The Dominion Magazine - February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

A LIFE IN THE MOMENT ROB WICALL – HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

CLUB DESSERTS FAMILY GETAWAY AREA HISTORY AND MORE!

Mission Statement: At The Atonement Academy, we strive for Excellence in the physical, the intellectual, and the spiritual virtues through a challenging course of classical Catholic education.

National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Catholic Education Honor Roll – Only School in Texas to receive the award for commitment to the principles of Catholic identity in education. (Cardinal Newman Society) College Acceptance Rate – A full 100% of our Graduates are accepted into 4-year colleges!

Financial Aid: $540,000 institutional money given in the 2017-2018 school year.

15415 Red Robin Road San Antonio, TX 78255

(210) 343-2443 w w w. A t o n e me n tOn l i n e .c o m Now Enrolling Pre-K – 12th grade

Students Attend Daily Mass – Only Catholic School in San Antonio Ranked #1 “Best Catholic School in San Antonio” on Niche.com Students Clubs: Robotics, Prolife, Drama, Booster, Student Council, Debate, Chess and many more.

Music Awards: 14 Members in the TMEA High school All-Region Choir & 14 Members in the TMEA Middle School All-Region Choir.

CONTENTS THE DOMINION MAGAZINE |

FEBRUARY 2019

A LIFE IN THE MOMENT

WELCOME 10

Business Profile 42 Dominion Primary Care

THE CLUB

Calendar 12 Message From The Manager 13 Club Happenings 14

The Dominion Gives 44

26

Thru Project

FITNESS 46

NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS 18

Good Reads 48

Community Car Show 20

The Radium Girls

Staff Profile 50

Dominion Women's Forum 22 HISTORY CLUB 24

46

CLUB DINING 26

New Orleans

Area History 64

Golf 30

ART Events 66

FAMILY GETAWAY 32 Family Gras!

56 FEBRUARY 2019

CITY PROFILE 52 HOME TOUR 56

GETAWAYS 28

6

COVER 34

Area Events 68

San Antonio’s Most Innovative Full Service Pet Resort

WE KNOW YOU DON’T WANT TO LEAVE THEM WITH JUST ANYONE…

This season bring those pampered pets to San Antonio’s finest resort. They will be lovingly cared for by our wonderful staff in our clean, state of the art climate controlled facility.

The Wagmore is San Antonio’s most innovative full service pet resort. We cater to all your pet’s needs, from toys and treats, daycare and professional grooming to long term care. Stop by for a tour anytime we are open.

Exit 546

Monday-Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm Sunday 4:00pm - 6:00pm (limited hours for pick up and drop off)

Visit Our Website for Rates & Full List of Services Boarding

Grooming

Doggie Daycare

Training

Book now for the Holidays 9440 Dietz Elkhorn Rd., Boerne, TX 78015

830.981.2273

wagmorepetresort.com

Serving the local Dominion & Leon Springs communities Striving to be your attorney, when and where you need him

HERE TO

S E RV E estate planning probate real-estate

Matthew J. McDonough is your local Leon Springs attorney for estate planning, probate, and realestate matters. Located at the Dominion Ridge Shopping Center, Mr. McDonough provides the trust, knowledge, and dedication of quality legal services without the hassle of downtown travel. As a long-term Leon Springs resident and alumni of TMI, the Episcopal School of Texas, he prides himself on serving his community and being especially available to residents of that area. Check out his blog, “Life in Leon Springs�, located on his website, for articles on local politics, history, and recreation in the I-10 West/Leon Springs region.

MATTHEW J. McDONOUGH ATTORNEY AT LAW 22211 W. Interstate 10, Suite 1206 San Antonio, Texas, 78257 T: (210) 854-4899 F: (830) 282-6835 m.mcdonough@mjmlawsatx.com www.mjmlawsatx.com

FEBRUARY 2019 | VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2

PUBLISHED By SMV Texas Design Group, LLC 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006 210-507-5250

Welcome TO

the Dominion Magazine Dear DOMINION Reader,

SMV TEXAS DESIGN GROUP, LLC CEO/PRESIDENT Benjamin D. Schooley ben@smvtexas.com

What a fun issue we have for you!

As I was proofing through this issue, I smiled multiple times because this issue in particular just has such a great vibe and left me with such a feeling of satisfaction. Our cover story is probably what did it for me, as our profile on ex-Spurs Coyote Rob Wicall was just too much fun. I mean, any time that you have cover shoot that involves a person riding a unicycle, well, you know it’s going to be a good one. I also found the story intriguing as one of San Antonio’s most iconic characters basically lived a life of complete anonymity in a town that absolutely adored him.

From there, the information regarding art gallery events, travel suggestions, some of the new staff at the Dominion Country Club…again, it’s just all so fun.

I know that the construction in our area is probably wearing on your nerves a bit, and the hustle and bustled that has encroached on the gates of the Dominion takes a little getting used to, but I hope that you can still take a moment to appreciate the sanctuary that the Dominion really is. After you retreat from the madness of the city, and when you cross over the bridge, I hope that you also enjoy a sense of peace wash over you and you remember that you’re living in one of the most vibrant and exhilarating developments in all of Texas. I have come to appreciate the community so much as I have gotten to know so many of you and have cherished my time in the neighborhood.

As I always do, I’ll encourage you to reach out with any story ideas or suggestions you might have. Oftentimes, we don’t know about them unless you tell us! So don’t be shy and just drop us a note.

Happy February to all of you!

OPERATIONS MANAGER Andrea Forshee andrea@smvtexas.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Benjamin Weber ben.weber@smvtexas.com THE DOMINION HOA OFFICE 20 Dominion Drive San Antonio, Texas 78257 (210) 698-1232 | www.dominionhoa.com THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB 1 Dominion Drive San Antonio, Texas 78257 (210) 698-3364 | www.the-dominion.com

The Dominion Magazine is published by Schooley Media Ventures in Boerne, TX. The Dominion Magazine and Schooley Media Ventures are not responsible for any inaccuracies, erroneous information, or typographical errors contained in this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of

BEN SCHOOLEY, PUBLISHER The Dominion Magazine

The Dominion and/or Schooley Media Ventures.

Copyright 2017 Schooley Media Ventures, 428 English Oaks, Boerne, TX 78006

10

FEBRUARY 2019

FEBRUARY

February 1

February 6

February 8

Dominion Women’s Forum Luncheon honoring past presidents.

Rodeo theme with live country music and special vendors, 11:30 a.m.

Supper Club Chinese New Year theme.

6 p.m. – 9 p.m., $27.95 per person

Dominion Women’s Forum “Fun In Love” Valentine’s Dinner 6:30 p.m., $25 per person

Every Tuesday

Every Wednesday

Every Thursday

EVERY FRIDAY

Every saturday

Every sunday

Burger Night in the Grille 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Delicious, cooked to order and just $5!

Treat the family, invite friends! RSVP to 210-698-3364

Wine Down Wednesdays 1/2 Price Bottle Specials!

6:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.

Wednesdays just got a lot better!

Enjoy the bottles for HALF OFF! Champagne Sparkling wine Chardonnay White Wines Merlot & More

Chef Special Dining Night 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Enjoy a different and very delicious meal every Thursday, carefully selected and prepared by Executive Chef Jay Nash!

A specialty half price appetizer is offered every Thursday as well!

Enjoy!

Prime Rib Buffet 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Join us at the Club for our ever-popular Prime Rib Buffet!

Featuring succulent meats with all the garnishing sides.

Tennis- Saturday Morning Workout 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

All levels, men & women. Guaranteed to hit a thousand balls.

Loud music and lots of fun!

Tennis- SUNDAY Workout 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Open to all levels.

Contact Coach Dan at dan@the-dominion. com

Tuesday Night TENNIS 105 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Open to all levels, limit 10. Email Coach Rajah rajah@the-dominion. com or call the tennis shop to sign up 210698-2288

12

FEBRUARY 2019

Thursday Night TENNIS 105 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Open to all levels, limit 10. Email Coach Rajah rajah@the-dominion. com or call the tennis shop to sign up 210698-2288

MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

Dear Members: It seems the store shelves were just cleaned off from the holiday toys, candy, and gift ideas… and they are already filled with heart-shaped boxes of candy, chocolate dipped flowers, and roses. By the time I write to you again, we’ll be talking about shelves full of Easter Bunnies.

Just like in life, time flies by quickly here at the Club, as well. As we were cleaning up from the amazing New Year’s Eve Party, our teams were already starting to work on our first scheduled events for the year! And, as I look into the coming months, I am so honored to be able to work with our golf and tennis pros. Each time I see another member win a tournament or achieve a new level of expertise in their sport, I realize that all of you benefit from and appreciate their work, too!

