January 2016 78255 56 57 for web by Russell Groomer

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Building Relationships, Growing Businesses In 2016 WHAT WE DO: SOBA serves as an advocate and a resource for businesses. Our innovative programs and services give our members the ability to network with other like-minded individuals, and grants them the opportunity to futher develop their professional skills in a social setting. Members have access to resources that are versatile and powerful business tools to help today’s businesses grow and succeed. Working with you, we can understand the needs of your business and demonstrate the wide variety of ways our association’s programs and services can help you acheive your goals. Choose the level of membership that works for you and your business. LEARN MORE ABOUT the STONE OAK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION and JOIN at StoneOakBusiness.com Social Memberships: $250.00 Business Memberships: $525.00 Executive Memberships: $625.00

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January 2016 • Welcome Home • 78255/56/57

Note From The Publisher

Starting The New Year With Speed Networking

ur 2015 Winter Celebration has passed and as I write this letter I can’t help but reflect on how blessed Welcome Home is to have been a part of this great tradition. 2015’s event, held at North Central Baptist Hospital, was an incredible success. It was our biggest event to date and benefitted the non-profit organization Living Through Giving. Living Through Giving is my mission a to give back to a community that has supported me for 16 years. I would like to thank North Central Baptist Hospital for partnering with Welcome Home for Winter Celebration, and for their support in making this event grow every year. (For a list of all the sponsors, and vendors look on page 9). If you have been part of our event you should be proud of the tradition we have started. Our success and generosity to the children of our city with our Toy Drive has inspired others to have Winter Festivals of their own. My desire is through this community’s involvement we will be able to truly say no child in San Antonio will be without a gift during the Christmas season. As always, I am thankful to the sponsors, performers, and volunteers for helping us in this endeavor. This was the 13th year of Winter Celebration and I never realized what a tremendous blessing we were missing by not taking our toys directly to the children. This was truly the most special Holiday Season I have ever experienced. I encourage every school organization, company and individual reading this to come join us next

year. It will be an experience you will never forget. This year has also blessed the Stone Oak Business Association with plenty of news and events that we covered within Welcome Home. We look forward to getting a jump start on 2016 on January 27th where you can join us for our Speed Networking. With so many businesses growing and opening in the community, we invite the opportunity to get to know them and them to know you. We are looking forward to bringing you your community news in 2016 and thank you for another year of continued support. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you! As the communities that support us have helped make many of our hopes and dreams come true, we wish you and your family the same this year.

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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

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By Stefanie Young 015 has been another year ﬁlled with unexpected opportunities, dialed attempts and triumphs for all of us at Welcome Home. As we make our way out of the holiday season and into the New Year, we’d like to remember how far we’ve come, who has helped us get there and how much further we’d like to go. On the cover you will see Johnson High School students and a very small portion of the help they provided us in collecting toys for the kids in need. With over 1,400 toys, it’s the most any school has collected during our annual drive. Amazing work Johnson High! Thank you again! For all of us at Welcome Home, we are thrilled to have successfully concluded our 13th Annual Winter Celebration on December 5th at North Central Baptist Hospital. It was a fantastic experience to meet some of our readers and submitters, along with our sponsors and volunteers. We look forward to yet another great year as progress through 2016’s trials and tribulations. The Welcome Home staff would like to wish everyone a wonderful

By Debby Seguin

recently purchased a “previously owned” (used?) vehicle, so I have been learning about this OnBoard System found in some newer car models, which boasts a lot of helpful features. It’s great for emergencies. Like, let’s say the kids are fighting in the back seat so you reach behind you to whack somebody, which causes the vehicle to veer off the road and plow into the cow pasture fence post. The OnBoard System will immediately dispatch emergency personnel to your location! This is bound to save lives…especially the kids’ since now there will be witnesses. The system also has this global positioning system. You speak to this machine, admit you are lost and it will give you directions (a sort of “vehicular confessional” if you will). They recently stopped including this little timesaver. Why? No man would admit he was lost. Surprising because I thought a machine would be less intimidating than a real-live, breathing, thinking, flesh and blood female (who, obviously, strikes fear in the hearts/egos of all lost men). Alas, our daughters are destined to drive around for hours longer than necessary just like their mothers before them. (Sigh). Anyway, it’s a great system but lacks some features I would have included. How about an OnBoard Mouth Clamp? This little baby will render mute any passenger at first hint of “driving advice”. An OnBoard Crumb Sucker would be handy. Similar in design to a dental “Slobber Sucker” (not its technical name) this device hangs near the mouth of any eating passenger quickly sucking up any crumbs before they dare violate your floor or upholstery. Voila! A clean car! An absolute “must-have”, however,

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is the OnBoard Errand Scheduler. It will sequence and print the quickest route to get to the bank, comptroller’s office, home depot, soccer practice, gas station, chess lessons, grocery store, post office, baseball field and hair salon AND still get me home before my husband asks the irritatingly inevitable question, “What took you so long?” Very helpful. In fact, why stop with just your vehicle? This could be very helpful in the home, as well. It would find those mysterious missing socks, print out safety data for open lunchmeat packs and pinpoint the exact location of kids who are supposed to be doing their homework. “Hey! Stop that bickering!” Where IS that InHome Mouth Clamp?! Debby Seguin (who is designing an OnBoard make-up applying, coffee dispensing, cell phone answering back massaging device) can be reached at writewell62@gmail.com.

