San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting Friday for Ogle School at Park North Plaza, 742 N.W. Loop 410. Activities included a hair and makeup fashion show along with refreshments. Ogle Schools prepare individuals for careers in the beauty industry through salon-modeled, student-centered training. Visit ogleschool.com for more information.
Kuper Sotheby’s opens Stone Oak-area office
Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty opens its newest office in the Ventura Plaza shopping center, 434 N. Loop 1604 West.
According to a press release, the opening of this North Central San Antonio office marks Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty’s response to continued expansive growth in the area.
“The addition of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty’s Stone Oak office expands the strength of our brand in one of the most desirable areas of San Antonio, where we already enjoy a strong presence,” said Rick Kuper, president, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, in the release.
“Our goal was to find the ideal location in this area and I am certain we have done that.”
In 2010, the firm had its second-best sales year in its 40-year history and 2011 sales are set to surpass that number. The original office, located in Alamo Heights, was opened in 1972 followed by locations in The Dominion and Boerne.
The new office will be located in the former Realty Executives offices in Stone Oak, now operates as Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty. Michelle Ellis manages this office and Realty Executives’ owner, Cindy Baughn, a top producer in San Antonio realty, continues as a broker associate at that site.
An opening celebration is scheduled for today with the Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty team and local business partners. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, there will be a reception in the office for current and future clients to meet the team.
The Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty team provides real estate expertise for properties from San Antonio and the Hill Country to the Texas Gulf Coast. As part of the Sotheby’s International Realty network, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty offers luxury real estate and extensive worldwide marketing. Visit kuperrealty.com for more information.
SSFCU employees reach a milestone
Security Service Federal Credit Union employees have taken 100 million steps, as measured by their pedometers, since starting the organization’s corporate wellness program, CU Fit, four years ago. That’s enough steps to walk around the world 1.78 times.
Ninety-four percent of employees participate in the CU Fit program, which equips them with pedometers, personal tracking websites, free gym memberships, exercise and nutritional classes, getting out of debt classes and a program to help create a balance between work and family life. There are also prizes for staying healthy and meeting goals.
“We’ve given out more than $200,000 in reward cash and our employees have lost – literally – a ton of weight,” said Molly Daniels, vice president of human resources, in a news release.
To contribute to healthy food choices, Security Service became the first workplace this past October to receive the ¡Por Vida! healthy eating designation from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department for its employee café.
In recognition of the impact of this extensive wellness campaign, the CU Fit Program has recently won awards in Colorado, Utah and Texas for its innovation and success.
Those awards included the 2011 Utah Council for Worksite Health Promotion Platinum Designation and Winner of the Innovation Award; third place in the Denver Business Journal’s 2011 Healthiest Employers; and a bronze medal for the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s San Antonio 2011 Healthy Workplace Award.
“We are honored and humbled to have received such recognition for really what amounts to our employees hard work and commitment,” said Daniels. “We are proud to support them in their efforts to lead healthier lives.”
Charity Navigator awards SAMMinistries four-star rating
SAMMinistries has earned Charity Navigator’s fourth consecutive four-star rating.
“This is a huge honor for us,” said Navarra Williams, president and chief executive officers of SAMMinistries, in a press release.
“Only 7 percent of the more than 5,000 charities they rate have received four consecutive, four-star ratings.”
Charity Navigator is the nation’s premier evaluator of charities and highlights the work of efficient, ethical and open charities, according to the release.
The organization said SAMMinistries “exceptional” designation differentiates them from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.
In a letter from Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, he congratulated Williams and SAMMinistries on achieving the” coveted four-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.”
“We work hard to gain the public trust with our transparency,” said Williams.
“Anyone can go to our SAMMinistries website and see our audited financial statements, 990 Tax Return, results and objectives of our programs.”
Willliams said Charity Navigator states most good charities provide at least 75 cents on the dollar for its programs. He added SAMMinistries provides 83 to 85 cents.
