Parties by Design is a locally owned and operated rental and event planning company. For over seven years they have served Boerne and surrounding areas. They offer full service party rentals, custom event planning and personalized printed items. For more information go to www.parties-by-design.com or call to set up an appointment 210-827-2419. Follow Parties by Design on Facebook for up-to-date photos from recent events.

Would you like to have your business featured in an upcoming Business Spotlight? For information call us at 830-249-9706, send us an email, or use our contact form.

What is the Stelos Alliance doing this summer in the Boerne Community?

Stelos Alliance is presenting the “Aloha Summer” Luau at the Agricultural Heritage Center on August 21, 2010 from 6-11pm. Come enjoy a Hawaiian Luau in Boerne and support local area community organizations! Admission is FREE. Ticket booklets for food and beverage can be purchased on location (checks or cash), or before the event on their secure ticketing site (under “Giving Options” chose Luau Tickets).

At the event we will have:

• Live Hawaiian Entertainment and Music
• Fresh Hawaiian Cuisine (Plate $11.00)
• Beverages including: water, soft drinks, beer, wine and Special Hawaiian Drink ($2 to $5)
• Popcorn and cotton candy and more ($1)
• Kids’ Activities
• Movie on the Lawn (8:45pm start)
• Water slide and Moon Bounce
• Live Auction
• And much more!

Who is participating and how can I make a difference?

Organizations participating: Ag Heritage Center, Hill Country Family YMCA, Boerne Education Foundation, Boerne Fire Department, Boerne Theatre, and more! If you are a non-profit or community organization and would like to participate, please contact Chelsea.Witherington@Stelos.org.

Help increase our community of like-minded individuals supporting tomorrow’s leaders. Make a donation and your generous gift will be matched by Stelos Alliance. For more information, please visit http://stelos.org/

Would you like to have your business featured in an upcoming Business Spotlight? For information call us at 830-249-9706, send us an email, or use our contact form.

From practicing his Korean pleasantries before giving a keynote address on the future of innovation in Seoul, South Korea to challenging his wife and four children to a rousing game of scrabble while on vacation in Telluride, Bill Poston takes the conviction of being all things to all people to a new level.

Bill Poston is the founding and managing partner of Kalypso, a global professional services firm focused exclusively on helping organizations deliver on the promise of innovation. Known for his innovation expertise, Bill’s mission is to help leaders fully harness innovation to drive sustainable growth across their organization. His work with CEOs and executives in many different industries provides him with a unique perspective to share with audiences around the world.

While this task seems all consuming in itself, Bill’s quest to help leaders capitalize on their full potential only begins with corporate executives. As a dedicated alumna of his undergraduate alma mater, Texas State University, Bill also believes in the potential of young leaders. He is the founder and President of the Stelos Alliance, a non-profit organization benefiting college-level student leaders. The Stelos Alliance seeks to make the cost of college tuition manageable in order for students to be able to serve in the capacity of both student and leader simultaneously.

“Our vision is to make the Stelos Alliance a platform for not only student leaders across Texas, but across the nation,” Poston said.  “Our goal is to make sure that no student leader has to sacrifice their willingness to lead because of financial constraints.”

Stelos Alliance proudly leads the efforts to raise money for annual scholarships that benefit college students in the state of Texas. Stelos currently awards 10 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 a year to Texas State University students with the goal of increasing the amount of each to $15,000, a full year’s tuition. Stelos is working to expand its scholarship programs to universities statewide with the goal of offering $100,000 annually by the year 2012. Stelos is unique among non-profits in that it provides a 100% donor efficiency guarantee.

Always searching for other ways to serve, Bill is a member of the Texas State University Development Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves the University on the Academic Excellence committee and as Chairman of the Student Foundation Alumni Advisory Board. He was recognized for his service to his alma mater as a recent recipient of the University’s Alumni Star Award.

Poston’s latest quest is to share his knowledge and vast experience in innovation and leadership through public speaking endeavors. When he is not traveling from coast to coast to meet with Kalypso clients, he continues to accumulate frequent flyer miles from this new venture as a professional speaker. Bill’s speaking experience spans the globe from Korea to the Texas hill country and is based on a wide array of his expertise ranging from innovation to principled leadership practices. As a Boerne local, Bill is one to keep in mind for your future business events!

Bill Poston redefines a “Jack of All Trades.” He leads the innovation industry while igniting a trail for young leaders to create a path as bright as his through Stelos Alliance. He is a man who understands the importance of networking, yet never leaves an old friend behind. Poston is a man to know, a friend to have, a philanthropist that acts, a speaker who teaches, and a leader to follow.

