SAN ANTONIO MAN
OIL IN THE BLOOD Three Generations of Success
ROCKING & REELING
ROCKPORT PREVENT BACK PROBLEMS Before They Start J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 2
BART KOONTZ A Constructive Force
LEARNING TO LOVE
TEQUILA SANANTONIOMAN.COM US $3.95
SAN ANTONIO MAN
FEATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 COVER STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 MONEY & INVESTMENTS . . . . . . . . 25 SELF-MADE MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 FAST TRACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 MARATHON TRAINING . . . . . . . . . . 36 GOLF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID . . . . . . . . . 41 WHAT WOMEN WANT . . . . . . . . . . . 43 PARENTING FOR DADS . . . . . . . . . 45 QUICK BITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 HAPPY HOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY . . . . . . 51 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 RIDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 FISHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 THE DAYTRIPPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Cover Story
Bart Koontz p.20 HAPPY HOUR
Learning to Love Tequila
p.49
FEATURE
Oil in the Blood Two multi-generational families p.14
SELF-MADE MAN
Sculptor Gilbert Barrera p.28 6
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MEN ON THE MOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 BACK IN TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Publisher’s letter
Recently, I watched our son graduate from college, embarking on a future filled with seemingly endless possibilities and poised to join the full time work force for the first time. The singular thrill of first employment will be experienced by untold numbers of young people throughout our city and beyond as summer begins. This opened the flood gates of personal memory, as we all recall our early forays into the workforce and the paths and personal choices that have moved us to where we are today. Contained in this issue are stories of individuals whose choices and career paths are making an impact on our community in their chosen fields. Each is a success in the respective careers and paths they have chosen. In our feature story, we spotlight two San Antonio families in the oil business locally and an entrepreneurial spirit that has shaped three generations in the same path. In the case of real estate developer Bart Koontz, the impact is both figurative and literal as he contributes to the reshaping of our city's urban landscape. Also familiar with mortar is
lliams y ©Oscar Wi Photograph
Gilbert E. Barrera, but with more artistic interpretations yielding a feast for the eyes and nourishment for the soul. Deputy city manager Erik Walsh tells us how watching his father's toil inspired his own trajectory. The apex of personal success in a chosen field is dramatically and publicly personified by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. On a business note, we are pleased to announce that we have continued to expand our circulation. Beginning with this issue, SAN ANTONIO MAN can be found in 76 H.E.B stores throughout the San Antonio and South Texas areas. Thank you for your continued support.
MIKE GAFFNEY Publisher
JUNE/JULY 2012
President & Publisher | J. MICHAEL GAFFNEY
Advertising and Subscription information: (210) 826-5375 email: info@sanantonioman.com
Editor | BEVERLY PURCELL-GUERRA Graphic Design | MARIA JENICEK, JONATHAN LEE, ERIC WEIDNER, KEVIN HERRERA
Published by
Contributing Writers | ERNIE ALTGELT, COURTNEY BURKHOLDER, TONY CANTÚ, MANNY DAVILA, JEFF DEGNER, CHET GARNER, KELLY A. GOFF, JOHN GOODSPEED, DIANE GOTTSMAN, RANDY LANKFORD, MEGAN L. MINUS, TERRY NEGLEY, WHITNEY SOLCHER, JANIS TURK
Copy Editor | KATHRYN COCKE Photography | BIBB GAULT, JOHN GOODSPEED, MARK LANGFORD, JANET ROGERS, JANIS TURK, LIZ GARZA WILLIAMS, OSCAR WILLIAMS
Director of Sales & Marketing | CEDRIC FISHER Business Development & Marketing | JEN EARHART, SANDY LEVY, KYRA BRAGG Administration | NANCY A. GAFFNEY Printing | SHWEIKI MEDIA, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
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8603 Botts Lane, San Antonio, TX 78217 FAX 210-826-2856 • www.pixelworkscorporation.com San Antonio Man is published bimonthly by PixelWorks Corporation (Publisher). Reproduction in any manner in whole or part is prohibited without the express written consent of the Publisher. Material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or its staff. San Antonio Man reserves the right to edit all materials for clarity and space and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. San Antonio Man does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertisements or editorial, nor does the Publisher assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Articles and photographs are welcome and may be submitted to our offices to be used subject to the discretion and review of the Publisher. All real estate advertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2012 Pixelworks Corporation.
SAN ANTONIO MAN
MARK LANGFORD Photographer Mark Langford has owned his own business since 1984 and operates the Ninth Street Studio at 315 Ninth Street. His clients include international and national ad agencies, corporations and publishers. Of his work for this issue’s Profile, he says. “It was wonderful to have been chosen to work on the cover shoot of Bart Koontz. Bart is literally a ‘mover and shaker’ in our area. He is also great fun to photograph, with lots of interests and amusing stories of his hunts and construction projects.” Besides his commercial work, Mark has photographed six books on San Antonio; much of this work can be seen on his website, mystockphotos.com. Mark also enjoys storm chasing, bicycle riding, gardening, hiking, writing and studying meteorology. Married to Jennifer for 29 years, he has two daughters and a pet tortoise of 44 years.
PAUL BALTUTIS Sports enthusiast and writer Paul Baltutis believes that life is a journey best made on foot. He began running in high school and finished his first marathon in 1979. He has completed over 430 road races and triathlons and is currently training for the 2012 San Antonio Rock’n’Roll Marathon. He has traveled the world and hiked Mount Fuji in Japan, run the Great Wall of China and run the Athens Marathon. To document his travels he has kept a runners log since 1982, and the process of writing has always fascinated him. He began his career as a freelancer as a columnist for Texas Runner and Triathlete magazine and South Texas Fitness and Health magazine and is writing a book about the origins of the marathon. He works at Fleet Feet Sports in Alamo Heights and is their marathon training coach. 12
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Oil in the Blood
SAN ANTONIO MAN
by ERNIE ALTGELT
Two multi-generational families making hydrocarbon history
Where water may not readily mix with oil, Texans seemingly can — and do. From the first major discoveries in Texas in the early 1900s to today’s technology-fueled resurgence, exploration for and the harvest of petroleum and its companion, natural gas, continue to be inextricably linked — economically, emotionally, even romantically — to the Lone Star State and, more importantly, to generations of its spirited native sons and daughters who derive their livelihoods from the extraction of this often elusive precious resource. And because of its geographical proximity, over time fostering a deep, historical involvement, San Antonio as a city is no exception. Even before the Eagle Ford Shale boom exploded on its southern doorstep, many pioneering individuals and their like-minded kin who call the Alamo City home have enjoyed hardearned success working “oil.” In the following paragraphs, SAN ANTONIO MAN offers profiles of two courageous, committed and imaginative area families representing decades of dedication to, and leadership within, the frequently volatile, maddeningly uncertain but never dull energy business — it must be in their blood. 14
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SAN ANTONIO MAN
Photography by Oscar Williams
The Hughes Family
Principals of the Dan A. Hughes Company, headquartered in Beeville, include Dan Allen Hughes Jr.; his son, Dan Allen Hughes III; and his father, Dan A. Hughes. Below, Dan A. Hughes (right) and Dan A. Hughes Jr. are pictured at the Mansker-Discovery Well in Bee County, circa 1990.
For more than eight decades, members of the respected Hughes family have worked within, and benefited from, the oil and gas industry, establishing a legacy that continues to this day. Its humble beginnings can be traced back to Dallas, where, in the 1920s, a hard-scrabbling Dan G. Hughes and his twin brother first found employment within the industry-pioneering Magnolia Petroleum Company. By 1926, Dan G., now employed by the United Gas Pipeline Company, was tasked with laying natural gas pipelines in and around Monroe, La. As he eventually earned promotion to superintendent — his added responsibilities required moving his growing family several times — it was his children’s early exposure to his life’s occupation that would in due course provide the pathway allowing his progeny the opportunities to exploit all
aspects of the hydrocarbon business. By the mid-1940s, and with the family now living in Palestine, Texas, one of Dan G. Hughes’ twin sons, Dan A. Hughes, bent on earning some extra money, and with his father’s help and encouragement, spent his high school summers working for United. Because of manpower shortages created by World War II, the energetic teen found himself laboring as an adult roustabout assigned to a maintenance crew charged with the upkeep of hundreds of miles of East Texas natural gas pipeline. The experience not only proved his ability to handle demanding work but also acted as a further introduction to the industry his father had embraced — an industry that would ultimately provide him, and those after, with lifetimes of work. During his college years came additional opportunities to learn the business. Between semesters at Texas A&M, Dan A., always eager to earn money, went to work within the booming Oklahoma oil fields — an education in itself. After graduation from A&M in 1951 with a degree in geology, he served a stint in the United States Army. As an officer, Dan A. distinguished himself on the battlefields of Korea and was awarded a Bronze Star. While fulfilling his military commitment, however, the eager and entrepreneurial young geologist, who was stationed temporarily at Fort Bliss in El Paso, somehow found the time to scout southeastern New Mexico and then independently purchase a federal lease for a whopping 50 cents an acre. After the acquisition, as the young trader remembers, “I swapped the prospect to a local operator for an overriding royalty, and I’m still receiving income from that deal I made almost 60 years ago.” Dan A. continued moving, growing, learning and prospering while working for others, primarily as a scouting, then senior, geologist based out of Beeville. And while generally participating in the plays SANANTONIOMAN.COM
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Photography by Oscar Williams
Dan Allen Hughes III and Dan A. Hughes Jr. at a well location in the oil fields. The Hughes Company has an adjunct office in San Antonio.
he was involved in, in 1965 he and his brother, Dudley (an active oilman himself), decided it was time to go into business on their own, forming a partnership dubbed Hughes & Hughes. Dan A. handled South Texas, while his brother worked Mississippi and Alabama. After 15 years of finding, financing, then drilling their own wells, the successful partnership was terminated, and a new Dan A. Hughes Company, headquartered in Beeville, was born. Today that company is thriving, with action across the globe. Beyond South Texas — the old partnership’s first big strike was in Webb County, north of Laredo, and resulted in 22 heavily producing gas wells — the Dan A. Hughes Company has had operations in Canada, Australia and in several countries in South America. In 1980, Dan’s son, Dan Allen Hughes Jr., officially joined the family firm. Having grown up within the business, a youthful Dan Allen was able to “hit the ground running.” As he recalls, “I was always fascinated by the business. I especially remember traveling with Dad down to the Laredo fields to log wells. He’d work and I’d watch (and fish and 16
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hunt arrowheads too). I’d also open and close a lot of gates along the way. That was probably my primary contribution, but it was always fun and interesting and left me no doubt what I’d be doing as an adult.” After graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in business, then completing the curriculum for geology at Texas A&I, Dan Allen had his first assignment for the Hughes Company. It took him all the way to Australia, where he successfully executed the development of a large gas field. No simple task, but one made easier by the fact that he had Dan A. Hughes Sr. as a role model. After returning, the high-energy Dan Allen quickly fell into the often raucous regimen demanded for success and profitability in exploring for and extracting oil and gas, both near and far. As a result of continued growth, the main offices (and Dan Sr.) are still located in Beeville, but in 1990, Dan Allen, now president of the company, established an adjunct office in San Antonio. He moved here with his family in 1984. While the current Eagle Ford Shale activity plays a part in the Hughes Company’s overall mix — Dan Allen started leasing heavily in 2008 after hearing about the success in LaSalle County, and the company has done very well — other examples of the Hughes’ enduring vision, flexibility, drive and ability to surmount hurdles are evidenced by their ongoing South and Central American projects. Operating as Hupecol (Hughes Petroleum Colombia), the company continues its longterm exploration and extraction projects within Colombia while also seeking new southern opportunities. A major expansion into Belize is currently under way. Couple these global efforts with equally far-ranging activities across the United States and beyond, and the name Hughes truly does continue to embody the wildcat spirit of the Texas oilman. So what’s in the future? Fortunately for the Dan A. Hughes Company, another generation. Working somewhat independently for now is 26-year-old Dan Allen Hughes III. After beginning his higher education at Texas A&M studying geology, D.A. (as he is known) transferred to the University of Arizona, earning a degree in business management. Like his father, with so much early exposure, and after considering other paths, D.A. III soon realized the oil and gas industry was where he also needed to be. For now, he is employed by the Linear Energy Management Company, helping develop their oil marketing business. And regarding the family business? As he relates, “Actually, I kind of do work for the Dan A. Hughes Company because I’m responsible (as a contactor) for marketing all of their crude oil, along with several other small independent oil and gas producers in South Texas. Someday I plan on working alongside my dad. Now, however, is my time for learning the business and not just being Dan Allen Hughes Jr.’s son or Dan A. Hughes’ grandson. Like those two, I want to create a name for myself.” With such a distinguished pedigree, no one can doubt that he will.
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Photography by Janet Rogers
The Ames Family
Members of the Ames family who have made a name in the oil industry include Corwin Ames of XTO Energy Company in Fort Worth; Eugene L. Ames Jr., president of Venus Oil Company; and Eugene Ames III, head of Ames Energy Advisors, LLC and Bissell Operating, LLC. Below, Eugene Ames III (left) and Eugene Jr. at a Russian oil field near Baku, Azerbejan, 1983.
