may look the same and may even have the supplier than at the big box home same brand name but there is a difference in center? They look the same. Some of the how it’s made. The parts on the inside are brands are the same. The truth is, there is a what distinguishes the two fixtures giving difference. A big difference. Once you have you a higher and lower cost. If you’re not an idea of the style and design of the fixture concerned about the quality and longevity you want, consider how durable you want of the fixture then we say go for the lower your fixtures to be. cost and save yourself some money. Here is what you should know when • Quality - As mentioned earlier, the comparison shopping: fixtures that come with the higher price • Price - This is the most obvious tag are because of the materials they are
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ENHANCEMENT OF LIFE CENTER
Before
After
Kitchens • Bathrooms • Whole House Remodels • Additions Look for our Home Improvement article each month in Welcome Home
Call to schedule your FREE consultation with Dr. Becker
(210)5 45 – 52 2 4
14603 Huebner Rd., Suite 2601(Huebner & NW Military)
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or when purchased on line. The plumbing supply stores sometimes have the items in stock but more than likely you will have to order them. We suggest no matter where you go that you make your selections prior to starting your remodel. That way, you will be looking at your fixture and not waiting on it when ready for install. Either way you go, both kinds of fixtures could work for you. We have installed both mostly based on the homeowner’s budget. Be aware of the differences in price and quality so you can make the best decision for yourself. Virtuoso Builders is an award winning remodeling firm raising the professional standards in the San Antonio home remodeling industry. For more tips on home improvement, subscribe to our newsletter at www.virtuosobuilders.com.
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made of. Often, the quality of the steel up to the last nuts and bolts in a fixture from a plumbing supply tends to be more consistent compared to the ones in the home centers. The ones from the home centers usually contain plastic parts. If you are purchasing a fixture that will be in an area of constant use such as your kitchen, we suggest making the investment and buying from a plumbing supplier. They may be more expensive but worth every penny. • Availability - The kitchen and bath fixtures from the big box home centers are usually readily available in the store
revealed a low, but “normal for age” amount. He could not recall ever having seen his testosterone level. I give every patient all of their labs with three pages of line-by-line written explanation. I explained to him the incredible benefits of optimizing his testosterone level. I prescribed a potent, compounded, testosterone cream, which he applied twice daily. He loved it, felt great with the testosterone level of a young adult. Hormones must be precisely measured, monitored, and prescribed to achieve their full powerful benefits. Blood work guides therapy for women and men. Donna Becker, D.O., Board Certified Physician. Enhancement of Life is located at 14603 Huebner Rd., Suite 2601. For more information, call (210) 545-5224 or visit www.antiagingsa.com.
www.welcomehomesa.com
210.525.8750
www.VirtuosoBuilders.com December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
Emergency Rooms: Dispelling Myths & Answering Questions Know in advance what your local ER offers so that when you have to make a life-saving decision, you know where to go. By Edward Wright, M D The emergency room in the United States has always been and will continue to serve as a catchall for medical issues. Why? The primary reason is that it’s always open: at night, on holidays and weekends, when your primary care physician is booked or unavailable. But the emergency room can also create frustration. This frustration stems from long wait times, the lack of a firm diagnosis, the resulting cost and paperwork — and many other reasons. Perhaps this frustration could be avoided if each patient (and their loved ones) developed a clear understanding of what an emergency room is, its capabilities and its limitations, before walking in. Here’s the truth behind three ER myths and answers to two common ER questions that might help develop that clear understanding:
Myth 1: All ERs are the same.
Let’s start with what ERs have in common. All ERs have at least one physician working at all times. All ERs can obtain advanced imaging (X-Ray, CT, Ultrasound, etc.). And most importantly, all ERs can stabilize critical emergencies and provide basic lifesaving care. This is where the similarities stop. Visit different hospital-based ERs or standalone ERs, and you’ll find that each has different capabilities beyond the basics. For example, almost all hospitals have gaps in specialty coverage. If you visit a hospital-based ER with a problem that requires one of these unavailable specialties, you’ll be transferred to a facility that provides it. If you’ve had a recent procedure, it’s always a good idea to return to the facility where it was performed. That will help you avoid a transfer.
Myth 2: ERs can test for anything.
Many patients believe that ERs can test for and diagnose almost anything. Unfortunately, the exact opposite is true. ERs have a simple focus: ruling out, stabilizing and treating life-threatening conditions. That means testing tools available at ERs are designed to diagnose emergent diseases or illnesses. This is an ER’s specialty, and patients with life-threatening conditions will be pleased with their care and thankful for these tests. But not all ER patients experience life-threatening conditions. In these situations, outpatient physicians and specialists have far more tools at their disposal to conduct tests and provide an actual diagnoses. ERs commonly offer blood counts, abdominal labs, cardiac markers, CT and Ultrasound — tests needed to diagnose and stabilize emergency conditions.
