Right at HOME November 2016 Issue

HOME RIGHT AT

NOVEMBER 2016

PLAYING WITH A PLAN

Cheapo Signs Business Consulting Services Page 4

Gilbert Granados, Owner and Business Coach, Cheapo Signs Business Consulting Services.

Photo by: Greg Harrison

222

The Great Turkey Challenge 5K – Thursday, Nov. 24, 8:30 a.m.

The San Antonio Food Bank’s chip-timed 5K run/ walk in King William and the Riverwalk will help fight hunger in our community. Every $15 raised provides a turkey dinner to a family in need. Pet friendly. 622 S. Flores 78204; safoodbank.org/thegreatturkeychallenge.

11/25-26 12/3

San Antonio Road Runners Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot – Thursday, Nov. 24, 8:15 a.m., kids mashed potato run; 9:00 a.m., 4 mile run.

SARR presents the 39th Annual Turkey Trot 4 Miler. Bring the family and start your Thanksgiving Day by getting your heart pumping! There will be 80 free smoked turkeys given away to registered participants, a costume contest with pumpkin pies for prize winners, and special turkey trot t-shirts.

New Location: Lifetime Fitness, 18510 U.S. Highway 281 North 78259; www.saroadrunners.com.

17th Annual Dickens on Main in Boerne – Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26, 4 – 10 p.m.

A Hill Country Christmas event of epic proportions, Boerne’s Main Street transforms into a vintage Christmas experience complete with great shopping, visits with Santa Claus, children’s craft activities, unique vendors, food trucks, snow on Main Street, ice sculpting, music, theatrical performances and an amazing 60-foot ice slide for sledding. Main Street, Boerne 78006; www.dickensonmain.com.

Holiday Hunger Run – Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 a.m.

‘Tis the season to help others; run a 5K/10K to benefit Provisions Outreach (formerly the Bulverde Food Pantry). Wear your favorite Christmas costume - Santa, elves or mistletoe for the contest. Tejas Rodeo, 401 Obst Road, Bulverde 78163; Https://runsignup.com.

12/6 12/4

11/15-18

Amazing Obstacle Course Race at Lopez Middle School - Nov. 6, 8 a.m.

Modeled after the TV show, THE GREAT AMAZING RACE is a fun adventure race in which two person teams race around a cross country course speckled with a variety of fun-filled challenges. Donate two pairs of used sneakers or running shoes to Max Cure Foundation’s Dunk Your Kicks program fighting pediatric cancer and receive a 2-minute time eraser token for the race.

Lopez Middle School, 23103 Hardy Oak Blvd.; www.GreatAmazingRace.com.

11/15-18

Holiday Bazaar - Nov. 4, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Club at Sonterra Women’s Association. Vendors will display their holiday boutique wares, holiday décor and more. The Club at Sonterra, 901 Sonterra Blvd. 78258; 210-639-1599.

The Liar, presented by Ronald Reagan High School Theater - Nov. 15 -18, 7 p.m.

A hilarious French farce by David Ives, The Liar is set in 1643 Paris, where a series of breathtakingly intricate lies and misunderstandings birth one of the Western world’s greatest comedies. Black Box Theater, 19000 Ronald Reagan Dr. 78258; http://www.reaganstage.org/2016-17-season.

11/24

tUesdays

Stone Oak Toastmasters – Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m.

Come for lunch to learn about Toastmasters, a group that nurtures public speaking and leadership skills. There’s no obligation to join, and you won’t have to make a speech! Just pay for your lunch.

Pericos, 1439 E. Sonterra Blvd. 78258; stoneoaktoastmasters.org.

11/4

Legacy Farmers’ Market Saturdays/Sundays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Local market features produce and handcrafted wares from area farmers, artisans and cottage industries. Legacy Shopping Center, 18402 U.S. Highway 281 North 78259; legacyfarmersmarket.com.

Our Town, presented by Ronald Reagan High School Theater - Nov. 15 – 18, 7:00 p.m.

The play by Thornton Wilder follows peoples’ lives in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, in 1901.

This American classic is a must-see for any theatre enthusiast. Guest director Suzanne Martin, former theatre director for Johnson High School, will head this performance. Reagan Auditorium, 19000 Ronald Reagan Dr. 78258; http://www.reaganstage.org/2016-17-season.

