Cream City Magazine No. 44 by Cream City Magazine

founder & publisher fernando de haro

copy editor

rebecca maria rodríguez

NO 44

design & production

august • september 2017

lead designer gabriela lozano

photographer ferch

high end retouching paola denyce badouin

production + video assistant katya peña

Cream San Antonio amely garza

I am proud to present issue #44 of Cream City Magazine. We’ve been working really hard to create the most interesting content for you, as well as great visuals to go along with the full Cream experience. One of the most important things nowadays is to stay healthy, fit, and motivated to achieve our goals; naturally, the best way to do this is by looking fabulous with the perfect combination of athletic gear to make any activity a breeze. This past month, we had the honor to meet Leslie and Gina, two admirable entrepreneurs who just opened FIIT Athleisure, a new store that will be featuring the latest trends in sports fashion. They are this issue’s cover girls and definitely a duo to keep on your radar because we are sure they will be making a big buzz in the local athletic circuit with their new concept. Congratulations, ladies! On another note, Cream was invited to the Guanajuato International Film Festival for the second year in a row. Once again, we were delighted to witness one of the greatest events in Mexico where the arts, fashion and music come together to create the perfect mix and attract visitors from all over the world. Cream loves to be a part of these types of events and bring our readers closer to other cities that inspire us with their cultures. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone that has been supporting us from day one. We are immensely thankful to you all for reading our pages and making us the best publication in the city! Lots of changes are coming soon, and we are getting closer to the big reveal.

dulce maría miranda

interns monserratt guajardo michelle aviles grecia mariela ramos

writers

rubén bazán iii, joe arciniega, michelle cook, victor hugo garcía, elyssa canales-villarreal.

sales

cynthia vallejo, dara michelle neher and leslie miramontes

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Thanks Laredo!

Copyright © 2017 Cream City Magazine is a bi-monthly publication. All rights reserved. Points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Cream City Magazine. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we believe is incompatible with our mission. We also reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we deem competitive or contrary to the best interests of the magazine. Advertisers are legally responsible for the content, accuracy, and images of their ads. Printed in Mexico.

~ The Selfless Indulgence ~

On Choices And Consequences

GUANAJUATO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2017

Meet two dynamic achievers who contribute to the development of both Laredos. They are flying high on Cream’s radar.

TRICIA CORTEZ

VERONICA RAMIREZ

Right out of college, I started as a news reporter in Washington D.C. and eventually made my way to Laredo in 2001. Laredo fascinated me from the beginning. I fell in love with its intensity, rich culture, and quirky political scene. I stayed reporting until 2008. I began my tenure with RGISC in 2010. I was hired to oversee a federal EPA grant for the entire watershed. A year later, the Board named me the new executive director.

I started singing since I was in the 6th grade at school Masses and later on at my church. At the age of 15, I started taking voice lessons with Courtney Slaughter Proffitt. She is the teacher who not only started me on the road to singing classical music, but started training my voice. Ironically, I was not interested in singing classical music. I was into the hard rock and folk singers of the 60s and 70s. I was happy singing pop music and playing my guitar. As I continued to study, I was singing beautiful music from different operas. Mrs. Proffitt would tell me the stories of these operas. The drama of the music of composers like Puccini, and Mascagni captivated my young mind. I learned to love opera.

Executive Director Rio Grande International Study Center

I became aware of this organization and its people when I started covering a controversial story involving a battle between two developers in 2001. RGISC became deeply involved in that issue. Observing the beauty of that terrain along Manadas Creek, and its untouched woodlands and wetlands, took my breath away. I quickly learned that it was about to be bulldozed and that that was business as usual in Laredo.There were no city laws in place to save or protect this beautiful environment. After two long years, RGISC was able to help establish the city’s first-ever Green Spaces Preservation ordinance. Also, because of that controversy much of that land in question became North Central Park.

I admire hard-working single mothers (like my mom), all investigative journalists, individuals who possess great courage and make deep, personal sacrifices as activists, and people who seek the truth and are able to rise to the occasion to accomplish great things.

My career has given me the ability to work with all kinds of people and build close friendships with those who are like-minded and working on something that benefits the greater good. I’ve enjoyed watching Laredo grow and the environmental movement with it, along with having a chance to teach young people about the environment. I am also able to think and speak freely. All of these have been extremely rewarding experiences of working with RGISC. 8

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Music Teacher/Owner Bella Nota Vocal Studio

For me, every day is a goal accomplished. Every day I strive to do the best I can in everything that comes my way. I hope tomorrow will be a day of more goals to achieve.

In May of 1993, I was approached to become the voice/choir teacher at a new school, the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts (VMT). The moment I stepped in that classroom filled with eager students wanting to sing, I knew I was in my element. When I teach, my satisfaction lies when my students’ voices bloom, from their little girl or boy singing voices to them producing beautiful mature sounds. Mrs. Proffitt and all the other teachers I studied under inspire me to teach my students as best as I can. But I owe everything to my parents. I live to honor their legacy and I thank them endlessly for giving me the tools to get me to where I am today. I strive for perfection for myself and my students, in my performances as well as theirs. If it is achieved, that is fantastic. If it is not, that is fantastic too. Perfection doesn’t necessarily mean no mistakes. To me, it means our heart and soul is poured in what we are trying to achieve.

