A Monthly Publication Directly Mailed to the residents of Encino Park, Evans Ranch, Redland Heights, Emerald Forest and surrounding areas POSTAL CUSTOMER
March 2016 Issue
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SAN ANTONIO, TX PERMIT NO 6450
Outstanding Service. Every Patient. Every Time Recognized as Top Doctors in Senior Healthcare
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Accepting New Patients
Board Certified in Family Medicine
• Full-Service Primary Care Doctors • Top Doctors In San Antonio Since 2009 • Voted Top Work Place in SA • Accepting Most Major Health Plans
Dan Powell, M.D.
20821 Hwy 281 North (Hwy 281 & Evans, near HEB) (210) 546-1600 • www.healthtexas.org 15 Convenient Locations 6519.01-WHNICU5x6_v2.indd 1
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March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
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March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
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Fa ct s an d Fi ct i o n of Fi n a c i al Adv i sors
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oin us on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 as Financial Advisor, Brent McCrary, dispels the myths surrounding the Financial Services industry. He will provide you with much needed information on where small business owners and individuals should focus their investments. Come prepared with plenty of questions and, of course, lots of business cards.
Brent McCrary is a Financial Advisor at McCrary Stone Financial Solutions, a financial services firm specializing in estate strategies, wealth accumulation, business strategies and executive benefits for both publicly and privately-held companies. As a financial professioal Brent is uniquely qualified to address the diverse needs of high net-worth individuals. He provides recommendations for asset allocation, funding for education, retirement and long-term care insurance. He works closely with business owners, executive teams and their advisors to help realize their financial goals.
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Stone Oak Business Association
SOBA’s March Meeting is Sponsored By:
Date: Time: Location: Cost:
Wednesday, March 23, 2016 7:30 am to 9:30 am The Egg & I Sonterra 700 E. Sonterra Blvd. 78258 $10 for Members and $15 for Non-Members
R S V P : ( 2 10 ) 3 4 8 - 8 2 3 3 e - m ail : s o b a @ s a t x.r r.c o m w w w. S t o n e O a k B u s in e s s .c o m
SOBA • Building Relationships, Growing Businesses
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
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March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
Note From The Publisher
Family And Spring Break
Did you know that there are
enefits that can help B A V offset the cost of living in a retirement community or assisted living?
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arch is always a great time of year for me because it’s the birthday month of both of my children. My son, Blake, will be 24 and my daughter, Rashell, will be 20. As the years progress and they continue to become their own person, I could not be any prouder of them. Blake is in charge of the retail store at Groomer’s Seafood, so if you have any seafood needs, be sure to pay him a visit and read his article on page 10 about the upcoming crawfish season. Rashell is currently attending college; working towards a degree in mortuary science. Every month that I begin piecing together the upcoming edition of Welcome Home, I’m reminded of my community and how lucky I am to live in an area that cares about their kids as much as I do. March also brings SPRING! Texas is not known for its long Winters but nothing puts me in a better mood than clear skies and sunshine. This issue was such a joy to put together. We had so many submissions! Great things are definitely happening in San Antonio and highlighting what the community and our children are doing to make each of our neighborhoods and school districts special is what Welcome Home is all about. Johnson High School once again won the Living Through Giving Toy Challenge for collecting the most toys. The trophy remains in their care for another year. I cannot find the words to thank them and every school that participates each year to make our drive bigger and bigger so that we can reach out to more and more children within San Antonio. These children and young adults have such great hearts and a
passion to help others. Talking with them about their goals for the future shows me what an amazing generation of adults we can look forward to in the near future. Welcome Home was founded on the principles of highlighting the achievements of our youth, nonprofits and other organizations. Students and teachers today make this an easy task. As you are going on your Spring Break vacations be sure and share with us your adventures. Remember, if you have a feel good story from your side of town, please let us know so that we can share it with our community. And remember to support the businesses that make this paper possible by letting them know you saw them in Welcome Home. One final thought until next month... GO SPURS GO!!!
Attend an informational session on the Veteran’s Aid & Assistance Benefit Program at Independence Hill. Tuesday, March 22, 2016 10:00am 20500 Huebner Road San Antonio, Texas 78258 RSVP to (210) 209-8956 by March 21st
www.independencehill.com
Refreshments Served
Lic #100102
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
Distribution Israel Vazquez
Director Of Production Kristin Oliver
Production/Graphic Design Marie Ferrante
Writer/Copy Editors Stefanie Young Nicky Rodriguez
Sales Representatives Patrice Long Denise Wirth
Administrative Assistant Brittany Oliver Prinda Jemente
Staff Writers Debby Seguin Contributing Photographer Oscar McAnally
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
*21 oz fountain drink only. Additional charges for extras. Plus applicable taxes. May not be combined with other offers, coupons or discount cards.
Contributing Writers Kimberly Arellano Carla Burke Deborah Classen Melinda Cox Sam Johnson Steve Johnson Michelle Shaw
19202 Stone Oak Pkwy (@ Huebner Rd)
(210)491-4344 www.welcomehomesa.com
2607 TPC Pkwy
20079 Stone Oak Pkwy
(210)497-5055
(210)481-3478
(across from Villages of Stone Oak)
(@ Hardy Oak)
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On The Cover
Photo By Oscar McAnally
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10003 NW Military Hwy 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy
(210) 494-5858
(210) 558-0636
11851 Bandera Rd
ooking for authentic Mexican cuisine on the north side of San Antonio? Venture no further than to Vida Mia, a family owned restaurant by the RamosRamierz family, now with two locations. Over the past five years, Vida Mia has been established in Stone Oak, at the corner of Stone Oak and Huebner Rd. Now the Ramos-Ramirez family is opening a second location at the corner of Bulverde and Evans Rd.
(210)433-1941
In 1972, the Ramos-Ramirez family opened their first establishment to the public in Monterrey, Mexico. The recipes stem from over 40 years of tradition brought from their Grandmother’s kitchen. All dishes are made from scratch in order to preserve the authenticity of flavor for every patron. Foodies can expect to find daily specials along with Mexican staples like Pozole, Menudo or an ancient Aztec tortilla soup recipe.