“Accountability and transparency is how we work to achieve our goal of overcoming homelessness,” said Williams.
SAMMinistries review is visible on the Charity Navigator website at charitynavigator.org.
Local realtor earns national designation
North Central San Antonio realtor Denise Barnhill has earned the designation of accredited luxury home specialist. Members must subscribe to rigorous education focusing on the luxury home market.
To display the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist logo and be accepted into the Luxury Home Council, Barnhill successfully completed the accredited luxury home specialist course, represented buyers and sellers where the purchase price is at least twice the average sales price and be in good standing with the National Association of Realtors.
Barnhill is works with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors. For more information, call Barnhill at 865-5116.
Goodwill announces new addition to executive team
Goodwill Industries has added Mark Horsey to its executive team in the role of chief financial officer.
Horsey will oversee the finances of Goodwill Industries, one of San Antonio’s largest non-profit organizations, with nearly 1,000 team members providing services to more than 50,000 people annually.
His duties include budgeting, forecasting, accounting, cost control initiatives, compliance issues and risk management.
Horsey comes to Goodwill from Genzyme Coproration, where he served as director of finance for the company’s multiple sSclerosis business unit and San Antonio operations.
Prior to that, Horsey served as controller for Dell Computer’s U.S. consumer business in Round Rock, Texas. He also served as accounting manager for Sears Roebuck & Co. in Dallas.
Horsey holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin, and a master’s degree in business administration from St. Edward’s University in Austin.
San Antonio Opera announced Monday that the company’s longtime founder and director, Mark Richter, will retire Tuesday after 16 years of leadership.
Richter is credited for the return of professional opera to San Antonio and his building the non-profit from a tiny venture named the San Antonio Pocket Opera with an initial budget of $6,000, into the company’s current size and reputation as one of the nation’s regional opera companies.
San Antonio Opera also announced future plans for a public celebration recognizing Richter’s contribution to the arts locally, with details for the event to follow.
Richter said he will continue to reside in San Antonio and plans to still be an active, productive part of the city’s growing arts scene, according to a news release.
I don't know how I lived without fashion.
As the years progress, there were leather jackets, heavy metal shirts and bell bottoms which has defined the fashion industry. Every female has flower- like tender emotions and undying love for ornaments, which instantly get connected with the flower shaped jewelry. There are no old theorems on this theory. Let everyone be happy to open the gifts and find some strange, exciting and different gifts.
Frankly, I may be wrong, but I'm tired of talking in connection with online fashion schools. Is necessary to say that european fashion was divided in few types , there existed german , french , spanish and english fashion on begin of 17th century. I bet you didn't know that you could use clothes designer games to be overlooked. Runway shoes lifts laypersons up. As always, latest trends is a large matter in this stuff. Fashion jewelry surely symbolizes beauty and stylish trend. Swirly Abstracts: Colorful abstracts in trademarks look delicate, feminine and sophisticated. Stars on the red carpet are constantly seen with animal print touches, whether its a red dress with leopard print heels, or a zebra print tie, the classic print adds a touch of fun and spontaneity to any outfit.
For example, one common theme in Steampunk is the development of steam (rather than electicity) as our primary form of power. It can carry your lunch box with your meal in it along with your bottled beverage like water or tea. The Milan Fashion Week, which attracts visitors from around the world, is owned by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (in English, translated as The National Chamber for Italian Fashion), a non-profit association which co-ordinates and promotes the development of Italian fashion and its associate clothing manufacturing industries. Since government has laid so much importance on education, teachers are in high demand. As styles alter, you can add or remove pieces from this center wardrobe. I had supposed that I should have so much knowledge concerning fashion fantasy. What is in and what is out? Perhaps what I have is an affection for as it respects fashion accessories. Producer Andres Aquino of the CEO and founder of the USA International Fashion Shows Fashion Syndicate Press. Another function of a fashion design is pattern making. Steal her style with our version of her cocktail ring.