LOCAL: Metrocom February 2016

COMMUNITY NEWS

BRACKEN CIBOLO CONVERSE GARDEN RIDGE LIVE OAKSCHERTZ SELMA UNIVERSAL CITY WINDCREST

FEB. 15 - MARCH 21, 2016VOL. 3, ISSUE 8

Options of $224.6 million and $265.8 million could await voters

MPO mulls funding for short-term regional initiatives

Schertz Crossvine developers optimistic on home sales, slated infrastructure improvements

Beastmode Builders headed to regional competition in March

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JUDSON ISD JUGGLING DECISION ON FUTURE BOND METROCOM PROJECTS

TRANSPORTATIONThe next phase

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Neighborhood watering hole moves to new spot in Universal City

New clinic creating better smiles to help patients 'embrace' life

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© 2016 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 2/16 42873-16

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Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2016 Helen Publishing LLC and Local Community News LLC, all rights reserved.

For advertising, customer service or editorial, please call us at 210-338-8842 or write to us at: Local Community News4204 Gardendale St., Ste. 201, San Antonio, TX 78229

President Harold J. LeesDirector of OperationsJaselle LunaAssoc. PublisherRick Upton

EDITORIALExecutive EditorThomas EdwardsManaging EditorWill WrightNews StaffCollette Orquiz and Bain SernaContributing WritersOlivier J. Bourgoin, Neven Jones, Eric Moreno, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes

ART

Creative DirectorFlorence EdwardsContributing PhotographerRudy B. Ornelas

ADVERTISING

Account ManagerDawn RadickControllerKeith Sanders

READER SERVICEMailing Address4204 Gardendale St., Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229Phone(210) 338.8842

Advertising [email protected] [email protected]

LOCAL Community News publicationsZone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249Zone 3: 78216, 78232, 78247 Zone 6: 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261 Zone 7: 78015, 78023, 78255, 78256, 78257

Fax(210) 616.9677

PublisherGregg Rosenfield

FROM THE [email protected]

WILL WRIGHTMANAGING EDITOR

It’s now The Chamber

“We’re a very forward-thinking chamber and we’re looking towards the future,” said President Maggie Titterington during the organization’s monthly luncheon Jan. 19. “For the past five years – almost six since I’ve been here – we’re seeing a growing, more diverse membership. It’s not just … Schertz, but it’s Cibolo, Selma and beyond that. We cover 13 cities in six counties.”

The Chamber, founded in 2005, has grown to about 410 associates. Its influence extends north of Austin and south into San Antonio, with burgeoning interest and membership east, west and in-between.

“We needed a new name and a new look that would fit that vision we’re going for,” Titterington said.

In recent years, the organization has increased its events, including the annual Business Expo, Health & Wholeness Fair, Home Living Showcase and Taste of the Town. Last year it established a Military Affairs Committee, which successfully connected current and former servicemen with area businesses.

A new website, and a search for additional ways to enhance business development, are ahead.

“(We’re) The Chamber for the whole area,” Titterington said. “We’re the chamber of commerce, the chamber of business and the chamber for advocacy.”

With a fresh look and logo, The Chamber could be poised to achieve new goals and heights in 2016.

he Schertz Chamber of Commerce

is moving ahead by expanding its vision for promoting area commerce.

Late this past December, it began a name change to The Chamber, which members feel more adequately reflects its place in the community.

T

ON THE COVER: The Beastmode Builders, a robotics team at Watts Elementary School in Cibolo, won a local competition and is headed to the regional in San Antonio. Participation encourages interest in science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — disciplines. See story on page 24. Photo by Neven Jones

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LOCAL COMMENTARY

Preparing for SA’s big 3-0-0 jamboreeby SUSAN YERKES

If there’s one thing San Antonio loves,

it’s a party. So, you can bet the bash for the city’s 300th birthday,

coming up in 2018, will be a big one.

City mothers and fathers have consistently considered early May 1718 as the official birth of San Antonio. Back in 1691, a Spanish expedition stopped at a fertile area around San Pedro Springs, called Yanaguana by the natives. On June 13, the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua, they named the spot in honor of the saint. The expedition continued onward, but the name was added to Spanish maps, and has endured.

However, most historians recognize 1718, when the mission and seat of government were actually dedicated, as San Antonio’s anniversary date. On May 1, Mission San Antonio de Valero was established on the banks of San Pedro Creek. Four days later, a presidio – a fortified base usually accompanied by Spanish missions – was established nearby. The surrounding Villa de Béjar soon grew to a whopping 300 residents. In 1731, 55 Canary Islanders, sent by Spain as the first official colonists, immigrated, and the cornerstone for San Fernando church was laid to mark the town center. By August the same year, the first municipal elections were held.

Growth during the first 150 years was pretty slow. By 1803, San Antonio counted 2,500 residents. By 1870 – after the Battle of the Alamo, the establishment of the Republic of Texas, U.S. statehood and the Civil War – the population numbered 12,000. Just seven years later, after the railroad arrived, inhabitants more than tripled to 37,000. The strong military presence brought more folks to town, as did a big exodus from Mexico during its revolutionary years.

And, look at us now: The seventh- largest city nationwide, with nearly 1.5 million residents – more than 2

million if you count the surrounding metropolitan area – and still one of the fastest-growing U.S. regions. Of course, there’s urban sprawl, traffic and all the headaches of big-city life to challenge us.

So, as we celebrate our 300th, it’s also critical to keep focused on planning for the future.

San Antonio is used to change. In 1968, years of planning came to fruition in HemisFair, the international exhibition, which played a major role in transforming downtown and establishing the city as a gateway to Latin and South America. The fair lost money, but it changed the collective mindset of San Antonio. An equally important part of our history was the creation of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

It’s going to be hard to top such sweeping change for San Antonio’s big 3-0-0. The city’s Tricentennial Commission, led by Edward Benavides and Asia Ciaravino and a formidable board of directors (including Canary Islands

native and longtime champion of San Antonio international trade Dr. Alfonso Chiscano), promises great things.

