The Dominion Magazine - June 2018

JUNE 2018

THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB A HOME AWAY FROM HOM E Stephen Phillips, General Manager

THE DOMINION GIVES BUSINESS PROFILE AREA EVENTS AND MORE!

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CONTENTS THE DOMINION MAGAZINE |

JUNE 2018

THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB - A Home Away From Home

WELCOME 12

Good Reads 44

Love and Other Consolation Prizes

THE CLUB

38

Calendar 14 Club Happenings 15

Events Calendar 24 Recycling Update 25

Untangled Mobile Pet Spa

The DOminion Gives 60 Musical Bridges Around The World

Dominion Security UPdate 28 Spring Landscaping

Business Profile 48 HOME TOUR 50

HOA

COMMUNITY INTEREST 36

COVER 30

GIRL ABOUT TOWN 62 JS Wine & Spirits

42

Taste Of The Dominion 64

DAAG 38

June Area Events 68

GOLF 40 Fitness 42

Theisson Brooks - Our Newest Trainer

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JUNE 2018 | VOLUME 5 ISSUE 6

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, Thank you so much for picking up this latest issue of The Dominion Magazine.

One of my favorite parts to this community (outside of the people) is the central social hub of the Dominion Country Club. Few neighborhoods can boast such a facility that perfectly represents its residents, and provides a venue for everything from swimming to tennis to golf to dining‌and does so with the professionalism, service, and appeal as the Dominion Country Club.

As you surely know, the Club has undergone quite a remodel in the past year, and so this month we sat down Stephen Phillips, General Manager for the Dominion Country Club to talk about all of the behind the scenes work that has gone into this massive overhaul.

From the plans, to material selection, to the actual construction, there’s a lot that goes into a project like this, and to do it while maintaining as much of the ambiance and elegance of the Club in the interim as truly remarkable.

As we enter the summer months, we hope that you enjoy not only the Club, but all that our area has to offer. From wine tours to museums and galleries to our many fine dining options, we hope that you enjoy all the reasons that make our area great, and that you strive to find new reasons as well!

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

Sincerely, The Dominion Magazine is published by Schooley Media Ventures in Boerne, TX. The Dominion Magazine and Schooley Media Ventures are

BEN SCHOOLEY, PUBLISHER The Dominion Magazine

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

FOr Advertising opportunities call 210-507-5250 12

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The Dominion and/or Schooley Media Ventures.

Copyright 2017 Schooley Media Ventures, 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006

JUNE

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

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

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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

CLUB HAPPENINGS

SUPPER CLUB

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

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CINCO DE MAYO

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MARGARITAS PAINT & SIP

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THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB RENAISSANCE MEMBER/GUEST TOURNAMENT 2018 2018 RENAISSANCE CHAMPIONS Jaime Goodwin and Jimmy Bourne The Flight Champions Shootout winners are: First Flight: Mark Fessler/Ryan Villereal Second Flight: Jaime Goodwin/Jimmy Bourne Third Flight: Alfred Flores/Tony Eno Fourth Flight: Scott Lewis/Gene Frederick Fifth Flight: Alan Braid/Earl King And, to see the tournament in a whole new way, log into The Dominion Country Club Facebook page — and check out Jeff Lewis’ drone videos! They are AMAZING!

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MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH

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TASTE OF THE DOMINION

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113 Serenity Dr. $358,500

MLS# 1311742 Charming 1 story home on sought after cul-de-sac street. Home features an open floor plan with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, study, central vacuum system, custom shutters, mature trees, and a serene outdoor patio with extended deck for entertaining and enjoying the Hill Country evenings. Walking distance to downtown, schools, and around the corner from the walking trails. No HOA

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H OA M AY S O C I A L E V E N T S C A L E N DA R

VENDOR APPRECIATION BREAKFAST

FOOD TRUCK NIGHT & MOVIE IN THE PARK

TRUNK OR TREAT HALLOWEEN PARTY

HOA Office Friday, June 22, 2018 From 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Duxbury Park Saturday, September 22, 2018 Food Trucks from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Movie starts at 8:00 p.m.

Duxbury Park Saturday, October 27, 2018 Starts at 5:30 p.m.

**JULY 4TH CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS The Dominion Country Club Wednesday, July 4, 2018 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Charges apply RSVP Required to 210-698-3364

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

**LABOR DAY CLOSE THE POOL PARTY

The Dominion Country Club Thursday, October 11, 2018 From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Pool at The Dominion Country Club Monday, September 3, 2018 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Charges apply RSVP Required to 210-698-3364

BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY PARTY Duxbury Park Friday, September 7, 2018 Starts at 5:30 p.m.

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Neighborhood Parties Tuesday, October 2, 2018 (Times vary by neighborhood)

NEW RESIDENT PATIO PARTY

MUSIC & WINE The Lakes Friday, October 19, 2018 From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

DOGGIE HOWL O’WEEN PARTY Duxbury Park Saturday, October 27, 2018 From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

BONFIRE The Pecan Grove Sunday, November 18, 2018 From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

TEXAS TOUGH TURKEY CHASE KIDS’ ½ MILE FUN-RUN 5K/10K WALK/RUN Starts at HOA Parking Lot Thursday, November 22, 2018 Starts at 8:00 a.m.

Dominion Residents (Non-Club Members) invited to select Dominion Country Club Events

FROM THE HOA

Dominion Residents, Please be advised that the recycle containers that were located at the DCC Golf Course Maintenance Building have been removed. The Dominion no longer has easement access on the road that leads down to the recycle drop-off due to liability concerns by the land owner.

The HOA is reviewing alternative locations for a community recycle drop-off. If and when the Board determines a viable alternative, we will notify all Dominion Residents.

