FANTASTIC FESTIVAL
Enjoy a Family Friendly, Local Oktoberfest
By Amy Morgan
Prost,
Stone Oak! Have you always hoped to attend an Oktoberfest event but were unwilling to brave the drive and the crowd in New Braunfels? This year, why not try something a little closer to home. City Council’s District 9 will host the second annual Classen-Steubingfest at one of San Antonio’s newest parks – conveniently located right in the heart of Stone Oak at 20240 Hardy Oak Blvd. The free event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 3-7 p.m., and includes live performances, kids’ activities and games like corn hole. Volunteers from the American Legion will grill free bratwurst and hotdogs. Sales of German beer and other concessions support the San Antonio Parks Foundation, and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels will bring a truck.
Last year more than 350 people attended the familyfriendly German-themed event, according to D9’s Events Coordinator Meredith Kershaw, who planned the fest at the suggestion of City Councilman John Courage. “We wanted to do it bigger and better this year so everyone who comes out will get a taste of the newest park in the district,” she said. “It’s really a hidden gem.”
Three different groups of musicians will perform consecutively on the stage constructed in the large field directly across from the park’s covered pavilion that includes six permanent restrooms and water fountains. The Eurofest trio enlists an accordion to enliven its Polka renditions. The Hot Peppers are a popular Wurstfest regular. Fire on the Mountain Cloggers will regale the audience with a performance by a select assembly of their talented troupe.
District 9 City Councilman John Courage and his wife, Zada, dance with members of the I Care Memory Senior Dance Troupe at the 2023 Classen-Steubingfest.
Kids will enjoy a bounce house, face painting and balloon animal art. Parking for the event is limited, but overflow spots are available at nearby Las Lomas Elementary School.
Classen-Steubing Ranch Park opened in May of 2023, making it one of the newest in the city. $9.15 million for Classen-Steubing was part of the $187 million dedicated in the 2017 bond project.
The Classen-Steubingfest pays tribute to the German heritage of the family who once owned as much as 40,000 acres spread across far North San Antonio –including Hollywood Park and Stone Oak all the way east to Nacogdoches Road. Original immigrant Johan Huber Classen and his wife came to the area from Prussia, Germany, landing at the Port of Galveston in 1857. Family descendants still reside in Bexar County and several own original Classen lands where they continue to maintain farming and ranching activities. Long-time Stone Oak residents can remember cows from the ranch that once peeked over the fence along the Highway 281 access road.
Classen-Steubing Ranch Park itself occupies close to 40 acres but abuts 164 acres of conservation easement, so the total 204 acres of natural area seems spacious. It includes five muti-use sports fields, close to a mile of paved walking/biking trails and another mile of off-road hiking trails.
A wide, paved approximately .25-mile track circles the three upper fields configured for baseball/softball that are planted with lush grass. The paved loop continues north with scenic views of the Stone Oak greenspace to add another .5 miles. Both paths are landscaped with native plants that complement existing foliage. Two horizontal fields ideal for soccer and restrooms lie at the front entrance to the park.
The park hopes to soon complete and open Mitchell’s Landing, the first completely accessible and inclusive playground in the city. The pirate-themed playground has been funded by the founders of local nonprofit Mitchell Chang foundation in memory of their son.
So, skip the drive and the hassle. Celebrate the season and check out your neighborhood park.
Community Calendar
Presented by Frost
Activities at the Walker Ranch Senior Center – MondayFriday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hot meals served daily from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for qualifying seniors and their spouses. Exercise, field trips, bingo, loteria, movies, arts and crafts, free health and wellness screenings vary daily. 835 W. Rhapsody 78216; 210-207-5280.
Stone Oak Rotary Club – Tuesdays, noon -1 p.m. Guest speakers weekly. Dona Tota, 923 Loop 1604 W. #115 78232; www.stoneoaksarotary.org.
Magik Theatre Presents Lyric & the Keys – through Sunday, Oct. 13. Days and times vary. New live theater musical celebrates what it means for young people to believe in themselves enough to do anything – even learn to read! The Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. 78205; www.magiktheatre.org.