I have often acknowledged that I am the most selfish person I know, but it’s not my fault. From my very first days of it, the women in my life coddled and curdled me into a puree of selfcenteredness and convictions of grandeur. Through various phases from my birth to date, three generations of extraordinary women, my paternal grandmother, my mother, and my wife, gifted me with their most ardent attentions. To say it turned my everexpanding head would be an understatement. I don’t know why I inherited such bounty, but I figured out in time that it was more a reflection on them than anything to do with me. It was their grace, their strength, and their selflessness that planted the idea and the developing certainty that I was special. For selfish me, the personal benefit from volunteerism and charity, from giving, was an acquired taste, but a good one. Because in the decades since, I have found that the returns of giving are many multiples of what was given. In the King James Bible, Acts 20:35, the words “…It is more blessed to give than to receive” inspired the “better to give than to receive” concept that those far better than I, including my feminine beloveds, have espoused. For we lesser mortals, perhaps “give to receive,” while less noble, might fit better. And so long as the end result is in service to those many others in need around us, why not? It resonated for me and I know I’m not alone.

~ The Selfless ~ Indulgence

telephone ringing at 3:00 AM is never good news. This was no exception. “Senor Joe, Senor Joe,” her accented voice was even harder for me to understand at that baying pitch, “Venga, andale, esta muerto!” My sleepy mind was furiously working to translate. Come, hurry, he’s muerto. Muerto. Dead. Ok, that woke me. She was yelling into the receiver, then shushing those around her, and then back to me as a chorus of keening voices, including children, began to drown her out. Then she joined them; then she hung up. It was a woman I had been assigned as a client by a nonprofit charity organization I joined that year. I had turned thirty and decided it was time to repay my good fortune, and this organization needed help with their Spanish speaking clients. Our cases were mostly migrant families from Mexico and further south bare-knuckling a meager living up and down the state of California, where I lived then. We were supposed to be assigned three to five cases, single women with children. Helping moms and kids would feel good, I thought at my first meeting. The reality was that it was more like eight to ten cases, and the women seemed to have more children than was mathematically possible. Plus, there was usually an ambiguously attached adult male in tow. There were many instances where we simply had to overlook the muddle of poverty. I found that if I thought too deeply about something, asked too many questions, considered too many of the rules, I wouldn’t have been able to help most of them. I also found that my Texas upbringing worked against me. Expectations of gratitude, of their only taking what was immediately necessary, even simple honesty, these were luxuries in their world of perpetual need. I had to learn that, just like I had to learn to give.

That early morning, with jeans over my pajamas, and a baseball cap slapped on my bedhead, I drove to the dingy white clapboard house with the peeling red trim where I delivered baby clothes the previous week. Our organization also bought them groceries and helped several of them find work. Sometimes we paid their rent. My client met me on the porch. She was more collected, even managing a weak but proud smile as she told the others that she knew I would come. As I entered the house, I saw rows of sheets suspended from clothesline strung across the front room and nailed to the walls. Bedrooms. Sleeping cells for what I guessed were seven or more families in that one room. From there, I could see more in what was by day a kitchen and a dining room. My client and three of the older children showed me to the fronta front corner. They pulled back a sheet to reveal a sixtyish year old man, a Guatemalan passing through with no family in that house, they said. He was lying on his side on a bare mattress, clearly dead. Muerto. I explained that we must call the police and that I would stay to help them. I suspected I might have little company, and I was right, though my client and a few others stayed. It was daylight before I was home. No one thanked me, but I never felt more appreciated. The lessons I learned that night, and from giving since, taught me that little that I have received in my life can compare to the profound impact from having given to others. And as someone driven by self-indulgence (reminder: not my fault), why wouldn't I decide to do even more for the expected multiple returns? This circle of service and satisfaction leading to more service, which leads to more satisfaction, and so on, is one I highly recommend to selfish human beings everywhere. Go ahead, indulge yourselves. Give, volunteer, help, serve, then enjoy the gains and do it some more. If for no other reason than that, the good is still good. And that's what counts. BY JOE ARCINIEGA arciniegajoe@gmail.com

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creambizfashion

In this day and age, we all live our lives on the go, so it only makes sense that our wardrobe is both stylish and practical. For those who love to hit the gym but have other places to go, it can be hard to find clothes that are both versatile and comfortable. Luckily, FIIT Athleisure is ready to serve their style needs, with a vast selection of items and brands to choose from for multitasking athletes in Laredo. CREAM had the opportunity to talk to Leslie Villegas and Gina Calzada, founders of FIIT Athleisure and we share with you all the details behind this new venture.

Gina Calzada Co-Owner FIIT Athleisure

How would you describe the FIIT ATHLEISURE concept? Gina: Our concept can simply be described as, “when fitness meets fashion”. Fiit Athleisure is a sports apparel store that specializes in active wear and athleisure clothing. While athletic wear is used specifically for sports and fitness, athleisure is known as a “fitness casual” type of style. Whether you’re hitting the gym or the grocery store, it’s all about versatility. It’s inevitable, that we all live on the go, but when you’re able to walk out of your house, run your errands and then go straight to your workout all while looking stylish, I would say that you’re #winning. Tell us the history behind FIIT ATHLEISURE, how did it all start? Leslie: I am the mother of two boys that are involved in several athletic activities. I try to stay fit and make it to the gym a few times a week. Between work, the kids’ practices, and my gym time, I found myself grabbing pieces of clothing that I could coordinate with my fitness outfit so that I could still look put-together all while feeling comfortable. I soon found some great athleisure brands that I fell in love with. However, I could only find this type of clothing line in places like San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, or other big cities in the state. It was then I knew that I wanted to make these brands easily accessible to not only people in my position, but to the entire community of Laredo and the surrounding communities in south Texas.

Leslie Villegas Co-Owner FIIT Athleisure

FIIT Athleisure is located at 3910 E. Del Mar Boulevard, Suite #305 at the KRK Plaza, off of Loop 20 and Del Mar Boulevard They can be reached at (956) 775-3448 or at fiitathleisure@gmail.com.