George Ames, one of the thousands of eager young rough-andtumble homesteaders who poured into Western Oklahoma in the late 1890s, would, in due course, seek his livelihood not on the soil (as did most of his contemporaries), but rather in pursuit of what lay below. It was a focus his descendants would embrace and maintain unabated for the next 100 years, inexorably linking the surname Ames with achievement, success, recognition and respect within the volatile but always exciting business of oil and gas exploitation. Shortly after arriving in the territory (Oklahoma didn’t achieve statehood until 1907), George, a born “numbers man,” opened and for several years operated a profitable bank in the small town of Butler. When a big oil play erupted near the community of Drumright in the early years of the 20th century, the forward-thinking entrepreneur quickly moved the clan there and established a second bank to service the financial needs the heady activity generated. But sitting on the sidelines wasn’t where an energetic man like George desired to be. He recognized potential and opportunity — just like an oilman — and that meant getting a piece of the action. To that end, in 1913 the banker turned wildcatter sank his first well in the famous Cushing/Drumright field. Following the success of that introductory venture, he admittedly was hooked, and for the next 20 years, George (and a family that included his eldest son, Eugene L. “Gene” Ames, an independent oilman in his own right and off-and-on partner of the venerable Gilcrease Oil Company) followed the booms and busts, leasing and drilling from Oklahoma to Arkansas and eventually into oil-rich East Texas, where this restless group of nomads finally stopped, settled in and rode out the lean Depression years. Now calling the town of Gladewater home, George in 1932 con-
structed and operated a 5,000-barrela-day refinery that produced gasoline for use in local markets. While Gene helped operate the refinery, he also proved to be a formidable oil property trader as well, making a number of handshake deals (no contracts back then) with his partners at Gilcrease. Despite the fact that the price of oil was severely depressed and times were tough, the canny pair — knowing things could improve tomorrow — continued to amass ownership interests in producing wells across the gushing East Texas field — interests numbering more than 300. That was faith! The Ames clan relocated once more, in 1942. This time it was to San Antonio, where the family remains based to this day. Gene became president of Gilcrease and oversaw the company’s entire SANANTONIOMAN.COM
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Photography by Janet Rogers
Corwin and Eugene Ames III are carrying on their family's involvement in the oil industry that began when founder George Ames sank his first well in Oklahoma in 1913.
operations, which included multiple sites across greater Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He held this position for the remainder of his professional life. Born to the family in 1933 in the boom town of Gladewater, Eugene L. (Gene) Ames Jr. wasn’t committed to a future within the oil business until, as he recalls, “I started working summers during my high school
and college years at Yellowstone National Park. While surrounded by so much of nature’s glory, I became enamored with geology.” That interest never waned, and in 1955 Gene Jr. graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor of science in geology, then also went to work for his father as a geologist at the Gilcrease Oil Company. In 1962, the Gilcrease Company was sold; its name was changed to the Venus Oil Company; Gene Sr. retired; and Gene Jr. took the reins. Over the years, under his leadership, the company had unprecedented success in discovering and/or developing several great oil and gas fields, including Vidor Ames, Vernon (in Louisiana), Shanghai, Hutchins Kubela and others. In recognition of his leadership ability, his peers in the oil industry in 1991 elected Gene Jr. as chairman of the prestigious Independent Petroleum Association of America. Gene Jr. fathered three sons — John, Gene III and Stephen. No surprise here, but two of the three are active within the oil and gas business. His daughter, Elizabeth Ames Jones, while not in the family business per se, until recently was chair of the state’s oil and gas regulatory body, the Texas Railroad Commission. John attained a degree in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Texas, and Gene III holds two degrees, one in business
Glossary of Oil and Gas Industry Terms
For the layman, “oil-speak’ can be pretty confusing. The following is a very brief list of abbreviations and definitions of terms commonly used within the industry. Throw a few of these around, and you might just sound like you grew up in the business too. Bbl — a barrel of 42 U.S. gallons of oil. Bcf — billion cubic feet of natural gas. Bonus — usually the money paid by the lessee for the execution of an oil and gas lease by the landowner. Another form is called an oil or royalty bonus. This may be in the form of an overriding royalty reserved to the landowner in addition to the usual one-eighth royalty. Gross — when used with respect to acres or wells, refers to the total acres or wells in which a company, individual, trust, or foundation has a working interest.
Horizontal drilling — a drilling technique that permits the operator to contact and intersect a larger portion of the producing horizon than conventional vertical drilling techniques. It can result in both increased production rates and greater ultimate recoveries of hydrocarbons. Net — when used with respect to acres or wells, refers to gross acres of wells multiplied, in each case, by the percentage working interest owned by a company, individual, trust, or foundation. 18
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Net production — production that is owned by a company, individual, trust or foundation, less royalties and production due others.
Oil — crude oil or condensate. Operator — the individual, company, trust or foundation responsible for the exploration, development and production of an oil or gas well or lease. Overriding royalty interest — a royalty interest that may be retained by a third party as payment or investment. This interest normally bears no part of the drilling and completion expenses of the well. Royalty — the portion of oil, gas and minerals retained by the lessor on execution of a lease or their cash value paid by the lessee to the lessor or to one who has acquired possession of the royalty rights, based on a percentage of the gross production from the property free and clear of all costs except taxes. Wildcatter — an individual or company that drills wells in the hope of finding oil in territory not known to be an oil field. Working Interest — an interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to drill for and produce oil and gas on the leased acreage and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.
SAN ANTONIO MAN
administration and the other in geology, both from Trinity University. And while the brothers worked with Dad at Venus at one time or another, each has now established his own successful, independent business. John is the president and founder of Amexco, an exploration and development company that is active in Texas and southern Oklahoma. Gene III heads Ames Energy Advisors, LLC. and Bissell Operating, LLC. Ames Energy Advisors provides expert technical, geological, geophysical and ownership consulting for mineral and royalty owners who require negotiation help. The company has also proven itself a valuable resource to R and D, exploration and production, saltwater disposal and environmental firms in need of geological or operational expertise. As a result of his proficiency, Gene III has, under contract, written multiple dissertations on targeted oil and gas activity and presented several papers at technical conferences covering various technical and operational aspects found in specific production fields. Regarding Bissell, Gene III says, “It’s basically a corporate entity that I use as a means to drill wells and oversee production. Most of our existing activity is located in the central Gulf Coast and in West Texas, but we are working on some very large mid-continent projects as well.” At the current end of this long and distinguished line of energy-exploiting Ameses is Gene III’s 24-year-old son, Corwin. The recent University of Texas graduate, with a degree in petroleum engineering, is now employed as a reservoir engineer with Fort Worth’s high-octane XTO Energy Company, an independent subsidiary of Exxon. Does he like it? You bet! Like his many driven predecessors, Corwin is also thriving on the industry challenges he daily encounters in his new, guaranteed to be exciting, career. As he says, “Learning the ‘ins and outs’ of drilling wells, analyzing reservoir behavior, improving older projects with newer technology, just overcoming incredibly frustrating leasing obstacles has been an experience.” For Corwin, however, no matter how steeped in family lore and childhood exposure, the most fascinating aspect will always be “continuing to learn, adapt to and profit from this crazy, evolving game!” He is an Ames after all. (You might even say he’s got the “Genes” for it.)
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Bart Koontz grew up in the world of ranching but felt the call of real estate development as an adult. Today he heads Koontz McCombs, LLC, which has developed income-producing properties throughout Texas. 20 JUNE/JULY 2012
by ERNIE ALTGELT Photography by MARK LANGFORD
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Bart Koontz A CONSTRUCTIVE FORCE Accomplished real estate developer, big game hunter and humanitarian
Upon reading Bart Koontz’s impressive résumé, one defining characteristic quickly comes to the fore – that of accomplishment. Whether it’s tied to his many professional successes in major real estate development, the establishment of a remarkable philanthropic medical screening program, exploits in the wilds as a staunch hunter, naturalist and outdoorsman or myriad other aspects indicating extraordinary personal achievement, this self-made individual truly exemplifies what a “can-do” spirit can realize — to the benefit of himself, his family and his community. As a result of his seemingly tireless efforts, Bart Koontz, imbued with admirable amounts of vision, energy and commitment, has matured into a constructive force across the Texas (and national) landscape — building and bettering, and, perhaps most remarkably, always accomplishing!
RURAL ROOTS Born in 1956 in Victoria, and, for the most part, raised on his stepfather’s prosperous cattle ranch near the small town of Placedo, a young Bart not only developed a lasting work ethic
make things happen was incredible.” Bart’s subsequent record of achievement pays eloquent testimony to the beneficial influences he found and responded to while growing up in a rural Texas environment.
and strong belief in the honor of a man’s word but also a deep love and appreciation for the land and its beneficence. When he was 5, Bart’s mother and biological father (Dan B. Conoly Jr.) were divorced. Several years later his mother re-
THE CALL OF THE LAND After graduation from Victoria High School, Bart enrolled in and subsequently graduated, in 1978, from Southwestern Uni-
married a local Brahman-breeding legend named Henry Clay
versity in Georgetown with a degree in history and a lot of uncer-
Koontz, and the pair relocated to the renowned HK Ranch, an
tainty as to what he “wanted to do with his life.” As he harkened
historic property that had been in the Koontz family for genera-
back to his days on the ranch and his love of the land, a career in
tions. While Bart has always maintained a significant relation-
real estate held an attraction. Securing a brokerage job in 1979 in
ship with his true father, it was Henry Koontz who would also
Dallas with the international real estate services firm Cushman &
play a role instilling in the receptive youngster many of the
Wakefield, he began his education into the basics of real estate
basic principles essential for success in and beyond the cor-
while acting as a leasing agent focusing on office and industrial
porate world. Growing up on the HK, Bart not only assisted with the regimented and demanding chores of breeding, raising and maintaining world-class livestock but was also exposed to the more
properties. In spite of doing fairly well, Bart felt unchallenged and definitely wanted more involvement in the entire process of real estate development. Motivated by that desire, in 1983, after initially relocating to
broadly related intricacies of business, including financing, mar-
San Antonio, where he believed more opportunity awaited in the
keting, salesmanship and even “deal-closing,” that cross all in-
booming Alamo City, Bart accepted a new position with the re-
dustry lines. As he remembers about his life on the ranch,
spected Concord Corporation. Even though it resulted in a pay
“Henry Clay Koontz was a remarkable businessman catering to
decrease, it offered the driven 25-year-old a chance to become
a clientele from across the globe. He knew the art of honest deal
involved with and learn all facets of the development business.
making and earned great respect and reward from his insistence
As he recalls of his decision, “Rather than simply showing space
on always playing fair. His ability to see the big picture and
to people, I wanted to know how to build the buildings and fiSANANTONIOMAN.COM
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SAN ANTONIO MAN
including Target, Circuit
includes numerous school and institutional
City, Office Max, Office
projects, as well as office, medical office,
Depot, PetSmart, Toys R Us
automotive, retail, multifamily and industrial
and Kmart. Through 1997,
projects. In 2011, Koontz McCombs Con-
HK Partners developed in
struction was ranked as the fourth-largest
excess of 1,000,000 square
commercial contractor in San Antonio. That
feet of commercial space
ranking may change with the recent
across Texas.
acquisition of San Antonio’s venerable Browning Construction Company.
REACHING THE TOP Today, Bart Koontz is the co-founder, president
Koontz is an accomplished big game hunter with trophies from Africa and the Americas. Opposite page, he is pictured with his late son, August, on a hunting trip in Africa.
WHILE NOT STALKING BUSINESS, STALKING GAME
and chief executive officer
Bart Koontz certainly enjoys an
of Koontz McCombs, LLC,
active professional life, but it’s not “all work
with responsibilities for the
and no play.” A visit to his functional yet
company’s strategic direc-
comfortable office at Koontz McCombs
tion and long-term planning
headquarters on the northern edge of
as well as development and
downtown gives ample indication of Bart’s
implementation of its overall
other loves: There are certainly his lovely
investment strategy. San
wife and children (a son and a daughter),
Antonio’s celebrated Red
represented by numerous photographs.
McCombs partnered with
Perhaps more surprising to those who
Bart to form Koontz Mc-
don’t know him are the myriad souvenirs
Combs in 1997 to pursue
and trophies from his other huge passion
the development of in-
— big game hunting — which sprawl
come-producing properties
across the well-used space.
throughout the state of Texas. Regarding his
Most notable is a full-body mounting of an adult mountain nyala (this is a big
nance them because you can’t get to the top
decision to team with McCombs, Bart says,
animal), taken in Ethiopia, that towers
if you don’t know how to work from the bot-
“When I first approached Red, I was sure I
over Bart’s desk. Other examples include
tom.” In retrospect, it was a very good move.
had all the right stuff, but I felt I needed his
elephant and rhino feet, antlers, horns,
From 1983 to 1993, Bart continued his
mentorship and leadership. Thankfully, it’s
heads, native hunting equipment and
professional growth, eventually earning the
been a wonderful and productive partner-
dozens of “on location” photographs of
title of senior vice president for the Concord
ship, and I continue to daily appreciate his
his many and varied kills — some officially
Corporation. During his tenure, he was re-
guidance and wisdom.” Over the ensuing
recognized as records in hunting books.
sponsible for the conception, development
years, Koontz McCombs has successfully
Further mounts of seemingly endless
and leasing of the 460,000-square-foot Las
developed over 7 million square feet of
species are on display throughout his home
Tiendas Plaza shopping center (his first
commercial properties across virtually all
as well (A smiling Bart concedes, “I admit I
independent project) in McAllen, and the
property types, including office, industrial
have a wonderful and very understanding
253,000-square-foot Concord Plaza office
and retail.
wife.”) It all leaves quite an impression.
development in San Antonio. He also was
As further proof of Bart’s desire to be
Bart’s love of travel and hunting stems
heavily involved in the day-to-day opera-
involved in all aspects of development, in
partially from his childhood days on the HK
tions regarding the asset management of
2000 Koontz McCombs, LLC established
Ranch, where he enjoyed tracking and
Concord’s $200 million real estate portfolio
Koontz McCombs Construction, Ltd.
harvesting whitetail deer, dove and quail.
that stretched over five southern states.
That, as Bart proudly volunteers, allows
His father, Dan Conoly, was also a big
“us to not only build our own projects, but
influence on Bart in that he too has had a
ence, Bart became a founding stock-
work for others too, and that’s pretty
lifelong passion for all aspects of the sport.
holder and president of HK Partners, a
unique in this business.” Since inception,
Interestingly enough, however, it wasn’t until
commercial real estate development firm
the construction company has grown
the high-energy entrepreneur hit 40 that he
specializing in large retail properties.
rapidly with annual revenues now in excess
became enamored of the grander safari ex-
Under his leadership, HK (the name
of $100 million and has been active in the
perience and went on his first trip to Africa.
referred to him and his partner, not his
residential segment, developing over 3,200
Since then, as he freely admits, “I’ve been
stepfather’s HK Ranch) developed
multifamily rental units in San Antonio,
hooked.” He’s been back several times.
projects for many national retail chains,
Houston and Austin. Its portfolio also
By 1993, and wanting more independ-
22 JUNE/JULY 2012
In 2000, he and Conoly went on an
SAN ANTONIO MAN
AugustHeart: A legacy to a lost son with intent on saving others Koontz confers at a construction site with Lance Carrauthers (left) and Chester Carrauthers. Koontz McCombs Construction is an outgrowth of Koontz McCombs, LLC.
extended African sojourn that both
Club International Texas Wildlife
enjoyed immensely. Fortunately, for
Association as well as the Coastal
such a busy and driven individual,
Conservation Association.
Bart somehow finds (or makes) ample time to pursue his hobby and has been successful in taking
FINDING TIME FOR OTHERS With so much on his plate —
multiple sought-after and challenging
business, hunting, family — is there
species across North, South and
time for further commitments?
Central America as well as in Africa.