We’ll start seeing the gradual rollout this spring.

Everyone will surely notice widespread emphasis on the historical Spanish missions after the honor of being designated a World Heritage Site. It will be fascinating to see how far along plans have come for an extensive revamping of the Alamo Plaza area by the city and state. A redesign of the HemisFair grounds will be further along.

I also hope the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures, originally built during HemisFair, will have a premiere place in showcasing the diverse and fascinating history of our corner of the state.

Right now, plans are still forming. Check out celebrate2018.com and see how you can contribute. Let’s party like there is a tomorrow – a great one!

[email protected]

AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 300TH, IT’S ALSO CRITICAL TO KEEP FOCUSED ON PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

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OUR TURNViews and opinions about your community

While this is not to disparage the professional cab drivers who work tirelessly as ambassadors for the Alamo City, Uber and Lyft — with their hipster appeal to millennials, young professionals, students and others watching their pennies — open yet another avenue to accessible transportation in a growing city.

In spite of the bump in the road last April 1, when Uber and Lyft stopped operating in San Antonio (though rides continued in the suburbs), city fathers

such as San Antoio District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg worked hard to get both revving again on local streets.

As Nirenberg told the media, the requirements placed on both companies by San Antonio at the time were in essence needless roadblocks, and created barriers to more transportation in an already heavily regulated industry.

Ride-hailing businesses also provide a private-sector answer to subsidized, public mass-transit systems by offering affordable, reliable and rapid door-to-door services.

These transportation network companies aren’t getting a free pass from San Antonio, either. Their services are on a nine-month trial basis, which will be reviewed to ensure there are no safety issues or other concerns.

The three are now on board with city terms stipulating increased vetting of drivers, overseen by the San Antonio Police Department.

Prospective customers access ride-hailing services through cellphone apps, and local drivers using personal vehicles shuttle these assigned passengers. With the city’s program, patrons can now verify operators who underwent additional background clearances.

It’s good to see the brakes have been taken off free enterprise and given the green light.

Ride-hailing firms offer more options

The return of ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft to San Antonio this past fall —

and new kid on the block, Get Me, in mid-January — will help accelerate the pace of affordable mass transit, especially for those on a tight budget.

-The Local Community News editorial board includes Harry Lees, Gregg Rosenfield and Thomas Edwards.

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HAPPENING LOCAL

H A P P E N I N G K E Y

ART EVENTFITNESS OUTDOOR MUSIC

LOVE READING? The Universal City Public Library’s temporary home, 401 W. Byrd Blvd., will

host a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Books of all genres can be purchased. Sponsored by Friends of the Universal City Public Library, all proceeds go to the new-library fund. For more, email Lou Ann Shircliffe at [email protected].

UNIVERSAL CITY’S SNOWFEST & CARNIVAL Celebrate the winter season in chilly

style by attending the seventh annual event from 3-9 p.m. at Universal City Park, 305 North Blvd. Enjoy snow, food, shopping, music, rides and magic. For more including admission pricing, visit www.ucsnowfest.com.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGSSchertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District

trustees gather at 6 p.m. in the boardroom at 1060 Elbel Road, in Schertz. The public is invited. For more, visit www.scuc.txed.net. Meanwhile, Judson Independent School trustees meet at 7 p.m. in the ERC boardroom, 8205 Palisades Drive, in Live Oak. For more, visit www.judsonisd.org.

HOME TOWNE SHOPPEGo to Cibolo’s Grange Hall, 413 N. Main St., for an 11 a.m. to 4

p.m. shopping event featuring a variety of local businesses offering jewelry, cosmetics, spa products, clothing, wickless candles

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HAPPENING continues on pg. 09

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LIVE OAK CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS The council regularly convenes at 7 p.m. on the second

and last Tuesday of each month at Live Oak City Hall, 8001 Shin Oak Drive. The public is welcome. For more, call 653-9140, ext. 21.

SCHERTZ CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS The council regularly convenes at 6 p.m. on the first,

second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building No. 4. For more, visit schertz.com.

COMAL ISD BOARD MEETINGTrustees from Comal Independent School District

assemble at 6 p.m. in the Support Services boardroom, 1404 Interstate 35 North, in New Braunfels. For more, visit www.comalisd.org.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATIONS Universal City United Methodist Church’s Preschool and Kids'

Day Out programs will conduct their fall 2016 registrations for tykes 12 months to 4 years old in Room 14 beginning 9 a.m. at 90 Winn Ave. For more, call 658-5761.

TODDLERS RULETriumphant Lutheran Church, 21315 Bat Cave Road, in

Garden Ridge, begins fall registration for preschoolers aged 3 to 5 from 9 a.m. to noon at the church’s Fellowship Hall. Enrollment remains open until classes are full. For more, call 651-9090, ext. 2.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH FREE SUPPER During the first Wednesday of each month,

St. Paul Evangelical Church, 108 S. Main St., in Cibolo, hosts a free supper from 6-7:30 p.m. For more, call 658-5874.

SCHERTZ LIBRARY WINTER BOOK SALE The event at 798 Schertz Parkway takes place

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the first day and noon to 5 p.m. the following day in the children’s area meeting room. Featured will be a variety of books for all ages. Purchase a bag for $3 and stuff it with hours of reading pleasure. For more, contact Joanne Ward at [email protected].

FEBRUARY25

MARCH4-5

FEB. 23,MARCH 8

FEB. 23,MARCH 1 & 8

MARCH1

MARCH2

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HAPPENING continues from pg. 08

10 FEB. 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

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WILENCHIK WALK FOR LIFE The annual event, named in memory of former Schertz

Councilman Tony Wilenchik, will feature a 5K fun run and a 5K walk. Proceeds benefit cancer research. The race begins at 8 a.m. from the Clemens High School parking lot, 1001 Elbel Road, in Schertz. For more including registration costs, go to visitschertz.com.

