Right at HOME Community Magazine January 2020 issue

Upcoming Events Parman Picks Book Club at Parman Library Tuesday, Jan. 7, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Discuss a popular, contemporary book. Parman Library, 20735 Wilderness Oak Road 78258; 210-207-2703.

Parents’ Day Out – Saturday, Jan. 11, 1-4 p.m. Leave the kids with the staff of the Mays Family YMCA for supervised, active fun. Kids 6 months to 13 years. Mays Family YMCA of Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco Road 78258; 210-497-7088.

Early-bird Spring Sports – Monday, Jan. 15.

Sign up your kids age 3-13 for spring sports leagues through the Mays Family YMCA. Soccer, baseball, volleyball, softball and flag football are available. Mays Family YMCA of Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco Road 78258; www.ymcasatx.org.

Spa Girl Half – Sunday, Jan. 19, 7:00 a.m.

Half marathon and 8K. The Cocoa Run has returned to its origin as an all-woman race renamed Spa Girl Half in downtown San Antonio. Cool race swag and amazing postrace chocolate goodies. 833 N. St. Mary's St. 78205; www.purposeracing.com.

One Singular Sensation – Saturday, Jan. 25, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 26, 3 p.m.

25th anniversary of the variety show featuring NEISD cheerleaders, dance and drill teams, and pep squads. The entire cast of 1,200 girls will dance in the finale. Littleton Gymnasium at Blossom Athletic Center, 12002 Jones Maltsberger Road, 78216; www.neisd.net.

Single Professional Networking Meeting Friday, Jan. 31, 5-7 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professional for a relaxed social event. Milano Italian Grill, 19239 Stone Oak Parkway 78258; www.spn-sa.org.

Ronald Reagan High School Theater Wednesday, Feb. 5 - Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.

Titanic . Gloria Jennings Robinson Auditorium, Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive 78258; 210-356-1800.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, Jan. 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Leave the kids with the staff of the Mays Family YMCA for supervised, active fun. Kids 6 months to 13 years. Mays Family YMCA of Stone Oak, 21654 Blanco Road 78258; 210-497-7088.

2020 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 6-23. Established in 1949, the San Antonio ´ Stock Show and Rodeo has grown to one of the largest, most prestigious events in the city.

AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway 78219; www.sarodeo.com.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, Feb. 7, 6-10:30 p.m. Drop off the kids at the Fellowship of San Antonio and enjoy an evening out. Fun, games, movies, activities and more. Ages nursery – 5th grade. Reservations required.

The Fellowship of San Antonio. 23755 Canyon Golf Road 78258; www.thefellowshipofsa.org.

San Marcos Half – Sunday - Feb. 9, 13.1, 10k, 5K , 7:30 a.m. The Second of the Texas Hill Country Challenge Series. Start at the Tanger Outlets, 4015 135 N., San Marcos 78666; www.scallywompus.com.

Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.

Little Buddies Pediatric Clinic • In-Office Allergy Testing and Treatment • Flu Shots • Wellness Checks and Vaccinations

20642 Stone Oak Parkway Suite 105 San Antonio, TX 78258 210-650-0814

Luis Lopez, M.D.

Hablamos Español www.littlebuddiespediatrics.com 3

GO SEE ED CPA Creates an Innovated Approach to Taxes, Tax Strategies & Building Wealth

Ed Guerrero hosts lunch and dinner presentations each week on tax strategies.

By Amy Morgan

H

appy New Year! 2020 marks not just the turning of the calendar, but the dawning of a new decade.

Now is an opportune time to update your financial strategy. In addition to preparing for the upcoming tax season, you could consider tactics to build your family’s personal wealth.

While the thought of tax planning might be as popular for some as a root canal, Ed Guerrero CPA, specializes in removing the pain from the process. Ed uncovers the truth about the confusion and fear taxpayers feel toward the IRS. He focuses on educating clients about new ways of thinking – innovations that have changed the tax climate much the same as Uber, curbside grocery delivery and Netflix have changed other consumer habits.