In the meantime, there are several drop-off locations for recycle material in San Antonio: • Houston Street MRF located at 5610 E Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78220 • Great Northwest Recycling located at 7386 Grissom Road, San Antonio, TX 78251 • Bracken Recycling located at 19068 Marbach Ln., San Antonio, TX 78266 If you are interested in arranging for individual recycle pick-up services through Waste Management, please contact the Customer Care Center directly at (800) 800-5804 to add this service to your contract. Individual Residents will be billed once every quarter for optional recycle services at a rate of $21.93 per month or $65.79 each quarter on their quarterly invoice. Please bear in mind that both the trash and recycle containers must be kept out of public view in the trash enclosure or screened in such a way as to not be visible from neighboring properties.

We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact the HOA office at 210-698-1232.

Thank you, The Dominion HOA

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Read why we’re so gentle on clothes and safe for the environment.

We start with sand. They start with petroleum.

We clean with liquid silicone, a safe, natural byproduct of sand. Traditional dry cleaners use a petroleum-based solvent called perc. The EPA regulates perc as a Toxic Air Contaminant because it can be harmful to humans.

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You can see the difference for yourself. Whites don’t yellow, fabrics stay soft and color won’t fade even with repeated cleanings. Wools never get that “washed out” appearance, either. And with GreenEarth®, there’s never any shrinkage. So clothes always retain their correct size and shape.

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HOA SECURITY

by Jeff Lewis, Dominion Resident Board Liaison, HOA Security Committee

SECURITY AT THE DOMINION - UPDATE During our recent HOA Annual Meeting, we reviewed a number of impressive statistics generated by the work performed by The Dominion’s Security Team – G4S. Here are a few of them: During each calendar year, approximately 500,000 cars pass through our gates’ visitor’s lanes. Half a million cars each year! But, that number is dwarfed by the number of cars that pass through our resident’s lanes – almost 1.5 million. That is over 2 million cars that travel on our streets every single year.

To assist with making the entry security process as smooth as possible, a number of changes occurred during 2017. The most noticeable change was the installation of our new entry system, Safehouse. This change was necessitated by are former provider, QuickPass as they indicated they were no longer going to support our transponders.

While there were some early bumps to overcome during transition, and a few remaining issues with remote access, this installation brought about a substantial drop in the “failure rate” for residents’ transponders, from 10% failure rate in the old system to less than 1% currently.

In response to the community’s interest in safety on our neighborhood streets, we purchased a new radar camera trailer. Our focus is to reduce speeding and to enforce stop sign adherence.

G4S has added two night-patrol officers.

These officers are patrolling the community all night long.

G4S has reduced/eliminated unauthorized vehicular traffic through any pathways other than the manned security gates.

Rapidcast, a text notification system, is now in use. It is used to alert residents to traffic issues or other items of concern or interest by a text-message “instant” process.

(Residents must sign up at the HOA to receive the texts.)

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ON SCHEDULE FOR 2018: The Security Committee has a new chairman, Lyndon Richardson. I will be transitioning from Chairman to the Board Liaison position.

An additional radar camera trailer was purchased.

Increasing visibility of both G4S and SAPD officers. The relationship we enjoy with the San Antonio Police Department will be continued. At this time we have officers on the premises 24/7, often assisting with approving visitors and vendors.

These officers can access current warrant information as well as participate as needed in the neighborhood in any police matters.

Continued focus on reducing neighborhood speeding and enforcing traffic signs.

Improving the “Ease of Use” of Safehouse software. The development team has heard your concerns and is working to make sure the process is easy and intuitive.

THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB A HOME AWAY FROM HOM E

by Brian Kenneth Swain, Dominion Resident

Stephen Phillips, General Manager of The Dominion Country Club, is a detail kind of guy. One of the first questions I asked him during our pre-article interview was “What exactly is your job?” To which he replied without hesitation, “What isn’t my job?” This wasn’t meant to be snarky or a rhetorical flourish. He was simply making the point that as General Manager, he is responsible for everything from making sure several million dollars worth of renovations get completed on time to picking up socks that people have left lying on the floor in the men’s locker room (which he did more than once during our walking tour of the recently renovated facility).

Stephen started as club GM on July 4th, 2015, so he’s fast approaching his third anniversary as head of The Dominion’s landmark social facility. He came to San Antonio at the request of the company for which he’s worked these past eight years, The Dominion Golf Group, owners of five country clubs in Austin, Dallas, and the Alamo City. He had previously been managing the Dallas clubs, but when The Dominion Country Club’s renovation project started to become a reality, he was tasked with making it happen.

Three years later, he’s still here, still keeping things running smoothly, and still making plans for future enhancements to our signature amenity.

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But how does one go from being born and raised in Fort Worth to being head honcho at the finest country club in the nation’s seventh largest city? It’s been a long road, and one characterized by a great deal of focus and resolve. Stephen is the youngest of seven children, which he credits with teaching him to manage from a young age— managing to not get beat up, to find food, and generally to survive. He attended college at Texas Tech in Lubbock where he majored in hospitality management, and he worked in hotels throughout his college tenure to help pay the bills. He points to Conrad Hilton as an early icon, and notes that his parents were country club members from his earliest memories, so that he spent a good deal of his childhood in that environment, thus further equipping him to understand, at a visceral level, what it takes to create and operate a successful club that offers meaningful experiences to its members.

After college, Stephen went to work for Club Corporation of America, the largest club operator in the world, and he’s been in the business for the entire twenty-five years since. Probed as to the attraction of clubs (versus, say, hotel management, cruises, or any of the myriad of other pursuits that a guy with a hospitality management education might aspire to), he points mainly to the instant gratification of providing a place

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where people come to get away from the travails of the everyday.

“It’s a comfort place for the members.

They join because they want to belong to something. Having the privilege of providing that for people is extremely rewarding.”

Now married for twenty-three years and with a seventeen-year-old son (a senior at Champion High School in Boerne), Stephen recalls starting out as an hourly-paid banquet captain after college. But with time, focus, and hard work came steady elevation in responsibility, until eventually he became general manager of a club in Dallas prior to relocating to The Dominion and San Antonio.

