How to deal with migraine pain more

Mark your calendars more

Hernandez earns second degree more

Giving never goes out of season

Why we should give from January to December

By Henry A. Alvarez III
SAHA President and CEO

    Now that the fall 2007 semester has begun, the harrowing shopping trips and tedious school business errands are drawing to a close. I think we should all take a moment not only to breathe a sigh of relief, but also to think about our many blessings and all the things we can do to share some of our blessings with others.
      Unfortunately, many of us evade the spirit of giving once we receive our credit card bills in the final days of the holiday season. All too often, we need the Thanksgiving sales to remind us to give something back to our loved ones and fellow community
members.
        At SAHA, we should strive to remember our duty to the San Antonio community throughout the entire year. SAHA was founded on the basis of helping those in need, and as employees, we should consider it not only our duty, but also our pleasure, to do just that.
        Fortunately for us, we have the privilege of helping others while we work. I would like to encourage everyone to participate in the SAHA Employee Volunteer Activities Committee (EVAC). This program devotes itself to “providing support to community and human needs through volunteerism.”
EVAC participants coordinate community events, spread the word about fundraisers and other opportunities for volunteerism, gather success stories for the Insight newsletter and encourage their fellow SAHA employees to get involved in the community.
        What a great way to get involved! Whether you are planning an event or participating in an event, you are doing your community a great service. I sincerely thank all volunteers for their interest in serving the people of San Antonio.
        At SAHA, we are out to prove that in the Alamo City, we don’t need the holiday season to tell us when to extend a helping hand to the rest of our community. Unlike most fads and fashions of today, our giving spirit never goes out of season.

Jazzing it up

Get "hep to the jive" at Jazz 2007!.

Ouch! My Head Hurts!

How to deal with migraine pain.

         More than 23 million Americans suffer from the throbbing, continuous pain and visual problems that come with a migraine.  That’s the same number of Americans who have surgery every year, as well as the entire population of Texas.
        A migraine is a severe headache with sharp pain, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances.  A migraine usually occurs on one side of the head, but it can also occur anywhere around the head or neck or on both sides of the head at the same time.
        While the causes of migraines are uncertain, there is a long list of triggers.  Some people react to food additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) or nitrates, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate or citrus fruits.  Medications, stress, hormones, cigarettes, head trauma, weather changes or even insomnia can also trigger a migraine. Some early symptoms include:
8 Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
8 Fatigue
8 Mood changes
8 Increased urination
8 Stiff neck muscles
8 Loss of appetite
8 Weakness on one side of the body
8 Problems with vision
       In order to reduce the likelihood of suffering from migraines, following these guidelines:
8 Identify and avoid dietary triggers
8 Exercise regularly
8 Develop good sleep habits
8 Take medications as prescribed
8 Talk to your doctor about your concerns
       Certain medications are also available to treat migraines. For mild to moderate migraines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin, can help relieve the pain. For severe migraines, stronger medication is necessary to relieve the pain. Some drugs, called triptan, may target the brain chemical serotonin.  Other drugs, such as norepinephrine and dopamine, may end the headache by acting on serotonin and other brain chemicals.  Some narcotic painkillers, like OxyContin, Demoral, morphine or Tylenol with codeine can be used if other medications don’t work.
        To find out more about migraines, visit the Headache Condition Center on MyHumana, your personal page on Humana.com.

Open Enrollment Meeting Schedules for 2008

Mark your calendars!.

      It’s that time of year again. As of Oct. 15, 2007, open enrollment season will go into full swing. To help employees make the right choices and fill out the right forms to get their selected employee benefits, Human Resources will sponsor its usual series of seminars. Representatives from Humana and Avesis insurance and Pete Mayberry will attend the meetings to address questions about enrollment in the ICMA 457 Retirement Plan. These meetings are mandatory and require registration from each employee. Please note that all classes are limited to 35 people each. Contact Millie Clapp at 477-6083.