Family Life
Helotes,TX 78023
Letter To Me
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By Debby Seguin
here’s a popular song by Brad Paisley called “Letter to Me”. Now that he is a grown man, he looks back on his youth and wants to give himself counsel. I thought I’d give it a try. Dear Me, When Jackson dares you to eat that worm in 3rd grade, don’t do it. In fact, when anyone dares you to do anything they haven’t actually done, they are just looking for free entertainment. When anyone dares you to do anything they HAVE actually done, and it turned out badly, they are testing your intelligence. For the sake of our future reputation, don’t fail the test. (For examples of people who did fail the test, Easter, Spring Break & Fiesta Week All Fill Fast. Book Your Pet Today
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see America’s Funniest Videos, youtube: Search- fire/ beer, or any state prison). In 7th grade, when Miss Pritchard tells you to study for that test, study. I know there are a lot of distractions; FUN distractions. But those distractions aren’t going to get you where you want to go. It is important to spend some time having fun, but please, girlfriend, INVEST some time, too. When mom and dad tell you ANYTHING, listen, take notes, make copies, and refer to your notes as often as possible. Their advice will sound like arcane stuff no sane kid would take seriously but I’m telling you, it’s good stuff. Like picking up the toys outside so nobody falls and gets hurt? Yea, remember those 13 stitches? And like not laying in the sun? THAT one is costing me now. No skin cancer, but my crow’s feet have settled in for the long haul. There are even more important ones like don’t go to parties where they are drinking. Trust me. They drink, they do stupid things, they throw up. Wow, isn’t THAT impressive. And boys? Think of them like bees. When they are young, they are just looking for any available bright flower petals they can find. As they get older, (especially when daddy’s not paying his bills and mama’s no longer cooking his meals), he gets pickier. Be patient and the right one will find you. In the meantime, keep your petals closed. Sincerely, Me Debby Seguin, the mother of 2 bees and 1 flower, can be reached at writewell62@ yahoo.com
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
What Can You Do With $10, $20 or $50?
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couple of years ago Welcome Home Director, Kristin Oliver, was given the news that her uncle, Mike, was diagnosed with Adult T Cell ALL Leukemia and Lymphoma. Mike is a San Antonio Fire Fighter, a loving husband, a friend and a rock for a lot of her family members. The news devastated her family. Her uncle received his bone marrow transplant in Summer of 2015 and is now on his way to recovery, albeit the road is slower than he’d like. Kristin wasn’t there for his treatments or for his fight with cancer, but has heard the fear in her family’s voice when they talked about it. She kept up with the blog her aunt wrote to keep everyone up-to-date on his health while they traveled to MD Anderson in Houston, for the best treatment possible. Once someone you love is facing cancer, the universe shoves a gleaming reminder in your face; everywhere you look, someone was fighting a type of blood cancer. In November the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) asked if Kristin Oliver would be willing to be a part of their Man and Woman of the Year Fundraising Campaign. She accepted, because she wanted the opportunity to do something that raised awareness about Mike’s fight and the fight so many others face. Kristin wanted his fight mean something; furthermore, she wanted to inhibit this disease from barging in and taking over more lives. There are several fire fighters in San Antonio that are fighting not just blood cancers but many other forms of cancer. Kristin has a goal with this campaign: raise
awareness for these fighters. If fifty thousand dollars can be raised, a research grant would be placed in the name of the San Antonio Fire Department and Mike Grosso. So, here’s the part where she asks you for money. If every reader of Welcome Home can donate $10.00 to this cause, a change CAN be made. Starting on March 31st, Kristin will begin raising money for LLS. 85% of the funds raised during this campaign go directly to research. The research conducted doesn’t just benefit blood cancer, but many different forms of cancer. Significant strides have been made in treatments based on LLS research. Below is an address and link where you can send any donation and look up more information about where your donations go to help those in need. www.mwoy.org/pages/sctx/sat16/koliver
What’s Happening With The Mayor?
Your Dealer Alternative
Special To Welcome Home elcome to my weekly digest, which includes a recap of top issues and a look forward: I spent time in Washington D.C. for the annual SA to DC Chamber of Commerce trip. Over the course of the trip my main objective was to advocate for nonstop flights between San Antonio and Reagan National Airport. Currently, federal law requires Congressional approval for an exemption to the Reagan Mayor Ivy Taylor reads to students with Ronald McDonald. National Airport perimeter rule Achievement show that children who grow which prohibits nonstop air transportation up with books in their homes reach a higher between Reagan and another airport that is level of education than those who do not. more than 1,250 statute miles away. Unfortunately, a recent study found that I believe San Antonio needs to be an while there are approximately 13 books exception. With a robust military presence, per child in middle income neighborhoods, easing travel between Military City, USA on average there is only one book per 300 and the Pentagon would reduce costs, children in low-income neighborhoods. save time, and increase the connectivity In an effort to help change this picture, I between our bases and the airport nearest to teamed up with local McDonald’s restaurant Washington, D.C. owners to hand out HarperCollins children’s I’d like to thank both the San Antonio books to Pre-K 4 SA students. The donation Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic of these books will help promote literacy Chamber of Commerce for co-sponsoring and give our youth access to reading the trip, as well as IBC Bank’s Eddie materials. McDonalds also recently began Aldrete for chairing SA to DC. including a children’s book in every Happy In other news, studies from the Center Meal. for Improvement of Early Reading
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Hormones: How Will You live Your 2nd 50 Years?
By Donna Becker, D.O. Enhancement of Life (210) 545-5224 varian failure, the menopause when the body slowly declines until frailty and death, may begin as early as third decade. When the big three hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone begin to fade, the nervous system can become deranged. Progesterone, the first hormone to decline, may cause terrible insomnia, followed by exhaustion and irritability with unstable mood. Lack of testosterone may present as complete disdain for sex, lack of
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motivation, an indifference to life. The last hormone to exit the body, estradiol, results in extreme vaginal dryness and the dreaded “foggy brain”. These symptoms may be very minor in some women with only sleep disturbance. Other women with more symptomatic complaints of moodiness may be prescribed an antidepressant or sleeping pills. I have seen this type of patient at the 15 minute free consult. “I don’t know if you can help
me” with eyes downcast, “My doctor says I am depressed”. As she slowly recounts the memory loss, lack of interest in everything, no libido, and disturbing mood changes, I can barely restrain myself from saying, “You’re not crazy! It’s just menopause. We can fix this!” By correcting the measured hormone deficiencies to the premenopausal level, sexual, mental, and physical well-being may be restored. Of course, not all women suffer symptoms of hormone decline as severely, and not all women need hormone restoration. Some women manage menopause by
What Is Different About Vision Source? A 21st Century Experience!
