INSIDE: Food Fashion Travel Health Fitness Art Music Cars Reviews & More!
Magazine
Documentary Inspired by
San Antonio’s Contemporary
Alumnus Eric Castillo
Online Magazine
www.samonthlymag.com
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ON THE COVER:
INSID E:
The Power of A Dream UIW Alumnus Eric Castillo
Food Fashion Travel Health Fitness
Magazin e
Art Music Cars Reviews & More!
Photography by Renata Buecheº Docume
ntar y In
San An tonio’s
Magazine
spired
Contem
by
Alumni
www.sam porary onthlym ag.com
Online M
Eric Ca
agazin
stillo
e
SA AFTER DARK...PG. 4 SA BUSINESS...PG. 16 SA TRAVEL...PG. 24 SA FASHION...PG. 28 SA MUSIC...PG. 44 SA HOME...PG. 52 SA HEALTH & FITNESS...PG. 58 SA FOOD...PG. 68 SA FAITH & CHARITY...PG. 80 SA COVER STORY...PG. 86 SA DRIVEN...PG. 92 SA ART...PG. 96 SA MEDICAL...PG. 106 SA GREEN ROOM...PG. 110 SA VIDEO/FILM...PG. 116
Publisher: DM Rodriguez Editor: JR Fisher Senior Writer: William Merrill Business Editor: Steven James Features Writer: Dan Cooper Graphic Designer: Lisa M. Mendoza Fashion Editor: Diana Sneckner Sports Editor: Richard Flores Travel Editor: Steve Hathcock Food Editor: Belkis Lane Fitness Editor: Eric Castillo Public Relations: Willie Ng Advertising Editor: Chelsea Whelpley Beauty Editor: Marci Madla Brigance Skin Care Editor: Crystal Holmes Home Editor: Zelina Roa
Publishers Letter… Welcome to SA Monthly Online! Our digital Magazine fills a void in San Antonio. It is a diverse contemporary magazine with a delightful mixture of sophistication and playfulness. The look, articles, and advertisements are modern and upscale. Our flexible online format guarantees each issue will be fun and visually exciting. We cover the latest trends in fashion, art, music, film, health and fitness, design, and much more! SA Monthly will always strive to be imaginative, artistic, fresh, and energetic, and will continue to create an investment in the future of San Antonio. There’s a lot to take in, and we may not be 100% green yet but we are doing our best to be eco-friendly and environmentally aware. Being in the publishing/advertising/publicity business for over 20 years, I’m truly proud of our accomplishments in creating a "conscious" publication in San Antonio. The future of magazine publishing is now…so please enjoy our Magazine and don't hesitate to email us any suggestions, ideas, feedback, or just to say hello. Go Green San Antonio!
D.M.Rodriguez
333 W.Olmos Dr. Suite #117 San Antonio, TX 78212
Magazine e-mail: SAmonthly@gmail.com
www.samonthlymag.com
AFTER DARK Adjective Reflecting only a small fraction of incadecent light. A place having little or no light, Night; nightfall.
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The COOLEST Dance Club of the Month
The COOLEST Experience in San Antonio, even the shot glasses are made out of ICE! A true Vegas style club on the Northwest side of town.
COLLEGE NIGHT
Doors Open at 9pm $2 Drinks All Night 18 & up Welcome
FLASHBACK FRIDAYS
98.5 The Beat Broadcasting LIVE
Playing The Best Music Hits in SA 21 & up welcome
$4 Patron ICE Shots ALL NIGHT
THROWBACK SATURDAYS
Playing a full mix of Old School, hip hop, 80s, 90s, Today & Cumbias $5 Cover 21 & up welcome $4 Patron ICE Shots ALL NIGHT
Located at the intersection of NW Loop 410 & Evers.
5545 NW Loop 410 Ste 116
www.iceloungesa.com
CLUB OF THE MONTH Nektar Lounge will set the new standard in nightlife as the most exclusive lounge in San Antonio to date. Nektar’s focus on the best dance music and the finest atmosphere of an upscale lounge creates San Antonio’s most unique and prestigious venue located in the heart of Stone Oak. Be prepared to have the time of your life as you have the ultimate nightlife experience. While you make sure you dressed to the nines for the fashion show inside Nektar, we’ll make sure you have the most exclusive VIP service available. Make your way to the VIP area for a sweeping view of the dance floor and a wide angle at the most beautiful people in San Antonio. For a lucky few, we offer VIP service for your every celebration. Everything from Bachelor or Bachelorette parties to Birthday celebrations and everything in between. You can expect service with a personal server, bottle service, decorations, DJ and video dedications, and more. V.I.P. Birthday Service includes: cake, personalized flyers and balloons.
19239 Stone Oak Parkway Suite 110, San Antonio, Texas 78258 Phone 1: 210 833 5370 • Phone 2: 210 490 0133 E-mail: contact@nektarlounge.com RSVP: 210 833 5370 E-mail: rsvp@nektarlounge.com
“Friends , Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears…”
Julius Caesar
The Best Downtown “LIVE MUSIC VENUE of the Month!”
Welcome one & all to The Korova! Located at 107 E Martin in the heart of downtown San Antonio, The Korova has finally escaped from being the city’s darkhorse venue to making strides going into their 5th year to establish themselves as one of the premiere mid-size live music venues in San Antonio. With subtle artistic touches of Kubrick film noir created by Nik Soupe, (SA Current’s Artist of the Year in 2013 & 2014), the aesthetics of The Korova provide guests with a unique atmosphere to capture underground up & coming acts from all over the globe, along with legends of the past as well as local heroes. Just as Kubrick himself would never do, The Korova never allows themselves to be painted into a corner when it comes to genre. Acts who have graced The Korova since it’s inception in 2009 include Deltron 3030, Mayer Hawthorne, Anthony Green, Screeching Weasel, Face to Face, Brujeria, Corrosion of Conformity, Reverend Horton Heat, Dillinger Escape Plan, Immortal Technique, Less Than Jake, Peter Murphy, Portugal.The Man, Streelight Manifesto, Say Anything, La Santa Cecelia, KINKY, Best Coast, Kurt Vile, The Growlers and hundreds more. However as great as the past has been to The Korova, the future is even brighter as venue improvements continue to be made each year. Being a true DIY venue built from square one with passion and a vision that took years to come into focus, The Korova has been through hell & back to make their mark in the city. Only time will tell where the years will lead but as of now, The Korova has established themselves as a cornerstone in the live music community.
Cheers!
Cheers!
“Hippest” Downtown Bar of the Month
The Last Word serves handcrafted cocktails, beer and wine in San Antonio’s up and coming downtown underbelly. Devised by Jeret Peña and The Boulevardier Group, also of The Brooklynite and Stay Golden Social House, The Last Word exudes confidence, while maintaining a classic, understated distinctive ambiance. Satiate your cocktail curiosities with our artfully crafted, seasonally inspired cocktails and choice bubbly. With up to 15 cocktails on tap every night, you can order your choice of traditional cocktails or venture into the tirelessly crafted realm of house cocktails. Ensure entry and an organized seating arrangement in advance for your party of any size by making reservations via Open Table or email. Our master bartenders, including James Beard Award-nominated Jeret Peña, have created a menu of cocktails that turn inspiration from bars, literature and cultures around the world into fine tasting experiences. All of the drinks on our menu are selected or developed with the utmost care. Using local produce when possible, finely sourced alcohols, and housecrafted tinctures and bitters, the best-trained bartenders this side of the Alamo provide an experience like no other… Open Daily 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. (210) 314-1285 229 East Houston Street #10, San Antonio, Texas 78205 http://thelastwordsa.com/
“You know what I LOVE about this place? Its like CARY GRANT meets MEGAN FOX.”
-List A
NIGHT/DANCE/ ROCK CLUBS The Last Word Rebar LongBar Blue Box Bar Pulse B&N Acenar Josabi’s The Lion&Rose The Stetson Bar Sam’s Burger Joint Atomar Bar Azuca Gruene Hall
Hard Rock Café Max’s Wine Dive Grand Agave Pat O”Brien’s Skydome Zinc Bistro & Wine Bar SoHo Crabby Jacks Tabu Lounge Chris Madrids Ivory Lounge Bar America Luna Broadway 5050 J.T. Floore Countrystore Hooligans The Falls The Mix Graham Central Station Cowboys Dancehall Midnight Rodeo Jack’s Bar
Blue Star Brewing Co. Swig Martini Bar Tycoon Flats The Pointe Martini Lounge Fox and Hound Ice Lounge Sunset Station Liberty Bar The Lava Lounge Republic of Texas Howl at the Moon Cappyccino’s Bombay Bicycle Club Chicago Bar Limelight Coyote Ugly Naked Iguana Lounge Mad Dogs British Pub Amore CML Did your favorite Dance Club make the “A-List”? Vote for your favorite A-list Club of the month to be entered to WIN an “After Dark Night” on Us!
SAmonthlyWIN@gmail.com (LIMIT to only 2 photos - First names only and name of Club)
Been to any of our A-List Clubs, Email us your photos:
SAmonthlysubmit@gmail.com
BUSINESS Noun The occupation, work, or trade in which a person is engaged: A specific occupation or pursuit: Commercial, industrial or professional dealings.
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Jeremy McGilvrey One of Jeremy’s favorite quotes comes from the book How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins. It states: “The signature of the truly great versus the merely successful is not the absence of difficulty, but the ability to come back from setbacks, even cataclysmic catastrophes – stronger than before. Great nations can decline and recover. Great companies can fall and recover. Great social institutions can fall and recover. And great individuals can fall and recover. As long as you never get entirely knocked out of the game, there always remains hope.”