The Fitness Center continues to impress under Jessica Worthey’s leadership. In fact, this month we are introducing a before/after segment for Fitness Center clients who work with Jess. They certainly inspire me — and hopefully you will join me in being even more encouraged to stick to those pesky 2019 fitness resolutions!

I look forward to meeting with you during 2019 — maybe we will join one another as we learn new tennis approaches, better golf swing techniques, and … as we finally figure out yoga! Or, my personal favorite — maybe we will meet over one of Chef Jay’s amazing menus in the Dining Room, or over Chef Judy’s dessert perfection she produces each day.

Until then, here’s to an amazing 2019!

Sincerely, Stephen Phillips General Manager – Dominion Country Club

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

13

CLUB HAPPENINGS

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE CLUB

14

FEBRUARY 2019

CLUB HAPPENINGS

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

15

CLUB HAPPENINGS

TENNIS CLUB FIELD TRIP

16

FEBRUARY 2019

CLUB HAPPENINGS

PANCAKES & PAJAMAS WITH DR. SEUSS' CAT IN THE HAT

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

17

NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS

2019 NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS Car Show

**Memorial Day Pool Party

Music & Wine

The Dominion Country Club Parking Log Saturday, February 23 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Pool at The Dominion Country Club Monday, May 27 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Charges apply RSVP Required. Call 210-698-3364

The Lakes Friday, October 18 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

(Adults only)

Vendor Appreciation Breakfast

Duxbury Park Saturday, October 26 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

New Resident Patio Party The Dominion Country Club Thursday, March 28 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Mariachi Dash Kids’ 1/2 Mile Fun-Run 5k/10k Walk/Run Starts at HOA Parking Lot Saturday, April 13 8:00 a.m.

HOA Office Friday, June 21 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

**July 4th Celebration and Fireworks

Fiesta Party

The Dominion Country Club Thursday July 4 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Charges apply RSVP Required. Call 210-698-3364

Duxbury Park Saturday, April 14 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

**Labor Day Close the Pool Party

Community Shred Day HOA Office Parking Lot Saturday, April 17

Music & Wine The Lakes Friday, May 3 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

(Adults only)

Food Truck Night & Movie in the Park Duxbury Park Saturday, May 11 Food Trucks 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Movie starts at 8:00 p.m.

“Yappy Hour” Duxbury Park Friday, May 17 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

18

FEBRUARY 2019

Pool at The Dominion Country Club Monday, September 2 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Charges apply RSVP Required. Call 210-698-3364

Food Truck Night & Movie in the Park Duxbury Park Saturday, September 21 Food Trucks 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Movie starts at 8:00 p.m.

National Night Out Neighborhood Parties Tuesday, October 1 (Times vary by neighborhood)

Doggie Howl O’Ween Party

Trunk or Treat Halloween Party Duxbury Park Saturday, October 26 5:30 p.m.

Chili Cook-Off Duxbury Park Saturday, November 9 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Bonfire Duxbury Park Sunday, November 24 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Texas Tough Turkey Chase Kids’ 1/2 Mile Fun-Run 5k/10k Walk/Run Starts at HOA Parking Lot Thursday, November 28 8:00 a.m. ** Dominion Residents (NonClub Members) invited to select Dominion Country Club events.

NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS

WINTERFEST This year’s Winterfest Event was a huge hit with the entire community! Of course, with snow, Domino the Dog, and an entire winterscape to play in, it was fun for everyone who turned out.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

19

COMMUNITY EVENT

THE DOMINION COMMUNIT Y CAR SHOW

There are so many beautiful and unusual cars owned by, driven, and collected by various Dominion residents. And we receive so many requests to schedule a show that would allow others to learn more about these sometimes rare and always beautiful cars, that we realized now is the perfect time to do it!

20

FEBRUARY 2019

Please join us and our car collecting families.

The Dominion Country Club Parking Lot Saturday, February 23, 2019 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

INNER Valentine's D AT T H E C LU B 6:30pm Cocktails | 7:00pm Dinner Entertainment from 6:30-9:30pm Sinatra Tribute Singer Brad Normandeau $135 per couple Valentine’s Pre-Fixe Menu 2019 Endive-Radicchio Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette Roasted Beets, Blood Orange, Feta, Red Quinoa and Toasted Walnuts Raspberry Sorbet with Champagne and Strawberry-Mango Pico Grilled Filet Mignon with Lemon Chive Butter and Reduced Cabernet Glace Lobster Risotto, Pomme Tourne, Grilled Asparagus with Sauce Rachal Triple Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry Chambord

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

21

DOMINION WOMEN'S FORUM

by Lynette Aleman

MEET YOUR DOMINION WOMEN'S FORUM BOARD MEMBERS I hope you enjoyed last month’s introduction to the Dominion Women’s Forum Board. This month I would like to introduce you Vicki Lanie and Donna Hill. The purpose of The Dominion Women’s Forum is to promote friendship among its members. Each of the ladies on the board volunteer their time and energy to coordinate and plan events for the Women’s Forum.

Vicki Lanie was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She and her husband first moved to San Antonio in January 1984 when her husband started the USAA Federal Savings Bank. The Lanie family moved away from San Antonio in 1987 and returned in 1993. Vicki and her husband have lived in the Dominion for four years and enjoy the friends and lifestyle. She is currently serving as Recording Secretary for the Women’s Forum and has been a member for three years. She enjoys all of the activities the forum has to offer and the great friends being made. With a new 4-month-old grandson, she is currently spending a lot of her time in Houston.

Donna Hill moved to The Dominion in 2014 with her husband, Gerald Hill, to be closer to their 2 daughters and sons in law and 4 grandchildren. Donna has enjoyed a variety of career titles including public affairs manager, school teacher, community volunteer, and fundraiser. Prior to moving to San Antonio, she was an active member of the San Marcos community serving as Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Bobcat Athletic Foundation, Vice President of the Heritage Association, Co-Chair of the ACS Cattle Baron’s Ball, Chair of the Central Texas Medical Center Foundation Gala, Co-Chair of the San Marcos Master Plan Committee, and Board Member of numerous non-profit organizations.

She spent seven years as the Public Affairs Manager for Time Warner Cable in Hays County. Her involvement and leadership earned her many prestigious recognitions and awards in San Marcos and Central Texas. In addition, she is active in her church Grace Episcopal which meets at the TMI Chapel.

San Antonio has become a favorite city because of the friendly people and opportunities here. Donna is currently serving her second year on the Dominion Women’s Forum Board and is grateful for the many friendships she has made through participation in the Forum activities and events.

22

FEBRUARY 2019

Dr. Schroder, D.D.S. & Dr. Imam, D.D.S.

DIGITAL SMILE DESIGN Cosmetic • Implants • Sedation • Invisalign follow us on Instagram @mysmileartist for virtual consultations

1130 Sonterra Blvd, Ste 110 | San Antonio, TX 78258 | 210.496.9967 | www.mysmileartist.com

SOCIAL GROUP

by Tiffany Lewis

HISTORY CLUB

Last month, the History Club had its 46th meeting. The first five months of this year will provide in-depth discussion of 500 AD to 1500 AD. With 60 people in attendance, it’s clear that Colonel Dan Johnston knows how to keep an audience captivated.

Colonel Johnston has explained this era, commonly known as the Middle Ages, as a time of drastic change with regard to documentation of historical and cultural events. After the fall of Rome, there really wasn’t much to find in the way of literature, as the tribes were illiterate. During this time came a natural progression to grow the organization and power of the Catholic

24

FEBRUARY 2019

Church. Monks began preserving documents, allowing us to gain knowledge of the history during that era.

With Charlemagne establishing the Holy Roman Empire and uniting Western Europe, he became known as “The Father of Europe”. He spurred a period of cultural and intellectual growth and created a structured government similar to that of the church.

Join us on the second Thursday of each month at the club at 4:30 p.m. to increase your knowledge and meet others with the same love for history!