Fortunately for his community, the
These include the big five of danger-
answer is yes. Bart is active within
ous (African) game — the lion,
the Greater San Antonio Chamber of
leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
Commerce, the Real Estate Council
Other exotics taken include the
of San Antonio, the University of
sitatunga, Lord Derby eland, southern
Texas, School of Real Estate Finance
and western roan and kafue lechwe.
Advisory Council, Christ Episcopal
Someday he hopes to visit Asia.
Church, United Way of San Antonio,
His next excursion is slated for later
the San Antonio Economic Develop-
this year, when he heads back to
ment Foundation and the University
Africa for a “bongo” hunt led by
of Texas Health Science Center. He
native pygmies. And when he’s not
is a member of the President’s
armed with a high-caliber rifle, the
Council, the Texas Biomedical Re-
marksman has also become a pretty
search Institute, the American Heart
good shot with a digital camera, tar-
Association and the Championship
geting the wild fauna encountered on
Hearts Foundation and is the founder
these foreign excursions. His work is
and fulltime supporter of August-
on display throughout the Koontz
Heart (see the sidebar).
McCombs office complex and further
Truly a giving person in all
reinforces the head man’s passion for
respects, Bart continues to work
the untamed in nature.
tirelessly, both personally and
Like many hunters, Bart has a
professionally, for the betterment of
deep respect, appreciation and love
his city, state and nation, never
for all things wild. Species preser-
letting adversity of any kind slow
vation and conservation are
the constructive force he’s
paramount. As evidence, he is an
justifiably become — a force
involved life member in Safari Club
determined to simply accomplish.
International and the Shikar-Safari
Well done, Mr. Koontz!
In October 2008, Bart and his family were to face one of the most difficult periods in their lives. One morning, their 18-year-old son, August, a gifted and athletic high school senior, was discovered dead in his bedroom – a victim of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This inherited disorder causes a thickening of the heart muscle, which can lead to sudden, unexpected cardiac death. Unfortunately, there may not be any early indicators of the illness’s presence. Young athletes are often (though not exclusively) the victims. For the Koontz family, the shock and sadness were devastating. As Bart relates, “No one wants to be in this club. The losing-a-kid-club is the worst.The loss never goes away.” While both parents found partial relief through the raising of their two other healthy children, Bart needed an additional outlet to assuage his grief. When he realized that while he couldn’t undo what had happened within his family, “maybe I could spare others the same terrible experience.” To that end, in 2010 Bart and his wife, Doré, founded and funded AugustHeart, a nonprofit, charitable program providing sophisticated free heart screenings for athletes aged 14 to 18. Since its inception, AugustHeart (with support from the Baptist Health System, Methodist Heart Services, the University Health System and UT Medicine, the physician practice group of the University of Texas Health Science Center and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System) has screened more than 733 teenagers, finding anomalies in 23. Regarding this undertaking, a committed Bart states, “Through AugustHeart, we’re shooting for the moon. Can we test every kid in Bexar County, every freshman who comes in every year – regardless of the gender or sport played? With continued support, I believe the answer is yes.” As the program continues to establish itself locally, Bart is starting to receive inquiries from other communities seeking help in founding their own programs. To this Bart says, “The horror of HCM is not limited to San Antonio. Anything I can do to facilitate the efforts of those in other localities, I will. It’s that important.” Within the San Antonio area, screenings are regularly scheduled at multiple cross-town locations. To find out how to participate, visit the organization’s website at augustheart.org, call (210) 841.9207, or contact AugustHeart via e-mail at info@augustheart.org. SANANTONIOMAN.COM 23
24 JUNE/JULY 2012
by WHITNEY SOLCHER
SAN ANTONIO MAN
How to Tap Energy in Your Portfolio (And how not to)
I
t’s hard to get through a day in San Antonio without some
of more fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as a recession that has
mention of the hustle and bustle of the Eagle Ford Shale.
resulted in a lot of belt tightening); however, most of the devel-
Whether by way of newspaper, television, billboard, local
oping world’s appetite has been steadily increasing.
politician or your third grader, everyone is aware of the billions of
Take China, for instance. With 1.4 billion people and spurred
dollars being pumped into our local economy through energy
by a rapidly growing middle class that is
production in our own backyard.
demanding a better way of life, this country is just beginning its drive to-
Job seekers and servicing businesses are benefiting from the new boom located just to our south.
ward peak energy consumption. Chinese populations continue to migrate from the country to air-conditioned and heated apartments in teeming cities, where
Unfortunately, if you are like me, you neither own any property
they drive cars and scooters and eat Kentucky Fried Chicken
in the play, nor a trucking business, nor a hotel room nor … well,
instead of rice. Each transition in their changing lifestyles con-
you get the picture. So how do you benefit from this massive in-
sumes more and more energy. Even the increased demand in
dustry called energy? In short, by investing!
higher protein diets requires a greater use of resources. In fact,
We believe energy is a long-term must for any portfolio —
energy is a major input in the agriculture cycle, whether it is the
the reason being that as the human population increases annu-
fuel for the tractor, the production of fertilizer or the transporta-
ally, there are more people demanding and consuming the
tion of goods to the market; energy is consumed at each step.
Earth’s resources. In the United States, we have actually been
And this is just the beginning. Hence, our long-term positive
decreasing our per capita energy consumption (in part because
outlook on the sector.
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 25
SAN ANTONIO MAN
There are a multitude of ways to get exposure to the energy sector in your investment portfolio, but many can be convoluted and confusing. One simple way is to buy large blue chip stocks, such as Exxon or Chevron, but we believe it is important to maintain diversification and not pack all your eggs in one carton. We all witnessed the decline in BP’s stock price in the aftermath of their Gulf Coast disaster, and other similar disasters can surprise any company in this industry. Therefore, we suggest purchasing an exchange traded fund (ETF) focused on the energy sector to spread your bets over a variety of companies and niches. The Energy Select Sector SPDR (ticker: XLE) is an example of this, but there are many others out there that focus on specific areas of energy, such as onshore exploration and production (IEO), oil services (IEZ) or even green energy (ICLN). We also like the midstream space, which is dominated by an asset class called Master Limited Partnerships or MLPs. These
the emerging world, which can be rather volatile. While we’ve discussed some ways to incorporate energy into
companies are involved in the transportation or distribution of
your investment portfolio, we would also like to warn you about
natural resources via pipelines, trucks, trains or storage facilities
what NOT to purchase.
and make up the infrastructure “toll roads” of American energy production. MLPs are attractive assets, as they don’t pay corporate taxes like most stocks, and therefore they are able to distribute their cash flows directly to investors through their partnership structures, generally resulting in a much higher yield on investment. Given the massive amounts of infrastructure that will be required over the coming years to accommodate our
Many people think (and rightly so), “If I want exposure to oil, why don’t I just buy oil?” There are many vehicles out there that allow you to do just this, but the resulting return is not what you would think.
large natural gas discoveries, like the Eagle Ford Shale, we view MLPs as a logical long-term play in one’s portfolio. Another means of accessing energy exposure is by allocating
For example, if you want to buy oil, you could purchase the “OIL” exchange traded note. The problem is, this security is
to developed countries that supply the rising demand from the
based on the futures market, and futures contracts must con-
emerging markets mentioned earlier. Many emerging-market
stantly roll over into the next month’s new contract. So if oil is at
countries import goods from
$100 and goes to $110, you may think you’ve made $10 or 10
natural-resource-rich coun-
percent, but in fact, you are also buying a new contract at $110,
tries, such as Canada and
which eats into your return. These instruments have baffled many
Australia, which are rich in
an investor, as the return investors received was not in line with
oil and gas, and also other
their expectations. Therefore, we suggest staying away from se-
energy and industrial pro-
curities using oil derivatives.
duction resources such as
So, as you fill up at the pump this summer and watch the num-
coal, potash, iron ore, metals and other ma-
bers go round and round, don’t let your eyes roll back in your
terials necessary for sustaining growth and
head. Instead, think how you might be able to roll forward with the
building infrastructure. Investing in these
dial and capture some of the upside that keeps draining your wallet!
countries is another way to invest in rising global energy consumption without actually investing directly into
26 JUNE/JULY 2012
Whitney E. Solcher, CFA, is president of San Antonio Capital Management.
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 27
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Artist
An
in a Family of Lawyers by TONY CANTÚ
photography by BIBB GAULT
Sculptor Gilbert Barrera would rather represent limestone and marble For all practical purposes — with 16 members of his family entering the legal profession — Gilbert E. Barrera should have been an attorney. But the stirrings of the soul that impel some to take an artistic path are hardly ever a practical consideration. “With my brothers and my dad, there has been a Barrera practicing law for the past 90 years,” he says. “But every good family needs a black sheep,” he quickly adds with a chuckle. Born in 1927, family patriarch Roy Barrera began the tradition when he became a lawyer at the urging of his mother. Albeit at a slower pace, the elder Barrera still works as an attorney. At his peak, he was one of the state’s best-known lawyers and only the second Mexican-American ever to be named Texas Secretary of State, by former Gov. John Connally. “You have to go back to Juan Seguin to find another Mexican-American in that post,” the younger Barrera says, palpably proud of his father’s accomplishments. Since then, other siblings and nieces and nephews followed suit. With the pull of family tradition, Barrera also went to law school — entering St. Mary’s University and attending courses at Texas Wesleyan School of Law in Fort Worth — before ultimately realizing his heart wasn’t in it. “I took criminal law, but I never really practiced,” he says. But while the field of law may have lost out on an accomplished attorney, the city has gained a gifted artist. Barrera is arguably best known for having created the Lady Justice situated atop the restored Bexar County Courthouse fountain, an aquatic feature dating to the late 19th century. The old fountain was originally purchased from the J.L. Mott Co. of New York in 1896 and then installed in the east courtyard of the courthouse before being destroyed by 28 JUNE/JULY 2012
SAN ANTONIO MAN
vandals. Former Hidalgo Foundation president
is further challenging in that Barrera refuses to
Tracy Wolff led an effort to have remnants and
take shortcuts — no power tools for him — and
artifacts related to the fountain taken out of
does it all painstakingly by hand.
storage and restored. But an exclamation point was required to
Once inside his home, he illustrates the reason for this work ethic. On the mantel, he points
showcase the newly resplendent fountain. So
to busts representing male and female Greek
in 2008, Barrera was commissioned to create
figures, massive in their own right at 75 to 100
the bronze Lady Justice sculpture that now
pounds each, and calls attention to the hair
rests atop the fountain. The sculpted figure is
braids and other details etched into the stone.
inspired in equal measures by Themis, the Titan goddess of divine law and order, and
“That’s the Apollo on the west pediment of the Parthenon sculpted by Phidias in 460 B.C.,
Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice. Bar-
and the woman is Aphrodite as sculpted by
rera’s distinctive take is a Greco-Roman ver-
Praxiteles in 350 B.C.,” he says with the ency-
sion of the Knidos Aphrodite, one of the
clopedic knowledge of a seasoned museum cu-
earliest manifestations of the goddess.
rator. “In stone you can’t mess up. A lot of
The sculpture was unveiled to great fanfare
sculptors do assemblage work and use pneu-
in 2008. A crowd of some 500 people gathered
matics or air tools. But I use hand tools only. In
at the unveiling, including Texas Supreme Court
my mind, that’s the highest calling in your field.
Justice Wallace Jefferson and Bexar County
You cannot get this kind of detail with pneumat-
Judge Nelson Wolff.
ics. This is the way Michelangelo did it.”
Barrera could’ve rested on his laurels after that considerable accomplishment. Instead, he
Barrera speaks of the ancient artists that influenced him as if they were old friends.
has opened up his homestead to art patrons,
Whereas early African art was rigid in its style
with the front yard of his 6-acre residential com-
with the attendant perfect symmetry of each
pound dotted with 100 different sculptures.
pose, later Greek artists and those of the Italian
Off Vance Jackson between Wurzbach and Huebner, there is an artistic oasis. All along the
Opposite, sculptor Gilbert Barrera poses with his bronze statue of Lady Justice, a reproduction of the original that stands in front of the Bexar County Courthouse. Above, the artist with some of his sculpting tools.
Renaissance experimented on conveying mo-
hot Texas sun. He enjoys living near loved ones
tion despite the limitations of stone: “These
on the family compound, allowing him to check
stretch are commercial enterprises — mostly
guys broke the mold. It’s a more natural art that
in on his elderly parents just next door. Students
apartments and a handful of convenience
truly came from their mind and imagination and
from area schools — including Hausman Ele-
stores. But it is midway that one finds the Bar-
showcased their hand skills. When I see how
mentary directly across the street — descend
rera complex, dubbed Villa del Carmen in honor
they did the hair or facial features, texture and
en masse year-round to the site and are given
of his mother, where the sculptures reside. It’s
contrast, these guys are actually teaching me
the opportunity to be inspired by the art found
an impressive array of large-scale sculptures:
about sculpture from 2,000 years ago.”
there. In turn, Barrera is inspired by them.
Texas artists such as Russ Thayer, Danville Chadbourne, David Elizondo, Tom Bishop,
He marvels at how the ancients must’ve installed their colossal works — the enigmatic
“About 6,000 kids have visited so far, and I personally guide 20 to 30 groups at a time,”
Michelle O’Michael and Freddy Flores are repre-
Easter Island statues as an example — without
he says. “I detect the wonder of their amaze-
sented on the grounds. International sculptors
the benefit of machinery. “I have a contractor’s
ment in their short, exclamatory words like
also are showcased: Berna Kaya Okan of
tractor that I use. But how did they move the
‘wow,’ ‘neat’ or ‘cool.’ Their insights freshen
Turkey, Marusia Nita of Romania, Dieter Erhard
David that must weigh 20 tons during the Ren-
my perspective.”
of Germany, Siri Dehipitiya of Sri Lanka and Mar
aissance? How did they not only move it across
Duquesnoy of France, just to name a few.
the ground, but how did they pick it up off the
youth, beginning at Mount Sacred Heart, where
mountain, down to the shore, put it on a boat
he made the school banners for holidays, and
and bring it 500 miles inland?” he wonders.
later at Antonian, where he drew the break-
SAN ANTONIO MAN magazine made a trek to the compound during the annual Sculpture Invitational — a tradition for Barrera when he
Maintaining a childlike wonder about art no
He notes how art inspired him in his own
through paintings — those large paper pieces
opens the wrought-iron gates fronting his home
doubt fuels Barrera’s enthusiasm. The fact
enjoyed briefly by spectators before the team
and invites the public to enjoy the works up
that’s he’s largely self-taught adds to this sus-
breaks through them upon their introduction to
close. The 55-year-old bachelor was the con-
picion, as he is for the first time in earnest em-
the football field. Later, at St. Mary’s University,
summate host at a recent invitational: “These
barking on formal art classes, having been
where he took his tentative steps into law, he
sculptures have become my children,” he said.
selected for the sculpture program at the
took but a single course in art history.