EXTREME SITUATIONS DON’T CHANGE US, THEY REVEAL US I will prepare and someday my chance will come. ~Abraham Lincoln “Down, but not out” is how Jeremy McGilvrey describes the situation he found himself in when he was sentenced to not one, but two 20-year prison terms (40-years). At a recent speaking engagement, Jeremy was asked, “What kept you going all those years in prison?” He quickly responded, “The days I doubted never outweighed the days I believed.” Arguably, Jeremy has one of the strongest minds of anyone you will ever meet. He says it was not easy picking himself up off the floor (literally), but he had to go into something he calls: Let’s go figure this out mode. For the first four years of Jeremy’s imprisonment, he did something that may surprise you. Rather than going to work on his criminal case to reveal the truth – he instead, went to work on himself. Jeremy spent a myriad amount of time reflecting on his past decisions. He devoured one book after another looking for answers. And although he was certain no criminal conduct ever took place at his firm, he knew he had several thinking-errors, and needed to figure out how to program himself for the moment the truth did come out and he moved into the rebuilding phase of his life. When Jeremy was confident he answered all the questions he constantly asked himself in solitude, he wrote the answers down in a book titled: Live & Learn: 7 Life Lessons, which will be published March 9th of 2015. After nearly five years of confinement, Jeremy shifted his attention and assembled an elaborate outline that gave a detailed account of exactly what took place at his financial advisory firm. He retained counsel. Then, the same day the outline, which featured more than 50 Exhibits of evidence was presented to the Board of Pardons and Paroles – Jeremy was given an immediate release. Jeremy did just as he had envisioned all those years and walked out of a Huntsville prison with his head held high. He had not only maintained his dignity throughout what could have easily been a life-ending knockout punch, but he actually came out of this horrible situation much stronger than he went in. Jeremy believes that what could have very well been his darkest hour – actually became his finest hour. “I learned how to keep on keeping-on, no matter what the circumstances may be. This is a lesson I feel I needed to learn before I could ever achieve success again,” he explains. Undeniably, Jeremy McGilvrey not only has a wealth of wisdom to share with his tens of thousands of followers, but perhaps more importantly – he exudes what it takes to sacrifice, struggle, persist, and eventually overcome an obstacle by never losing hope in what can seem like a hopeless situation. For daily encouragement, motivation, and inspiration follow Jeremy on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). For life-changing personal development strategies visit his website: www.The SecretToSuccess.com
Fernando Arantes
Fernando Arantes is the General Manager of the hottest new spot in San Antonio. He is charismatic, driven, and above all a family man. He was born in Campo Grande, Brazil and moved to San Antonio when he was just 23 years old. For him the plan wasn’t always to work in the restaurant business, Fernando started in the Marketing field, he work for a Brazilian clothing company and was in charge of 10 stores. After 5, years in the marketing industry, he got offered a managerial job at the San Antonio favored Chama Gacuha Brazilian Steakhouse, he worked his way up and was chosen to lead J-Prime Steakhouse. Fernando is a devout Christian, is married and has three children and on his spare time enjoys watching soccer.
Luis Rodriguez Director of Membership San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce A proud son of a mother who was born and raised in Mexico and a father from Puerto Rico, Luis Rodriguez is proud to have been born in the great state of Texas. “I love Texas and I love San Antonio,” say’s Luis. My father was in the Army so we moved around a lot when I was very young, and eventually moved to Fort Sam Houston – San Antonio where my father retired and we stayed put, and I am so glad we did. San Antonio is truly one of the best cities to grow up in, to work in and now more than ever to play and raise a family in. We live in an amazing city that continues to evolve and become better and better every day. And I feel I have a front row seat and get to see it every day. The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC), has definitely provided me the opportunity to meet our great community and business leaders and see firsthand many young entrepreneurs taking the big leap of faith and opening their own businesses, and more importantly succeed! Being at the SAHCC for almost five years, I can remember meeting with many of our members who were just starting out and having only one client, where their office was their kitchen tables at home or their local Starbucks. Now, those same members have beautiful offices, a nice client portfolio and a great staff. I am very hopeful and optimistic we’ll continue to see many more of our members have the same success, and I’m looking forward to it.
Women In Business Series:
Kelley Kendall 15 years with The Lisle and Hahn Show on 99.5 KISS 17 years total with Cox Radio – as on air talent / program director 20 years total on radio in San Antonio Currently Press and Promotions Coordinator with The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
How did you get started in your career? I got started in radio here in San Antonio at KTSA. I started there as a phone screener for different talk shows whileI was going to SAC. I had done some on air stuff at KSYM and it just felt right, natural to be behind a mic. And I’ve always enjoyed talking to people; I’ve got a no fear attitude to public speaking. Do you have a career plan? For years in radio I worked with a lot of Press and Promotions coordinators for non-profits and I just knew it was the natural next step for me. So for a career plan I’m hoping to spend some time with the Tobin Center- helping expose San Antonio to all the cool performances we have going on here. What three pieces of advice would you give other women in business today? 1- Do what you have a passion for and something that makes you feel good about yourself. 2- Never pass up an opportunity to expand your horizon – personal and professional. 3- Never worry about being a woman in the business- just be a professional and the respect will follow. What is the most satisfying quality about your job? Seeing kids at our children’s performances. Seems like the arts are missing from most school curriculums and that’s sad. I love to see the kids watch a play or see the Symphony and be inspired to have fun, be creative. It opens their eyes to a whole new entrainment that is not on a TV screen. What would you say are your greatest challenges in your job? Running into people who have not visited the center and getting them to realize that we do have something for everyone. Take your kids, families and yourself. See what a performing arts center has to offer your spirits and minds. What would you say are the top three skills anyone should have in business? Excellent Public speaking skills, knowing the best way to communicate with your target demo and for gosh sake – be nice! You never know when you’ll need to reach out to someone in your industry for help. In your line of business, what motivates you? I’m pretty simple- I like to hear “Good Job”. I think acknowledgement of a job well done is so important. It’s nice to know people recognize when you’ve tried to do your best. How do you define success? It’s a matter of feeling good about what I’ve done, who I’ve helped and being able to help contribute to my family’s needs. Success also comes when you can take fun time off and not worry about the work world- it’s mean’s you’ve earned the time to put your toes in the sand and that’s OK! Who has been your greatest inspiration? My mom. She’s a woman who had many jobs, sometimes two at a time, and she did it for our family. She’s a smart and proud woman and that’s all I need. She’s also a person who believes in helping others in big and small ways- it’s great to be the one to step in and say –“No Worries, I’m here to help!” What has been your most satisfying moment in your business career? Making the transition from a radio talent to working at the Tobin Center is truly satisfying- it’s that moment when you say –hey- I’ve never had that title but I know I’ve got the skills- bring it on.
Alanna D’Antonio Most 23-year olds are in their last year of college dreaming about what will come next. Not so for San Antonio native Alanna D’Antonio, co-founder of Belle and Bold Public Relations and Commercial Marketing Executive at Trinity Title of Texas – San Antonio, a 5-time winner of San Antonio’s Top 20 Workplaces. After co-owning Belle and Bold Public Relations (BBPR) for almost two years, D’Antonio decided to take the next step in her professional career and was hired to join Trinity Title of Texas – San Antonio’scommercial branch. D’Antonio comes from a long line of local entrepreneurs, dating back to her great-great-grandfather, who owned F. Girard Groceries and Beer Saloon in 1890 on 301 N. San Saba, Salas Food Market in 1950 on 720 East Mistletoe, and continuing the legacy with locally-owned, family-owned businesses such as Girard Sign Company, Girard Commercial Real Estate, Creative Civilization and Core Networking and Cable. D’Antonio received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations and a Minor in Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing in 2013 from the University of Texas at San Antonio and attended Antonian College Preparatory for high school. Before graduating college, she was already busy nurturing relationships within the community and the media, developing campaigns and pitching stories for clients. Shortly thereafter, D’Antonio co-founded Belle and Bold Public Relations and some of San Antonio’s iconic start-ups and community projects quickly sought her PR services. After only 9-months of being opened, BBPR was ranked #3 “Best Start Up” by the San Antonio Current. Through her passion for business development, D’Antonio decided to turn a life-long dream into reality of working in commercial real estate as she was offered an incredible opportunity to become part of the commercial real estate branch of Trinity Title of Texas – San Antonio. “I wanted to not only challenge myself professionally, but personally. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone of PR and learn a completely different industry,” says D’Antonio — and that’s exactly what she did! She found success quickly, closing her first real estate transaction just three weeks into her new endeavor. As an active member and participant in various local organizations such as Urban Land Institute, Texas Young Professionals, Association of Women in Communications, CTAGGL, CREW, and CCIM to name a few, as a full-time Commercial Marketing Executive, she serves as an internal consultant to all of the business units within the company. By tracking marketing trends and monitoring industry changes in real estate, D’Antonio’s main passion is growing business while maintaining strong partnerships with current customers, along with ensuring seamless coordination throughout every step of the closing process in any and all commercial real estate transactions. Between pitching stories, finalizing real estate transactions, and attending networking events — you can find D’Antonio in the ring. Her new found passion outside of business development is boxing. She enjoys taking boxing classes at ChampionFit Boxing Gym at the Ridge and training at the gym Lifetime. “Life is always throwing punches, you just have to learn how to dodge them…literally,” laughs D’Antonio. When she’s not dodging punches or attending a luncheon, D’Antonio always finds a way to give back to the San Antonio community by attending, volunteering or offering her PR services for local non-profits. “It’s the least I can do for the city that has raised me,” she states. “San Antonio is growing in all ways and to be a thriving millennial during this time, it feels good to know that my voice can make a difference.” Contact Alanna D’Antonio at adantonio@trinitytitletx.com or follow her @AlannaDant.
TRAVEL Verb To go from one place to another, as on a a trip; journey. To be transmitted, move or pass.
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New App Makes Navigating Historic Sites of Downtown San Antonio Oh So Easy! Visitors to downtown San Antonio now have a new way to explore the historic Texas Star Trail. The San Antonio Conservation Society has launched a new mobileapp, www.TxStarTrail.com, which offers users an interactive selfguided/self-paced tour of dozens of historic points of interest downtown. The free mobile app is accessible on your smart phone, tablet or any other wifi enabled device. The 2.6 mile walking tour of downtown can begin at any point along the route, and for convenience, is divided into 5 sectors that take about 30 minutes each to complete. Users navigate the tour on their mobile device using a visually-driven interface with large, clickable icons on a map as well as a list of sites. Each site has a page with the name, history, modern and historic images and - when available - audio. Established in 1986, the Texas Star Trail began as a Sesquicentennial Project of the San Antonio Conservation Society in cooperation with the San Antonio Sesquicentennial Committee and the Granaderos de Galvez. The Conservation Society and the Meadows Foundation jointly funded the original project and installation. The Society updated the tour in 2011 with assistance from the City of San Antonio. It features 79 points of interest including well known landmarks such as the Alamo and the Menger Hotel as well as many lesser known buildings and homes with historical significance in San Antonio. For visitors who prefer printed maps, Texas Star Trail paper maps are available at the San Antonio Conservation Society office, 107 King William Street. For more information, visit www.saconservation.org.
FASHION Noun The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior, something such as a garment, that is in the current mode: The style characteristic of the social elite.
