San Antonio named site for 2018 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®

SanAntonioSports_colorThe NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Committee announced that San Antonio will be the site for the 2018 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®. San Antonio was one of eight cities vying for the marquee event in 2017-2020 cycle, including Atlanta, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New Orleans, North Texas, Phoenix/Glendale, and St. Louis. San Antonio has hosted three Men’s Final Four’s, the last one in 2008.

“This is great news and I want to thank the NCAA for selecting San Antonio as a site for the Men’s Final Four and confirming that San Antonio is one of the best cities in the nation—if not the best city—for hosting a Final Four. I want to thank and commend the hard work of the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee which includes UTSA, San Antonio Sports and our City staff. Once again, all that makes San Antonio special will be showcased across the country and around the world,” said San Antonio Mayor Ivy R. Taylor.

“NCAA fans love coming to San Antonio for this marquee event and our city has the perfect setup for all the Final Four has to offer,” said San Antonio Sports President & CEO Russ Bookbinder. “We look forward to hosting an outstanding event that is so much more than a basketball game.”

Based on the 2014 Men’s Final Four held in North Texas, the event is expected to have an economic impact of $85 million. It will be held in an Alamodome which will undergo extensive upgrades, including expanded concourses and improved interior technology, with a seating capacity of up to 72,000.

“We are proud to welcome back the NCAA Men’s Final Four to San Antonio. The Alamodome, San Antonio’s world-class facility, is already home to UTSA’s Roadrunner football and the Valero Alamo Bowl, and with our planned improvements will be the perfect setting for premier sporting events such as the Final Four,” said San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley.

San Antonio has hosted three previous Men’s Final Fours (1998, 2004, 2008), two Women’s Final Fours (2002, 2010) and two Women’s Division I Volleyball Championship (2005, 2011). Today’s announcement culminated more than a year of planning, meetings, facility diagrams, renderings, bid books, presentations and a site visit. San Antonio’s bid committee, including key members of San Antonio Sports, UTSA, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Alamodome and the City’s Sports & Convention Facilities Department, traveled to the NCAA® headquarters on Nov. 12 for their final presentation to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee.

“We’re very excited that we have another opportunity to host the Final Four here in San Antonio. This means a tremendous amount to our university and to the visibility of UTSA,” said UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey. “San Antonio is a great site for this event and the NCAA Tournament in general, and we are honored to be the host institution for one of the best sporting events in the nation. The San Antonio Local Organizing Committee is an excellent collaboration of hard-working and committed people. The City has made an outstanding commitment to upgrade the Alamodome, and when you put all of the other things that we have — the proximity of our hotels to the facility, the River Walk, the staff that knows how to run this tournament well — it’s just a win-win. It’s well deserved and we will do a great job as hosts.”

250,000 Honey Bees to take up residence at the Omni Colonnade

180x150-OmniSATwenty flourishing honey bee hives abuzz with more than a quarter of a million honey bees are being relocated to the first of its kind rooftop apiary and organic garden atop the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade. Ten of the hives will be moved to the apiary this week, with the remaining 10 hives being introduced in the spring.

A special ribbon cutting ceremony and photo opportunity of the new space will take place on Friday, November 14 at 3 p.m. at the Omni Colonnade, 9821 Colonnade, San Antonio, Texas.

The honey bee hives were rescued from homes and businesses in and around San Antonio whose owners were looking to remove the bees from their properties. For the past several months, bee keepers have been working to nurture them back to full hive activity and ensure the bees are disease free with good temperaments.

The new rooftop apiary will provide a new home for the honeybees where bee keepers will ensure they are properly fed, watered and have plenty of plants to keep them busy.

The unique arrangement between the American Honey Bee Protection Agency and the Omni Colonnade is an exciting first for South Texas.

“Our goal is to help rebuild our honey bee population, which has been dwindling in recent years,” says Duncan Cormie with AHPBA.  “Instead of exterminating these valuable hives, we rescued them.  Our bee keepers will tend to the honey bees to ensure they stay super happy. Managed hives like these tend to run off wild bee populations, and are much less likely to wander off or interact with humans.”

Cormie estimates the honey bees will produce approximately 2,000 pounds of honey over the course of a year. The Omni Colonnade will benefit from a portion of that honey, which they will use in dishes prepared by chefs at their Bolo’s restaurant, and offer as a condiment to restaurant guests and as a wonderful San Antonio memento from the gift shop.