December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
ERs typically do not offer MRI and specialized/ uncommon lab tests. If they do, these tests often require hours or days to return results.
Myth 3: ERs can provide a firm diagnosis.
How often have you heard something like this: “We spent 4 hours in the ER, and they sent us home saying nothing was wrong.” This is a frustrating situation, both for patients and physicians. But it’s important to know and remember that an ER’s purpose is not to diagnose. Rather, an ER’s role is to rule out and treat life-threatening conditions. When a patient is sent home, there are two key takeaways: 1) There is no life-threatening condition, and 2) The ER lacks the specialized tests needed to diagnose the non-lifethreatening condition. Here’s an example: About 50 percent of abdominal pain patients leave the ER without a diagnosis. Of those sent home diagnosis-less, about 95 will recover independently without ever discovering the cause of pain. The other 5 percent will find a diagnosis upon follow-up with a physician. Only a small fraction of this group will be found to experience something serious like appendicitis. The lack of a diagnosis is frustrating, yes. But the ER has fulfilled its role in ruling out life-threatening conditions. Given testing limitations, the best an ER can do is to send the patient home with follow-up/return instruction and medications to help control the symptoms until you meet with your doctor.
Question 1: Why do I wait so long?
No one likes to spend time sitting and waiting, especially when there is a medical situation. Unfortunately, that’s the reality at emergency rooms. But why?
Here’s why: An ER experiences much higher costs due to stringent state and federal requirements, including 24/7/365 staffing, licensure requirements, as well as on-site testing and equipment. In an ideal world, each patient would know if his or her condition is life-threatening before pursuing care. That would eliminate an expensive ER visit that produces no diagnosis. But that’s why the ER exists. To help you know if your symptoms indicate a life-threatening condition.
When should you visit the emergency room? The answer is simple: Any time you are in doubt. While there’s the possibility that you’ll leave without a diagnosis, there’s the benefit of a medical professional ruling out something more serious. And if you are experiencing a life-threatening condition, you have around-the-clock access to medical professionals who are trained to stabilize the condition and connect you with specialists who can provide further care.
Be prepared.
If you or a loved one is concerned about a medical emergency – never take a chance. Your health is the top priority. Before you need an ER, identify the one closest to your home, office or school. Make a call and find out what services they offer. Many do not offer labor and delivery, but may offer limited GYN services; some are able to cast a broken limb while others will refer you to an orthopedic specialist. Know in advance what your local ER offers so that when you have to make a life-saving decision, you know where to go.
Full Functioning Emergency Room 24/7/365 ● Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physicians ● Full On-Site State of the Art High Speed Laboratory & Imaging Equipment ● Treatment of ALL illnesses including ALL medical & accidental emergencies
At a hospital, there’s a finite amount of money available to contribute to infrastructure. There’s not only an ER to run, but also operating rooms, medical floors, ICUs and myriad other departments. Many hospitals choose to focus their time, energy and money on highly profitable specialties such as elective neurosurgical or orthopedic procedures. Standalone ERs provide an attractive alternative. You receive the same quality of care, but you typically wait a fraction of the time. Standalone ERs never choose where to invest money, because emergency care and services are all that they provide. That’s why standalone ERs often offer a faster, more efficient, more enjoyable experience.
Question 2: Why is my bill so high?
This is perhaps the greatest frustration for patients, particularly if their visit to the ER results in no diagnosis. Many wonder why a sore throat or other symptoms cost so much more to treat at an ER than at the doctor’s office.
www.welcomehomesa.com
LOCATION:1604 & Bitters CONTACT: 210-504-4837 PrestigeER.com
OPENING EARLY DECEMBER! 9
A Senior Community Filled With Life
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By Kelly Schwennesen Shavano Park (210) 492-4040
hen considering retirement living options, seniors are looking for comfort and community, and an array of services and amenities that enhance and fulfill everyday living. As baby boomers age, they are setting the standards for a new standard in senior living that is making senior living communities a popular option. One local example of this trend is a
new Shavano Park community opening in December, 2015. Shavano Park Senior Living will be one of the finest assisted living and memory care communities in Texas. With outstanding service offerings, a quality professional staff, premier amenities and beautifully landscaped courtyards and grounds, Shavano Park gives residents a home filled with all the comforts one would come to expect from the best in senior living. Its mission is to provide a senior community filled with life, laughter and love
Retirement Oversights By Eric Zeitler Client Centric Wealth Management (210) 807-7599 e all have a “pie in the sky” outlook found that only 6% had worked into their of the way retirement will be, yet seventies. Only 9% had retired at age 65. it helps to plan for retirement with Sixty-five percent of the respondents had a little prudence. We should plan for those left work before age 65, up from 61% in EBRI’s 2010 survey. items that are often overlooked. Many see retirement as a continuation of We may retire earlier than planned. Some of us plan on retiring at 66 so that the today. Things change, and the costs years we will receive full Social Security benefits from now could be greater than the costs rather than the reduced payments of early at the start of retirement. Some of us will retirement. This does not correspond with likely be retired for 20 or 30 years, it’s vital reality. In surveying current retirees, EBRI to take a long-term view of the retirement.