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Photographer: Florian Schmitt Hair & Makeup: Julia Uhl Location: Germany
Model of the Month Janay Flowers was born in Okinawa, Japan and raised in San Antonio, Hawaii and various parts Germany. Janay began her college career at the University of Maryland University College Europe located in Heidelberg, Germany. She moved to San Antonio in 2014 to complete her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is looking forward to graduation in the fall of 2015. Janay is experienced in many aspects of modeling, to include commercial print and acting, fashion, swimwear, beauty, workshop, runway, promotional, convention, brand ambassador, pageantry and stage acting. She is represented by Wilhelmina Austin, an affiliate of Wilhelmina Models in Austin Texas. Janay has traveled and modeled in several countries. Her first job as a professional model was working in Italy as a workshop model for the infamous photographer, Scott Robert Lim. Janay’s other career goals are in the field of marketing, communications and graphic design. She gained nearly five years of experience in these fields working as a civilian for the U.S. Army Family and MWR Marketing department, serving the American community living abroad. One of Janay’s greatest achievements since moving back to San Antonio last year, is her participation in the 2014 San Antonio Queen of Soul Scholarship Pageant. Janay was selected by a panel of judges as First Princess, and selected Miss Congeniality by her peers. Janay was extremely honored to share this San Antonio tradition with the Queen of Soul, and represent the city’s African American community during the numerous Fiesta events. Janay believes if young little girls and boys of color can see positive public personalities with a “crown,” it will allow them to dream and also work for a “crown” in whatever they endeavor. Positive visions of young leaders in our communities is a role she hopes to portray in Texas.
In her leisure time, Janay enjoys volunteering, spending time with her family, traveling, singing karaoke, dancing and enjoying life. Janay is a Christian and thanks The Lord for all the opportunities and blessing he has bestowed upon her life.
Connect with Janay Flowers: Facebook: www.facebook.com/janay.flowers.model Instagram: @janayflowers Website: www.janayflowers.com
Photographer: Florian Schmitt Hair and Makeup: Julia Uhl Location: Germany
MUSIC Noun The art of arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rythym and timbre.
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Lang Lang - H-E-B Performance Hall Monday March 2, 7:30 pm Lang Lang has played sold-out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world. He has the honor of being the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and all of the top American orchestras. Following Lang Lang’s 2008 performance at Beijing’s Opening Ceremony for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, he was seen as a symbol of the youth and future of China. That same year, Lang Lang was also featured alongside jazz great Herbie Hancock at the Grammy Awards for a jaw-dropping live broadcast performance. He returned to the Grammy Awards with heavy metal group Metallica in 2014. In 2009, Lang Lang appeared in Time100, the magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. For all show’s tickets can be purchased at the Tobin Center Box Office at 100 Auditorium Circle 78205 open Mon-Fri, online www.tobincenter.org and by phone 210-223-8624
John Mellencamp - H-E-B Performance Hall Thursday March 5, 7:30 pm On September 23rd, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp will release one of the most distinguished records of his career, Plain Spoken on Republic Records. Plain Spoken includes ten stunningly elegant and soul-searching Americana gems. “The music looks back toward …‘Blood On The Tracks,’ with strummed guitars, brushes on the drums and neck-rack harmonica, and the words ponder trouble, power, love, God, freedom and mortality.” says THE NEW YORK TIMES. Plain Spoken is set to be hailed as an unparalleled new chapter in Mellencamp’s distinctive songbook. For all show’s tickets can be purchased at the Tobin Center Box Office at 100 Auditorium Circle 78205 open Mon-Fri, online www.tobincenter.org and by phone 210-223-8624
CD Reviews By William Merrill merri2@earthlink.net
When it comes to matters of the heart, I would never qualify as the King of Romance. No one will ever “call me Doctor Love.” However, I do know of a few surefire albums that will warm even the coldest of cardio systems.
Al Green, Greatest Hits Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Hearts!
Al Green’s songs best songs can turn on a romantic mood quicker than you can say “candles and champagne.” His Greatest Hits album includes such ultra-soulful hits as “Let’s Stay Together,” “Love and Happiness” (what a powerhouse!), “You Ought to Be With Me,” and “Tired of Being Alone.” There are so many elements that make these songs classics, beginning with Green’s urgent, expressive vocals, but also including his remarkable backing musicians, known to history as the Hi Rhythm Section. Credit should also go to the Hi Records label that put out Al’s most legendary music, and the Memphis Horns, who played on many of these songs.
Sade, Stronger Than Pride Rating: 4 out of 5 Hearts!
Most of Sade’s work is very romantic to me, but I found her first couple of albums beautiful but languid, her silky voice lacking some of the fire and passion that she brings to her third album, *Stronger Than Pride*. On “Nothing Can Come Between Us,” when she sings, “It’s about faith / It’s about trust,” she sounds like she’s pleading and believing at the same time. Part of the song’s impact comes from the funky setting crafted by the incomparable Stuart Mathewman on guitar and Paul Denman on bass. Mathewman also co-wrote nearly all the songs on the album. Keyboardist Andrew Hale lays down some lush synth lines on the tune “Love Is Stronger Than Pride,” which includes what has to be one of Sade’s most haunting vocal performances as well. Add in some strings on a couple of cuts, and Sade’s third record becomes a musical bouquet, each song gorgeous in its own right, but all of them stunning when put together as they are.
Nat King Cole, Stronger Than Pride Rating: 5 out of 5 Hearts!
The first time my attention was drawn to Mr. Nat “King” Cole’s marvelous singing voice was hearing his version of the song “Stardust” over the opening credits of the 1982 movie *My Favorite Year*. Cole’s voice was so strikingly soft and smooth, I just had to hear more. That search led me to his album *Love Is the Thing*. Besides that treasured “Stardust” rendition and the title tune, Nat sings “When I Fall in Love,” When Sunny Gets Blue,” plus some lesser known but still enjoyable songs such as “Stay As Sweet As You Are.” They’re all made sublime by Nat’s transcendent interpretations. I love this description of Nat’s voice, from an online forum: “The velvety rasp, the growl, the soaring softness, the pristine enunciation. The crispness, the supple vibrato that didn’t compromise strength.”
SA’s Local Talent
In our family, The Bernal’s , entertainment was born in us! For example, when you think of entertainment history in San Antonio you may think of Manuel “ Maber” Bernal, my father, the first Hispanic DJ on the first Hispanic radio station, KCOR, in the United States of America as well as the first anchor on the first Hispanic television station, KWEX TV , in the United States of America. There is so much more that my dad did while being a pioneer in his field that I can say at this time, maybe in an other article at a later date. And when you think The Fiesta Noche Del Rio my mother and her sisters were the first Senoritas that danced at the Arenson River Theater. Las Hermanitas Garica. Also they (my mom and her sisters) were in the movie original “The Alamo” where they were all in the cantina scene and my aunt , Ada Garica was dancing with the one and only , John Wayne! So it’s no wonder that all my 5 brothers are involve and always have been in the music biz! Not because we were forced into it but because we wanted it! Our parents never pushed anything on us, we just wanted to do and be of music. I remember a while back , my aunt Ada had a show on KWEX 41 for the Easter Seals and guess who was singing on it? ALL OF US! From my cousin Frank Mercado to all of our little friends that just love to sing! So , it was in our blood and we loved every minute of it. My brothers are diffidently more recolonized more that I. My big brother was in the legendary band, Culturas as a drummer and Charlie has played and recorded with the top musicians in San Antonio with a list too long to compile. My brother Ernie, saxophone player and vocals, has also played with many bands in San Antonio. The only smart one in our
family who got a “regular JOB” was Mario, and he plays saxophone and a mean harmonica! And my sister~in~law, Mari! A wonderful vocalist! We are working on a show that will be called “Bernal’s Booze Brother Revue”! Look for it this year sometime, check my website or Google my name: Rob Bernal. As for me! I’m the one that people say, “hey, aren’t you Andy’s , Charlie’s brother?”, “did you use to sing at the cathedral?” and on and on! I have played for Pasty Torres, Jorge Alejandro, Ramiro Cervera Orchestra, Julio Domnigues Orchestra, Rene and Rene and so on.... as well as having my own bands thought out the years after the great run at The Tropicano Hotel! I had not mention the most wonderful time of my life, was with our family band at the Trop! It was my aunt Ada Garcia, Frank Mercado, Andy and myself from11 ½ years at the Montego Room , where only the cream of the crop was there to mingle, drink, eat and dance the night away! Wow, what shows we had, including Saturday Night Fever! You should have been there! We played 5 nights a week and when we started , I was still in middle school! Long story there, so I’ll just go on..... In my family, as I said before , I was not the most of anything so I had and am still working hard at what I love to do, sing! I have been bless by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with my talents. My aunt and our family started the two o’clock mass at San Fernando Cathedral thought Father Virgilio Elizondo and when my dear aunt when home with our Lord , I took over the choir. I was there 19 years. I was also asked to help with the sound and lights for our weekly televises mass and ran The Fiesta De San Fernando as well. I was also the person who was responsible for La Vigen De Gaudalupe to be televised in Mexico City for the last 30 minute of the one hour program. Univision said that they loved to extra lighting and effects I brought to the show! You may call me jack of all trades , master of none! Which brings me to my new venture this year with a new/old place, formerly Absolutely Everything Catering now named, Chef Jerry on 3915 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212 , (210) 735-6500. The Chef and I want to bring back that time of great food and great music and a nice dress to impress! I will be there for our first gig, myself and a female vocalist, on February the fourteenth, 2015, so make your reservations now! And we will continue playing there every Friday night for your date night! Serving an exciting dinner menu and beautiful music starting at 6:00pm to 11:00pm. We know that people are wanting to hear and dance to this wonderful music in San Antonio, well we going to do it! A bit of Vegas, Baby! I also do some imitations, like, Neal Diamond, Elvis, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Julio Iglesias, Louie Armstrong and Dean Martin to name a few. We will also be playing a wide variety of music. From oldies, country, blues, old time rock and roll to some Spanish, including boleros and polkas, or whatever you may request! So if you are a hotel, restaurant/bar owner, please get in touch with me and let’s bring back this wonderful music! It is unfortunate that I can’t have a full band , like back~in~the~days! Most clubs/restaurants small venues can not afford to keep a band every week so I started singing with pro~tracks of music and a female vocalists and occasionally a keyboard player to do my shows. And I play small percussion and sometimes trumpet! The name “Mirage “ is exactly that, it’s a “mirage band” (tracks) mixed with live musicians! It is and always will be very difficult to make a living as a musician anywhere in the world but if we as musicians don’t get together and regulate this industry, we will always be a staving artist. Weekend warriors, backyard DJ’s, Open Mic nights, jam sessions, etc.... will only take food from my/our tables. Please support live music and The Arts in San Antonio, TX.
See you soon, BABY! Photos by Oscar Rodriguez
HOME Noun A residence. The physical structure within which one lives; an environment offering security and happiness. A valued place of orgin.
