WHAT'S INSIDEYOUR COMMUNITY

New restaurant offers Asian fare, sets tone for future expansion on the North Side.

Owner achieves American dream with business that reduces heat for autos and homes

EAT LOCAL SPRING CHINESE

CUISINE & PHO

BUY LOCAL TINT CITY

PG.15

PG.14

Officials say kinks need to be worked out along neigborhood stretch

Mayor calls it Hollywood Park’s biggest road project in 10 years

North Side towns show few changes in taxes for fiscal year

Wurzbach Parkway is now open, but issues still linger

No surprises in Hollywood Park, Hill Country Village budgets

PG.09

PG.11

PG.12

COMMUNITY NEWS

HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE HOLLYWOOD PARK NORTH CENTRAL 78216 78232 78247 OCT. 26 - NOV. 20, 2015VOL. 3, ISSUE 12

DONELLA DRIVE$2.2 MILLIONCONSTRUCTIONMOVING AHEAD

NORTHSIDE INFRASTRUCTURE

2 OCT. 26 - NOV. 20, 2015

President Harold J. LeesPublisherGregg Rosenfield

Assoc. PublisherRick Upton

EDITORIALExecutive EditorThomas EdwardsNews StaffCollette Orquiz, Bain Serna and Will WrightContributing WritersOlivier J. Bourgoin, Joyce Hotchkiss, Eric Moreno, Edmond Ortiz and Susan Yerkes

ARTCreative DirectorFlorence D. EdwardsContributing PhotographerRudy B. OrnelasContributing IllustratorJeremiah Teutsch

ADVERTISINGAdvertising DirectorJaselle LunaAccount ManagerMarc OlsonControllerKeith SandersREADER SERVICEMailing Address4204 Gardendale Ste. 201 SA, TX 78229Fax(210) 616.9677

Advertising Inquiriesmolson@localcommunitynews.comStory Ideastips@localcommunitynews.comWebsitewww.salocallowdown.com

Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2015 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 Ste. 201San Antonio, TX 78229

LOCAL Community News publicationsZone 1: 78204, 78205, 78209, 78210, 78212, 78215Zone 2: 78213, 78230, 78231, 78248, 78249Zone 4/5: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266Zone 6: 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261Zone 7: 78015, 78023, 78255, 78256, 78257

FROM THE EDITORtedwards@localcommunitynews.com

Phone(210) 338.8842

THOMAS EDWARDSEXECUTIVE EDITOR

As more large news organizations lay off veteran journalists with institutional memory in favor of younger, less-expensive scribes specializing in Internet quick hits revolving around celebrities and top 10 lists, something gets lost in the process — you, the reader.

Some of the bigger papers have even closed down their community-news departments, which are about the only direct pipeline they have to most of their audience.

That’s not going to happen with LOCAL Community News, which is committed to hyperlocal content. What does that mean in plain English? Simply put, it means LOCAL is going to tell you what’s going on in your child’s school, what your neighborhood is planning, how your politicians are voting, what new restaurants and businesses have located in your area, and so much more.

And LOCAL is not alone. Community newspapers still make up the bulk of the U.S. press, far outnumbering the big — and shrinking — dailies.

Whether they are free, direct-mailed monthlies such as LOCAL, or weekly newspapers that land in your yard, community publications remain the best and most reliable source of street-by-street news.

National Newspaper Week celebrated its 75th anniversary the first week of October, highlighting the fact that newspapers still have a deep and lasting impact on their communities.

The same can be said for LOCAL.

Community newsremaining relevant

ontrary to what some would like us to

believe, print is far from dead — at least when it comes to community newspapers.

C

ON THE COVER: Donella Drive is one of three main thoroughfares serving the North Side hamlet of Hollywood Park. City fathers have launched a major revamp of the well-traveled road, which will include improving gas-service lines and other infrastructure. Construction could last six months. See story on page 11. Photo by Collette Orquiz

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LOCAL COMMENTARY

Thanks and giving in a time of strifeby SUSAN YERKES

Each November we

commemorate Thanksgiving — this country’s longest-running

holiday. Back in 1621, the story goes, a bedraggled group of British colonists who arrived here on the Mayflower celebrated their first harvest with friendly natives.

Although 1789 saw a Thanksgiving proclamation delivered by George Washington, it wasn’t until the Civil War when another president, Abraham Lincoln, established an official nationwide observance on the fourth Thursday of the month so Americans could pray to

“heal the wounds of the nation.” This Thanksgiving, such a prayer

is still lamentably appropriate. Mass shootings, worldwide strife,

political polarization and all the issues dominating daily headlines remind us many wounds are far from healed.