“Most people are leaving so much money on the table,” Ed said. “They don’t have any idea! The number one reason people don’t have wealth is they don’t know how to plug the financial holes.”

Ed said most people are only familiar with tax prep and suggests they are missing a large piece of the equation. He teaches the tax equation that the average taxpayer does not know: Proactive tax strategy + traditional tax prep = Tax System 4

Ed’s wife, Lisa, owns Guerrero Law, PLLC and handles their clients' legal matters.

Ed shares the Dream Giver Card with guests to get them acquainted with Dream Trips and becoming their own travel representative.

“We’re changing people’s mindset. The wealthy have known this all along,” he said, ‘but this is an innovative way of doing things for the average taxpayer.”

While Ed has been in practice in public accounting since 2001, he altered the structure of his firm ten years ago to help clients be more proactive with their tax strategies.

Since 2010, Ed Guerrero CPA has prepared more than 8,500 tax returns.

Ed incorporates an ecosystem model to best serve clients.

The European system coordinates tax planning with other cooperative services like financial planning, investing,

legal assistance (to form LLCs and trusts, useful to reduce tax liability), insurance, bookkeeping, payroll, HR and real estate investing. Ed’s counterparts office in the same building with his CPA firm at 508 W. Rhapsody and train to coordinate well, so the varied professionals are all pulling together to benefit their clients and working with the same goals in mind. It’s handy that legal matters can be addressed

by Guerrero Law, PLLC, owned and run by Ed’s wife, Lisa, and that their accountant son, Brandon, works the real estate investment arm.

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year’s return. Ed analyzes the data, along with pertinent information about family structure and employment.

Once he determines the status quo, he can create a strategy for opportunity.

Ed regularly finds thousands of dollars in potential tax savings — thousands that add to a tidy sum when considered over a span of years. Ninety percent of people who commit to the 30-minute session decide to partner with him, following his suggestions to handle their finances differently.

“The average taxpayer has never gotten a written recommendation on what to do to lower their taxes. This is a positive, strong process,” Ed said. “Stop fearing, start embracing and be proactive rather than reactive.”

Ed and Lisa travel the world as travel representatives so their dream vacations are really Bizcations and legitimate tax deductions.

Another advantage of an ecosystem: tax codes change every year. It is important to have access to professionals who understand case law and updates, not just for tax preparation compliance, but to be able to comprehend details of the new guidelines for maximum client benefit, Ed added.

“There’s a synergy here,” Ed said. “All the partners have gone through training so the services work hand in glove.”

Ed’s potential clients are offered a preliminary analysis at no charge. All he asks is the taxpayer bring their previous

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Ed’s passionate about client education, which is why he hosts free information sessions several times a week at Little Italy restaurant. At Friday lunch sessions, he addresses financial tax strategies. Thursday nights, he focuses on building wealth through real estate. Wednesday evenings he introduces the concept of Bizcation, which explains how to legitimately incorporate business-related activities into vacation travel, making expenses eligible for partial tax write-off.

“If you Google the word, Bizcation, you’ll find it’s “the blending of work and play that results in a prorated tax deduction,” he said. “It’s just a simple tax strategy change.”

“For most, the fear of diving in is what has stopped them from building a portfolio of wealth. I’m challenging people to take a risk – to make a plan to do something different this year than last year.”

Nobody wants to pay Uncle Sam more than they have to. Taking the first step is simple. Set a date to attend an education session or call for an appointment to “Go See Ed.” You’ll be on your way to great savings and closer to reaching your financial goals.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Thespian Sensation RHS Senior Stellar on Stage

By Amy Morgan

R

onald Reagan High School Senior Mary Lantz has been actively involved in theater and choir since she was a young girl. As a military child who moved with her family often, drama and music were activities in which she could participate no matter where she landed. The family settled in Stone Oak, and Mary attended Lopez Middle School, allowing her to blossom as a performer.