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Ease into Green By Dan Cooper dancooper09@gmail.com Going green today is easier than it has ever been, and more beneficial than it has ever been, too, since so many more of us are going green. But some people are still intimidated by the idea, thinking that it is too big a step, too expensive, and too hard to understand. That simply is not so, and here is why. Looking at going green as a major transition may seem intimidating at first. But major transitions are begun just like any other journey— with first steps. You had to learn to walk before you could run. Do the simple things first in this process, too. Don’t worry. You will get there. Just do what you can, for now. But keep on learning about what can be done. The information is out there for you. People stress over the cost and intricacies of installing solar panels on the roof. Why get so worked up over this? Start small and work up to a whole roof full of panels. Did you know that there are now appliances that come with solar power and the complete system for running it and storing the sun’s power? A refrigerator uses a large portion of the power consumed in a home over the course of a year. Just switching to a solar refrigerator alone can save substantially on energy costs. After all, this is about reducing our carbon footprint, not eliminating it altogether. Our carbon footprint is the combined total of all greenhouse gas emissions caused by something. And it gets complicated because the total isn’t easy to calculate. There are direct sources of each person’s carbon footprint, such as the fuel you consume in your car or in your home’s heating and cooling system. But there are also indirect sources. That car made in Japan had to be shipped half way around the world, which cost energy to get it here. All products of a manufacturing process have hidden carbon footprint costs. That is why recycling and re-using are important strategies in reducing our personal carbon footprint. This involves those baby steps you have heard about. Drive less. In urban areas, using mass transit or carpooling contribute to a reduction in your carbon footprint. Discontinue the use of disposable products when possible. An insulated thermos-type container can offer years of service replacing those disposable cups you drink from. Our use of non-renewable fossil fuel energy and the products that require it are basically little more than an addiction. And just like any other addiction, coming to an abrupt stop is not the best way to cure it. But it can be done. Just take it one step at a time.
9091 Fair Oaks Parkway #306 Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015 m. 210.310.5713 | o. 210.698.0070 www.BradfieldProperties.com
Easy and Affordable Green Home Makeovers Want to save the environment, but can’t afford costly solar panels? Are you eagerto cut down on energy costs, but leery about putting a wind turbine in your backyard? Don’t worry. There are plenty of easy and affordable ways to “go green with a home makeover and stay within your budget. Here are some green living tips for doing environmentally friendly home and yard makeovers on a tight budget: AUDIT Start with a home energy audit. Check to see if your local utilities company provides this service. If it doesn’t, plenty of other companies do. The auditor should make a complete inventory of all your household appliances that use electricity and/or water. An energy audit is a good way to determine how efficient (or inefficient) your appliances are, and whether your home heating and cooling system is running efficiently. CHANGE YOUR LIGHTS Replace your incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The latter will last longer while using less power. WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE Some modern, multi-headed shower systems spew out water at the incredibly wasteful rate of 80 gallons per minute (gpm). Buy a water saving showerhead that emits water at a rate of 1.75 gpm instead. You will save thousands of gallons a year.! TOILET Composting toilets, that turn human waste into natural fertilizer, are a great way to conserve water. However switching to a composting toilet is a pretty major step for most people.Fortunately, there’s no shortage of other things you can do in the bathroom to go green. Use recycled, processed-chlorine free toilet paper, organic cotton bath linens and a PVC-free shower curtain. MAGIC CARPET RIDE Your home contains a magnet for dirt, dust, bugs,fungi, animal dander and toxins. It’s called a carpet i.e. the wall-to-wall variety found in so many American living rooms. Not only is your carpet a dirt reservoir, but it’s probably made from nylon or some otherpetrochemical synthetic material. Use area rugs made from natural fibers instead. Make sure the rugs are stitched, not glued.
NATURESCAPING Instead of drowning your lawn in a sea of dangerous pesticides and chemicals, make your own bug and weed repellent from hot peppers and water. Some households remove the grass from their yards and replace it with rocks, gravel, wild flowers and native plants (hearty species that don’t require much water or fertilizer). If you do have a grass lawn, don’t feel obliged to constantly mow it. A “high mow” with a push mower gives grass the chance to grow sufficiently to deny shade to weeds, and hopefully, kill them. OTHER SIMPLE SUGGESTIONS: • Don’t run the water while brushing your teeth • Only use your toilet for its intended purpose, not as a ‘garbage disposal’ • Cut shower time to five minutes max Better Homes and Gardens® is a trademark mark owned by Meredith Corporation and licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated.
• Dry your clothes on an outdoor line or on a drying rack • Wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot • Use an organic, cotton or wool mattress and organic cotton bedding • Turn your thermostat down two degrees in winter. Turn it up to 73 in summer These simple methods will help reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on utility bills. Any structural upgrades you make to the home will be especially valuable, as green homes are increasingly sought-after by many homebuyers. With global warming quickly becoming a huge issue, it’s up to each of us increase our focus on environmentally friendly, sustainable living.
a o R a Zelin OR T REALSA Monthlyr ®
to e Edi m o H
Pillow Gambrell Renard Home Decor is the perfect place to start. Specializing in home decor including pillows, throws, and rugs, they create pieces that blend exotic materials and eye-popping colors to give your room just the right amount of pizzazz. Sometimes that one piece is all you need to take a room from drab to fab! Tell us about Gambrell Renard Home Decor and how you became a designer and manufacturer. After graduating from college in 2004 I spent years working in Las Vegas and Chicago for a company that manufactured and distributed luxury outerwear, such as leather and fur coats. I started as a sales rep, then transitioned to research and development, and then ran a showroom. From that experience I decided to start my own brand and began focusing on the home line (pillows, rugs, and throws) and selling online. Many of your designs blend various materials and/or color combinations. From where do you derive your inspiration? The idea to blend materials and colors with the home decor items came from my experience with luxury outerwear. With outerwear we would often blend different types of furs & leathers. I decided to take that same approach with my pillows. Working with a variety of materials, (i.e. burlap, leather, fur, cowhide, and cotton fabric) Do you have a favorite throw, rug, or pillow from your many collections that reflects your personal style? One of my favorites is the first pillow I created and that was the red fox fur pillow. I made it back in 2006 many years before I decided to create my own brand. I originally only made 4 and the reaction to those was great. It’s a simple design red fox fur on the front and black lambskin leather on the back. What’s next for Gambrell Renard Home Decor? What’s next for the home line is more furniture. Accent chairs, benches, and ottomans with both metal frames and wood frames. I’m working with a variety of leathers, fabrics, and furs. Those items should be available online in Spring of 2015. Also working on a line of outdoor pillows for the summer and the plan is to release my line of outerwear for men & women in the fall/winter 2015. There will be 3-5 womens pieces and 3-5 mens pieces.
Talk
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 780892 San Antonio, TX 78278 sales@gambrellrenard.com Customer Service: 312.476.9165 Tues.-Fri. 10am-6pm EST 9442 Capital of Texas Hwy. N. Arboretum Plaza One, Ste. 500 Austin, TX 78759 Gambrell Renard LLC
Gambrell Renard 2015 March Madness Bowling Bash Benefiting The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Date: March 27th • Time: 7:30pm-10pm Location: BOWLERO 13307 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78216 Cost: $40 per person (admission includes, 2hrs of bowling, appetizers, gift bag, and 1 raffle ticket)
To sign up contact sales@gambrellrenard.com or Call/Text 312.476.9165 Mention Discount Code: SAMagBowl for $10 off admission.
HEALTH & FITNESS Noun The state or condition of being physically fit, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition.
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JUICING FOR LIFE! By Eric Castillo CPT, Health and Fitness Editor
The benefits of juicing are numerous and well documented. The USA in common with rest of the western hemisphere is currently suffering from an epidemic of obesity and rising rates of ailments including heart disease, diabetes and cancer (to name but a few) as we increasingly consume fat and sugar laden fast and processed foods. However, over the past few years a new trend has developed, which reflects an increasing interest in organic and healthy foods. It seems that more and more people are waking up and realizing that their dietary habits are shortening their life spans. It is more than just athletes and health professionals who are slowly but surely acknowledging that the benefits of juicing can help them to be healthier and happier over an extended life span.
WHAT DOES JUICING DO? • Juicing for health provides vital nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for our bodies to repair themselves, strengthen the immune system and for cell regeneration and growth. • Unlocking nutrients of raw foods is one of the vital benefits of juicing. Fiber is quite literally locked into many vegetables and fruits and the potential benefit of the fiber is lost as the digestive system does not unlock it. Juicing releases the fibers nutrition so that benefit may be realized. • Normally we do not consume peelings, seeds and pits of fruits and vegetables. These parts are a rich source of vital nutrients we normally throw away. A good quality juicer extracts juice from the whole veggie or fruit, including peelings, pits and seeds to provide vitamin and minerals that would otherwise be lost. • Heat kills live enzymes. A quality juicer minimizes heat in order to preserve the most live enzymes possible. • Using a good quality juicer will cause the least amount of foaming in the juice. Foam is indicative of oxidation of the juice which lowers the antioxidant benefit. Less foam equals more antioxidant benefit. • Juice is an excellent snack or meal replacement that is very filling. Many dieters claim that juices assist them to lose pounds with no hunger. • The antioxidant effects of juices will help detoxify your body and help you eliminate the toxins, fats, preservatives and chemicals that a diet of processed foods leave behind in your body. • Increased energy and mood uplift are collateral benefits of juicing. As your body becomes detoxified and cleaned out it will be more able to access and utilize restorative and sustaining nutrients which most likely will make you feel better in general. When you feel better you are more energized and happier. • The most readily digestible or absorbable form of foods, not to mention the most concentrated form, is juice. Juicing makes foods easy to digest and thus, easier for the body to receive maximum benefit from the source food. • Making your own juices allows you to make any combination of fruits or vegetables that you choose into juice and you know what’s in it, unlike produce on the supermarket shelves.
The benefits of juicing start at creating your own blends of delicious drinks and end at fighting disease. In between are benefits of increased nutrition available to your body for healing or growth by releasing nutrients bound by fiber and increased nutrition since juices are easier to digest than whole foods. Juicing maximizes nutrition derived from a food in more ways than one. As previously mentioned, the body can more easily extract nutrients from juice than whole food. In addition, juice maximizes nutrients by utilizing the whole food, peelings, seeds and all. Juicing is therefore a very efficient way to consume the maximum nutrition available from fruits and vegetables. Once you are in the habit of juicing and begin to realize the benefits of juicing, start to feel vibrant, alive and full of energy, there will be no turning back! Drinking delicious, freshly prepared vegetable and fruit juice is something anyone can do to promote better health, fight illness and disease, combat premature signs of aging, boost energy and vitality - fruits and vegetables contain enzymes, phytochemicals, antioxidants and other protective substances that are essential for good health.