Thanksgiving is still very much in order. In fact, scientific research has recently proven that giving thanks and helping others are healing actions in their own right.

Cultivating what some call an “attitude of gratitude” has shown to make you happier and healthier. A 2014 study in the journal Emotion, published by the American Psychological Association, indicated that saying a simple “thank you” or writing a note of thanks helps people build stronger, more positive relationships. Folks who describe themselves as frequently grateful for their blessings report fewer aches and pains, and tend to take greater care of their bodies.

Gratitude reduces depression, loneliness and feelings of isolation, and improves sleep. Just before bedtime, make a list of what you’re grateful for, suggested Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. Research also indicates promoting gratitude

improves self-esteem, strengthens immunity and lowers blood pressure.

It’s hard to maintain negative emotions when thinking positively. As a U.S. citizen, I know even my worst days are better than the best days of many across the planet – the homeless, the hungry, the physically and emotionally traumatized, and so much more.

As a South Texan, I’m thankful I won’t have to shovel snow to move my car on Thanksgiving Day. I’m grateful to live in a city with such a colorful, diverse and friendly culture, and to have made many fantastic friends here. I am also pleased the city is building more and better greenways for hiking, biking and enjoying the outdoors, and that the weather is great for fun in our parks this time of year. I appreciate the Tex-Mex food, and plentiful food, period. I’m really grateful that Wurzbach Parkway is finished. And the list goes on. When you start listing positives, thanks come easy.

As for the giving, recent research demonstrates generosity is good for body and soul. Those who donate time or money to help others consistently report happier sensations. This “pro-

social spending,” or contributing to charities or organizations you feel good about, produces many of the same physical and emotional benefits that gratitude sparks, and often leads to a “pay-it-forward” point of view.

This Thanksgiving, locals have many opportunities to help others.

You could volunteer for the 35th annual Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, for instance. Each year, some 4,000 volunteers plan and prepare holiday meals for 25,000 guests in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Christian Senior Services is always looking for help with its Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels deliveries to the homebound. The San Antonio Food Bank plans a big Holiday Turkey Round Up just before Thanksgiving. Through Operation Home Cooking, area families bring some 5,000 military men and women stationed here into their residences for the traditional feast.

From big organized opportunities for giving to small personal acts of charity, there are a thousand ways to say “thank you” and to give of yourself. This year, I’m grateful to all who keep the spirit alive.

HOW DO YOU GIVE THANKS? CONTACT SYERKES@LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM.

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OUR TURNViews and opinions about your community

One has to wonder after recent high-profile accounts of young players, and even coaches, showcasing behavior that went beyond just a flag on the field. Their actions instead highlighted a culture emphasizing winning at all costs — no matter what.

One episode that received nationwide attention chronicled the gridiron assault on a referee blindsided by two Jay High School varsity football players during a game against Marble Falls.

The teammates later claimed they only followed a coach’s instructions when they tackled the unsuspecting official.

In another case, a recent television broadcast revealed a coach yelling at his preadolescent football players

to maul their opponents. Let’s face it — losing is a part of

sports; and it’s an inescapable fact of life. We can’t all be winners.

Each of us is going to fail at one time or another, whether it’s during an athletic contest or in business, school, family, love or finances.

The best sports programs inspire players to win, but not at the cost of their souls.

Good coaches teach athletes that how you play the game is still important, and the best instructors know how you react when you lose says something about true character and the full measure of a person.

Young athletes — and people in general — must learn to own their mistakes and not blame others. Accountability applies not just to sports; it also is the bedrock of most social interaction, from work to home, faith and nearly everything else.

There is nothing silly or ridiculous about learning to lose gracefully and accepting responsibility for a blunder.

These are essential lessons, which should be taught on the gridiron, in the gym and in the locker room, because they remain important for the rest of life.

Good coaching teaches life lessons

Whatever happened to good sportsmanship — and for that matter,

accountability and responsibility?

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

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OUR GUIDE

TO YOUR MONTH

Plan your month with our calendar of upcoming events in the community.

HAPPENING LOCAL

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

ART TALKFITNESS OUTDOOR MUSIC FOOD

TOP EDUCATORS SOUGHT Online nominations are being accepted through

Nov. 1 for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. Nominees can be teachers, principals, early education facilities, school districts and school boards, and the cash awards range from $5,000 to $100,000. To nominate, go to www.heb.com/education.