But what motivated the need for the renovation and what did he discover when he got here? Well, the basics of course—a 54,000 square foot facility originally built in 1984, with dramatic Renaissance architectural elements that include majestic domes, cantera columns, and gold-leafed cupolas.

Stephen’s primary challenge in accepting The Dominion transfer was to retain the unique elements of the club’s history, architecture, and ambience while updating its amenities and culture. Existing issues that needed addressing included not only long overdue facility challenges like a less-than-sound roof, and locker rooms that were far larger than required, but also modifications to restaurants that were by this time too formal to allow for casual dining. Stephen cites the comment of a member who, following the completion of the renovation, expressed appreciation that he could now have lunch with his spouse after a round of golf, whereas in past years, men and women had been obliged to retire to separate 19th hole restaurants. Of course, the other Dominion charateristic Stephen encountered upon arriving in San Antonio was a club membership that was the most warm and welcoming he had ever encountered, a state of affairs that has not changed at all during his time here.

So, at last, we come to the renovation project—two years and 3.5 million dollars worth. What was that all about and what has been the result? The list of individual projects is long and impressive, ranging from the immense to the miniscule. For starters, the aforementioned roof replacement, without which not much else matters, as any structural engineer will tell you. Particularly

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impressive is that all of the work that has been done over the past couple of years has taken place without modifying the building footprint at all, i.e., only the original interior space has been upgraded and/or repurposed. Those upgrades are immediately apparent to anyone who walks through the building (especially if you happen to enter through the new front entrance with its authentic antique doors), though some enhancements are more subtle than others.

The obvious major additions include a new casual restaurant and bar, pro shop, fitness center, and studio for classes (yoga, pilates, spin, etc.). Much of the space for these upgrades came from the formerly enormous

locker rooms, which were downsized considerably. More subtle upgrades that contributed to the success of the renovation include a new wine storage area, resurfacing of the entire swimming pool, rebuilding the stone fencing around the tennis courts, and redesign of the patio area including all new furnishings. The attention to detail that went into selecting flooring, artwork, stone, tile, and lighting fixtures are apparent throughout the new areas. And yes, once the dust had settled, the entire project, which started in September 2015 and was completed in May of 2017, took a bit longer than expected, but Stephen’s insistence on delivering the highest quality product meant that the added time was well worth it.

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And how does Stephen know if he’s doing a good job? Aside from the inescapable reality of the numbers, members are not shy about telling him how the club is doing, both anecdotally and through periodic surveys that the club conducts. Using sophisticated systems provided by the parent company, Stephen and the management team have access to a wide range of operational data— what management consultants would refer to as KPIs or Key Performance Indicators.

These include everything form average monthly spend of members to how many golf shirts the pro shop sells and the number and types of drinks the bar tends each day. Any consultant will share with you the old adage “if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” and Stephen would be the first to agree with that sentiment.

The design work that went into the project is apparent from the moment you enter the club, from new chandeliers and stonework to modern fixtures and flooring. And the work was made all the more challenging by the necessity of ensuring that updated areas of the club remained in harmony with the look and feel of the original club sections.

All the design work was handled by the Fort Worth firm Thiel & Thiel Club Designs, and the contract work was performed by Sabinal, a company owned by Dominion resident Mark Wohlfarth. A particularly difficult aspect of the undertaking was the need to make continual progress on numerous simultaneous pieces of work while also keeping the club open for business throughout the process. But members took the work in stride, despite the frequent jackhammer noises and dust, and were frequently updated on progress with written and online communications from Stephen and his team. All were thoroughly impressed with the final results, with especially high marks for the ways in which the color palettes, textures, and architectural elements, down to the smallest door handles and other fittings, blended with the original elements of the facility.

Queried as to what he might have done differently if he had it all to do over, Stephen couldn’t come up with much. Indeed, he felt that the entire effort had gone more smoothly than might have been expected

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for such a massive undertaking, thanks in no small part to the close coordination between the designers, contractors, and club management team. He did learn some things, though, including how to be more probing and assertive when issues or questions arise, and the importance of paying close attention to even the very smallest details, whether it’s the fit and finish of door fixtures or the patina of a wood finish on a piece of furniture.

With the renovation successfully accomplished and membership growing once more, what is the day-to-day managerial experience like for Stephen? He describes the club’s operation as a threelegged stool, the legs comprising members, employee partners, and financial partners.

All three must be functioning smoothly for the club to continue performing at an optimal level. Member dues are the primary source of recurring revenue for the club, and the surest way to ensure the continuing reliability of that source is to offer the best levels of service that he and his team can provide. Perhaps surprisingly, only about half of Dominion residents are club members, and many members of the club live elsewhere. Staff size varies as well, from fifty to over a hundred, depending on time of year and the number of events taking place at any given time. But all are dedicated to ensuring the superior service for which the club is known.

So what’s next for the club and for Stephen?

Next in his sights for renovation are the club’s “wet areas,” i.e., restrooms, locker rooms, saunas, hot tubs, etc. Announcements about these upgrades will be forthcoming in the near future. And Stephen, naturally, has his own to-do list, now that the hard work of the renovation is behind him. He wants to be a part of the growth of The Dominion Golf Group, and he’s keen to visit Europe (perhaps starting with Italy to get a few more ideas on Renaissance architecture and design!).

With the major work completed (for now) and the day-to-day management of the club a never-ending pursuit, it’s as good a time as any to reflect on the successes of the past, the challenges of the future, and the role that the club serves in the community.

As Stephen observed at the outset of our interview, The Dominion Country Club is a place people come to belong and to get away from the rigors of everyday life, at least for a little while. It’s an amenity that we drive past every day and sometimes take for granted.

But it’s an important part of what makes The Dominion a special place to call home, a treasure that’s well worth the investment of money and time.

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COMMUNITY INTEREST

SPRING!