Mary sings soprano one in both of Reagan’s top Chamber and Show choirs and will star as Alice Beane in Reagan’s upcoming musical, Titanic, which opens Feb. 5. This musical is not like the movie version of Titanic. The ensemble involves more than 100 students in the cast, crew and orchestra. The story of Alice, the Titanic crew and passengers are told through dialogue, song and dance. Reagan’s theater department has even rented the professional Broadway set. Purchase tickets for Titanic at reaganstage.org.

Mary has performed in both Oklahoma and Hello Dolly. While she enjoys musicals, she also played lead character Alice Sycamore in Reagan’s fall production of You Can’t Take it With You, a romantic comedy.

As Vice President of Public Relations for the Choir Council, Mary organizes service events and fundraisers to cover costs for special opportunities. Last summer, the choir participated in the Leonardo da Vinci International Choral Festival in Florence, Italy, where they won the designation of Grand Prix Champions.

Close to 60 participants from Reagan sang in front of an international audience and 11 other choirs. They won not just the high school competition, but the overall prize. Mary and two others performed a piece, but she treasures the memory of all the choirs spontaneously singing and dancing together while the judges were tabulating the results.

Senior Mary Lantz sings soprano one in both of Reagan’s top Chamber and Show choirs and will star as Alice Beane in Reagan’s upcoming musical, Titanic, which opens Feb. 5.

“The hard part was over, and we were able to interact and connect through music,” she said. The choir also sang at the Vatican and St. Mark’s Basilica during the 10-day trip.

Another opportunity afforded through theater, the chance to compete for college scholarship money through the Las Casas Foundation’s Joci Awards.

Last year Mary was one of six to place in vocal performance and earned $3000 towards college expenses. She hopes her role in this year’s musical will springboard her to the finals in New York City.

Mary is preparing for auditions for musical theater programs at several universities.

TICKETS Purchase Tickets for Titanic Ronald Reagan High School Theater Department From Wednesday, Feb. 5 Through Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.

Gloria Jennings Robinson Auditorium Ronald Reagan High School 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive 78258 210-356-1800

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CBD CONSUMPTION METHODS do not work as quickly as smoked or vaporized CBD, but are faster acting than ingestible forms. Tinctures are much easier than inhalation to determine exactly how much you are dosing yourself, but not as easy as some edibles or capsules.

By Grant Patterson

T

here are four primary ways to consume CBD: sublingually, by inhaling it, by ingesting it, and by applying it as a topical. All four methods can work for anyone depending on the ailment being treated, much of the consumption choice is up to the preference of the consumer.

1. Sublingual - Sublingual consumption is done through Tinctures or Liposomes. CBD oil is dropped with a dropper or sprayed underneath the tongue and kept there as long as possible, allowing the oil to absorb into your mouth. If swallowed, they will still work, simply slower and not as potent, as if an edible was consumed. Tinctures

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2. Inhalables - Inhaling CBD is the fastest way to consume and feel the effects of Cannabidiol. Like previously stated though, dosing is more difficult when CBD is inhaled versus any other method. CBD can be inhaled as a flower, oil cartridges or wax. Flower can be inhaled in pipes, herb vaporizers, rolling papers, water pipes, and many other methods. Oil cartridges can simply be screwed into a battery and inhaled. This is by far the easiest, and cleanest alternative when it comes to inhaling CBD. Wax can be inhaled through a glass rig, dab pen, rolling papers, honey straw, and other methods.

3. Ingestible - CBD can be ingested in so many ways. Since CBD is extracted as an oil, it can be added to many different foods, put inside of capsules, turned into powder to mix into drinks, and many more things. Edibles are also the slowest way to get CBD into your system, because the CBD has to be broken down in your digestive system before you receive the benefits.

4. Topical - Topical application is by salves, creams, rollons, balms, and a host of other options continuosly being developed. Topicals aid in healing muscle and joint pains primarily.

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PET TIP

Man’s Best Friend

Canine Companions Can Detect Early Cancer

species. They’ve even been observed to sense the presence of cancer before an affected person has a clue.