Exercising, eating healthy, taking care of your body is more important now than ever. How does FIIT ATHLEISURE embrace this lifestyle? Leslie: At Fiit, we embrace a healthy lifestyle by empowering one another to do so. After running my first half marathon, I finally got to see firsthand that there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” type of athlete. I met runners of all ages, shapes and sizes. The empowerment that runners gave to one another was clearly felt and visible. That day I learned that although everyone there was different we all had the same goal, to finish a 13.1 mile course. It didn’t matter if you ran or walked across the finish line, what mattered was that you made the effort to do it and that is a great accomplishment in itself. What inspires you when selecting each and every piece that you are going to showcase at FIIT ATHLEISURE? Gina: Laredo has a diverse population. Today, we have seen an increase of fitness centers, CrossFit gyms and warehouses, running groups, and yoga centers; the list goes on and on. FIIT will be the store to accommodate this diversity. We will bring specialty brands that you cannot find in this area, and that cater to the types of activities taking place in our community. When selecting our pieces, we take these activities into consideration along with some of the casual clothing the customers may already own, but we will always keep comfort at the forefront. What makes FIIT ATHLEISURE different than your regular athletic store at the mall? Gina: We have partnered up with many different brands that are not carried in a regular athletic store. You may not even find some of these brands in San Antonio. Every brand that we carry has a unique style, making you feel comfortable and confident whether you are working out or just going about your day. Not to mention the college student that will be able to walk around campus not only comfortable, but fashionable too. We have seen some of the unique pieces that FIIT ATHLEISURE will be selling and we were really impressed by the curated selection. Tell us more about the process. Who is the fashionista behind it? Leslie: We are blessed to have many fashionistas in our lives that have inspired many of the brands and lines that we will have in the store. Gina and I will be working hand in hand to bring

the best to our beloved community. It helps to have siblings, friends, and a husband that keep up with today’s fashions for men and women. Are these pieces just to wear at the gym? Gina: Most of the clothing that you will find at Fiit are categorized as Athleisure wear, a type of active wear style that allows you to incorporate your regular casual clothing with your fitness apparel. Almost all athleisure wear is easily able to transition from day wear into what you will wear to your workout. It’s the perfect blend of style and functionality. What are some of the brands that you will be carrying inside the store? Gina: Some of the brands that you will find at Fiit Athleisure include: Nana Judy, Electric & Rose, Onzie Flow, Jala, Superdry, Virus and The House of Tens. When talking to you earlier, you mentioned you have a passion for running. How has practicing the sport transformed your life. What has been your experience? Leslie: Throughout my youth, I participated in track and cross country and so I have always had a passion for running. It wasn’t until I had my two boys that I viewed the sport through a whole different perspective. Now running isn’t about competing against other runners, it’s about accomplishing my own personal goals. It’s a great feeling to see my boys waiting for me at the finish line at every race. I can see how proud they are of their mom. Through running, I have been able to show them that anyone is capable of attaining any goal as long as they believe in themselves. Cream is honored to have you gracing the cover of our August Issue. Anything else that you would like to add? We are so excited to bring this new and lasting trend to our community. We would like to invite the people of Laredo and the surrounding communities like our sister city of Nuevo Laredo, Zapata, Cotulla, Hebbronville, and all other communities in south Texas. We look forward to keeping everyone comfortable and fashionable.

On Choices And Consequences M

y wife introduced me to zac brown band about five years before we got married. With a little bit of “Chicken Fried” and our “Toes” in the water, we had created wonderful memories that were ours only. I had never been to one of their concerts, and while we were broken up, I took another girl to their show in San Antonio and uploaded the experience to Facebook. While I was happy about going to the show, I hadn’t realized that my actions would hurt my now wife. I had enjoyed, with someone else, something that was on her turf. Not only that. I rubbed it on the whole world’s face. Including my wife’s. To this day I regret what I did.

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The lesson that my fraternity Brother teaches to his boys can be taken a step further. Not only must we consider what we did do, but also what we didn’t do. Too often do we witness people who refrained from doing what is smart simply because “they felt it” or they “had a hunch” or because “it’ll work itself out later.” We lived in the moment by devouring unhealthy meals without considering that not doing that will help us live longer. We agreed to a bad business venture without doing the appropriate research because a large amount of money was promised. We said “yes” at the altar without considering that looks fade and without considering that discussing finances actually matters in the long run. All in all, the effects of the things we don’t do matter as much as the things we did do, regardless of what our original intention was. So yes, feel with your heart, but make sure your brain also has a seat at the conference room table. Clairvoyants are a sham, and at times it will get difficult to tell what’s going to happen in the near or far future. After all, we all make mistakes. However, it doesn’t take a genius to know that a good old pro and con list will dictate, at least for a little bit, a better future. We claim that we don’t want to mess up, yet we make bad investments, bad decisions, and bad calls of judgment because we focus too much on the pleasure that the “now” can give us. Honest mistakes aside, we can improve our future by constantly recognizing that how we sleep at night depends on the sporadic consideration of our future. Even though I was in my complete right to go to the Zac Brown Band concert, it did light a fire under my butt to think about the possible consequences of my actions. I call on you to carefully consider what you mean to do and compare it with what you are about to do or not do, and readjust your future accordingly. You never know – you might end up “Knee Deep” in something you don’t want “As She’s Walking Away.”

BY RUBÉN BAZÁN III THERUBENINDEX@GMAIL.COM

My fraternity Brother says one thing over and over to his sons: it doesn’t matter what you meant to do; it matters what you did. It reminds me of the many times we hear others say “I didn’t mean to do that” right after the unintended consequence slaps them in the face. We’ve all been there, of course. We do things to fulfill a sudden desire and many times we are unaware of what we’re actually doing. This happens because, like true children who enjoy the taste of instant gratification, we don’t think ahead. We are blinded to the result of our actions because we are constantly told to “live in the now.” While I am an advocate of enjoying each living moment, I have also learned that it is enjoyed more when we consider, at least a little bit, what could happen in the future.