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By Monica Allison, O.D. Stone Oak Vision Source (210) 495-9020
hat is different about Vision Source? Vision Source was founded in 1991 with the belief that eye health care is best provided by an independent family eye doctor, free to make his or her own decisions about what is best for the continued good vision of the patient. As a member of Vision Source, a private practice optometrist has access to the shared knowledge and resources of a network with
more than 3,200 offices. And because each office is independently owned and operated, your entire eye care experience – from examination through fitting of eyeglasses or contacts – takes place under the watchful eye of your family optometrist. At Stone Oak Vision Source, we have received education and access to technology earlier because of the Vision Source network, in order to better serve our patients. Some of the things that set us apart at Stone Oak Vision Source are the following: We have digital imaging devices to
would see at an eye doctor’s office. Our patients love our digitized examination! No stress at the eye test. In addition to the routine methods of vision correction, we provide corneal molding to patients that qualify for this procedure. This process gently reshapes your cornea at night while you sleep, utilizing a contact lens. In the morning, the lens is removed and all day long your vision is clear without the need for daytime contact lens use or glasses. If it has been over a year since you or a family member have had your eyes examined, call us at 495-9020 to schedule your appointment today or visit us online at www.visionsource-stoneoak.com.
Alamo Heights Night Celebrates 30 Years
NO SEASON HAS TO BE
ALLERGY SEASON! Stone Oak Allergy
Submitted By Kimberly Arellano he 30th Annual Alamo Heights Night celebration will take place on Friday April 15th, 5:30pm to 11:30pm at the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word at 4301 Broadway. “This year will be our 30th annual event. It has grown significantly over the years but still retains its fun, family oriented atmosphere. Proceeds from the event have provided scholarships to hundreds of students attending university and vocational training programs and over a million dollars to local charities and special projects” said Rick Berchin, Operations Manager. “Our club is looking forward to another 30 years of successful events and community support.” The event dubbed “Party Time in ’09” (“09” being the last two digits of the Alamo Heights zip code) is famous for their incredible selection of food from some of San Antonio’s favorite restaurants. This year’s bill of fare will feature sweet and savory items from restaurants such as Rainforest Cafe, Los Barrios, La Madeleine, Fresh Horizons Catering, Al’s Nuts and Bunuelos. The family-friendly atmosphere will deliver entertainment and activities for kids of all ages including a carnival midway and a performance by Fire on the Mountain Cloggers. Live music will take place all night on multiple states as Hotcakes will return to perform on the main stage along
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155 Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 101 San Antonio, TX 78258
Amanda Trott-Gregorio, MD Specializing in allergy, asthma, and immunology diagnosis, testing, and treatment for adults and children.
Same day appointments available. Call today!
www.stoneoakallergy.com • 210.494.0690
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provide a better look at the back of the eye. We have a nerve fiber analyzer that screens for glaucoma and can potentially detect changes sooner than previous devices. We do not charge for this screening to our patients. We have a corneal mapping device to get the best computerized image of the front of the eye. This is automatically included in your contact lens examination. We have digital equipment that makes the choosing “one or two” process a lot smoother. It is not the usual machine you
exercise, weight control, and perhaps over the counter herbal preparations. I measure hormone levels and some women in their mid-fifties have levels of estradiol sufficient to maintain the vaginal tissues, without hot flashes, or even insomnia. Good for them! For the rest of us who don’t want to suffer, bio-identical hormone replacement may be the answer for the 2nd 50 years of your life. Although some studies support an increased risk of various cancers, blood clots, and stroke with any type of hormone replacement, we know that women may suffer these maladies whether they take hormones or not. Donna Becker, D.O., Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. Enhancement of Life is located at 14603 Huebner Rd., Suite 2601, San Antonio, TX 78231. For more information, call (210) 545-5224 or visit www.antiagingsa.com.
www.welcomehomesa.com
with Suede, the premier variety cover band from Austin who made their Alamo Heights Night debut last year. Additional musical entertainment will include the Rick Cavender Band, Tennessee Valley Authority, mariachis and other special surprises. Admission is free for children under 12 and for all active duty military with a valid ID. Tickets are $5 for ages 12-17- and students with a valid ID and $12 for adults. All ticket sales will take place at the event site (no advanced sales). Free park and ride service available from Alamo Heights Methodist Church and Alamo Heights High School. Shuttles will run from 5:15pm until 12 midnight. Parking will be available in the AT&T lot at Hildebrand & Broadway and VIA will offer park & ride service from Wonderland Mall of the Americas/ Crossroads Mall in Balcones Heights (151 Crossroads Blvd, 78201). The Alamo Heights Rotary Club has raised over $2,000,000 in support of nonprofit organizations and community service activities since its inception. Alamo Heights Night is their largest fund raiser, organized by over 100 volunteer Rotarians who head numerous committees and recruit 700+ volunteers to make the event a success. Visit www.AlamoHeightsNight.org for more information or find them on Facebook at facebook.com/AlamoHeightsNight or call 210-842-2462.
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
The original idea for the restaurant started on Mother’s Day on 1972. My grandpa lost his job, so then my mother’s family decided to open a place where everyone could come and spend family time together, enjoying homemade flavors and secret recipes from the family kitchen.” – Maria Ramos Vida Mia Mexican Cuisine By Stefanie Young
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f you live in San Antonio, you are well aware of the breakfast taco craze and if you aren’t, you certainly know the difference between store-bought tortillas and homemade ones. No matter what time of day it is, there is nothing like the smell of authentic Mexican food in this town. The aroma that comes with the mixture of spices, meats and vegetables can be a quick reminder of the good times had with friends and family. Often we San Antonians take for granted the niche restaurants in our community’s backyard that are filled with culture and history that is unique to them and their menu and they are booming with flavors! Vida Mia is a prime example of authentic Mexican food done right with decades of experience and secret recipes that put culinary schools to shame. While the Vida Mia locations in San Antonio may be fairly young, the history behind the menu items spans further back to their opening in 1972 in Monterrey, Mexico. “The original idea for the restaurant started on Mother’s Day on 1972,” explains Maria Ramos. “My grandpa lost his job, so then my mother’s family decided to open a place where everyone could come and spend family time together, enjoying homemade flavors and secret recipes from the family kitchen.” At that time, Maria’s grandparent’s kitchen quickly became popular between neighbors, family and friends. The Ramos family members all came together to cook, serve and run the restaurant together, not expecting for the family to be in business for decades to come. “When my sister and I were born, we were always in and around the restaurant business helping my mother and father,” said Ramos. “Then my sister decided to study for a Culinary Degree in the Culinary Institute of Mexico to take the business to the next level. She went on to work for several restaurants in Monterrey, Mexico and spent a year in Spain, specializing in Mediterranean Food, and working for the Guggenheim Museum.” The flavors and recipes are all from Maria’s grandmother, but the creativity, presentation and finishing touches on each recipe and dish is her sister, Chef Mayela’s, influence and experience. Vida Mia’s menu is full of flavors that can only be found in authentic Mexican food. They have made it a point to use recipes that have been in their family for generations. One thing that makes them stand apart from other restaurants in town is their consistency in making everything from scratch, the same way their grandmother did. “With each flavor, we want to bring memories to our guests,” said Ramos. “And with each new aroma, we want people to have new experience. We love sharing our traditions when it comes to cooking. We want our menu to reflect our idea of family owned and operated, because we enjoy taking care of our customers so much.”