11/24

Mays Family YMCA at Stone Oak Winter Sports Registration is open.

Register online, visit the Welcome Center or call.

Mays Family YMCA, 21654 Blanco Rd. 78260; 210-497-7088; ymcasatx.org/mays/sports.

11/6

sat/sun

NOv

Upcoming Events

San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon - Sunday, Dec. 4, 7:30 a.m.

Experience Southern charm infused with a Texas twist as you hit the streets of San Antonio. Enjoy a finish line concert and live bands. Start on East Commerce 78205; www.runrocknroll.com/san-antonio/.

Story Time at Whole Foods – Tuesday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.

Bring the little ones in for a healthy snack and a good story while you enjoy a cup of coffee on the front courtyard. 18403 Blanco Rd. 78258; 210-408-3110.

Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.

3

Playing with a Plan

Gilbert Granados – Using Leadership Skills Training to Improve Businesses

Gilbert Granados, owner of Gilbert Granados LLC Business Consulting Services and design and printing business Cheapo Signs

By Amy Morgan

E

ntrepreneurship is a hot topic in today’s culture, due in part to the popularity of “Shark Tank,” a show highlighting budding entrepreneurs pitching their products to potential investors. On the show it becomes obvious which owner has not just a great product, but the leadership skills necessary to successfully take their business to the next level.

the Michael Gerber EMyth Masters Program, and, in 2014, becoming certified in the John Maxwell leadership system – voted by Inc. Magazine as the number one leadership and management expert in the world.

Gilbert Granados, owner of Gilbert Granados LLC Business Consulting Services and design and printing business Cheapo Signs, is the local shark professionals need to elevate their entrepreneurial skills to the next level. He is passionate about helping business owners and managers improve their leadership skills to grow personally and subsequently, grow their businesses. He says success is not about the technical skills or the best product, but about developing daily habits to grow confidence, manage time and market effectively.

“Actions equal goals,” he said. “I use a spreadsheet calendar to track where they are spending their day to optimize opportunities for income producing activities.”

“People think because they are great at making or doing something, they can effectively run a business,” he said.

“However, at some point, we all get stuck. We can’t see the forest for the trees. We need to raise the leadership lid, to get better,” he added. And Granados is an expert at helping people get better.

He has built upon his more than 25 years of consulting experience with Allstate Insurance Company, graduating from

4

Gilbert Granados with leadership and management guru, John Maxwell.

Granados’ unique combination of experience and training gives him a breadth and depth of knowledge to readily identify solutions to shore up weak areas in a client’s business. They may need help with marketing, selling, or leads capture; leadership skills; information; or time management.

“Actions equal goals,” he said. “I use a spreadsheet calendar to track where they are spending their day to optimize opportunities for income producing activities.”

“I get in their world. Coaching is about asking questions, finding the way they need to go, then helping them take action to attain results,” he added. “We always want to work with the end in mind. What does the customer want to accomplish?

What is important to them? My purpose is finding the ‘why.’

Then I empower them to make the decisions, because they are the leader.”

One of his clients, Rita Hernandez, was coached by Granados to help grow her website and internet radio station, Inspiration 4 Life.

“You can now listen 24/7 in more than 138 countries around the world,” she enthused. “He really helped me brand, ‘Rita Hernandez,’ and my gifts and talents.”

Granados added he closes every radio show with same statement: “Live by design, not be default,” which he unpacks to mean, “build your business with intention and design and protect your calendar. Our daily habits are critical,” he said.

“What I love best is helping a business owner to feel confident their results reflect their efforts. It’s very similar to a coach working with an athlete. How many athletes you know who don’t have a coach? They all do. It’s no different with a business owner,” Granados added.

And in the realm of coaching, Granados, a self-described baseball guy, not only coached his younger son’s baseball team, he eventually developed a select organization named Angels Baseball that, by the time they reached the 14-year-old age bracket, was ranked 6th in the nation in travel select baseball.

He founded the team on the FCA creed to develop character and a sound mind as well as a strong body, he said.

“It’s not just about the wins. We were competitive,” he said, “but it’s about developing ourselves internally. It was a neat experience.” Granados now divides his attention between all three of his children, as well as his two grandchildren - playing with a plan, on the field, as in life.