2017

creamout&about

Gran apertura de La Laguna La Laguna Mariscos y Sushi abrió las puertas de su nueva sucursal ubicada en 9413 de McPherson Rd. y Cream estuvo allí para captar los mejores momentos. El lugar es todo un éxito, desde la ambientación, el decor, el menú, sobre todo el servicio y la extensa variedad de bebidas preparadas, con justa razón se han ganado el título de “La Casa de las Micheladas”. ¡Felicidades por la gran apertura!

creamout&about

Un Sueño

Hecho Realidad

Una boutique para niños muy diferente donde el carisma, talento y excelente gusto por la moda de Miriam Talamas se conjugan en una pasarela de estilo y elegancia donde ahora todas las mamás podrán encontrar los modelos más nuevos y chic de la ciudad. ¡Les invitamos a conocer un poco más de Runway Kids Boutique!

Platícanos el concepto de Runway Kids Boutique: Runway nace de un sueño que tuve de una boutique, como su propio nombre dice, con ropa de “pasarela”. Me refiero de pasarela con las cosas más hermosas que encuentro en el camino de todo tipo de precios para que todos los niños luzcan hermosos e impecables de pies a cabeza. De qué manera tus 3 peques han influenciado el estilo y concepto de Runway Kids Boutique? La historia de vida de muchas mujeres puede dividirse en dos etapas: antes de convertirse en madres y después de ello. Mis hijos son mi inspiración, el motor de mi vida, mi alegría y mi esperanza. Mis tres pequeñitos con sus personalidades diferentes han influenciado muchísimo el concepto de Runway Kids Boutique.

Mia: Es una personita de 6 años que sabe hacer sentir orgullosos a sus padres. Inteligente y madura para su edad. En ocasiones es introvertida, tiene sentimientos buenos y le encanta todo lo artístico. Desde que nació nos ha hecho los padres más afortunados por el simple hecho de tenerla. Mia tiene su propio estilo elegante y clásico. Desde que era una niña muy pequeña pedía que no se me olvidara ponerle el “moño”. Ella cuida cada detalle en su vestimenta y ahora ella me ayuda a escoger las piezas para niñas más grandes y de su edad. Con ella y con sus amiguitas he aprendido que tipo de ropa les gusta ponerse.

travieso que conozco. Yo no sé que haría sin este galán. Con Georgie y con sus amiguitos fui viendo que siempre falta ropa de niños a donde vayas. Mamás no me lo pueden negar, entran a una boutique y todo es color de rosa, vestidos hermosos, moños, accesorios para las muñecas de la casa, pero para nuestros varones difícilmente encontramos. Runway Kids Boutique ofrece distintas marcas de acuerdo a la temporada con looks varoniles, modernos y cómodos para nuestros reyes de la casa.

Qué significa para ti ser madre, esposa, y ahora dueña de tu propia boutique? Cómo balanceas tu día a día? Ser madre y esposa es la mayor ilusión que toda mujer tiene y nos llena de felicidad serlo. Ser mamá no es un título que se adquiere estudiando en la Universidad, es un reconocimiento que se logra con la energía de amar, guiar, cuidar, acompañar y proteger con devoción a los hijos. Y ahora en esta faceta de mi vida con Runway Kids Boutique quiero conseguir día a día hacer compatible una vida profesional plena con dedicación a mi hermosa familia. Tú siempre te has distinguido por tener mucha elegancia y estilo, tu buen gusto es algo que sobresale en todo momento, cómo traduces esos elementos a Runway Kids Boutique? Runway Kids Boutique ofrece prendas de calidad y de moda que se convierten en acompañantes de nuestros hijos por mucho tiempo. Me gusta descubrir marcas y productos de niños que me inspiran y me hacen mirar más allá…

Milca Alexa: Es mi bebita de 1 año 4 meses, llena de energía que contagia a cualquiera con su sonrisa. La mayoría del tiempo es extrovertida, cariñosa, feliz y le encanta imitar a sus hermanitos. Es una bebita muy inteligente y creativa, ella misma me pide que accesorio y que zapato ponerse; le encanta arreglarse y presume feliz que vestido trae. Todas las niñas lucen hermosas con lo que les pongas, pero escoger un vestido para la boutique viéndoselo a mi bebita puesto es lo mejor. George: Mi único hijo varón, el rey de la casa, George David a punto de cumplir 4 años vino a cambiar mi mundo cuando los que me conocen saben que mi hija Mia no podía estar sin un moño en la cabeza. Georgie el niño más feliz, extrovertido, cariñoso, tierno,

Cuando entramos por primera vez a tu boutique nos quedamos impresionados con el toque moderno y a la vez elegante de su interior… en qué te inspiraste para crear el look, atmósfera y decoración? Me inspire en buscar un lugar donde encuentres para todo tipo de ocasión y con facilidad de encontrar lo que necesites. Los que me conocen saben que siempre me ha gustado la organización y la rapidez. Decidí hacer tres closets con los nombres de mis tres hijos dividiendo las prendas en Milca’s Closet (para bebitas de 0-4 años), Georgie’s Closet (toda la ropa de niño), y Mia’s Closet (para niñas de 5-12 años). Qué tan importante es para ti dar un servicio personalizado, de primera y conocer a detalle las necesidades de las “modern moms”? Como madre de tres hijos sé exactamente lo que una mamá busca en el atuendo tanto de una niña como de un niño. Me fascina esto! Así que para mi lo más importante es ayudar a todas las mamis a llevarse el outfit perfecto dependiendo la ocasión. Cómo describes Runway Kids Boutique? Runway Kids Boutique es uno de mis sueños hechos realidad. Es una inspiración en mis hijos que es lo que más amo en el mundo y es algo tan bonito que hemos hecho mi esposo y yo. Es una boutique con la que yo siempre soñé para Laredo. Distintas marcas, diferentes estilos y mucha elegancia.