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES MacArthur High School students will teach American

Sign Language on Sundays from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room at Brook Hollow Branch Library, 530 Heimer Road. The instructors will be Mac ASL Honor Society members; the classes are free and no registration is required. There will not be a class on Nov. 29, and the final class is Dec. 6.

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING AND BEYOND Learn about this compact style of

gardening in a class offered by North East Community Education. The class covers construction, soil, irrigation and more, and runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 116-1 of the Community Education building, 8750 Tesoro Drive. It costs $32 and is for adults. To register, go to https://communityed.neisd.net.

NEISD TRUSTEES North East Independent School District trustees are scheduled

to meet at 5:30 p.m. in the NEISD board room, 8961 Tesoro Drive.

EDEN HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE Vendors will offer an assortment of holiday-themed items

and home décor pieces from 10 a.m. to

3 p.m. The seasonal market sets up at Thousand Oaks Drive and Tavern Oaks Street, grouped around the Eden Duck Pond. There will be a food truck on hand, and the market is smoke-free and family-friendly. In case of rain, the market will take place Nov. 21.

HOLLYWOOD PARK The City Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 2 Mecca Drive.

EVENING AGLOW MEETINGSan Antonio Evening Aglow International, a Christian

“transformational kingdom” group, meets the third Tuesday of each month for fellowship, song and an inspirational message. The gathering starts at 7 p.m. at Anne Marie’s Catering, 12475 Starcrest Drive (at Bitters Road). Everyone is welcome. For more, visit www.aglow.com.

RETIRED TEACHERS MEETINGNorth San Antonio Retired Teachers Association holds

its monthly meeting at San Pedro Presbyterian Church, 14900 San Pedro Ave. A 9:45 a.m. “meet and greet” will precede the program, which begins at 10:15 a.m. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month

during the school year. Members are encouraged to bring friends.

CHRONIC PAIN SUPPORT GROUP Meetings are from 4 to 6 p.m. the third Wednesday

of each month at Baptist HealthLink, 288 W. Bitters Road. One main topic per hour is covered in group discussions, which may be large or small. A syllabus and more information are available at http://chronicpainsupportsa.wix.com/cpsgsa.

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION The San Antonio Chapter of the

national organization holds its monthly luncheon 11:30 a.m. at the Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave. Lunch costs $25. RSVPs are required. Call Bob Clark at 402-0871, or email to reservations@sarsat.org by the Monday before the meeting. The chapter meets on the third Wednesday of each month, except July and August.

HILL COUNTRY VILLAGE The City Council meets at 7 p.m. at

City Hall, 116 Aspen Lane.

THROUGHNOV. 1

NOV. 1, 8,15, 22 NOV.

9

NOV. 17

NOV. 18

NOV. 18

NOV. 18

NOV. 19

NOV.5

NOV.14

NOV.17

HAPPENING continues on pg. 07

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OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATION From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., representatives of

the Alamo Area Council of Governments will provide information on Medicare and Medicaid as part of the programs’ open enrollment period, which ends Dec. 7. The site is the Meeting Room at Brook Hollow Branch Library, 530 Heimer Road.

DAIRY DAY This educational event offers fun – and ice cream – as well as a look at the origins

of Phil Hardberger Park, which once was the dairy farm of the Voelcker family. The event, from 10 a.m. to noon, will feature the Southwest Dairy Farmers’ mobile classroom and takes place at the Voelcker Historic Homestead. It’s free, but a donation of $3 per person or $5 per family is suggested. The Homestead is accessible off Blanco Road by turning onto Longfield Road, then onto Old Blanco Road and then Voelcker Lane.

HOLLYWOOD PARK PLAY GROUP Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m., moms and their small children can

enjoy playtime and snacks; meet at the swimming pool, 701 El Portal Drive. For more information, call Janet Ruiz, 313-6098.

JAVA WITH JOE Constituents can bring their concerns to the attention of District 9 San

Antonio City Councilman Joe Krier in person over a cup of coffee. The 9-10 a.m. sessions take place at the councilman’s field office, 16500 U.S. 281 North, Suite 290 (at Thousand Oaks Drive).

FELINE FRIDAYS The Animal Defense League will focus on reducing overpopulation by

spaying or neutering 30 owned cats and 30 feral cats every Friday. Animals can be brought in from 7 to 9 a.m., and it’s first come, first served until the 60 slots are filled. Fees range from $35 to $70, and owned cats must have proof of rabies vaccination. The cats will be ready for pickup from 4 to 5 p.m. the same day. The surgeries are performed at ADL’s hospital, 11215 Iota Drive, just off Nacogdoches Road. For more, go to adltexas.org and click on Spay/Neuter Services under Programs & Services.