January 2016 • Welcome Home • 78255/56/57

Financial Planning: What It Is, Why It Matters

By Eric Zeitler Client Centric Wealth Management (210) 807-7599 ust what is “financial planning?” As you accomplish? Financial planning considers the invest for retirement, you will no doubt hear or even read about it – but what entirety of your financial life. Your assets, does that phrase really mean? Just what your liabilities, your taxes, your income, does comprehensive financial planning your business – these aspects of your entail, and why do knowledgeable investors financial life are never isolated from each other. Occasionally or frequently, they request this kind of approach? Financial planning is about building interrelate. Financial planning recognizes wealth through a process, not a product. this interrelation and takes an integrated Financial planning is holistic. It is about approach toward improving your financial more than “money”. A financial plan is situation. What makes this kind of planning so not only built around your goals, but also necessary? If you aim to build and preserve around your core values. What matters most to you in life? How does your wealth relate wealth, you must play “defense” as well as to that? What should your wealth help you “offense.” Too many people see building

wealth only in terms of investing – you invest, you “make money,” and that is how you become rich. That is only a small part of the story. The rich carefully plan to minimize their taxes and debts, and adjust their wealth accumulation and wealth preservation tactics in accordance with their personal risk tolerance and changing market climates. Basing decisions on a plan prevents destructive behaviors when markets turn unstable. Impulsive decision-making is what leads many investors to buy high and sell low. A ﬁnancial plan – and its longrange vision – helps to discourage this sort of behavior. At the same time, the plan – and the ﬁnancial professional(s) who helped create it – can encourage the investor to stay the course.1

A comprehensive financial plan is a collaboration & results in an ongoing relationship. Since the plan is goal-based and values-rooted, both the investor and the financial professional involved have spent considerable time on its articulation. Think of a comprehensive financial plan as your compass. Accordingly, the financial professional who works with you to craft and refine the plan can serve as your navigator on the journey toward your goals. The plan provides not only direction, but also an integrated strategy to try and better your overall financial life over time. As the years go by, this approach may do more than “make money” for you – it may help you to build and retain lifelong wealth. Eric Zeitler and Eric Weissgarber offer securities through Sigma Financial Corporation. Member FINRA/SIPC. fool. com/investing/general/2015/03/22/3common-mistakes-that-cost-investorsdearly.aspx [3/22/15]

Shelter Pets In Need This Winter Submitted By Lisa Norwood nimal Care Services is asking the community to keep shelter pets in mind during this season of new beginnings and giving. As the largest animal shelter in Bexar County, Animal Care regularly houses hundreds of dogs and cats and ACS is always in need of extra supplies to stock the community Pet Pantry which

helps local pet owners in need. Donations can be dropped off anytime during regular business hours and the most needed items are: Dog food (dry and canned) Cat food (dry and canned) Newspaper Cat litter Towels (new or used) Blankets (new or used)

5 Ways To Come Back Strong After Winter Break By Steve Johnson Owner of College Nannies + Tutors very good thing comes to an end at some point—Winter break included. As much as we enjoy the holiday season, family time, good food and, most importantly, a break from school; it’s time to get back to the grind of school work and after school activities. There are ways to make the transition easier, however! Here are five ways to come back from winter break strong. Have a Plan Be sure to have a plan in place when thinking about your approach to the second half of the school year. Nobody is ever ready for school to be back in session after a nice long break, but approaching new classes, and possibly new teachers, with the right mindset will help you start the semester off with the right foot. Look Back and Adjust Look back on the first half of your school year. What worked for you? What didn’t? Reflect on what was challenging, and what made it easier. Did you struggle with homework last semester? Check into getting a tutor to assist you in your study skills! Everyone has a different style of learning that works better for them. Understanding the best way for you, personally, to learn will ensure a successful second half to the year. Do Your Research Are you starting the semester off with new teachers? Maybe some of your friends have already taken these classes and

know what the teachers look for in certain assignments. If your teacher has an online space, check to see if they have posted the syllabus or other helpful information to speed through the awkward phase of being back in classes. Spending some time researching your teachers, classes and where your classes are located will help provide a smooth first day transition. Be Prepared Be sure to have your backpack ready to go for the first day back. Make sure you have fresh folders for new classes, plenty of writing utensils, and a planner to stay organized with homework and other activities throughout the semester. Know where each of your classes are located and how long it will take you to get to each during each passing time between periods. Get Active Second semester may hold different activities than the first half of the year. Are you on the Student Council? This is usually year-round, however, sports have different seasons, and playing football in the fall may not be an option in the winter or spring months. There are many different ways to make sure second semester is a successful one. The staff at College Nannies and Tutors is here to help! Providing after-school childcare and customized tutoring services to help you with those tricky subjects, the transition back to classes are sure to be smooth.

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By donating you are helping many animals like Baloo (pictured). He looked pretty rough when he first arrived so the clinic team started working on trying to find out what was causing his skin issues. After trial and error he was found to have food allergies so he was put on a special diet to see if that would help. Well, as you can see from the picture he looks great!! This sweet cat would really love to have a quiet home with no other four legged friends. Let’s help Baloo find a home for the New Year!

Monetary donations can be made anytime via the secure donation portal on the Animal Care Services website www.saacs.net and all donations go to support the dogs and cats of ACS. Of course, the greatest gift a shelter pet could have for the holidays is a new family. The Animal Care Services Adoption Center is also open seven days a week at 4710 State Highway 151.

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Progesterone 101: What You Need To Know

By Donna Becker, D.O. Enhancement of Life (210) 545-5224 rogesterone begins its slow decline in most women during their 30’s, the perimenopause. Some of the symptoms of low progesterone are bloating, headaches, painful periods, and tender breasts. Without progesterone, estrogen stimulates the lining of the uterus to thicken, leading to heavy, irregular periods. Women without progesterone may be irritable to the point where they cannot bear the loving touch of their spouse. Progestin is NOT bio-identical progesterone. Remember, although bio-

K9 Corner By Catherine Laria K9 Country Club (830) 980-8476

Don’t forget Fido in your New Years Resolution!

identical hormones may be made in a laboratory, they are an exact copy of the hormone found in a young woman. Progestin (cleverly marketed sound alike name to natural progesterone) can actually worsen symptoms of estrogen dominance. Progestin can promote weight gain, depression migraines, and breast tenderness. Ms. B., about 20 pounds heavier than she was at age 20, visited me with symptoms of swollen and painful breasts, excessive menstrual ﬂow, bloating and weight gain--all typical of the low progesterone, estrogen-

he Association for Pet Obesity Prevention says over 43-million dogs are considered overweight. That’s over 55% of the dog population in US households! Studies have shown that being