CLUB DINING

by Chef Jay Nash, The Dominion Country Club

NEW DESSERTS FOR 2019 1

2

3

4 1. Chocolate Toffee Crunch Truffle Cake 2. Peanut Butter Mousse Brownie Torte 3. Cranberry Vodka Anglaise 4. Apple Cranberry Cinnamon Roll Pudding 5. Chocolate Glaze, Whipped Cream, Caramel Sauce 26

FEBRUARY 2019

5

PRIMARY CARE THE WAY IT SHOULD BE Regular Check-Ups and Acute Care • Direct Doctor-Client Relationship • Low Monthly Membership Fee

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS DR. CHRISSY NAVEJAR Board Certified in Internal Medicine San Antonio native recognized as one of San Antonio’s Best Doctors

23535 W IH 10 Suite 2205 San Antonio TX, 78257 Phone: (210) 245-5580 Fax: (210) 245-9996 MyDPC@DominionPrimaryCare.com www.DominionPrimaryCare.com

• • • • • • • • •

Concierge service No copays or deductibles Unlimited clinic visits 24/7 access to your provider (via phone, email, text) Same or next day appointments available No wait before scheduled appointments Longer, more relaxed appointments (30-60 minutes) Low cost medication options Strong focus on preventative care and wellness; annual physical exams included

• House calls and after-hour availability • Reduction in unnecessary labs, imaging, and referrals, with enhanced care coordination • Wholesale discounts for labs and imaging • In-office procedures and labs included at no additional cost (i.e. rapid strep, urinalysis, pregnancy test, injections) • Bilingual services/Hablamos Español • Now offering SkinMedica products and IV Myer’s cocktails

NEW | PRE-OWNED | LEASE | FINANCE REPAIRS | PARTS | ACCESSORIES

At San Antonio Golf Carts, we pride ourselves in knowing just what you want out of your golf cart. Whether you are spending the day on the golf course, or you are ready to take on your next big project, we know what it will take to get you there. That is why our mission is simple: to provide you with a cutting edge vehicle, while matching any price from our golf cart competitors.

6469 Talley Rd. | San Antonio | 210-263-7210

www.sanantoniogolfcars.net

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

27

G E TAWAY S

by Ben Schooley

HILL COU NT RY C H A R M What else is there to consider during the month of February other than planning a romantic getaway with your lover? While many rely on the tried-and-true “dinner and flowers”, we suggest upping your game this year. Tickets to the symphony, you might ask? No, even better. Jewelry? No, way better. How about sipping champagne under a Hill Country starlit night, while sitting in your own very private, very secluded own hot tub? Yes, please!

While there may be other sites that exclusively handle these reservations, we have found two services to be our favorites. There are countless booking sites to handle romantic getaways, but not many allow you to filter down by amenity (such as personal hot tubs) and search exclusively for that type of lodging. However, fear not – we have you covered.

AbsoluteCharm.com A beautifully designed site covering the Fredericksburg area, users can filter their over 200 properties down by a variety of requirements. For our example today, a simple search for all properties that feature an exclusive, private hot tub will yield you over 120 properties! From the $99/night Whitetail Guesthaus which is a single roomed cabin on a private lot with a hot tub overlooking the back deck to the $779/night Downtown Retreat property which boasts 6 bedrooms, two hot tubs and a private pool…you will certainly find a property that suits your needs.

TexasHillCountryReservations.com Focused almost exclusively on the Wimberley area, the site also features the ability to present the user with only properties that have private hot tubs, and you are given over 60 options. Several of their offerings are located within the central part of Wimberley, but many are actually completely isolated on acreage tracts with hot tubs overlooking the Devil’s Backbone hills. From the single room rustic cabin with a hot tub on the back deck, to the elaborate estate sized rental featuring multiple bedrooms, private pool, Blanco river access and private hot tubs, Wimberley is a beautiful place to spend a Valentine’s Day weekend with your significant other.

There are a multitude of other sites that focus on highlighting properties that would provide you and your lover a most memorable weekend enjoying the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Your best friend, a glass of wine, the Texas night stars, and a boiling hot tub is exactly what you need to break from the mundane and make for a memorable weekend.

28

FEBRUARY 2019

BUNION CORRECTION SPECIALISTS Bunions are a common problem causing pain and limiting activities in over 30% of the population between ages 18 and 80.

At Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute we employ the most advanced methods to repair your bunions and give you pain free, normally functioning feet again.

Comprehensive foot and ankle care clinic treating patients of all ages and conditions from athletes foot to major bone deformities.

Many people are afraid to correct their bunions because they have the misconception that it is a painful, long recovery. This is truly a myth.

Today, most bunions are corrected safely under local anesthesia with mild sedation anesthesia.

In a procedure that is completely bloodless. The average bunion takes only 25 minutes to repair and most patients are back in their own shoes doing normal activities in less than 2 weeks.

Give Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute a call and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions about any and all foot problems.

17 Old San Antonio Rd., Suite 201 :: Boerne, TX 78006 :: (830) 253-0008 :: Toll Free (833) BUNIONZ www.drrobertegaser.com :: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

29

GOLF

Daniel Stevens, Golf Pro The Dominion Country Club

SPRING EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

As Spring approaches and your 2019 golf year has begun it is vital that you check your equipment. As we use our clubs throughout the year the simple impact of a swing will slowly alter your lofts & lies. This is especially important to check in your wedges and short irons.

Grips play a crucial role in our performance on the course. I am sure you have all heard or read something from a Professional about the importance of eliminating tension in your golf swing. Many people do not realize that the condition of your grips can effect this. As your grips wear, become slick or harden with time you will naturally start to squeeze the club tighter with your hands. When you do

30

FEBRUARY 2019

this tension is moved through your hands, up your forearms and into your shoulders. This will ultimately restrict movement and make it more difficult to produce proper swing dynamics and tempo.

Your golf shop at the Dominion offers full service club repair. Stop by and have your clubs evaluated, adjusted or re-gripped for the upcoming year.

Fairways & Greens Your Golf Professional, Daniel Stevens, PGA

SIMPLY DIVINE Jewelry with a Texas attitude

325 South Main Street, Boerne, TX 78006 • 830-249-7393 www.thegreenbull.com

FA M I LY G E TAWAY S

by Ben Schooley

FAMILY GRAS 2019 Mardi Gras is not exactly the first place that you think about when you think “Where should I take the family this Spring Break?”

Rightfully so, we can picture some of the craziness that we remember (vaguely) from a college road trip to Mardi Gras and shudder at the idea of taking our younger ones to experience the debauchery that can surround Mardi Gras.

But worry not – we have a great alternative for your family this February as we bypass Mardi Gras and head to…FAMILY Gras 2019!

Can you believe it? A family-friendly and oriented version of Mardi Gras just outside of New Orleans that occurs during Mardi Gras!

If you think you’re heading away from Mardi Gras for some sort of petting zoo and a merry-go-round version of Mardi Gras, you would be wrong. Boasting attendance numbers closing in on 100,000 people each year, Family Gras is no joke.

Even their music line-up should let you know that they’re serious about this event,

32

FEBRUARY 2019

as past acts have included Taylor Swift (only the most successful touring artist in the country right now), Montgomery Gentry, the Monkees, Sheena Easton, and Blood, Sweat and Tears (to name a few). At press time, the full line-up for 2019 has not been announced, but it’s sure to continue to set a high bar for world class entertainment. Oh, and all the entertainment is FREE. Beat that.

Parades. You’ve got to have parades if you’re going to be part of Mardi Gras, right? Well, Family Gras delivers. Collaborating with almost all of the typical Mardi Gras parades, Family Gras features the same parades with the same themes; in a slight “tamed” format.

With different themes each day, Family Gras is a great place for you and your family to don costumes. Wear your most fun, creative costume on Friday night. Get in the Mardi Gras spirit Saturday by dressing in green, purple, and gold! Sports Sunday is a Saints fan favorite where you show off your favorite team’s colors.

And what kind of Louisiana event would it be without food? Flambeau Food Court vendors will have delicious dishes like crawfish pasta, jambalaya, muffulettas, gator-on-a-stick, and pizza! Save room for dessert because king cake and bread pudding will also be available.

Oh, yeah, that's what we're talkin' about!

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

33

A LIFE IN THE MOMENT ROB WICALL

By Brian Kenneth Swain, Dominion Resident

Imagine for a moment the paradox of being, for nearly two decades, one of the most well known, best loved personalities in your hometown. Now imagine that for that entire period of time, no one in your town has the slightest idea who you are. Sounds a little ridiculous, and yet this is the story of Rob Wicall, the man who served as The San Antonio Spurs Coyote mascot for the past sixteen years. And, while we’re busily pondering the irony of being one of the most famous guys in a city full of people who have no idea who you are, how do you even become a professional sports mascot? And what makes a person want to do that for a job? And what is the life of a full-time mascot like? Yeah, lots of questions, but let’s start at the beginning.

Rob was born in Springfield, Illinois, but moved to Plano, Texas shortly after his first birthday, when his father was transferred there. At age seven his parents divorced and he moved again, this time to New Braunfels with his mother, who lives there to this day.