Contact:

For more information, please visit his website or contact Chelsea Witherington, Bill’s assistant.

Would you like to have your business featured in an upcoming Business Spotlight? For information call us at 830-249-9706, send us an email, or use our contact form.

March Spotlights the Boerne Hill Country Family YMCA.

We’re glad to help them announce their March promotions:

Pay The Day

March 1st is the start of the “Pay the Day” promotion for the YMCA.  If you’re thinking of joining now is the time! Join the YMCA during March 1-31st, and your membership Joining Fee is adjusted according to the day you join. On March 1st you pay $1 Joining Fee…on March 2nd you pay $2 Joining Fee…and so on.

Spring Break Camp

Starting on Monday, March 14-18th and Monday, March 21st we will be having Spring Break Camp at Fabra Elementary in the Cafeteria from 7:00 am until 6:30 pm. Ages are 5 yrs-12yrs old and campers are asked to bring their own lunch and appropriate clothing. The cost is $130 (Full Six Days) for Facility Member and $150 (Full Six Days) for Program Participant. All Community Members pay the $30 program registration fee one time per year; per family. Registration deadline is Monday, March 7th. The YMCA will provide a morning and an afternoon snack. Please remember for us to hold camps we must have 10 children per day for camp to make. The deadline for camp will be March 7th. Parents who have signed up will receive a phone call by March 9th if camp did not make.

Family Movie Night

Join us for Family Movie Night Friday, March 4th! We will be watching “Alpha & Omega”. Lemonade and popcorn will be served. The movie will start at 6:30pm.

Family Fit Martial Arts

Mondays, at 6:00pm, Boerne YMCA Multi-Purpose Room, available for ages 5 and older.
Monthly Fees – Session- 4 classes/month:
YMCA Members – $39
Family Rate – $79 (includes up to 4 family members)
Community Members – $49
Uniform Fee – $25 payable to DC Martial Arts at first class

Pilates Reformer Classes

Pilate’s Reformer classes are now open to program participants. The YMCA teaches the Stott Pilates Method. The aim of Stott Pilates is optimal strength, flexibility and endurance – without risking injury or building bulk. Each session is 6 weeks and consists of 6 classes that meet one time per week for the 6 weeks. The program participant fee is $160.00.

YSA Annual Car Wash

When: Saturday, March 12th
Where: 9:00-12:00 P.M. in the YMCA parking lot
What: This event is for our Boerne Y-Partners Campaign. Through the campaign, the Boerne Hill Country Family YMCA serves people who cannot afford the price of a facility membership, a class or a program such as afterschool care. The cost is $5.00 for a wash and $10.00 for a wash and vacuum.

Your support of this event will be greatly appreciated!
Get a shiny and clean car for your Spring Break Trip!

Thank you, YSA Staff

Contact:

Jennifer Hammonds, Coordinator at 830-815-1040 ext 310

For more information, please visit their website.

Would you like to have your business featured in an upcoming Business Spotlight? For information call us at 830-249-9706, send us an email, or use our contact form.

Our Business Spotlight features a local company called Texas Design to Order, operated by Bonnie Condel.

Bonnie says…

If you’re ready, I’m here to maximize your time and space without breaking your bank.

Why use me instead of doing it yourself? Good organization takes experience and I’ve been doing this for 22 years so I have a crate full of ideas to pull from.

Experience tells you:

1. Whether to put something in a drawer, cabinet or in the open
2. What size, depth of container works best for specific items
3. How to maintain flexibility while customizing for an individual person or need
4. How to categorize to make finding items easier
5. What type of shelving is appropriate for the job, based on look and budget
6. Where to get the appropriate shelving for the least money
7. Where custom shelving or gadgets are most effective
8. Where unexpectedly useful spaces are
9. Where to find space for extremely large or bulky items
10. How best to use odd corners and locations
11. Creative ways to use spaces so they fit individual needs
12. What is just a “cute” gadget and what is really helpful

Scared to tackle your job? No space or “pile of stuff” intimidates me. I relish a challenge and seeing a well utilized space!

Let me help you maximize your storage space and increase accessibility and visibility while staying within your budget.

Contact:

Bonnie Condel, Designer/Organizer at 210-913-9707

For more information, please visit their website at www.texasdesigntoorder.com.

Would you like to have your business featured in an upcoming Business Spotlight? For information call us at 830-249-9706, send us an email, or use our contact form.

A nice lunch was provided by Hungry Horse Restaurant and several local business representatives had the opportunity to share their business story and offer prizes to a few lucky winners. Among the presenters were Aladdin Cleaning & Restoration, All County Home Care, and Belden’s Automotive & Tires.