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overweight in pets (as well as humans) can take years off a life and contribute to a slew of health problems. The five most common risk factors are: 1) Osteoarthritis and Poor Joint Health; 2) Type-2 Diabetes; 3) Knee/ Hip/Ligament Injury; 4) Heart & Respiratory Disease; and 5) Kidney Disease. During the first part of the year many people make resolutions to get in shape. But as the weeks roll on, life gets in the way, enthusiasm fades. One of the biggest reasons for quitting an exercise regimen is lack of a support system. We are more likely to succeed in something we don’t want to do if we have someone cheering us on. This is why your canine companion can ultimately become your best training partner. The benefits are plentiful for both of you. The most important benefit is that your pet will NEVER come up with an excuse to NOT train that day. Once you have a routine they

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occur with any type of hormone replacement therapy, including bio-identical, may be blood clots, cancer, and heart attack or stroke. Diet, omega 3 ﬁsh oil, and exercise help to manage these risks. Progesterone relieved the migraines, her periods became more normal, and her mood improved. She commented that sleep was wonderfully restful and night sweats had resolved. Hormones can be prescribed as an implanted pellet under the skin, a cream, a capsule, or a vaginal suppository. Hormones decline as we age, but they can be restored. Progesterone can change your life for the estrogen dominant woman. Donna Becker, D.O., Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. Enhancement of Life is located at 14603 Huebner Rd., Suite 2601. For more information, call (210) 545-5224 or visit www.antiagingsa.com.

like, they’ll always be the first one ready and waiting to get started each day. They won’t be late because of a conference call or traffic jam and they will enthusiastically encourage you to go those few extra blocks. Now this may not be the case at first. If your pet is one of the millions of overweight dogs out there, they too may have an aversion to going that extra mile. Just give them a little time to get use to the exercise. They’ll want to keep going because they love doing stuff with you, and being outside is a bonus. Soon you and he will be at the same level and the pounds will be falling off. Another benefit of your new routine is that an exercised pet makes for a tired pet,

which makes for a better behaved pet in the house. You could see common behavior problems disappear with additional exercise. Plus you’ll have a healthier happier pet. If you ﬁnd you’re having a hard time getting started because of Fido’s weight or leash behavior, give us a call at K9CC. We have trainers and a unique K9 Health Gym available to help your pet get in shape for 2016! K9 Country Club is located at 31305 Oak View, Bulverde TX 78163. For more information, call (830) 980-8476 or visit www.k9countryclub.net.

College Tutors Educator Of The Month By Steve Johnson Owner of College Nannies + Tutors t is our pleasure to kick off 2016 by once again honoring and recognizing a local educator at Brandeis High School as the College Tutors Educator of the Month for January. This award, made with input from the school administration, recognizes educators in our area high schools that personify the three core values of College Tutors: Can Do Attitudes, Growth and Results Driven and Leave It Better. This month we highlight Amanda Hamilton. Amanda teaches World History as well as Pre-AP and World Geography. She makes history come alive by using engaging, innovative lessons to “transport” students into distant times and places. Amanda accomplishes this while also setting high expectations of her students. She instills an appreciation of social studies in those whom she instructs. Amanda has been in charge of the Brandeis History Fair and has also been a class sponsor and UIL sponsor. Amanda is

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dominant, woman. Insomnia resulted in day time exhaustion and irritability. She was still having periods, but they were coming every 3-6 weeks, excessive, accompanied by pelvic cramping and migraines. Blood tests revealed several vitamin deficiencies, high estrogen, no progesterone, and low testosterone. I gave her progesterone in a capsule, an herbal preparation to stimulate weight loss, extensive nutritional information along with Netflix documentaries for homework. I prescribed testosterone as a concentrated cream to apply a tiny precisely measured amount to the labia minora after a bath. I told her blood tests would be required after she had taken the hormones to make sure her levels were equal to those of a young woman in the first 10 days of her cycle. We talked about the risk-benefit ratio for her in taking hormone replacement therapy. The risks which were demonstrated with the synthetic hormones and purported to

full of Bronco pride and has a passion for educating her students. The owners of College Nannies + Tutors of San Antonio established this recognition with the support of Welcome Home Community Newspaper to recognize and honor the educators in our schools for their efforts with our local students. The quality of education in our community is primarily a direct reﬂection of their daily efforts as role models for our students. For more information on this award, or to submit a nomination, please contact College Nannies + Tutors at 210-202-0303 or nwsanantoniotx@collegenannies.com.

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Amanda teaches World History as well as Pre-AP and World Geography.

January 2016 • Welcome Home • 78255/56/57

2015 Winter Celebration Thank You To Vendors & Volunteers By Stefanie Young elcome Home Community Newspaper, North Central Baptist Hospital and the non-proﬁt Living Through Giving would like to thank the 2015 Winter Celebration vendors, parade participants and performers for participating in this year’s event. Winter Celebration expanded to be bigger than before this past year. Kicking off the event with a parade was Reagan Band

and the Alamo City Marching Band. They did a fantastic job of getting it got everyone pumped up and ready for to spend a day ﬁlled with holiday spirit everyone pumped up and ready for to spend a day ﬁlled with holiday spirit. AirLIFE’s arrival with Santa and Mrs. Claus lit hundreds of children’s faces. The outstanding vendor participation also made this year a hit. The vendors brought merchandise, food, entertainment

and an opportunity for the public to get to know some of the local businesses. Those same vendors donated more than 100 prizes that were rafﬂed off throughout the day to anyone who donated a toy to Living Through Giving. Students and groups also put on performances on stages throughout the day among the vendor booths. Through these groups, the performers helped to show the community how active and talented local

schools and organizations truly are in our area. Through the support and turnout of all who had a booth as a vendor and those who signed up to participate in the parade and perform, the 13th annual Winter Celebration was a huge success. Another thank you to all of those who helped make this event what it was!