AHPBA will sell the rest of the honey at H-E-B Central Market, with proceeds supporting their bee rescue programs. Cormie says 60% of the food we eat depends on honey bee pollination.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer the honey bees a new home at the Colonnade.  We are doing our part to save the honey bees, and will literally enjoy the fruits of their labor- both in the honey the produce and the organic vegetables that grow in the rooftop garden,” said Delfin Ortiz, General Manager of the Omni Colonnade.

For more information on American Honey Bee Protection Agency, visit www.ahbpa.org or contact Duncan Cormie at (512) 619-0963.

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Public Education Day hosted by the UT Health Science Center

The UT Health Science Center will host a free Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Public Education Day on Tuesday, December 2nd.  This event precedes the 10th Annual World Stem Cell Summit that San Antonio has the privilege to host from Dec 3-5.

Information for the Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Public Education Day is on the flyer below. If you are also interested in attending the summit, please visit  http://worldstemcellsummit.com/ for more information.

Flyer-WSCS14 (2)

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels working towards Baby-Friendly Recognition

CHRISTUSSantaRosa_colorIn 2012, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels (CSRH – NB) began working towards Baby-Friendly status, an international designation which takes many months of planning and preparation to attain.  Because of the commitment of Kathy Parkes, RN, IBCLC, and Deborah Ehrhardt, BA, IBCLC, Internationally Board Certified lactation consultants at CSRH – NB, and a group of physicians, registered nurses, administrators, WIC representatives, doulas, midwives, and dietitians, CSRH – NB has been accepted into the final designation phase of Baby-Friendly recognition and will have the opportunity to be assessed in 2015.

What is Baby-Friendly?  It is a quality improvement and recognition program for maternity facilities that have created an optimal environment for appropriate infant feeding and mother-baby bonding.  Baby-Friendly began in 1991 and is an international program co-administered by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in conjunction with Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) authorities in each country.  Globally, there are currently more than 22,000 Baby-Friendly facilities, which undergo re-certification every five years, and in the United States, there are just 203.  In Texas, there are seven facilities in the DFW area with the BFHI designation.  The Baby-Friendly committee at CSRH – NB is diligently working to be designated as the eighth Baby-Friendly facility in Texas and the first in the Greater San Antonio area.

All available research points to the overwhelming benefits of breastfeeding to the health of infants, mothers, families, society, and the environment.  The job of health care professionals is to provide as much information as possible for new parents to make an informed decision about feeding and nurturing their babies.

To attain the Baby-Friendly designation, a birth facility must:

  1. Implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding;
  2. Invite a Baby-Friendly survey team to the facility once the Ten Steps are in place, and
  3. Undergo an extensive on-site survey to evaluate the knowledge and practice of staff and the experiences of mothers and babies.

The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding include:

  1. Having a breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
  2. Training all health care staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy.
  3. Informing all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
  4. Helping mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
  5. Showing mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants.
  6. Giving newborn breastfed infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
  7. Practicing rooming-in; allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
  8. Encouraging unrestricted breastfeeding.
  9. Giving no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
  10. Fostering the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and referring mothers to them on discharge from the Hospital.These Ten Steps have been demonstrated again and again by Associates at CSRH – NB to increase both initiation and duration of breastfeeding mothers.

“The Baby-Friendly committee at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels has spent many months working towards achieving the Baby-Friendly recognition,” said Pat Carrier, President and CEO, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. “We are pleased to build on our legacy of proven health care as we pave the way for other facilities to also achieve this distinction. I applaud our Associates for their commitment to our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, to even the smallest patients we are privileged to serve.”

About CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System:
Founded in 1869 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston and San Antonio, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa is a Catholic, faith-based, nonprofit health and wellness ministry dedicated to extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and providing the highest quality medical care and services available. As one of the top health care organizations in South-Central Texas, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa has five hospital campuses, with campuses located in the South Texas Medical Center, in New Braunfels, in Westover Hills, and a short-stay surgical hospital in Alamo Heights. Located downtown, the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, formerly known as CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, is the first hospital in San Antonio solely dedicated to the care of children. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System also owns a majority interest in CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physicians Ambulatory Surgery Centers – San Antonio, LLC, a joint venture physician partnership which is comprised of two outpatient surgery centers in San Antonio with facilities in Stone Oak and the Medical Center.  Additionally, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System owns a majority interest in the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Physicians Ambulatory Surgery Center in New Braunfels, a joint venture physician partnership.  CHRISTUS Santa Rosa is the preferred health system of the San Antonio SPURS. For additional information on CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, visit www.christussantarosa.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/christussantarosa and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CSRHS.