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
And what could be more of a traditional feel good winter food than soup? They offer a tortilla soup that is an ancient Aztec recipe, with chicken, avocado, cilantro and a dash of chipotle spice. Or maybe you want something more traditional like Sopa de Fideo, a recipe perfected by Maria’s grandmother made with chicken broth and noodles, with or without beans. And if that doesn’t cut it for you, you can try their house made Menudo, a traditional “Colorado” beef stew. And if you’re really onto the staple foods of Mexico, you have to try their Pozole! It’s a seasoned hominy soup with diced pork, onions, radishes, lettuce, oregano and tostadas for garnish. All of these recipes are perfect for the cold nights that lie ahead in the weeks to come. “For nearly forty years now, we have cooked tons of beans,” Maria recalled. “We have made millions of flour tortillas, soups, tacos, hamburgers, and made many liters of our main secret ingredient for our meals: our special red chile sauce.” In Mexico, there are as many ways to prepare this sauce as there are varieties of chilies, making each recipe specific to it creator. In a sense, it’s like making your own homemade Spaghetti sauce. When you take into account the regional twists, the possibilities for different flavors and levels of heat are endless. Combined with some of their menu specials, the sauce adds another dimension to this culinary adventure. But the unique taste, sauces and meals aren’t the only thing that causes Vida Mia to stand out among the crowd of Mexican restaurants; their at home, family atmosphere will leave a lasting impression on any Vida Mia newcomer. Their pink and purple logo is just a taste of the colorful themes they have going on. Much like the traditional Mexican household, they have made it a point to keep the décor simple and colorful. The fast paced kitchen can be heard in the background while the smell of fresh vegetables, herbs and spices stimulate the appetite. The restaurant is filled with the feeling of family working to get a loving meal to the table. “We think people return because we make everyone feel at home and very comfortable,” Ramos stated. “We have always taken good care of our customers and we always look forward to making our guest’s dining experiences a one-of-a-kind, by offering authentic Mexican dishes from the different regions of Mexico.”
Vida Mia - Stone Oak 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy 210.490.2011 www.vidamiacuisine.com www.welcomehomesa.com
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Local Lamb From The Lone Star State! By Tanji Patton Goodtaste.tv have BIG news to share with you… Goodtaste with Tanji will be a television series next spring sponsored by Sysco Foods! As we enter our eighth year of producing our online show at Goodtaste. tv, we are grateful to you for your ongoing support. Without it, our television show would not be possible. The show Goodtaste with Tanji will feature wonderful stories from fabulous restaurants in San Antonio, Houston, Austin and the Hill Country. We’ll entice you to dine out! Also, we’ll include some wonderful wine finds as well. We’ll be seen on KPRC in Houston, WOAI in San Antonio, KEYE in Austin, KFDM in Beaumont and KGBT in the Valley. Who knows, maybe even other markets as well! After all, who doesn’t love dining out in Texas! There is a delicious protein trending if you do happen to be dining out. If meat is on the menu in 2016, you really can’t lose with lamb. Fact is, a number of top eateries from around Texas are already experimenting with this trendy protein. A staple of the Mediterranean diet (which limits red meat consumption), locallysourced lamb products are a lean, hearthealthy option for meals with virtually no carbs whatsoever! Love thy lamb…When shopping for that perfect cut, look for those with a firm, fine
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texture and a pinkish center. Organic, 100% grass-fed lamb is the gold standard, which contains a lower overall fat content, yet still delivers that moist and tender tasting experience we’re after. Interesting to note, traditional Chinese medicine makes mention of lamb as a warming agent to the body, aiding with blood circulation…who knows! Maybe that’s why it’s such a popular winter-time delicacy. Visit Goodtaste online to try some of these ideas at home: Texas Lamb Duo: A tantalizing Hill Country combo of Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops and Malbec Braised Lamb Shoulder from Executive Chef Ross Burtwell of the Cabernet Grill – part of Cotton Gin Village in Fredericksburg, TX. Plated with a bleu cheese/white bean ragout. Lamb Ham: This ‘Lamb Ham’ from Chef Peter Maffei of Finn & Porter at the Hilton Austin is deboned, rolled and tied much like you would a roasted ham. The outer crust is coated with a mixture of ground fennel, coriander and chili flake… Colorado Rack Of Lamb: Pan seared Colorado Lamb Rack from Executive Chef Eduardo Guizar at *17, the on-site restaurant at The Sam Houston Hotel in Houston, TX. Chef plated his finished product with
baked sweet potatoes & seasoned asparagus in a beautiful Muscat grape demi glaze! Braised Lamb Shanks: Cook this range-fed lamb from Boudro’s Texas Bistro ‘low and slow’ in the oven. There is a photo of it plated on my site with a buttery Pappardelle Pasta cooked al dente and seasoned with fresh herbs that looks amazing! 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.
Crawfish Season By Blake Groomer Groomer’s Seafood (210) 377-0951
You are invited to a style show featuring Europa & Prodesign eyewear . . . Please join us on Friday, March 11, 2016 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
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17230 Bulverde Rd. Suite 104 • 210.307.4749 w w w. To d a y s V is i o n B u lv er de.com
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reak out the corn on the cob and your potatoes because crawfish season is in full swing down here at Groomer’s Seafood! You are sure to hear about your friends firing up their boiling pots on the weekends during the peak of the crawfish season, and why not join in on the fun? Lucky for you, that “peak” is right now! March, April, and May have the ideal temperatures and rain amounts for our guys over in Louisiana to harvest the best crawfish there is to find, and Groomer’s Seafood trucks them straight to our store for you to pick up for your weekend boil. Because crawfish is a live product, we operate on a pre-order basis so there isn’t any waste of delicious mudbugs. Groomer’s makes pre-ordering a simple and painless process. To ensure you’ll have your order, give us a call on the Monday or Tuesday of the week you are having your boil (Between our hours of 9 am and 4:30 pm). We’ll take your name, number, how many sacks you need (each sack is about 35 pounds) and credit card to hold the order. Then we’ll take care of the rest! First thing Friday morning our expert fishmongers will personally hand sort your order and have it all boxed up and ready for you to pick it up!