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January 2016 • Welcome Home • 78255/56/57

Crawfish Season Is Here!

By Blake Groomer Groomer’s Seafood (210) 377-0951 rab your burners, bibs, andouille sausage and corn on the cob, its crawfish season! Crawfish are by far my favorite meal to eat with friends and family. At a birthday party for my cousin last year we had two 40 pounds sacks of crawfish and out of the 4 hours I was there I think I spent about 3 1/2 hours chowing down at the crawfish table. Needless to say, I get pretty

excited for this time of the year, but this year looks like it may be one of the best years yet! Typically, Crawfish don’t start looking really, large and nice until about March, but this year has been different in such a good way. We actually started carrying crawfish in the middle of December, which was a first for us here at Groomer’s. While crawfish is technically available during those times

Think ‘Big Holiday Reds’ + Bubbly By Tanji Patton Goodtaste.tv obust holiday reds have made their way onto shelves in HEB’s Wine Department. Wine Manager Michael Catalano at The Cellar at San Felipe shared his recommendations for full-bodied Napa cabs, two different styles, along with a sparkling rosé that caught our eye for New Year’s Eve… Cathy Corison harvests her cabernet first before anyone else in Napa Valley. This

Corison Cabernet Sauvignon is a throwback to the old style cabs…light, delicate and elegant. Nice acidity and a lower alcohol content on this one (around 13-13.5%) makes for an excellent pairing wine at $79. This 2013 Año Verde Pinot Noir is out of Santa Barbara, which by the way, is producing some wonderful wines as of late. This pinot has fresh fruit (cherry) with a subtle warm baking spice on the finish. Its bright acidity

they are typically so small we don’t want to bother our customers with them. But, this year thanks to the plentiful amount of rain and warmer weather the mudbugs are big, lively, and delicious! Do you want to get in on the best crop in years? We make it easy for you at Groomer’s Seafood! Just give a call to your hometown seafood experts on Monday or Tuesday of the week you want your bugs and we’ll take your pre-order. We sell this item by the sack and each sack is 30 to 40 pounds. You can figure each person will eat about 3-5 pounds each, unless they’re like me that is, if they’re like me you may want to set about 10 pounds aside for them… Orders come in on Fridays and are open for pick up between 9 and 4:30. Each week the price can change, so call us

for up to date pricing. Be sure to pick up a bag of Giby’s Fish Camp Crawfish boil while you’re in! Each bag contains a secret family blend of spices to give you authentic cajun flavor with a little Texas flair. To cook, just boil your water and pour about 1/2 a bag to 3/4 of a bag in and then add the crawfish to cook for about 5-7 minutes. Next, remove the crawfish and dust with the remaining boil. To really crank things up, try adding corn, potatoes, onions, and lemons and andouille sausage to the water! As always feel free to call if you have any questions at 210-377-0951 or send me an email at groomerseafood@gmail. com.

allows for a choice pairing with a ton of fare. Yes, this is your Thanksgiving Pinot for less than $20! Howell Mountain’s O’Shaughnessy is a cool climate cab harvested at high elevation– hence the dense, intense color! It’s a powerful Napa cab sure to raise an eyebrow or two for $89. Any time you hear a cork pop, fun is sure to follow. Celebrate NYE with Albert Bichot’s Brut Rosé – a crémant made using the classic champagne method, though not a Burgundy, so retail price is not nearly as expensive. This guy is dry (not sweet), with a festive pinkish color that can’t help but put you in a good mood! If you’re not into the reds and you’re looking to enjoy a white, the Volratz Riesling from the Rheingau wine region of Germany is bright and crisp with noteworthy mineral

tones and lovely acidity. There’s also enough fruit in there to pull everything together as far as your meal is concerned – rieslings pair beautifully with most food. A common misconception is that rieslings are really sweet, but that’s not the case–especially here! This one is a steal for under $14 at HEB. REMEMBER: Buy six or more bottles – mixed and matched – for 10% off your total wine purchase at HEB! Your holiday party planning begins with a much deserved glass of the good stuff. Tanji is an Emmy award winning journalist pursuing her passion for wine and food. Tanji explores the inviting worlds of chefs, wine makers and culinary newsmakers. If you would like more information, she can be reached at Goodtaste@tanjipatton.com.

Symphony’s 2016 Winter Festival Celebrates The Music Of The Americas

Submitted By Laura Hernandez Aplin he stage is set for the sixth annual city-wide winter music festival, as the San Antonio Symphony and its event festival partners bring a particularly American focus to this popular and successful annual event. Symphony performances during the festival, which is part of the Valero Classic Series, will range from the lively, uniquely American classic works of George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Aaron Copland to a musical journey across South America to works that feature compositions inspired by the vibrancy of Mexico, Cuba and Argentina. The festival is led by Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing, who has carefully curated the musical selections for San Antonio audiences.

“The rich diversity of the beautiful lands and music of the Americas was the inspiration for this year’s festival,” said Lang-Lessing. “We wanted to take the festival in a different direction this year – from the masters of European composition to a celebration of the uniquely expressive works representing the Americas. Our artists and featured works stretch from New York to Mexico and Argentina and the music we are celebrating is representative of that wide range of cultures: at various turns it is evocative, provocative, complex, sensual and celebratory.” Highlights of the Las Américas Festival this year include: Symphony’s Rhapsody in Blue concert, January 15-17, 2016, features concert works from popular music and jazz legends George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Cross-

cultural influences include Gershwin’s Latinthemed Cuban Overture and The Essential Ellington: Music of Ellington and Strayhorn. The program includes Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue. Musical Bridges Around the World, January 17, 2016, features Harpist Edmar Castañeda of Colombia (more details on all concerts follow this release). According to National Public Radio, Castañeda “is the sort of musician who isn’t afraid to challenge the established order. He’s carving out a place for himself in Latin jazz on an instrument you don’t often hear in his chosen genre: the Colombian harp.” Symphony’s American Cello, January 22-23, 2016, features American Jeffrey Mumford’s cello concerto played by Christine Lamprea. The New York Times has said that Mumford “has an unerring knack for fashioning rigorous works as changeable as cloudscapes, bursting with color, nuance and poetry” and “a philosophy of music making that embraces both raw passion and a gentle imagistic poetry.” The artistic partners joining the Symphony to celebrate the Americas this year include Camerata San Antonio, The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, Heart of Texas Concert Band,Musical Bridges Around the World, Musical Offerings, Olmos Ensemble, San Antonio Chamber Choir, San Antonio Chamber Music Society, San Antonio Choral Society, SOLI Chamber Ensemble, Tuesday Musical Club, and the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. From January 5 to February 23, performances and discussions will take place at various venues around the city