But the work is not easy. Although fit at 55,
prestigious Florence Academy of Art in Italy,
Barrera estimates he has another 20 good years
which for the past year has him scurrying to
of active sculpting from the limestone and mar-
and fro during breaks in what is essentially a
the artist in a family of attorneys. “I tell them
ble that have become his favorite mediums. It’s
transcontinental commute.
that of all of us, I’m the only one with a plaque
easy to imagine the work being difficult: One of
Back home, he enjoys the placid setting of
Siblings being what they are, he sometimes still gets ribbed for being the odd man out —
bearing my name in front of the courthouse,” he
his sculptures, a memorial for fallen lawmen
Villa del Carmen and can sometimes be seen
representing a bereaved widow, was fashioned
from street level hard at work on a piece of
siblings, it’s appropriate that the name plaque is
from a 3-ton piece of rock. The meticulous work
stone, a tent shielding him from the rays of a
attached to Lady Justice herself.
jokes. In dispensing this rough justice against
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 29
SAN ANTONIO MAN
A $2 BILLION C O R P O R AT I O N WITH 40 LINES
OF BUSINESS DepuTy CITy ManaGer ERIK WALSH SpeakS of SuCCeSS
30 JUNE/JULY 2012
by TONY CANTÚ
photography by BIBB GAULT
The casual observer might view the job of a deputy city manager for the City of San Antonio — the post Erik Walsh has held since this past October after serving five years as an assistant city manager — as something of an abstraction. After all, it’s the city manager who has the limelight during council meetings, not her deputies. But after meeting at Walsh’s City Hall office for a chat, one thing becomes abundantly clear: His job is no mere abstraction. Not by a long shot. As deputy city manager, Walsh has a number of key city departments under his purview: police and fire, emergency management, animal care and the health department. A second deputy and three assistant city managers round out the department headed by City Manager Sheryl Sculley. Walsh sees the distribution of responsibilities as akin to a corporation. “The city has 11,000 employees and is a $2 billion corporation,” he says, noting the size of the municipal budget in extending the corporate analogy further. “We have over 40 lines of business, from collecting garbage to running an airport.” One noteworthy accomplishment under Walsh’s watch is a positive trend in achieving a so-called “no kill” goal at Animal Care Services. In February, ACS set a new high for its overall live release rate of nearly 70 percent, he notes proudly. The new record is attributable to stepped-up efforts toward increased placement of animals in caring homes and through partnerships with the city’s Pets Alive program and the San Antonio Humane Society.
SAN ANTONIO MAN
“One of the things I always tell people is that 80 percent of running a city is common sense,” Walsh says while sitting in his office — his calm demeanor belying the pressures of his job. Another bit of that good old-fashioned commonsense approach is the way he’s compiling citywide statistics on stray animals. He points to a large map on his wall that is color-coded to reflect the density of complaint calls made via the city’s 311 help line from specific geographical zones in the city. Based on that, he is able to grasp the level of resources needed to combat the scourge of stray animals, some of them vicious dogs, that run loose on city streets. “Our responsibility in local government is doing what’s right,” he says. “There are two goals involved. One is assisting people who are calling for help with something, and the second is to improve the quality of life.” But that dual goal of making residents happy also is challenging to achieve: “People will say ‘I want a park in my neighborhood’ or ‘I want library hours expanded.’ There are limited resources, so we ask ourselves ‘Are there new ways to provide these services?’ Times change, and it is incumbent on us to challenge our departments and find better ways of delivering services.” On animal control and live release, the once-elusive goal is coming to fruition, Walsh says: “We looked again at our strategic plan and established goals and policies to achieve our live release goal. There will be other intensive efforts over the summer, but we’ve made more progress over the last seven months than we have in the past five years.” Another commonsense move helmed by Walsh is one that also capitalizes on economies of scale: the merging of emergency services into a single location. Come this fall, the San Antonio Police Department and San Antonio Fire Department will be housed in a single, state-of-the-art facility across from the current police hub on West Nueva Street. Construction on the new building began in early 2011 at a cost of $10 million. Walsh views the merged emergency services departments as something of a metaphor for his work. “Local government touches everyone — whether you need to be touched or not,” he says. “What’s fulfilling to me is making sure the services people need or expect are delivered in an efficient manner. To
“What’s fulfilling to me is making sure the services people need or expect are delivered in an efficient manner. To achieve this, there’s a sense of community that’s necessary.”
achieve this, there’s a sense of community that’s necessary.” Given his upbringing in San Antonio, that civic sense is innate for the youthful 43-yearold. Growing up in San Antonio also gives him an institutional memory of past issues and challenges confronting the city that still resonate to this day. In a wide-ranging conversation in his office — with a quintessentially San Antonio view of the Spanish Governor’s Palace from his corner window — Walsh displayed an encyclopedic knowledge of local lore and history, speaking knowledgeably of events that took place before his time. Culturally, he embodies the diversity of the city he serves — growing up with a Mexican-American mom and Irish dad — that may further inform his decision making albeit in a more unconscious manner. It’s easy to see why Sculley, herself a transplant from Phoenix, values the insight and expertise Walsh has to offer the city. “I started here 10 days after grad school,” Walsh notes with palpable pride when discussing his nearly two-decade tenure at the city. As an undergraduate at Trinity University, Walsh studied political science with a minor in history. Armed with a graduate degree in urban administration, he started working for the city soon after his studies ended, and by February 2006 was named an assistant city manager. Along the way, he had the fortune of meeting his wife, Sandra — a fellow munici-
pal worker in the parks department — who is now a stay-at-home mom caring for their 7- and 4-year-old children. In June Walsh will commemorate his 18th year of service to the city. He credits his father, a former insurance salesman, for his work ethic —“he was the best father my brothers and I could have asked for”—but also his time at Central Catholic High School and at Trinity. At the former, he says he met people from all walks of life, including other future city leaders, while at the latter his stint as an offensive guard on the football team taught him the value of teamwork. His old helmet rests on the shelf in his office, the sole reminder of his gridiron days in school. “I’m not one of those ex-jocks that spend all day talking about sports,” he says with a chuckle. “But I like to say it provided me with a foundation.” Today, he’s not even that big a sports maven and rarely watches games on TV— a peripheral interest in athletic competitions he agreed his wife appreciates, given the 60 hours a week he typically spends at the office. Walsh speaks highly of his boss, noting how she likes to give her assistants and deputies a breadth of responsibilities to develop them into well-rounded city administrators who themselves might someday secure that top managerial position — here or elsewhere. Walsh was candid in revealing he, too, would someday want to be a city manager. But for now, he says he finds his work personally and professionally fulfilling in helping to improve the quality of life for the full range of San Antonio residents. “This is not a small town of 5,000 people,” he asserts. “This is the seventh-largest city in the country, and we have an obligation as administrators to strike a fair balance.” In the midst of achieving that ever-present goal, Walsh — despite the ambition inherent in a well-prepared young man — has no plans of going anywhere anytime soon. SANANTONIOMAN.COM
31
by KELLY A. GOFF
SAN ANTONIO MAN
PREVENT BACK PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY START
Most americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. assuming your Dna dice roll was favorable and you started life with a “normal” skeleton, the only spinal pitfalls you have to avoid are injury, inflammation and brittle bones. easy, right? not necessarily. Taking a proactive approach means taking care of your spine for years, in fact decades, in advance of old age, when disease and degenerative conditions can make your twilight years a living hell. What does this mean to your daily life? Here’s a breakdown: 32 JUNE/JULY 2012
3 keys to avoiding back pain #1 Avoid Injury The single best thing you can do to avoid back problems and pain is to avoid injury. Herniated disks are one of the most common sources of chronic pain, so it’s best to keep them healthy. EXERCISE — Core-muscle strengthening helps stabilize and support the spine. Check with your doctor before resuming high-impact activities such as jogging or tennis. DON’T SLOUCH — Mom was right again (so unfair)! Good posture reduces the pressure on your spine and disks. Keep your back straight and aligned, particularly when sitting for longer periods. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT — Excess weight puts more pressure on the spine and disks, making them more susceptible to herniation. LIFT WITH YOUR LEGS — Lift heavy objects properly, making your legs, not your back, do most ofSource: the work.National Institutes of Health
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 33
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Already injured your back? Don’t ignore it! What you do now can
chronic inflammation, but dietary choices play a big role as well.” He
affect how your back ages later. Treatment calls for pain relief, reduced
says learning how specific foods influence the inflammatory process is
activity, steps to reduce inflammation and measures to restore strength
the best strategy for containing it and reducing long-term disease risks.
and normal activity. Severe cases of disk degeneration that put pressure
In fact, Dr. Weil has gone so far as to develop an anti-inflammatory
on the spinal nerve roots may permanently affect the nerves that control
diet complete with an anti-inflammatory food pyramid (Google it). It’s
muscle movement or sensation in an extremity. Herniated disks gener-
not a diet in the popular sense — it’s not intended as a weight-loss program, nor is it an eating plan to
ally heal themselves, and surgery is rarely necessary. If the disk is just temporarily distorted, the potential for complete recovery is excellent. If the outer membrane actually breaks or ruptures and loses some of its gelatinous center, the damage to the disk may be permanent. What about bed rest? Although in the past, bed rest was the main treatment for back pain, many doctors now recommend modified activity rather than bed rest. Bed rest for two days can be helpful for sudden, severe back pain, but prolonged bed rest may actually delay healing. People with backaches should remain active but be careful not to perform movements that cause pain or discomfort. Your doctor may suggest a back brace or neck collar to limit movement and ease the pressure on sensitive nerves while the disk heals. In severe cases, full or partial traction may be needed.
#2 Reduce inflammation Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, commonly known as wear and tear arthritis, is the most common type. It’s associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body, but can be especially painful in the spine. One condition where inflammation exacerbates an already serious condition is when the spinal column starts to narrow and squeeze the spinal cord. This is called spinal stenosis. More and more research is
CAUSES OF BACK PAIN Usually back pain results from strained muscles and ligaments after a sudden awkward movement or improper lifting of heavy loads. In some cases, back pain may be caused by structural problems, such as:
tective phytonutrients.
Skeletal irregularities — Back pain can occur if your spine curves in an abnormal way. If the natural curves in your spine become exaggerated, your upper back may look abnormally rounded, or your lower back may arch excessively. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain. Osteoporosis — Compression fractures of your spine's vertebrae can occur if your bones become porous and brittle. FYI: Men are not immune! In rare cases, however, back pain can be due to such serious conditions as cancer, infection or cauda equina syndrome, a serious neurological problem affecting a bundle of nerve roots that serve your lower back and legs.
ness. Dr. Andrew Weil, the bearded M.D. and holistic medicine guru,
Along with influencing inflammation, and ample vitamins, minerals, essen-
Arthritis — The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the hips, hands, knees and lower back. In some cases arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
chronic or serves no purpose. It can damage the body and causes ill-
knowledge of how they can help your body maintain optimum health.
tial fatty acids, dietary fiber and pro-
Sciatica — If a bulging or herniated disk presses on the main nerve that travels down your leg, it can cause sciatica — sharp, shooting pain through the buttock and back of the leg.
to infection and injury (inflammation) can wreak havoc if it becomes
Rather, it’s way of selecting and preparing foods based on scientific
this diet will provide steady energy
Bulging or ruptured disks — Disks act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Think of them as a jelly donut. Sometimes the soft material inside a disk may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve. But even so, many people who have bulging or herniated disks experience no pain from the condition.
showing the body’s natural response
stay on for a limited period of time.
Although the specific breakdown and recommendations are too lengthy to include in this article, Dr.Weil does provide some general diet tips: •
Aim for variety.
•
Include as much fresh food as possible.
•
Minimize your consumption of processed foods and fast food.
•
Eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
•
Try to include carbohydrates, fat and protein at each meal.
•
The distribution of calories you take in should be as follows: 40 to 50 percent from carbohydrates, 30 percent from fat, and 20 to 30 percent from protein.
#3 Keep your bones strong Spine fractures from osteoporosis are the most common. About 700,000 spinal fractures occur a year. Weak bones can lead to a compression fracture in the vertebrae, the bones that form your spine. Over time, these fractures can change the strength and shape of your spine. You may lose height. Spine fractures can sometimes lead to chronic back pain. Soft, weak bones are the root of this problem.
REAL men get enough calcium. Experts say that most adults in the United States don’t get enough calcium. The bones and teeth contain over 99 percent of the calcium in
says, “Stress, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition and exposure to
the human body. Calcium is also found in the blood, muscles and other
toxins (like secondhand tobacco smoke) can all contribute to such
tissue. The concentration of calcium in the body tends to decline as we
34 JUNE/JULY 2012
SAN ANTONIO MAN
age because it is released from the body through sweat, skin cells and waste. While improving one's diet will help, many people do need to take calcium supplements as well.
How much calcium do you need? The Institute of Medicine has set an adequate intake (AI) for calcium. Getting this amount from diet, with or without supplements, may be enough to keep your bones healthy. Doctors may recommend higher
Good sources of dietary calcium include: Milk (8 ounces of lowfat milk =
doses. Calcium can interact with many prescription medications, but sometimes the effects can be minimized by taking calcium at a different time. Be sure to tell your doctor about any supplements you take. 9-18 years .......................................1,300 mg/day
300 mg of calcium)
19-50 years .....................................1,000 mg/day
Cheese (2 ounces of Swiss cheese =
51 years and up ..............................1,200 mg/day
530 mg of calcium) Yogurt (6 ounces = 300 mg of calcium) Broccoli, kale and Chinese cabbage Fortified cereals, juices, soy products and other foods Tofu Sardines canned with their soft bones (2 ounces = 240 mg of calcium) Almonds (3 ounces = 210 mg of
Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium. When choosing calcium supplements, look for ones that also contain vitamin D. There is no need to use products identified as “coral calcium.� Claims made that coral calcium is superior to regular calcium
calcium), Brazil nuts, sunflower
are unsubstantiated.
seeds, tahini and dried beans
Also, coral calcium prod-
Blackstrap molasses
GOT KIDS?
ucts may contain dangerous amounts of lead.
Note that children ages 9-18 need MORE daily calcium.