We hope to stay connected with local businesses on an ongoing basis. We’ll be seeing you soon at a business event near you!

This month we spotlight The Advantage Retirement Group. The San Antonio location headed by Chuck Gill will conduct a seminar at the Boerne Meeting Room. We are proud to have his company here to conduct a choice of two free “Smart Retirement Solutions” seminars on Tuesday, January 25, 10:30am or 2:00pm. Seating is limited so please call for reservations 1-800-807-3847.

Click to download a PDF of the seminar flyer:

The Business Spotlight for November/December is a non-profit here in Boerne. The Kendall County Women’s Shelter is on a mission. Their mission is:

“To provide safe, emergency shelter and transitional housing in a supportive environment where female victims of domestic violence and their children can begin the healing process and receive the support services they need to rebuild their lives.”

According to statistics released by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. That, among other statistics you can learn more about on their website, is confounding.

Currently the nearest women’s shelters are in San Antonio, Seguin, Kerrville, Hondo or New Braunfels.

The KCWS has raised $1.6 billion through support of generous and kind-hearted donors to be able to start building a shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Construction will begin soon on the 6600 square foot shelter.

See the story featured on KSAT 12 News here.

The KCWS just hosted a Groundbreaking Celebration Gala at Don Strange Ranch on October 30. It was a successful fundraising event featuring a silent and live auction, great food and live entertainment. Next year’s gala is planned for October 22, so mark your calendars!

Local businesses and organizations have pulled together efforts to assist immensely. Fundraising will continue to cover operating expenses. If you would like to help, please visit http://www.kendallwomensshelter.com/ and also learn more about some of the Krazy Women who help to drive the cause.

Our latest “Business Spotlight” features an organization here in our town of Boerne. Boerne Toastmasters is a wonderful membership of people from local surrounding areas whose goal is to help each other develop leadership skills, become more self-assured and build stronger composure before a group of attentive ears.

What is Toastmasters?

For over 85 years Toastmasters International has helped millions of people gain more confidence to speak before an audience. Their membership network spans worldwide with over 200,000 members in 10,000 clubs, in 80 countries. Their program is based on “learn-by-doing” in a relaxed yet productive environment. Not only can one become a better speaker, but supportive members help build self-esteem and leadership skills with an incomparable camaraderie.

What is the Boerne Toastmasters club?

There are two Toastmasters clubs in Boerne. The first club established in town is Hill Country Toastmasters which meets 7 a.m. Thursdays at Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs.  The second established club is Boerne Toastmasters which meets 12 p.m. Fridays  at the YMCA. Both of these Clubs are among the top 2% of the clubs in their District. We focus our spotlight here on the Boerne Toastmasters club simply because of a great idea one Toastmaster had for a recent meeting.

Meeting roles change weekly so that everyone has a chance to practice a variety of roles and leadership skills. One might be assigned to keep time, one might be assigned to give a prepared speech, one might be a general evaluator. A few weeks ago, Robert Burkey was the presiding Toastmaster that day, or “master of ceremonies” and his chosen meeting theme was the “1st Annual Chocolate Meeting.” To attract visitors, Bob said, “Be there or be a chocolate square.”

President Cindy Becker prepares to greet Bob Burkey, VP of Membership & Public Relations

Bob Burkey accepts his chocolate meringue pie quite graciously.

"Hey that was tasty, can we do this again next year?"

In Bob’s famous words, “Toastmasters has changed my life forever.”

What is most awe-inspiring about the members of this club is that each person has developed their own unique skills in most incredible ways. This is all due to the support of the amazing members in the group who have very big hearts, and big ears (yes, they will tap the ‘clicker’ if they catch you saying “ah” or “um”).

Visit the club website to see local member Melissa Smiley receiving her 1st Place Award in the recent Humorous Speech contest from David Henderson (not only is he a local member also, but he’s THE worldwide winner of this year’s highly honored International Speech Contest!).  Melissa also placed 2nd in the Table Topics Contest. Woot! What a way to represent the Boerne Toastmasters…Congratulations Melissa!!

Halloween Witch cleverly disguised as Toastmaster Denise Ciardello

Attending a Boerne Toastmasters meeting isn't scary... really!

How can I learn more?

Guests are always welcome to visit without a reservation, and with no obligation to join.  Stop by one of these meetings and see how members are working to build confidence and to improve their speaking capabilities. It’s also a great way to make new friends and network with bright folks in your community.

For general information, please visit http://www.toastmasters.org/
Information on the Hill Country Toastmasters club can be found at http://www.hillcountrytoastmasters.com/
Boerne Toastmasters club can be reached at http://www.boernetoastmasters.com/

Would you like to have your business featured in an upcoming Business Spotlight? For information call us at 830-249-9706, send us an email, or use our contact form.