MORGAN’S WONDERLAND HOSTS SENIORS Let age work in your favor during

Senior Fridays at Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards Drive. For $8, there are senior activities 11 a.m. to noon every second and fourth

Friday. For more, call 495-5888 or visit www.morganswonderland.com.

ELSEWHERE IN SAN ANTONIO “BAD JEWS” There’s been a death in the family and the fight is on, in a dark comedy

being staged at the Sheldon Vexler Theatre. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. The general-admission tickets cost $22; for JCC members, seniors, military personnel and groups of 10 or more, they’re $19, and for students, $16. To reserve a seat, call 302-6835. The Vex is on the Campus of the Jewish Community of San Antonio, 12500 N.W. Military Highway.

SPN HAPPY HOUR The Single Professionals Network will host a happy hour starting at

4:30 p.m. on the patio at La Hacienda de los Barrios, 18747 Redland Road. SPN, a friendship group for single, mature adults, hosts events and outings several times a month; for more, go to www.spn-sa.org.

CHAI LIGHTS Chai Lights Hanukkah Gift Show, sponsored by the Temple Beth-El

Sisterhood, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Temple Beth-El’s Barshop Auditorium,

211 Belknap Place. The Hanukkah-themed celebration of Hanukkah offers jewelry and artwork as well as food and, of course, lights. There’s no admission charge.

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS, CAMP 1325The Alamo City Guards, Camp

1325, holds its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Grady’s Bar-B-Q, 6510 San Pedro Ave. Speaker Ed Cotham’s talk is titled “Battle on the Bay.” Members and guests are welcome to eat beginning at 6 p.m.; no reservations are required. The Camp meets the first Thursday of each month. For more, visit www.alamocityguards.com.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS The festival will feature Santa, on a vintage fire engine,

and holiday characters, but the real star of the evening is bound to be the snow, which is promised around 7:20 p.m. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E. Basse Road, and benefits the Family Service Association of San Antonio.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@localcommunitynews.com.

NOV. 20

WEDNESDAYS

ONGOING

OCT.30

NOV.1

NOV.5

ONGOING

THROUGHNOV. 14

NOV. 21

NOV. 7

TUESDAYS

HAPPENING continues from pg. 06

8 OCT. 26 - NOV. 20, 2015

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

2. TINT CITY, 10130 U.S. 281 North, Suite 104, offers window tinting for vehicles, residential and commercial buildings. San Antonio’s warm seasons can be brutal, and tinting substantially lowers the temperature inside vehicles and residences, said owner Christian Ortega. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more or to make an appointment, call 997-8468 or visit facebook.com/Tint-City. (See story on page 14)

1. SPRING CHINESE CUISINE & PHO, 3830 N. Loop 1604 East, Suite 101, at the site of the former Tiger Pop restaurant, serves a mixture of Chinese dishes and Vietnamese pho. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more, call 714-7206 or visit www.eatspring.com. (See story on page 15)

3. POLLO TROPICAL, 4335 Thousand Oaks Drive, recently opened and offers Caribbean and Latin fast food; it also is known for its signature citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken billed as “always fresh, never frozen.” There are more than 100 locations in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, and 30 in the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Puerto Rico. It is the sister company to Taco Cabana, with four locations in San Antonio. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to midnight daily. For more, call 653-5094 or visit pollotropical.com.

4. ST. JUDE’S RANCH FOR CHILDREN, 8918 Tesoro Drive, Suite 535, is a care facility for abused and at-risk children, young adults and families. It creates new chances, choice and hope through empowerment, officials said. The vision

of an Episcopal priest, the first St. Jude’s opened as a 40-acre spread near Boulder City, Nevada, in the late 1960s and has since spawned four more campuses and facilities, including one in Bulverde. Programs and individualized therapeutic services help break the cycle of abuse and neglect by mending spirits, officials said. For more, visit stjudesranch.org.

5. GREAT HEARTS NORTHERN OAKS CHARTER SCHOOL, 17223 Jones Maltsberger Road, recently opened for grades kindergarten through seventh for the 2015-16 academic year. Great Hearts is a classical liberal arts academy and is tuition-free. The headmaster is Andrew Shivone. For more, call 888-9438 or visit greatheartstx.org.

6. SMART BARRE, 427 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 206, opened Sept. 28 as a “premiere fitness boutique for women specializing in barre — a fusion of Pilates, ballet and yoga,” said co-owner Mallory Moorman. There are two other studios, in Alamo Heights and Alon Town Centre. Hours for the 1604 location vary, so check the website for details. For more, call 462-7252 or visit www.smartbarrebody.com or facebook.com/smartbarresanantonio.