Gilbert Granados and Rita Hernandez record a session of “Play with a Plan,” the business management show heard Fridays at 11:30 a.m. on Inspiration 4 Life internet radio station.

“It was so hard for me before I met with Gilbert in January of 2014,” Hernandez said. “I approached Gilbert to let him know what Inspiration 4 Life was all about. I thought he just did signs! When I found out (about business coaching), I thought, ‘This is important – this is what I need on my network,’” and she invited Granados to co-host a weekly radio show with her.

Now they highlight Granados’ business management strategies every Friday at 11:30 a.m., on the radio show, “Play with a Plan,” named after his governing philosophy.

“He’s an amazing person,” she said. They recently taped their 41st show, which can be heard through a free app downloaded on a smart phone or through the website.

Call Gilbert Granados for a FREE business coaching consultation.

210-490-7446 16248 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, TX 78232

Granados is a hands-on manager of Cheapo Signs, overseeing every step of the sign creation process.

info@cheaposigns.com www.CheapoSigns.com www.GilbertGranados.com 5

RESIDENT OF THE MONTH

Business Problem Solver Providing Big Solutions to Small Business Problems

By Amy Morgan

D

ean Bentle is an independent consultant who works with business owners to help them find solutions to grow and protect their small businesses. As an independent associate of LegalShield, he offers professional representation for three companies: LegalShield, IDShield, and GoSmallBiz.com.

“Small businesses have the same business problems as large organizations, but they don’t have the money or personnel to throw at them,” Bentle said. “I can help them outsource their solutions at a very reasonable price.

“Through LegalShield and GoSmallBiz.com, I can provide a legal department, a marketing department, a sales department and an IT department for less than $50 a month,” he added.

“I like to sit down with someone just getting started and give them the resources they need to make things work properly,” Bentle said. “It is a big thrill for me.”

LegalShield allows clients unlimited access to an attorney – whether it be for advice or counsel; help with wills or medical power of attorney; reviewing contracts; making phone calls on a client’s behalf; or even representation in court.

For an example, Bentle said, one of his clients had a problem with an appliance failing while under warranty. The technician and the repair shop refused to fix the problem. She called her LegalShield law firm, and “we don’t know exactly what was said,” Bentle confided, “but two days later, she had a new dishwasher installed.”

LegalShield also came in handy, he laughed, when his wife misread a street sign and incurred a large traffic fine. The lawyer who represented her in traffic court was able to reduce the charges.

GoSmallBiz.com offers unlimited access to online education and business coaches and consultants, he said. “They provide information, advice and a sounding board for ideas. They are

Dean Bentle, independent associate with Legal Shield, helps local small businesses have peace of mind from legal worries.

there to help you make better decisions and offer specialized software to help you track your progress.”

IDShield is the largest forensic accounting firm in the world, Bentle said. They not only monitor a client’s typical identity documents, they have highly specialized access to data surrounding a monetary transaction – even information being circulated on the dark web, where criminals go to buy and sell identities, he said. If something is discovered, ID Shield will then do the work to restore the client’s identity to its original condition, he added.

Bentle and his wife, Mercedes, have been San Antonio residents for 11 years. A former Midwesterner, he started his career as a high school band director before transitioning to software engineer, spending 23 years with IBM. While in Stone Oak, he is a past president and current member of the Stone Oak Rotary Club and is active in Stone Oak’s new Business Network International Club, North Central Platinum Referrals.

Dean Bentle, Independent Associate - Legal Shield 21750 Hardy Oak Blvd #102, San Antonio, TX 78258 210-557-7944 888-510-8060 (fax) dbentle@gmail.com www.dabentle.legalshieldassociate.com Dean and Mercedes Bentle enjoy the Stone Oak Rotary Club Casino Royale event.

6

Movement for Life

Silver Star Colonel and Nationally Recognized Hispanic Scholar Student Spotlight

By Amy Morgan atelyn Gutierrez, Reagan High School senior, exudes enthusiasm, energy and zest for life. All which serve her well, as her dizzyingly busy schedule would overwhelm a less energetic peer.

And she is most enthusiastic when she talks about helping others, whether it be in her role as teacher and mentor, leading 56 girls as colonel for the Reagan Silver Stars Dance Team, or in the future career in biomedical engineering and prosthetics she dreams of pursuing.