TIME TO PLANT IN THE DOMINION

The spring Landscape projects have been underway and are looking great! There were two major projects scheduled for this spring and they include palm trees at the main entrance to The Dominion and trees planted along Ambassador Lane.

When the main entry to The Dominion was designed, the roads in front of the entry were not elevated, so the entry was more noticeable than it is after the highway construction. The bottlebrush trees behind the monuments were aging and damaged 36

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by freeze. It was decided to take out those trees, move the Sabal Palms that had become crowded by the lampposts at the access road, and to move them to behind the monuments. They look beautiful, majestic, and really increase the impact of the entry!

There will be a few more improvements at that entrance coming regarding some of the other aging landscaping.

Next, trees are being planted along the common area on Ambassador Lane between the Cottages and Golf Course Estates. There

are a total of 58 trees being planted, several varieties including Crepe Myrtles, Monterrey Oaks, Texas Red Oaks, Mountain Laurels, and Texas Sabal Palms. This should create a very beautiful area along that drive.

With the new plantings and everything greening up and recovering from a hard winter, our neighborhood should be looking wonderful!

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DAAG

by Lindsey Duckworth, DAAG Volunteer

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR PETS

how thirsty you get at times…a hydrated pet is a happy pet!

If you must leave a pet outside for part of the day, make sure he has a shaded area and a comfortable bedding or pad to protect him from the hot concrete. An umbrella, canopy or dog hut with a fan will keep his body temp regulated until you are able to let him inside.

(Don’t forget to have PLENTY of water near his special spot!)

Never leave your pet in a car! This goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Leave him home or skip the errand if you must. Cars are ovens in summer months and can cause heatstroke within 10 minutes in a dog or cat – “Just a minute while I run in” is a minute too long!

Keep your pet clean, well groomed and comfortable in warmer months. He’ll forgive you for a shorter-than-normal haircut when he’s cooler and has clean nails and paw pads.

Speaking of paws, take your walks early in the morning or later in the evening hours.

Bend down and put the backside of your hand on the pavement. If it’s hot to your hand, it’s burning to his tender paws! The same goes for gravel and sand…both can cause harm and discomfort. You can find dog booties at local pet supply stores or online if your pup likes to accessorize!

The average temperature in San Antonio ranges from 72-96 degrees June through August, with several days hitting triple digits. For humans who find themselves in and out of air-conditioned homes and cars, we are somewhat used to these uncomfortable months, but let’s not forget how high temps can affect our 4-legged family 38

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members and do our best to keep them comfortable this summer!

Clean drinking water is a MUST! Keep water bowls inside and outside your home and refill them regularly. If your pooch makes a mess while drinking, keep a towel underneath to protect your floors. Think about

The 4th of July is a nightmare for most dogs and cats and the day when most go missing – fireworks and crowds are scary to them, so make sure your pet is chipped, has a collar with tags and is not alone if possible on this day.

DAAG (Dominion Animal Advocates Group) is a non-profit organization helping at-risk animals have safe and healthy lives. To learn more, find us on Facebook!

BARK IN THE PARK

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GOLF

by Jeff Lewis, Dominion Resident

SENIOR HILL COUNTRY INTERCLUB GOLF GROUP

Some of the more that 20 Members of The Dominion Senior Interclub Team are pictured from left to right: Jamie Goodwin, Craig New, Ed Devane, Jeff Lewis, Boyd Bruchmiller, Dan Monroe, Michael Schroeder, Ron Lenss.

In 2009, several Dominion golf members worked with golf professionals from area golf clubs and realized that there was an interest in match play competition. It seemed like a great way of getting together with golf buddies who had relocated from one area (club) to another, to keep in touch, and to have a little friendly competition. The group’s purpose is simple: fostering opportunities for social interactions between golfers at the various clubs. Playing in the Interclub group has the added benefit of being able to play at the various golf courses in the area, make new golf buddies, and having a great day of competition.

Good, friendly, between-club competition must always end with a trophy presentation,

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and this group is no different! The winner is lauded each year at the end of the season of play, which is March through July. As this year’s Team Captain, I am happy to announce that we are in first place against seven other clubs: Cordillera Ranch, Comanche Trace, Sonterra, Tapatio Springs, River Crossing, TPC, and Fair Oaks Ranch clubs.

However, there are still two more matches, so that ranking could change. Our group is determined not to let that happen!

If you are 55+ and would like to be a part of the Hill Country Interclub Golf Group for the 2019 season, please let me know at lewisjeffreya@gmail.com.

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FITNESS

by Julie Goodall

WELCOME THEISSON BROOKS Our Newest Trainer!

Many of you already know Theisson — he has been a member of The Dominion Fitness Center Team since we opened. The great news is that he is now a Certified National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer (NASM).

Look for upcoming Youth Athlete programs with Theisson. He is also available for personal training. Stop by and congratulate Theisson next time you are in the Fitness Center!

Theisson first discovered his passion for fitness when in high school where, as varsity captain, he played football and ran track at Boerne Champion High School.

Theisson was also a coach for a youth Boerne track and field program, where his fitness endeavors expanded to include a passion for working with kids. He is currently attending Northwest Vista college to pursue a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology. In his free time, he enjoys fishing hunting, and hanging out with his fiancé Briana.

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GOOD READS

by Marlene Neslund, Dominion Resident

LOVE AND OTHER CONSOLATION PRIZES to as a Red Light District). Here the romantic triangle is developed among Ernest and two very different young ladies. When Ernest first meets Maisie, she scornfully discards in the trash a candied apple that he hungrily desires. A few chapters later, Fahn, a kitchen maid, gives Ernest “the best apple in all of Washington.”

Both females are strong. Maisie refers to herself as “Plymouth Rock” and Fahn wants to become “the next unbreakable horse.”

But unlike Fahn, “Maisie’s affections weren't freely given.

They had to be earned.”

LOVE AND OTHER CONSOLATION PRIZES, by Jamie Ford, is an enchanting romance against a background of vice, corruption, hypocrisy and abandonment in Seattle’s post-Victorian era. The ever popular style of flashbacks is deftly incorporated in this historical novel.