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 35
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Exercise
Make sure you bring your “A” Game by PAUL BALTUTIS
In the world of road running there are races you can fake and there are races you cannot. For example, you can run a 5K with one leg tied behind your back. You can run a 10K with your eyes closed. But when it comes to the half and full marathons, coming into the race with less than your “A” Game can become a painful and humbling experience. So if training and proper preparation are required, why not just do it the right way — earn your bling (i.e., finisher’s medal) and wear the race T-shirt with pride?
Commit yourself! Making a commitment to a specific marathon is a great way to launch your training efforts. Our premier running event in town, the San Antonio Rock’n’Roll Marathon and Half, will be held Nov. 11. Since most training programs call for 16 to 20 weeks of training, June or July is the ideal starting point to get things rolling. Start talking about it, tell your friends, family and co-workers that you are training for it, or even sign up on the official race website, www.competitor.com. Everything else falls into place once you have made the commitment.
Equip yourself! The most important piece of equipment you need for training is a good pair of running shoes. The best place to get fitted and learn what style and brand of shoe is suited for you is at a local running specialty store. In San Antonio there are many good choices to pick from; Fleet Feet Sports, Soler’s Sports, Run On, Run Wild and Athlete’s Foot are stores that fall into this category. Their sales staffs are trained to analyze and explain your foot type and biomechanics. The salesperson will help you find the best shoe to fit your needs, avoid injuries and minimize aches and pains.
Train yourself! No matter what level you are, from beginner to intermediate to advanced, from walker to runner, the key is to lock into a training schedule and stick with it. Training schedules are available through a variety of places. One of the best places to start would be through San Antonio Roadrunners Running Club, www.saroadrrunners.com. This site provides free information about beginning running, training and training groups and gives local running links. It is recommended you find a group to train with because the camaraderie of running is the greatest value of the sport. If you have to train individually, there are generic training plans available online. Try www.halhigdon.com. 36 JUNE/JULY 2012
Conrol yourself!
Follow six simple rules. 1) The weekly long run is the key run to your program. For marathoners, you want to reach 18 to 20 miles three weeks before the marathon; for half marathoners, you want to reach 10 to 11 miles two weeks before the race. 2) When you increase your weekly mileage, don’t increase by more than 10 percent from the previous week. Your body needs time to adapt, and the 10-percent rule has been shown to safely add mileage without the risk of injury. 3) Rest days are equally as important as hard workout days. With the increase in weekly mileage and the lengthening of the weekly long run, rest is needed to repair and recover. A rest day prepares you for the next jump in mileage. 4) Cross-training is a great way to add an aerobic workout while allowing your running muscles to rest. Running seven days a week is reserved for the elite runner. Low-impact activities such as bicycling and swimming done at a moderate level will help complement your running. 5) A “back-off” long run should be interspersed throughout your marathon training program. It isn’t a good idea to increase your long run week after week for 14 to16 straight weeks. Having a “back-off” week, usually at the end of a three-week buildup, will give you both a physical and psychological break in your training progression. 6) Taper for the final two to three weeks before the big race. You can’t really improve your fitness within the last part of your training. The best option is to cut your mileage back, rest up, and heal all those nagging aches and pains so that you are fresh and ready to go on race day.
Fulfill yourself! Consistently following a training plan gives you the confidence to complete the race up to your potential. There are always the x-factors that pop up in races, but you will be physically prepared to meet the demands of the race. This article represents a sliver of information about marathon training. Many important subjects, such as hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, stretching and strengthening, were not covered but play a big role in the grand picture. My main advice remains, “Don’t try to fake it.” Build gradually, stick with the training plan, and you’ll be one of the high-fiving spectators when the “C” Gamers come trudging home — the ones who thought, “Hey, I’ll just wing this; how hard can it be?”
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 37
38 JUNE/JULY 2012
by MANNY DAVILA
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Stretching to a Better Golf Game Flexibility improves your game’s potential With summer upon us, more and more people are heading to the golf courses and driving ranges. Most people are recreational golfers who play just for the enjoyment of the game. Still, it always creeps into our minds to wonder if we could play better. Whether you’re playing the challenging course or a par 3 course, nobody wants to get an 8 on a par 3 hole, especially with people staring down behind you. What if I give you a tool that can make you a better golfer almost right away? The answer is golf fitness — flexibility, to be more exact, and the fact that flexibility maximizes your golf potential. Golf fitness is a growing trend that will continue to gain momentum for several reasons. Now, you can’t get into great shape overnight, but you can get a little more flexible on a daily basis. Tiger Woods has said, “I’m convinced that if you increase your flexibility, you’ll add power to your swing.” That’s great advice from a 14-time major PGA tour champion. Not only can you improve your swing, which may lower your score, but you can also prevent injuries such as lower back pain, knee pain and shoulder impingements. Injuries caused by a lack of flexibility are more frequent in amateurs than professionals. Think about it. A pain-free golf game. Can you say “enjoyable”? You can do a few simple things before and during your game to make your game better today.
The first step is simple: Warm up. You want to do dynamic
You can do each exercise for about a minute and repeat twice.
warm-ups. Golf is a game of explosive movement, so you should
This will wake up the muscles and get the proper blood flow so your
warm up by moving. A simple routing could be as follows:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
High knees – Stand straight and bring your knees into your chest. Kick behinds – Bend your knee back toward your glutes. Monster walks – Straight legs out in front of you. Glute extensions – Straight legs out behind you. Forward arm circles – Rotate your arms from your shoulder joint all the way forward. 6. Backward arm circles – Rotate your arms from your shoulder joint all the way backward. 7. Torso rotations – Rotate your torso to full range of motion on both sides.
muscles will be ready for the game. Start every movement in your golf swing posture. Make sure you pay attention if you feel tightness in one area more than another, and spend more time on that area if necessary. Now you are ready to play. After playing a few holes, your hamstrings, glutes, shoulders and back may get a little tight, causing your golf swing to be compromised. That can be frustrating, especially if you had a strong start. What can you do? The answer is to stretch. Do some simple stretches between shots that will help you keep your range of motion. You can do these while by your golf cart or just with a golf club. SANANTONIOMAN.COM 39
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Here is a list of five simple stretches to help you throughout your game.
1. Hamstring stretch – Hold the club with your right hand, and reach with your left hand to your left foot while keeping your left leg straight. Repeat on the other side. 2. Glute stretch – Hold the club with your right hand and cross your right leg over your left knee and sit down, balancing yourself with your club. Repeat on the other side. 3. Thigh stretch – Hold the club with your right hand and use your left hand to grab your ankle toward your glutes. Hold for 20 seconds, then lean forward for another 20 seconds. Repeat on the other side. 4. Shoulder stretch – Grab your club outside shoulder width. Raise the club over your head and rotate all the way back behind your head. Make sure not to over-rotate. 5. Trunk rotation – Get in your golf posture while placing your club across your upper back. Rotate from your trunk in both directions to keep your lower back flexible.
1
2
3
4
Hold these stretches for 20 seconds and focus on your muscles that you feel tighten. The South Shore YMCA in Wisconsin did an independent study for eight weeks doing a proper dynamic warm-up and stretching while playing 18 holes. After eight weeks, golfers showed a 24.7-percent increase in hip and shoulder flexibility and a 5-percent increase in club head speed. More importantly, these recreational golfers had better, more enjoyable games without having any injuries. In conclusion, recreational golfers have a better time playing when they can improve their game while avoiding injuries. Be prepared, and you will have an enjoyable outing every time you play.
40 JUNE/JULY 2012
5
Manny Davila is the owner of MD Fitness and the Par 5 Golf Fitness Program. He is certified by the American Council on Exercise and works at Next Level Fitness and at golf courses around town.
by DIANE GOTTSMAN
SAN ANTONIO MAN
More and more guys are discovering that spending time in the kitchen can be therapeutic, healthy and a lot of fun. Cooking for friends is a great way to entertain — that is, if you know a few tricks of the trade. Here are a few simple rules to remember to keep your kitchen company-ready and make a good impression on your guests: · Throw out that sponge! It doesn't take long for a kitchen sponge to go from a helpful cleaning tool to a germ-breeding science experi-
· Cross-contamination caution: Straight out of Cooking 101, when something (knife, cutting board, towel, hands) touches raw meat, poultry or fish, into the wash it goes. If you are entertaining multiple guests, and one is allergic to a particular food product (first
ment. Keep a good supply of fresh sponges tucked away in a drawer or
of all, don't serve it), make sure to keep your counter and everything
cabinet, and don't hesitate to replace them when they start to smell like
else separate for the sake of the allergic guest.
your gym socks. · Rotate your kitchen towels. Just as with your sponge, it's easy to overlook the hand towel that you use daily as a potential kitchen hazard. If you are not sure of the last time it went into the washing machine, it's overdue. Between drying your hands, cleaning up red wine
· Sanitize! Disinfecting wipes are a great quick clean-up idea to stash under the sink for stove and kitchen counters after a messy cooking jag. · Maintain your cutting boards. Wooden cutting boards don't last forever. Clean wooden boards with a good dose of bleach every
spills and drying your dishes after dinner, that little absorbent towel has
now and then. Throw away plastic ones when they show signs of
been wet longer than it's been dry.
wear. If you wash them and they still feel slippery, toss them.
Stock up on multiple kitchen towels, and keep a drawer full, rotating
· Freeze and label. Casually tossing something in the freezer will
them frequently. The key is not to let them sit in your washing machine
be confusing a few weeks or months later when it looks like a
and mildew — you'll never get the smell out. Even better, have sepa-
strange-colored block of ice. Invest in a black sharpie, some freezer
rate towels for different purposes — one for drying clean hands or
bags or freezer paper, and label with the food item and date you
dishes and a separate one for miscellaneous mess-wiping. Note to man
placed it in the freezer. Time flies, and suddenly 2012 was three
self: Paper towels are the best choice for drying your hands. Easier to
years ago!
grab and go and more hygienic. · Baking soda is miraculous. Keep a box in your freezer and an-
· Upgrade your glassware. Simple details like a great set of drinking glasses make a nice impression when you are entertaining and
other in your refrigerator, and you will considerably reduce any funny
serve guests your signature drink. Invest in drink ware that is actually
taste in your ice cubes, frozen foods and perishables. Change the
made of glass, rather than industrial plastic, or mugs with beer logos
box monthly and rinse it down your sink drain, which will help with
on them. Serve coffee in something other than promotional coffee
sink smells too.
cups from your office kitchen. SANANTONIOMAN.COM
41
SAN ANTONIO MAN
· Clean your cabinets, crevices and coils. When it comes to tidying up the kitchen, don't overlook the fronts of your appliances, cabinets and drawers, especially the places where your hands touch and make marks. Don't overlook the hood of your stove vent and crevices between the cabinets and major appliances. Pull out the refrigerator, vacuum the dust off the coils, and clean the top of the refrigerator. Even though guests may not be looking, it must occasionally be done. · Master one meal that you're proud to serve. You admittedly are not Bobby Flay, but you can still master one meal that you enjoy cooking and can dazzle your guests in the process. When it's your turn to host, you will always have a delicious, reliable go-to meal that becomes your specialty. When rushed, order out! With a little effort, your kitchen will become one of the favorite rooms in your house or apartPhotography ©Liz Garza Williams
ment. Bon appétit!
Dazzle Them with a Guest-Ready Bathroom • Make sure there's a clean bar or bottle of liquid soap positioned at the bathroom sink. Put out a fresh hand towel or a beautiful box of disposable finger towels. • Check the toilet paper situation before guests arrive. Stash extra rolls in an easily accessible location, just in case. • Clean the tub. Yes, it's entirely possible that a guest will peek behind the curtain. • Clear the air. Your man card will not get revoked if you buy some nice-smelling potpourri for the counter or back of the toilet. At a minimum, tuck a spray can of air freshener under the sink for emergencies. • Purchase a decorative wastebasket. Nothing screams "bachelor" like a bathroom without a trashcan. Makes you wonder how clean your hands are in the kitchen!
42 JUNE/JULY 2012
Got a question on social protocol? Diane Gottsman is a nationally recognized etiquette expert and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in corporate etiquette training. She is also the author of Pearls of Polish, an etiquette guide for today’s busy woman. Learn more at protocolschooloftexas.com. Contact her at diane@sanantonioman.com.
by JANIS TURK
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Great Gift Ideas for the Opposite Sex With a little help from my (Facebook) friends. I just came across an old black and white 1964 episode of The Twilight Zone, where a romantically inept computer programmer named Elwood (played by Wally Cox) resorts to asking a room-sized computer (which he called "Agnes") for advice about what women want. That got me thinking: Maybe Elwood had the right idea. ow, almost 50 years later, in a world where computers seem to have the answers to everything (distance from San Antonio to Santa Barbara, for instance), and all you have to do is speak a question into your smart phone to “Ask Jeeves” or call up a certain fact or figure, perhaps computers can also answer the question that has stumped men since the beginning of time — what is it that women really want? Especially when gift buying, men can be completely in the dark about what to get the women in their lives. So maybe Elwood was wise to ask a computer like Agnes about how to win a lady’s heart. But I didn’t want anything as impersonal as software or a search engine to shoot out the answer to such an important question; half the time the computer is trying to sell me something, anyway, and even Agnes in the Twilight Zone episode rather screwed things up in the poor computer geek’s love life. So I asked real people, my Facebook friends, about the kinds of gifts they’ve given and gotten from members of the opposite sex and the kinds of things they want. My friends’ answers weren’t really all that surprising: Most said they wanted unique experiences, trips, weekend getaways, spa treatments and such. Others wanted simple things like charms for their bracelets, nice watches and more. They wanted the kinds of things we all want — things that say someone (and not just a computer) was tracking the things they looked at and figuring out what
they’d like. They just wanted someone to be thoughtful and spend a bit of time considering what it is they’d like. That’s sometimes hard to do, though. So, men, when shopping this summer, you can get by with a little help from my friends. Follow their Facebook advice and you won’t be left floating, like Elwood, in the Twilight Zone next time you need a birthday or anniversary gift. Here’s what my cyber-pals had to say:
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given or received for/from a member of the opposite sex OR a gift you’d like to get from your loved one? TAD: I think the best I've done is get tickets to a concert across the country that I knew my wife would love, along with arranging the plane tickets, hotel reservations and babysitting to make it happen. She was thrilled beyond words. Other than that, gift buying gives me a major headache. Experiences always are great gifts. MAX: I gave my girlfriend Mary a vintage spangly top and other unusual used clothing ... she thought it was better than new! When I was traveling for business, I bought Mary a red top at a New Zealand thrift store, and she loved it. Of course, not every woman is a thrift-store kind of shopper, but I know Mary, and she loves that kind of thing. It made her day that I thought of her while I was away. SHANNON: I’d like Pandora charms or a starter bracelet, if it were me. Of course, my husband doesn’t know what a Pandora (brand) charm is, but he could Google it. MIKE: I got my wife a stay in the Sailor Moon Suite at Ten Thousand Waves spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She loved that. So did I. SANANTONIOMAN.COM 43
SAN ANTONIO MAN
AMBER: If only hubby would get my 22-year-old 300Zx restored, now that would be a gift! DENISE: I don't care what the gift is, but I want to know that my husband has been listening when I mention things or thought of me when he saw something unique. ROBYN: I'd be really surprised if my husband ever gave me a week at Treetops Hotel in Kenya, but I'm thinking that won't happen. He did give me a beautiful new diamond wedding ring for our 25th anniversary, though. It was a surprise: We went in for earrings and came out with this big ring. That was a nice day. KAY: My iPad — hands down, that was my favorite gift ever! AMY: I’d love a really expensive stylish watch. DONNA: While strolling down State Street in Santa Barbara, we walked into a Coach handbag store, and my date said, “Pick out anything you want. It is my treat!” I got a sweet Coach purse.