 

Raba Kistner, Inc. announces Enterprise Quality Officer, Amanda S. Barber

raba kistner logoGary Raba, D ENG, PE, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Raba Kistner, Inc., announced today that Amanda S. Barber has taken the position of Enterprise Quality Officer for the firm and its subsidiaries, including 14 offices across the state of Texas, Utah, Mexico and New York. Ms. Barber is responsible for the implementation and management of the firm’s Quality Management System (QMS) consistent with the baseline requirements defined within ISO 9001. The goal of the system is to achieve consistent and predictable outcomes across all services and all companies.

Amanda BarberAmanda comes to the firm with over 15 years of managing Quality Management Programs for the manufacturing and nuclear power industries. She has an extensive background in quality assurance systems and processes, including ISO 9001, quality auditing, environmental consulting, power generation and process engineering.

Ms. Barber has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, a B.A. in Chemistry, and is an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor.

About Raba Kistner, Inc.
Founded in 1968, Raba Kistner, Inc. is an Engineering News-Record “Top 500 Firm,” operating in ten different markets in Texas, Utah, New York and México. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Raba Kistner provides program management, building envelope and roofing/waterproofing, environmental engineering and consulting, infrastructure engineering, geotechnical engineering and testing, construction materials engineering and testing, and pavement consulting.

SSFCU launches no annual fee, high rewards power products

Security Services Federal Credit UnionSecurity Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) introduced a new credit card with an ultra-low variable APR of 6.49% and no annual fees Tuesday. It’s one of the credit union’s new Power products, which include a new checking account solution and two additional credit cards that feature rewards of up to three points for every $1 spent on gas, travel and dining; no annual or cash advance fees; and some of the lowest APRs in the market for rewards cards.

“We spent a great deal of time re-designing our new products around the feedback we received from our members,” said Jim Laffoon, president and chief executive officer of SSFCU. “They told us they wanted lower fees and better rewards. We delivered.”

In addition to 6.49% low APR card, SSFCU launched a reward card with no annual, balance transfer or cash advance fees; one point for every dollar spent and a low APR (starting at 12.75%). A second reward card is a high-end travelers card offering three points for every dollar spent on gas, travel and dining; one point per dollar on any other purchases; an additional annual points bonus of 10 percent on points earned; no annual, cash advance or balance transfer fees, 0% APR for the first six months and points bonuses for opening the account and using it. “It’s one of the strongest travel reward cards on the market right now,” added Laffoon.

With the new Power Checking and Power Youth Checking accounts, members can choose to get ten cents cash back on every debit card swipe or rewards points for signature-based transactions. The accounts feature no hidden fees, no minimum balance and an interest rate that grows with deposits. If members also hold a rewards-based credit card and they choose reward points on their checking account, SSFCU will automatically combine debit and credit card points, helping members rack up rewards even faster.

In an effort to combat fraud and increase security sooner rather than later, all newly-issued SSFCU Power credit cards will be EMV chip equipped starting in October 2014, with EMV-chipped Power debit cards rolled out in 2015.

“We wanted to offer our members in Texas, Colorado and Utah the choice of highly competitive financial products,” said Laffoon. “These new no annual fee options are great for members who are actively looking to lower costs and build rewards.” Earlier this year, SSFCU also rolled out a new Power Mortgage with no closing costs up to $5,000, no origination fee and low interest rates on both home purchases and refinances

Individuals must qualify for membership, but there are more than 2,600 different ways to join SSFCU. For more information, and for details on ways to qualify for membership, visit www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.

Membership eligibility required. “Swipes” do not include ATM transactions, returns, any checks that access your account, or overdraft advances. The term “interest” refers to dividends. Security Service Power Checking is a Blended Rate Tier account, which means the dividend rate will only be paid on the portion of your daily balance within each Balance Tier. Rate is variable and may change after the account is opened. For complete rate and tier information, visit ssfcu.org. Visit a branch or ssfcu.org for details. Federally insured by NCUA.