KEY HEALTH BENEFITS OF JUICING: The benefits of juicing cannot be overlooked. As people look for healthier ways to eat and live, juicing has increased in popularity. Not only does it provide you with a variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, but also there are also beneficial enzymes, antioxidants and fiber. Millions of people implement a glass or two of fresh fruit or vegetable juice into their daily diet. Below, you will find some more information about juicing benefits. Juicing Helps Digestion - One of the major juicing benefits is that it helps the body’s digestive system function more effectively. It aids in relieving constipation, can reduce the risk of colon cancer, and has a cleansing effect. The nutrients in fresh juice from raw fruits and vegetables are more easily absorbed than when eating whole foods. Nutritional Benefits - You know that one of the benefits of juicing raw fruits and vegetables is that you get all that wonderful nutritional value. These foods are packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as other important substances for optimum health. Enzymes and antioxidants help the body experience fewer symptoms of certain diseases. Relieve Symptoms of Many Diseases Health Conditions - You will likely be surprised at these juicing benefits. For example, fresh ginger juice can relieve the pain of arthritis. Fresh cherry juice can help ease joint pain caused by gout. Fresh carrot juice is very effective at relieving constipation. There are so many ways that fresh fruit and vegetable juice can make you feel fantastic.
JUICING TIPS Juice tends to oxidize quickly. As this happens, the levels of nutrients begin to fall. This is why it is so important to drink juice as soon as possible after you make it. Some juicers work better than others at keeping oxidation at bay, allowing you to make enough juice to last a couple of days in the refrigerator. However, the sooner you drink it, the more nutritional value it has. You can find some very flavorful recipes to use with your juicer. You can combine fruits and vegetables to get the best nutritional value or choose just one ingredient. These recipes can be found at many websites online, but there are usually recipe books included with new juicers, as well. Don’t be afraid to try something new. You might just find your favorite juice through experimentation!
IN CLOSING Juicing benefits go far beyond convenience and taste. This is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle and you will be amazed at how much energy you have. Many people credit their longevity to juicing, as well as a youthful appearance. After just a few days of juicing, you will notice that yo––r skin is brighter and younger looking, you have tons of energy and that your vitality is much improved. Why hesitate to get started down a new pathway to overall health and wellbeing? Try my favorite “Super Greens” and feel the difference! Live Fit and Healthy SA! Eric Castillo
African Americans in Dentistry By Dr. Damon Ross dentist drrosskidsdds@yahoo.com
As many of you already know, February is Black History Month. February is also Dental Health Month. Therefore, it is only right that I share information on African-Americans in Dentistry. Although the first dental school opened February 21, 1828, the first African-American to graduate from dental school wasn’t until 1869. Dr. Robert T. Freeman graduated from Harvard Dental School. Growing up in Washington DC, Dr. Freeman was a slave, but he became friends with Dr. Henry Bliss Noble, a local white dentist. Dr. Freeman worked as an apprentice for Dr. Noble and was encouraged by him to apply to dental school. When applying to schools, Dr. Freeman was rejected. But, due to Dr. Noble’s contacts, Dr. Freeman was finally accepted into Harvard. After graduating, Dr. Freeman moved back to the District of Columbia and opened his own practice. Sadly, four years after graduating and opening his practice, Dr. Freeman contracted a water-borne disease and died. His legacy lives on, as his mission to extend dental treatment and education to the impoverished, disabled, and people of color, was adopted by the National Dental Association. In 1890, Dr. Ida Gray Nelson Rollins became the first African-American woman dentist graduating from the University of Michigan. She like Dr. Freeman, had a similar story. Dr. Rollins’ became an orphan in her early teens after her mother died. Her father was a Caucasian, who played no part in her life or education. She was raised by her 35 yearold aunt who couldn’t read and had three other children. Dr. Rollins worked part-time as a dental assistant for Dr. William Taft in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Jonathan Taft (William’s brother) moved to Michigan and became the dean of the Dental College at the University of Michigan. Her experience working in a dental office enabled her to pass the
entrance exam. She too, like Dr. Freeman, after graduation, opened her own practice and treated patients of all ages, gender, and races. It is because of barrier breakers like Dr. Freeman and Dr. Rollins, who paved the way for African Americans, today anyone who wants to pursue a career in dentistry can. Though maybe limited, the opportunities to become a dentist as a minority are there. Studies have shown that 50 million Americans live in areas (underserved) where they can’t easily visit a dentist. It is also said that AfricanAmerican dentists treat more than 60% of African-American patients. Treating minorities and the underserved is a big issue in today’s society. The goal of accessible health care for all Americans has yet to be achieved. But, it is worthy of continuous vigilance and enlightened sensitivity on the part of health care professionals and representatives of the general public.
PREVENTING RAZOR BURN By Skincare Editor Crystal Holmes cnj.townes@gmail.com
It always happens when it is least convenient, like twenty minutes into the work-out session that you had been putting off all day. You’re finally in your groove, you have a good sweat going and suddenly your underarms start to itch and burn and give you yet another reason to slow down: razor burn. To help avoid razor burn, dermatologists recommend that you clean and exfoliate your skin before you shave, which will help prep the skin. You should also test different razors until you find one that works well with your skin and hair type. Finally, make sure you’re always using a sharp blade to make the cutting smooth and even. Take care of all that and you’re more likely to have a burn-free day. But, if you’re like me, and exfoliating your underarms is the LAST thing on your mind in the morning when you’re worrying about packing lunches, responding to overdue e-mails, and trying to get a jolt of caffeine, then this whole routine is a “me time” luxury that just isn’t an option. This is why permanent hair removal is becoming so common. At BodyBrite at La Cantera, permanent underarm hair removal is our most common procedure. We use intense pulsed light (IPL) technology, an innovative, reliable and safe method of hair removal for both men and women, to treat even the most sensitive body areas. The IPL treatment delivers rapid pulses of high intensity light to the area that is being treated. The light energy is converted to heat, which destroys the hair follicle from the base, inhibiting future growth. For busy people, this is an effective way to permanently reduce hair and avoid the pain associated with razor burn, without having to block off your morning just for shaving.
Until next time, stay warm… and look good, San Antonio!
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FOOD Noun Material, usually of plant or animal orgin, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals.
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BEST NEW RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH J-PRIME STEAKHOUSE New Year, New Premiere Steakhouse
J-Prime Steakhouse has opened its doors, and it’s exceeding everyone’s expectations. J-Prime comes from the celebrated Chama Gaucha family, which has been in business for past seven years here in San Antonio. J-Prime Steakhouse was built on a vision of superb service, passionate employees, and original and delectable food. J-Prime combines traditional steakhouse fare with a South American influence. Steaks are prepared on a first of its kind grill in San Antonio, a custom parrilla grill. The charcoal heats up to 1,200F into a brasa offering hints of maple, hickory and oak flavors sure to make for a unique dining experience unlike any other Elite chefs led by Executive Chef Chris Brooks will prepare each dish with a unique South American touch. Steaks are carefully selected from Midwestern cattle and are aged and butchered in-house. J-Prime will also offer a selection of dry aged steaks. In addition to top 2% grade USDA Prime beef, guests can enjoy wild caught sustainable fish, free range chicken and perfectly paired side dishes.
CHEF OF THE MONTH
Born and raised in San Antonio, Jeff began his career in food service working in kitchens at the ripe age of 15. Later, even after earning his Mechanical Engineering degree, Jeff couldn’t shake his first love and decided to follow his passion – a career in the culinary industry. Jeff has received several awards and recognitions including receipt of the People’s Choice Award for the Taste of Elegance, recognition in “Who’s Who in Restaurant Business,” prime media placement on the cover of San Antonio Magazine, a bronze medal from the American Culinary Federation and an invitation to cook dinner as the featured chef at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City.
Jeff White,
Executive Chef
Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden Cell: 512.571.8237 Phone: 210.354.4644 Fax: 210.354.4645
BEST PIZZA OF THE MONTH
The mission of Deco Pizzeria is to provide a unique neighborhood dining experience offering quality NY style pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads and desserts with specialty beer and wines; Outdoor dining available. Deco Pizzeria’s presence will help attract new businesses to the area and keep the local vibe alive. Deco Pizzeria is the TASTIEST neighborhood ‘hot spot’; Growing up on the West Side, Jacob Valenzuela meandered frequently past the elegant white stucco gas station at the intersection of Fredericksburg and Zarzamora; over the years, he envisioned the vast possibilities of the iconic building, as one failed business supplanted another– but never had he imagined himself a restaurateur. “Leaving Corporate America after nearly 20 years to open a restaurant was not on my radar, “ he laughs. “But coming back to my neighborhood and helping reinvent our community was.” Community; It finds its way into every sentence Valenzuela utters and some how you realize that despite Deco’s rave reviews on its pizza crust, atmosphere and calzones, it is community that resides at the top of his priority list. Respecting the neighborhood’s history and sense of family - while connecting it to the next generation - is of critical
importance to Valenzuela. “We’re a neighborhood in transition, but we’re getting there. We have amazing cultural authenticity and a great vibe,” he continues. “Its a slight spin, keeping my business and others thriving in a not so economically developed area of town. A few minutes from downtown and surrounded by three historic districts, Beacon Hill, Monticello and Keystone.” “I love Southtown, and was inspired to create something like the Friendly Spot for the West Side. A place where the neighborhood gathers, by foot, by bus, by bike...a neighborhood beacon.” While the commitment may be passionate, Valenzuela’s business plan to open Deco was based on hard data. “The studies showed that the demographics were ripe for a place like this,” says Valenzuela. “Generational home ownership, a variety of age groups...and an unmet niche for a good pizzeria.” The entire Deco Pizza team has a deep history with the neighborhood and Valenzuela feels it’s one of their greatest strengths. Yes, he loves pizza, but he also delights in entertaining and bringing people together. “I think it’s great that most of the people who live in the neighborhood walk or bike to Deco,” he says. “And in order to encourage alternate modes of transportation, I give a 10% check discount to anyone who rides or takes a VIA bus-it’s very cool. We are in the position to set an example – so we do that.” As an active part of the Westside community, Valenzuela serves as a member of the Historic Design and Review Commission, as a board member of the Woodlawn Theatre, a founding member of the Power of Preservation Foundation, and the Jefferson Woodlawn Lake Community Development Center among other endeavors. He encourages non-profits to have events, meetings and fundraisers at Deco, and use the space as a gathering place. Relationship by relationship, Deco’s efforts are slowly restiching the neighborhood. “It’s our way of giving back and revitalizing the Westside community...it’s a dream come true.”