He completed his schooling there while also taking part in local community theater and school athletics, competing in soccer and AAU track, skills that would turn out to be really handy later in life, as we will see shortly.

“So,” I ask, “what did you want to be when you were a kid? What were you good at?”

“Surprisingly for an artsy guy, I was actually really good at math and science. When I was a kid I wanted to be a jet fighter pilot,” he

34

FEBRUARY 2019

replies, “like my stepfather. Only then I found out you have to have 20/20 vision, which I did not (this in the days before lasik). So it was on to Plan B. Problem was that at that time I didn’t have one, which is part of how I ended up at Sea World.”

And what about childhood heroes? Rob recalls being drawn to physical comedians like Gallagher, Steve Martin, and Chevy Chase. He talks also about the woman, Elizabeth Elliott, who directed theater back in New Braunfels.

“She taught me a lot—like how to carry a crowd, how to know when you’re on and when you’re not.”

Rob is the only male of four siblings, with two

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

35

older sisters and one younger. Because the age differences between the four of them are quite wide, he spent a good deal of time alone when he was young, which meant becoming very creative about entertaining himself, another formative experience that would prove invaluable in the years to come.

Approaching the end of his senior year of high school, he was still uncertain what would come next on his life journey. Then, while taking part in a show one day with an old friend from his theater group who was by now also working at Sea World, the friend encouraged Rob to audition. Next thing he knew, Rob was the announcer for the water skiing show. Having done a bit of water skiing in his youth, Rob naturally wondered whether he was good enough to actually be in the show. Well, it took a couple more years of practicing, but eventually he was good enough and he made the transition from announcing the show to taking part in it.

Having by this time also enrolled at UTSA, Rob continued with his Sea World gig while studying, graduating in 1994 with a BA in Management and Marketing. Throughout all of this, Rob had also continued his local theater work and even dabbled a bit in commercial and film endeavors (check him out in the pilot episode of JAG!). By the end of his first summer after graduation, Rob decided to have a go at a “real job.” He took a position selling homes, but after six months sitting in a model house waiting for buyers, he realized that the normal life was not for him. So it was back to Sea World.

36

FEBRUARY 2019

The big turning point came in 1996, when a fellow Sea World water skier, who also happened to work as a Silver Dancer for the San Antonio Spurs, let Rob know that the organization was forming a new group called The Extreme Team, a venture designed to bring basketball fans closer to the players.

“You should try out for it!” she said, and that’s exactly what he did. Only then, while in the process of auditioning for The Extreme Team, the then Coyote mascot for the team noticed Rob and suggested that he try out for the mascot role on a part-time basis. He won that position and it took only a year as the part-time Coyote mascot for Rob to realize that he liked the mascoting life a lot.

And so he began sending out demo tapes to other teams, which is how he ended up as the mascot for the Washington Wizards and Capitals for several years.

Rob had married just prior to relocating to DC, but it turned out his new wife did not much care for the northeast and was keen to get back to Texas. In addition, the owner of the Capitals and Wizards at the time had recently sold the hockey team, meaning that Rob was going to be forced into a position of choosing one or the other to mascot for. And so the couple moved back to San Antonio in late 1999. They owned a home here while living in DC, but the renters had abandoned the property and left it in unsellable condition, meaning that Rob and his wife returned to this area without jobs and needing to fix up their home as quickly as possible. Rob’s first thought was to give

the Spurs a call to see what was new. Plenty as it turned out!

Rob became the new full-time Coyote mascot shortly after returning to San Antonio, beginning his long tenure with the team at the Alamodome, then moving to the AT&T Center when it opened for the 2002/3 season. One of Rob’s many points of pride is that during his sixteen-year tenure in the job, he never once missed a home game and he was the only person—players and coaches included—to attend every single Spurs game ever played at the AT&T Center from its opening until his retirement last year, including over 100 playoff games and countless non-game appearances, including private gigs, hospital visits, birthday parties, you name it.

“The Coyote has never been about money for the Spurs,” he says. “It’s about brand building, being out there and being a positive influence in the community.”

He very much appreciates that the team has never tied the character to sales or money. He’s never been asked to be a pitchman. The character is almost bigger than the team itself.

“But what about the energy?” I ask. “It must be exhausting being ‘on’ like that all the time.”

“It’s a challenge,” he replies. “No question about it. It’s physically and emotionally demanding. Different people come at

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

37

mascoting in different ways, but you just have to go with your skill set. Since I’ve spent much of my life performing (theater, comedy) and I also have a pretty strong athletic background, I’ve been able to exhibit a lot of physicality in my character.”

It sounds borderline cliché, but for Rob mascoting has always been more of a lifestyle than a job. There’s never much time off, except for a brief break in the summer. And the role is not just about interacting with fans and taking selfies.

There is a challenging creative aspect to it as well, one that plays nicely into his theater and comedy background. The Coyote is responsible for writing, developing, and coordinating with stadium staff to pull off at least one lengthy skit per game during one of several mid-game time-outs. These are typically one and a half to two minutes long, which doesn’t sound like much, except when you’re out there by yourself in front of 18,000 people, with lots of spotlights shining on you, and you’re counting on the lighting guy, the camera guy, the props guy, the announcer, and the other skit participants to all come through at just the right moment.

Oddly enough, The Coyote also gets to “dress up” for various mid-game skits, sometimes as a holiday character (Santa Coyote), sometimes as a boxer to go a couple of rounds with an opposing mascot, sometimes even as a “regular” fan trying to sneak into someplace he’s not supposed to be. And it’s hot inside that costume. Rob regularly changed at halftime because the suit was sweated through.

Rob has also consulted on mascoting for other college and pro teams and helped to train their mascots, e.g., the UT Longhorns and the L.A. Clippers. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder, what is it that makes a guy want to be a mascot?

38

FEBRUARY 2019

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

39

“When I was a kid in school, I was always the one doing pratfalls, being the class clown, pretending to get hit by swinging doors, whatever it took to find and captivate an audience, even if the audience was just a couple of middle school friends or teachers.”

Rob’s original plan was to continue being The Coyote for as long as he could. He envisioned it lasting well into his fifties. Only then he received a medical diagnosis that changed those plans. With many years of vigorous physical activity behind him, Rob has certainly had his share of accidents and injuries. “It’s not your years, it’s your mileage,” he recalls one orthopedic doctor telling him. Taking antiinflammatories and pain meds was just part of the lifestyle. Only then, during an eye exam in 2013, the doctor noticed a redness in his eyes which, long story short, turned out to be a symptom of an arthritic condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis. And so, after staying with it for a couple more years, Rob hung up his Coyote suit in 2016 and has been pursuing a different path ever since, while also sharing his experiences with younger would-be mascots. In addition he now works as an advocate for those suffering from similar arthritic conditions, serving as a constant reminder that a positive mental attitude is a powerful tool in overcoming whatever adversities life throws your way.

Rob is remarried now and has one child from his first marriage, Tristan (14) and two from his second marriage, Everest (7) and Parks (5). He and his wife Leigh-Ann love San Antonio and have no plans to leave again. Probed about possible regrets and bucket list items, the response is pretty much what you’d expect from someone who’s spent his entire life being positive and upbeat.

“The universe brought this to me. I’m not one for regretting anything. One of the most important things I learned from wearing fur for a living is that making other people happy makes me happy.

It’s all about creating moments.”

That said, Rob is keen to have a go at writing children’s books and he wants very much to be a published author someday. He’s also

40

FEBRUARY 2019

a climber with a goal of scaling the Seven Summits, a catch-all name for the highest mountains on each continent. Challenge One on that list will be Kilimanjaro in Africa, possibly as soon as next year. And because public speaking is such an engrained aspect of his personality, Rob gave a TEDxSanAntonio talk in 2016 about his life story and the lessons it offers. The response to the talk was so overwhelming that he now serves as the emcee for the annual TEDxSanAntonio event. Since delivering that talk, he has refined it and rolled it up into a broader motivational series in which he espouses his ‘Fur-losophy’ of life.

During his TEDxSanAntonio talk (check it out on YouTube), Rob tells the story of bringing a little disabled girl out onto the court at the end of the third quarter to get a hug from Tim Duncan, something he is decidedly not supposed to do as part of his gig. But for Rob the value of that moment to the little girl—and to her parents and the crowd that was totally into the moment as well—was well worth the risk incurred in violating the rules of his job.