DIABETES COOKING CLASSES Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, assisting

Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties, will host “Cooking Well with Diabetes” at Schertz United Methodist Church, 3460 Roy Richard Drive, FM 3009. The four-part series, teaches diabetic-friendly recipes from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Registration, $25 per person, must be received at AgriLife Extension Service’s Guadalupe County offices, 210 E. Live Oak St. in Seguin, prior to March 7. For more, call Guadalupe County AgriLife Extension Service’s Charla Bading at 830-303-3889 or email [email protected].

GARDEN RIDGE WOMEN’S CLUB GARAGE SALE The nonprofit organization will

host its annual event from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Garden Ridge Community Center, 9500 Municipal Parkway; three miles west of Interstate 35 on FM 3009. More than 65 vendor tables will be located inside and outside the facility. Admission is free. For more, email event coordinator Jeanie Springer at [email protected].

SCHOOL’S OUT – SPRING BREAKEnjoy the time off when campuses in the

Metrocom will be closed all week.

TEXAS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE The March 18 recognition of U.S. Sen.

John Cornyn as 2016 Texan of the Year at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, 375 S. Castell Ave., highlights the event. Over two days, the nonpartisan business organization will host an annual forum on public policy and political issues, plus honor past Texans of the Year


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during a 7 p.m. dinner and reception on March 17. The group’s 50th annual conference features speakers on the state’s economy, transportation funding and the statewide impact of federal environmental regulations. For more, including tickets, call the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-572-2626 or visit www.txlegislativeconference.com.

CHAMBER EVENTS The Chamber (formerly Schertz Chamber of Commerce) has

the following activities. For more including event updates, call 619-1950 or visit www.schertzchamber.org. The February luncheon, updating current business developments and projects in State of the Cities presentations by Schertz, Cibolo and Selma city managers, is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16 at Schertz Civic Center, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Admission is $28, $18 for Chamber members. The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee hosts its second annual “SC MAC Yourself into Shape” workshop and job fair for veterans, transitioning current military members and their spouses on Feb. 17 at Wayland Baptist

University, 11550 Interstate 35 North in San Antonio. Topics at the free event include résumé preparation, educational opportunities, personal branding and communication skills, and dressing for success at employment interviews. A job fair, featuring local businesses seeking employees, follows at 2 p.m. Registration commences at 7:30 a.m.; workshops begin at 8:30 a.m. The event has 15 positions available for companies desiring to hire or provide services to veterans. For more, call Kathleen Kiernan at 590-5607, or email [email protected], or visit the MAC link on the Chamber website. The February mixer is 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Fox’s Pizza and Taproom, 3900 FM 3009, Suite 101, in Schertz. Admission, featuring networking, food and refreshments and Chamber Cash Drawing, is $10; free for Chamber members. The March mixer, sponsored by Herbalife, is 5:30-7 p.m. March 3 at About Face Nutrition, 420 Schertz Parkway, in Schertz. Admission, featuring networking, food and refreshments and Chamber Cash Drawing, is $10; free for Chamber members. The March luncheon, featuring Andrew Glass, who will discuss “Social Media,

FEBRUARY/MARCH


12 FEB. 15 - MARCH 21, 2016

Marketing and Analytics,” is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 15 at Schertz Civic Center. The $28 admission is $18 for members who RSVP before March 8. The seventh annual “The Taste” (this year titled “Race to the Taste”), sponsored by H-E-B and presented by Ben E. Keith Co., is 5-8 p.m. March 16 at co-sponsor Retama Park, 1 Retama Park, in Selma. The event features food and beverages from area restaurants and businesses. Tickets, available at the Chamber offices, 1730 Schertz Parkway, cost $15 for adults; $10 for seniors 60-plus, active and retired military with ID, and children 3-11; and free for 2 and under. The Chamber’s Toastmasters convenes 6:45 p.m. each Monday at the Comfort Inn & Suites meeting room, 5571 Interstate 35 North, in Selma.

SAN ANTONIO NORTHEAST ROTARY MEETINGS The club gathers 6:30 p.m.

weekly at The Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub in The Forum shopping center, 8211 Agora Parkway, Suite 112, in Live Oak. For more, visit www.sanortheastrotary.com.

RANDOLPH METROCOM ROTARY The club meets most weeks at noon at the Olympia

Hills Golf & Event Center, 12900 Mount Olympus St., in Universal City. Lunch is $15 per person. Please RSVP to [email protected] by noon Friday before the luncheon. Upcoming guest speakers include Kate Silvas, Converse Economic Development Corp. executive director (Feb. 17); Mark Gonzales from Congressman Rubén Hinojosa’s office (Feb. 24); and Richard Berchin representing Alamo Heights Night (March 2). For more, visit www.randolphmetrocomrotary.org.

CIBOLO GRANGE MARKETPLACE The nonprofit agricultural

and civic organization hosts weekly Farmers and Artisans Markets from 2-6 p.m. at Grange Hall, 413 N. Main St., in Cibolo. Homegrown produce and handcrafted items will be available from local vendors. For more, visit facebook.com/CiboloGrangeFarmersMarket or call 307-0599.


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First Baptist AcademySWING YOUR PARTNERThe FunDancers Square and Line Dance Club

boogies weekly at Community Center North, 4923 Morning Drive, in Schertz. Lessons start at 5 p.m.; dancing 7-9 p.m. For more, visit www.asrda.org.

GOODWILL PICKUPSGoodwill Industries offers donation pickup services for

large amounts of clothing, household items and furniture at Bexar County residences. For more, call 271-8881 or fill out pickup forms available at www.goodwillsa.org/home-pickup-services.

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READY, SET, GO! The New Braunfels Family YMCA presents Glo4Gold at 8 p.m.

from Fischer Park, 1820 McQueeney Road. Besides racing in the nighttime 5K/10K & Youth 1K Fun Run, afterwards will be food, games and entertainment. For more including registration costs, visit www.ymcasatx.org/glo4gold.


