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North San Antonio Edition VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 NOV. 22, 2023
Helping the homeless
Tabetha Tompkins lives with her two dogs in a tent beneath a US 281 underpass. She is among 3,100-plus known homeless individuals in San Antonio, ocials with local nonprot Close to Home said.
EDMOND ORTIZCOMMUNITY IMPACT
San Antonio budgets $1.43M to help address encampment abatement, aid the unhoused
Tompkins said. “We don’t want to be seen, but we’ve got to exist somewhere.” Tompkins is one of the more than 3,100 people estimated to be experiencing homelessness in San Antonio, according to nonpro t Close to Home.
was hospitalized for a sickness and fell behind on her medical bills. The 32-year-old said homelessness is a grind. She’s gone to nonpro t shelter Haven for Hope, but said the visit was a negative experience. “I understand other people don’t want to see us,”
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
Tabetha Tompkins said she has spent three years living on the streets, most recently in a tent beneath a US 281 underpass in North San Antonio. Tompkins said she became homeless after she
CONTINUED ON 10
Also in this issue
Impacts: ImmuniTea has opened near Shavano Park (Page 6)
Government: Hill Country Village voters fund City Hall (Page 8)
Events: Celebrate the season at Shavano Park’s festival (Page 15)
Dining: Little Italy celebrates 40 years (Page 19)
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
Impacts
2 Lova Cafe The eatery—focused on European-inspired crepes— opened in the former Roots Super Foods space at a Stone Oak retail center. The menu includes croissants and other pastries, co ee, teas, and alcoholic beverages. • Opened Oct. 21 • 19202 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 101, San Antonio •www.instagram.com/lovacafe.of icial 3 Toro’ko Sushi A family-owned sushi restaurant based in Stone Oak opened a second eatery south of Shavano Park. Toro’ko Sushi o ers more than 40 specialty rolls, as well as sashimi and nigiri. • Opened Oct. 2 • 14510 NW Military Hwy., San Antonio • toroko-sushi.square.site 4 Honey Mercantile The home decor store opened in north central San Antonio and o ers cards and gifts for personal celebrations, art, bedding, apparel, books, vintage treasures, handmade candles and bath and beauty products. Honey Mercantile also has honey products, as well as co ee to drink on site or to take home. • Opened Nov. 4 • 4272 TPC Pkwy., Ste. 107, San Antonio • www.honeymercantile.com 5 AAA Texas The insurance and travel company opened a new north San Antonio oce that provides a full range of in-person services to AAA members, including travel planning and automotive assistance. The new oce also o ers help with AAA insurance services. • Grand opening held Oct. 18 • 18160 San Pedro Ave., Ste. 200, San Antonio • www.ace.aaa.com 6 Hancock Whitney North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and two other local chambers of commerce held a grand opening ceremony for the banking services company, which launched its rst San Antonio branch. Based in Gulfport, Mississippi, Hancock Whitney o ers traditional banking services, including loans; credit; insurance; retirement
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concretes, signature Jackhammers, sundaes, malts, freezes, banana splits, sodas and shakes. • Opened Oct. 31 • 23438 Wilderness Oak, San Antonio • locations.eatandys.com/ll/us/tx/san-antonio/ 23438-wilderness-oak_
Now open
1 Andy’s Frozen Custard The custard shop opened a Stone Oak-area location o ering more than 20 varieties of frozen custard
DOMINION : 6185 Camp Bullis Rd.