IN OTHER NEWSRESIDENTS FLOODED RECENT MEETINGS sponsored by the San Antonio Water System to float questions and concerns about recent spikes in their water bills. SAWS’s “Rapid Response” events, which paired customers with agency staffers, were held Oct. 1 at Encino Branch Library, and Oct. 3 at the city’s Tobin and Cody Branch libraries. District 9 Councilman Joe Krier and District

10 Councilman Mike Gallagher, who grilled SAWS President and CEO Robert Puente during the Sept. 24 City Council meeting, came away assured SAWS is taking the right steps in investigating complaints and changing its future meter-reading and billing procedures. “Mr. Puente provided an explanation as to why many residents experienced such high bills and outlined a corrective action plan on preventing these billing issues going forward,” Gallagher said, pledging support for SAWS’s decision to hire additional meter readers and improve its overall billing process. “(SAWS) is promising to implement new strategies to prevent this from happening again.” Krier introduced a measure calling for SAWS to keep City Council updated on customer satisfaction at least twice a year. “While we welcome SAWS’ triage efforts, we need to ensure that its customers, including seniors living on fixed incomes, are not subjected to this kind of billing failure in the future,” he said. Meanwhile, SAWS is proposing rate increases beginning next year, and five open house meetings on those hikes were slated Oct. 13-26.

FRIESENHAHN PARK AND NACOGDOCHES ROAD IMPROVEMENTS are among items in the city of San Antonio’s $2.5 billion 2016 budget, approved by City Council on Sept. 10. Included is $23 million for street maintenance, $10 million for sidewalks and pedestrian safety provisions and $1.9 million for park maintenance, security and development. District 10 Councilman Mike Gallagher said the budget, which also lowers the property tax rate by three-quarters of a cent, will fund Friesenhahn Park improvements and possible expansion, and repaving Nacogdoches Road from Starcrest Drive to Iota Drive. “We are very excited to see these changes happen in the upcoming year,” Gallagher said. “I was very proud of the fact that we had a strong focus on funding for infrastructure and that we were able to

lower the property tax rate. I was also extremely grateful to see the number of residents who came out to have their voices heard on the budget this year.”

THE NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT recently acquired Time Warner Cable Park, a 56-acre sports complex on Wetmore Road, just north of Wurzbach Parkway. City Council approved a long-term lease agreement with NEISD, which will eventually purchase the facility for $3.2 million. The Sportsplex includes six softball fields, a swimming pool, sand volleyball courts, a pavilion, restroom facilities, concession stands and playgrounds.“This is such a great opportunity for our students, parents and the NEISD community. It’s a smart investment in the district’s future,” said Superintendent Brian Gottardy. Trustees approved the transaction Sept. 21. If district voters approve the 2015 bond on Nov. 3, NEISD will implement additional improvements to the facility, district officials said.

THE ELECTORATE IN THE NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT heads to the polls Nov. 3 to decide on a $499,950,000 bond issue for districtwide improvements. NEISD officials said the money will go to renovating, upgrading and enhancing facilities at older campuses. Most of the bond is designated for campus improvements ($225.8 million), with the rest slated for extracurricular programs ($89.8 million); technology upgrades ($72.4 million); district operations ($60 million); safety and security ($20 million); bond program management ($17 million); and a bond contingency program ($15 million). NEISD voters approved $449 million, $498 million and $399 million packages in 2003, 2007 and 2011, respectively. Early voting extends through Oct. 30.

LOWDOWN continues on pg. 09

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DADS OF GREAT STUDENTS, or Watch D.O.G.S., of Thousand Oaks Elementary School gathered on Sept. 29 to kick off another year of having male role models volunteer on campus. “Top Dog” Scott Donaho spoke to fathers and father figures about how beneficial it is to spend time with children during the school day. For more, call 407-8000.

THE CHARGER BATTALION RAIDER TEAM AT Churchill High School dominated the North East Independent School District’s JROTC Urban Raider Challenge Competition on Sept. 25, taking first place overall after completing an obstacle course, a 2.5-mile run and a rope bridge. Both male and female teams won first place, commanded by cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Orion Tobias and cadet Capt. Miranda Leija. The novice male team, commanded by cadet Capt. Aaron Gahagan, also took first place.