It’s been a lifetime of performing—in theaters, theme parks, television, and at center court. He was named Mascot of the Year in 2006 and NBA Mascot of the Year in 2014. He also won video of the year—an honor voted on by his fellow mascots—in 2007, 2010, 2014, and 2015. Now, as the second half gets underway, Rob has a pretty clear vision of what’s next. In addition to climbing mountains and writing books, he spends a great deal of time speaking to large and small groups about how he was able to make moments as The San Antonio Spurs Coyote. To learn even more about those experiences and about his current work, check out www.whycallrob.com.

So how do you sum up a life spent creating moments?

“As I move forward from the mascot life positively impacting people as a character, now I want to continue having that same impact on people, but as myself. It’s me wanting to be out there making people happy. Only this time I’ll be wearing pants and not sweating.”

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

41

BUSINESS PROFILE

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. CHRISSY NAVEJAR OWNER & PHYSICIAN AT DOMINION PRIMARY CARE Name Chrissy Alvina Navejar Education I went to UTSA for undergrad and received a BS in Biology. I then attended UNTHSCTCOM in Ft Worth (only Osteopathic school in TX at that time) for medical school. After graduation I returned home to San Antonio Active duty in the Army and did by residency training in Internal Medicine at BAMC. Hometown San Antonio (Southside) Family Roland Navejar-spouse, Ethan/Eric/Sophia Navejar-children Why did you choose to create a career in medicine?

I choose a career in medicine because even as a child I knew I wanted to help people, and I was able to see the impact that physicians make in the lives of people, and I similarly wanted to care for people and hopefully be a positive impact in their lives.

I also had a strong interest in science and anatomy, so it was a natural calling for me.

Have you always wanted to have your own practice?

I did not always plan on owning my own practice, but with time I became more and more disheartened with the state of healthcare and our broken system, and so I decided I needed to do something different. I learned about the direct primary care model and it seemed to be everything I was looking for from a patient and provider perspective, with this option being more patient centered and in line with my goals as a provider. I am now able to spend time with patients to provide comprehensive care, as well as

42

FEBRUARY 2019

have the ability to get to know my patients very well because I have a limited panel size. I am also available for patients when they need me.

What led you to choosing a location in the Dominion area?

I live in this area and wanted to stay in my community and close to my children's school.

How has the response been so far?

My practice continues to grow, especially as word of mouth begins to spread. This is a new model that many people are not familiar with, so it requires some education so that patients understand what services I am offering, how we are different, and how it will benefit them. Once most people understand our model, they see how beneficial our services are and how they can benefit from them.

What differentiates you from other primary care doctors?

I provide more patient centered, comprehensive care, because I am able to spend more time with patients. My appointments typically run 30-90 minutes based on patients needs. I also provide 24/7 clinician access to patients for any medical concerns they may have. There are no copays or deductibles for visits, and my monthly membership fees are affordable. They are the cost of a cell phone bill or less! I also offer highly discounted labs, so that if a patient comes in to do yearly routine lab work it will cost them <$20 out of pocket. Imaging is also discounted, and I am constantly looking for ways to save patients money. The patients that usually find my services the most beneficial are the uninsured and patients with high deductible plans, but everyone can benefit from saving money on their healthcare costs and getting quality care.

What’s been the biggest challenge to getting your practice up and running?

The biggest challenge has been growing awareness of the direct primary care model and its benefits. People find it hard to believe that access to good healthcare (not insurance) can be affordable because they are used to an insurance based system where they have high costs and do not have access to this level of service.

Tell us about your staff Our clinic staff consists of myself and my medical assistant, Connie Salinas. Connie comes with years of experience in different specialities and she is the backbone of our clinic. She shares my same view on what healthcare should be, and she ensures that our clinic runs smoothly so that we operate well and can keep our overhead manageable.

This helps keep our pricing affordable. She is an asset and I am lucky to have her.

What is your goal for your practice in 2019?

I would like to continue to grow my practice so that I am able to offer my services to more patients, as well as increase education on the direct primary care model, as I feel strongly that this model can help disrupt our current broken healthcare system.

Future plans for your clinic?

In the future we would like to continue to expand the services we provide, as well as the number of patients we are able to serve.

DOMINION PRIMARY CARE DR. CHRISSY NAVEJAR 23535 W IH 10 Suite 2205, San Antonio TX, 78257 Phone: (210) 245-5580 • Fax: (210) 245-9996 MyDPC@DominionPrimaryCare.com www.DominionPrimaryCare.com

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

43

THE DOMINION GIVES

by Tiffany Lewis

THRU PROJECT

Fostering Hope After Foster Care Chances are pretty high that we have all come into contact with someone that was once part of the foster care system. Or you’ve seen documentaries on television, or in movies, that show the difficulties endured by some, if not most, of these children.

Imagine having to pick up all you own, filling a backpack, and heading to a new, unknown location…and having that happen over and over again during your early life.

As a result, It’s no surprise that these kids have a harder time starting their adult lives, as most have had multiple placements and missed the important structure of having an adult consistently teach them the valuable life lessons needed in this world.

Now imagine you are a child aging out of the foster system — you have no permanent housing, no or little education/job training, no family, no family support. And absolutely not one single adult to help guide you through this critical time of your life.

Statistics show the overwhelming disadvantage these kids face. While there are resources available to former foster youth that will pay for things like higher education, job training, provide resources to lowincome housing, assistance with employment opportunities and emergency needs, the reality is that too few former foster youth access these resources.

Some very disturbing statistics include: • Former foster youth are twice as likely to drop out of high school • Only 3% of foster youth will graduate from college • 70% of female foster youth will give birth AT LEAST once before turning 21 • 30% of males in foster care will be incarcerated by age 19 That’s where YOU come in.

On Saturday, February 9, from 10:30 am12:30 pm, come to the Unity Heights Building at 8013 Broadway to learn how just a few hours of your time can impact the life of current and former foster youth in San Antonio and the surrounding area.

44

FEBRUARY 2019

Here at Thru, we recruit and train adult volunteers to serve as Advisors and then match adults with youth for one-on-one mentorship. Mentors typically meet face-to face with the youth they are partnered with once a month, along with phone calls and texts in between. We offer the life skills training that many have never received; we help them get a job, apply for college, set up their first apartment and navigate their finances.

Your time and life experience can significantly increase their rate of high school completion and higher learning, employment and stable housing. Check us out at www.THRUproject.org to learn more!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2019 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM CST Unity Heights Building 8103 Broadway , TX 78209 Community Center suite San Antonio, TX 78209 THRU Project began in July of 2011 as a service project of Unity of San Antonio, cofounded by current board member, Steve O’Donnell and Director, Elaine Hartle. The Unity of San Antonio community rallied around the plight of youth aging out of foster care and the woeful number of social workers to assist these youth. It became apparent there was a critical need for a permanent organization to provide volunteers serving as a connection between former foster youth to the services provided by social agencies.

FITNESS

by Jessica Worthey

THE DOMINION FITNESS CHALLENGE

Ed Laviolette has been training with Jessica Worthey at Dominion Fitness Center for over a year now. His goal was to get back on the golf course so he attended the yoga for golfers flexibility class. He began not being able to touch his toes and now not only has his golf game improved, but he can touch his toes, backbend, balance and is a true “yogi”. In 2019 his goals are to build strength and toning. He will be working with Jess on cardio, weights, yoga and core. He is also focused on clean eating. Jess will help him put together a nutrition plan that he can stick to and hold him accountable to workout 3 times per week. Looking forward to seeing Ed’s progress over the year!

46

FEBRUARY 2019

Kayce Laviolette has natural flexibility, however is looking to build strength. Her goal is to stay dedicated to a fitness plan and workout schedule. Jessica Worthey will train her and her dad, Ed and help to keep them on track and hold them accountable to all their fitness goals. Clean eating, strength training and motivation. With Kayce's busy work schedule she is making a commitment to lose 10 lbs and get to the gym 4 times per week. We look forward to see her progress!

Dick Hauptfleisch is determined to make 2019 a successful year for his fitness goals.

He aims to lose 100lbs. He is working with a nutritionist on his diet and trains with Theisson and Paco at Dominion Fitness Center 3 times per week. The trainers will help him build strength and endurance as well as hold him accountable to meeting his goals. Dick says working with a trainer motivates him to stay on track and helps him to have a successful workout. Dick is sure to see success with his fitness goals!

Dave Kirk attends regular group fitness classes at the Dominion Fitness Center, ranging from Cycle, Pilates, Yoga to strength and balance. He also trains with Jessica Worthey to help increase his balance and flexibility and release his lower back pain. Dave has had several surgeries, however is truly dedicated and shows up everyday to workout. Dave desires to get rid of his back pain so he can get back on the golf course. He aims to stay consistent with his training to increase his strength and balance. He continues his yoga practice which will improve his overall mind body health. We look forward to seeing Dave's progress in 2019!