K

“One thing I’m most passionate about is teaching and interacting with others with dance,” she said. “I’m such a science nerd. I’m really into physics, and especially the physics of dance. That’s why I want to do prosthetics, I love being able to move and want to share such a fun experience with others.”

Gutierrez was nominated by her Dance Team Faculty Advisor, Valeria Sisson, who said, “She is a great leader. I call Katelyn my ‘boss’ because Katelyn is always one step ahead of me, anticipating what needs to be done next. She is very proactive, and the other girls respect her.”

“My favorite thing is getting to help my team accomplish their goals,” Gutierrez added.

“I’ve been dancing with some of these girls for four years. I understand what a big commitment it is.”

To become colonel, Gutierrez was voted upon by team members, the dance sponsor and by judges from the local dance community. She estimates spending at least 20 hours a week on Silver Stars-related activity.

Dance is just one aspect of her busy life. Gutierrez is a National Hispanic Recognized Scholar, which means she was one of 2% designated as such of Hispanic/Latino Students who take the PSAT their junior year; she ranks in RHS’s top 10%, with a GPA of 106; she holds an officer position in the Student Council; teaches elementary Sunday School at Community Bible Church; and has taken marketing projects to DECA’s state competition for the past two years.

Silver Stars Colonel Katelyn Gutierrez has danced at Reagan for the past 4 years

She chairs the Stu-Co Energy and Environment Committee, which promotes recycling and energy conservation. And last year, her project in DECA’s Shark Tank–like competition was an automatic lawnmower – “like a Roomba for your lawn.”

To relax, Gutierrez cuddles her pink pet mini-pig named Pennie. A “snuggle bug” who sleeps in her bed and signals at the door to go out like one of the family dogs. Gutierrez said she stumbled upon an ad for Pennie on-line when searching for a mini-goat for a student council project. She said she fell in love with her and told her mom “there was no option – we had to go get this mini-pig!”

Photo by Denise Photography

Katelyn Gutierrez, Reagan High School senior, exudes enthusiasm, energy and zest for life.

7

Driving Safety

Johnson High School PTSA and Smart Driving Club Host Interactive Event to Raise Distracted Driving Awareness Johnson High School hosted its fourth annual Safe Driving Event during lunch periods on campus October 12. Community members and first responders from all over the city: police officers, ambulance crews, MADD, San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness brought hands-on activities like the drunk goggles, pedal carts and even a surprise visit by the crash test dummy to remind students and the campus family to always keep their Eyes on the Road and their Hands on the Wheel.

8

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9

Thankfulness at Stone Oak Vision Source

By Monica Allison, O.D., Stone Oak Vision Source am again thankful for all the families who trust their eye care to the Stone Oak Vision Source team. We have owned Stone Oak Vision Source for the past 11 years, and I find remarkable both the growth experienced and the relationships built as we have cared for the eyes of our Stone Oak patients. I personally also am thankful for my staff; I appreciate them as an invaluable part of my practice.

I

We are blessed with a great team of staff and physicians. Drs. Kim Ip and Lindsey Denison remain, and Dr. Denison’s husband, Dr. Jed Martin, joined us this summer. Dr. Victoria Perez joined us last month as we expanded to our new building.

Dr. Perez is a native of South Texas. She attended Texas A&M University at Kingsville, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Perez continued her studies at the University of Houston College of Optometry where she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree. Dr. Perez conducted her clinical rotations at Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, Okla., as part of the Cherokee Nation Rural Eye Program. Her clinical training entailed comprehensive medical and emergency eye care, including anterior segment ocular laser therapy.

We are excited to be moved and settled in our new building. We will host our annual holiday open house, Friday, December 2, in appreciation of our patients. We will offer refreshments, raffle drawings and great specials. New frame lines will be highlighted. It’s a great opportunity to use your year-end HSA benefits! New sunglasses, prescription Make an Appointment! or otherwise are a great Christmas gift for that hard-to-shop-for person on Monica Allison, O.D. your list. Please mark your calendars to stop by and meet and greet the team.

Visit us online at www.visionsource-stoneoak.com, or call us, 210-495-9020.