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and investment assistance; and small business, commercial and wealth management support. • Grand opening Oct. 18 • 19122 N. US 281, Ste. 101, San Antonio • www.hancockwhitney.com 7 My Pet’s Vet Wilderness Oak The veterinary services company opened in the Shoppes at Wilderness Oaks retail center. My Pet’s Vet o ers diagnostic and surgical services, including X-rays and critical care, wellness, doggy day care and boarding. • Opened Sept. 30 • 24815 N. U.S. 281, Ste. 117, San Antonio • www.mypetsvetgroup.com/locations/wildernessoaks 8 Stay Young SA Medical Spa The North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce held an Oct. 21 grand opening ceremony for the spa in Castle Hills. Stay Young SA o ers hair restoration; laser hair removal; micro-needling; facials; chemical peels; and skin, body, scalp and hair treatments. • Opened Oct. 21 • 1840 Lockhill Selma Road, Ste. 101, Castle Hills • www.stayyoungsa.com
Now open
Now open
13 Tenenbaum Jewelers The Houston-based jewelers opened a San Antonio store at the former Moretti’s Fine Jewelry space. Tenenbaum o ers a variety of jewelry from designers such as Ti any and Co., Cartier and David Webb, as well as watches, home decor and gifts, and antique jewelry from di erent eras. • Opened Nov. 10 • 14230 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio • www.tenenbaumjewelers.com
11 ImmuniTea The former Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade space near Shavano Park has changed hands and now o ers a range of bubble teas, matcha, yogurt bowls, co ee and more. • Opened Nov. 1 • 14510 NW Military Hwy., Ste. 104, San Antonio • www.instagram.com/immunitea_sanantonio_tx
Coming soon
9 Parry’s Pizzeria and Taphouse The Colorado-based franchise plans to build a third San Antonio eatery in Stone Oak. According to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ling, Parry’s will begin a $1.7 million renovation of an existing 6,580-square-foot space at the Stone Ridge Market retail center in early December with completion scheduled in early May 2024. • Opening spring 2024 10 Starbucks A 2,186-square-foot location is set to be built with a drive-thru near Hollywood Park. According to a ling with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ling, Starbucks will be built on a vacant lot near The Hoppy Monk and NorthRock Church. The $1.25 million construction project is scheduled to begin in February • 21119 N. U.S. 281, San Antonio • www.parryspizza.com/locations
2024 and wrap up in August 2024. • Opening in fall 2024 • 1114 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio • www.starbucks.com
• 14615 Vance Jackson Road, San Antonio • www.ldpre.com
Closings
12 Vance Jackson Townhomes Austin-based Lonestar Development Partners plans to build a 195-unit multifamily complex. According to a ling with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the 260,000-square-foot rental community will feature duplexes and triplexes, a clubhouse and a swimming pool. Construction on the $43 million project is slated to begin in February 2024 and wrap up in February 2026. • Opening spring 2026
14 Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade San Antonio’s rst Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade had its nal day of business Oct. 29 near Shavano Park. According to a social media post from the owners, Wow Wow—which o ered Hawaiian-style lemonade and acai bowls—was shuttered after 15 months of business. • Closed Oct. 29 • 14510 NW Military Hwy., Ste. 104, San Antonio • www.facebook.com/wowwowlemonadesanantonio
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
News
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
Hill Country Village voters fund new City Hall According to uno cial early voting and Election Day totals from Bexar County, 77.8% of voters said yes to Proposition B, which allows the city redirect up to $3 million in unspent funds from the city’s 2019 road bond toward building a new municipal complex. Digging deeper Also, 79.4% of voters supported Proposition C, which would let the town sell a 14-acre city- owned tract at Bitters Road and Tower Drive for residential development. Land sale proceeds would go toward replacing the existing City Hall structure at 116 Aspen Lane. Additionally, voters favored Proposition A, which would allow Hill Country Village to reauthorize one-half of 1% of its sales tax rate to continue funding street maintenance.
Hollywood Park ocials honor Swan Hollywood Park residents gathered Oct. 26 at Memorial Park to formally pay tribute to David Swan, a former City Council member who died July 5 at age 76. What happened O cials unveiled a plaque after the coun- cil voted Sept. 19 to accept a citizens petition and Swan’s nomination for the memorial. Residents who supported the memorial for Swan cited his move to Hollywood Park in 1978, and his role in helping to overturn a ban on deer feeding and developing a herd count to control the deer population. Swan served on the council from 2010-12 and ran small local businesses, including the Tool Shed, a small engine repair shop. Swan’s plaque is the second one to be installed at Memorial Park. Hotline Help From the Domestic Violence Navigation Line’s inception in August 2021 through July 2022, case managers assessed: 2,736 residents experiencing family violence 656 residents deemed high risk of lethal harm by their intimate partner 175 high-risk individuals who sought refuge at a friend or family member’s home
Election results
Voters Nov. 7 passed three propositions, with B and C designed to help fund a City Hall project.
Proposition A (road maintenance)
• Yes 89.04% • No 10.96%
Proposition B (repurpose bond)
• Yes 77.88% • No 22.12%
Proposition C (land sale) • Yes 79.44% • No 20.56%
SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Funding found to continue domestic violence hotline Bexar County commissioners approved $219,993 in funding Oct. 10 to continue a local Domestic Violence Navigation Line where case managers are on-call 24/7 to connect victims with vital resources. The background Commissioners voted to continue the hotline to help victims living in unincorporated areas. What they’re saying O cials said the hotline has been valuable in providing domestic violence victims with assis- tance and guiding them to safety. “This navigation line provides a cutting-edge service that undoubtedly saves lives,” Judge Monique Diaz, co-chair of the Collaborative Com- mission on Domestic Violence, said in a statement.