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including Carver Community Cultural Center, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio, First United Methodist Church-Boerne, Kerrville First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio College’s McAllister Auditorium, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Fernando Cathedral, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Temple Beth-El, The Plaza Club, The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, Travis Park United Methodist Church, Trinity University, the Tuesday Musical Social Club, and the University of Incarnate Word Concert Hall. The festival closes on May 22 with a special performance by the San Antonio Choral Society. This is the sixth season for the Symphony’s successful Winter Festival and marks the first time the event has widened its focus to include geographic regions for musical composition rather than a focus on a single composer. In 2015, the festival focused on German composer Richard Strauss, Antonín Dvořák was featured in 2014, Brahms in 2013, Beethoven in 2012 and Tchaikovsky in 2011. Tickets now on sale! For a complete concert schedule and to get more ticket information, visit http://sasymphony.org/ las-americas-festival. Patrons can also take advantage of a special festival offer at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts offering Symphony fans the option to buy one ticket and get the second ticket half off. This offer provides a savings of 25 percent off of every ticket for Symphony Las Américas festival concerts held at the Tobin Center. Offer expires on Jan. 25, 2016. Visitwww.tobincenter.org, using promo code: FESTIVAL.

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Car Care Resolutions: Don’t Leave Yourself Stranded

“Let yourself be... sensual. provocative. sexy.”

By Rusty Belden, President Belden’s Automotive & Tires (210) 494-0017

i Rusty Belden from our family at Belden’s Automotive & Tires. With the start of 2016, most of us are busy getting organized and trying to stick with our New Year’s resolutions. But have you ever prepared a New Year’s resolution when it comes to caring for your car? I recently came across a great article that shared some tips from the Car Care Council and thought it was a great way to stick to a 2016 resolution to care for your car. Be diligent about changing the oil and ﬁlter at recommended intervals. Check the fuel, air and transmission ﬁlters at the same time. Make sure the exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed. Check to see that heaters, defrosters, lights and wipers work properly. This is all to ensure good visibility as you are driving down the road in any weather. Cold temperatures reduce a vehicle’s battery power so it is important to keep the connections clean, tight and corrosion free. Batteries won’t always give warning signs before they fail, so a good idea is to have your battery tested periodically. Have the brakes inspected and check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. During winter, tire pressure should be checked often.

Strip away all of your inhibitions and just let yourself go. Celebrate who you are with an experience that will leave you feeling beautiful, luminous and confident. You are worth it! Come just as you are. We’ll do the rest.

Resolve to keep the gas tank at least half full at all times. During winter it decreases the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Overall, you wouldn’t want to be left stranded, would you? Our vehicles, should always make our New Year’s resolution list! Think about it, wouldn’t we need our vehicles for all we do on a daily basis, we need our vehicles to work, to shop, to travel, etc. For these reasons in 2016, it is important to keep our vehicles as healthy as we plan on being. Let our friendly and experienced service advisors help you at any of our six locations. Look us up on the web at beldensautomotive. com for great coupons. As always, from our family to yours, Buckle up, Drive Safe and Remember at Belden’s Automotive & Tires “We Keep You Rolling!” 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.

Call to schedule your free consultation today!

210-602-1147

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How To Pick A Remodeler That Is A Good Fit For You By Mike and Molly Sowry Virtuoso Builders (210) 525-8750 efore you consider hiring a reliable contractor. We have been a member Remodeling contractor, ask him these of GSABA for several years. In fact, Mike questions: Sowry serves on the Executive Board. 1. Have you been operating as a 5. Have you won any local and national Remodeler successfully in this part of town awards for service, quality, leadership and for at least 10 years? Lots of remodeling value in the remodeling industry? This companies come and go. We have been in illustrates that the Remodeler is recognized business for 15 years in San Antonio and for their excellence in the field and is a way surrounding areas. to show that they stand out from the crowd. 2. What type of designations and Virtuoso has won 8 remodeling awards from certifications do you carry? If you ask this GSABA, 2 client satisfaction awards from question and a Remodeler isn’t a Certified Houzz, and a National Merit Award for Graduate Builder/Remodeler, Certified design by Remodeling Magazine. Green Professional, Lead Safe certified 6. Do you offer written warranty on and so on, it is a major red flag. These your work? Ask for a copy of his warranty designations are nationally recognized marks before signing the contract. A standard of distinction in remodeling excellence and limited warranty in Texas includes one expertise. year for cosmetic, 2 years on delivery such 3. Do you carry General Liability as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing Insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000? systems, and 10 years on structural. If he answers yes, ask to see a copy of his 7. Can you provide me with a list of certificate. If he doesn’t, keep on looking. You references? A professional remodeler is may, at this point, ask if his subcontractors happy to provide you with such information. carry their own coverage as well. Contact the references and if the contractor 4. Are you an active member in a local doesn’t measure up, pass him by. professional trade association? The majority Virtuoso Builders is an award winning of professional contractors participate in remodeling firm raising the professional these. Associations such as the Greater San standards in the San Antonio home Antonio Builders Association (GSABA) remodeling industry. For more tips on or National Association of Remodeling home improvement, subscribe to our Industry (NARI) are great resources to find a newsletter at www.virtuosobuilders.com

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Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Half Marathon

The Runners were ready to Rock and Roll at the starting line.