The 1962 Seattle’s World Fair is the opening setting and the reader is taken back and forth over the years and happenings of the main character, Ernest Young.

He is a twelve-year old, half Chinese orphan who is raffled off at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon Pacific Expo in Seattle. He starts a new life at the Tenderloin, a high class brothel in the Garment District (more commonly referred

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In the 1962 segments of this novel, Ernest refers to his wife as Gracie.

So the reader is questioning if she is Maisie or Fahn. This taunting mystery of the love story is solved two-thirds into the book when one discovers who Gracie is.

Characterization isn’t the only strong component of Ford’s story. His descriptions are vivid with wonderful similes. “The window was wide open, and a cool breeze blew the curtains back like sails of a ship with a broken mast, lazily drifting to nowhere in particular.” Ernest visions the battle of getting Maisie into a corset. “He imagined an angry, six-toed feral cat with long claws and no tail, hissing while being dunked into icy water.”

The universal truth of the good and the bad co-existing in the world runs throughout the novel and is a unifying factor. Ernest reflects, “We were complicit, willing participants, and our lives were wonderful and they were horrible and everything was painful and true, the good and the bad together.” And, “Consumed into the belly of this confounding business that was like all the people he knew, from his mother to Mrs. Irvine, from Madam Flora to Miss Amber - joyful and awful, so free at times and yet so broken.”

The theme of hypocrisy is also very strong.

The hard-nosed matrons of the Mothers of Virtue took to the streets in the Garment District, hoisting signs that condemned white slavery. But how easily they put twelve- year old Ernest on the block to be raffled off at the AYP Expo. The Sunday School kids were taught to do good deeds to others - the same kids who wrapped up rocks and bricks to give Ernest as birthday gifts!

Jamie Ford claims that his never-ending appetite for lost history is the source for this book set in Seattle. A clipping from a 1909 copy of THE SEATTLE TIMES stated that “Someone will draw baby as a prize” at the AYP Expo. Ford states, “…all of this happened during the tail end of the orphan train era, when children were given away with aplomb. And while it is clear that a baby boy was offered as a prize, it is likely that no one claimed him and his subsequent fate is unknown. And I like the unknown. That’s when I decided to write this story.”

“Poignant, strong, exciting, vibrant, enduring,” are only a few of the glowing adjectives critics are using to describe this 2017 novel. Jamie Ford is the NEW YORK TIMES best selling author of HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET. He also wrote SONGS OF WILLOW FROST.

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BUSINESS PROFILE

by Peggy Schooley

UN TANG LED MOBILE PE T SPA As you travel around The Dominion, you may notice vans or box trucks with the Untangled Mobile Pet Spa logo on the side, and maybe you wondered about it. How exactly does someone start up a dog grooming business?

How do you even create a van set-up with everything you need to coif a pup? It isn’t as easy as it sounds!

I had the pleasure of meeting Dustin Pletcher, the owner of Untangled Mobile Pet Spa recently. His story is one of hard work and taking the opportunity when it showed itself!

“When i was 18, my parents sat me down and talked about the fact that college is not an entitlement, but a privilege. One that should be paid for by the student in order to appreciate it completely. My folks had both worked their ways through school and wanted me to do the same. You know how parents are — ‘learn the value of a dollar!’ As I tried to figure out exactly what I could do to earn those dollars, the answer was closer at hand that I originally thought. My mom is an Equine Reproduction Specialist and in her large animal clinic she had added a grooming facility — where I spent a lot of time as I was growing up. I started learning about dog grooming when I was about 13…and I’m doing it still!”

He continues “I knew from working with grooming clients that many had a hard time getting their animals to the clinic. The dog was elderly or stressed by the experience — or maybe the owner was stressed! Whatever the cause, people sometimes delayed necessary grooming because it was just hard to get the dog where it needed to be. So,

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in talking it over with my dad, I proposed starting a mobile pet grooming service. My father, an engineer, jumped on board and planned out a floorplan for the first van (we call them ‘facilities’). He developed my first mobile grooming ‘box!’”

New Braunfels Humane Society to help with dogs they acquire that need attention. I also make sure a discount is available for folks that work hard to make our lives easier: first responders, military law enforcement, senior citizens, and nurses all get a 25% discount!”

I asked him how he got his first clients: “You know how people post little signs for garage sales or estate sales? I put a handful together and stuck them around town. That was it! I think I spent a total of $300 in my low-brow advertising approach! Now that I think about it, I also put ads in the old Greensheets paper. It seems so easy with social media today, but back in the day it was a bit harder to get your name out there. Once I started working, I was blessed by the fact that word of mouth was my friend. I did quality work and people started calling! By my junior year of college I had enough money in my savings account to put a second facility together!

And this time my dad didn’t have to do it — I could afford to have it done professionally.”

It seems that Dustin’s approach to his business is effective because of its continued growth and successful ratings. “We have 1500 or so active clients. About 70% of those use our services at least every six to ten weeks.

I am grooming only about once a week these days because I am so busy running the growing business. I train associates, handle the customer service, any kudos and any complaints are personal around here and are treated equally! We are all about quality of life for the dog. The pet definitely comes first for us — our mottos is “safety THEN style!’ If a pup just isn’t in a groom-able state of mind, we first must work through that with the dog and his owner. We work very, very hard to accommodate everyone - especially those dogs and clients with special needs.”

“I have also been blessed by my associates.

My college roommates have been with me since the very beginning. Ashley is still here in our area, and Sarah just took Untangled ‘on the road’ to Houston as a franchise. I have five facilities now, and they are booking out by at least two weeks. Every other week we set aside a day to meet at either our Boerne or New Braunfels office for a team meeting — which includes a training session on the way to groom various breeds of animals. Usually a client volunteers their pup to be our model!”

Dustin and his team are civic minded, as well.