Espero que nos visiten en 121 Calle Del Norte, Suite 101 • (956) 337.2354 cream

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KENDRA ALVAREZ Is a Speech Language Pathologist for United ISD.

HAT TYPE OF PETS DO YOU OWN? I have four rescue dogs right now. WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF YOUR PETS? I have Nanook, a Siberian husky mix; Marley, a golden retriever mix; Pippa, schnauzer mix; and Dineta, the pointer. HOW DID YOUR LOVE FOR DOGS START?

/ WHEN AND HOW DID YOUR INTEREST IN THIS SPECIES AND

BREED SPARK YOUR INTEREST? I don’t know where the love for dogs started. I love all animals. I love dogs, I love how happy they always are, they always bring so much joy in your life. All my dogs are rescue dogs. I rescue around three dogs a year. I have to limit myself and I try my best to help them find forever homes. These four are the ones I ended up staying with. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WITH YOUR PETS? I like to take them swimming and take them to eat if I can. There are no dog parks in Laredo so we come to my parents’ house and hang out with them at home. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE PETS? Pets bring so much joy into your life. They give you something to do. If you like sports, you can get a pet who can accompany you in your sport. If you like to stay in, you can get a pet who likes to stay in. They accommodate to all different types of lifestyles. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUYING A DOG AND RESCUING A DOG? There are so many dogs that need rescuing. Where I work, I see about 10 stray dogs a day and they’re just as good as the one in the pet store. In the pet store, they can come from kennels and they’re the same as the stray dogs. The stray dogs need love too. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT PETS? “Adopt, don’t shop.” TELL US HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING INVITED TO CREAM PETS?

I’m so excited for this opportunity to showcase my dogs and for everybody to see how wonderful rescue dogs can be. Thank you for the opportunity. 20

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"Adopt, don’t shop." KENDRA ALVAREZ

Mi boda en e d n e l l A e d l e San Migu

as bodas destino son ya una tendencia de varios años, y no parece vayan a desaparecer pronto. Si tu sueño es casarte en un pueblo colonial Mexicano, lleno de infinitos rincones románticos en donde llevar a cabo la celebración de tu gran día, entonces San Miguel de Allende es una de las mejores opciones para ti y tus invitados. Centralmente localizado en la República Mexicana, accesible por carretera y un par de aeropuertos cercanos en la zona del bajío, San Miguel tiene (casi) todo para suplir tus necesidades. Pero como todo evento logístico, complejo como tal, aquí van mis 5 recomendaciones para hacer tu experiencia única, tan placentera e inolvidable como debe de ser: Scouting. Tú y tu pareja deben estar totalmente familiarizados con el destino, y ver de antemano la locación de tu evento, y lugares de hospedaje para no llevarse desagradables sorpresas el mero día de tu evento. Dos visitas antes de la boda son recomendables; una para conocer las opciones, y la segunda para degustaciones y finiquitar contratos, o quizás llegar unos días antes del evento para tales funciones, aclimatarte y estar relajada. Hospedaje. La comodidad de tus invitados y la tuya son primordiales, asegurar que los lugares que escojas para tus seres queridos cumplan con sus expectativas, que sean prácticos para sus necesidades, tomar en consideración distancias, tarifas de temporadas altas o bajas, si habrá niños hospedandose, etc. Recuerda, la comodidad de tus invitados y la tuya son prioridad, no sólo el día del evento sino la estancia completa. Apoyo. Lo más recomendable para que disfrutes tu gran día, es poner tu confianza en un wedding planner con quien te identifiques. La mayoría de los destinos románticos cuentan ya con una variedad de wedding planners en su directorio de oficina de turismo. Pide referencias a otras novias que sepas se hayan casado en el destino que estás contemplando. Actividades. Cata en viñedo, tours turísticos, callejoneadas, fiesta rompehielos, paseos en cuatrimotos o a caballo, las posibilidades son infinitas. Ya que para algunos de tus invitados podría ser la primera vez visitando ese destino, hazlos experimentar la cultura, la gastronomía y las cosas que hacen único el lugar. Ofréceles un fin de semana lleno de experiencias con identidad del destino que recordarán toda la vida.

Boda de Max Castillo y Ale Martínez / Fotografías cortesía de Victor Zertuche

Planeación. Sea una boda pequeña o una de mayor número de invitados, tener en cuenta todo lo que se requerirá para tu evento es importante para que todo salga bien. Trámites de registro civil, permisos para llevar a cabo tu celebración, logística de la fiesta, equipos de renta, montaje de decoración y detalles, entre más definido tengas qué, quien y cómo se va a llevar a cabo todo… mejor (por escrito y con contratos), así podrás evitarte sorpresas. Ten en cuenta que así como una boda destino puede parecer fácil y mágica, hay que poner énfasis en los detalles, ya que muchos lugares no cuentan con todo lo que tú te imaginas para tu boda. Es recomendable que definas las cosas que quizás tu tienes que proveer como mantelería, material impreso tal como menús y notas de agradecimiento, licor o detalles para tus invitados. Casarse un lugar lejos de casa es una experiencia que se llevaran tú y tus invitados por el resto de sus vidas, escoge en base a tus sueños y expectativas. Que no te intimiden los retos que conlleva, teniendo claros tus objetivos todo es posible.

POR VICTOR HUGO GARCÍA SIGUELO EN INSTAGRAM @victorhugo956

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READY,

...