Kara Goucher, the American Olympian dominated the women’s half marathon race.

By Rock And Roll Marathon Staff early everything is big in Texas and so it comes as no surprise that the victories in the men’s and women’s Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon & ½ Marathon on Sunday were super-sized versions. Kara Goucher, the American Olympian dominated the women’s half marathon race, clocking one hour, 11 minutes, and 10 seconds for the 13.1 miles. “I wanted to either win or run under 71 minutes,” the 37-year-old Goucher recalled afterwards. “As the race was unfolding, the women were using it as a workout, and so I was just by myself. I’m not comfortable leading and so this race was a good exercise for me. I had never been that far ahead since college, so it was a learning experience for me.” Goucher is one of the most popular female American distance runners and her fame was evident on the course as many spectators held up “Go Kara!” signs. Goucher says she really appreciated that support. “It was awesome,” she said. “Honestly, I would have retired years ago if it weren’t for my fans who truly believe in me.” Goucher is gearing up for the 2016 U.S.

Runners were cheered on by the crowd while they made their way to the finish line.

Olympic Marathon Trials in February and admits that she’s just been “plugging away” at mileage in anticipation of that. “The more weeks of uninterrupted training I get, the more likely it will be that I run faster on February 13,” she said. Goucher is the proud mother of a son, Colt, who was born in 2010 and says that she’s been thankful of the support she’s received from Competitor Group. “They are the only company that supported me during my pregnancy,” she said. “I am near and dear to them. They have been with me during the good and the bad. They’ve stood by me. I love these events. They are like the Olympics for all types of runners. I love how it’s all about celebrating here and it doesn’t matter what your goal is. Some are here to make the Olympic team and some are here to finish. Everyone is respected.” Goucher’s nearest rival on Sunday, eventual second-place finisher Sasha Gollish, making her half marathon debut after winning the Bronze Medal in the 1,500m for Canada at this summer’s Pan American Games, was a minute behind in 1:12:35. Shalane Flanagan took third in 1:12:42, the same time as her training partner Amy Hastings Cragg who came in

fourth. The men’s winner in the 13.1-mile race was 28-year-old Aaron Braun from Alamosa, Colorado, who broke the finishline tape in 1:04:11—over 90 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Jeffrey Eggleston (1:05:44). Both are considered contenders in February’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, with Jeffrey being ranked as the #2 American Marathoner in 2014. “It was great,” Braun said of his win. “I enjoyed being back in my comfort zone, running half-marathon and marathon pace.” Braun ran the first half of the race with Eggleston. “We just kind of worked together,” he recalled. “I think I was feeling better than he was at the hills [mile 5] and just picked it up a little bit. Phillip Baar came in third in 1:06:39 in his half marathon debut. The full marathon was held in conjunction with the half. In the men’s division, Mark Greene from San Antonio prevailed with a big PR of 2:31:32. David Rodriguez was second in 2:33:03, while Jose Roberto Zavala Calderon rounded out the podium in 2:35:29. “I was actually talking to myself during the race,” the 25-year-old Greene recalled. “I said that I can and I will. I believe. I

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believe.” Greene made a comeback during the race—seizing the lead after mile 22. The women’s marathon winner was Stephanie Wurtz of Manitou Springs, Colorado in 2:59:02. Second and third went to Tanja Ivandic (3:07:35) and Ashley McGee (3:12:11) respectively. Conditions in San Antonio on Sunday couldn’t have been better with clear skies and calm winds. Along with the elites, 25,000 runners from all over the world took to San Antonio’s scenic streets to run a marathon, half marathon, relay or 5K distance. San Francisco-based 90’s postgrunge band, Third Eye Blind, serenaded finishers and their families at the post race Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series at the city’s Alamodome. The event once again featured two days of running with the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio 10K on Saturday. Participants that ran the 10K and any distance on Sunday took the Remix Challenge and earned a third medal in addition to each race’s finisher medals. SUBWAY KiDS ROCK San Antonio powered by San Antonio Sports also took place on Saturday at SeaWorld San Antonio. Thousands of children in grades kindergarten – 7th completed a one mile run.

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365 Ways To Be Grateful

Photo credit 365grateful.com.

October 30, 2008: Love all around. Photo credit 365grateful.com.

September 29, 2008: Playing in sand with friends.

By Stefanie Young ooking back on the holiday season, we were reminded through the months of November and December to be thankful with our family and friends and grateful for our surroundings. Now that the New Year has rung in, we tend to turn the focus on ourselves. Maybe you find yourself suddenly wanting to lose weight, make healthier choices, spend more time with the kids, or more time furthering your career, but why stop at two months out of the year? As hard as it can be sometimes, shouldn’t we stop and take a look around at our surroundings and realize how far we’ve come, what we have and who we have it with? I recently came across a site via the infamous social media scene, that has a similar notion built into their message and theme. 365grateful began back in 2008 when Hailey Bartholomew was feeling really down. She knew she had it pretty well in life, but she wasn’t really enjoying life itself. She

started seeing a nun who did life-coaching and counseling. The nun told her the secret to happiness was all about reflection and gratitude. She asked Hailey to try it out, each night, and write something down about her day that she was grateful for. According to the 365grateful site, Hailey states, “It really amazed me how quickly I began to notice things that I otherwise would have missed. I remember sitting on my bed one night and realizing that the little moments I was thinking through were really special and if I had not taken the time to notice them they would be lost forever. I decided to take the idea seriously and bought a beautiful album and enough Polaroid film to see me through a yearlong photographic project!” Starting a project like this can be as easy as pulling out your smartphone and snapping a photo of your surroundings to reflect on later that night. If you would like to connect with others who are doing the same thing, load the image to Facebook

or Instagram tagging #365grateful to share with your friends and family. Do this for at least 30 days and you’re sure to notice a difference in your life! “I did worry I wouldn’t find something some days,” said Hailey, “I made a vow that I had to truly feel grateful for [the moment] or I wouldn’t photograph it. And there are days when it’s an effort, and I have to make myself do it. My least favorite time is when my kids are sick – I get really stressed when they’re unwell. But one of my favorite photos is when my youngest daughter Poppy was sick and she couldn’t get to sleep so I put an iPod on for her and put headphones on her ears because I thought that would help. In the end she fell asleep and it was the cutest picture of her with these giant headphones over her ears fast asleep. It was just a really great moment for me because it was in the midst of my least favorite thing. Apart from that, sometimes my least favorite days end with me on the couch with some chocolate... and that’s what I’m most grateful for!” We’re all so busy trying to get an impossible amount of work done while trying to live our lives “to the fullest”, but

Photo credit 365grateful.com.