APRIL30ONGOING

EAT AND BIDThe Universal City Veterans Park committee will

conduct a barbecue and live auction from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4676, 202 W. Aviation Blvd., in Universal City. For more, call Dave Crookham at 658-7179 or email [email protected].

MEDICINE CABINET SPRING CLEANINGThe Live Oak Police

Department wants to safely dispose of unwanted, unused medications on National Prescription Drugs Take-Back Day. The public can turn in their drugs to officers. The police will receive items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8022 Shin Oak Drive, in Live Oak. For more, call 945-1759.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to [email protected].

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Republican Jessica Richard Crawford for District JudgeJessica Richard Crawford comes from a family of public servanttts. Her father,,,Roy Richard, is a longtime Guadalupe County Justice of the Peeeace, and herrrgrandfather was Mayor of Schertz. Jessica followed in their footsteps byyyearning her law degree and embarking on a career as a prosecccutor.

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LOCAL LOWDOWNTake a quick look at what’s new in the community from opening and closings to news tidbits.

Open and Opening Soon Address of local business

Name of local business

1. EMBRACE ORTHODONTICS, 791 FM 1103, Suite 113 in Cibolo, opened in November, offering customized treatments for children, teens and adults including traditional braces, clear braces, Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, preventative and early-orthodontic care for children over age 7 and free consultations. Insurance plans are accepted; military discounts and payment plans available. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and one Saturday each month by appointment only. For more, call 253-2424 or visit www.myembraceorthodontics.com. (See story on page 26)

2. ROXY SPORTS BAR & GRILL, 2801 Pat Booker Road in Universal City, launched in January at the former site of Felix’s Restaurant. Featuring high-definition televisions, pool tables and daily drink specials, the venue is billed as “an unpretentious watering hole.” Hours

are 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. For more, call 267-2747 or visit facebook.com/RoxySportsBar. (See story on page 27)

3. GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SAN ANTONIO, 2722 Walzem Road in Windcrest, recently debuted this new store and donation center. The venue, offering used clothing and retail goods, is Goodwill’s 20th San Antonio-area location and part of Windcrest’s Walzem Road Area Revitalization effort. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. For more, call 924-8581 or visit www.goodwillsa.org.

4. MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL, 8000 Pat Booker Road in Live Oak, is slated to open soon featuring Tex-Mex cuisine and other dishes from the national chain’s newest area locale. For more, visit www.moes.com.

IN OTHER NEWSREPUBLICAN JOHN LUJAN DEFEATED DEMOCRAT TOMAS URESTI in a Jan. 26 runoff to become the new Texas House District 118 representative. The district covers parts of Universal City, Cibolo, Schertz, Converse, Selma and Live Oak – plus portions of Bexar County, including segments of San Antonio, most of Elmendorf, and all of Somerset, St. Hedwig and Von Ormy. Lujan, a retired firefighter, garnered 52.4 percent and outpolled Uresti by 171 votes to fill the remaining two-year term of Democrat Joe Farias, who resigned in August. The March 1 statewide primary will again feature both candidates, as each seeks their party nominations in the Nov. 8 general election. Uresti will challenge Gabe Farias, Joe’s son, for the Democratic nod; Lujan will face Somerset rancher Robert Casias on the Republican side.

THE WINDCREST OPTIMIST CLUB HONORED SEVERAL North East Independent School District students during its Jan. 12 meeting. Members welcomed educators and schoolchildren from seven Roosevelt High School cluster campuses. Club President Jeanie Weidenbach recognized pupils and presented plaques naming them

Windcrest Optimist Students of the Month. Criteria included academic achievement, leadership, perseverance and kindness. Honors went to Kelsi Menn, Roosevelt High School; Faith Evans, White Middle School; Christen Placier, Krueger Middle School; and elementary students Alexander Morales Gallardo, East Terrell Hills; Christian Salazar, Walzem and Bethany DeLeon, Windcrest. Elementary students Myron Green of Montgomery and Norelle Jowers of Royal Ridge received commendation on their campuses.

FIVE ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK STUDENTS accepted awards in the Association of Texas Photography Instructors’ fall photo contest. The nonprofit aids in providing students a higher quality of photo knowledge. Danielle Davenport won second place among first-year photography students in the Student Life Category; Precious Brown captured third place in first-year Digitally Constructed Image. Earning honorable mentions were Cheyenne Rodriguez in first-year Still Life; and Raven Taylor and Itzell Contreras in first-year Cellphone Image.

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 15

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ERNEST COX, JUDSON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT’S director of guidance and counseling, recently was named Texas Counseling Association’s Outstanding Counselor during the organization’s 2015 awards ceremony. Cox was selected for his commitment to the school counseling profession, said TCA officials, who added he decreased JISD counselor non-guidance activities from 45 percent to 11 percent, enabling more time for direct student services. “Because of the outcomes Ernest has achieved, numerous districts have sought him out to share his knowledge on implementing a comprehensive data-analysis study based on the JISD model, Response to Intervention programs and his overall leadership strategies,” the organization said.

FORMER 2000 JUDSON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE CHRISTIAN LOVING recently was named Junior Sailor of the Year for Naval Health Clinic Charleston, located at Joint Base Charleston-Naval Weapons Station in South Carolina. A petty officer second class and hospital corpsman, Loving is the leading petty officer serving at NHCC’s Medical

Home Port and a seven-year veteran. The Navy’s Sailor of the Year program recognizes enlisted seamen displaying outstanding achievements, exemplary conduct, military bearing and initiative.

THE TEXAS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION RECENTLY honored counselors from Judson High School, lauding their efforts in assisting pupils’ academic and personal progress. Since 2005, the TSCA’s Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas, or CREST program, cites outstanding secondary school counseling programs helping schoolchildren reach their potential in scholastic performance and social, personal and career aspirations. Judson was among only 56 institutions statewide receiving CREST Awards.