We are now located at our new building at 810 Knights Cross, Suite 101, at the northeast corner of Knights Cross and Stone Oak Parkway, behind the Excellence ER building. We are happy to answer your eye-care questions or become your family eye doctor.

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Lindsey Denison, O.D. Kim Ip, O.D. Joshua “Jed” Martin, O.D. Victoria Perez, O.D. Call 210-495-9020 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Monica Allison, O.D.

SENIOR MOMENT

Piano Lessons

Classically-trained as a pianist in the Philippines, a resident at Independence Hill Retirement Resort Community shares her love of music, her faith, and wisdom earned over a lifetime.

By Jennifer Chappell Smith

t 13, in her family’s home in the Philippines, Aurora Boliak played the piano for some of the A Japanese soldiers who had invaded her island nation. The World War II-era Japanese Occupation lasted from 1942 to 1945, but it didn’t disrupt Aurora’s piano studies. “Even during the Japanese invasion [and] those atrocities...I continued my lessons,” says Aurora, who now lives at Independence Hill Retirement Resort Community in San Antonio. “I did not want to see any Japanese because of the anger [toward them] in my heart, but my playing attracted them. They were lonely.”

As she performed for those uninvited guests, a gun, contraband, lay hidden inside the piano. Locals had been ordered to turn over weapons, but Aurora’s uncle had stashed the pistol there. “They did not search [our house]. They only came to listen to me play,” she says.

Learning to love music As a girl, Aurora struggled with her mother’s mandate that she study piano. When a piano teacher said that Aurora, the oldest of 13 children, had a musical gift, her mother ensured she developed it. “I hated it. I was not allowed to play [outside] until I practiced,” she says, adding that she didn’t discover the real joy of music until later in life. “I had to come to the reality that God gave me the gift. [Music] is part of my life. It’s like I’m breathing it.”

Today, music also is part of her identity at Independence Hill. She has played for mass at a nearby church and at First Friday services at Independence Hill. She also helped start the community’s choral group, The Hill Toppers. “It’s my service to my co-residents. That’s how I view it, now that I’ve gained some wisdom,” she says.

Aurora studied music at a Catholic college in the Philippines and eventually taught piano. In her late 20s, Aurora Boliak shares her musical gift with her fellow residents at Independence Hill. she visited a brother and a sister who were both working as medical doctors in the U.S. She ultimately moved to New York City and became a clerk for an insurance company. There, she met and married Frank Boliak, a young Wall Street professional. The pair shared daily train commutes from Queens, dinner dates, and Broadway shows. “It was a joyful life, and he was good man, but God had other plans,” Aurora says. Frank died of cancer after just 15 years of marriage. “I know I can face God and say that I did not reserve anything here,” she says, pointing to her heart. “I gave everything.”

After Frank’s death, Aurora cared for her mother-in-law and befriended Frank’s bachelor uncle, who left her an inheritance. Ten years ago, she secured her place at Independence Hill in San Antonio, where she has a brother nearby. Now much more than a duty, music brings her joy. And she believes she’ll be held accountable for how she used her talent. “God will ask me what I did with it,” she says. Aurora will have a good response.

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Aurora Boliak enjoys a beautiful fall day at Independence Hill Retirement Community.

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11

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

Family Legacy

Award-Winning State Farm® Agent Passionate about Serving her Community

By Amy Morgan

F

or Mary Ellen Jablonski, owner of the State Farm® Insurance Agency located at 2606 TPC Pkwy #107, insurance is all in the family. Her father started with State Farm in 1959 and worked in auto claims 39 years. She grew up in St. Louis listening to him talk about how his role as an auto claims specialist allowed him to help families through terrible car accidents.

“Mary Ellen’s family passionately believes in State Farm®,” she said, adding her brother and sister-in-law both work at the company headquarters in Bloomington, Ill., and her husband of 30 years, Mike, manages her marketing and payroll, after retirement from AT&T. Jablonski has been part of the Stone Oak community since 2007, becoming one of the first tenants at the Village of Stone Oak (across from Target) to capitalize on the growth of the new neighborhoods. Her children attended Reagan High School, and during their school years, she and Mike actively participated in the Reagan Band Parent Association – Mike even serving as co-president from 2008-2011.