November 30, 2008: They arrived safely. Too cute for words.

not really succeeding in the balancing act. A project like this would be a great way to get in tune with your inner self, and may even reconnect you with the relationships you’ve neglected or the nature in your backyard. Something like this might help to bring the family together and can be applied in the classroom for teachers looking for a creativity project. The ways to go about doing a grateful project are limitless! To find out more information about 365grateful, visit www.365grateful.com. Hailey explained, “Psychologists talk about the neural groove – that you get stuck in this particular mindset – and I think I had a bit of a mindset that things don’t work for me. And this is teaching me to be so grateful for those tiny little moments of life. There’s that quote that it’s not the destination, it’s the journey, and that keeps popping up in my head because I think, ‘Oh yeah – all this stuff is what is making my life really rich.’ It makes me think, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be a shame to zoom through your life and miss this? This is the best part.’”

The Incredible Trio Of San Antonio Submitted By Katrina Campbell righton Center is proud to announce our new Queen of the Vine, Ashley Thomasson, who was officially crowned at The Queen’s Ball on November 13th at Brighton Center’s Black and White Gala at Alzafar Shrine. Ashley, along with Princess of the Vine Alison Leonard and Brighton Ambassador Adriana De La Garza, worked diligently to raise money for Brighton Center, a nonprofit organization that has been serving children with disabilities and developmental delays for more than 40 years. Ashley rose over $127,000 for her campaign, Alison raised $62,000 and Adriana rose over $10,000, and collectively, they rose over $ 200,000! These amazing women will now represent the organization as the official Fiesta royalty at A Taste of the Northside 2016. The 2016 queen candidates were inspired by the success of last year’s Queen of the Vine Campaign which raised more than

$225,000 for Brighton Center and by their own personal experiences, all of which served as their motivation over the past several months. Ashley, Alison and Adriana worked tirelessly to raise funds and to increase awareness about children with special needs and the importance of early childhood education and parent advocacy. Some of their events included fundraisers at TopGolf, Fair Oaks Golf and Country Club, Jumpy Place and Kendra Scott to name just a few. Every year the Brighton Center must raise more than $1.2 million to maintain its services, and the Queen of the Vine campaign provides a critical piece to the puzzle in making this happen. Every dollar raised through the Queen of the Vine campaign directly benefits Brighton Center and helps set a foundation for children with disabilities that set them up for a life without limits. For more information about the Queen of the Vine Campaign, please contact

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Pictured (l-r): Ambassador Adriana De La Garza, Queen Queen of the Vine, Ashley Thomasson. of the Vine Ashley Thomasson and Princess of the Vine units overall quality of life. Alison Leonard.

development@brightonsa.org. About the Brighton Center: Brighton Center provides direct services to children with disabilities and/or developmental delays through a holistic and family-centered approach. The organization helps strengthen and transform the child’s abilities, the home environment, the parental attitude and capabilities to positively impact the family

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Brighton has been serving and supporting children with disabilities and their families in San Antonio for more than 40 years. Brighton provides child enrichment and development through a child learning center, home based therapy services, counseling, case management and family support services to more than 2,500 children annually.

Generosity Brought To Life

Santa and Mrs. Claus were greeted by The Mayor of Snow Town, Todd Bufalino.

By Stefanie Young n December 5th, generosity was brought to life along with the Holiday Spirit as Welcome Home Newspaper and North Central Baptist Hospital teamed up with the non-profit Living Through Giving for their annual Winter Celebration. The event kicked off at 10:00 a.m. with the Alamo City Community Marching Band and the Reagan High School Marching Band leading the parade. The highlight of the event happened at 11:00 a.m. when Santa arrived via AirLIFE helicopter and took pictures with the kids in attendance. The liveliness of 60,000 lbs. of snow, vendors, and raffle prizes drew in the crowd to make one of the largest toy drives in San Antonio come to life. Over 10,000 people arrived, many with toys in hand, to enjoy the snowball fights, carnival rides and funnel cakes. Performances by local schools took place throughout the day. The goodness and

The Champions Of San Antonio came out to the Winter Celebration to all the children’s delight.

hospitality of Winter Celebration’s guests, volunteers, and participating schools made Winter Celebration 2015 a successful event! Raffle tickets were handed out to those who made a toy donation in order to earn a chance at the Grand Prize of $1000. Businesses donated door prizes that were raffled off throughout the day making more than 100 people prize winners. Grand Prizes included the $1000 shopping spree, hotel stays, gift baskets, and even a karate package! General prizes included spa days, gift cards, and memberships to various businesses. This year, The Independence Hill Retirement Community, Coronado at Stone Oak, and The Haven and The Laurel and Franklin Park all generously donated shuttles and buses for easy and convenient transportation to Winter Celebration. With so many people in attendance, Living Through Giving was thankful to have so

many people volunteering at the event. With help from Out of the Box Productions and veterans from the Department of Defense, the celebration ran as smoothly as possible. Ultimately, Living Through Giving’s Toy Drive brought in over 8,000 toys for children in need. Once the toys were collected in full, the Living Through Giving staff made stops throughout San Antonio where kids in need would be surprised to learn their community had not forgotten them on Christmas. Donations ranged from action figures and toy cars to dolls, stuffed animals, instruments and even bicycles. With such an array of trinkets, LTG was able to help light up the faces of so many children and restore some hope within their surroundings. Through the course of 2015, Living Through Giving has hosted a number of events. Sponsors and businesses have helped bring new light to the non-profit. Living Through Giving’s focus has remained true

Creative Ways To Ring In The New Year Special To Welcome Home ounting down the hours until the New Year can be exciting, as the world anxiously anticipates the adventures in store for the months ahead. Celebrating the New Year dates back thousands of years to the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated a New Year come the first full moon after the spring equinox. The New Year is now commemorated in various ways across the globe. According to History.com, one million people gather in New York City’s Time Square to watch the famed crystal ball drop each year. Across the pond in London, celebrants watch thousands of individual fireworks launch over the Thames River.

