SATX-NBF: Impact 9/3/2025

Comal ISD has completed playground upgrades for 18 elementary school campuses across the district.

The overview: The upgrades—which cost $34 million—were funded by the district’s 2021 bond. Upgrades to the playgrounds began in May 2022 and were completed in August. R.L. Rhode General Contracting and Dawson Construction were the two contractors on the project, CISD Communications Specialist Salwa Lanford said in an email to Community Impact.

Digging deeper: Campuses received two new playgrounds with rubberized surfaces, one for K-1st students and another for 3rd through 5th-grade students. Other upgrades included new outdoor basketball goals and artificial turf play fields.

All 18 existing elementary schools in the district at the time of the bond election received playground upgrades. Comal Creek, Farias-Spitzer and Mayfair Elementary Schools are newer campuses and were built to this standard as part of the original construction, Lanford said in the email.

A neighborhood veterans association is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in New Braunfels this November​​​​​​.

The local impact: The River Chase Veterans Association, or RCVA, is a 100-member group of individuals across the River Chase neighborhood who have served in the military. RCVA hosts monthly social events for members, prospective members and guests at local restaurants to learn more about the organization.

RCVA Public Relations Chairman Dave Heminger said the group is recognizing its anniversary Nov. 8 at the Veterans Garden and Park off of River Chase Way.

What’s special about it? Originally founded in 2015, RCVA has held several community service projects in New Braunfels and throughout Comal County, Heminger said.

“Not many neighborhoods have this kind of program,” he said.

The RCVA hosts field trips at the Veterans Garden and Park and local schools in the area to provide learning opportunities and historical education.

“We really want to help educate people so they can learn more about past events,” Heminger said

• River Chase Way, New Braunfels

A new and unique arcade has recently opened its doors in the North San Antonio area.

What’s new: Klaw Time, a claw machine arcade, opened on July 15 at 5525 Blanco Road, Ste. 121, Owner Jarrett Fugh told Community Impact.

The arcade contains 18 claw machines, mostly filled with plushie prizes, while a few have larger rewards like gaming consoles.

Fugh said that there are different “levels” of prizes that can be won, where players can trade in a certain number of plushies to get bigger rewards like Labubu dolls.

“It’s a really fun place for families to come in and win prizes,” he said.

The framework: It’s their second location in San Antonio, the other being situated at 1324 SW Military Drive on the south side of the city.

• 5525 Blanco Road, Ste. 121, San Antonio

A new Korean barbecue restaurant has officially opened its doors in Live Oak this week.

In case you missed it: KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot opened on Aug. 28 at 7741 N. Loop 1604 E., Manager Jerry Stone told Community Impact.

What’s special about it: KPOT is a nationwide chain that offers traditional Korean barbecue combinations, according to their menu.

Items like beef bulgogi, short ribs and prime brisket, along with fresh vegetables, soups and a variety of noodles are available.

Customers create dishes in a build-your-own meal fashion, which are then heated on stoves at dining tables with assistance from restaurant staff, according to their website.

Also on the menu is a selection of handcrafted buffet-style Vietnamese hot pot classics.

The new location in Live Oak is one of two in the San Antonio area and 168 across the United States, according to the restaurant’s locator map.

• 7741 N. Loop 1604 E., Live Oak