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If it’s your first time boiling crawfish, it may seem like a bit of a daunting task, but fear not because that’s where Giby’s Fish Camp Crawfish Boil comes in! Developed by our patriarch Gilbert Groomer, our crawfish boil combines the freshest all natural ingredients to give you the best Cajun flavor you’ll find outside of Louisiana. Perhaps the best part, especially if you’re health conscious, is that Giby’s Fish Camp contains much less salt than other boils giving you all the flavor you want without all the negatives that come with too much salt. Our expert fishmongers will be equipped to give you any further information you may need upon pick up, such as how to store them, how to purge them, or even just how to eat them! A crawfish boil is by far one of the best times to share with friends and family! Sitting back enjoying each other’s company, while peeling some fantastic Louisiana mudbugs paired with corn and potatoes is one of the finer pleasures in life! I know it’s definitely going to be a weekly occurrence at my place! Give us a call at 210-377-0951 to place your preorder before I get them all!
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
Living and Breathing An Enjoyable Life By Amanda Burris IFE CHANGING FREEDOM! That is what Dr. Amanda Trott has given our family with her cutting edge treatment and care at Stone Oak Allergy,” said Frederick, Rahnae and Joshua of the Johnson Family. “For years we suffered with the miserable symptoms of seasonal allergies. Watching our son have problems with congestion and trouble sleeping, we turned to Dr. Trott. She is innovative, compassionate, caring and dedicated to helping each and every one of her patients as if they were her only one. We now have the freedom to be outdoors enjoying nature instead of being indoors, captive to our allergies, and our son can now participate in school sports. Try Dr. Amanda Trott as we did. You walk in as a patient and leave as family.” At Stone Oak Allergy, an enthusiastic and friendly staff, headed by Dr. Amanda Trott-Gregorio, is eager to welcome and assist old and new patients, to get them living a more enjoyable life, just like the Johnson family. While South Texas locals are more than familiar with sneezing, runny noses and the various other symptoms that are the consequence of allergies, Dr. TrottGregorio offers testing and treatments to manage these nuisances. “Since living here for the past few years, the biggest thing that I’ve noticed about the population of San Antonio is just how allergic patients are,” said Dr. Amanda TrottGregorio. “It’s rare that you meet someone that doesn’t complain of allergic symptoms,
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and yet, the majority go untreated and unevaluated and just kind of suffer through it. It is a shame because it really interferes with your quality of life.” Allergies, an abnormal reaction of the immune system to typically harmless substances, can not only cause unwanted symptoms but can also be the cause of asthma and eczema, which she also treats. Consequently, allergies and associated problems can keep many people from everyday activities, places and opportunities. As Dr. Trott-Gregorio explained, “This part of Texas is a really allergenic little piece of the world we love to call home. The San Antonio/Austin area is the only part of the United States with a winter pollen issue- cedar. We are more allergic here, as a population, than most of the world.” At Stone Oak Allergy, Dr. Trott-Gregorio and her team not only work with their patients on a personal level to find out the causes of the problems, but they also work to obtain the perfect solution specifically designed for each person. Whether it is treatment through avoidance, medication or injections, Stone Oak Allergy is determined to find the right solution for each person who walks through the door. “‘I got my life back’ is a phrase I hear almost daily from my patients,” said TrottGregorio. “It means living without the burden of allergy symptoms or breathing limitations. Why not feel good every day? We can make that happen.” Although allergies and asthma are the
What The New SAT Means For Your Student By Sam Johnson he last examination using the old version of the SAT was administered at the end of January. So if you are a parent of a student who has not yet taken the SAT or is going to retake the test, you will want to learn about what these changes mean for you. In a nutshell, the SAT has been reformatted so that its results can more accurately reflect a student’s abilities for the colleges and universities. To give you an idea of the new test, College Tutors of San Antonio has created a brief overview of what changed. Scoring The SAT will no longer be scored on a 2400 point scale. Instead it will go back to the old maximum score of 1600. This is because they have eliminated the division of the reading and writing sections and combined them to become the “Evidencebased Reading and Writing” section. This section accounts for 800 points of your total score. The other 800 points are allocated for the math section. Finally, the essay is optional and scored separately from the rest of the test. It is broken down into three components that are scored from 2-8 each and added together for your total essay score. Evidence-based Reading and Writing The reading and writing questions are all multiple choice and follow the reading
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of a passage. For the reading questions, the student is asked to use context clues and information gained from the reading to answer questions about the meaning of the passage. For the writing questions, the student is required to point out grammatical errors and rephrase certain parts of the passage to improve effectiveness of the message. Math This portion of the test focuses on testing a student’s ability to answer questions relating to three areas of mathematics. First, the “Heart of Algebra” questions focus on the mastery of linear equations and systems. Second, the “Problem Solving and Data Analysis” questions test being quantitatively literate. Finally, the “Passport to Advanced Math” features questions that require the manipulation of complex equations. Remember that you can find more information on the format of the new test, testing center locations and dates as well as registration information through the College Board website. The staff at College Tutors of San Antonio is here to answer any questions that you have over the test. We also regularly offer free practice tests to the community. Call us at 210-202-0303 to learn more about the new SAT or to sign up for the next free practice test session.
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
most commonly treated conditions, Dr. Trott-Gregorio also sees patients for allergic skin disorders, chronic cough, non-allergic nasal symptoms, immune deficiencies, and patients who have recurrent infections. Her skills and expertise in these areas are not limited to any particular age, opening the door to even newborns, from which various mothers benefited. “My baby had a severe rash all over, especially on his face, since he was 2 days old, and we saw a pediatrician and a dermatologist who both told me to stop breastfeeding,” explained Melinda Rippy, mother of 9-month-old patient Luke. “I wanted to find a way to fix his rash and continue breastfeeding, and Dr. Trott was the first doctor who took the time to listen
and figure out a way to make both of those things happen. Now his rash is gone!” At Stone Oak Allergy, patients will feel right at home as they join Dr. Amanda TrottGregorio and her talented staff on a journey to enhance their lives. Visit their office on Sonterra Boulevard or call 210-494-0690 to schedule an appointment.