-List A
RESTAURANTS of the
MONTH Acenar Alamo Café Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine Aldo’s Anaqua Grill Bambino Huey Café Barriba Cantina Barn Door Restaurant Biga on the Banks Blue Star Brewing Company Bohanan’s Boiler House TX Grill & Wine Garden Boudro’s – A Texas Bistro Bravo Cucina Italiana Broadway 50-50 Buckhorn Saloon Café Cadillac Bar & Restaurante Café Soleil Capparelli’s on Main
Cappy’s Restaurant Casa Real Casa Rio Mexican Foods Restaurant Casey’s Barbecue Champion’s Chris Madrid’s Crumpets Restaurant & Bakery Deco Pizzaria Demo’s Greek Food Dick’s Last Resort Dolores Del Rio El Jarro De Arturo Eyes Over Texas at the Towers Ez’s Fig Tree Restaurant Gini’s Restaurant & Bakery Giuseppe’s Godai Sushi Bar Good Time Charlie’s Guenther House India Oven India Palace J. Alexander’s J. Prime Steakhouse Jacala Mexican Restaurant Josephine Street Café Kangaroo Court
Karam’s Mexican Dining Room L Etoile La Fogata La Fonda on Main La Madeleine La Margarita Mexican Restaurant La Posada del Rey Landry’s Seafood House Las Canarias Liberty Bar Little Italy Restaurant Little Rhein Steak House Los Barrios Restaurant & Catering Luciano Ristorante & Bar Madhatters Tea House & Café Mi Tierra Café And Bakery Morton’s of Chicago Steakhouse Nadler’s Bakery & Deli Old San Francisco Steak Original Mexican Restaurant Oro Restaurant & Bar Outback’s Steakhouse Paesano’s Paloma Blanca Mexican Cuisine Paloma Riverwalk Pat O’Brien’s Bar Piatti Italian Restaurant
Pico de Gallo Restaurant Presidio Razmiko’s Ristorante Italiano Rio Rio Cantina Rita’s on the River Romano’s Macaroni Grill Rosario’s Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina Ruth’s Chris Steak House Shiraz Silo Elevated Cuisine Spaghetti Warehouse Stone Works Café And Bar Sushi Zushi Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse The County Line The Palm Restaurant The Quarry Golf Club The Republic of Texas Restaurant Tomatillos Café y Cantina Tony Roma’s Famous for Ribs Twin Sisters Bakery & Café Water Street Oyster Bar Zuni Grill
Did your favorite Restaurant Make the “A-List”? VOTE for our “Golden FORK Award” Restaurant of the Month and be entered to WIN a…
Free Dinner on Us!
Just choose from our A-List Restaurants! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Email your choice to: SAmonthlyWIN@gmail.com
FAITH & CHARITY
"Matter is the vehicle for the manifestation of Soul on this plane of existence, and Soul is the vehicle on a higher plane for the manifestation of spirit, and these three (or a trinity) are synthesized by life which pervades them all."
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RUBEN TORRES A Hope, a Dream and a Purpose In Life Ruben Torres is an Inspirational Speaker, Life and Personal Development Coach and spiritual advisor who was born and raised in a small South Texas town, a rural community, to hard working migrant working parents. “Growing up was extremely difficult, tough since we were very poor. If you can imagine living in a small two bedroom home, with one bathroom, and thirteen people residing in it.” Going to school was always a challenge and intimidating for Ruben because everyday he would get bullied, hit, ridiculed and laughed at. “Students would make fun of me because I would wear the same jeans and shirts to school over and over again because my parents had no money to buy new clothing.” I would hear at home and at school that I was a loser, a mistake, that I would never amount to much in life, and that I should never have been born and I was worthless. . Ruben recalls that in the midst of all the troubles at school and at home, “I had three things in my life no one could take away from me”: 1) I had HOPE! I knew that if I kept believing in myself and my eyes on my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that things had to and would get better. They couldn’t get any worse. I knew that my Purpose in Life was to bring Hope to those who had no hope and to be a voice to those whose voices could not be heard. 2) I had a DREAM! I would get away by myself and would Dream of one day standing in front of millions of people helping them find their purpose and their passion in Life and leading them to Jesus. Offering a message of Inspiration and Motivation that would help them be all they were born to be, Champions in Life! To help humanity DREAM again. 3) I had a PURPOSE! I knew deep inside me that God created me and that I was born for a Purpose to help inspire, motivate and bring a message of hope and compassion. I knew I was not here just to merely exist, but Live a Life of Purpose. I wasn’t put here on this Earth to be ordinary, but extraordinary! No abuse or hardship could take those three things away from Ruben. Ruben felt he had a calling upon his life and attended LABI (Latin American Bible Institute) and IBC (International Bible College) in San Antonio, Texas. In 1992, on his way to work, Torres was struck by a vehicle and suffered Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Ruben was air lifted to University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas where he would undergo emergency brain surgery. Ruben’s mother told the Neurosurgeon, “you do what you can do and my God will do what you can’t do!” The doctors did not think he was going to live because of the severity of his closed head injury. A brain hematoma. But He overcame this adversity with the support and help of family, their prayers and God. “The simple things I had taken for granted such as walking, talking, eating, were now a task,” Ruben states. Today, Ruben travels all over the world bringing a message of hope, motivation,inspiration, encouragement and salvation to a generation that seems to have lost their way. “I am a Voice to those that have no voice. Each and everyday I am bringing hope to those who have lost their “first love”, their dream, and I am helping them find their purpose and passion in life.” To Hope and Dream again. He is writing an autobiography on his life and overcoming adversity. I want to Inspire individuals that they can dare to dream big and that they can be anything and anyone in life they want. That All things can be attained if they stay on course, believe in themselves and keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking. God will open doors for you that no man can shut. In closing, Torres stated, “Your past mistakes, your scars, don’t define you, nor do they dictate where your going. They only remind you of where you have been, not where your going! God created you to live a blessed life. Remember, you can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you. No matter what storms you face, you can overcome them. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you HOPE and a FUTURE. - Jeremiah 29:11
God has an AWESOME HOPE and FUTURE for you! YES HE Does!!
Super Heroes “The Legacy Begins”
By John Paul Patton Sometimes, Super Heroes aren’t famous. Sometimes, they don’t wear red capes and jump off of buildings. You might not even know their names. They work behind the scenes, and make miracles happen that receive absolutely no fanfare. Often, saving lives is just part of their daily routines, just part of their jobs. And, the most precious of the lives they save are those of our children. Keeping kids busy with constructive activities allows them to grow as people, keeps them out of trouble, and opens up their lives to bright opportunities and careers. The problem is, some children have enormous talent, but no means by which to pay for education in programs like music, art, and dance. No child should be deprived of using their talents and receiving an education in what they are interested in. This is where organizations like Nspire A Child step in and become Super Heroes. Nspire A Child was founded in San Antonio, TX by Victor E. Galvan. Victor began this quest to form this organization over 12 years ago, but it has only recently been receiving the growth and attention that it deserves. There are thousands of organizations geared at improving the lives of children all across the United States. But what makes Nspire A Child unique, is that there are virtually no limits to providing educational programs, resources, and outlets for just about any creative interest that a child might have. Music lessons? No problem, Victor has a degree in music, himself. Dance, Art, Singing, all the usual talents that you typically see represented are all available through Nspire A Child. But, what if the child is interested in something different, like Modeling, Fashion, Journalism, Photography, Interior Design, computer arts…the list can only be limited by the number of ideas that a child can come up with in a day. Nspire A Child has set goals to be an all- inclusive resource for children to explore, learn and practice any creative outlet that they choose. If a program isn’t specifically created for a certain interest, then efforts to link a child to an adult mentor will be made. The goal is to create an environment in which every child has a chance to follow their dreams. Nspire A Child is a Non- Profit organization that thrives on donations and sponsorships. One of the greatest resources that the organization has at its disposal for the purposes of fund- raising, and community outreach is the Wonder Women. As a comic book Super Hero, Wonder Woman became an international hit because she stood for Love, Peace & Equality.
Photo Credits: Photographer: John Paul Patton Assisted by: Amy Lynn Mitchell Fashions by: Geeda J Fashion Makeup and Style by: Bonita Natural Photo shot at the home of Gladys Samaniego
Nspire A Child’s team of ladies, The Wonder Women, are an influential group as diverse as the children that they serve. Coming from all walks of life, education levels, and careers, each “Wonder Woman” has been given the task of lending their names, reputations, beauty, brains & strength to community outreach programs and events designed to raise funds for the resources provided to each child. Headed by Founding Members, Lorena Hernandez Monroe, Rita Verreos Mergenthaler, and Leann Cyr, the Wonder Women Team is ever- growing and is a serious driving force in the growth and success behind Nspire A Child. Other resources behind the quickly expanding organization include website, branding, PR development by Boss Creative, celebrity public face and spokesperson former Miss Venezuela & of Survivor Fiji fame , Rita Verreos Mergenthaler, and photography and creative direction by John Paul Patton. Plans for 2015 include instituting many of the programs that will be available to the children, summer camps, outlets for talent, such as performances, contests and events, and community outreach efforts aimed at national growth. To see more and get involved, visit them online at www.nspireachild.com or call 210- 570- JUMP to it!
Why the March of Dimes is Worthy of Your $upport
After trying for what seemed like forever, I could not believe my eyes when I saw those two little blue lines! It worked! IVF round 2 had worked! I was pregnant. I thought that was all the affirmation I needed. Little did I know it was just the beginning of what was to be an emotional and physical rollercoaster. Fast forward to my 19th week..I was sick, really sick. I had developed pregnancy induced high blood pressure and, I was soon to discover, super imposed pre-eclampsia. I had ultrasounds every other day to monitor my little blessing. She wasn’t growing like she should and we were worried about her blood supply. WAAY before I or my husband were ready, at 27 weeks and 4 days to be exact, our little angel joined us. I was a wreck. She was so tiny and fragile. I was afraid to touch her delicate skin. I feared hurting her. I LIVED at the NICU..it was all about Kangaroo Care (skin on skin contact) to help my little micro-preemie develop. She entered the world at only 1lb 12ozs and was 13 inches long. Her skin was transparent. Her hand barely fit around my finger. Her whole body was the size of my hand. Tiny, but perfect, we were blessed. Living in the NICU I was introduced to a support system I had never known about. It was made possible through the March of Dimes. They donated care packages to the mama’s struggling with their multitude of emotions after delivering prematurely. The greatest emotion of which was guilt. Carrying a baby is supposed to be the most natural things a woman can do. Having been unsuccessful at this was hard on me. I am sure it is hard on many mothers. I was lucky enough to have had access to the care I needed.