THE NORTHEAST SENIOR MULTI-SERVICE CENTER’S GRAND OPENING was held Oct. 30. “This has been a project near and dear to my heart,

and I know many residents of District 10 will benefit from their services,” said Councilman Mike Gallagher. The $10 million city-financed facility is the only one specifically built to hold activities for seniors; other centers in town have been set up in buildings converted from other uses by San Antonio. Construction on the 28,000-square-foot center, at 4135 Scarsdale Drive near Thousand Oaks, started in September 2014. It is being paid for with money from the 2012 bond election and serves those age 60 and over.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PRE-APPLICATION CENTER is now open at San Antonio International Airport, designed to provide expedited security screening for pre-approved airline travelers, officials said. The process allows certain travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, laptops in their case and permitted liquids and gels in a bag during screening. United States citizens or lawful permanent residents can apply during an in-person visit to the enrollment center; applicants must verify their identity, provide fingerprints and confirm citizenship or immigration status with proper documents.

WURZBACH continues on pg. 10

HAPPENING continues from pg. 08 WURZBACH continues from pg. 01

It has taken $146 million to build the parkway, which finally gives motorists a third east-west option across the city in addition to loops 1604 and 410, and it links interstates 10 and 35.

The project was broken into parts, with the final 1.7-mile stretch of Wurzbach Parkway – between West Avenue and Jones-Maltsberger Road – having opened to traffic in September. The Texas Department of Transportation estimates the parkway accommodates 40,000 cars daily.

District 9 City Councilman Joe Krier said a fully connected Wurzbach Parkway meets

a decades-old area transportation need.“I am profoundly grateful it’s here.

It’s a fabulous thoroughfare. It’s a huge congestion reliever,” he said.

Officials acknowledge a need to work out kinks along the newly opened parts of the Parkway and nearby areas. Recently, the city’s Transportation and Capital Improvements Department has been doing signal timing and traffic safety reviews as traffic patterns stabilize.

“There will be problems. You have to have a roadway operating six months to see how things are going, to see where the bottlenecks are,” Krier said.

But even with a now-contiguous Wurzbach Parkway, it’s taking motorists awhile to get familiar with the newer parts, especially where the speed limit becomes an issue. And local officials feel now is the time to emphasize traffic solutions for some primary and secondary roads that intersect or run alongside the parkway.

“We’re in the business of building roads. It’s nice to see a new accomplishment in our job,” said Josh Donat, a spokesman for TxDOT.

Other city leaders including District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg said additional work is needed to prevent

Varying speed limits irking some driversby EDMOND ORTIZ

Officials and motorists have hailed the recent completion of Wurzbach

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congestion as Wurzbach Parkway turns into Wurzbach Road —a wide, arterial street that empties into shopping districts, residential areas and the South Texas Medical Center.

It also feeds into I-10, which is undergoing its own construction.

In an email newsletter to constituents, Nirenberg said he and other local officials are working on short- and long-term solutions to ease traffic in the Wurzbach Road area, especially for peak hours.

The city and the state are providing $2 million in matching funds to help address immediate solutions identified in a Wurzbach Road traffic study that Nirenberg asked TxDOT to conduct.

Nirenberg has requested the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to place solutions to Wurzbach Road congestion on its long-range priority list. He added the city will consider using a planned 2017 bond issue to propose other ways to improve general east-west connectivity in District 8.

Donat said much of the development in the Wurzbach area has arisen in the last 30 years.

“(TxDOT is) looking to see ... if there are other ways to improve/enhance traffic

in the general area,” he added.People who traverse the

area say pros outnumber cons with Wurzbach Parkway.

“I drive from Jones Maltsberger Road to Northwest Military Highway three times a week. I carpool to and from Great Hearts Northern Oaks (charter school) and the parkway is a carpool game changer,” said Carisa Lopez Heiss.

“(Wurzbach Parkway) now connects my life — work, school and home. I

have not driven on 410 or 35 since it opened,” Michele Autenrieth Brown said.

“It’s making my drive across town to visit my mom so much easier,” Melanie Mendez-Gonzales added.

A particular point of contention for some motorists on Wurzbach Parkway is the 45 mph speed limit on the new segment. Some feel it is too slow, others reportedly are going much faster.

“Other than that, I love it. I take it daily to and from work. It has cut 15 minutes per direction off of my commute,” said Shawn Gordon.

“I’ll admit 45 is a tad slow, but I pull out of our apartment directly onto Wurzbach Parkway and people are treating it like the Daytona 500,” Damon Pena said.