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Other rates may apply based on credit worthiness.
Power Travel Rewards Credit Card subject to credit approval and income requirements. Receive 10% annual point bonus on the points earned in one year with the Power Travel Rewards Credit Card. Annual bonus is calculated on anniversary date of account enrollment and credited to the account within 30 days. Annual bonus does not apply to transferred points, combined points from a Power Checking account, or rollover points from previous year. Please refer to the Security Service Federal Credit Union Rewards Program agreement for complete details. Introductory 2,500 bonus points offer applies when $500 is spent on card within the first 90 days of account opening. Upon meeting this requirement, bonus points will be automatically deposited into your account. The introductory 0% APR is only available on transactions performed within the fi rst 6 months of the account being opened. The 6-month 0% APR period for each category (i.e. purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances) begins on the date of the first transaction for that category and continues until the end of the 6th billing cycle of the fi rst transaction for that category. Restrictions apply. Please refer to the Credit Card Rate Agreement for current balance transfer rates and complete details.

Power Mortgage offer does not cover mortgage insurance, seller paid closing costs, discount points, or pre-paids & reserves. The program is not valid for FHA or VA loans. If loan is closed or paid off within first 36 months of the term, member may be required to reimburse all or some of the closing costs paid by Security Service. Financing available for properties in Texas, Colorado, or Utah only.

About Security Service Federal Credit Union
Security Service Federal Credit Union offers competitive, affordable financial products and services designed to meet the needs of its members. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service is an industry-leading financial institution with $7.9 billion in assets and 70 locations in Texas, Colorado and Utah. The credit union is among the top 10 credit unions in the nation. Security Service strives to be America’s best credit union and provides the true benefits of credit union membership with financial services of the highest quality and value. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.

 

Ranch Hand proud sponsor of the 44th Annual Witte Museum Game Dinner

EPS metallic backgroundThe 44th Witte Museum Game Dinner on October 20, 2014 was another fabulous success. Ranch Hand was honored be to a part of the night’s activities as a sponsor, including their donation to the live auction.

“Ranch Hand is committed to backing the arts and the valuable year-round work and programs of the Witte Museum,” commented Mavis Arambula-Medellin, Director of Marketing and Communication. “We congratulate all those who, like Ranch Hand, took the opportunity to support our community in which the Witte Museum continues to be a major force for our area’s cultural and economic well being.”

RH_WitteRanch Hand’s donation to the live auction from Ranch Hand Truck Accessories was the Legend Front End Replacement along with a 900-pound protein feeder and a custom camo GameGuard pattern Igloo Yukon 50 quart cooler, which raised $2,100 for the Witte Museum.

The Legend Front End Replacement is an icon of vehicle protection. It is recognized for quality, style and durability that is unmatched in our industry. Whether you’re driving your family to the Witte Museum, going on a cross-country road trip or hauling your horse trailer to the rodeo, “Be on the Safe Side and choose Ranch Hand.”

Be sure to stop by a Ranch Hand Truckfitters store and browse around. They’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.  For more information or how to find a Ranch Hand dealer near you, contact 800.366.9712 or visit us at www.ranchhand.com.

Silver & Black Give Back awards $50,000 to Team Up Challenge semifinalists

silver black give back Logo_Horizontal_AlternateSilver & Black Give Back today announced 20 student-led groups as the 2014-15 Team Up Challenge semifinalists. Each group will receive $2,500 to begin their service-learning projects. The 20 semifinalists were selected based on proposals submitted for projects to improve their communities. The semifinalists were announced in a surprise ceremony presented by SWBC at the AT&T Center, with help from Spurs forward Jeff Ayres, Stars head coach Dan Hughes, Rampage forward Quinton Howden, the Silver Dancers, Ice Girls, T-Bone, Team Energy and DJ Quake.

This year, semifinalist projects serve a wide range of community needs with many focusing on health and fitness, peer leadership, caring for the homeless and improving the environment. The 20 semifinalists represent four different local school districts: Alamo Heights ISD, North East ISD, Northside ISD and San Antonio ISD. In April, five groups will be selected as Champions based on their work within the community and each group will be presented with a check for $20,000 to continue their service-learning projects.

2014 – 2015 Team Up Challenge Semifinalists:
This year’s Team Up Challenge semifinalists: Alamo Heights Junior High School (Helping our Friends & Family), Briscoe Middle School (National Junior Honor Society), Carvajal Early Childhood Education Center/Lanier High School (Grandes y Pequeños), Colonial Hills Elementary School (Colonial Hills Giving Back), Construction Careers Academy (Parade of Homes), Estrada Achievement Center (Garden to Table), Franklin Elementary (The Connection Group), Graebner Elementary (Griffin Garden), Highland Park Elementary (Running Club), Highlands High School (Voices for Animals Club), International School of the Americas (Social Entrepreneurship), Lowell Middle School (S.O.L.E. Mates), MacArthur High School (JROTC), Mead Elementary School (Mead Student Council), Page Middle School (Stampede to Health Club), The Playhouse/Bonham Academy (The Playhouse Conservatory), Reagan High School (The Reagan Garden Project), Rogers Elementary (PALS), Smith Elementary (Team Tiger), Stevens High School (Transformers…the Fit Falcons).