Uhland Fall Fest – through Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Family friendly fall-themed event featuring musical performances, games, artisan market, seasonal foods and beverages. New location on a historic farmstead 25 miles south of Austin. 2400 Cotton Gin Road, Uhland 78640; www.uhlandfallfest.com.
Zoo Boo! – through Thursday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Wear your costume to this fun, non-scary Halloween event for the entire family. Free trick-or-treating the last hour daily. San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary's St. 78212; www.sazoo.org.
Huntopia at the Botanical Garden – through November 3. This worldpremiere exhibition features new and whimsical large outdoor sculptures of bunnies, butterflies, and tropical birds from renowned artist Hunt Slonem. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place 78209; www.sabot.org.
Tejas Rodeo – Saturdays through November, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. Enjoy live rodeo action: bronco riding, team roping, barrel racing, mutton bustin’ and calf scramble. Live music at 9 p.m. Tejas Rodeo Company, 401 Obst Road 78163; www.tejasrodeo.com.
Single Professionals Networking Meeting – Friday, Oct. 4, 4-6 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for conversation, libations and food in a relaxed, social setting. Cover 3, 1806 N. Loop 1604 W. 78248; www.spn-sa.org.
Happy Frights and Haunting Nights at the Botanical Gardens – Friday, Oct. 4 – Saturday, Nov. 2, 5 or 8 p.m. Two great experiences. Family friendly trick-or-treating or an exciting Halloween party after the sun goes down. San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 555 Funston Place 78209; www.sabot.org.
Foster Perry Travel presents Jessy J with Jeff Ryan in its Jazz on the Water series – Saturday, Oct. 5, 7 and 9:30 p.m. By Land & Sea Concert features nationally recognized Smooth Jazz artists. 501 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. 78207; www.jazzonthewaterus.com.
Market Day at Encino Park – Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Encino Park Women’s Club fundraiser features 65+ vendors, food trucks, seasonal décor, and handcrafted items. Encino Park Community Center, 1923 Encino Rio 78259; EPMarketdays@gmail.com.
Second Annual Golf Classic to Support Strategic Alliance – Monday, Oct. 7, 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Golf to benefit non-profit Strategic Alliance as they support families and schools in Reynosa, Mexico. Canyon Springs Golf Course, 24405 Wilderness Oak 78260; www.strategicalliancegolfclassic.com.
SASCA Autocross Event – Saturday, Oct. 12, 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. Participants compete to drive through a mini road course made of cones sponsored by the San Antonio Sports Car Association. River City Community Church parking lot, 16765 Lookout Road 78154; www.sasca.org.
2nd Annual Classen-Steubingfest – Saturday, Oct. 12, 3-7 p.m. City Council District 9 hosts the Oktoberfest-inspired event at Stone Oak’s newest park. Classen-Steubing Ranch Park, 20240 Hardy Oak Blvd. 78258; 210-207-7325.
Battle of Hillotes – Saturday, Oct. 12. 13.1, 10K, 5K, staggered starts 7:308:30 a.m. Third of the Alamo Beer Series Challenge. Old Town Helotes, 14391 Old Helotes Road, Helotes 78023; www.scallywompus.com.
Coverage Checkup
Membership
Plan Offers Game Changing Dental Coverage
By Amy Morgan
San Antonio finally is breathing a sigh of relief at the hint of cooler weather. Fall signals that the end of the year is almost around the corner, which is the time companies renew their insurance benefits. You’re wise to carefully consider your coverage annually – and especially the dental plan you depend on to provide for your family’s oral health.
Costs are rising, and everyone’s looking for ways to stretch their dollars. Many employers have had to reduce the benefits they offer employees. The professionals at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics are committed to helping families get the care they need at a cost they can afford. They’ve created their own, in-house dental Membership plan that combines all the best aspects of dental coverage without the hassle and red tape, said Director of Marketing Travis DeZuba.
7to7 Dental also partners with businesses to offer their employees the Membership at a discounted rate. Travis created this option to support local businesses and offer an attractive incentive to help them retain current employees and attract new ones.