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for its residents, with an active and socially engaged lifestyle. By design it includes the latest state-of-the-art amenities available now in the San Antonio area. Life at Shavano Park Senior Living begins by choosing a residence option that is best suited to a person’s needs. The community will features 40 luxurious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedrooms for those seeking assisted living plus 44 private and shared memory care apartments in a specially designed neighborhood residence. What are the differences? Assisted Living is a combination of housing, services, personalized assistance and care tailored to the individual needs of those who require help with activities of daily living. Supportive services are available to
meet scheduled and unscheduled needs in a way that promotes maximum dignity and independence of each resident and involves the resident’s family and friends. Memory Care is designed especially for residents with memory loss and other forms of dementia. Secured space creates a warm and calming place filled with familiar sights, sounds and aromas of days gone by. Come see what the best in senior living looks like. For more information on Shavano Park call 210-492-4040 or visit www.ShavanoParkSeniorLiving. com. Located in Shavano Park, Texas, the expertly trained staff will provide residents with the highest standards of senior care services.
Some will face an insurance coverage shortfall. Many of us rely on employersponsored health insurance. If we retire before age 65, how do we insure ourselves until we become eligible for Medicare? Will we need long term care coverage? As medicine and health care continue to advance, the possibility of a gradual rather than sudden death may increase. The wealthy may have the assets to contend with long term care costs, but the middle class rarely do. Age may catch up to us sooner rather than later. Many of us will live long and healthy retirements, but this is not a given. That means we need to find people we can trust to manage our finances and help us in our daily lives if we become mentally or physically infirm. We may be alone sooner than we assume.
Many couples retire with an assumption that they will be together for some time – but something may happen to leave one spouse alone. A single person does not simply live on 50% of the income of a couple. These are some of the common oversights that can surprise us in retirement. They may quickly affect our money and our quality of life. If we age with an awareness of them and recognize them in our retirement and estate planning, then we may be better prepared if they happen. Client Centric Wealth Management may be reached at 210-807-7599 or www.ccwmgmt.com. 19230 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 315.
A Special Open House Come Enjoy Our Exciting Holiday Entertainment
21802 Encino Commons
Blue Santa, Live Entertainment, Personal Tours, Door Prizes & Hors D’oevres With Our Favorite Candy Cane Cocktail.
ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
Thurs, Dec. 17th 4 pm – 7 pm
License #104834
RSVP 210.483.9999
www.franklinpark.org/stone-oak
210.483-9999
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10003 NW Military Hwy 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy
(210) 494-5858
(210) 558-0636
11851 Bandera Rd
(210)433-1941 Helotes,TX 78023
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNIT Y
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December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
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December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
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9th Annual Run With A Mission 5K Submitted By Stephen Chavez he 9th Annual Run with a Mission 5K was held in late October at Mission County Park #1, despite the heavy rain just days prior. While safety due to the inclement weather was a concern, race officials monitored weather information and coordinated with Bexar County Park staff to ensure the area was open and safe for participants. “It was awesome,” said William Daily, Principal at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School. “So happy it wasn’t cancelled.” The event was not without wind and a little rain, but by mid-morning the rain had stopped. The crowd was enjoying gathering with friends and classmates in celebration of Catholic school education. Funds raised from the event benefit area Catholic schools and Hope for the Future, which provides tuition assistance to less fortunate families so they too can attend Catholic school. During the registration process 5K participants were able to select which school their fees would benefit. Each participating school was asked to apply the funds to an on-campus project. St. Monica Catholic School in Converse is planning to place the funds toward the school’s technology program to help fund Mac Book computers for students, according to the school’s technology director, Lisa
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Jordan. To ensure participants had the opportunity to celebrate Mass on Sunday, the event began with Mass led by Fr. Jonathan Felux, Personal Secretary to Archbishop Gustavo and Director of Seminarians, and Fr. John Francis Bentley, Chaplain at St. John Paul II Catholic High School. This year’s run saw participation increase by 62 percent compared to last year. Schools were encouraged to setup ‘Spirit Booths’ and had activities such as face painting, arts and crafts, and games. School performance groups displayed their talents in front of the large crowd before and after the run. “I cannot believe the number of people that showed in spite of the weather,” said Mimi Crow, Principal at St. Paul Catholic School and founding member of the Run with a Mission 5K Planning Committee. “The upcoming 10th anniversary year should be really great.” The highlight of the event included a School Throwdown Challenge, costume contest and the spirit booth judging. St. Gerard Catholic High School took home first place in the School Throwdown Challenge which included a three-person 5K relay. The school’s spirit booths were judged by Superintendent Marti West; Associate Director of Counseling and Student Services, Lynnanne Eurton; Hope for the Future Board members Lyle Baie, Ph.D.,
Kids participated in the 9th Annual Run with a Mission 5K to support Catholic school education.