In Sydney, Australia, roughly one million people line the shoreline each year to watch a fireworks show over the famed harbor. To match the excitement of New Year’s festivities, each year party hosts and hostesses are on the lookout for innovative ways to entertain and ensure everyone has a blast. The following are a few ways to do just that as you and your guests prepare to close the book on 2015 and usher in 2016. Go bowling. New Year’s Eve probably isn’t a big league night, so it’s likely you can reserve a number of lanes. Book in advance to take advantage of affordable food and drink packages. Some alleys now offer more than just bowling, with live music or deejay

entertainment as well. You do not have to be a professional bowler, either, as the goal of bowling with friends is to simply have some fun and make some lasting memories. Try a “first”. There is a first time for everything, and why not try something you have been thinking about doing for some time on the first day of the New Year? Maybe you’re ready to tap into your adventurous side and try skydiving. Or, you may be looking to travel abroad to experience something you have longed to see, such as the Egyptian pyramids or the city lights in the romantic city of Paris. Cheer for every time zone. Thanks to the various time zones across the globe,

Ring In The New Year With Your Pet

Special To Welcome Home t’s the time of year when people make resolutions to be a better and healthier version of themselves. So why not make resolutions that will mutually benefit you and your pet? Here are some ideas to help you and yours have the best year yet. Eat more fresh food. This may seem like an easy resolution. However, it takes time

and preparation. For humans, this means incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet while for pets this means ensuring that their pet food uses ingredients such as fresh turkey, salmon and duck, fresh omega 3 and 6 oils (from coconuts and canola), wholesome berries and fruits and vegetables like peas, spinach and carrots. Now Fresh premium pet food by Petcurean is a great

example. You can learn more about choosing a pet food with the freshest, healthiest ingredients at petcurean.com. Get more exercise. Did you know pets can decrease our blood pressure and cholesterol levels and increase our opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization? Exercising together will not only help optimize your health but also allow you to

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since the beginning: to focus on “children and youth who may have experienced abuse, neglect or some other type of family disruption.” Those working with the LTG organization said they strive to protect the hopes and dreams of children who may not have anywhere else to turn. Living Through Giving works to raise awareness for the youth of San Antonio who are in need. As the New Year begins, the non-profit is hoping to have even greater success in their mission. Winter Celebration 2016 will be here before we know it! Welcome Home Community Newspaper and Living Through Giving would like it to be bigger and better than ever! If you would like to participate or contribute to Living Through Giving or any of the upcoming events, call (210) 348-8233, or email at info@ livingthroughgivingsa.org.

“Happy New Year” is shouted multiple times throughout the night on New Year’s Eve. TimeandDate.com notes that, depending on how you define the time zone and if you include the International Date Line, there are 24 or 25 standard time zones. That gives revelers 25 opportunities to usher in the New Year. Choose a country in each time zone, and then employ that country’s cultural traditions to celebrate the New Year. Design a scavenger hunt. A fun activity for both adults and children, scavenger hunts can send guests in search of clues and answers based on things that happened over the previous 12 months. Include photos and other mementos when preparing clues.

spend more time together. Use that agenda. This doesn’t seem like a resolution, but sometimes making a plan is the only way resolutions will come to life. Most of us schedule time for other appointments and meetings, so why not set aside some priority time for pets too?

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2016 SOURCE COMING SOON! The Guide With All Your North Side Information The Source is a Business & Medical Directory. It includes: Things To Do, Restaurants, Shopping, Medical, Maps, and more!—right at your fingertips. Pick up a FREE 2015 copy at any of these locations: • • • • • • •

Falcon Bank – 19230 Stone Oak Pkwy. Frost Bank – Stone Oak at 18762 Stone Oak Pkwy. Frost Bank – Stone Ridge off Evans Rd. by HEB Plus Green Fields Market – 19239 Stone Oak Pkwy. Jefferson Bank – Stone Oak at 19002 Stone Oak Parkway Randolph Brooks FCU – 23737 Bulverde Road (Near Johnson HS) State Farm/Betsy Dippo – 19190 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 112

For additional information call 210.348.8233 or visit

www.StoneOakBusiness.com

SPEED

NET WORKING Speed Networking is one of SOBA’s premier events! During this

meeting, you will have the opportunity to introduce yourself to everyone in attendance. Because of the high turnout, make sure to RSVP early. Please bring a minimum of 150 business cards.

Date: Wednesday, Jan 27, 2016 Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Location: Canyon Springs Golf Club 24405 Wilderness Oak

Cost: $20 for Members $25

•

Stone Oak Business Association

RSVP: (210) 3 4 8 - 8 2 3 3 e - mail: sob a@s at x .rr.com w w w. S ton e O a kBusin e ss .c om

for Non-Members $30 at the Door

SOBA • Building Relationships, Growing Businesses January 2016 • Welcome Home • 78255/56/57

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1 31 16

10003 NW Military Hwy 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy

(210) 494-5858

(210) 558-0636

11851 Bandera Rd

(210)433-1941 Helotes,TX 78023

until January 31st, 2016 16

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January 2016 • Welcome Home • 78255/56/57