If you are the one responsible for selecting coverage for your employees, contact Travis at DentalCoverage@7to7Dental.com to compare the value of 7to7 Dental’s Membership plan with the cost of current dental coverage. That’s what one local car repair company did when they realized providing dental insurance for their employees was too expensive.
Some employers choose to cover the cost of 7to7 Dental’s Membership plan for their employees, others pass along the discount as people pay individually. Either way, the Membership plan follows the person even if they change jobs, which traditional coverage doesn't, Travis added.
Individuals and families who might have missed an employer’s enrollment period or changed jobs also can sign up and be treated immediately, Travis said, and unlike traditional insurance that expires on the calendar year, 7to7 Dental’s in-house plan allows patients to begin anytime. 7to7 Dental’s plans never require a deductible, and there’s not an annual maximum or waiting period.
7to7 Dental offers three plans to meet any family’s budget and needs, starting at just $21 per month. Each covers two cleanings, exams, one emergency visit and all X-rays/scans. Another benefit, there’s no limit to how many crowns or fillings are covered, so a patient can complete dental work involving multiple teeth at one time and not have to stretch treatment out because they’ve exceeded their maximum for the year.
Discounts accrue as multiple family members enroll. And the plan can be customized to fit a family’s needs. Picture a typical family without dental insurance. Mom has two crowns, the 13-year-old needs braces, and the eight-year-old twins just need regular cleanings and exams. Mom and the twins might start out on the silver plan for routine maintenance. They can always upgrade immediately to the Platinum plan if mom cracks a crown or one of the twins breaks teeth in a playground accident. Starting the 13-year-old out on the Platinum plan provides enough of a discount on his braces that the rest of his dental care is almost free for the year.
Thousands have switched from their insurance to 7to7 Dental’s Membership plan due to the flexibility, affordability, and increased coverage, Travis said. Check out the chart below to see if one of 7to7 Dental’s plans might be the right for your family or business.
MVP
By Amy Morgan
It’sa rare privilege to be named Texas’ number one high school prospect in a sport. Despite graduating many elite athletes, the feat has never happened at Johnson High School in its 16-year existence. But this year, senior Kayson Cunningham broke the barrier when he achieved high school baseball’s top ranking, as well as fourth in the nation.
The U.T. commit can’t remember a time when he didn’t play the game, as he started T-ball at McAllister Park Little League as early as he was eligible. His father, Marco, coached him from the beginning, which didn’t just benefit Kayson. It’s not every Little Leaguer who gets to learn from a former major league player. The elder Cunningham played center field for the Kansas City Royals from 2000-2004.
By age 12, Kayson joined the Alamo Drillers select team and traveled to play against the best competition in the country. Although he was gifted with natural talent and skilled coaching, Kayson always worked hard to develop his game, he said.
The shortstop/second baseman has been a standout on the Jaguar field, with a batting average at .444, four home runs and 61 hits in the 2024 season, the most in Texas!
Last year his team advanced to the sixth round of the State tournament for only the second time in JHS history. It was Kayson’s home run in the third inning of game two against O’Connor in round five that gave the Jags the lead that sent them forward. “I’m super happy to be able to do it for him (longtime JHS coach Gordon Gesell), for the city and the Stone Oak area,” Kayson said. When asked if he kept the winning ball, he replied, “I’m pretty sure a kid has it.”
Kayson’s enjoying a slightly less busy schedule this fall coming off the summer tournament season. He considers making the USA National 18U team one of his biggest achievements. Kayson joined the final roster of 20 who played for two weeks in Panama, down from the group of 84 of the best young baseball players in the nation invited to try out for the team.
In Panama, Kayson contributed to Team USA’s gold medal win. He led the tourney in hits and RBIs and made good plays at shortstop. His performance
was so outstanding he was named MVP of the entire tournament. Team USA played counterparts from Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil. Squads from Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic also participated. It’s safe to say Kayson was rubbing shoulders with players who’ll end up on U.S. college and pro fields in the near future.