“We groom the police dogs for the City of Cibolo at no charge…and we partner with the

In a world of Yelp, Yahoo, and Facebook posts, those reviews are very important. “I am happy to say that at this time we are very nearly a 5 star rated business for the 100 or so people who have taken the time to write something up. If only I could get every client to write a review!”

Untangled Mobile Pet Spa “We have warm hearts for cold noses!”

281-331-7387 www.untangledpetspa.com

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HOME TOUR

Classic European architecture stand bold against a green backdrop showcasing this regal Dominion estate.

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Classic

EUROPEAN Sophistication, quality and attention to detail. Classic European architecture with fine traditional finishes grace this beautiful one story custom masterpiece, gorgeous chandelier’s, marble and wood floors, the finest craftsmanship throughout, vast professional grade kitchen opens to family and wet bar areas, exquisite library with private office, each generous bedroom has private luxury bathrooms and walk-in closets, master bedroom has tremendous space and bath with luxurious amenities, home has excellent storage, outdoor entertaining comes easy with cover patio, grill, pool/spa, 3 car garage.

With mature trees, earth tones, and brick privacy walls create a perfect balance of strength and serenity.

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Opposite: Step inside a vaulted, classical entryway detailed with fixtures and accents fit for royalty.

An expansive floorpan shows natural curves and flows effortlessly from the dining room into the living area.

Large windows and accent lights showcase the grandeur and sophistication of this large dining area.

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Opposite: Exquisite craftsmanship can be seen in the kitchen with ornate columns, granite counters, wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.

Rich wood tones bring an elegant depth to this study accented with ornamental glass doors, built in shelves, and ceiling beams.

An elegant master bedroom houses room for not only an office corner but also a sitting area, bringing space an comfortability to your private oasis.

An extended double vanity and oversized full-length mirror add to the expansive nature of this master bathroom.

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Opposite: Tucked away next to curated landscaping, this Dominion home’s water features add elegance and ambiance to your private retreat.

A covered patio with inset lighting and patio fans accompanied with plenty of exterior patio space give the entertaining host plenty of options.

This Dominion flows effortlessly inside and out, lending itself to both a perfect host home and a personal private escape.

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WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.

If you or someone you know has a good, interesting, or unique story we’d like to know about it. If it’s something you and other residents might like to know more about contact us at The Dominion Magazine. We’d love to hear from you.

210.507.5250 | peggy@smvtexas.com

THE DOMINION GIVES

by Peggy Schooley

MUSICAL BRIDGES AROUND THE WORLD Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

World (MBAW) will be the organizing group.)

Until I heard about Mathew’s involvement, I didn’t know much of this group — and so maybe this is new information for you, too.

Anya Grokhovski’s Vision for San Antonio

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The Dominion community is filled with musicians and artists of all types and all instruments. We have met many of them on the pages of this magazine — and now we have an opportunity to offer musical enrichment to some of our city’s citizens in a way that hasn't existed here for a long time, if ever.

When I was a child, the city’s school districts partnered with the San Antonio Symphony to provide twice-yearly concerts just for school children. Busload after busload of elementary age children gathered at the old Municipal Auditorium to hear beautiful classical and popular music. But that program has long since disappeared. Then, recently, a dear friend’s son, Mathew Mason, who is an accomplished composer, wrote the competition piece to be used for the San Antonio International Piano Competition, which is held every four years. (The next one is in 2020, and Musical Bridges Around the

MBAW has a simple, yet difficult, goal.

The founder of the organization, Anya Grokhovski, shares the story: While teaching piano at Gnessin State College and performing as a concert pianist in her native Moscow, Anya Grokhovski still found time to gather at friends’ homes to perform, sing and celebrate among good food and drink. So when she and her first husband arrived in San Antonio in 1991 for teaching positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Grokhovski continued that musical tradition with new friends. It was through these small, festive gatherings that the seeds were planted for Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) after a group of music lovers, mostly physicians, helped raise funds to get the organization off the ground.

“I had no ambition of ever starting a nonprofit. I didn’t even know they existed,” Grokhovski, artistic director and CEO, said. “I left Russia when it was still the Soviet Union, which was not an enterprising country at all.”

MBAW celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2018 and continues to bring international artists to the Alamo City for natives and tourists to enjoy free public concerts, including the Russell Hill Rogers Musical Evenings at San Fernando Cathedral and the annual International Music Festival.

“We know that people, who enjoy our programming, might not always be able to afford to purchase tickets, but we are a public organization and need to be accessible to everyone,” Grokhovski said.

MBAW also offers its free, educational outreach program, Kids to Concerts, which introduces children from low-income areas, or Title I schools, to cultures from all over the world through music and dance from international artists.

“With recent budget cuts in the Texas Legislature for the arts, many schools no longer have music lessons,” explained Suhail Arastu, director of development.

“Musical Bridges takes these international musicians to the schools, which gives kids an opportunity to travel the globe through a world-class music performance that they otherwise might not get to see. We also work with teachers to incorporate our performances with their STEM curriculum.”

Today, Grokhovski, who oversees a $535,000 annual budget, is amazed at how much MBAW has grown. She attributes the expansion to sophisticated concert-goers who desire quality entertainment, such as those that Houston, Dallas or Los Angeles hosts, and to current and previous board members, who paved the way for success.

“Our programming has always had a lot of support from the community, and we have an active and generous board of directors,” the CEO said. “All board members are financially and emotionally invested in the organization mission and vision and go out of their way to make sure every season we reach our fundraising goal.”

Noting that San Antonio is an evolving landscape with businesses and people moving here by the numbers, and with SA 2020’s goal of making the Alamo City an international cultural destination, Grokhovski believes MBAW is doing its part to fulfill that vision.

“An organization like ours tremendously increases the quality of life for everyone,” she said. “I believe by merging classical music with ethnic musicians from various regions, such as India, Ukraine or the Middle East, it creates a unique cosmopolitan experience.”