TxDOT was reviewing parkway speeds earlier this fall. Donat said TxDOT expects a change in speed limits “sooner than later.” Within the next few weeks, speeds could increase from 45 to 60 mph from Blanco to Wetmore Road. He added, though, drivers should not treat the parkway like a freeway.

“It’s best for short trips,” he said.Donat also urges drivers to use

common sense.“The speed limit is also defined

by design of the road. There are curves, curbs and sidewalks,” he said. “Just be safe and follow the law.”

WURZBACH continues from pg. 09

(WURZBACH PARKWAY) NOW CONNECTS MY

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Motorists head west on the newly opened part of Wurzbach Parkway between Blanco Road and West Avenue. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

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DONELLA continues from pg. 01

“The length of this project coupled with the improvements to the gas and water lines makes this a huge undertaking,” said Mayor Chris Fails. “We hope that this is the first of many cooperative projects between Hollywood Park, CPS (Energy) and (San Antonio Water System).”

Fails has termed the undertaking — which is designed to improve one of the city’s main thoroughfares and its infrastructure, including natural-gas services — the “biggest road project in 10 years.”

Sections of Donella Drive — which runs from U.S. 281 North to Mustang Circle — will be impassible for periods during construction, but the repairs will last a long time, Fails said.

Construction was slated to start Oct. 21 and is expected to last about six months.

Roadways will be closed to through traffic, but detours will be set up and local access will be maintained, Fails said. Minimum closures are scheduled for the intersections at Mustang Circle and William Classen Drive.

At least one resident thinks any difficulties are worth it.

“For a while, it may be inconvenient having to deal with construction and noise, but in the end, it is to improve and beautify our town, and that is what’s important,” said Natalie Villarreal, a 19-year resident who grew up in Hollywood Park and recently purchased a house on Donella Drive.

She acknowledged, however, that the construction will affect a large majority of the town’s drivers, runners, walkers and bicyclists.

There could be another benefit — less cut-through traffic as non-residents try to find a shortcut to U.S. 281 or Loop 1604 during rush hour.

“Who knows, maybe while all this construction is going on, we’ll have less non-Hollywood Park drivers cutting through our neighborhood in the mornings!” Villarreal said.

While a small percentage of residents live on the street, Fails said the majority of Hollywood Park residents travel along the road every day.

“This is one of three main entrances to our town, and the only one that has not been recently repaved or maintained,” Fails said.

The project includes replacing water and gas lines, stormwater sewer construction, roadway reclamation and ditch grading with driveway pipes where needed.

Improvements will be made west of 281 to west of Mustang Circle on Donella Drive. According to figures supplied by the city, the total cost of the project is more than $2.2 million, with $1,181,000.28 for Hollywood Park; $505,809.20 for CPS; and $525,257.80 for SAWS.

Homeowners will be given mailboxes

Residents willing to put up with limited traffic headachesby COLLETTE ORQUIZ

HOLLYWOOD PARK — A $2.2 million road project billed as the city’s

biggest in 10 years will revamp Donella Drive, but residents and motorists will also have to expect some headaches, officials said.

DONELLA continues on pg. 13

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Officials in both cities voted in September to adopt the budgets, which by law took effect Oct. 1. A look at each shows no significant change in property tax rates, revenue or spending in either city.

HOLLYWOOD PARKHollywood Park slightly lowered

its tax rate from 51.1 cents per $100 to 51 cents. But the city expects to raise $211,028 more in property-tax revenue in the new fiscal year as overall appraised values continue to rise.

“We did not really budget anything big

this year,” said Hollywood Park Mayor Chris Fails. However, he acknowledged the launch of a multimillion-dollar roadway project to revamp Donella Drive, one of the city’s three main entrances.

As a whole, Hollywood Park projects $3.51 million in general fund, or operating, revenue in 2016 compared with $3.22 million in the past fiscal year 2015, which ended Sept. 30.

Regarding general fund expenses, Hollywood Park has allocated nearly $46,000 more for administration, $159,538 more for government buildings, and $53,732 more for the Police Department.

The city projects $3.51 million in spending in 2016 compared with $3.22 million in 2015. Following cost-of-living adjustments in previous fiscal years, the city will not have such an adjustment for city employees in 2016.

Hollywood Park has come into line with comparable cities where average city worker pay is concerned. Some select city employees are scheduled to receive a merit pay boost based on performance.

According to Fails, the City Council in Hollywood Park used a so-called “worst-case scenario” to develop last year’s budget.

Elected officials looked at the

most amount of money they could conceivably spend and the least amount of money the city could collect.

