Welcome
Welcome to the monthly magazine published by the City of Schertz featuring the people and places that contribute to its reputation as “one of the best places to live in Texas” - (Money Magazine).
A Growing Community
The award-winning magazine focuses on the beauty of a budding city, the entrepreneurial drive and leadership contributing to its unprecedented growth. It caters to the interests of its readers; engaging the spirit of Schertz’s past, present and future.
Schertz Magazine proudly distinguishes itself with strong, engaging editorial content, and superior photography and nationally recognized design. From residents to visitors, businesses and city leaders, Schertz Magazine showcases the very best of Schertz encompassing the vast beauty of an ever-evolving city.
September 2010 Online Articles
Gina Kim: Living the Dream
By Brittany Losey
For 30 years, South Korean native and Schertz resident Gina Kim has lived the “American Dream” -- an ideal that defines our nation’s history and which has inspired great businesses, produced quality families, and brought aspiring hopefuls from all over the world. As owner of GG Cut & Styles Salon, Kim has striven hard to make her dreams reality, and she truly embodies what it means to be an American.
“Be proud of this country. They give you free education, free opportunities. Take advantage of that,” Kim said. She born in South Korea during times of political turmoil and poor economic conditions following the Korean War. Realizing the lack of potential in her native country, she came to the United States seeking a better life, not necessarily an easy one. Kim knows the value of hard work, never having anything handed to her. When she decided to become a hairdresser, she followed her dream wholeheartedly, paying her own way through school at Texas Beauty College rather than accepting government funding.
When she first opened her salon 10 years ago, she worked six days a week, 12 hours a day, spending weekends cleaning her shop. Now, she has a thriving business with clientele from not only Schertz but around San Antonio as well. Her salon averages about 30 clients a day, most of whom are regular customers who have been with her from the beginning.
How has she managed to develop such a thriving business? “Be truthful and kind to others, and blessings will come. Always have faith and never give up,” Kim said. “The beginning is not easy, but the end is greater.”
Values like these characterize all aspects of Kim’s life. She is a wife and mother, and she has passed on her work ethic to her two children. Having few relatives here in the United States has given Kim a high regard for family. One of the things she loves most about Schertz residents is they are genuine and have a friendly nature that makes her feel at home.
“It is important to come together, to be a family. My clients are like family to me. I love to see young kids grow up and have children that I can also watch grow. With this family, I can talk about everything—it makes me happy when I go home,” Kim said. “I thank God for Schertz and all of my clients.”
GG Cut & Styles Salon is located at 912 Roy Richard Drive Schertz. Call (210) 566-9399
Aw Dang, That’s Good!
By Andrea M. Allinger
Dang Clarke smiles and welcomes guests as they enter the restaurant she runs with her husband of 35 years, Gary. Effortlessly, Clarke weaves throughout her dining room suggesting entrée choices and taking orders alongside her servers. In her four years at the restaurant, Clarke says, “I love what I’m doing, talking to new people everyday.” Her kindness makes patrons feel at home and brings them back for more.
Setting Aw Dang apart from other Asian restaurants is the variety of menu choices— Vietnamese and Chinese food are offered—and full menus are available for each. Born in Thailand to Chinese parents, Dang Clarke met her husband while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Thailand. Gary Clarke has nothing but praise for his wife. “She does everything,” Clarke said, smiling, “I just do what I’m told.”
The menu is a stockpile of Asian goodness, and the spring rolls are a local favorite. Server Kevin Carr said that they are “the most fantastic thing on the menu.” A Vietnamese appetizer, the spring roll is rice paper wrapped around pork, vermicelli noodles, and assorted vegetables. Served with a delicious fish sauce, the spring roll is a perfect compliment to anything on the menu.
Portion sizes are sure to please any patron, and luckily “everything is microwavable once you get home,” laughed Gary Clarke.
Aw Dang features lunch buffets on Wednesdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM, and Saturday nights from 5 PM to 9 PM. The restaurant is located at 17323 IH 35, Suite 101 (next to Shipley’s Donuts), online at www.awdangasiancuisine.com and by telephone at (210) 858-6064. Private party room rentals and catering are available upon request. Visit Aw Dang now until September 30, 2010 and receive $5 off of two dinners and two drinks when presenting this article. 享 (enjoy!)
Jewell’s Gymnastics Shines
By Ameena Debboun
“Gymnastics is about a healthy approach to life!” said Marla Jewell, the owner of Jewell’s Gymnastics. The gym offers a unique environment where learning to love exercise and having fun are at the heart of every class.
Jewell’s Gymnastics offers classes in numerous areas including gymnastics, cheerleading, dance team, ballet, and tap to children 18 months to 17 years. Each 35-minute class is taught by a trained staff member, and Marla herself is safety certified through USA gymnastics. The gym is looking at the possibility of starting an adult Zumba class.