What is the Stelos Alliance?

The Stelos Alliance is comprised of scholarship organizations with the mission of helping extraordinary student leaders reach their potential. The story of the Stelos Alliance is a tale of two Bills. Bill Hogue and Bill Poston were good friends at Texas State in the mid-1980s. The two friends were alike in many ways. They were both very active on campus as officers in Student Foundation, popular Orientation Assistants, and leaders in their respective fraternities. Hogue was a Cheerleader, a KA, and teacher at the Catholic Student Center. Poston was the president of Phi Delta Theta and a proud Bobcat. Both Bills loved the University and served it well during their time on campus.

The two had other things in common. They were from relatively small towns and both maintained their leadership roles on campus while working full-time and part-time to pay their way through college. In January of 1988 the two appeared to have bright futures. Poston had one more semester to go before post-college questions had to be answered and Hogue, having just graduated, was studying for the Air Force Officer Training School entrance exam. It is a test he never took. That month, Texas State lost one of its shining stars when Bill Hogue was tragically and senselessly killed one fateful night in Austin.

In the wake of Hogue’s death several groups on campus raised over $20,000 to create a memorial scholarship in Bill’s name. Poston took charge of the fund as a way to honor his friend’s memory. In the twenty-plus years since, the scholarship has eased the burden of many student leaders as they struggled with the increasing challenge of paying for college while serving the school they love.

Over the years Poston came to the realization that the escalating cost of college made it virtually impossible to do what he and Hogue had done – work to pay the tuition bill and enjoy the benefits of the student leadership experience. And he faced countless extraordinary student leaders in need of assistance and there was never enough scholarship money to meet the need.

In 2007, while serving as the Chairman of the Student Foundation Alumni Advisory Board, Poston drove a ten-fold increase in the scholarships awarded by the organization. For many people this would be enough, but not for Bill. The students were amazing and deserving and their need was real and increasing. He knew that he could do more to help these students – who were already stars – to shine brighter and reach their potential as leaders.

So in the summer of 2008, the Stelos Alliance was born. Stelos will work to increase the number and amount of awards from the Bill Hogue Memorial and Student Foundation Scholarship funds while actively developing new programs. Since its inception in June 2008, Stelos has launched two new funds; the John H. Garrison Leadership Award and the Tommy Raffen Memorial Scholarship. The Alliance is also working to develop a co-curricular seminar on Principled Leadership in honor of the late Kevin Housley. And the hard work is just beginning.

The goal of the Stelos Alliance is to award $100,000 annually by 2012! Our strategic plan is to achieve this goal by building a community of committed individuals that support the mission of helping extraordinary young leaders reach their potential. Stelos Alliance is an example of how one star can light the way for many! Shine bright!

What is the Stelos Alliance doing in the Boerne Community?

Stelos Alliance is presenting the “Aloha Summer” Luau at the Cordillera Ranch Pavilion on August 21, 2010 from 6-11pm. Hele’ Mai Kau ku (Come Join Us)! Enjoy a Hawaiian Luau in Boerne to support the Stelos Alliance and other local community area organizations. The Luau will be held at the Cordillera Ranch Park Pavilion and ADMISSION IS FREE!  Tickets for food and beverage can be purchased on location, or before the event on their secure ticketing site. At the event we will have:

• Fresh Hawaiin Cuisine including: Huli Huli Chicken, Kalua Pig, White Sticky Rice, Mac Potato Salad and Haupia (Plate $11.00)
• Beer, Wine, and Tropical Drinks ($2 to $5)
• Live Hawaiian Entertainment
• Kids Arts and Crafts
• Movie on the Lawn (8:45pm start)
• Popcorn and Cotton Candy ($1)
• Water Slide and Moon Bounce (Provided by Bounce Around Austin)

Your support brings them one step closer to becoming the first combined fundraiser for Boerne non-profit organizations. Bill and Richele Poston are longtime residents of Boerne. Their vision is to one day host an event to benefit all local organizations that are making positive changes for a stronger community.

How can I make a difference?

Help us increase our community of like-minded individuals supporting tomorrow’s leaders. Make a donation and your generous gift will be matched by Stelos Alliance. Also, if you would like to know more and participate in next year’s Luau event, please contact Melinda Keller at Melinda.Keller@Stelos.org

For more information, please visit their website at http://stelos.org/

Would you like to have your business featured in an upcoming Business Spotlight? For information call us at 830-249-9706, send us an email, or use our contact form.