When the last fiscal year rounded out, the city actually ended up with $159,000 more than in projected income. The city actually spent $359,000 less than in projected expenses.

City leaders looked at the new budget process with a similar mindset. Fails said the council was careful not to budget any new, large line items while the city continues with one major infrastructure project.

“We’re in the middle of the Donella Drive project,” Fails said, referencing a $2.2 million resurfacing of a main, east-west city thoroughfare from U.S. 281 to Mustang Circle.

“We’ve partnered with (the San Antonio Water System) and CPS Energy on this, so they’re replacing mains and lines,” Fails said. “We’re all sharing in mobilization costs.”

Meanwhile, Hollywood Park voters will consider on Nov. 3 using money from the city’s venue fund to pay for renovations at Voigt Park. A portion of the city’s sales tax supports the venue fund, which can only be applied toward city facilities.

Fails said the current interest rate is favorable, and with voter approval, the city could go forward with affordable improvements at Voigt Park.

HILL COUNTRY VILLAGEHill Country Village raised its

property tax rate from 9.5 cents per $100 valuation to 14.5 cents. Even so, the city still possesses one of the lowest property tax rates in Bexar County.

Hill Country Village projects $1.47 million in total general fund revenue in FY 2016 compared with $1.41 million in FY 2015. The city is looking at $1.55 million in spending in the new year compared with $1.42 million last year.

Mayor Gabriel Durand-Hollis said Hill Country Village’s budget in 2016 is basic and conservative. But he and fellow city officials have an eye on the future.

First, they intend to build up the city’s road fund to support a citywide repair project that has long been in discussions. Local leaders also want to see how best to fix up existing city facilities.

“We are going to look at a three- to five-year long-term plan. It will look at road, drainage, infrastructure, everything,” Durand-Hollis said. “As far as buildings go, are we going to fix City Hall or leave it as is?”

Durand-Hollis said the city will likely appoint a residents committee to help develop such a long-range comprehensive plan.

“The master plan will help to determine these future needs,” he added.

Hill Country Village debates fixing City Hallby EDMOND ORTIZ

Based on recently approved budgets for the 2016 fiscal year, residents will

see little change in Hill Country Village and Hollywood Park.

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during construction and the post will be delivered to a temporary central box unit at the west end of the project.

A contractor will salvage and reinstall existing mailboxes when the roadwork is finished, city officials said. According to planners, employee vehicles will not be parked on private property or block driveways. In addition, no work will be done on weekends or at night unless absolutely unavoidable, said town leaders.

Civil Engineering Consultants of Don Durden Inc. is the project leader, a team that includes Kyle Gass, David Costales, John Mooneyham, Frank Jaster and Dee Smith. Anthony Moy is the CPS contact for the project.

“At CEC, we feel privileged to be a part of such an important project for the town of Hollywood Park,” Gass said. “The planned work along Donella Drive will benefit not only the residents within the immediate project area, but all residents by providing improvements along one of the main roadways into Hollywood Park.”

Some have voiced concerns about the storm-sewer construction because it is over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge

Zone, but the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has already approved a water-abatement plan to avoid pollution.

After the Donella Drive project is complete, town leaders said they will look at fixing interior roads.

“The Donella street project is important to me because it’s really going to improve first impressions of our town. The entrance to the neighborhood from Voigt (Drive) is newer than the Donella side, so it already has some better curb appeal,” Villarreal said.

She added Donella Drive is in decent condition but improvements are greatly appreciated. She’s noticed plenty of uneven areas that can be a nuisance, especially near driveways, as well as water runoff that goes into people’s yards.

Villarreal said she is remaining positive about the construction and added the improvements have the potential to raise property values.

“I believe that the improvements that are going to be made on Donella are going to affect the neighborhood positively as a whole. There are already so many pretty houses on Donella — this is going to beautify them even more,” the longtime resident said.

For more details as the project develops, check out hollywoodpark-tx.gov.

DONELLA continues from pg. 11

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MYRONSPRIME.COM | 210-493-3031

ProudlyServing Prime

FreePurchase One Entrée at regular menu price andReceive a 2nd Entrée of equal of lesser valueComplimentary. One discount per table.

Expires 12/15/2015Not valid with any other promotional offers.

San Antonio Location Only.

Best Service - Best Food...Come Taste The Difference!

Make this Holiday Season Extra Special with Family and Friends at Myron’s!Book Your Holiday Party Now and Let Us Take Care of the Rest!

Call Now For A Free Estimate: 210-310-3371 and Start Saving Today!

Green Energy of San Antonio10130 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio TX, 78216

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