Stone Oak Allergy 155 E. Sonterra Blvd., Suite 101 (210) 494-0690 www.stoneoakallergy.com
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The Chapters of Retirement
By Eric Zeitler Client Centric Wealth Management (210) 807-7599 he journey to and through retirement phenomenon of your household expenses occurs gradually, like successive growing along with your pay raises. Chapter 2 (the early sixties). The chapters in a book. Each chapter has anticipation builds at this point; you start its own things to consider. Chapter 1 (the fifties). At this stage of to think about the process of retiring and life, retirement becomes less like a far-off the precise financial and lifestyle steps dream and more like a forthcoming reality. involved. You also begin to think about the You begin to think about when you can near future – not only what you will do next, retire, and about taking the right steps to but how you will do it. This is also a time to retire comfortably. During your fifties, you dial down risk in your portfolio, especially may contend with “lifestyle creep” – the if a bear market occurs right before you
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K9 Corner By Catherine Laria K9 Country Club (830) 980-8476
The Best Canine Athletes In The World
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he 2016 Summer Olympics may be in Reno but not for the best canine athletes in the world. They will be competing in their own Olympics in LaagSoeren, Netherlands, April 13th - 17th and our very own local resident, Catherine Laria, will be representing Team USA! Catherine, owner of K9 Country Club, in Bulverde has been trialing and training dogs for over 20 years. They have competed all over the country and Mexico but this will be their first time on Team USA.
Throughout the years if Catherine and her dogs were not traveling for Agility or Sheep Dog trials they are home training and teaching. The sport of agility is the fastest growing dog sport in America. People of all ages and dogs of all kinds can spend time together running, climbing, and zig-zagging their way through obstacle courses. There are many organizations who sponsor this sport. Catherine and her border collie, Blizzard, will be competing at the International Federation of Cynological Sports (IFCS) World Championships. Twenty dogs from all over the US will be competing in various games and jump heights. In fact, FIVE of those going are from TEXAS! That is a huge representation of our great state.
retire. You have little time to recover from a downturn. Chapter 3 (the start of retired life). The first year or so of retirement is akin to a “honeymoon phase” – you have the time and perhaps the money to pursue all kinds of dreams. The key is not to spend wildly. Lifestyle creep also affects new retirees; free time often means more chances to spend money. Chapter 4 (the mid-sixties through the late seventies). This is when some people get a little restless. It is also when some people find their retirement savings growing disturbingly smaller. You may get bored with all-leisure, all-the-time and want to volunteer or work on your own terms, health permitting. Chapter 5 (eighty & afterward). The last chapter of retirement is one frequently Whether or not you want to compete at the world level, agility takes a lot of time to go from beginning to competition and there is no better place to get started than at K9 Country Club. You can find everything you need to go from being introduced to the sport all the way to competing at the local, national, or even international level. Say you just want to have the coolest dog at the dog park. There are ways to make agility not only fun but safe for your canine partner. Agility is also a great way to expend some of that excess energy if you have a very active pet. If you would like to watch the IFCS World Championships they will be streaming live at www.cynosport.tv Help cheer on Catherine, Blizzard, and Team USA all the way to gold! But they need your help! Costs for a team of 20 exceeds $50,000. Show your support with a tax-deductible contribution by visiting www.usdaa.com/ifcsteamusa.cfm. To help Catherine and Blizzard directly, contact K9 Country Club at 830-980-8476 or email k9countryclub@dogmail.com.
Spring Time Vehicle Clean Up
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By Rusty Belden, President Belden’s Automotive & Tires (210) 494-0017
pring time is here and it couldn’t have come sooner. Typically, people are pulling out cleaning supplies and tidying up houses; and it shouldn’t be any different for your vehicles. Now is a great time to get your vehicle up to speed after all your winter driving and do a quick check on all belts, hoses, tires, and antifreeze. Come by Belden’s Automotive & Tires and let our certified technicians perform a Multi - Point Inspection on your vehicle and get you ready for the hot summer driving. Here
are a few friendly reminders: Have all engine performance problems like hard starts, rough idling and stalling conditions checked out. These problems can affect your gas mileage and if corrected you can catch minor problems before they escalate into costly repairs in the future. Cooling System: Because overheating is the leading cause of roadside breakdowns, Belden’s Automotive & Tires attaches special emphasis to our Cooling System Service, make sure and have your
vehicle’s cooling system serviced with a comprehensive set of products and tools to ensure reliable performance of this allimportant system. Check the conditions of your tires including your spare. Remember that uneven wear, ‘cupping,’ vibrations, or ‘pulling’ to one side indicates problems with your tires or suspension system. Beat the Heat: Have your air conditioning system serviced by a qualified technician and remember the air conditioners on older vehicles often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air through improper service. Routine brake inspection and service is important for safety and can save you money in the long run. Failure to replace
2nd Annual Encino Park Fiesta Festival Submitted By Sylvia Farber ncino Park Elementary PTA invites all community members to the 2nd Annual Encino Park Fiesta Festival and Silent Auction on April 8 from 4:308:30pm. Wristbands will be on sale and available at Encino Park Elementary for $15 for unlimited carnival games or $20
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for unlimited carnival games and a BBQ plate from Smokey Mo’s. Wristbands will be on sale the day of the carnival for $20 for unlimited carnival games or $25 for unlimited carnival games and a BBQ plate. There will be a few ticketed booths with each ticket being $.50. Proceeds from the event will go directly
into Encino Park Elementary to fund a fully equipped, modern science lab as well as some much needed furniture for the school. A few of the unlimited games will include: ring toss, washer toss, duck pond, Plinko, Operation, bean bag toss, Angry Birds, gaga ball, and Just Dance. Some of the ticketed booths will include: a dunking
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characterized by the sharing of legacies and life lessons, a new perspective on the process of living and aging, and deeper engagement (or reengagement) with children and grandchildren. This is also the time when you should think about your financial legacy, and review or update your estate plan so that when you leave this world, things are in good order and your wishes are followed. Before and during your retirement, it is wise to keep in touch with a financial professional who can guide and consult you when questions about income, investments, wealth protection, and wealth transfer arise. Eric Zeitler and Eric Weissgarber an offer securities through Sigma Financial Corporation. Member FINRA/SIPC. Client Centric Wealth Management is independent of Sigma Financial Corporation and SPC.