THE CONVERSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. honored Converse Christian School, Crossroads Vision and TexStar National Bank for their quarterly efforts Jan. 20 at City Hall. The EDC board created the event in 2015 to connect businesses and the community, and establish a forum to

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 16

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 14

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recognize outstanding city enterprises. The past three quarters, EDC named nine companies; its next ceremony is April 28. “We are grateful that these businesses chose Converse, continuing to provide good quality jobs and valuable services to our citizens,” said Kate Silvas, EDC executive director. “They are proof that Converse is a great place to be.”

DUAL-LANGUAGE PROGRAM INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS are set for parents of incoming kindergarten students in the Comal Independent School District. The district’s dual-language curriculum integrates native Spanish-speaking pupils with primarily English ones, for instruction in both tongues. The purpose is to develop bilingual listening, speaking, reading and writing skills for enrolled students from kindergarten through fifth grade. During 2016-17, the program will be offered at Brown, Clear Spring, Kinder Ranch and Morningside elementary schools. Parents of incoming kindergarteners not designated for those institutions but who are interested, may take their children to a campus of choice. Informative 6:30 p.m.

meetings will be at Clear Spring (March 22); Morningside (April 4); Kinder Ranch (April 6), and Brown (April 7). For more, visit www.comalisd.org.

COMAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ANDREW KIM was recently appointed presiding officer on the newly created Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability, according to a CISD release. The board was authorized by House Bill 2804 to develop and recommend a new system of student assessments and public school accountability by Sept. 1, meeting several times in Austin over the upcoming months. Kim, named by Gov. Greg Abbott, said he strongly believes in an accountability system for gauging pupils’ progression. “I do believe in an accountability system that measures student progress from year to year in each district across this great state,” he said. “We need to measure the progress of our work. More than ever, I think we should share and learn from that information so we can make local decisions that strengthen our school district and our community.”

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 15

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The district, encompassing seven Metrocom municipalities in three counties, could chose one of two options — either $224.6 million or $265.8 million — to modernize present structures, add two elementary schools, construct the final phase of its newest high school and retire past bond debt.

JISD spokesman Steve Linscomb said

district trustees received a summary of both during the board’s Jan. 26 meeting and have until Feb. 19 to call for a May 7 bond election; the board reconvenes Feb. 18. Failure would delay the next bond election until November.

“If the board decides to move forward with a decision on the two options at its regular meeting in February, it would go before the public in May – which is what we really hope will happen,” Superintendent Carl Montoya said.

“I think we need all of it. In fairness to all of our schools, I think the second option ($265.8 million) is the best one for the district,” Montoya added. “That will help the established schools that have had needs over the years.”

Bond planning began in early 2015, shortly after Montoya succeeded Willis Mackey. Then, Montoya hinted JISD needed a comprehensive mechanism to address maintenance needs, technology upgrades and additional elementary schools, which voters rejected in a $198 million bond proposal in 2010.

The 2010 rejection was influenced by published reports of board-member infighting and cost overruns associated with

Trustees have until Feb. 19 to place measure on May 7 ballot

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LIVE OAK – Campus overcrowding and overdue repairs of existing facilities

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JISD continues on pg. 18

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2006 bond projects – specifically Rutledge Stadium improvements. Voters later approved a scaled-down $83 million bond in 2013, which funded Copperfield Elementary School and Mackey High School’s first phase.

The 2013 measure didn’t include the districtwide repairs and betterments sought in 2010, leading JISD planners to include them in a 2016 referendum. Knowing public skepticism associated with the 2010 bond lingered, the district’s latest bond effort relied on residents’ involvement.

The Bond Advisory Committee met three times during December and January prioritizing must-haves. After reviewing facilities and site assessments, opinions from campus personnel and lists of campus necessities, the group noted short-term needs.

Highest priorities cited include district growth and renovation of existing facilities; add and enhance districtwide transportation; implement structural improvements for disabled students; and address indoor and outdoor safety issues at all campuses.

Growth ranked at the top of the list after district demographers predicted 15 schools would be near 100 percent capacity – including five expected to

JISD continues from pg. 17

exceed enrollment capacity – by 2018-19. JISD officials said not taking care

of these matters would lead not only to portable buildings and redistricting, or redrawn attendance zones, but could result in detrimental districtwide effects.

Montoya said his schools are centers

“not only where kids are educated, but also … as places neighborhood residents use for meetings and community events.”

Area businesses employing JISD students and college-bound graduates

JISD continues on pg. 19

JUDSON ISD BOND OPTIONSJudson Independent School District trustees have been presented with two options for a 2016 bond measure under consideration. Each proposition contains additional contingency and indirect costs. The board could select portions of both options and request line-item voter approval for each proposition. JISD has until Feb. 19 to call for a May 7 election:

OPTION 1Measures Description Projected totalProposition 1 Campus and facility modernization $94,633,024Proposition 2 Elementary school construction $73,080,000Proposition 3 Mackey High School Phase 2 $51,646,000Proposition 4 Retire bond debt (Kirby Middle School) $5,200,000

TOTAL $224,559,024

OPTION 2Measures Description Projected totalProposition 1 Campus and facility modernization $135,878,658Proposition 2 Elementary school construction $73,080,000Proposition 3 Mackey High School Phase 2 $51,646,000Proposition 4 Retire bond debt (Kirby Middle School) $5,200,000

TOTAL $265,804,658

Source: LPA Inc. for Judson ISD

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would see bond approval as a plus for the region, Montoya said.

“Big corporations make decisions based on these kinds of things,” he said. “It’s not just about the kids in the classroom – it’s a much broader and bigger perspective we need to think about as we move forward.”

Both bond possibilities contain similar propositions, however, modernization measures – updating campus architecture, electrical, plumbing and roofing – in the second option would cost $40 million more than the first.

Base costs for the district’s two new elementary schools are projected at $52 million, but voters could be dissuaded by a $36 million hit for Mackey High’s second phase – which Converse resident Randy Pannell cited at the Jan. 19 session.