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people hospitalized for injuries
SOURCE: BEXAR COUNTYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
North East ISD plans early college high school for Fall 2024 at MacArthur High School The North East ISD Board of Trustees approved a plan Oct. 9 to develop an Early College High School to open at MacArthur High School in fall 2024. The background
year through a lottery system, o cials said. Alamo Colleges District is partnering with six local early college high schools that: • Are located in a traditional high school, on a college campus or as a standalone school • Provide students with up to 60 college credit hours and guidance into certain associate’s degree in arts, science or applied science • O¢ers degrees that are a part of a plan that maps out coursework COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Digging deeper At ECHS, students will focus their coursework on in-demand careers such as education, accounting and the hospitality industry. Aspiring teachers may get real-world experience by working with NEISD elementary educators. Students interested in busi- ness and hospitality will get opportunities to work with San Antonio-area industry leaders through internships and on-the-job training and experience. ECHS will accept students for the 2024-25 school
NEISD is partnering with Alamo Colleges District to let students graduate with an associate’s degree and up to 60 credit hours that are transferable to a four-year institution, according to a news release. Students will also be able to earn Industry Based Certications at no charge to them, o cials said.
8
Transportation
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
North Loop 1604 expansion progresses Contractors working to improve Loop 1604 oversaw alternating weeknight and weekend closures in westbound and eastbound lanes between Tradesman Road and Stone Oak Parkway throughout October and November. • Timeline: May 2021 to after 2025 • Cost: $1.3 billion • Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation
A rendering shows the San Antonio International Airport’s planned ground load facility.
RENDERING COURTESY PAGECITY OF SAN ANTONIO
San Antonio airport to add ground load facility Federal and city leaders gathered Oct. 10 at the San Antonio International Airport to break ground on a planned ground load facility, which will add three new gates at the city’s north side airport. The background The ground load facility is part of a years-long
expansion and improvement project that is partially funded by a $20 million Federal Aviation Adminis- tration grant, according to a news release. Dig deeper Construction will begin in early 2024 south of Terminal A, adding 37,000 square feet of interior space with the following amenities: Increased Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility; two levels of seating areas for passengers; dedicated charging stations for electronics; work stations and high table top stations; lactation and family rooms; added food and retail options.
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LIGHTS, CAROLS SANTA & S’MORES
CAROLING IN THE CAVERNS EXPANDED TRAIL OF LIGHTS PHOTOS WITH SANTA AND MORE
A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the New Braunfels Food Bank.
NaturalBridgeCaverns.com
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
Real estate
Number of homes sold
September 2022
September 2023
Residential market data
31 23
59 45 35 35 50 55
ZIP code 78260 was the one code to see an increase in the number of homes sold in September 2023 compared to September 2022.
-25.8%
-23.73%
78230
78258
8 8
0%
0%
78231
78259
281
28 26 14 13
-7.14%
+10%
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78260
-7.14%
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2023
2022
2023
78230 78231 78259 78258
78232 78260
78248
78230
78258
+19%
+18.14%
$556,783
$599,127
$467,853
$507,127
78231
78259
-29.79%
-5.84%
$424,987
$421,546
$605,312
$447,681
Homes sold in North San Antonio area by price point
78232
78260
-4.46%
+11.83%
$414,711
$628,488
$434,074
$562,028
September 2023
78248
+8.62%
$554,231
$510,227
$800,000+
17
$600,000-$799,999
22
$500,000-$599,999
37
Average days on market
$400,000-$499,999
54
+22%
-34.62%
+23.08%
-28.89%
+100%
+4.88%
+39.13%
$300,000-$399,999
53
$200,000-$299,999
12
<$199,999 or less
0
MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY THE SAN ANTONIO BOARD OF REALTORS • 9110 W. I10 • 2105931200 • WWW.SABOR.COM
78230
78231
78232
78248
78258
78259
78260
10
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
STONE OAK 23026 US Hwy 281 N (210) 497-1322
VINEYARD 1309 N Loop 1604 W (210) 408-8206
DE ZAVALA 5219 De Zavala Rd (210) 561-0900
RECTOR 819 E Rector Dr (210) 340-2244
LEGACY 2003 N Loop 1604 E (210) 494-8600
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Events
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
Shavano Park holiday event Shavano Park residents are invited to the city’s winter holiday festival, which will include snow, refreshments, face painting, balloon art, caricatures, shopping opportunities, a cookie contest, photos with Santa Claus, crafts, and performances by Blattman Elementary School cheerleaders and choir. A tree-lighting ceremony will wrap up the day.