Fundraising efforts are still underway. For more information on classes, lessons, or the Whirlwind Border Collies visit www. k9countryclub.net.
worn brake pads, for example, can result in more expensive damage to rotors and wheels. Belden’s Automotive and Tires wants to be YOUR Dealer Alternative! We are proud to be your one-stop-shop for all your automotive needs. Don’t forget, Belden’s also offers diesel repairs, tires and performs custom exhaust work. Check us out on the web for coupons and specials at www. beldensautomotive.com. Buckle up, Drive Safe and remember at Belden’s Automotive & Tires “We Keep You Rolling!” Belden’s Automotive & Tires has 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.
booth, jail, cake walk, and silly string war. The festival will also include live music, inflatables and other fun activities. We hope that you will be able to support the Encino Park Fiesta Festival! We look forward to hearing from you. 2250 Encino Rio, San Antonio, TX 78259.
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
& DIRECTORY
Medical Allergy & Immunology Family Allergy & Asthma Specialists Dr. John Mastrovich 20650 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 106 Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology 342-6200 • www.faasonline.com
Allergy & Immunology
Stone Oak Allergy & Asthma Amanda Trott-Gregorio, MD Board Certified in Allergy/Immunology 155 Sonterra Blvd., Ste. 101 494-0690 • stoneoakallergy.com
Anti-Aging Enhancement of Life Dr. Donna Becker, D.O. 14603 Huebner Rd., Ste. 2601 545-5224 • www.antiagingsa.com Expert Hormone Replacement for Women & Men
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio M. Guirl, MD, J. Jackson, MD., D.McMyler, MD P. Mehta, MD., R, Shaffer, MD 855 Proton Rd. 614-1234 • www.gastroconsa.com
Professional
General Dentistry
Dental Care SA: Dr. David Seguin & Associates 115 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 1104, SAT 78232 La Arcata Center 496-2533 www.dentalcareSA.com
General Dentistry
Canyon Dental Care Jeff Beal, DDS & Justin Rich, DDS 3111 TPC Pkwy., Ste. 114, San Antonio, 78259 424-3611 www.dentalworks.com
General Dentistry
Dr. Perry E. Wood Family Dentistry, Cosmetics & Orthodontics 16616 San Pedro (281/Thousand Oaks) 491-9898 Accepts most insurance
General Dentistry
Garrison Family Dental Austin J Garrison DDS, Gary J. Garrison DDS 22100 Bulverde Rd., Ste. 114 494-7222 www.garrisonfamilydental.com
Internal Medicine
Orthodontics For Adults/Children
Internal Medicine of Stone Oak Lubna Naeem, M.D. 19272 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 105 490-3800 Laser treatment, Botox, Skin care available
Schatz Orthodontics Eric Schatz, DDS 22610 U.S. Highway 281, Ste. 201 272-7129 www.alohasmiles.net
Ophthalmologist/Optometrist
Pediatric Dentistry
Alamo City Eye Physicians, P.A. J. Mark Berry M.D. William T. Walton M.D. 19026 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 216 491-2020
Stone Oak Pediatric Dentistry Dr. “Susie” S. Hayden, DDS, P.A. 20322 Huebner Rd., Ste. 103 491-4141 www.drsusie.net
Ophthalmologist
Speech Therapy
Lynnell C. Lowry, M.D. Alamo Eye Institute Board Certified Ophthalmologist 18720 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 119 697-3821
Speech & Language Center of Stone Oak Barbara A. Samfield 19272 Stone Oak Pkwy., Ste. 108 495-9944 www.stoneoakspeech.com
Optometrist
Urgent Care
Texas State Optical Renee Dunlap, O.D. 21019 U.S. Hwy. 281 N., Ste. 832 490-EYES (3937) www.stoneoaktso.com
Fossil Creek Urgent Care Clinic 22250 Bulverde Rd. (Corner of Evans Rd.) 401-8185 • www.fossilcreekurgentcare.com Open Late and Weekends Family and Pediatric Medicine
Johnson High School Wins First Prize At Project Celebration Submitted By Melinda Cox he Texas Department of Transportation held its annual Project Celebration February 6th at the Via Metro Center in San Antonio. This event invites local high school students to participate in a competition in regard to driving or underage drinking. The event is held to promote the idea of safe choices for students during high school and after their graduation ceremony. David Lunan, a Jaguar senior at Johnson High School, took first place and brought home $1250 in prize money to be used by his fellow Jaguars for Project Graduation at JHS. Project Graduation is a program offered by many high schools in the United States, in which organized, adult-supervised and alcohol-free activities are offered as part of a post-graduation party, as an alternative to student-run events involving alcoholic beverages or other drugs. Presentations were made by high school students for Project Celebration to discuss the specific scenario given by TXDOT. The student or group of students from each high school were required to complete a two minute presentation with specifics tasks, scenarios or questions to be answered. This year’s theme was: “Your best friend’s parents want to celebrate your graduation with a party for all of your friends. They suggest hosting the event at their house with plenty of food and alcoholic beverages. Their instructions would be that all party goers will need to spend the night as all keys will be collected
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at the door. You know social hosting is wrong and that your parents and friends could get in some trouble? You and your friends have come up with another solution to celebrate your success. What solution would you propose?” Students from schools across San Antonio participated in this event. Presentations were evaluated by a panel of judges each representing different areas such as law enforcement, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and local businesses. After the presentations were completed, judges tallied scores and announced the winners. Winners of Project Celebration were awarded with monetary prizes for first, second and third place. Money awarded to each student and school for the Project Celebration event will be used for Project Graduation events at the students’ school. Monetary awards were as follows: 1st place-$1250 2nd Place-$1,000 3rd Place- $750 The JHS PTSA Smart Driving Club was present at the event to help support the TXDOT Project Celebration and spread the message of safe choices behind the wheel and beyond. The JHS PTSA Smart Driving Club is proud to work with TXDOT and others to promote the message of safe choices. Congratulations to David Lunan and all the students who participated in this important event. We appreciate and congratulate your effort to bring this important message to your school and community.
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
Pictured left to right are JHS students, Dylan Gonzalez and David Lunan.
David receives a $1250 check for first place at Project Celebration.
Seema A. Dar, MD, FACG • Muhammad Naeem, MD • Chaithanya Mallikarjun, MD
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1st Annual Buddy Blizzard Held At Encino Park Elementary School Submitted By Debora Classen he 1st Annual Buddy Blizzard was hosted by Encino Park Elementary School for the Johnson Cluster on January 29th, 2016. What is the Buddy Blizzard you ask? It is a carnival designed exclusively for our special needs students. Every booth and activity correlated to sensory, basic math and learning skills. Some of the booths the students enjoyed were a Balloon/Snowball Dance Zone, Olaf Bowling, Face Painting, Lego Bonanza, Lightning McQueen Scooter Race, Batman’s Mask Coloring and many more. Each student was assigned a “buddy” who escorted the student to each station, cheering them on and helping when necessary. At each booth the student received a stamp on their blizzard card or a ticket. The students totaled the amount earned and picked out prizes from the Eddie the Eagle Store, while their families were able to sit back, relax and enjoy the evening. Many community services were available to speak with the parents advising them where help was available and what services were available for their children. Hamburgers and hot dogs were served by our fantastic Watch Dog Dads. Many volunteers helped put the Blizzard together before, during and after the evening to create a low-key atmosphere for our most precious students who were overwhelmed by their school’s larger carnivals. This was
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Students enjoy the inflatable slide at the Buddy Blizzard.