With children grown and graduated, Jablonski has more time to focus on her clients. While she’s been an agent for 12 years, her tenure with State Farm® spans 23 years. Not only has she earned the Legion of Honor award for the past 12 years, which recognizes excellent service and productivity, she also has exceeded requirements for the coveted Silver Scroll award and qualified as an Ambassador Traveller for 11 years.

Her favorite thing, she said, is working with so many different types of people and helping people recover from tragedy or catastrophe.

Team members: Stephanie Anderson, Kathrine Galvan, Victoria Cavazos, LeAnn Oatman and State Farm® Agent, Mary Ellen Jablonski offer a full complement of financial services.

She likes to start with a life needs analysis with clients. She’ll ask, “What would happen to your family if you left for work today and didn’t come home tonight? Talk to me about the financial burden your family would experience. How can we lift that burden so they could grieve your loss without worry?”

Jablonski, a Silver Scroll earner, and her team of associates: LeAnn Oatman, Senior Account Manager; Stephanie Anderson, Service Account Manager; Kathrine Galvan, Account Manager; and Victoria Cavazos, Account Manager offer a full complement of financial services.

“State Farm® is number one in the United States for auto, home and life insurance,” she said. “We have a bank, and as I am mortgage certified, we can do mortgages and home equity “I believe in life insurance. I am passionate about making sure products. We also offer financial service products like 529’s and families have the right coverage in place to help them recover mutual funds, IRA’s, and long–term care insurance, even health from the unexpected and still be able to realize their dreams for insurance - so we can take care of the entire family.” their families,” she said.

Mary Ellen Jablonski, State Farm® Insurance 2606 TPC Parkway Suite 107 San Antonio, TX 78259

(210) 829-1778 mary.e.jablonski.sed1@statefarm.com www.mejablonski.com Mary Ellen Jablonski celebrates her 12th year as an agent with State Farm® Insurance.

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PHYSICIAN PROFILE

Food Allergy Fighters

By Amy Morgan

Reducing Peanut Allergy One Child at a Time

hen a child suffers from allergies – and especially life W threatening ones – it affects the entire family. Decisions others take for granted: where to eat, what to send in a school lunch

can be fraught with anxiety. Families need help and hope, and that’s provided at Advanced Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Center, where owner Patricia Gomez Dinger, D.O., board certified physician in Allergy and Immunology understands these concerns. Not only is she committed to making life better for all her patients with allergies and asthma, she has a particular place in her heart for those who suffer from severe food allergies – and especially peanuts.

Last year she used oral immunotherapy, a new method to desensitize kids against their food allergies, on her first patient. Dr. Dinger said she researched the data and protocol for two years at the request of several patients.

“Only about fifty allergists in the country are using this treatment; the closest practice is in Dallas,” she said.

Peanut OIT introduces a specific amount of peanut allergen to a patient over a period of time. The goal is to safely allow the patient to be around or eat peanuts without having an allergic reaction.

“Responses of parents whose children had graduated from Peanut OIT Treatment outside San Antonio and are now eating peanut, combined with the fact that my office is connected to the hospital and is able to handle the risks associated with the treatment, makes it the optimal situation,” said Dr. Dinger.

“I have patients with severe peanut allergies – even kids who would be anaphylactic – eating a challenge of 24 peanuts at a time,” she added. “We’ve now graduated thirteen from San Antonio and South Texas; we just had another graduation yesterday.”

Dr. Dinger and her office throw a party to celebrate when members of “Dr. Dinger’s Food Allergy Fighters” team graduate from oral immunotherapy and conquer their peanut allergies.

“Just the simple fact that these kids used to have to be so careful about what and where they could go out to eat, it’s life changing for them.”

Dr. Dinger understands a family’s concerns: after all, she is the mother of three elementary school-aged children.

“We try not to be your typical medical office. I treat my patients the way I would treat my own family members,” she said. “I live in the Stone Oak community, too.”

All her patients who sign up for the program are considered part of “Dr. Dinger’s Food Allergy Fighters” team, and they get the t-shirt to prove it. At the end of the treatment, the office throws the child a peanut party.

“We really want to celebrate this milestone,” Dr. Dinger said, “because it takes such courage for them to do this. All their lives they are told not to eat peanuts or they will kill you. It is hard for them - they really have to be brave.