44 JUNE/JULY 2012
DONNY: SPURS tickets RULE! PEGGY: I met a girl in Ecuador whose mom gave her a compass so she could always find her way home. I love that idea. HOLLY: Any travel or diamonds would be the perfect gift for me. RICK: A friend once gave us a bag of Lucky Charms marshmallows — just the MARSHMALLOWS! Best gift ever! AMBER: A new saddle with lots of bling. LESLIE: Right now I would really like some new patio furniture for the summer. I want to relax in my own little paradise. There are some great outdoor living space furniture stores in San Antonio. DENISE: A spa day at someplace posh like the Mokara Hotel spa or the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa. LESLIE: One of the best gifts I recently received was Rosetta Stone for French. MEGAN: A maid service to clean our house. Now that would be wonderful!
by COURTNEY BURKHOLDER
12
SAN ANTONIO MAN
characteristics of a truly remarkable dad
With Father’s Day just around the corner, children young and old prepare to celebrate the main man in their lives: their Dad. Fatherhood may be easily attained, but being a father worth celebrating is not so easily achieved. What makes a truly remarkable dad worthy of a day dedicated in his honor? Money? Nope. A high-powered job? Try again. A father worth celebrating requires a loving heart and a willing hand. Here are a few things to remember this Father’s Day to ensure you are worthy of that special coffee mug with your picture on it! SHARE YOUR TIME. It’s easy to get bogged down in your responsibilities at work, but you don’t get any do-overs with kids. Spending time with your children is the only way to get to know them, develop a meaningful relationship and have an influence in their lives. Make them a priority. Spend some quality time with them everyday. BE A ROLE MODEL. Children emulate what they see their parents do. It’s as simple as that. If they see good sportsmanship, generosity, kindness and good manners from you, then that is what they will strive for. However, if they see you blow off a tip, treat a waitress rudely, lose your
cool during a game or scream obscenities at another person, then that is what they will do, too. BE AN AUTHORITY FIGURE. Children need their fathers to be the head of the household. It gives them a sense of comfort and security to know that Dad is there, taking care of the family and keeping them safe. They look to you for leadership, discipline and implementing the rules of the house. When kids feel secure in this, then they are free to grow and experiment with life.
BE OF STRONG PRINCIPLES. A father of principle is honest in word and deed, forthright in all his dealings and ethical in business as well as personal issues. Again, children emulate their parents. Always be honest, and show them by example what a gentleman of integrity is. Apologize and admit when you have made a mistake, and show them how to make it right. Kids are smart — they recognize a lie when they hear it, no matter how small. The same goes for all dishonest behavior, so be sure you always set a good example. BE THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE HOME. Teach your children the importance of having God as the center of their lives. Attend church on a regular basis, and help instill in them the importance of making God a priority. Pray for them and with them every day. BE KIND AND LOVING. You can’t love your kids too much. You can’t tell them you love them too much. Tempering discipline and authority with kindness and love will allow your children to grow and flourish in a safe and secure environment. Show them affection and let them know in every way how much you love them. BE DEPENDABLE. If you say you’re going to do something, then do it. Make it a priority. Make your word law. If you are always late, always changing plans or constantly disappointing them, then they will quickly learn that they can’t count on you. A broken trust is not easily mended. SANANTONIOMAN.COM 45
SAN ANTONIO MAN
SHOW THROUGH ACTIONS, NOT JUST WORDS. Children must be taught right from wrong and need to see that demonstrated by Dad. If you punish your child for using a curse word, but you use them all the time, they see that. Teaching by the “do what I say, not what I do” method is weak and ineffective. Life requires making tough decisions. Show them by example how to make the right decisions, then talk about why you came to that conclusion. ALLOWS KIDS TO MAKE MISTAKES. Nobody’s perfect. Kids learn by making mistakes. As a father, your role is to help guide them through the process of making choices, then facing the repercussions of their decisions. BE A GOOD DISCIPLINARIAN. Setting boundaries for your children is important. Disciplining in a loving manner shows your children that you care enough about them to make sure they are learning and growing up to be the best person they can be. BE RESPECTFUL TO WOMEN, ESPECIALLY YOUR CHILD’S MOTHER. Mutual respect between parents is essential. A son will emulate the way you treat his mother and other women, and a daughter will learn how she should expect to be treated by a man. Your example is hugely important. CHALLENGE YOUR KIDS TO BE THEIR BEST. Children inherently want to please their parents. They want their love and respect, so challenging them to be their best and do their best is a good thing. Make sure they know that you support them in whatever they are doing. This article is dedicated in loving memory of my father-in-law, George Veeder Burkholder, M.D., a beautiful example of a father worth celebrating. ~C.B.
46 JUNE/JULY 2012
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 47
by JANIS TURK
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Our Pick for this Month’s Best Bites in the Alamo City Q on the Riverwalk 123 Losoya in the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk (210) 222-1234 Hours: Open Breakfast daily: 6:30 am - 11 am; Lunch daily: 11 am - 2 pm; Dinner: Tues. - Sat. 6 pm - 10 pm. www.qriverwalk.com When I dropped by, chef David Wirebaugh of Restaurant Q on the Riverwalk said I couldn’t leave before I tasted his Q Burger. “You’re gonna love it,” he said. He was right. Mounded high on a fresh brioche bun was a heap of juicy BBQ pork, crispy fried onion rings, smoked peppers and cool crisp coleslaw — pretty amazing, and definitely San Antonio man-sized. Q is known for barbecue of all kinds from all over the globe. From the fiery BBQ chicken with an Asian sauce, to the man-sized Q burger, chef Wirebaugh hits all the right notes. In a state where you have to be pretty sure of yourself to claim to know great BBQ, Q convinced me it’s earned a place at the table in Texas.
1909 Bar & Bistro 105 N. Alamo Plaza in the Gibbs Building/Hotel Indigo at the Alamo (210) 933-2000 Hours: Sun. - Thurs. 7 am - 10 pm; Fri. and Sat. 7 am - 12 am; Closed daily during lunch 11 am - 5 pm www.1909barandbistro.com The structure that houses this restaurant is great — the old Gibbs Building cater-corner to the Alamo. The place has cool marble walls and big elevator doors featuring an art deco design. The 1909 Bar & Bistro rests on the first floor of the Hotel Indigo at the Alamo in the space that once was an old drugstore. Today it’s a bright, casual, hip cafe serving light Southwestern fare, flatbreads, salads and more. The best bite on the menu? Their South Texas Fish Tacos — that perfect blend of hot crusty fresh Texas Gulf Coast tilapia and cold “fixins”: cilantro cole slaw, chipotle tartar sauce and spicy Cojita cheese, served with borracho beans and Spanish rice. Spicy tacos, classic old-school San Antonio setting, and the nicest staff I’ve met in years. Yes, I’ll be back.
Sustenio at Éilan 17103 La Cantera Parkway at the Éilan Hotel (210) 598-2950 Hours: Open Breakfast daily: 6:30 am - 10:30 am; Lunch daily: 11 am - 2 pm; Dinner daily: 6 pm - 10 pm. www.eilanhotel.com It’s like sitting in on a cooking class when seated at the ceviche bar at Sustenio to watch executive chef David Gilbert’s team at work. Restaurant founder and chef Stephan Pyles says he’s been obsessed with Peruvian ceviches since he first visited Peru, and ever since I visited his Southwestern-goes-global restaurant Sustenio’s ceviche bar, I’ve become obsessed with them too. Pyles starts with fresh sashimi-grade Texas flounder, Texas drum or lobster and then flash-marinates them with a splash of lime juice and salt for three minutes before adding special touches, like mango chunks, creamy avocado or diced fennel roasted in vanilla, orange juice and Aji peppers. In between tastings, popcorn is served as a palate cleanser. My friends and I were wowed by the fresh healthy fare and the contemporary surroundings. This new restaurant with its “New Millennium” cuisine is sure to be a big hit. The ceviche bar has the same offering, but you're getting the view of the kitchen.
48 JUNE/JULY 2012
by JEFF DEGNER
SAN ANTONIO MAN
It’s good for more than margaritas
M
y introduction to tequila is very similar to almost everyone
removed because of their very bitter flavor. The piñas (center
else’s. It started off with good intentions, one shot on my
pieces that remain) are cut in half and cooked to release the
21st birthday purchased by people I thought at that moment
sweet juices that are inside. These juices are fermented and then
were my friends.
distilled twice to produce silver (or blanco) tequila. It is then ei-
I remember a brief tutorial on the proper sequence of steps:
ther bottled or put into a barrel to make an añejo style.
step 1) licking the salt that was crusted on the crease between my thumb and forefinger on my left hand, 2) tossing back the shot glass of the cheapest tequila that the bar offered, 3) and the final step of biting down on a lime with the hope that the horrible flavor in my mouth would quickly go away. The rest of the night
Easy drinks to make with tequila I put together a few of my favorite classic drink recipes that I make when friends or family come over to visit. Margaritas are usually made up of a few very simple
is pretty fuzzy, but I am certain more shots were consumed, and I
items: ice, orange-flavored liquor (triple sec), lime juice, tequila
vaguely remember a promise to my friends that if I lived through
and salt. I prefer my margarita on the rocks. I feel that the tequila
the night, I would never drink tequila again. Since there was no legally binding agreement that was
flavor is more present when just poured over ice than when it is blended into a frozen drink. Don't get me wrong. I have been
signed, I unfortunately did not learn my lesson and traveled
known to sit outside and sip a frozen margarita from time to time,
down that road a few times during the next five years. There was
but an alcoholic slushie is not my first choice.
one morning when I finally put my foot down and said never
Take a rocks glass and rub a lime around the edge and then
again, which was difficult, since I was face down on my bath-
rim it with kosher salt and add ice. Add 3 ounces of Herradura
room floor at the time. It did take some time for my stomach to
Blanco Tequila, 2 ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice and a
forgive me, and it allowed me one more chance on one condition
splash of orange juice to a shaker that is halfway filled with ice,
— quality over quantity.
and shake away. Strain it into the glass and garnish it with a lime
Tequila is grown and produced in a small delimited region in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The best tequila comes from the
wedge. This is a very simple version and can be modified in a number of ways, depending on your palate.
blue agave variety of the mezcal plant. The mezcal plant takes
The Mexican Martini originated at the Cedar Door restaurant
over six years to reach maturity but is best between 10 and 12
in downtown Austin more than 20 years ago. It's basically a mar-
years of age. Once the plant is harvested, the outer leaves are
garita with vermouth and olive juice or olives as a garnish. If you SANANTONIOMAN.COM 49
SAN ANTONIO MAN
are not a fan of olives, then you should stay with the traditional margarita, but these are a great alternative if you want to change things up a bit. Pour 2 ounces of Corazon Blanco Tequila, 2 ounces Cointreau, 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 ounce dry vermouth and a splash of olive juice into a shaker that has ice in it. Once it has been thoroughly shaken, strain liquid into a martini glass that has been rimmed with salt. Throw a few jalapeño-stuffed olives on top as a garnish and sit back and enjoy. For over 70 years the Tequila Sunrise has been a very popular drink, not to be confused with the 1988 movie starring Mel Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer. While it is a little old-school in style, it still can be a fun drink to serve at parties. Fill a highball glass with ice and pour 2 ounces of Corzo Reposado Tequila into the glass. Then add 4 ounces of orange juice and lightly stir to mix. Pour 1 ounce of grenadine into the glass over a spoon so that it does not mix into the drink but gently glides down, creating the beautiful sunrise visual effect after which it was named. Many celebrities are buying into the tequila craze. George Clooney, Justin Timberlake, Sammy Hagar and even Texas’ own Kinky Friedman all are involved in tequila companies to some degree. Recently Carlos Santana affiliated his name with the new Casa Noble Tequila. The Extra Añejo Tequila is something very special. It is aged for five years in charred oak barrels and is best served neat as a sipping tequila. The caramel and vanilla flavors from aging are sure to change the popular view that tequila can only be blended into a cocktail or drunk from a shot glass. While it is fairly expensive, it is well worth every cent. If you like fine Scotch and cognac, this is a worthy Mexican counterpart that you will want to revisit. The truce agreement with my stomach has been in place for over 10 years, and we have both lived up to our promises. Using a higher-end tequila in my drinks, I was able to start enjoying something that I never thought could be made — a high-quality sipping tequila. I only do this once in a while on a special occasion, but it does make that special occasion a much more pleasant memory then my first encounter with tequila.
BLANCO (white) — un-aged and bottled immediately after distillation. It also can be aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels.
REPOSADO (rested) — aged a minimum of two months but less than a year in oak barrels.
˜
ANEJO (aged) — aged a minimum of one year but less than three years in small oak barrels.
˜ (extra aged) — aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels. EXTRA ANEJO JOVEN (young) — a mixture of blanco and reposado tequilas.
If a bottle of tequila does not have 100-percent blue agave printed on the label, then it is a blend that contains only 51-percent blue agave.
50 JUNE/JULY 2012
by MEGAN L. MINUS
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Backyard Theater Create Your Own
Summer plans: Cool off poolside during the day and enjoy some barbecue and fun in the backyard at night. And you may either go the fancy route or more affordable way. Check out both and pick and choose what fits best for you.