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

47

GOOD READS

by Marlene Neslund, Dominion Resident

THE RADIUM GIRLS numbers on clock faces and aeronautical gauges.

They were told putting the brushes in their mouths was perfectly safe. From the beginning, radium had an all-powerful reputation.

This new element was championed as “the greatest find in history.”

In 1921 one of the workers, Mollie Maggia, began showing signs of diseased teeth and gums. Even after extensive dental and medical treatment, her mouth became worse.

“Mollie’s entire lower jaw, the roof of her mouth and even the bones of her ears were one huge abscess.”

She died a terribly painful death in less than a year.

Many more young women followed. Over the next four years, many researchers, doctors and workeradvocates labored to unveil the truth - lip pointing was deadly. The women who suffered were due compensation.

Once again, a little known and disturbing piece of our national history is revealed in a well researched work of nonfiction. Kate Moore’s THE RADIUM GIRLS focuses on the young women employed at radium-dial factories during the First World War and following years. In 2014, Moore directed a stage production OF THESE SHINING LIVES, a story about the dial-painters. This was the inspiration for her book, which is divided into three sections.

Part One, “Knowledge,” gives us intimate pictures of many of the young women, some teenagers, who worked at the Radium Luminous Materials Corporation in New Jersey starting in 1917. Here the girls were taught the “lip, dip, paint” technique, a method of keeping their brushes fine and pointed when applying the glow-in-the-dark 48

FEBRUARY 2019

Part Two, “Power,“ deals with the women’s battle with the legal system that favored the industrial sector. It wasn’t until 1926 that radium necrosis was made a compensable disease. New Jersey had a mere five month statute of limitation, although the federal court had a more generous two year statute. It wasn’t until May 1927 that Grace Fryer, a worker suffering from crushing of the vertebrae, found a lawyer to take her case against the United States Radium Corporation. It was confirmed that “radium eats the bone as steadily and surely as fire burns wood.” As headlines supported Grace’s cause, four other dial-painters came forth.

The case of the “Five Women Doomed to Die” had begun. After months of courtroom debate and drama, the USRC settled with the five ladies. Each received a cash sum of $10,000, a pension of $600 a year for life,

past and future medical expenses and all court costs. The settlement specified that the company admit no guilt.

In the same year the Radium Dial Company in Ottawa, Illinois, had several of its dialpainters complain of bone and joint paint.

Ella Cruse suffered from a facial pimple that grew and became septic, poisoning her face and head, which turned black. She died within a week.

Since the New Jersey settlement made international headlines and, in light of Ella’s sudden death, the workers at Radium Dial were petrified of radium poisoning. The company called in their own experts to run medical tests. They lied and told the girls, “Radium will put rosy cheeks on you.” One family was unconvinced; Ella Cruse’s family filed suit against Radium Dial. Other workers died and other lawyers tried to get their cases to trial, but to no avail. No one wanted to take on the big company in a small town.

Part Three, “Justice,” starts in 1933 and covers the preparation and trial led by worker Catherine Donohue, and represented

by Chicago lawyer Leonard Grossman. The Radium Dial Company had finally met its match. The courtroom scenes are drawn vividly with realistic and heart-felt dialogue.

The company officials were finally found guilty. The light of justice flooded in after so many young women, some of them mothers, suffered and died due to radium poisoning.

Throughout this book, Kate Moore provides such an abundance of personal details for most of the victims that it reads like fiction.

The reader experiences empathy for these women because they are so well presented.

On September 2, 2011, a bronze statue for the dial-painters was unveiled by the governor in Ottawa, Illinois, It is in recognition of the tremendous perseverance, dedication and sense of justice these women exhibited in their fight. They gave inspiration to many more who followed.

S TA F F P R O F I L E

by Peggy Schooley

ERIN BURROWS Membership Director

One of my favorite things to do as a part of my role with the magazine is meeting the amazing people that work at the Club…the variety in their roles, the challenges they face, all the things that make work…well, work!

I was very honored today to meet Erin Burrows, who joined The Dominion Country Club’s staff on Dec. 4th! She quickly continued by saying “I love it! The Members and staff have been so welcoming and made me feel part of the Club family from day one!”

By way of background, she explained to me “I started in this business when I was in middle school. My mom, Debbie Pepper, (who is currently the Membership Director at the Clubs at Cordillera) would take me to work with her, and my job was filing for her. I helped her out for years! Free labor!

But those were formative experiences that ultimately led me to a career in the Club Management business.”

Despite the fact, she worked full time working her way up the ranks in the Club business while in college, she graduated with honors from the Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management Hilton at the University of Houston. Shortly after graduation, I took on my first Membership Director role with Club Corp at The Greenspoint Club in Northwest Houston, and then on to other larger properties. Over my twenty-five year career, I’ve worked at

50

FEBRUARY 2019

a number of different Clubs, including Tower Dallas, Hills of Lakeway in Austin, and more recently, Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club.”

She continued “When I first moved to San Antonio with my husband Brad, I was a newlywed, a new stepmom, living in a new city with a new job. After a couple of years of struggling to find balance, I decided I needed to focus on putting my new family first — and so I “retired.” But, as these things so often go, a friend told a friend about where I was, and what I was doing…and then the next thing I knew, Stephen Phillips called. I told him that I was not interested in going back to work, but I agreed to meet with him ‘just so I would know enough about the role to pass it along to my colleagues’.” She laughed when she said “And you can see how THAT went!”

“I’ve always known that I thrive in a fast paced environment where there is always multiple things going on at once. I knew the minute I came in for my first day of work here that I was right where I was supposed to be. This was truly a God-given opportunity, and I’m so very thankful for it.”

Reflecting on her meeting with Stephen Phillips, I asked Erin what actually swayed her to join him here. “One of the things that most impressed me about Stephen was his commitment to the Member “Experience” and long term vision of the Club. With the

recent completion of a $3.5 million dollar clubhouse renovation and with two more phases still to go, I couldn’t help but get excited! The Club has been a prestigious part of our community for years, and now with all of our exciting new additions which include a gorgeous new restaurant & bar with elevated food and service levels, fitness center with all top of the line equipment and 14 complimentary group exercise classes a week, there has never been a better time to rebuild our membership and create a culture of exclusivity and Pride in Belonging. I always say…Rome wasn’t built in a day and same goes for The Dominion Country Club!

Erin, who loves spending time with her family, husband Brad and son Connor, also is a runner, she loves working out, she enjoys traveling, and wine. In no particular order, of course.

Her last reflection on the role? “One of my favorite things about this job is introducing new Members to other Members who share similar interests or backgrounds. There have been countless times over the years when these introductions have turned into life-long friendships where the families have grown up together and/or now traveling the world together! I can honestly say the friendships I’ve fostered over the years in this business have truly been the most rewarding part of my job and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

51

CITY PROFILE

by Ben Schooley

52

FEBRUARY 2019

Welcome To NEW ORLEANS Few places are as wild as New Orleans in February. They have a little festival you might have heard of: Mardi Gras.

As a large population of people would probably think “Yuck – Mardi Gras!” when they picture the crowds, the drinking, and the general party atmosphere, we wanted to introduce you to New Orleans not only for the parties that happen in February, but also for simply the amazing beauty, history and culture that New Orleans celebrates.

One thing that New Orleans can certainly boast – their HISTORY. The first known residents of the New Orleans area were the Native Americans of the Woodland and Mississippian cultures. The expeditions of De Soto (1542) and La Salle (1682) passed through the area, but there were few permanent white settlers before 1718, when the governor of French Louisiana, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, founded the city of Nouvelle-Orléans on the first crescent of high ground above the Mississippi’s mouth. In 1722 he transferred Louisiana’s capital from Biloxi. The same year a hurricane destroyed most of the new city, which was rebuilt in the grid pattern of today’s French Quarter. Not many American cities can trace their lineage all the way back to the 1500s, but New Orleans certainly can.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

53

Not only the city, but Mardi Gras itself goes WAY back: The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. They held a small celebration and dubbed their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras.