Enter the March of Dimes (MOD). It’s the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. MOD helps pregnant women know what to worry about when it comes to having a healthy baby. Pre-term birth is the number one killer of newborns in the US, 1 in 8 babies are born too early or too small every year. President Franklin Roosevelt established the MOD in 1938 to save America’s youth from polio. Thirteen of MOD funded research grantees have won the Nobel Prize. $0.76 of every $1 donated goes directly to funding research. Dr. Apgar (who subsequently went on to develop the scale for assessing the healthiness of a baby at birth referred to as the APGAR score) was a strong proponent of vaccination and helped to pass a bill that included appropriations for immunizations before a US Senate committee in 1969. MOD funding helped in the development of PKU testing, now done on all neonatal screenings. It funded the first successful bone marrow transplant, and called for the creation of a regional system of newborn intensive care units to help save sick babies. MOD funding also lead to the development of surfactant in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome…I could go on and on. Being a native San Antonian, there is one fact I’m particularly proud of, the very first walkathon for the MOD occurred in San Antonio. Here’s something I’m not so proud of, the US may be one of the highest in healthcare costs worldwide, but when it comes to premature deliveries the US ranks among that of 3rd world nations. Astounding! I believe in this organization and all it’s done. My sweet baby girl would not have celebrated her first birthday with us had it not been for the tremendous efforts made by the MOD. I plan on doing my part! The March for Babies walk is March 28th at Sea World. It’s 3.1 miles. Help mamas and babies around the world by sponsoring me, donating, or forming your own MOD team. Visit www.marchforbabies.org/DeniseHamlin. Every penny makes a difference!
Cover Story: An Interview with Eric Castillo By Dan Cooper • dancooper09@gmail.com
Eric Castillo is a positive-minded and successful person, but it wasn’t always like that. Emerging from a period of depression and alcoholism in which he almost lost the use of a hand, Eric changed the direction of his life. His story is about overcoming adversity, accomplishing a dream, and giving back to others. At the age of 26 he decided his redemption and his dream was to play college football. Accomplishing that dream with an iron determination left him somehow wanting more, but in the form of more for others who were in need. In April of last year, San Antonio’s KSAT-12 awarded Eric their monthly Community Service Award for starting up the non-profit, A Walk in My Shoes. Supplying shoes to the needy, this program began with the concept that every pair of shoes has a journey. And when you donate your used shoes you can keep that journey going through someone else’s soul. That program has since morphed into the Power of a Dream Foundation, in connection with a film project, the Power of a Dream, due for release this summer. Proceeds from the film will fund scholarships for needy San Antonio students looking for higher education. DC: Eric, you had a problem with alcohol. When did you start drinking and was there a reason that you started? “I started drinking after high school when I was in transition to the ‘real world’ of responsibilities. Everything was happening so fast. I was trying to carry the weight of being so young and trying to understand who I was, but at the same time having a marriage, two boys, and running a business. And I was chasing the wrong things. Knowing that I could go out there and make any amount of money that I needed, I put my family and friends on the back burner and was addicted to the fast-paced lifestyle. I felt like I was on top of the world, living really fast. I thought I was invincible, that nothing could happen to me. That was when alcohol came into the picture. There was a lot of heavy drinking and poor choices, and it led to me losing my family. “I was so caught up in the work. And having an established company at 18 and 19 years old, when you are already having contracts with home builders, and you see the money start coming in, I started going down the wrong path.” DC: Tell us about the night you almost permanently lost the use of your hand. “At the time, I was already on the path to self destruction. I was already drinking, and because I was separated from my wife and sons, there was no other way to kill the pain or drown the pain. I was feeling sorry for myself and drinking even more heavily. So, that night after drinking a lot, I went back to the house, and it was like there was somebody else inside me. I jumped up on top of a concrete bench and put my hand through a window. Why I did that, Photographer: Renata Bueche
to this day, I don’t know. I think about it all the time. But I think I needed that. It was a blessing in disguise. I needed to get to that rock-bottom wake up call of almost losing my hand. Having that injury completely turned everything around for me.� DC: When did you realize your dream was to play on an organized football team?
Photographer: Renata Bueche
“My father played football in high school and at the University of Missouri, and played in the Fiesta Bowl in 1971. When I was growing up as a kid, he was a coach. We were always around the sport in one way or another. But he never really pushed football on my brother and me, so we played a lot of different sports. We kind of stuck with basketball more than anything else. I played basketball at John Marshall High School. “Then after high school when I realized I had gone down the wrong path with my life, I saw that I needed a challenge—one that physically, mentally, and spiritually challenged me. For me, it was the military or college football. But I was so inspired by sports movies like Rudy, about a walk-on with disabilities who made the team, that I knew football was the choice for me. “By this time I was going on 28 years old, and my family and friends said I couldn’t get on a college football team. They said, ‘You’re too old, you’ve never played before, they will laugh.’ But I had got myself in good shape, overcame the hand injury, and overcame alcohol. But I didn’t feel this was all I could accomplish. I just decided I was going to do this. I was going to go all in on this dream. “I closed down my business, my personal training studio, and with that I lost all of my income. I let go of about 40 clients, but I was focused on the big picture. I trained to increase my speed and I went to some football tryout combines. I did one at Kilgore Junior College, one at Trinity Valley, and one at Blinn Junior College. My parents supported me and would make 4-5 hour drives with me for a one-hour workout. “I pulled my hamstring at the Kilgore combine. But I rehabbed it myself by watching YouTube videos, just like I had rehabbed my hand. Two months later I was back at the combine and talking to the coach about being a walk-on for the team at Kilgore. But I had second thoughts about leaving San Antonio, so I also applied to Texas Lutheran and Photographer: Renata Bueche
Incarnate Word. TLU turned me down immediately, and UIW did too, at first. But former San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza, a man who didn’t know anything about me, reached out to help. He told me that I could appeal UIW’s decision, and that he would write a recommendation letter for me. The morning after we sent it in, I got a call saying I had been accepted to the University of Incarnate Word. “I had tears of joy because now I could stay in San Antonio, chase my dream, and I was at a University, not a junior college. Even though I had never played football, the coach allowed me on the team as a walk-on. For the first two years, I was the guy with a different number every day, who was just there. But I showed up every single day, even for summer practices that were voluntary. With 120 guys on the team, maybe six or seven would show up. I was the only walk-on who was always there. “By my last year I was 30 years old, and had gained a lot of respect from my teammates and coaches. I remember standing in the tunnel getting ready to run out on the field with all the guys, and I closed my eyes. There in the darkness of the tunnel with my eyes closed, I saw all I had been through, a thousand pictures of the alcohol, my hand injury, sleeping in my car, drinking malt liquor in the bushes with homeless people, and going to jail and having to see my parents on the other side of the glass. Then I opened my eyes and ran out onto the field through the smoke and into the light. It was an emotional powerful moment for me. Without ever playing a single play I was living my dream, right there. “But, like in the film, Rudy, it wasn’t over yet. My teammates, who called me O.G. Castillo, for Old Gangster, asked the coach to put me in, just like in the movie. “Coach, put Castillo in, put Castillo in!” I wound up getting ten reps on special teams in our last game, which was much more than I ever expected.” One man’s dream concluded, brings the birth of dreams for many others. Eric Castillo is one of a kind. San Antonio can be proud of this native son.
Photographer: Renata Bueche
DRIVEN Verb Transporting or being transported by vehicle; Adjective Having a compulsive nature.
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Cavender Cadillac Opens New Image Store on Northeast Side
The new Cavender Cadillac location at 7625 North Loop 1604 East is open for sales and service Monday through Saturday.
For many years, they were a fixture on Broadway near downtown San Antonio. Now they have picked up their roots and moved their dealership to the Northeast side. Cavender Cadillac recently opened it’s new image store at I-35 and Hwy. 1604. President Billy Cavender says the demographic of Cadillac buyers has changed dramatically over the last 10 to15 years, a credit he says to the shift in offerings from the manufacturer which appeal to a much broader range of customers. The 50,000+ square foot dealership near the Forum and Olympia Parkway features limestone exteriors, a high-end finish out and state-of-the-art technology. Located on 10 acres, the dealership features approximately 300 new and used cars - including the 2015 Cadillac SRX, ATS, CTS and Escalade- as well as 80 loaner cars to support the dealership’s new service center. Principal Billy Cavender says the move to the new Northeast location from their longstanding home at 801 Broadway was prompted by the need for more space and an updated look and feel. The new Cavender Cadillac location at 7625 North Loop 1604 East is now open for sales and service Monday through Saturday. Left: Principal Dealer Billy Cavender with Live Oak Mayor Mary Dennis at the Cavender Cadillac’s ribbon cutting ceremony on December 17, 2014.
The New 2015 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS
By Dan Cooper dancooper09@gmail.com With its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January 12-25, Porsche refines a legend. Marking the 50th anniversary of the company’s introduction of the model named Targa, Porsche announces the combination of its famous GTS line with the 50-year-old highly popular tradition of the Targa, in the form of the Targa 4 GTS. The name, Targa, comes from the famed Italian race, the Targa Florio. The Porsche by that name introduced in 1965 bore a partially removable top that coupled together the benefits of open air touring and the structural strength of an overhead Targa bar. It was multi-functional and very pretty. The 2015 version is even prettier while accomplishing the very same utility. And it has a new trick that will keep everyone talking for quite a while. There is a genie in the back end that pops out to snatch the roof off. No, seriously. Okay, maybe not quite seriously. How about a mechanism that reaches up out of the back, folds up the top and stows it away, then vanishes back into the bodywork. No, actually, that’s the way it happens. In many ways, the Targa is the perfect Porsche. It is a compromise, really, between the no-top thrills of a convertible—or cabrio, in Porsche-speak—and the solid protection of a coupe. The Targa bar protects like a roll bar, and the removable top gives you all the air you could wish for. The complex de-roofing system does add some weight, but this isn’t the model you would be buying if you intended to go racing, anyway. The Targa does happen to be a very popular model, indeed, accounting for about 13 percent of all Porsche sales. So, the new model combines the greater power of the GTS line with the popularity of the Targa roof. And a genie in the back. Not bad. You get all-wheel drive, and a boost in power to 430 hp resulting in a pretty package that will go 0-60 in 4.1 seconds and achieve a top speed of 186 mph. You now have permission to salivate. Oh, and don’t try to operate the fully automatic top while the car is in motion. That won’t work. But why would you want to do that?
“Porsche, you sweet little thing. You temptress, you have done it again.�
ART Noun Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature, the conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements; sense of beauty.