PROJECTORS Panasonic PT-AR100u
$$$
While Panasonic doesn’t suggest this be left outside, it has the best technology on the market for outdoor viewing pleasure. The PT-AR100 projector produces bright, sharp images by use of a high-power 280-W red-rich lamp and optical unit that combine comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions, just perfect for sundown. Panasonic's Light Harmonizer 3 technology assists the versatile use of the projector by automatically adjusting the picture quality of the image to match the living room or outdoor theater conditions. Want to be more active than just sitting around watching movies? Try playing video games with the PT-AR100. The video game mode improves signal processing for better response, allowing you to play games with minimal stress. And for either movies, games or sporting events, it also reveals gradation in saturated areas to show details that are otherwise lost in very dark areas. In Sports mode, together with the motion effect feature, the PT-AR100 detects and extenuates detail on moving objects, resulting in intensified action with clearer, more highlighted players. Finally, the optical filter optimizes the light spectrum from the UHM projector lamp, helping to produce deeper blacks while improving purity levels in the three primary colors. This system produces HDTV-quality displays for around $1,200.
The Epson MovieMate 85HD Projector
$$
is your one-stop shop. It comes well equipped with a
projector, DVD player and speakers. The widescreen 720p resolution creates larger-than-life high-def movies with images up to 12 times larger than on a typical 40-inch widescreen television. The easy setup allows you to just plug in, load and play before the sunsets. The bold sounds pour through the two built-in 10 W Dolby Digital speakers with Digital DTS Surround. Not only can you watch hit movies, but the Epson MovieMate 85HD is also equipped for popular electronic devices — Apple, iPod, Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360 — as well as built-in microphone input for karaoke. You can purchase one online at Epson.com for $850.
SCREENS Open Air Home Screens
$$$
take the home theater system outside. Unlike a translucent top sheet
straight from your bed to the backyard’s trees, this screen sets up in a snap and stays strong till the end of the night. The wide screen allows you to pop up the screen and inflate within 15 seconds. The stakes hold up the steady screen, which weighs only 12 pounds and fits inside a convenient sack when disabled. The black-out backdrop blocks light to improve contrast ratio. The air blower is quiet, making sure not to disturb your theater production. Check out openaircinema.us for 9’ Open Air Home Screens starting at $600.
52 More on page 54 SANANTONIOMAN.COM
51
SAN ANTONIO MAN
ALL-IN-ONE DEAL
Go peek around on projectorscreenstore.com
$$
for a variety of much more affordable projector screens. They’re your standard pull-down, tripod type, but on a still night, they may be your best option. For nearly $400 less it doesn’t hurt to check some out. Elite screens produce the highest-quality display for an affordable price.
SPEAKERS Yamaha’s NS-AW570
While you’re on the OpenAirCinema.us website, be sure to look into their
mountable, paintable, all-weather
Cinebox Home Systems. Starting around $2,200, you can get everything you
speakers are rated as speakers of
need at this one stop shop. Their standard 9-by-5-foot inflatable movie screen is
the year. The 6.5-inch high-com-
just as great as the one previously mentioned. You may choose your projector
pliance PP Mica-filled woofers
from the standard def package to the 1080p option for an additional cost. This
with unique dual 1-inch PEI Dome
also includes two 8-inch powerful outdoor speakers. They have thrown in the
tweeter configuration provide a wide-range listening area. The convenient speakers are recommended for indoor and outdoor use, and all for around just $230.
52 JUNE/JULY 2012
Open Air 3D Converter Box with two pairs of Open Air 3D Glasses. Consider purchasing the Sony PS3 or the DVD player for outdoor family entertainment.
by MEGAN L. MINUS
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Photos by: D. Clarke Evans NBAE/Getty Images
Pounding the Rock: Gregg Popovich
Coach of the Year
There are certain things men brag about in their life — cars, children,
the size of the fish they caught. Rarely do you find a man bragging about his success in his job, and even more rarely do you hear this bragging
“You can see with all these people. That’s what
from the mouth of Gregg Popovich. But let it be known, Pop should be
it’s about. I’m the beneficiary. I’m the guy that’s
bragging, as the NBA recently named him Coach of the Year.
going to get the award, but it’s really not mine.
On May 1st, Gregg Popovich was awarded the Red Auerbach Trophy for NBA Coach of the Year. Through his hard work and over 16 years with
It belongs to everybody,”
the San Antonio Spurs, he has driven the organization to success both on and off the court. He has taken experienced and inexperienced players
caring for each other and trusting each other,” said R.C. Buford, general
in all of his seasons and crafted a respectful and hard-working group of
manager of the Spurs organization.
men that are consistently deemed the best team in the nation, and for more reasons than just their winning seasons. The last 15 of 16 years that Gregg Popovich has been with the San Antonio Spurs, he has led them to post-season play: the best record in the league, with no one getting close to those same numbers. It helps
Popovich was amazed and gracious when receiving the award in San Antonio this last month. He was quick to recognize the numerous other coaches and their dedication, while still being humbled by the great honor. Pop was able to share the honor with the Spurs organization, making the point that it’s the team that has earned him this award,
when you also have the longest tenure with one organization in all four
not himself. Together they develop the players and make the program
major league professional sports. “He’s put us in a position to be suc-
special, making sure the pieces always fit. He claims that there is
cessful. For everybody who has been a part of our team, he has been a
synergy in the organization between the owners, the coaches, the
mentor and friend, constantly stressing that the real rewards come from
staff and the players. SANANTONIOMAN.COM 53
SAN ANTONIO MAN
“You can see with all these people. That’s what it’s about. I’m the beneficiary. I’m the guy that’s going to get the award, but it’s really not mine. It belongs to everybody,” said Popovich. His players continue to surprise him, though, even after all these years. He gives credit to Tim Duncan, claiming him as the true backbone to the success of the Spurs. Pop says that the success for the Spurs was all luck. To be blessed with David Robinson and then to follow it up with Tim Duncan was equivalent to years of great basketball. And the awards that both entities reap prove just that. With four NBA titles, the Spurs surely are a winning class act. And it’s true. Rarely is negative light shone on the players or the coaches. They are family men, who go grocery shopping, take their kids to baseball, and support their community. It’s something that Popovich, maybe, has instilled in them. It may come from Pop’s open heart to helping kids, visible in his creation of the Spurs Youth Basketball League. This operation, which was opened in 1991, asks youth to stay drug- and alcohol-free while practicing fair play and good sportsmanship. It has served over 20,000 kids within the San Antonio area, and is not slowing down, expanding its vision farther south. Within the NBA, Pop is also a part of the Coaches for Kids program, which sports a similar message of healthy living and positive attitude. All of this dedication to his team and community has once again not gone unnoticed. In 2003, Pop won his first NBA Coach of the Year honor. He took the Spurs to a World Championship ring that year. Should history repeat itself? Either way, Pop said that “Win or lose, the Spurs do it with class.” And either way San Antonio is proud of what Gregg Popovich has done for the Spurs and what the Spurs do for San Antonio. 54 JUNE/JULY 2012
PURE MUSCLE
by TERRY NEGLEY
SAN ANTONIO MAN
The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro convertible The Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in 1967 as a competitor to the Ford Mustang.
If you prefer the six-speed automatic, you’ll get 420 horsepower
When the name was unveiled to the automotive
and 410 foot pounds of torque. I
press, they asked what a Camaro was. They
prefer this combination because
were told it was “a small vicious animal that
it comes with the TAP-shift
eats Mustangs.”
steering-wheel-mounted manual
After 35 years and four distinct generations the Camaro was discontinued in 2002. A few
shifting controls. If you haven’t driven a car with shift paddles
years later the name appeared on a concept
on the steering wheel, you’re in
car that was wildly popular with the public,
for a pleasant experience.
so in 2010 a Camaro was once again in production. This fifth generation may look similar
Another neat feature on the 2012 Camaro is the advanced
to the early models, but that is where the
Launch Control system for optimal traction.
powerful and most capable convertibles
game changes.
This combination still gets a respectable 24
available at any price. This is a car that is
If you’re looking to get noticed, you belong in a 2012 Camaro convertible. The most popular version is a 3.6-liter V6 that returns a
mpg on the highway. Edmund’s.com’s road
guaranteed to put a smile on your face every
test claims a zero-to-60 time of five seconds.
time you drop the top or hit the gas.” The rea-
In the 1960s, muscle cars were designed
son for this is the 580 horsepower. Among 2+2
strong 323 horsepower and 278 foot pounds
primarily for drag racing. The 2012 Camaro
convertibles, that is surpassed only by the
of torque to the rear wheels and still gets 28
convertible has an advanced high-strength
$280,000 Bentley Continental Supersports.
mpg on the highway when equipped with the
chassis with independent rear suspension,
Like most new cars today, the Camaro is
six-speed automatic transmission. If you
variable ratio steering and optional 20-inch
loaded with technology. The soft top powers
enjoy shifting gears, it comes standard with a
wheels for superior cornering. For safety it also
down in a mere 20 seconds with just the touch
six-speed manual.
has Brembo four-piston caliper brakes on SS
of a button. If that doesn’t improve your vision
If that’s not enough for you, order the SS trim with a 6.2-liter V8 with 426 horsepower
models, enabling it to stop as fast as it goes. For you died-in-the-wool performance fans,
for backing up, the 2LT and the 2SS models also have a Rear Vision Package featuring a
and 420 foot pounds of torque when
wait for the 2013 ZL1. Al Oppenheiser, Camaro
rear-view camera system that displays on the
equipped with the standard six-speed tranny.
chief engineer, says, “It will be one of the most
inside rear-view mirror. One of my favorites is SANANTONIOMAN.COM 55
SAN ANTONIO MAN
the Head-Up-Display (HUD ) available on the 2LT and 2SS models that show speed and radio station selection on the windshield so it’s easy and safe to see. If you use the On-Star Turn-by-Turn Navigation system, the HUD will also show directions. On-Star is free for the first six months after you purchase the car. On-Star is the remarkable system that automatically calls emergency responders in the event of a crash, provides Stolen Vehicle Location and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, Ignition Immobilization Assistance, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Roadside Assistance, Remote Vehicle Diagnostics and, for you forgetful types, Remote Vehicle Unlock services. The interior of the 2012 Camaro convertible is also loaded with technology and luxury far ahead of what the 1960s Camaros had. The dash does feature design cues from the 1969 Camaro, but it has a more ergonomic steering wheel, power on both the driver and passenger seats and soft-touch material inserts to improve the richness of interior quality. Also available are a Boston Acoustics premium eightspeaker sound system, Bluetooth wireless technology, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and mobile application integration. Other major improvements over the cars of the ‘60s are the safety items, which are mostly standard. Of course, it has all the airbags, standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and four-wheel disc brakes. With a chassis of exceptional strength, the 2012 Camaro is the safest Camaro ever offered for sale. This is by far the most exciting Camaro ever. Kelley Blue Book overall consumer rating is a 9.5 out of a possible 10, and Edmunds has it at five out of five stars and says for tire-burning power and Hollywood flash, it doesn’t get much better than the 2012 Camaro convertible. For a price starting in the low thirties and hitting the low forties for the V8 2SS, I’ll have to agree with most critics — it’s a hard car to beat. I can imagine what the ZL1 will be like for 2013.
56 JUNE/JULY 2012
SAN ANTONIO MAN
story and photos by JOHN GOODSPEED
Hot summer ahead for reds and trout at the coast’s best angling destination When Capt. Ron Coulston retired from his civil service job at the Army Medical Command in San Antonio, he could wait for
Capt. Ron Coulston of Ron’s Guide Service displays a 26-inch redfish hooked on a 3inch Berkley Gulp Shrimp Pearl White.
the whole area if it’s windy. “But here, the terrain is so varied you can find a protected area
only one thing before moving to Rockport and beginning a sec-
and go fish. I can fish seven different bays that run east and west
ond career — a Coast Guard class to become a fishing guide.
and north and south, and there are so many oyster shell reefs and
Ten years later, he’s still doing what he loves best — fishing at the most productive area on the Texas coast, or anywhere, for that matter. “I don’t know of any place else where you can fish almost every day of the year, even in adverse conditions,” says Coulston, of Ron’s Guide Service. “At a lot of places, you’ll get blown out of
so much shallow and deep water that you can always find a place that normally will produce fish.” Those fish, of course, are Texas’ prized one-two punch of speckled sea trout and red drum, or redfish. Both are plentiful, offering anglers a fight to the finish and a flavorful reward at the table. All signs point to a productive spring and summer in the wake SANANTONIOMAN.COM 57
SAN ANTONIO MAN
of a mild winter. In April, guides were seeing everything happen-
Beach Park, birding trails, golf, the Rockport Center for the Arts, the
ing about three weeks earlier than normal — redfish and trout
Texas Maritime Museum, the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor, shops
coming on strong and plenty of baitfish, including large golden
and galleries in the Downtown Heritage District and restaurants,
croaker, the favored snack of trout.
from fresh seafood on the waterfront at Charlotte Plummer’s to
“I’m not in the business of predicting, but I would say with things happening earlier, and trout being caught in good numbers earlier
spicy Cajun fare dumped on the table at The Boiling Pot. Like many San Antonians, Coulston succumbed to Rockport’s
than normal, this should be a really good summer for fishing,” says
lure after he began fishing along the coast in 1965. “I love to fish,”
Karen Meador, Aransas Bay ecosystem leader of the Texas Parks &
he says. “When I worked in San Antonio, I spent most of my time
Wildlife Department.
off and vacation days
While results were not
down here. I still enjoy
yet tallied, gill net sur-
every day out there.
veys in April indicated
Every day is different.”
good numbers of all
Those years of expe-
species, including hard-
rience reading weather,
head catfish.
tides and patterns of
“That’s not unex-
fish pay off for cus-
pected because of the
tomers. Coulston goes
mild winter, but expect
where the fish are bit-
them to be stealing
ing, from Austwell on
your bait,” says
San Antonio Bay north
Meador, who added
of the Aransas National
that the earlier-than-
Wildlife Refuge to
normal activity after a
Marker 37 Marina in
moderate winter has
While most redfish, or red
Corpus Christi, the
occurred several times
drum, have a single red
gateway to Corpus
over the last few
spot near the tail, this one
Christi Bay and the La-
decades.
shows several, including
guna Madre.
Scattered spring
five below the dorsal fin.
“By the third week of
rains helped reduce
May through early Au-
salinity in the bays,
gust, I rarely come in
which can cause fish to
without a limit of trout —
move. But more rain
of course, 75 percent of
would be good, she
the other guides proba-
says. The growth rate
bly limit, too,” he says.
of juvenile and adult
His normal routine, if it’s
sport fish was a little
not too windy, is to tar-
faster than normal, al-
get trout early, either
though she could not
wading or fishing from
say for sure there
his smooth-riding 23-
Toby Hogan and Capt.
would be a noticeable
Ron Coulston hold a
difference this summer.
speckled trout and the rig
whatever bait is working
that caught it — a Toby
— live shrimp, golden
Hogan Fishing Lures Rat
croaker, piggy perch or
Meador knows one thing for sure, though — Rockport will be crowded weekends.