Dr. Patricia Gomez-Dinger, DO Advanced Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Center, P.A. 540 Madison Oak, Ste. 210 San Antonio, TX 78258

210-499-ITCH (4824) info@mysaallergist.com www.mysaallergist.com 13

FINANCIAL FITNESS

Who Should You Trust?

By Jennifer Scroggins

Trust

The big question is trust. Who do you trust? Who should you trust? And why?

Do you remember seeing hitchhikers on the road, backpack on, thumb out?

When I was young, we picked up hitchhikers regularly. Why not? They didn’t harm you, and you certainly wouldn’t harm them. You didn’t wonder, “Should I trust him?”

Fast forward to today. I’m visiting New York City with my husband. While I’m unfamiliar with what I call “the human highway” or subway, I felt confident about our getting back to our hotel. After all, I had downloaded an app to help me navigate. That was until I realized my phone had died. Of course, I immediately panicked. Here we were, lost on the subway. I didn’t even have the address to the hotel. That was in my phone too.

So who do I ask? Who do I trust? No police or security personnel are in sight.

The service attendant was gone. The booth closed. Luckily, a couple overheard our discussion of the situation. They actually tapped me on the shoulder and asked if they could help. In the blink of an eye I had to decide if I could trust them. I did, and with their direction, we made it back safe and sound - trust.

Recently, the Department of Labor came up with a “new” rule about advisors being fiduciaries, and that investment recommendations concerning retirement plans need to be in the best interest of the client.1 Hmmm. Okay?

Doing what’s in the best interest of the client. Aren’t we already doing that?

I know I do. But, I realized sadly, as with any industry, there are those who don’t.

Why is this so important? In past, we used to consider three pillars when planning financially for retirement: a company pension, social security and personal savings. Now, fewer than 10 percent of all companies even offer a pension. Social Security may only make up one-third of your retirement income, and you have to delay its use to get the maximum benefit.2 Who is left to count on? YOU! You have to take matters into your own hands, and I believe you do that by finding a trusted advisor who will give you directions, like the couple in New York City did for me.

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I often ask my clients why they choose to work with me. Their answers created some questions to help guide you when choosing your advisor. Do they really listen to you? Do you feel comfortable talking about your goals and dreams with them? Do they explain ideas and concepts so that you understand? Do they put what’s important to you first? Do they treat you like a friend or a customer? Are they sincere?

So, who should you trust? Start with yourself. Trust yourself to take action.

Trust yourself to ask the right questions. I believe you’ll find an advisor you can trust.

1 Source Fidelity Investments, Understanding the DOL Investment Advice Rule, 05/16 2 Source www.ssa.gov

Jennifer L. Scroggins, Investment Advisor Representative Office: (210) 998-5010 Cell: (210) 789-2003 Email: jscroggins@jhnetwork.com www.jenscroggins.com Registered Representative/ Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through Signator Investors, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Platinum Wealth Solutions of Texas, LLC is an independent firm affiliated with Michigan Financial Companies-John Hancock Financial Network. 28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 1300, Southfield, MI 48034.

(248) 663-4700. 225-20160203-274742

PET TIPS

Good Dog!

Overcoming bad manners before the holiday guests arrive.

By Tamara Wetegrove

A

re you having family or friends in town for Thanksgiving or the holidays? Don’t let your pup’s bad manners interrupt the festivities! Here are some tips to keep your dog out of trouble around your guests.

Brush up on obedience early.

Spend 5-10 minutes a day working with your dog on basic commands such as sit, stay, and go to your place.

Remember that positive reinforcement is key to improving behavior.

Get out some of that pent up energy.

If your pup is worn out, he will be more likely to keep to himself and not bother your guests. Take him for a long, brisk walk in the morning before company arrives.

Another walk later in the day may be necessary; a tired dog is a good dog!

for begging, this would be a good activity for when you sit down to eat. Bonus: these toys improve problem solving and cognitive skills.

Give your pet a safe place to retreat.

With all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays and Occupy your dog with complex toys. additional people in your home, it can be stressful for Put treats or peanut butter in a KONG toy or dog puzzle, your pet. Give him a quiet, safe place to retreat to if he and let him work for his reward. If your pooch is notorious wants to get away from guests.

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