SET

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APPAREL FIIT ATHLEISURE

PHOTOGRAPHY FERCH HIGH END RETOUCHING PAOLA DENYCE BADOUIN MODEL MELISSA LOPEZ HAIR & MAKEUP STEPHANIE CAZARES APPAREL FIIT ATHLEISURE BODYPAINT ARTIST OMI TRAD

BY ELYSSA CANALES VILLARREAL

l a i c i f i r c a S Cuddles

t’s a quarter to 7 a.m., I’m holding coffee in one hand and my trusty laptop in the other; today’s agenda consists of writing. It is the one day a month I can unselfishly shut the door behind me, uninterrupted and undisturbed, and engulf myself in my work. Not a minute lapses by before my son Alexei, his bedhead, and remnants of last night’s drool have managed to very adorably make their way into my bedroom and ask for “cuddles”. Just like that, my heart, time, and obligations simultaneously and blissfully melt away. You may remember that in my last article, I touched on the pressure to uphold the ideals of good mothering and more specifically, our constant efforts to go that “extra” mile for our children. I began to think, “what about US?” There always seems to be a coin toss between the pursuit of our personal goals and our responsibilities as mothers and wives. Undoubtedly, behind any position worth fighting for there stands a person who has exemplified a great deal of hard work but also sacrifice. It’s a reflection of tough choices and in most cases it’s easier said than done. The reality is that life happens, and suddenly our goals are placed on the backburner. As a mom of three boys, the unspoken question that too often resonates in my mind is: Am I selfish for chasing after my own ambitions?

A few years ago, I was neck deep in college homework, holding a full-time job, keeping up with a mortgage, and of course bringing my twin buds along for the ride. Although it took a village, WE got through it! Each semester meant a new schedule for all of us; I was fortunate to have an amazing boss (Ferch) who allowed me flexibility I needed. My sons’ godparents made summer vacation so much fun for them while I took courses, and my mother aided with the boys when I simply couldn’t. When I crossed the stage in December 2013, that diploma partially symbolized my academic efforts, but it was also a physical representation of the collective sacrifices made by all involved. I graduated because of them and I’ll never forget that. Today, I spend most my days doing more for my family and feel lucky to get in a lunch date with my girlfriends. That very group of girls who at the core vent about the same insecurities, annoyances, and sacrifices as that set of girls sitting at the next table. My mom once said to me “if you're good, your kids will be good”. Short and sweet, but so true. Do what is going to make you good and hush that inner critical voice that holds you back. As I come to a close, I’ll have you know that after yesterday morning’s cuddle sesh, I got nothing done! PHOTOGRAPHY BY Nataly Solis

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Melissa L. Guerra is an Internal Auditor for Killam Oil Company. She is also a member of the local Alzheimer’s Association. This association seeks to educate Laredoans on the disease, and provide support for those affected, including caregivers of patients. This September, the Alzheimer’s Association will be hosting their second annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Melissa spoke to Cream City Magazine about her work with the local chapter, and what we can do to support this noble cause.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Why did you decide to bring this event to Laredo? The Alzheimer’s Association has had a presence in Laredo since 2004 when the support group was started. On behalf of several members of the group, I have been asking on and off for years about having a Walk in Laredo. How has the event grown since it first began? Last year was our inaugural Walk. We didn’t know what to expect. We were overwhelmed as more and more people started showing up. Participation was upwards of 700. We are hoping for a repeat of last year’s event, if not one that draws more Laredoans into this good effort to bring awareness to this disease and to raise funds as well. Why is it important for Laredoans to learn about Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States; every 66 seconds someone is diagnosed. It kills more people than prostate and breast cancer combined, and out of the top ten causes of death, it is the only one that cannot be prevented or cured.

How can Laredoans get involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s? The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide. It is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care support and research What has been your most rewarding experience in hosting this event? It’s two-fold. One is the overwhelming support that we received from the community, and the other was the number of families and Alzheimer’s caregivers and even patients themselves who made the event incredibly meaningful. What made you passionate about the research to prevent Alzheimer’s? My chief motivation was the loss of my father José Guerra to the disease. Not only was that slow, irreparable progression cruel and devastating for him, our mother and our entire family, but as his child I know that my chances of developing the disease are higher than normal.

If a person cannot help by donating, how are other ways to help Alzheimer’s research? Become an advocate. Sign up for a clinical trial. Become part of the research. Become a volunteer for the Walk to end Alzheimer’s on September 30. Help us recruit more walking teams for the event. Help us network through your own contacts to make this walk another resounding success. Who can participate in the walk? Anyone who can walk, young and old. It is an easy 2 mile walk through the campus of Texas A&M International University.

What can the readers of Cream City Magazine do to help with this cause? Become a sponsor; form a family, school, or company team; and fundraise, Help us find in-kind donations of water and fruit for the Walk. Bring a team from your church or with members of the non-profit you support. If you own an elderly care or health services provider business, set up an informational booth. Set up a tent with the information you want to share. Make your tent a water station. Underwrite some of the costs of the event.

The second annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on September 30, 2017 at the TAMIU campus. Those interested in participating in or sponsoring the event can visit www.act.alz.org or contact the local chapter at 210-822-6449 for more information. 32

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TITLE OF YOUR ART PIECE: RANCHO This design was the piece that inspired me to establish ThaliArt. It also resembles the love that I have for my second home in Mexico. The word “Rancho” represents the small town of Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, a place that holds many memories I created with my family. In addition to its colorful display, it serves as a reminder to never forget where I am from and to embrace my culture and ethnicity.

About the Artist: My name is Thalia Sanchez. From a very young age, I was fascinated by the art of self-expression. I always loved creating handmade artifacts for friends and family because I believe that a handmade gift is created with love and is unique to the person it is being made for. This hobby of mine eventually inspired me to explore painting on different canvases, which led me to attempt my first painting on denim. I decided to follow my passion and take my artwork to the next level and showcase my talents to the community and represent our culture to the best of my ability.

featured artist // ThaliArt

y personal ritual for beginning work on a new piece always begins with music; I love all types of music and I tend to find a genre or playlist that vibes with the piece I am working on. I begin blending paints and finding colors that will work best with the fabric and overall theme of the artwork. I like implementing brighter colors in my designs, this is a representation of themes found in hispanic art and culture. Right now I am focusing my creativity on highly requested items based around images found in loteria and the famous female painter, Frida Kahlo.