William Gonzalez and Alex Ojeda. After much deliberation, the judges selected St. Gerard Catholic High School and St. Paul Catholic School for first and second place, respectively, in the Spirit Booth competition. St. Gerard took home the Spirit Stick and $2,000 while St. Paul received a $1,000 prize. Overall the event was a success and is primed to grow even bigger next year.
“The event met the intent – we had largest number of participants to date, great school spirit, awesome opportunity in building community and generating awareness for our Catholic schools, and a packed morning Mass,” said West. Hope for the Future officials, organizers of the 5K event, say preparations are already underway for the 10th Anniversary Run with a Mission 5K in 2016.
Churchill Student Celebrates Eagle Scout Rank
Submitted By Jeri Pressler ohnathan Pressler, son of Glenn & Jeri Pressler, celebrated the rank of Eagle Scout on Oct 25th, 2015. The award given by Boy Scouts of America is the highest rank advancement and is earned by less than 5% of all Boy Scouts. In addition to many other requirements, the Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, school, or his community.
For his Eagle Project, Johnathan chose to make a 10x12 building for the Mill Springs Cabin area at Bradley Middle School for storing props. Johnathan led 22 volunteers in the construction of the building which took 298 total man hours. Johnathan is a member of Troop 511, sponsored by San Pedro Presbyterian Church. While a Boy Scout, Johnathan attended National Youth Leadership Training, the 2013 National Scout Jamboree where he served as the
Submitted By Bonnie Smith he Churchill High School Choir is one of the top performing choral programs in all of NEISD. During the month of October, we had numerous students audition for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Mixed Region and Treble Region choirs. We had 27
students pass the audition to join the Mixed Region Choir and 18 students advance to the Treble Region Choir. Of the 27 Mixed Region Choir members, 13 of them, ranging from freshmen to senior, held chairs in the top 10 and advance to the next round of PreArea auditions. What success As an ever-growing choral program, we
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Holiday Concert At Churchill HS
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Winter Precautions For Your Vehicle
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By Rusty Belden, President Belden’s Automotive & Tires (210) 494-0017
inter is here and although your first instinct is to wrap up in a warm blanket by the fire, you really should be thinking about maintaining your vehicle while the cold weather is upon us. Without the heating systems in today’s modern vehicles, we would all be miserable driving to our destinations. We take for granted the heat in our vehicle that keeps us warm in the winter months. Without proper
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protection and maintenance our vehicles would not be able to protect us from that cold weather. Here are some important facts to keep in mind: Of the upmost importance in the winter months is your radiator. It helps the engine stay at proper temperature, regardless of the temperature outside. Always make sure
Historian, and twice attended the BSA high adventure Seabase scuba diving program. He also held numerous leadership positions within his troop including Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Guide. Johnathan has earned 43 merit badges and is a student at Churchill High School where he is a member of the swim team and National Honor Society. Johnathan Pressler recently celebrated the rank of Eagle Scout!
have about 200 students in our 7 different choirs. We pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse groups on campus, with students heavily involved in various organizations, ranging from sports to other fine arts to academic UIL teams. Choir at Churchill isn’t just a class you take, it’s a musical family.
If you are interested in seeing this musical family in action and need some holiday cheer, come celebrate the season with us at our Holiday Concert on December 10th at 7:00pm. It’s free!
your vehicles coolant is filled properly, if not it can cause your engine to freeze during the worst of dipping temperatures. Vehicle batteries can have trouble starting during extreme temperatures. Check the batteries terminals to make sure there is no rust or corrosion. If you have an older battery and the temperatures are dipping, get your battery tested and replace it if it is not in good working order. As temperatures rise and fall throughout the day, so does the air pressure in your tires. Especially in cold months, tires tend to lose more air than in winter months. Check your tires during the first cold snap and make sure they are in range suggested by the manufacturer. This ensures that your tires always make good contact with the road surface and helps ward off uneven wear.