Students pose with their “Buddies” at the Blizzard.
all made possible through funds from the Spurs Silver and Black Give Back Grant and a donation from EliteCare. Goodie bags were sent home with each student which included fun prizes donated by Spirit Monkey, World Pediatric Dental, and Methodist Children’s Hospital. A good time was had by one and all! See you next year!
College Tutors Educator Of The Month By Steve Johnson, Owner of College Nannies + Tutors t is our pleasure to once again honor a local educator at Lady Bird Johnson High School as the College Tutors Educator of the Month for March. 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 recognize Velisa Jewett, Journalism teacher at Johnson High School. No matter the time of day, Velisa can be found in her room working with a group of students on their latest production. Every year, she and her students create an outstanding yearbook, and somehow they always manage to top the previous year’s publication. She does a wonderful job of orchestrating everything down to the smallest details, and she is eager to collaborate with other teachers to make the books the best possible. Not only does she stay busy with the yearbooks, but she and her students also produce regular installments of JAG TV which keeps our student body up-to-date with all kinds of fun and informative news. Our students are
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lucky to have Velisa as part of our team! 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 stoneoaktx@collegenannies.com.
JHS PTSA Smart Driving Club
Johnson Drill and Dance Teams Win Big At Showmakers Submitted By Carla Burke ongratulations to the Johnson High School Belles’ Drill Team and the Legacies Dance Team who competed at The Showmakers of America dance competition at Alamo Heights High School on February 6th. They faced tough competition from around the districts, but walked away with high acclaim! The Legacies won the Sweepstakes Judges Award, Best Showmanship (Jazz, Kick, Contemporary), Best Choreography (Jazz, Kick, Contemporary), Best Precision (Jazz, Kick, Contemporary), Best Entertainment (Jazz, Kick, Contemporary), Creative Costuming (Kick), 1st place Jazz, 1st place Kick, 1st place Contemporary, 1st place in the Small Varsity Division Line of Champions, and Pinnacle Award (Best overall team for entire competition!) The Belles won the Sweepstakes Judges Award, Best Showmanship (Jazz, Pom, Military, Hip Hop), Best Technique (Pom), Best Precision (Pom and Military), Best Entertainment (Pom), Creative Costuming (Military), 1st place Military, 1st place Jazz, 1st place Pom, 1st place Hip Hop and 1st place in the Junior Varsity Division Line of Champions. Other winners included Duet #1, Victoria Nicolai and Mikayla Gonzalez won 2nd place while Ava Reynolds and
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Pictured from left to right, Lt. Chief Trevino, Melinda Cox, Councilman Gallagher, Dylan Gonzalez, Jessica Lee.
Submitted By Melinda Cox t is against the law to text and drive within the city limits of San Antonio. This ordinance was passed by the San Antonio City Council over a year ago, and on January 27th the Johnson High School PTSA Smart Driving Club was in the heart of San Antonio with our city leaders to lend support and appreciation to this ordinance and effort. Our senior students were invited by city council and Chief McManus to speak about the club, its efforts and what impact the ordinance has had on distracted drivers. “Driving distracted and texting and driving is now a 24/7 cultural phenomenon and we believe it is of the utmost importance to change this culture and empower a new generation of drivers to not drive distracted,” said Smart Driving Club President and JHS Senior, Dylan Gonzalez. Both Lt. Chief Trevino and the JHS PTSA Smart Driving Club spoke to the City Council about the importance of personal responsibility behind the wheel and the importance of continuing education about the dangers of driving distracted. Every City Council member thanked the Smart Driving Club students for their dedication
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Pictured from left to right, Katie Bates, Amanda Burke, Meredith Floyd, Janie Bila and Karen Bogush.
Mikayla Gonzalez won 1st place for Duet #2. Solo winners included Taylor Dickson for 1st place in 9th-10th grade and Katelyn Andreassen won 1st place for 11th- 12th grade. Next in line for solo finalists went to Katie Bates.
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Pictured at Podium, Lt. Chief Trevino, Dylan Gonzalez.
and efforts in helping make our roads safer for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, runners and cyclists. The club has worked with SAPD and TXDOT for almost three years to share a message of eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The students involved in this club bring events to the Johnson campus, and also work in the community to remind drivers to not drive distracted. The continued efforts of the students in this club have saved lives and our Jaguar students have represented this message throughout the city and at the State Capitol. If you would like to see our club members in action, we invite you to watch the rebroadcast of this session: Rebroadcast: B-session is rebroadcast Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. (or at the conclusion of City Council meetings); City Council meetings are rebroadcast Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. If you have any questions about this club, please contact parent sponsor Melinda Cox at melmadcox@msn.com.
March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
Starts April 1, 2016 at a School or Business near you. LivingThroughGivingSA.org 210.348.8233
Living Through Giving
“You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” Unknown “Our mission is to bring hope to families in the San Antonio community by reaching out and touching the hearts of our future. Our intent is to provide children with hope and friendship while trying to ensure that they have the tools necessary to become the future.” By protecting the hopes and dreams of children, it is LTG’s desire to allow children to see kindness and have hope during a time where both may be hard to find. The core of our passion is the belief that when children become part of ‘the system’ they become our collective responsibility – our children – and deserve the same opportunities that youth from healthy families have.
info@livingthroughgivingsa.org facebook.com/livingthroughgivingsa For more info: 210-348-8233 March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259
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Living Through Giving (LTG) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) which focuses on children and youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, family disruption, or a range of other factors that jeopardize their safety, permanence, or well-being.
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FOR 12K OVER ASKING PRICE AND HAD 14 OFFERS! AJ Reygadas - REALTOR®
Multi-Million Dollar Producer, 2011, 2012,2013,2014 Top 1% of San Antonio REALTORS, 2013,2014 Top 100 Latino Realtors Nationwide, 2013,2014
(210)313-5554
THE REYGADAS GROUP 16
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March 2016 • Welcome Home • 78259