The majority of students at Jewell’s Gymnastics live in the Schertz area. With more and more families coming to Schertz (there have been 58 new subdivisions in the last ten years Marla said) the gym’s close location is great for parents looking for an after-school activity that’s nearby.
With frightening statistics regarding the increase of childhood obesity in San Antonio and across Texas, more and more parents feel they have to choose between exercise or fun activities for their children. At Jewell’s Gymnastics, fun and exercise are combined, and it is imperative that students have fun and learn to love exercise, the owner said.
“We play games that get the kids to exercise while enjoying themselves and having fun,” Marla said. At the gym, children acquire a love for exercise that will stay with them and reinforce healthy lifestyle choices.
Jewell’s Gymnastics is community oriented, and often participates in local events such as “Discover Cibolo”. Their dance team and cheerleading classes are aimed towards helping girls make the local high school teams, and are taught by a current member of the varsity dance team at Clemens, and a former varsity cheerleader from Steele.
“We offer something for everyone and are flexible with the classes we offer,” Marla Jewell said. The local facility is open year round and offers a plethora of classes. Whether you are interested in learning to exercise, practice gymnastics, cheerleading, or dance, or just looking for an after school activity to get your kids active, Jewell’s Gymnastics is the place to be.
Jewell’s Gymnasium is located at 17170 Jordan Road Suite 208 in Selma. Call 210-455-4462 or click on www.gymnastics.moontrail.com.
Nam Le takes math path to Schertz
By Chuck McCollough
Nam Le -- the franchise director of the new Mathnasium math tutoring business in Schertz -- has come a long way since moving from his native Vietnam.
“My dad was in the South Vietnamese military and I was born on April 8, 1975, about 20 days before the fall of South Vietnam,” Nam said. The North Vietnamese imprisoned his father for seven years before allowing the family to leave the county, which by then was called just Vietnam.
Nam was 15 when his family relocated to the San Antonio area in 1991. Nam – whose full name is Tuan Phuong Viet Le – graduated from Roosevelt High School and then attended St. Mary’s University where his talent for math began to shape his future career.
He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in biology and has been a tutor in math, physics and chemistry for a number of years. “I did well in biochemistry in college in large part because I am comfortable and confident doing math,” Nam said. Because he is good in math, many parents asked him to tutor their children, sometimes specifically for benchmark tests.
“It seemed to me those kids were not retaining the math I taught them and I wanted to find a better way to teach math,” he said.
Nam spent a number of years looking for the best way to use his math skills, including teaching. He worked for at the UT Health Science Center doing lab work and also spent time in a family real estate business. During a 2005 trip back to Vietnam, he met his future wife, Ann.
In 2006, Nam heard about Mathnasium, a Los Angeles-based math tutoring franchise company whose website said its custom-curriculum method has been developed over a 30 year period. Nam did due diligence on the company while saving his money and opened a Mathnasium location on Austin Highway. After noticing many of his students were coming from the Schertz area, Nam carefully looked at this area and after consultation with the Mathnasium corporate office, decided to open the Schertz location with the help of his wife. In 2008, Nam and Ann married in Vietnam, although she didn’t come to the United States until September 20, 2009.
Nam, a pharmacy technician in the U.S. Army Reserve, said he has received a lot of encouragement from Schertz area residents who said the math tutoring business will contribute to the area’s educational assets. The business is located at 6032 FM 3009, Suite 180, in the vicinity of the Schertz Wal-Mart store. For more information call Mathnasium at (210) 646-6284.
Authentic Food Brings Good Fortunes at Kowloon Chinese Restaurant
By Andrea M. Allinger
Named for the gorgeous peninsula Kowloon in Hong Kong, Kowloon Chinese Restaurant on FM 78 brings a whole new meaning to authenticity. Kowloon means nine dragons in Chinese, gaining the namesake from the eight mountain peaks and the ancient Chinese emperor. Bing Chow, manager of Kowloon Chinese Restaurant, said the best thing about the Schertz location is the people.
“It is nice to deal with local people, the customers are loyal. . .and I can treat them more like a friend,” Chow said.
The entryway leads customers on a bridge over a koi pond, complete with live fish and turtles, and into the richly adorned dining room and tantalizing aroma of authentic Chinese food. From chicken and curry to beef and broccoli, the combinations are endless, and each is as tasty as the last. The egg rolls accompanying the entrees are perfectly stuffed with fresh vegetables, complementing every dish wonderfully.
Lunch specials run Monday through Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM, start at just $5.25, and include an entrée, egg roll, rice, and soup. Dinner specials are available after 3 PM and start at just $7.45.
Kowloon offers a full children’s menu, appetizers, and a fully stocked bar, which features both imported and domestic beer such as Kiri Ichiban and Shiner Bock and is located behind a golden Buddha.
Kowloon Chinese Restaurant is located at 950 FM 78 with a newly opened second location in Rolling Oaks Mall. The Schertz location is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM and can be reached at (210) 659-9398. Bring in this month’s Schertz Magazine for 10 percent off your meal (good at either location).