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Milton Fields said JISD addressed the issue in 2013, when it told voters the facility was always slated to be built in two phases, with the second coming after a future referendum approval.

Lowell Tacker, a principal with the architectural company LPA Inc., advised bond committee and board

JISD continues from pg. 18 members during the process.Tacker said more residences would

lead to overcrowding at four elementary and one middle school by 2018-19, and rejection of Mackey High’s second phase would spur perennial overcrowding at Judson and Wagner high schools.

Montoya said Judson is already overcapacity.

“We’d like to stage tours to help people understand what everything looks like,” he said. “Judson High School has more than 900 kids than it should have and is busting at the seams.”

He added, “Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.”

According to LPA, either bond option would come at taxpayer expense to district patrons, even though 2013’s didn’t impact taxes. The $224.6 million and $265.8 million proposals would raise taxes $7.50 monthly and $8.33, respectively, on a $150,000 home.

As in 2010, the 2016 bond proposal might be separated into four line-item propositions. In late January, JISD trustees were leaning toward Montoya’s second bond option. However, the board might consider other choices – and possibly schedule board workshops and special meetings – before its Feb. 18 session.

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MPO continues from pg. 01

The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which distributes state and federal dollars for regional transportation projects, met Jan. 25 to discuss plans to improve and expand roadways, hike-bike trails and other amenities as part of the regional Surface Transportation Program.

The STP is linked to the area’s Transportation Improvement Program. The January MPO meeting resulted in

approved alternatives to its 2015-18 TIP, and slated 41 initiatives totaling $414.6 million for its 2017-20 TIP, which will solicit public opinion through a series of upcoming sessions. Forums will be held in northeast San Antonio (Feb. 23), Comal County (March 1), and Guadalupe County (March 3).

Officials in several Metrocom cities greet the possibility of receiving TIP allocations with open arms.

“Any number of these TIP proposals could benefit Schertz commuters, as many of our folks drive all over the San Antonio area,” said Schertz spokeswoman Linda Klepper.

TIP is a federally required guideline of proposals submitted by local agencies and governments during a four-year period and amended every two years. Representatives said $100 million is accessible for the latest projects. Additional allocations could be expected through other means.

Proposition 7 funds, approved by voters statewide last November, are expected to generate at least $2.5 billion for Texas transportation measures beginning in 2018.

The newest TIP proposals, scored on

technical merit and public input, lead to final recommendations in May to the Texas Department of Transportation.

More than $150 million has been requested for Metrocom transportation developments in the MPO’s 2017-20 TIP, which proposes 16 added-capacity projects – upping the number of travel lanes on major roadways – totaling $205.2 million; and 21 proposed operational projects – improving roadways without additional travel lanes – tallying $189.4 million.

Three bicycle/pedestrian project requests account for $19.3 million, with an $801,000 proposal to extend the Alamo Area Council of Governments’ Commute Solutions program past 2019 into 2022.

Converse is requesting $12 million to expand Toepperwein Road from Crossbow Peak, one block south of Kitty Hawk Road, to FM 1976. Mayor Al Suarez said it’s a major connection into the planned reconfiguration of 1976 and Gibbs Sprawl Road into an expanded FM 1516 (South Seguin Road) in the city’s heart.

“The Toepperwein expansion (proposal) is pretty important because it’s the last phase of the link (to widen)

FM 1516 to five lanes,” Suarez said. “The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority has already approved expanding 1516 from FM 78 to (Interstate 10), so (the new proposal) is the last leg that will link Toepperwein from Kitty Hawk to FM 1976, and (provide another route) between (Interstate 35) and I-10.”

Converse also seeks $4.4 million to widen Kneupper Lane between 78 and Loop 1604, and $5.4 million to expand Rocket Lane between Lower Seguin Road and 1604. Both would tie into current 1604 work connecting 78 and I-10, Suarez added.

Universal City wants nearly $8.5 million to extend Kitty Hawk from Sunrise Canyon Drive to FM 1518 and construct a bridge over Cibolo Creek.

“It will provide direct access into our extraterritorial jurisdiction, which is only currently available by taking I-35, East Aviation Boulevard or FM 78,” said Randy Luensmann, the city’s public works director. “It will create a direct link into the central part of Universal City.”

“It will be of great impact as it will bring in folks from the other side of Cibolo

Converse, Universal City, other plans await public inputby WILL WRIGHT

Millions in transportation funding proposals have been accepted

by area mobility planners, who will consider the projects’ merits over the next several months.

MPO continues on pg. 21

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MPO continues from pg. 20

Creek into the city,” he added. “It will also (allow access) to emergency services once that side of the creek is developed.”

Universal City’s other desired TIP project is $7.4 million for East Aviation enhancements extending from Pat Booker Road to Cibolo Creek.

Schertz’s lone request calls for $9.5 million for operational improvements along 1518 from I-10 to 78. City voters approved bonds to partially fund 1518 improvements.

“The MPO request serves to supplement the $5 million for FM 1518, which was approved as part of the bond,” Klepper said. “Our hope is to match our $5 million with $5 million in remaining funds from (the)Texas Department of Transportation.”

TxDOT submitted two other proposals with local interest – separate requests of $4.2 million and $22 million for FM 2252 (Nacogdoches Road) improvements extending from Evans Road to FM 3009.

Meanwhile, plans expanding U.S. 281 and I-10 through toll-road funding derailed; the thoroughfares are slated to receive future Proposition 7 dollars. The MPO’s altered course awaits approval

of a revised $532 million expansion of 281 from 1604 to the Comal County line. At its next meeting March 28, the MPO will consider the same for a $200 million expansion of I-10 north of 1604.

Both roadways are being considered for controversial high-occupancy vehicle lanes. On Jan. 25, the MPO delayed its decision until after hearing details in a report on nationwide HOV lanes.