In the decades that followed, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with street parties, masked balls and lavish dinners. When the Spanish took control of New Orleans, however, they abolished these rowdy rituals, and the bans remained in force until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812. On

DINING

DORIS METROPOLITAN Doris Metropolitan is in the heart of New Orlean’s iconic French Quarter - just not the kind you’re thinking of. They have design expertly prepared menus using flavors and techniques that play on their Middle Eastern heritage to shine a spotlight on dry aged beef and the highest quality meats, which are offered alongside vegetable-forward appetizers, exotic and local seafood, a thoughtfully sourced caviar menu, and seasonal sides. House-crafted cocktails, an extensive wine list with rare and carefully curated offerings, fine liquors, and a in-house butchery all complete the experience in a chic and elegant dining room.

ARNAUD’S A beautiful main dining room greets you at this elegant Creole restaurant on Bienville Street located between Bourbon and Dauphine. Crystal chandeliers cast a glow on the tiled floor, while fluted columns and small vases of flowers on the tables add to the ambience of the 1918 mainstay. Large black pots hold lacy ferns, and original light fixtures reflect off the tall leaded-glass windows.

54

FEBRUARY 2019

Mardi Gras in 1827, a group of students donned colorful costumes and danced through the streets of New Orleans, emulating the revelry they’d observed while visiting Paris. Ten years later, the first recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place, a tradition that continues to this day. In 1857, a secret society of New Orleans businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with marching bands and rolling floats, setting the tone for future public celebrations in the city.

Now that we have an idea of where New Orleans was formed, let’s take a look around at a few of the “must visit” destinations:

LODGING

Pontchartrain Hotel Vintage interiors mixed with modern touches (like La Labo toiletries); the reopened Caribbean Room for fine dining and that oftInstagrammed wall of paintings featuring NOLA native and rapper Lil Wayne; penthouse bar Tin Roof with the best view of the city.

The Henry Howard Hotel A historic double-gallery mansion with 18 bright, polished rooms with carefully curated fixtures; original elements like exposed brick fireplaces; a cozy courtyard; and an elegant lobby inside the house’s former parlor.

NIGHT LIFE

The Foundation Room More of a lounge than a dance club, this place is on exclusive side... as in, you have to be a member of the House of Blues Foundation to even get in the door, or at least be a member’s guest. Swankily decked from top to tails like a sultan’s tent, if you want to mingle with the classy crowd (not to mention get to see HOB shows from a reserved spot on the balcony), this is your place.

Saturn Bar What could possibly be the exact opposite of a place like Foundation Room? Yup, Saturn Bar it is. Calling it a “dive bar” wouldn’t be adequate or accurate; this joint is a NOLA institution. Any night is a good time here, but definitely don’t miss the monthly “Mod Night,” where DJs (actually local music anthropologists) spin all your Motown, funk, and British Invasion hits.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

55

HOME TOUR

56

FEBRUARY 2019

Unbridled

SOPHISTICATION Designed by Roy Brasswell and meticulously built by Roberto Kenigstein, this breathtaking masterpiece encompasses timeless luxurious living. Nestled along Cliffline, this stunning estate features contemporary design elements showcasing the modern, open floor plan with seamless indoor and outdoor living.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

57

Private courtyard features floating steps & water feature surrounded by walls of floor to ceiling windows with steel & stacked rock accents.Â

58

FEBRUARY 2019

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

59

A chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen boasts professional grade stainless steel appliances, custom soft close cabinetry with large waterfall edge marble island, automatic shades & sliding glass doors leading out to the covered patio. Family room with soaring ceilings, steel ceiling accents, modern track lights, floor to ceiling stacked rock accent wall with gas fireplace & sliding glass doors for seamless indoor/outdoor integration & custom floor to ceiling windows.

60

FEBRUARY 2019

The master suite boasts vaulted ceiling with prewired speakers for integrated sound & a sitting area with automatic Hunter Douglas window treatments. A spa-like bath complete with a large walk-in his & herâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closets, seamless glass walk in shower, garden tub & marble accents throughout.Â

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

61

62

FEBRUARY 2019

Escape to an outdoor sanctuary perfect for entertaining or relaxing in the evenings with Leon Springs as a stunning backdrop. Complete with an infinity edge pool with pebble stone decking, large covered patio with a full summer kitchen and automatic shades.Â

For more information or to schedule a showing of this home, please contact Binkan Cinaroglu 210.241.4550 binkansa.com binkan.cinaroglu@sothebysrealty.com 4 Dominion Drive, Building 2 San Antonio, TX 78257 T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

63

COMMUNIT Y INTEREST

by Matthew McDonough

T HE BECK M AN N L E G AC Y From The Alamo To Leon Springs

a prominent member of the German community, founding the Casino Club, and serving as a member of the Beethoven Mannerchor and Teutonia Mixed Chorus.

His son, Albert Beckmann (1855-1900), was a prominent San Antonio Architect. Albert’s work included the original Joske’s Store at Commerce and Alamo Streets, as well as several government buildings throughout south Texas and Coahuila, Mexico. He married Marie Guenther, daughter of Carl Hilmar Guenther, the successful hill country flour miller who founded C.H. Guenther & Sons and Pioneer Mills. Albert’s son, Adolph Guenther Beckmann, worked for Pioneer Mills for 47 years, serving as President and General Manager for many of them. Adolph also married well, choosing Mary Milby Giles, daughter of prominent architect Alfred Giles. The two met while serving as Duke and Dutchess in the 1911 San Antonio Fiesta Coronation.

If you pull out your smart phone, open maps, and begin toggling around the I-10/1604 interchange, you will immediately start recognizing local landmarks. Leon Springs to the north, Camp Bullis to the east, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the Rim, Shops at La Cantera, etc. As you scroll over the area right where La Cantera Parkway crosses I-10, you will also see a less familiar label: the word “Beckmann.” Being so close to the rim, one may be inclined to assume it refers to a department store, entertainment complex, or restaurant of that name.

Actually, the area over which the label sits, now dominated by modern apartments and shopping complexes, was once a frontier ranching community called Beckmann.

For a local history fanatic like myself, that 64

FEBRUARY 2019

always begged the question, who were the Beckmanns, and what was this area like when they inhabited it? After a little digging, I have come up with a theory on who the Beckmanns were, and how they got here.

The story I've pieced together starts in 1846, when Johann (John) Conrad Beckmann arrived in San Antonio. Born in 1815 in Westphalia, Germany, John settled in Texas after brief stays in New York, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. His first home was located on 116 Casino Street, which is now Crocket Street, just a stone’s throw from the Alamo.

A blacksmith by trade, he was hired by the U.S. Government to set up forges for the army in the Alamo and engaged in the renovation of the old mission. He became

While this explains the Beckmann’s importance in old San Antonio, it does little to explain why the area near Leon Springs once bore the Beckmann surname. For this, we have to go back to the 1840s, when John first immigrated from the Old Country. In 1841, John arrived in New York with Regina Mueller of Zurich, Switzerland, whom he married. According to the Texas State Historical Association, “His brothers Joe and Bernhart were already in New York.” There is no proof of exactly which Beckmanns came to San Antonio, but one likely scenario is that John’s brothers accompanied him to Texas.

In 1886, a Joseph F. Beckmann purchased 244 acres of land from George M. Maverick, said land being situated “on Leon Creek about 14 miles N 27 degrees W of San Antonio.” That description places that parcel very close to the 1604 I-10 interchange of modern times.

Thus, assuming that John C. Beckmann’s brother Joe accompanied him from New York to San Antonio, it might be safe to say that he was the same Joseph Beckmann who purchased the 244 acres on Leon Creek from George Maverick.

An Affidavit of Heirship filed with the Bexar County Property Records states that Joseph Beckmann and his wife Crecencia had several children, including Joe Jr. and one Henry Beckmann. In 1885, Henry Beckmann was patented land from the State of Texas, by the authority of Governor John Ireland, consisting of 438 acres of land, situated in Bexar County, “on the Waters of Leon Creek, 14 miles NW from San Antonio.” That land also would have been in the vicinity of the Rim, which currently sits adjacent to Leon Creek. Both Joe and Henry Beckmann had also registered their livestock brands with Bexar County, as shown here. Filed in the 1870s, any horses or cattle found in Bexar County with their symbols were to

be respected as Beckmann property. By filing their brands with the county, they could enlist the Bexar County Sheriff in administering justice against rustlers. This shows that the land where the Rim sits today was most likely originally acquired as part of the Beckmann’s ranching operation.

Interestingly enough, John C. Beckmann also had a brand registered in the 1850s. On his paperwork, he described himself as “John C. Beckmann, residing at the Alamo in the City of San Antonio.”