The process for ordering a custom design is very simple and personal. First, customers give me their denim or accessory and describe what they are looking for. From there I show them designs so they can have a sense of my style and how it may apply to their design. The best part about ThaliArt is the reaction on the customer’s face when he/she sees their customized denim or accessory. It is a truly rewarding experience seeing my customer’s visions come to life and it fills my heart with joy knowing that people enjoy my creativity and designs as much as I do.

Thalia Sanchez.

If it weren’t for pool parties, frozen rose, sun kissed tan, and of course, vacations, I would prefer for Spring to jump straight into Fall. If your level of exaggeration is like mine and you’re already suffering heat strokes at the minimum rise of temperature then you know what I mean. So when layering your body with fabrics seems like an impossible task and staying in the AC (like me) sounds like a better alternative, it’s time to reconsider how to approach the heat without having to resort to shorts and tank tops.

look: off the shoulder, crop top AND matching set comes in as a triple threat. Trendy and colorful with fresh floral feels. We are using this number as the perfect excuse to bare some skin along with a straw hat (protect your skin) and a bamboo bag.

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Monotone outfits will and always be a go-to trend

in my book, especially when it comes to lightweight chambray. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m wearing a high waist, wide leg pants with a lighter tone chambray self-tie knot top. Styles that are flirty with retro echoes are defining this season.

Third must-have to survive the Summer is a loyal and cute romper. Rompers should always be accessorized with ice pops â&#x20AC;&#x201C;am I right? We headed to the new Steel City Pops in San Antonio to cool down with a yummy pomegranate, dark chocolate covered popsicle. Converse sneakers and fun accessories complete this number.

Within the wrath of getting dressed for our 100 + degree summer, these on trend looks and style cues will help you get through it the heat without breaking a sweat (pun very much intended). And not to mention, nobody does it best it like us South Texans.

BY MICHELLE COOK FOLLOW HER LOOKS AND READ MORE AT www.shopchictique.com/blog

Emiliano Romano

miliano is a 22 year old International Business major. Currently studying at SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, located in Heidelberg, Germany, he shared with Cream the challenges and perks of being an international student.

What is the most challenging part of having a college life? The most challenging part about college is having to deal with my problems without the help of anyone but myself. Is attending school in a different city something distressing or exciting? Attending an international university is totally exciting and a challenge everyday. How do you feel about the changes that can happen during college? The changes that I have undergone during my college years have been positive. Of course, I’ve had my ups and downs, but at the end of the day I am happy with who I am and every decision I’ve made or will make. Do you feel like these coming years will impact your life goals?The next upcoming years will definitely impact my life goals. I always wanted to travel the world and this will help me for future growth. How has your family life been affected now that you are in another city? My family and I have become more close. I usually have contact with them everyday and they are there for me whenever I need them. Have you made any serious decisions already? Anything that made you feel like this was a different stage in your life? As of today all the decisions I have made, have only been finishing school, getting involved in the German language/culture, and traveling. Let’s get back to the fun stuff now, is college life all it’s cracked up to be or were you taken by surprise? University life is totally the best thing that can happen to anyone. University life in Europe is totally different from the American university life. Between new and old responsibilities, how do these new college experiences affect you? All of the experiences I have been through have affected me in growing as a person. As we know life is not easy, but we have to be happy with ourselves in order to succeed. Okay, let us in on the college student life secrets, what is the guilty pleasure you indulge in most? The most guilty pleasure is having a night out with friends and end up booking a train/ plane ticket and waking up in a different city or country.

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f you’re looking to buy a house, it’s important to get your finances in order. This includes learning your credit score. It’s a crucial step that can help you get a better understanding of your overall financial standing. In order to find out your credit score, you need to call a Mortgage Loan Officer and have them pull a Tri-Merge Credit Report. All those websites that monitor your credit scores for free claim to provide valuable and accurate information on all the credit trade lines, but the scores provided are NOT accurate. Their credit scores are just an estimation; the official credit score can be calculated from a hard pull (also called a hard inquiry), which is a credit check run by lenders for individuals applying for loans, including mortgages. Once you have your credit scores from all three bureaus, you can find out your actual credit score. The middle score is used to determine which kinds of loans you are eligible to receive. Here is a breakdown of credit scores and how they affect your eligibility and interest rates for a mortgage loan. • 500-579: Bad/Poor Credit. • 580-619: High Risk Loan but doable under Risk Manual Underwriting Guidelines and a higher interest rate. • 620-639: Not a high risk loan, but still with a higher interest rate. • 640-679: Average credit score. Normal guidelines and average interest rate. • 680-719: Good scores. • 720: Excellent credit score. Best interest rate available.

How Good Is Your Credit Score To Buy A House? If you would like to know your accurate credit score, call me 956-568-0466 or visit my office at Southwest Funding to find out. And in case you have a low credit score, we can work together on getting it fixed so you can reach the score needed to buy your dream house.

BY ALEJANDRO BERNAL abernal@southwestfunding.com

Alejandro Bernal is currently the Branch Manager at Southwest Funding and has been a loan officer for 10 years. The married father-of-two, enjoys spending time with family & friends, in addition to playing golf & tennis.

creamout&about

LTGI Beauty & the Beast Laredo Theater Guild Internationalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production of Beauty and the Beast ran from July 13th-July 23rd. Audiences were treated to the talents of local performers such as Carolina Lozano, David Smestuen, and Geoffrey Blomquist. The show proved to be a hit with local audiences, with its final matinee being sold out.