Don’t forget to make time for your vehicle during this winter. Besides all of the tips mentioned above, don’t forget your windshield wipers! It is important to replace worn wiper blades regularly to maintain good visibility when necessary. Proper maintenance can help insure you and your vehicle don’t get caught out in the cold. You can always call Belden’s Automotive & Tires, our family is here to help! Belden’s Automotive & Tires has Six Locations: San Pedro: 210-494-0017; Medical Center: 210-690-1100; Alamo Garage: 210-366-1122; Boerne: 830981-9700; Bulverde Rd.: 210-481-3330; Prue Rd.: 210-877-2929. For more information, call one of the locations or visit www.beldensautomotive.com
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many years. “I love everything about the new classrooms, especially the lockers and bathrooms,” exclaimed 4th grader, Alexa Tijerina. Mount Sacred Heart School Principal, Maria Casto says, “We are excited to offer our 4th and 5th grade students a state-ofthe-art learning environment. We’re grateful to our many partners in mission – parents, alumni, Board members, benefactors, and the SSCJ Congregation for making this a reality for our students. The future of MSH is bright thanks to the generosity of so many loyal and faithful friends.” Celebrations of the new wing didn’t end on the first day of school. On Sunday, September 27, 2015, the Mount Sacred Heart Community celebrated MSH Heritage
December 2015 • Welcome Home • 78248/78232
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Submitted By Stephen Chavez hen students arrive on their first day of school, they usually bring a bright smile and great anticipation of a new start. This year, the students of Mount Sacred Heart School had even more to smile about as the 86 year-old school opened its doors to a new school year with a newly renovated 3rd floor wing. The “New Beginning Campaign” renovation – which initiated in March 2015 – includes four new classrooms, boys’ and girls’ restrooms, a piano room, a spacious Fine Arts classroom, an expansive hallway with student lockers, central air/heat, new roofing, over 100 new student desks, fixtures and technology equipment. This 1.2 million dollar makeover marks the first major capital project the school has undergone in
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MSH Heritage Day
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We live in a world where even the smallest of luxuries are given to us every day. Take for instance our cars. Most Automotive dealers have discovered that offering excellent customer service is just as important as offering a quality product. Even the smallest cars nowadays have luxurious features that used to only be available in high-end luxury cars. The same is true in the housing industry. New homebuilders are adding high-end luxury features to their base models. Consumers demand granite, tile, wood floors, and stainless appliances no matter what price range! Trends in the housing and automobile industry start in the high-end luxury market and eventually trickle down to the average consumer. Here in San Antonio, the market for homes priced at $500,000 and above, is growing –
both in supply and demand. In September of 2015 there were 60 homes sold in Bexar county over $500,000 with an average of 128 days on the market, compared to 50 homes sold in that price range in September of 2014. Many buyers are moving here from all over the country and the San Antonio real estate market offers many great amenities at comparatively lower prices than other areas. With interest rates still low – many people are moving up in the market and demanding luxuries in their homes. Kim Lookabaugh is a Luxury Real Estate Broker with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty. She represents real estate buyers and sellers, offering million dollar service no matter what the price range! Call her today at 210-776-3675.
Day – a commemoration of the school’s founding congregation – the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - profession of vows and recognition of their legacy and source of inspiration for future generations. The occasion also served as a time to bridge the wealth of Mount’s heritage with the promise of a bright future for the school. “Our Heritage Day Celebration gives us an opportunity to celebrate our 86-year presence in the San Antonio community. The blessing of the renovated 3rd floor as part of that celebration is witness to the vitality of our community and its commitment to continue the ministry of Catholic education for generations to come,” said Principal Casto. Members of the School community including the SSCJ, parents, students,
faculty/staff, alumni, friends, benefactors and board members were all on hand to pay tribute to the spiritual ancestors of the school as well as experience the excitement of the school’s future with a tour of the new 3rd floor wing and special blessing given by former MSH student, Fr. Art Flores, OMI. “On this day we give thanks to the many Sisters, lay faculty and staff, and benefactors who have given generously of their time and talents to ensure that Mount Sacred Heart is able to continue its ministry. As we reflect on our rich past, and look ahead to a bright future we are confident that the seeds of faith will continue to grow in the hearts of our past and current students.”
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