Henry and Joe Beckmann, Jr. had another brother, Charles Beckmann, who went by Chas. Chas was also patented land from the State of Texas, by Governor O.M. Roberts in 1878, “on the waters of the Leon Creek a tributary of Medina River about 13 miles N 26 degrees W of San Antonio.“ A few decades later, in 1911, the state patented a section of land (1 square mile, 640 acres), to Joseph Beckmann, assignee of Chas Beckmann. This land was also on the waters of Leon Creek 13 miles NW of San Antonio, “said land having been purchased and fully paid for in accordance with an act approved April 6, 1881. That act appears to provide land as relief to veterans who were disabled in the Civil War. Thus, it is probably safe to say that Chas Beckmann was a Civil War Veteran.

Henry Beckmann and his wife Mary had one son, Henry J. Beckmann. It was Henry J. and his Uncle Joe who began leasing the Beckmann land for the purpose of quarrying. Joe executed the first of these leases in 1906 with the Mission

Lime Company. The terms provided that Joe received $500 in hand and $2,000 in capital stock, as well as royalties on each barrel and carload of building material produced. Three years later, both Joe and Henry J. executed 20 year leases with D.M. Picton and Company for the quarrying and removing of rock. Those leases also provided D.M. Picton the right to build a railroad spur and tie into the nearby San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad line for the purpose of shipping their quarried material.

The Beckmanns continues leasing their land for the purpose of quarrying throughout much of the 20th century, as evidenced by the large limestone cliffs around the Rim and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Today, the stillactive quarry in the area just east of the Rim operated by Martin Marietta still bares the name Beckmann Quarry.

So what we have here are essentially the stories of two Beckmann clans. The first are descendants of John C. Beckmann, who lived on Casino Street, and who’s children married into San Antonio gentry like the Guenthers.

The second are those descendants of Joseph Beckmann, who acquired large parcels on Leon Creek Northwest of San Antonio for ranching purposes before leasing it for quarrying operations. The big question, which perhaps may never be fully answered, is whether they are connected.

The generations seem to roughly link up age-wise, and we do know that John met his brother Joe in New York before settling in Texas in the 1840s. Regardless of whether they are relatives, it is undeniable that the Beckmann name has had a huge impact on San Antonio. Next time you find yourself in the center of Downtown, facing the Alamo, or in the suburbs of Leon Springs, looking up at the limestone cliffs, you can remember the Beckmanns and their enduring legacy.

Reprinted with permission Matthew McDonough Law Firm www.mjmlawsatx.com

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

65

A R T EV EN T S - F EB R UA RY

SoFlo Market

Second Saturday of every month 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Free Phone: (210) 379-4638 soflomarket@gmail.com www.facebook.com/SoFloMarket Artists and makers will be offering their unique handmade creations, local homegrown products, and special vintage finds at this SoFlo Market. Guests will enjoy gourmet food from local food trucks, live music, and live DJ sets, and more. SoFlo Market is a family friendly and pet friendly event that features a lively art scene.

SoFlo Market 1344 S. Flores San Antonio

66

FEBRUARY 2019

Brick Sunday Arts Market

Sundays 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Free The Brick Sunday Arts Market will provide wines, mimosas, champagne and lots of craft beer selections on sale for guests. Other local vendors will include rare vinyl record finds, custom art, photography, vintage clothing, pet goods, and more for purchase. The event will also host blue art performances and other activities for guests to enjoy.

The Blue Star Arts Complex 1414 South Alamo , 2nd Floor, 1st Gallery on the Left San Antonio

Paint Party Socials

Second Thursday of every month 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. $40.00 Phone: (210) 481-6144 Email: info@paintpalooza.com www.paintpalooza.com/calendar Monthly Public Paint Parties - every 2nd Thurs 7:00P Hang out, socialize, and paint with us! No painting experience necessary.

We will show you how to paint this painting, step-by-step while you meet relax to music and socialize. Come alone, or bring a friend.

Check out what we're painting and Reserve your seat(s) online at: www.paintpalooza. com/calendar OR Call us to schedule Your Own Private Paint Party at one of our venues or yours!

The Tavern, 14532 Brook Hollow, 78232

Amor Eterno Market

February 23 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Free Adminsion Phone: (210) 273-5023 Email: queretroarts@gmail.com February is the month of love! The Wonderland of the Americas hosts an Art Market that pays homage to the iconic couple Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The event will feature a great selection of Frida and Diego inspired artwork and handcrafted merchandise by group of juried artists and handcrafted merchants. There will also be a Frida and Diego lookalike contest, so come dressed to impress!

Wonderland of the Americas 4522 Fredericksburg San Antonio

Art as Play

Multi-sensory Learning in the Museum

February 23 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. $20 for Members, $35 for Non-members Early childhood development teachers, come and enjoy works of art and explore how multi-sensory play-centered art enhances young learners’ engagement with the world around them. Discover how visiting the museum and connecting to art as fun impacts the social and emotional development in children and take away interactive lessons for your classroom.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

67

A R E A EV EN T S - F EB R UA RY

February 2

February 8-24

February 2

February 9

STAMPEDE 5K RUN/ WALK The route ends at the historic La Villita where participants and visitors can enjoy live music and food before the Western Heritage Parade. Various locations. 210-225-5851; sarodeo.com

WESTERN HERITAGE PARADE AND CATTLE DRIVE Step back in time, celebrate Texas, and kickoff the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

The parade route runs through the streets of downtown San Antonio and features participants who represent the heritage of the Lone Star State and the Old West. Downtown. 210-225-5851; sarodeo.com

February 7-24

SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW AND RODEO Support this iconic annual event, which in recent years has become one of the city’s largest annual events with a purse just shy of $1.5 million. AT&T Center Grounds, 3201 E. Houston St. 210-225-5851; sarodeo.com

WINE LOVERS TRAIL Get tickets online to receive full complimentary tastings and wine dis- counts at dozens of participating wineries on this self-guided tour. Various locations. 512-9145561; texaswinetrail.com

February 9

AN EVENING WITH FLEETWOOD MAC Legendary, Grammy Award- winning band Fleetwood Mac is touring North America.

The tour features the line- up of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie along with newcomers Mike Campbell and Neil Finn. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River St. 512-477-6060; uterwincenter.com

CONFUCIUS WISHING LANTERNS Enjoy the ethereal experience of casting lanterns into the river in honor of loved ones, hopes, dreams, and wishes. Each eco-friendly lantern contains a floating LED candle.

Decorating areas will be provided to allow guests to personalize their lanterns before casting them into the river just after sunset.

San Antonio River Walk, 600 E. Market St. 210-227-4262; thesanantonioriverwalk.com

February 9

SECOND SATURDAY ART BEAT Boerne shops and art galleries are teaming up to bring you a heart-racing fine art experience. Take a walk on the art side every second Saturday of the month. Boerne’s Hill Country Mile, 100 N. Main St. visitboerne.org

February 21

MEET TEXAS’ BEST WINEMAKERS On the third Thursday of each month throughout the year, a featured winemaker showcases three of their newest released, top-selling or hardest to find wines, alongside a craft brew hand-picked by The Grapevine staff. Samples of food for sale are provided, and each event features live music and three prize giveaways. The Grapevine, 1612 Hunter Road. grapevineingruene.com

February 22-24

TEXAS TRAIL ROUNDUP Join an annual international walk festival featuring non-competitive walks by the World Heritage Site missions and on the famous River Walk. Walks range in length from 5K (3.1 miles) to 42K (26 miles) and are sanctioned by AVA: America’s Walking Club, 68

FEBRUARY 2019

all to promote fun, fitness, and friendship. Various locations. 210-3253523; texastrailroundup.org

February 22

TRINITY IRISH DANCE COMPANY A fusion of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vibrant and long-standing dance form and elements of American innovation, Trinity Irish Dance Company dazzles audiences around the globe with its hard-driving percussive power, lightning-fast agility, and aerial grace. Champion High School Auditorium, 201 Charger Blvd. 830-331- 9079; visitboerne.org

February 23

UTSA DIPLOMA DASH 5k Race â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Diploma Dash to raise money for UTSA student scholarships. Diploma Dash is open to all individuals, friends, families and teams with 14 age categories. 8 a.m. utsaalumnievents.com/ diplomadash/ 210-458-8166

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

69

COUPON REQUIRED

License #M-16956

COUPON REQUIRED

130 Serenity Dr. $359,000

MLS# 1346626 Well maintained B.W. Baker garden home on quiet cul-de-sac. Convenient to schools, downtown, and the trails. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with a study and fabulous backyard. New hard wood floors in living and dining room. Walk in attic storage.

70

FEBRUARY 2019

THE DOMINION MAGAZINE 930 E. Blanco Rd., Suite 200 Boerne, TX 78006