TO GIVE: Simply go to their website musicalbridges.org and choose your giving level. See your dollars at work sharing beautiful musical gifts from across the globe.

“My intent has always been to bring the best to San Antonio,” she said. “I see and listen to everyone who I invite.”

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GIRL ABOUT TOWN

by Lynette Aleman, Dominion Resident

JS WINE & SPIRITS

Did you know there is a hidden boutique wine shop in San Antonio… and, even more, they offer free wine tastings on Saturday? Let me tell you about JS Wine and Spirits.

Then, just like now (fast forward to present day), when I enter what appears to be a really small shop in an odd location, I am still amazed at the wonder inside.

Started in 1997 by Joe Saglimbenis, who remains the one and only owner since its inception, it is tucked away in a warehouse district located at 638 W. Rhapsody Dr. # 1, in San Antonio. To show how different life is since 1997, JS Wine and Spirits was the first wine store in San Antonio!

When you enter, more than likely you will be greeted by Chablis, the JS mascot. And, of course, what would be the mascot of a wine shop that also specializes in French and Italian wine? A French Bull Dog, of course - Chablis. And, to make it even more official, they run a good special on Chablis on Chablis’ birthday as well!

The first time I heard about this wine shop years ago, I was told there was an amazing wine shop kind of near the airport. My skeptical look was quickly followed by a “just go - you’ll like it!”. And I was skeptical at first, especially as I pulled up to the drive way. I thought surely my friend was mistaken, this couldn’t be a great wine shop! But I took a chance and went in, because, as I told myself “I love supporting local mom and pop shops.”

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Once you get past him, what looks like a small shop makes a turn to the left and takes you to the first tasting room. Then, further along after this is an additional wine room with small bites for purchase as well. (If you are the designated driver or a non-wine drinker appeasing your sweetie, they also have Topo Chico, water, soft drinks, beer and spirits for purchase.) And the rooms and displays continue on and on.

Now, know that this wine shop is not for the faint of heart. Those of you who enjoy Rex the Goliath and Yellowtail price point (which by the way, I do) this shop may not be for you. However, the prices cover an amazing range, so you can find just what you are looking for in almost any price range — from $10 on up for wines at this shop. But those are just the wines on ‘regular’ display…but wait! There is more!

The further you travel into this shop, the more the wonder grows! As you peruse the aisle there is more and more and more wine!

In addition to the surprises you’ve already seen, JS also maintains a private select wine cellar, an extensive one, for higher priced wines, where the pricing ranges from about $100 to over $1,000! As you can imagine, this private cellar is under Joe’s careful watch — and lock and key — so you have to ask him, or his associates, for admittance.

JS Wine and Spirits is a true example of a boutique wine shop. They do not represent the mass-produced wine houses which, trust me, I think are good… but instead is a very different world. JS specialize in the boutique wineries and vintage varietals. Oh, and let me tell you ladies and gents, this is the good stuff!

TRY THE WINE TASTINGS Wine tastings are held every Saturday and it is an event! Every Saturday, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Joe basically throws an amazing wine tasting party. Of course, there are various wines for sample on that day with an explanation of each wine. If you decide to go give it a try, I strongly recommend that you get there really early!! They reserve only so many bottles for the tasting each week.

And, usually, the wines available for the tastings are offered at a 20% discount only on that Saturday. These are very educational tastings, also, because they like to push people’s palates by offering a wide variety of options. The fun part is that if you like a wine, you can buy it right then! Then, once you're done with the tasting, and you’ve purchased your favorite, you can enjoy it on their patio or in their tree house if you like.

They also have a food truck if you want a nibble to go along with your wine.

If you're alone on a Saturday, you may want to give this a try as something fun and different to do because there are ‘Saturday regulars’ that are quick to invite you to join in the group — all for the love of wine. And, by the way, the wine tastings also feature a spirit and they bring in the distiller’s reps themselves to present the tasting and to answer your questions.

They also have a wine club that starts $50 a month and features 2 wines each month that

you can sign up for. JS also offers and arranges gift and corporate wine or spirit baskets.

Military and teachers get a 20% discount on all wine and 10% on spirits every day.

SPECIAL ALERT: When I was asking about specials I was offered a 20% discount to all of our readers! Just mention “Girl About Town” in The Dominion Magazine to get 20% discount on all wine and 10% on spirits.

Joe Saglimbenis has been in the wine business since before he can remember. It is a family business and has been a part of his family’s life since prohibition. As a fun fact, his family owns one of the oldest wine shops in NY State.

His grandparents opened Saglimbenis in New York just 5 days after prohibition ended in 1933. It is still in business and is now the oldest wine shop in NY. www.jsfinewines.com

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TA S T E O F T H E D O M I N I O N

by Ashley DeVane, Dominion Resident

BENEFITING THE SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK

Every May for the last 23 years, the Dominion Country Club has hosted The Taste of The Dominion. This is a great, fun social event. And, while it certainly stimulates your palate, it is also MUCH more than that.

Over the years, this fundraiser has evolved and improved each year.

Now it is a sophisticated event offering amazing tastings and an impressive silent auction. Tickets are offered to the public, with proceeds going directly to the charity.

The Taste of The Dominion is proud to announce this year’s top three winners: Piatti, Grey Moss Inn and Scuzzi’s Italian Restaurant Piatti, who won first place, served delicious crispy prosciutto cups with goat cheese, house made red pepper bread sticks, and caprese skewers. Items like these are not on their regular menu but can be requested and ordered in advance for parties as great simple appetizers.

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Second place went Scuzzi’s Italian Restaurant served their awesome signature dish, Shrimp Scuzzi in butter garlic sauce.

Third place winner, The Grey Moss Inn, had perfect Mesquite Grilled New York Strip with fresh horseradish sauce — and my favorite Jalapeno Twice Baked Potatoes.