Winterfest Baptist Health System will present a community festival with 50,000 pounds of snow, performances by area schools and troupes, photos with Santa Claus, a carnival, kids’ activities, refreshments and holiday shopping opportunities. Some proceeds will benet Brighton
‘Las Nuevas Tamaleras’ A local comedy, “Las Nuevas Tamaleras” is about three women who try to make tamales for the rst time while the spirits of two experienced “tamaleras” appear to compete with the trio to see who makes the perfect tamales. • Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 2, 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 3, 2:30 and 5 p.m. • Tickets: $23-$28 Center, a nonprot that serves children with disabilities and developmental delays, and their families. • Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Admission: $5-$10 • North Central Baptist Hospital, 520 Madison Oak Drive, San Antonio • www.winterfestivalsa.com
• Dec. 2, 3-6 p.m. • Free admission
• City Hall, 900 Saddletree Court, Shavano Park • www.shavanopark.org/residents/events.php
San Antonio holiday season kicko The annual San Antonio holiday river parade and river lighting ceremony brings festivities to the San Antonio River in downtown. The parade will o§er nearly 30 illuminated ¨oats, and the lighting ceremony will feature more than 100,000 Christmas lights, which will light up the River Walk from sundown to sunrise daily through New Year’s Day. • Nov. 24, 6 p.m. (parade starts) • Admission: $15-$40 for reserved parade seating, free in other parade route areas • Begins at Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio • www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ ford-holiday-river-parade Peace Market/Mercado de Paz Esperanza Center for Peace and Justice will host the annual Peace Market/Mercado de Paz, featuring dozens of artisans o§ering various handcrafted goods with themes of peace, social justice, cultural diversity and ecological concerns. There will also be music and refreshments. • Nov. 24-25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Free admission • 922 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio • www.esperanzacenter.org/esperanza-projects/ peace-market-mercado-de-paz La Cantera holiday tree lighting La Cantera Resort & Spa will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, welcoming Santa Claus, the Grinch and friends. The event includes a Vegas-style revue, live jazz music, kids’ activities and photos with Santa. Proceeds will benet the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. • Nov. 30, 7-10:30 p.m.
November
Hill Country Christmas JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa is hosting various holiday season activities for resort guests and the public. Ticketed experiences include a tubing hill made of real snow, an interactive snowball make and toss game, a visit from Mrs. Claus, refreshments, a gingerbread decorating corner, a holiday pop-up shop and a secret Santa scavenger hunt. • Times vary daily now through Dec. 31 • Tickets: $12.99-$39.99 Drive-thru light show McGimsey Scout Park is hosting a holiday drive-thru light show, featuring characters, symbols and other seasonal displays across the scout camp. • Thu. and Sun., 6-10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 6-11 p.m. through Dec. 30 • Tickets: $40 per vehicle • 10810 Wedgewood Drive, Castle Hills • www.campirelights.org • 23808 Resort Pkwy., San Antonio • www.jwhillcountrychristmas.com San Antonio tree lighting The city of San Antonio will present its 39th annual H-E-B Christmas Tree Lighting, including holiday crafts, giveaways, letters to Santa, refreshments, music, ice skating and a screening of “The Grinch.” • Nov. 24, 4-9 p.m. (lighting at 6:20 p.m.) • Free admission • Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St., San Antonio • www.sanantonio.gov
• Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry St., San Antonio • https://tinyurl.com/4bh6xn8s
December
Mingle and Jingle The Alley on Bitters retail center will host Mingle and Jingle, a holiday event with activities such as refreshments, kids writing letters to Santa Claus and
cookie decorating. • Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m. • Admission: $20
• 555 W. Bitters Road, Hill Country Village • www.squadup.com/events/mingle-jingle
Santa in Stone Oak Santa Claus will arrive at the Village at Stone Oak shopping center to lead a mini-parade, followed by entertainment, kids’ activities and free photos with Santa. Toys for Tots will accept new toys to benet local children in need. • Dec. 9, noon-3 p.m. • Free admission • 22502 N. U.S. 281, San Antonio (between Carranza Jewelers and Francesca’s) • www.villageatstoneoak.com
• Admission: $10 adults, $5 children • 16641 La Cantera Pkwy., San Antonio • www.lacanteraresort.com
15
NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
From the cover
Helping the homeless
Current situation
Two-minute impact
residents to refrain from giving panhandlers money, and instead donate to local churches or nonpro ts that help homeless people. District 10 Council Member Marc Whyte in August proposed greater eorts to rehabilitate and train able-bodied people to more quickly become self-sustaining contributing members of society.