One case involves San Antonian Sabrina Lopez and her dog, Bear. She noticed Bear consistently placed his paw on a particular spot on her chest. Not long thereafter, Sabrina was diagnosed with a fast-growing breast cancer. She credits Bear’s alert with saving her life and developed a Fiesta medal in Bear's honor to raise breast cancer awareness.

By Courtney Crowley

ogs have long been known as man’s best friend, but some animals take that saying D to the next level. Many breeds have been

Sometimes furry heroes earn the medal themselves, (like the canine who helped U.S. Special Forces take down a terrorist in the Middle East) and sometimes they support other medal awardees.

CancerDogs began using dogs to detect early stage cancer in firefighters. Firefighters are six times more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer due to smoke inhalation on the job. When they sacrifice for the public, they also are putting their lives in danger long term. The company has screened 30,000 first responders since 2011.

trained to provide service and comfort to those who need them most. Whether it’s replacing sight for someone blind or following the scent of the lost, dogs’ loyalty, desire to please and inherent abilities make them ideally Disease can cause a smell unknown to us, but trained canines are able to recognize suited as human helpers. its odor. Participating firefighters wear a surgical mask for only 10 minutes. Results are sent back to the CancerDogs facility, where they are prepped for screening by The canine sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 four dogs in a sniffing station. These dogs have trained for years to detect all types of times better than a human’s. With such cancer. San Antonio is just one of the hundred of cities working with this company. advanced sniffing ability, dogs can detect The program is still growing, with plans to apply it more widely to the public. For everything from bed bugs to endangered more information check out https://cancerdogs.com/wp/. Kudos to hero dogs and our own faithful, furry family members.

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SENIOR MOMENT

Electrifying Engineer Radar Researcher Turned Microbrewer

By Amy Morgan

M

argot and Tom Wanagiris have been the life of the party at Independence Village since they moved into their two-bedroom home more than three years ago. They describe the neighborhood as warm and welcoming – “a place where it has been easy to make friends.” Margot recently modeled in the jewelry fashion show at the clubhouse, and the couple enjoys the antiques show and tell, where they describe vintage automobiles Tom restored. His first remodel was a 1953 Willys Jeep. It had no handbrake, no seatbelts and one windshield wiper, they remember, along with the great times they had buzzing down the beach in it when they lived in Florida.

They especially enjoy the “brown bag” wine or beer tastings, where friends bring a selection to sample and share. The Wanagiris’ choices often win the prize, and there’s good reason. Tom brews his own beer in a portion of his garage he’s air conditioned and converted into a workroom. The gold standard is the taste of his wife’s favorite from St. Arnold Brewery in Houston. (Although the couple also quickly pointed out they are much more interested in quality than quantity.)

Tom, a retired electrical engineer, keeps meticulous notes from his first batch in 2007.

He is eager to start another brew now the weather has turned cooler, noting that he’s found his beer turns “skunky” if he brews when the temperature is above 75 degrees.

Tom and Margot Wanagiris toast one of Tom’s home brewed Ales. Tom brews his own beer in a portion of his garage he’s air conditioned and converted into a workroom.

The couple hails from a small borough in Pennsylvania, where the largest employer was a brewery. Margot has been friends with Tom’s sister since the seventh grade, so when she and Tom found themselves working in adjoining departments at Pomeroy’s Department Store over their college holiday break, it was easy to strike up a conversation. They remember Tom working in the men’s department, while Margot was assigned “Trim the Tree.”

Tom graduated from Penn State in 1967, they married in 1968, and have a son and daughter who attended Clark High School when the family moved to San Antonio for Tom’s work at Southwest Research Institute.

Come see us at our

Tom developed many varied projects with both civilian and government applications, but most pertained to radio wave frequencies. Before Southwest Research, he worked for electronic companies, including Raytheon, that specialize in radio frequency — developing electronic countermeasures, jammers and detection equipment for “every branch of the government you can think of,” he said.