Bexar County commissioners and Transportation Policy Board members Tommy Calvert and Kevin Wolff still express reservations about HOV lanes for both projects. Terri Hall, founder and director of the anti-toll group Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom, or TURF, remains staunchly opposed, too.

“We applaud the removal of tolls from these vital corridors, whose residents have been stuck in a quagmire of political controversy over double taxation for a decade,” she said. “However, we fear the HOV-bus lanes will only continue the congestion problems for commuters.

“The best solution is to add general-purpose lanes all Texans can access, especially considering that every taxpayer’s money is being used to build these lanes.”

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AREA MEETING SCHEDULEAlamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Board has scheduled the following public meetings on $414.6 million in 41 project proposals for the region’s new four-year Transportation Improvement Program for FY 2017-20:

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CROSSVINE continues from pg. 01

The project began in 2014, when developer Chris Price, president of Price Companies and Schertz 1518 Ltd., created the city’s first multipurpose community on a 500-acre tract near the intersection of FM 1518 and Lower Seguin Road.

“We’re very pleased with the way things are going,” Price said. “So far it’s been very successful. Barring any macroeconomic issues, we expect it will continue.”

The Crossvine is being constructed in

stages over eight years. Along with single-family homes, also planned are garden homes, townhouses, multifamily clusters, and independent- and assisted-living facilities, along with small commercial retail areas.

The first phase, 121 single-family houses on 50-, 60- and 70-foot plots, constructed by David Weekley Homes and Ryland Homes, was completed last December. As of Jan. 18, Ryland and Weekley have sold 32 and 47 homes, respectively, for an occupancy rate exceeding 65 percent.

Last September, second-phase construction began, slated to include 120 homes priced from $300,000 to $450,000.

“The Crossvine has been a great

community for us,” said Gary Runner, San Antonio-area division president for David Weekley Homes. “We’re thrilled with how well these homes have been received by homeowners, and look forward to continuing to partner with Chris Price to further develop a well-designed neighborhood with unique architecture.”

Bruce Sloan, San Antonio’s division president for CalAtlantic Homes, Ryland Homes’ parent company, agreed.

“Home shoppers have expressed tremendous interest in the unique lifestyle that The Crossvine has to offer,” he said. “Unparalleled community amenities, paired with spacious floor plans designed for the

way families live today, make The Crossvine a wonderful place for home shoppers to find the homes of their dreams.”

Both Crossvine phases incorporate a greenbelt system destined to feature more than 12 miles of hike and bike trails. Four pocket parks are completed in the first phase, with three planned for the second. The community’s amenities center already includes an outdoor amphitheater, pool, outdoor-events pavilion and playscape, with a game field and fitness course on the way.

Price said Crossvine’s new residents, plus those from the nearby Sedona development, enthusiastically embrace the facilities.

“They have been very well-received. The amenities center opened last July, and four pocket parks are up and going,” he said. “We’re going to carry on the same theme with the pocket parks and trail systems throughout Phase 2.”

As part of a 400-book endowment, last November The Crossvine donated reading material to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph; custom-designed, hardback copies of “Peter Pan” and “The Secret Garden” to the Schertz Public Library;

Amenities attracting residents; commercial complement is also on the horizonby WILL WRIGHT

SCHERTZ – The Crossvine master-planned development is on schedule toward its goal

of blending single-family residences into a comfortable environment.

CROSSVINE continues on pg. 23

The Crossvine’s community amenities center features a resort-style pool and covered events pavilion. Courtesy photo


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and paperback versions of those and other books to Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District’s Rose Garden Elementary, Corbett Junior High, Jordan Intermediate and Clemens High schools.

“These books are an extension of a plan for permanent, freestanding ‘lending-library’ boxes that will be installed throughout The Crossvine community – the first of which will be in place very soon and will be stocked for resident use,” said Kelsey Kemper, a publicist with Austin-based Lookthinkmake advertising agency. “This book giveaway was the first of several planned initiatives to further cultivate long-lasting, valuable interaction between The Crossvine and the surrounding area.”

Price credited city officials for their continued assistance. By creating a tax increment reinvestment zone, Crossvine developers initially subsidized area infrastructure improvements in lieu of reimbursements through a TIRZ-repayment fund. The action cleared drainage issues and aided to form green spaces.

“Things are going fabulous with the city – they couldn’t be a better partner,” Price said. “They’ve been very supportive.

Like any (project), there are always hiccups you run into, but the city has been very helpful in helping us navigate those issues and find solutions.”

Recent voter approval of bond measures to improve 1518 and add a new fire station are also welcomed, Price said.

“We were excited to see that come,” he noted. “In talking with the city, it’s something they want to see and are moving on it very quickly.”

City Manager John Kessel said fire-station construction should begin by 2017 and become operational within three years, adding, Schertz has joined the Texas Department of Transportation in seeking more funds for 1518 improvements.

City officials long have touted The Crossvine as a template for future planned communities in Schertz.

“It’s set a standard – particularly in regards to open space – and has certainly been an exciting project to watch,” Kessel said. “Home values are much higher than we anticipated, thanks to the trails and other amenities being offered.”

Eventually, Crossvine’s residential growth will create an appeal for commercial ventures.

“Right now, we’re getting to the point that commercial will be viable in the near

future,” Price said. “We’re working on a much more detailed master plan to involve commercial development and hope to wrap that up before the end of the year.”

“There won’t be any big-box or 100,000-square-foot stores – we want to make sure everything is sized to the neighborhood,” he added. “We’re envisioning neighborhood-oriented, local restaurants, coffeehouses, pharmacies, a day care center and other things like that.”

Price said he hopes to “find a commercial developer who understands

(the vision of) what we’re trying to achieve. … If we don’t find anyone who shares that vision, we certainly have the ability to develop it ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Price relishes Crossvine’s current course.

“We’re just thrilled with the way things are going,” he said. “We’re getting to the point where we really start focusing on a design and master plan that really complements what we’ve been trying to achieve. We think people will see some big changes over the next year.”