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Risks of with HIIT When you’re aiming to get lean and show off some muscle definition, it’s easy to think you need to train for hours every day. More is better, right? More sets, more weight, more volume, more dieting? In reality, you’re setting yourself up for failure. If you’re trying to lose weight or build muscle, for example, the best route to get there is through strength training and eating right. There’s no other way than learning to do things the right way.

There’s nothing wrong with High-Intensity Interval Training to help you reach your goals, but too much puts you at risk, and that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to build your perfect body. My suggestion is three HIIT sessions per week are enough to complement a strength training program and a healthy balanced diet to keep you on track. If you’re new to high-intensity interval training and working out, introduce this training concept gradually.

HIIT-Related Injuries However, overtraining and extreme dieting can sabotage your best efforts, prevent muscle growth, and lead to injury, especially if you’re performing too many High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions.

-Start with low impact-exercises like rowing, cycling, or swimming.

It can lead to problems such as:

If you try and go all-out on a new HIIT routine when you’re not quite ready for it, an injury could get in the way of achieving your health and fitness goals. The right combination of strength training, dieting, and high-intensity interval training can produce incredible results if you follow the right plan.

• Knee pain

• Lower back injuries

• Wrist strain

• Muscle soreness

• Ankle injuries

• Loss of muscle mass

• Fatigue

-Master the technique of pushing hard for 30 seconds to a minute. -Take a brief rest, then go hard again. -Add more high-impact exercises (running, jumping, sprinting), gradually to your HIIT routine to get the best results without risking an injury.

Alan Gutierrez, originally from Bayamon, PR. is certified by the International Sports of Science Association (ISSA) since 2007. His main goal is to help people become the best version of themselves. As of September 2013, Gutierrez opened his business named Dynamik Physiques and has been helping clients improve their overall health.

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BY ALAN GUTIERREZ fit4lifelaredo@gmail.com

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BY MICHELLE AVILES

n the spring semester of 2017, I had the opportunity to study abroad in the Netherlands, while visiting different countries every weekend. Not every moment was perfect but I learned many things about myself and about new cultures across the ocean. From learning how to budget to standing on history that might repeat itself, traveling around Europe was an eye-opening experience that left me feeling renewed.

I have a year until I graduate with a BFA in Writing, Literature & Publishing from Emerson College. I thought I’d share these eight crucial lessons I learned while studying abroad for those of you considering “crossing the pond” during your college career.

Lesson #1 Plan first. Bruges, Belgium

was the first place I traveled without any adult supervision. I thought I could “wing it” and ended up getting lost most of the time and not actually seeing the city. Research before you enter the city and be aware of your time. I could’ve had delicious Belgian waffles but instead I got stuck in a Starbucks, figuring out where to go.

Lesson #2 Don’t be afraid to look like a tourist. No matter how much you try, you can never escape that label. During my time in London, England, I did cliché, touristy things like take a picture in front of Big Ben or inside a red telephone box. It is all part of the experience of traveling around a place you’ve never been before. 48

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Lesson #3 Be flexible with your plans. You should plan ahead, but going off schedule can lead you to exciting experiences. I made an impulsive decision to travel to Budapest, Hungary without any previous knowledge of what this country was like. On the day of arrival, I did a quick Google search of things to do in this great city and ended up finding a beautiful castle with a creepy labyrinth with wax figures that sung Hungarian operas. Lesson #4 Always budget. My quick weekend in Paris, France made me realize that I wasn’t made of money. Paris was by far the most expensive city I’ve been in but it was the city that made me feel like the princess I’ve always wanted to be. There’s no harm in getting an 8€ Chipotle lunch so that you could spend 15€ on a glass of champagne on the highest level of the Eiffel Tower. Lesson #5 Homesick? Bring home to you!

90 days out of my home and without family was rough especially since I usually traveled the world with my family. My brother took it upon himself to visit me and travel to a destination we both have been dreaming of: Athens, Greece. It was relaxing to be around a familiar face while exploring a completely new city and since he knew almost everything about Greek mythology, it was like I had a private tour guide.

Lesson #6 Even when you travel far away, your troubles will still find you. When I visited the Berlin Wall in Germany, I wasn’t far from the situation of the United States. There was a graffiti quote on the Wall that read: “We have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in.” With the promise of the wall that would separate Mexico and the United States and being from a border city myself, this quote was a realization that history is bound to repeat itself. Lesson #7 Guided tours are a much cheaper option to explore a place you’ve never been before. When I was in Dublin, Ireland, I wanted to see the Cliffs of Moher. It was on the other side of the country and getting there by public transport would’ve put a big dent on my bank account. A cheesy guided bus tour wasn’t ideal since the time I had in the Cliffs was limited but I was able to visit other Irish cities and my wallet sighed in relief. Lesson #8 Don’t forget about your GPA. Whenever I was back in my homebase in Well, The Netherlands, I was able to focus on my studies. Afterall, I was studying abroad which meant I still had essays to write and tests to study for. Well was such a tiny town so it was a nice break with all the hustle and bustle of huge cities.

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Anjaneyasana or Kneeling Lunge

o perform this pose, start by stepping your left leg forward into a lunge. Inhale and take your arms overhead, bringing your biceps along your ears. Interlace your fingers, releasing just the index fingers into Kali Mudra (or Steeple). Press your hips forward and avoid sinking. Instead, lift up and energize the pose. This variation shows a lifted heel (or forced arch) which allows you to further engage the muscles of the legs and challenge your balance even more! You can find this pose and other beneficial yoga poses in all level classes offered at Casa Yoga. Call 956-307-YOGA to schedule your first free class.

Model: Claudia Zurita