The meetings are mandatory for all regular full-time employees.
Monday – October 15, 2007               Boardroom
8:30am – 9:45am
10:00am – 11:15am 
1:00pm – 2:15pm
2:30pm – 3:45pm

Tuesday – October 16, 2007               Boardroom
8:30am – 9:45am
10:00am – 11:15am
1:00pm – 2:15pm
2:30pm – 3:45pm

Wednesday – October 17, 2007            Boardroom
8:30am – 9:45am
10:00am – 11:15am
1:00pm – 2:15pm
2:30pm – 3:45pm

Thursday – October 18, 2007               Boardroom
8:30am – 9:45am
10:00am – 11:15am
1:00pm – 2:15pm
2:30pm – 3:45pm

Friday – October 19, 2007                    Boardroom
8:30am – 9:45am
10:00am – 11:15am
1:00pm – 2:15pm
2:30pm – 3:45pm

Make-up Session:

Tuesday – October 23, 2007               Boardroom
 0:00am – 11:15am

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Spotlight on John Hernandez

Hernandez earns second degree.

      John Hernandez began making family history as a high school student. When he walked across the stage to receive his diploma from Highlands High School in 1972, he was the first in his family to do so.
     “I have three step-brothers and three step-sisters, and none of them graduated from high school,” said Hernandez.
     Since high school graduation, Hernandez has walked the stage two more times. In 2005, he earned an Associate’s degree in Network Administration from San Antonio College. And last May, following two years of hard work in the University of the Incarnate Word’s Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCaP), Hernandez earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Arts and Sciences.
      “The ADCaP program was a great experience,” he said. “People know you’re a working adult, and they’re always willing to work with you.”
      Hernandez, who currently works as SAHA’s MLS Administrator, has been working at SAHA since he participated in the college work-study program at Alazan-Apache Courts in 1987.
      “[This] month, I’ll have been working with SAHA for 19 years – 20 if you count work study,” said Hernandez.
     In 1987, Hernandez was faced with some personal problems that ultimately resulted in a choice: work or education. In order to support himself, Hernandez chose to work and became a full-time SAHA low-income housing employee in 1988. Since then, he has worked as a Section 8 supervisor and as a PC support specialist. Within one year of his work as a PC support specialist, Hernandez was promoted to the position of MLS Administrator.
     After nearly five years in his position, Hernandez says he and his department never encounter a dull moment at SAHA.
      “We’re like firefighters,” he said. “Something happens, someone calls us, we go fix the problem and we determine the cause.”
     Hernandez never encounters a dull moment in his personal life, either. On the evenings and weekends, Hernandez works as a DJ and as a baseball and basketball coach for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). And as the father of four children and the husband of a Registered Nurse (RN), Hernandez also enjoys a happy and healthy relationship with his family.
      Hernandez says he always encourages others to pursue their dreams of higher education.
      “There aren’t any excuses,” he said. “I have four kids and a full-time job, and I still did it. My wife did it, too. She’s proud of her degree, and so am I. If you really want to achieve your goals, you’ll make time.”
       Hernandez says he may begin making time for graduate school admissions in the coming years.

       

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SAHA cracks down on tobacco use

The Board strives to keep SAHA smoke free.
       
     At the Board meeting on July 6, 2006, the Board of Commissioners approved the following procedure regarding tobacco products:
       The use of tobacco products (both smoke and smokeless) is prohibited in all SAHA buildings, common areas and vehicles. These rules apply to any enclosed area of a building or structure of any type, including housing units and motor vehicles intended for usage by employees who provide primarily managerial, administrative, clerical, maintenance and maintenance repair or rehabilitation services to the public at a particular location. This prohibition is also applicable when employees are engaging in special work schedules or social activities held in the workplace either during or after regular work hours. The use of tobacco products is allowed outdoors only in designated areas.
       Employees seeking help in attempting to quit smoking may contact Human Resources for referral to outside vendors. Any charge for assistance will be made at the employee’s expense.

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Sprint for savings

Phone company offers discount to SAHA employees.

       Spint is making a 15% discount available to all SAHA employees.
       All you need to do is visit your local Sprint retailer and display either your ID badge or a pay stub that has San Antonio Housing Authority printed somewhere on it.  Find the location of the Sprint store nearest to you at www.sprint.com.