During his tenure at Southwest Research, Tom studied the effect of radiation on sheep, retrofitted RADAR towers on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, created an almost indestructible radio antenna for armored vehicles, and evaluated software for use on the International Space Station.

Another invention, creating an electronic “force field” to deflect bullets to deter potential assassins, garnered him an invitation to attend President George Bush’s inauguration parade. Tom believes he follows in the footsteps of his namesake grandfather who was known for being a tinkerer.

“He loved anything he could take apart and put together,” Tom said. The couple proudly reports they have a granddaughter who recently graduated from Georgia Tech as a chemical engineer, thereby carrying on the family engineering tradition.

For more information on the lifestyle offered at Independence Village, call (210) 764-5260, or go to www.independencevillage.com.

Open House

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Come and meet our Friendly Residents and see why they Love the Independence Hill Life.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday,

JANUARY 30, 2020 9:00AM

Don’t Drop the Ball in 2020...

Tune In to Life at Independence Hill!

20450 Huebner Road San Antonio, Texas 78258 Kindly RSVP by January 27th

(210) 764-5260 www.independencehill.com Lic #100102

Full Service Apartments, Assisted Living and Neighborhood of Homes

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WORSHIP DIRECTORY LIFE REDEFINED! 1278 N Loop 1604 E San Antonio, TX 78232 Service Times Saturday - 5PM Sunday - 8:30, 10, 11:30AM Stay Connected! northrocksa.com @northrocksa Northrock Church

HELP OUR READERS FIND YOUR CHURCH! Place your church in our monthly Worship Directory and share your location, times of worship, website and social media connections.

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Helping Heroes Start the New Year with a Healthy Smile “We consider it an honor to position our company so we are there when our patients need us,” said Co-Owner Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D. Patient convenience and comfort are 7to7 Dental’s highest priorities. Not only does the professional, caring team of dentists, orthodontists and hygienists provide the highest standard of dental care, the practice offers state-of-the-art technology and a comfortable, affordable, pain-free dental experience.

By Amy Morgan

H

ello 2020! While that phrase often refers to eyesight, this year, put your money where your mouth is and focus on your oral health.

The advent of the New Year replenishes dental benefits. Now is a wise time to schedule the first of your covered dental cleanings, exams and x-rays for your whole family.

7to7Dental & Orthodontics is able to accommodate multiple family members simultaneously, offering parents’ teeth cleanings during their children’s orthodontia checks, for instance, making it a one-stop solution for family dental care. The office is located at 20122 Stone Oak Parkway and includes 12 patient rooms with TV screens on the wall and ceiling and on-site X-Ray equipment.

Some appointments like bridges, implants and crowns take a little more time to complete. The office is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. As an added incentive to schedule appointments in a timely manner, 7to7 Dental provides trays and a free tube of whitening gel to patients with each cleaning.

7to7 Dental is committed to being a good neighbor, said Marketing Director Travis DeZuba. To honor community servants, the practice has instituted a Hero Discount — 10 percent off all dental service for teachers and school district staff, military personnel, first responders including nurses, police officers, firefighters and EMS — and extends to their families. This rate applies even to more costly items like implants, bridges, crowns and orthodontics and can save families hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the course of treatments to create perfect, healthy smiles.

This is just one of the projects DeZuba plans as part of his position with 7to7 Dental. In fact, the practice is so committed to corporate philanthropy, it is creating a 501c3 non-profit called the Dream Smile Foundation to fund even more efforts. The practice’s annual Dental Hope day of service, where staff provides free dental care to those in need, is just around the corner on the third Saturday of February. They typically treat more than 300 patients.

7to7 Dental is a local business, grown in 11 years from the practice of one dentist and six employees. Dr. Winburn, Co-Owner Justin Coke, and many staff members live in Stone Oak with their families and are part of the community. Visit 7to7 Dental’s website at 7to7dental.com or call 210-495-2000 to schedule your appointment.

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