Tail Worm Jig in white below a green Agitator Popping Cork.
”More people are
soft plastic lures. After a limit of trout, or if high winds make
coming to Rockport than ever before. There already are more people on weekends
foot Haynie. He’ll use
trout fishing difficult, he will go after redfish, anchoring and using leftover croaker and mullet
this spring, so this summer ought to be very crowded on the
and perch, live or as cut bait. Artificial lures work well, too, including
bays,” she says.
gold spoons.
It’s easy to see why. With the shore fringed by windswept live oaks, the town offers plenty for the whole family, including the shallow water of Rockport 58 JUNE/JULY 2012
“I’m still learning things. It’s kind of like playing bridge,” he says. “If you ever totally figure it out, it would be boring, and I wouldn’t like it.”
SANANTONIOMAN.COM 59
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Barton Springs
SWIMMIN’ & GRINNIN’ The best way to beat the Texas heat
by CHET GARNER
You could almost write the script verbatim. It’s the conversation countless Texans will be having this summer as the heat gets turned up to 11 all over the Lone Star State. “Whew, buddy, it’s a scorcher out there. It’s hotter than a [insert folksy phrase here]. That’s it, I’m moving to Montana.” But before you throw in the towel and head north, there is one sure-fire way to beat the Texas heat that has been working for centuries — swimming holes. This not-so-secret solution is the only thing guaranteed to overcome those inevitable and unbearable triple-digit days. And the good news is that Texas is full of swimming holes just waiting for folks to jump in.
Here is a list of my favorites within a day’s drive from San Antonio. San Pedro Springs — San Antonio Located almost in the heart of San Antonio, San Pedro Springs sits in the middle of San Pedro Park, the oldest park in Texas and just west of San Antonio College and Brackenridge Park. Discovered by a monk in 1709, these ancient springs have been refreshing visitors ever since and were actually declared public by the King of Spain, which gives you an idea of how long folks have been coming here to cool off. The water is nice and refreshing, making San Pedro Springs the best option for beating the heat without going the distance. 60 JUNE/JULY 2012
Comal and Guadalupe Rivers — New Braunfels Try to explain tubing to someone from another country and you’ll get a lot of blank stares and/or hysterical laughing. When you think about it, the thought of ripping out the inner workings of a tractor tire and sitting on top of it to float down a river is a pretty crazy idea. But for us Texans, it is second nature, and the best place in Texas to partake of this age-old tradition is New Braunfels. There are two rivers in town for tubing and which one you prefer is a matter of style. The rowdier bunch tends to stick with the Comal, which can get bogged down
with inner tube traffic if there is such a thing, while the calmer crowd with a bit more time heads to the Guadalupe River for more elbow room and to enjoy the more natural side of things. But whichever group you fall into, New Braunfels is the place to go. There are tube renters aplenty in town, so there’s no need to bring your own tube. Both rivers offer all the refreshing water and sun you’ll need to beat the heat.
Rio Frio —
Concan “Rio Frio” means cold river, and after one jump into the water, you’ll agree that the Rio Frio is appropriately named. This river winds
Look for San Antonio Man on Newstands - Only $3.95
Now available in 76 HEB stores in San Antonio, surrounding cities and South Texas. SANANTONIOMAN.COM
61
SAN ANTONIO MAN
its way through some of the most beautiful land in Texas, with the most popular parts lying between the small towns of Leakey and Concan. A local tube rental company will happily point you in the right direction for a slow-moving tube ride down the Rio Frio, and some will even shuttle you from start to finish. Looking for a great stretch to kick back and enjoy? Venture into Garner State Park. It can get a little crazy with vacationers and afternoon grillers on the beaches of “Old Garner,” so if you’re looking for some serenity, head down river from the dam and get ready for relaxation.
Blue Hole —
Wimberley Imagine the perfect Texas swimming hole with clean, crisp water, towering cypress trees, rope swings and plenty of Texas sunshine, and chances are you just pictured something that looks almost exactly like Wimberley’s Blue Hole. This laidback stretch of Cypress Creek makes for an excellent afternoon retreat. It’s more of a swimming “creek” than a swimming “hole,” but don’t get caught up on semantics, as Blue Hole will certainly satisfy. The creek is almost completely shaded by trees, which makes for incredible swimming without the burn, but for those who prefer to bake, there is plenty of grassy real estate where you can throw down your towel and let the sun do its job.
Zedler Mill —
Luling Zedler Mill is more than a swimming hole. It’s a historic site along the San Marcos River that used to be a working mill that supplied the town of Luling with all the grain it needed. However, the dam that diverted the water to the mill now serves a much better function — creating one of the best off-thebeaten path swimming holes in Texas. This stretch of river is not only great for an afternoon dip, it also has a rope swing and a perfectly positioned tree stretching out over the water at a 45-degree angle, allowing brave daytrippers to climb up and plunge off into the water below.
Guadalupe River — Kerrville The Guadalupe River in these parts doesn’t just provide Texans with a single swimming hole, but an entire chain of them ready for the dipping. Stretching roughly from Hunt down to Comfort, the Guadalupe River winds and turns through the Hill Country, 62 JUNE/JULY 2012
Blue Hole
Drink lots of water. Wear sunscreen.
Zedler Mill
making picturesque spots at every turn and low-water crossing. One of the most popular local spots is known as Monkey Island, just south of Kerrville on the road to Comfort. However, quieter spots are easy to find up and down Texas Highway 39. Just bring a towel or two and go hole hopping through this beautiful part of Texas.
City Park —
San Marcos One look at City Park and it’s obvious why folks want to go to college in San Marcos. The cold water of the San Marcos River surfaces upstream at Aquarena Springs, then gracefully winds its way down to meet the dozens (sometimes hundreds) of folks basking in the sunshine at City Park and working up the courage to jump into the chilly, fast-moving waters of the river. The huge pecan trees shading the
Bring a change of clothes — While most food joints within spittin’ distance of a swimming hole are good with swimsuits, you might want to throw on sometthing that isn’t dripping wet.
grassy fields make City Park one of the best places in Texas to spend the afternoon tossing the Frisbee, working on the tan and swimming in the water.
Barton Springs —
Austin Located almost in the shadow of downtown, Barton Springs is one of the best urban swimming holes in Texas. The water flows out of the ground and into Barton Springs at a consistent 68 degrees year round, which means that a dip into this chilly water brings new meaning to the word “refreshing.” Inside the park visitors get to engage in what I call the “Barton Springs Two Steps” consisting of (1) lying out on the grassy hill until the sweat beads start to pour and then (2) jumping into the icy waters and washing them all away. You can then swim as desired.
GO FOR IT Rather than sitting around and complaining about the heat, I recommend you do something about it. And while you can never change the weather, you can beat it by heading to your nearest swimming hole. Refreshment is waiting. Jump in!
Tune into The Daytripper on your local PBS station, or visit www.thedaytripper.com
SAN ANTONIO MAN
MEN ON THE MoVe 1. Central Catholic High School
cial consultant in the Individual Financial
announced that well-known head football
Consulting division. Portlock had served as
coach DONALD BYRD of Alamo
a financial advisor for more than a decade,
Heights High School has been named head
including stints at Merrill Lynch, Macro
football coach of Central Catholic High
Consulting Group and Global Investment
School. Byrd has been head coach for 17
Management. Portlock has also served as a
seasons at Alamo Heights High School,
business analyst and compliance officer.
where he led the Mules to the 2006 Class 4A Division I state championship.
7. Camden Medical Center announce their
2. Strasburger Attorneys at Law congrat-
He specializes in advanced endoscopy,
new physician, DR. JAN PRAZAK. ulate DAVID CIBRIAN on his new
including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS),
position of co-president/chief administra-
complex ERCP (Spyglass cholangioscopy,
tive officer and member of the board of
Sphincter of Oddi manometry, post-surgical
directors of The Technowise Group, Inc.
anatomy, etc.), endoluminal stenting, endo-
Cibrian will continue living in San Antonio,
scopic mucosal resection (EMR), treatment
allowing him the opportunity to stay in
of Barrett’s Esophagus with radiofrequency
touch with his Strasburger colleagues and
ablation (HALO/BARRX) and single-balloon/
friends of the firm.
Spirus enteroscopy, among other techniques.
3. BJORN DYBDAHL, founder
8. RICHARD THUM, co-founder
and president of Bjorn’s Audio – Video –
and president of Five Star Cleaners, has
Home Theatre, is one of 12 people nation-
been elected president of the Southwest
wide to be inducted in the hall of fame at
Drycleaners Association. With more than
the Consumer Electronics Association’s
300 members, it is an affiliate of the
(CEA) Industry Forum. These inductees
Drycleaning & Laundry Institute. The 96-
include company founders and inventors
year old regional trade association serves
who promote technology, gifted marketers
the professional drycleaners of Arkansas,
and the retailers that educate and deliver
Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri,
products to consumers.
New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
4. Victory Healthcare welcomes
9. BOB TREVINO has joined
ALEJANDRO ‘ALEX’ GARCIA,
Transwestern as senior vice president,
MHA, to head their operations as CEO for
offering landlord and tenant advisory
Victory Medical Center San Antonio. Garcia
services. With over 22 years’ experience,
will serve as the CEO for the hospital,
Trevino, a top producer, has been involved
which is slated to open in spring 2013. It is
in more than $100 million in transactions
on prime real estate located at the cross-
with several prominent local and national
roads of two of San Antonio’s more
clients. He brings a wide range of
traversed highways — a 100-acre site
commercial real estate expertise, including
named The Landmark.
market and site analysis, leasing and disposition strategies.
5. Phyllis Browning Company announces the addition of DAVID J. MATA as a
10. SHAWN VAUGHAN has been
sales associate. Fluent in Spanish, Mata
named general manager of Toyota of
began his real estate career on the island
Boerne. He has been in and around the
of Oahu, Hawaii, and recently relocated to
auto industry his whole life in association
San Antonio. He will be located in the Leon
with his father, Vic Vaughan, owner of
Springs office, where he will specialize in
Toyota of Boerne. Shawn spent seven
residential property sales.
years in the automotive advertising business servicing clients such as Gulf States
64 JUNE/JULY 2012
6. SCOTT PORTLOCK, CFP®
Toyota and transitioned into Toyota of
joined Business Financial Group as a finan-
Boerne during its inception in 2008.
by RANDY LANKFORD
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Hot enough for ya’ll?
It’s Summer in San Antonio Warm-weather events that enliven the season
Just in case you didn’t notice the flames in your front yard or the
Mud Skiing — Formerly known as water skiing when Medina used-
gasping grackles, it’s summer in San Antonio. Winter this year occurred
to-be-a Lake had actual water in it. Good news: no boat required. Bad
on Dec. 21, when the temperature dropped to a brisk 88 degrees.
news: Being dragged through steaming mud isn’t as fun as it sounds.
Although with the wind chill factor created by dozens of presidential candidates flying over Texas on their way to states with meaningful primaries, it actually felt like 89. This is the time of year when most San Antonians have retreated
Jalapeño Joedown — I made that one up. There’s really no such thing, although there should be. Car Seat Cavalcade — Another ongoing event. Consists primarily of hopping in any vehicle that’s been parked in the sun for a few hours,
indoors, where they can listen to their electric meters spin as their air
screaming and hopping out again. Usually celebrated shortly after 5
conditioners fight a constant battle against humidity so thick you can
p.m. on weekdays and followed by the Battle of Flowery Language
nail a board to it. And while July is best known as the time of year when
Pageant, which is then followed by the Driving With Two Fingers On
the NBA playoffs are winding down and the NBA preseason is just
The Wheel Parade.
around the corner, it doesn’t mean we can’t occasionally slather on some SPF 9 jillion sunscreen and venture out to celebrate the season. Everyone is familiar with the usual South Texas throwdowns like the annual Show Us Your Shoes Parade Frenzy and Beer-a-thon and Cinco
96 Degrees of Separation — Not an actual event, but a good theme for a road trip. Travel anywhere that separates you from 96 degrees. Try going north until you see geese. Turn To Goo With Shamu — A very touristy event. People from out
de Mayo-My and Beer-a-thon (I’m going to stop writing that now — just
of town are forced to march around SeaWorld wondering how a killer
assume every title includes “and Beer-a-thon”), but here are a few lesser-
whale feels about living in water 30 degrees warmer than any of his
known summer events you’ll likely want to attend:
ancestors could have imagined. A lemonade vendor’s dream.
Texas Scald ’Em — A fire-walking contest held to commemorate
River Walk — Always entertaining. San Antonio’s hoi polloi (who
the annual melting of the streets. Also known as Dancing with the
are the polloi and what makes them so hoi?) dragging heavily deco-
Scars, this event, sponsored by the National Asphalt Association, has
rated barges down the trench where the river used to be. America’s
been dominated in recent years by Merton “Two Toes” Lumpkin.
largest nighttime, water-themed, beer-fueled, glowstick-sponsored
Fire Ant Flambeau — An ongoing event much like an Easter egg hunt except it lasts all summer. Put a lead ingot in a bucket on your porch for an hour until it melts and then walk around your yard looking for the tell-
event. Anything’s unique if you use enough adjectives. Ice Cube-apalooza — A traveling exhibit celebrating frozen water. Sponsored by those smarty-pants Canadians, who have so much ice
tale signs of fire ants. (A six-foot mound is usually a pretty good indication.)
they actually play sports on it (baseball, tennis, diving) and are always
Pour in the molten lead and watch the hilarity ensue. (The Friends of Fire
looking for any upside to living in a place that names its football
Ants Society can send their outraged letters to the publisher. He’ll see
teams things like the Alouettes. The Dangitshot Institute in Snook is
they — the letters, not the writers, for now — are ritually burned.) For an
working on a device, only slightly larger than Cowboy Stadium, which
additional treat, go back once the lead cools enough to harden (Novem-
can actually make ice in Texas in August. So far they’ve managed to
ber), knock the mound over, and retrieve a really interesting sculpture.
make a chupacabra shiver. SANANTONIOMAN.COM
65
SAN ANTONIO MAN
Private Collection
1920 San Antonio’s oldest bicycle shop, Charles A. James Bicycles, in its original location at 111 N. Flores Street.
66 JUNE/JULY 2012