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The robotics students recently powered up by beating 17 other teams and claiming victory in the FIRST LEGO League qualifier at Corbett Junior High School in Schertz. The Beastmode Builders advanced to the FIRST Robotics Competition Alamo Regional at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio March 9-12.

“Our LEGO team … students are some of the best achievers that we have,” said Watts Principal Tracey Bandy. “The

ones that participate, they want to keep up good grades and they want to do well in school and then they also step up as leaders in their classroom because of what they are learning through robotics.”

Created in 1998 by Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST — For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology — and LEGO group owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the international LEGO League sponsors competitions that encourage schoolchildren to become problem-solvers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. Contests use LEGO Mindstorms kits to create robots.

Beastmode Builders, a name last year’s team came up with, scored the highest

point total in the Jan. 9 Robot Games at Corbett, said Watts special-education teacher and coach, Autumn Heyman.

At meetings, the team of nine fourth-graders divided into two groups — programmers and project designers. Although focusing on their respective areas, each pupil participated in all parts of the competition.

“All the team members had a chance to run a mission,” said fourth-grade teacher and coach at Watts, Wendy Dylla.

“They all took turns, which is very unusual. For most of the teams, you saw the same kids doing all of the missions whereas we had a big variety,” she added.

Trash was this year’s competition theme, meaning youngsters had to

devise a solution to handle refuse as part of the robot’s mission, Dylla said.

The process taught students how to aid others.

“One of the things the kids honed in on was cardboard,” Dylla said. “Here at school, custodians are throwing away lots of cardboard. So they interviewed them and found out some things about it and wanted to come up with another use for the cardboard.”

The team discussed some options before choosing to design portable desks.

“We decided that we wanted to help our school and then we decided on the idea of a desk,” said Cameron Vukson.

In the competition’s Trash Trek Missions, robots autonomously perform a task — be it pushing, pulling, retrieving or moving something, Heyman said.

“It’s just up to the kids to figure out their solution (on) how to do each of these things. It’s kind of neat when you go to competitions because the kids see all the other ideas — how other kids did the exact same mission,” Heyman added.

Competition day was split into two basic parts: judging rooms and the Robot Games, Heyman added.

Teamwork helps create problem-solvers, educators sayby NEVEN JONES

CIBOLO — Creating small robots to inspire big dreams is all in a day’s

work for the Watts Elementary School Beastmode Builders.

BEASTMODE continues on pg. 25

Tristan Heyman, 9 (left), Cameron Vukson, 9, Chase Robinson, 9, Carter Crisp, 10, and coach Hayman bounce around programming ideas as part of the Beastmode team at Watts Elementary School. Photo by Neven Jones


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BEASTMODE continues from pg. 24

Students didn’t know the task ahead of time. More than just robotics was at stake.

“One of the categories they grade on is called Gracious Professionalism, and that concept for a 10 year old is hard — that you are going to be gracious to someone else if they’re not working on your idea,” Bandy said. “So, it just teaches them that they really have to be mindful of listening to everyone and learning from each other.”

She added, “It’s not always about winning the race; it’s about how you get there, too, and that’s a lesson that’s really hard to teach to young kids these days.”

At club meetings, pupils diligently perfected each mission, tackling the toughest aspects first.

“‘Truck’ was the first mission we started doing because we thought it was the most challenging and it would give us a lot of points,” Cameron said.

The team chronicled the success rate on a whiteboard, he added.

“We put a check or an ‘X’ if it made it or not and most of the time it didn’t make it, and then we made different attachments and programmed it differently; then it

started making more,” Cameron said.The school’s robotics club includes some

third-graders, but they don't compete. Their coach is special-education teacher Jamie York.

The younger set worked on programming tasks using websites, Dylla said.

Jasmine Williams, 9, didn’t have any interest in a robotics club in third grade because she thought it was just “normal LEGOs,” she said.

However, interest piqued this year when she saw a flyer detailing the team would be programming robots, she added.

The club started last year after a parent from Randolph Air Force Base contacted the military installation’s STEM outreach program, thereby securing a grant funded by the National Defense Education Program, Bandy said.

Randolph is now sponsoring another team at Cibolo Elementary, which also belongs to the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District. The team begins competing next year, Bandy added.

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The clinic is at 791 FM 1103, Suite 113 in the Cibolo Marketplace shopping center.

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To make patrons more comfortable, Embrace Orthodontics uses the iTero Element Interoral Scanner instead of taking traditional teeth impressions.

“Our motto here is embrace your smile, embrace your life,” Kalakech said. “What we really enjoy is having our office here in Cibolo. It allows us to be a part of a great community and our patients feel like family.”

She is a specialist in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

“My staff and I strongly believe that an early evaluation and possible intervention for children at age 7 and up can favorably influence a child’s jaw development, and guide teeth to desirable positions,” Kalakech said. “That is something we really believe in and is very important to us.”

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The new Roxy, opened in mid-January, relocated from its former site of five years at Loop 1604 and Kitty Hawk Road. The bar replaces Felix’s Restaurant, with the site completely remodeled.

Jamila Khalife, whose family has been in the sports-bar business for a while, said they also own another Roxy at Ingram and Wurzbach roads;

Roxy moves to new spot on Pat Booker Road

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it has been there for 16 years.“We gutted everything and everything

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The kitchen is planning to open within a few weeks, she added.

“Our menu has not been finalized yet,” Khalife said during a recent telephone interview, “but we will have basic bar food, appetizers (and) a typical sports-bar menu including some great burgers and pizza.”

The roughly 5,000-square-foot space employs six bartenders and four doormen. There’s room for about 100 customers, and 17 big-screen televisions provide oodles of sporting-event entertainment.

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Amaya kept plenty busy attending to the dozen patrons playing darts or pool. Several other skill games such as Hooks and Rings, Jenga and Connect 4 are available, and the patio includes two oversized couches.

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LOCAL: Metrocom February 2016

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