Katie Vela Wilson, Close to Home’s executive director, said a lack of aordable housing and protections from evictions are compounding San Antonio’s homeless situation. Those without homes and panhandlers are ven- turing outside the city’s urban core, o cials said. District 8 Council Member Manny Pelaez urged
According to public and private-sector stakeholders working on local homeless issues, a holistic, long-term, multipronged approach is needed to address the complexities of homelessness. San Antonio ocials plan to spend more than $1.43 million in scal year 2023-24 to bolster anti-homelessness measures. Those include growing the encampment abatement team from two to four workers, clearing up to 700 encampments and diverting 300 at-risk individuals to temporary low-barrier housing, where entry requirements are minimal. David Row, the city’s interim homeless outreach manager, said aside from a ordable housing or nancial troubles, substance abuse, trauma or mental illness— or a mix of these and other issues—tend to drive people into homelessness.
Homelessness on the rise
Compared with 2022, Close to Home’s 2023 homeless count found a 5% total increase in homeless individuals— which includes those living in a shelter—and a 16% drop in individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Sheltered
Unsheltered
Addressing homelessness San Antonio’s FY 2023-24 budget contains $1.43 million in new investment to boost various homeless outreach and camp-clearing measures.
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
*2021
2022
2023
2012
*UNSHELTERED COUNT WAS NOT DONE IN 2021 DUE TO PANDEMIC
SOURCE: CLOSE TO HOMECOMMUNITY IMPACT
$697,050 to help with housing $737,249 to increase encampment abatement team
What they’re saying
“Cities that have the least aordable housing supply have the
“We’re living in an America that’s experiencing economic and health care crises and an aordable housing shortage.” MANNY PELAEZ, SAN ANTONIO DISTRICT 8 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Total $1.43 million
highest rates of homelessness.”
KATIE VELA WILSON, CLOSE TO HOME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIOCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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BY EDMOND ORTIZ
What’s next
Get involved
Stakeholders said city and Bexar County o cials are partnering with local nonpro ts and churches in various ways, short- and long-term, to reduce homelessness. Pelaez recently proposed a public engagement campaign as part of San Antonio’s homeless outreach program to help educate residents. Meanwhile, private developers and Opportunity Home, the local housing authority, are working with city o cials to implement a $150 million aordable housing bond approved by voters in 2022. Additionally, o cials with the city, Bexar County, Close to Home, and other organizations and agen- cies are partnering to ful ll objectives outlined in the ve-year Strategic Plan to Respond to Homeless- ness. City o cials adopted that plan in late 2020. As for Close for Home, the organization partici- pated in activities during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in mid-November. Wilson also said Close to Home is lining up volunteers for its January 2024 point-in-time count.
Row said city ocials and their partners seek to do even more with new programs designed to connect homeless individuals with needed services. “There’s always room for more improvement,” Row said.
Helping the helpers
The city of San Antonio’s 2023-24 budget includes $9 million for 6 of the 12 delegate homelessness agencies. The agencies accept volunteers and donations.
HOMELESSNESS DELEGATE AGENCIES
MONEY RECEIVED
Haven for Hope for shelter, other services
$5.07M
Center for Health Care Services for mental health, substance abuse services
$1.95M
San Antonio Food Bank for Haven for Hope kitchen
$1.6M
SAMMinistries for outreach
$158K
Family Violence Prevention Services for Haven for Hope counseling
$150K
Christian Assistance Ministry for showers
$72K
*THIS LIST IS NONCOMPREHENSIVE
SOURCE: CITY OF SAN ANTONIOCOMMUNITY IMPACT
17
NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
Nonpro t
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
Military Warriors Support Foundation and Wells Fargo o cials celebrated Oct. 13 the bank’s donation of a 2024 Ford F150.