The Team Up Challenge encourages students to apply what they are learning in the classroom to the real world, bringing education alive in powerful ways. Students create projects that address needs that will help improve their community in one of five categories: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness or Uniformed Services.  As a premier initiative of Silver & Black Give Back, Spurs and Rampage players have worked alongside the students to help bring their vision to life. Visit TeamUpChallenge.com for more information.

About Silver & Black Give Back
Silver & Black Give Back is a 501(c)(3) public charity that invests in the community in partnership with the entire Spurs Sports & Entertainment family of teams.  Since 1988 our players, coaches and staff have focused on fostering young talent and enriching the community by encouraging local youth to become responsible adults and give back through programs like Spurs Youth Basketball League and Team Up Challenge. More information on Silver & Black Give Back can be found at www.sbgb.org.

Raba Kistner announces new Chief Operating Officer of Infrastructure: Russel W. Lenz, P.E.

raba kistner logoLenz, Russel 8-21-14Raba Kistner, Inc. is pleased to announce that Russel W. Lenz, P.E. has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Raba Kistner Infrastructure, Inc. (RKI).  Russel has over 34 years of experience in the development, design, construction, maintenance and operation of transportation projects. He has served in executive level leadership positions within TxDOT as the Director of the Construction Division, Corpus Christi District Engineer, Abilene District Engineer, Waco Deputy District Engineer and South Travis/Hays County Area Engineer.  In 2013, he served as the Director of Heavy, Municipal and Utilities Divisions for the Associated General Contractors of Texas. Having expertise in managing activities associated with transportation planning, operations, right-of-way, design, construction, inspection, maintenance, safety, environmental, ferry operations and administrative support functions adds significantly to the body of knowledge within RKI.

Raba Kistner would also like to announce that Robert L. Wilson, P.E. will be stepping down from the COO role of Raba Kistner Infrastructure as of September 30, 2014.  Robert was the second employee hired to join Raba Kistner Infrastructure in 2002 and has been instrumental in its growth and national recognition in the transportation Design/Build industry.  He has served as Project Manager on over $5B of design/build quality programs across the U.S. and has served as COO of the firm since 2013.  Robert will remain an employee of RKI, assisting with project pursuits, project development and project management.

About Raba Kistner, Inc.
Founded in 1968, Raba Kistner, Inc. is an Engineering News-Record “Top 500 Firm,” operating in ten different markets in Texas, Utah, New York and México. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Raba Kistner provides program management, building enclosures rehabilitation, environmental engineering and consulting, geotechnical engineering and testing, construction materials engineering and testing, and pavement consulting, in addition to transportation consulting.

Raba Kistner Infrastructure, Inc. (RKI), the leader in Quality Management Programs, is heavily impacting how tomorrow’s transportation needs will be addressed.  We specialize in providing unique approaches that successfully deliver roadway, rail and transit projects. RKI has industry-leading program managers, project delivery specialists, consultants and construction managers on staff.  RKI has created a comprehensive menu of solutions in the development, engineering, financing and management of transportation facilities and its services are tailored to help each client achieve their mobility goals. RKI has been and is currently involved in planning, design and construction projects worth more than $8 billion.

Generations FCU to host ‘Facebook for your Business’ webinar

180x150-generationsGenerations Federal Credit Union will continue its Small Business Workshop series with a free webinar, Facebook For Your Business, which will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30. Hosted by social media expert, Ajay Tejawani, the webinar will cover such topics as how Facebook can help your business, how to build a business page that attracts buyers and how to create an effective content strategy. The webinar is free and participants must pre-register by visiting the Generations website.

Tejawani brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing and is a recognized author and international speaker on Digital Internet Marketing. He is the founder of Digital Marketing Sapiens which combines traditional marketing skills, experience, technical knowledge as well as creative new marketing approaches with an emphasis on mobile and social media marketing.

The Generations Small Business Workshop series presents topics that are relevant to today’s small business owners and reinforce the skills they need to be successful. Upcoming classes in the series include Money Management and Tax Responsibilities for Business Owners. The series includes in-person classes as well as sip and socials.