Some restaurants new to our area also participated and were extremely popular: For example, Bar 301 served wonderful toast points with shaved duck. Acu Bistro Bar dished out a nice portion of paella, a beautiful spinach salad, and baklava. There were too many fabulous things to list all of the dishes I tried, but everything was great

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and really summarized each of the restaurants’ fare to their best potential.

For a little background on the charity: Every summer our city has thousands of school-aged children who go hungry because they don’t have access to the food programs offered during a school year. This issue is a serious one that is affecting our city and the future of our citizens in a meaningful way every single day.

A hungry child isn’t able to learn or to live life as you would hope simply because he or she is preoccupied with finding enough food to live through the day. The Dominion community wants to change this problem and to make a difference in our city — and that is where The Taste of the Dominion comes in.

For the past six years, The San Antonio Food Bank staff and board members have worked side by side with The Dominion to increase attendance at the event, with great success. Restaurant participation continues to increase year over year, as well as attendance. Last year we hosted more than 600 people tasting offerings from 18 restaurants. This year there were 23 great restaurants and between close to 700 attendees. The Food Bank helps with the layout, the lighting, getting restaurants involved, and setting up the silent auction.

This year our event earned $28,800. That equates to 201,600 meals that the Food Bank can provide for children over the summer.

This year’s Taste of The Dominion was a huge success for The San Antonio food Bank and fun for all in attendance!

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JUNE 2018

AREA EVENTS

Through June 6

“NIGHT OF ARTISTS” Now in its 17th year, this public exhibition showcases more than 280 new works of art from 75 of the country’s top Western art­ists.

Art on exhibit is available for purchase. Free with museum admission. Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St. briscoemuseum. org 210-299-4499

Through July 1

“GATHERING AT THE WATERS: 12,000 YEARS OF PEOPLE” Discover how the San Antonio River watershed served as a life source to prehistoric people and their cultures. Learn how 12,000 years of climate shifts impacted the prehistoric hunter and gatherers as they moved in search of food and other critical resources, and how the San Antonio River played a pivotal role in sustaining various forms of life. A companion exhibition to “Confluence and Culture: 300 Years of San Antonio History” and expands the narrative to the complex history of San Antonio.

The Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway St. wittemuseum.org 210-357-1900

May 25-Sept. 3

SPECIAL EXHIBITION: “ANDY WARHOL: COWBOYS AND INDIANS” Includes the 10 original works of the set combined with additional color proof prints— and prints of other Western icons painted by the father of Pop Art in America. Free with museum admission. Briscoe West­ern Art Museum, 210 W. Market St. briscoemuseum. org 210-299-4499

May 25-Sept. 3

SPECIAL EXHIBITION: “BILLY SCHENCK AND THE ROOTS OF WESTERN POP ART” The companion exhi­bition to the Briscoe’s summer Warhol show, this exhibition highlights the work of Billy Schenck, an artist that arose from Warhol’s orbit to inspire the Western Pop movement for more than 50 years. Free with museum admission. Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St. briscoemuseum.org 210-299-4499

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June 1

“BOTTLE ROCKET” (WES ANDERSON FILM FESTIVAL) The night features a free outdoor screening of the director’s first film. This crimecomedy film was co-written by Anderson and Owen Wilson. The Monty + Ivy, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St. wesandersonfilmfestival.com 210-212-9373

June 2

“BOSS BABY” Free outdoor movie starts at sunset.

Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets.

Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. slabcinema.com 210-212-9373

June 5

“COCO” Free out­door movie starts at sunset. Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets. Travis Park, 311 E. Travis St. slabcinema.com 210212-9373

June 12

“BOSS BABY” Free outdoor movie starts at sunset. Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets. Travis Park, 311 E. Travis St. slabcinema.com 210212-9373

June 14

“LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS” Free outdoor movie starts at sunset. Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets. Mis­ sion Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. slabcinema.com 210-212-9373

June 15

“GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL” (WES ANDERSON FILM FESTIVAL) The festival continues with a free outdoor screening of his eighth film in downtown San Antonio. Bring lawn chairs and blan­kets. San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave. wesandersonfilmfestival.com 210-212-9373

June 16

“JUSTICE LEAGUE” Free outdoor movie starts at sunset.

Bring pic­nics, lawn chairs, and blankets.

Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave. slabcinema.com 210-212-9373

June 19

“TROLLS” Free out­door movie starts at sunset. Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets. Travis Park, 311 E. Travis St. slabcinema.com 210212-9373

June 19

ART IN THE DARK Enjoy an unforgettable evening cel­ebrating the touch, sense, and feel of art. Local artists, potters, sculptors, and jew­elry designers in San Antonio have donated their artwork to the eighth annual event. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on art throughout the evening while enjoying food and beverages from local restaurants and businesses. This year, Rick Cavender will perform with the Lighthouse Choir. All proceeds will benefit

blind chil­dren’s programs through the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Vision Impaired.Sheraton Gunter Hotel, 205 E. Houston St. salighthouse.org/event/art-inthe-dark

June 26

“SING” Free out­door movie starts at sunset. Bring picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets. Travis Park, 311 E. Travis St. slabcinema.com 210212-9373

June 29

“MOONRISE KING­DOM” (WES ANDERSON FILM FESTIVAL) The Wes Anderson Film Festival continues with a free outdoor screening of his seventh film on the lovely grounds of the Botanical Garden, in San Antonio. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Movie starts at dusk. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. wesandersonfilmfestival.com 210-212-9373

June 29-July 4

BUD LIGHT STARS, STRIPES, & LIGHTS Two-thousand patriotic luminarias (lights in bags) will glow on display in star-spangled themed bags along the banks of the downtown River Walk. Free to enjoy. San Antonio River Walk. thesanantonioriverwalk. com/events

June 29-July 2

FOURTH OF JULY ARTISAN SHOW Vendors display and sell beautiful handmade merchandise along the San Antonio River Walk. Artisans are different for each show but usually include pottery, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, paint­ings, beadwork, and more.

River Walk Extension (close to Shops at Rivercenter). thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ events

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

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