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Artist of the Month… Hailing from San Antonio, TX, John Paul Patton is a Photographer & Graphic Designer, the Owner of | j | p a t t o n p h o t | o | & parent company, jpattonstudio. Professional and easy to work with, John also prides himself on being a strong creative force in any environment. With an expansive portfolio including work in Fashion, Publication, Advertising, Legal, Medical, Hotels, Food & Restaurants, Real Estate, and his line of art, he is one of San Antonio’s most in-demand and experienced Photographers. An artisan in his craft, John is known for finding fresh approaches and producing customized results. Booking a simple business head-shot with him can easily evolve into an artistic experience. And, that’s exactly why his clients seek him out, “I find that in the business world, the standard is changing. Creativity is essential to standing apart from the competition, and that’s where I come in.” With a flexible, portable mobile studio, John is able to produce creative, magazine-quality photography in any location. You’re more likely to find John and his team working from the streets of downtown San Antonio or along Texas highways than in his office. The other side of his business, jpattonstudio, is Graphic Design. Often, alongside photography, John’s clients require custom logo creation, publication ads, and social media / website management. “My clients love that I can create fresh concepts for their ads, customize a photo session around that concept, and provide a
final result that is cost-effective and has a faster turn-around.” His work ethic keeps his clients returning to him, and his unique creative vision is his driving force. “I see Photography, my body of work and my view of the world as my legacy, not simply as a profession.” Contact me: jopat73@gmail.com 210-605-0584
See my work and follow me: www.jpattonstudio.com John Paul Patton - LinkedIn | j | p a t t o n p h o t | o | - Facebook John Paul Patton - Facebook
FUTURE TOBIN PERFORMANCES The Peking Acrobats- H-E-B Performance Hall Friday Feb 27, 7:30 pm Direct from the People’s Republic of China, this astounding company has been thrilling audiences around the world with their breathtaking, gravity-defying showmanship. Rooted in ancient Chinese traditions, yet totally mesmerizing to contemporary audiences, these spectacular routines are guaranteed to thrill audiences of all ages and backgrounds. A performance by The Peking Acrobats brings with it the opportunity to experience the epitome of a rich and ancient folk art tradition with the addition of the pageantry and spectacle of modern Chinese Theatrical Circus. Each movement or action takes many years to practice and perfect. Those who have seen The Peking Acrobats on any of their previous tours can be assured that they will see new, exciting acts and new twists to old favorites, celebrating twenty-seven years of awesome entertainment!
Chris Tucker- H-E-B Performance Hall Saturday Feb 28, 8:00 pm Best known for playing the role of Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series. Chris Tucker became a frequent stand up performer on Def Comedy Jam in the 1990s. He came to prominence in the 1995 film Fridayalongside Ice Cube. Next he co-starred and exec. produced Money Talks with Charlie Sheen and appeared in Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element before beginning work on the highly commercially successful Rush Hour films. In 2006 he negotiated an unprecedented $25 million salary to appear in Rush Hour 3, which at the time made him the highest paid actor in Hollywood.
For all show’s tickets can be purchased at the Tobin Center Box Office at 100 Auditorium Circle 78205 open Mon-Fri, online www.tobincenter.org and by phone 210-223-8624
MEDICAL Adjective of or relating to the treatment of diseases and injuries : of or relating to medicine
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Meet Dr. Denise R Hamlin MD hamlindenise@hotmail.com Empress Aesthetics, LLC. I was extremely honored by the invitation to join the phenomenal team of editors at San Antonio Monthly Magazine. As the Medical Editor for this cutting edge publication, my vision is to inform our readers of the latest medical developments, and to educate them on issues related to health maintenance exams, wellness medicine, and anti-aging treatments. A brief narrative about myself; I have the utmost respect for the field of medicine and all its specialties. In my youth, I had no aspirations of becoming an MD, more specifically, an Anesthesiologist. It was an undertaking I pursued after much deliberation. My awareness of leading a balanced life was instilled in me early on, and I came to appreciate its importance at a very young age. Despite the hesitancy I may have had, I always felt the gentle hand of something greater guiding me throughout my chosen path. I was born and raised in San Antonio and chose to complete my undergraduate and medical education here. The encouragement of my family played a vital role in my success. While choosing internship and residency programs, I wanted to explore all the places one hears of and dreams of visiting. I trained in New York City and Washington DC. The cultivation of my individuality was also emphasized early on. The experiences and personal growth I obtained by leaving my comfort zone were phenomenal! I completed my residency, passed my board exams, and got a job…and yet, I felt there was still something missing. I was always intrigued with anti-aging treatments. I choose to approach medicine from both an Eastern and Western philosophy, treating the body as a whole. I was especially drawn to the advancements in medical aesthetics. Eager to learn more, I sought to further my knowledge and competency by taking numerous advanced aesthetic training courses for physicians. I worked tirelessly at perfecting techniques at seminars and via preceptorships with mentors. I practiced on anyone willing to sit still long enough! The opportunity for free Botox and fillers beckons a long line of volunteers! I am eternally grateful for their trust. So where does a board certified anesthesiologist go from here? Needless to say, I am unaware of any current medical school curriculum that touches on any aspect of business development. I read voraciously and learned how to form my own corporation. It was a tedious and extremely rewarding process. I was blessed with a flourishing career as an anesthesiologist, which has facilitated the exploration of my passion for aesthetics. I am currently a full partner in the largest anesthesia group in San Antonio, and am blessed to have my own aesthetics practice, Empress Aesthetics, LLC. Self-fulfillment in life is key. I never allowed anyone or anything stop me from accomplishing my dreams. I hope that no one reading this article ever does. Life is too short. It has been my privilege to learn this by having been entrusted with the intimate care of many wonderful patients.
Scavenger Hunt of the Month Contest... How well do YOU know San Antonio? If you know where this is...go there, take a photo of yourself at the location, send it to us at
SAmonthlyWIN@gmail.com and be entered in our contest to WIN!, WIN!, WIN! Our prizes are ALWAYS Green, Hurry and send in your photo. Good Hunting! One WINNER will be chosen randomly. Deadline is March 15th.
THE
GREEN ROOM Adjective covered with grass, trees, or other plants. Tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable, or nonpolluting).
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Discover the Rainforest at the San Antonio Botanical Garden Rainforest Adventure Maze opens March 7th
If adventure is your thing, grab your pith helmet and the kids, and head on over to the San Antonio Botanical Garden! The Garden’s newest exhibit, opening March 7, will take you on an interactive tropical rainforest journey. Swing like a Spider monkey! Discover a rodent that weighs over a hundred pounds and a beetle that can carry over 850 times its own weight! Rainforest Adventure brings the museum experience inside a fully interactive maze environment. The family-friendly maze exhibit allows visits to explore one of the least known habitats on earth, chock full of the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest. The imaginary journey begins in the highest treetops surrounded by migratory birds and radiant sunlight. In an effort to reach the forest floor, visitors answer questions about the rainforest. Incorrect answers lead to dead-ends while correct answers lead them deeper into the four layers of the rainforest: emergent, canopy, understory and forest floor. Created by Seattle-based Minotaur Mazes, Rainforest Adventure offers visitors an interactive experience that empowers visitors to make a difference after they learn how essential rainforests are to human health and survival, and that by caring for the rainforest they are caring for the planet. Sponsors for the exhibit include Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation, Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation, Inc., The USAA Foundation, Chipotle Mexican Grill and the Dickson-Allen Foundation. Admission to the exhibit is included in the regular daily admission price ,which is $10 adults; $8 students, seniors, military; $7 children age 3-13. (Hint! Consider an annual membership which gives you unlimited visits to the Garden for free and many of the Garden exhibits year round). The San Antonio Botanical Garden is located at 555 Funston Place at North New Braunfels. Parking is free. The Botanical Garden is operated under the auspices of the City of San Antonio Department of Parks & Recreation and is open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, visit www.sabot.org or call 210-207-3250.
VIDEO/FILM Noun A series of moving pictures, usually shown in cinema or on television and often telling a story.
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Monthly Video Reviews By William Merrill • merri2@earthlink.net
Love is in the air, and it’s in the movies too! Has been for years, as these three picks will show—one unconventional choice and two fun, more predictable ones.
Love Actually (2003) Rating: 4 out of 5 Hearts! I’m not much of a fan of romantic comedies, but there’s something about this film that touches my heart. All of the individual stories are swell, except the one starring Bill Nighy as an aging rock star. There are multiple individual plot lines, and they interlink — it’s fun to follow those connections along the way. I especially liked the love story of Jamie (played by Colin Firth) and Aurelia (Lucia Moniz), where Jamie falls for his Portuguese housekeeper (Aurelia) who speaks no English. The resolution of their tale is heart-warming and triumphant. On the comedy side, there’s what happens to Colin (Kris Marshall), a bloke who strikes out with English women, so he decides to travel to America. He thinks his British nature will appeal to American girls. Much hilarity ensues! I could count on two hands the number of movies I’ve wanted to watch more than a couple of times. I’ve seen Love Actually several times, so I finally decided to buy it on disc for my collection.
Interstellar (2014) Rating: 4 out of 5 Hearts! How could a science fiction film with travel between galaxies be about love? In the case of one of last year’s best films, Interstellar, love is the glue that holds the whole story together. On a journey “to save mankind,” Matthew McConaughey plays Cooper, an astronaut who must find a new home for the human race because Planet Earth is dying. As he leaves with his small crew on a trip through a wormhole to a distant star, we cut back and forth from the space team to Cooper’s family back on Earth, especially his daughter Murphy. She is played as an adult by Jessica Chastain. (Because of the laws of physics, Cooper and his Earthbound kin age at different rates.) Avoiding spoilers, I’ll just say that without the paternal love between Cooper and Murphy, including a tremendous amount of trust and faith, events would not unfold in the way they do. This film is an interesting departure for director Christopher Nolan. Although it is slightly similar to his Inception, it is much more thoughtful and far-seeing than the Batman trilogy.
A Little Romance (1979) Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Hearts! A Valentine classic, this movie was one of the final roles in the distinguished career of the great actor Laurence Olivier, but the focus is on two young people, an American 13-year-old girl living in Paris, and a young Frenchman (her age). Their romance is a forbidden one, but they have decided they want to go to Venice, where a kiss beneath the Bridge of Sighs will reportedly seal their love forever. Most of the adults in the story are aligned against the youngsters (played by Diane Lane and The lonious Bernard), but they are aided by a kindly old man, the Olivier character. The plot includes a degree of intrigue, as the couple must take steps to elude the authorities in their cross-European jaunt. Mainly, though, it’s just a sweet romantic tale with some excellent acting by the two young stars. Ms. Lane has gone on to have an impressive acting career as an adult, and it is interesting to see her work at that age.
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