Kayson makes up for his 5’9” stature with strong hitting power and smart play, modeling himself after N.Y. Mets player Francisco Lindor. “He’s a smaller guy who’s a really good hitter and plays with a lot of energy,” Kayson said.
He credits his parents with instilling a strong work ethic, as well as his Catholic faith. His close-knit family attends Holy Trinity together every Sunday. He’s thankful for the expertise brought by Coach Gesell, who marked his 40th year of coaching when Kayson was a freshman.
He also values the support from “his village,” including extended family on his mother’s side and childhood best friend, JHS catcher Masa Chilcutt. One reason Kayson chose to commit to the University of Texas was its proximity to home. He may have to forgo that convenience, because he’s also eligible for the Major League Baseball draft this spring. If Kayson is called up, he’ll be living the dream of so many young baseball players who hope for a shot at the big leagues. “If it happens, it happens. It’s all in God’s hands,” he said.
Johnson High School Senior Baseball Player Top National Recruit
Murphy the Mighty
Rescue Ends Owner’s 30-Year Doggie Drought
By Camp Bow Wow Staff
She’s got a new man in her life. A furry family member, that is. Murphy, a 14-pound, rescue dachshund/terrier mix now brings laughter and companionship to a recent widow. The cutie’s a dead ringer for the pup on the cover of vintage Little Golden Book, Mister Dog - all he needs is a straw hat and a bow tie!
Twinkle had been missing out on puppy love for the past 30 years, as her husband was not a dog lover. But in the space of five weeks this spring, Twinkle’s household dropped from three to one, as she lost both her husband of 55 years and his 90-year-old brother who lived with them. The sudden change left her home much quieter than it had been.
Twinkle’s three children and seven grands were all in alliance in her quest to fill the house with the patter of doggie feet. In fact, they began texting and emailing Twinkle with potential selections from shelters just two weeks after the funeral. They received an alert from the Humane Society even before Murphy’s picture was posted on the website. Although the shelter’s opening hour was listed as noon, Twinkle’s daughter called to inquire, and when they found out Murphy was available, a delegation drove down immediately to claim him.
Because he was in such demand, the Humane Society deemed him an “Ambassador Dog” and raised his adoption fee from $50 to $150, which included neutering, microchipping and Murphy’s first round of shots. Twinkle said, “at that point, I didn’t care about the cost! He was so cute in the playroom, and I could tell he had a great personality.” The family knew he had not been on the streets long, because he was well mannered and accustomed to people.
Not only did Murphy win over Twinkle’s heart in the cuteness department, he fit her other criteria of being small, snuggly, non-shedding, potty trained
and a younger dog. She’s found he loves car rides and sparks many conversations when he joins her at HEB and Home Depot. Twinkle’s discovered how to use the baby seat straps in a shopping cart to secure his harness while she unloads her purchases.
It took Murphy three weeks after making his home with Twinkle to find his bark, she reported, but now he even growls when the doorbell rings on TV. He loves to pad quietly around his new digs, hop up in Twinkle’s lap or curl on the floor at her feet. His favorite treat is to share her white cheddar popcorn. Twinkle says he entertains her and gets her moving, as she takes him on walks in the neighborhood. He even rode in the basket of her new three-wheel tricycle. The only thing that scares him is the garden hose. He hides behind a tree when Twinkle waters her plants.
When asked what she enjoys most about having a canine companion again, Twinkle replied that she loves the peace and comfort she feels when Murphy snuggles up next to her - similar to the sweetness of holding a sleeping baby.
After decades of relocating during her husband’s naval career (17 moves in 31 years) Twinkle’s looking forward to spending her retirement years in one place with her furry family member by her side.
Join NAWBO San Antonio for the 2nd Annual Business Bazaar!
Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to showcase your business’s unique products and services!
Shopping is open to the public and registration is $20.00.
Vendor Tables: $100 for NAWBO members - $200 for non-NAWBO members (vendors must be a women owned business)
Tables are limited so secure your spot early! Register to be a vendor at NAWBOSA.ORG OCTOBER 19, 2024 10 AM TO
@nawbosa
Watch Our Project Videos.