COURTESY MILITARY WARRIORS SUPPORT FOUNDATION
Foundation helps veterans transition to civilian life
recovering veterans the tools they need to grow, discover a purpose in civilian life and create a plan to fulll that purpose, MWSF ocials said. HOPE4Heroes is a one-year program that pro- vides veterans, especially small business owners, personalized nancial mentorship. Digging deeper Kinser said since MWSF’s inception, more than 900 mortgage- and gift tax-free homes and 130-plus payment-free vehicles were awarded to wounded veterans and Gold Star families nationwide. Eligible recovering veterans and Gold Star family members may apply for help through the founda- tion’s website, Kinser said. Depending on a specic program, foundation sta may ask applicants for military documentation and some nancial information. If an applicant is approved for the Transportation4Heroes program, that person, for example, will receive monthly mentoring in order to better manage their nances and properly maintain their vehicle. “We want to make sure folks who receive a [mortgage-free] home or [a payment-free] •vehic•le that they’ve got the means to manage it,” she said. Kinser said they aim to do what they can to help recovering veterans and Gold Star families to alleviate some of their burden. “When wounded heroes don’t have to worry about having a roof over their head or losing their vehicle, they can focus on healing, create some good habits, create a new normal for them and gure out what their next steps are going to be,” she said.
For 16 years, the Military Warriors Support Foundation in north San Antonio has oered ser- vices that help recovering wounded veterans with home and vehicle ownership, life skills, nancial education, leadership development and outdoor recreation opportunities. The nonprot oers the same services to Gold Star families, who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. Casey Kinser, the foundation’s executive vice president, said clients want to be self-sustainable, but also know they are not alone in their challenges. “A majority of these [wounded veterans] weren’t intending to get out of the military,” Kinser said. “They gured the military was going to be their plan, but after they were wounded, the trajectory of their life completely changed.” Did you know? MWSF has ve programs. Homes4Wound- edHeroes awards mortgage-free homes to com- bat-wounded veterans and unmarried Gold Star spouses whose loved one was killed-in-action. Also, the recipient receives three years of family and nancial mentoring. The Transportation4Heroes program extends payment-free vehicles and one year of family and nancial mentoring to eligible clients. The Skills4Life program oers clients peer-to- peer mentorship through outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, shing and golng. Leadership4Life is a one-year personal growth and development program designed to give
Casey Kinser
COURTESY MILITARY WARRIORS SUPPORT FOUNDATION
Military Warriors Support Foundation volunteers take part in a house beauti cation project in San Antonio.
COURTESY MILITARY WARRIORS SUPPORT FOUNDATION
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211 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 250, San Antonio www.militarywarriors.org
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Dining
BY EDMOND ORTIZ
Not far from Churchill High School, Little Italy has been serving up staples of Italian cuisine based on family recipes since 1983. The background The original owners, Angelo and Paola Visocaro, migrated from their native Sicily, Italy, to the United States in the 1970s, rst cooking up traditional meals in New York City. After more than a decade in the Big Apple, the Visocaros used friendly connections and found a new home in San Antonio, where in April 1983 they founded Little Italy restaurant. Angelo and Paola passed their recipes down to their children, Enzo, Dominick and Marisa, who carried on with the family business. “He saw a very good opportunity here in San Antonio,” co-owner Dominick Visocaro said of his father. “San Antonio was still small but growing. He saw the potential of putting work into starting a good restaurant.” Dig deeper Little Italy has several varieties of New York- style pizza, including the Napolitano thin round crust, and Siciliana thick square crust. The dinner menu includes many hot and cold appetizers, salads, soups and eggplant dishes, alongside a plethora of pastas, chicken, veal, steak and seafood meals. The lunch menu adds sandwiches to a diner’s options, and desserts range from cannolis and gelato. Did you know? Dominick said countless regulars have come to enjoy the variety of pizzas and other meals at Little Italy. Dominick and his family and sta celebrated the restaurant’s 40th anniversary last April. Dominick said Little Italy being in the same location for decadeswith a model of the Statue of Liberty atop the roof greeting guestshas helped the restaurant. “We had a lot of friends, family and old customers celebrate with us. They’ve been coming over here for years,” Dominick said. Dominick said, over the years, there’s been a few upgrades around the eatery, but not so many to reduce the traditional appearance of the place. North San Antonio Italian eatery celebrates 40th anniversary
Little Italy oers varieties of New York-style and Siciliana pizzas.
PHOTOS BY EDMOND ORTIZCOMMUNITY IMPACT
The dinner menu includes Linguini shrimp scampi. ($25.99)
Dominick Visocaro is co-owner of Little Italy restaurant.
What they’re saying Dominick said, over the years, countless guests have come to appreciate his family’s tried- and-true approach to a complete Italian dining experience. “What’s the secret? I think the love for what you do ... You have to love the business and your customers,” he said.
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824 Afterglow St, San Antonio, TX 78216 littleitalysatx.com
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