Isis Romero NightBeat Anchor HomeFront Mom
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22 PROFILE Isis Romero, news anchor for KSAT 12’s Nightbeat, has worked hard to climb the ladder of success. Her hard work does not stop when she leaves the newsroom. She tells her story in an effort to inspire other San Antonio women.
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26 UP FRONT Behind every successful kitchen, is a creative chef and in San Antonio many are women. Meet three of these chefs working in some of our favorite restaurants. Treat yourself to one of their favorite recipes. Perhaps these dishes will be a surprise on your holiday table.
42 FASHION & BEAUTY
Meet our new Fashion and Beauty Editor, Aquila Mendez Valdez, and see her fashion trends for the holiday season for what to wear in clothing and to illuminate your complexion. Be in style, on trend, and ready for holiday parties and events dressed in luxurious gold.
85 2017 Top Ten Resolutions 114 Women in Business Directory
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS The joys of automobile ownership are about more than the cars themselves. Good customer service is key when shopping for a dealership. SAW has selected four super stars in customer service who have gained attention for taking care of their business’s greatest asset ... the clientele.
San Antonio WOMAN
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NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2016 PUBLISHER J. Michael Gaffney EDITOR Pamela Lutrell ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jasmina Wellinghoff COPY EDITING Kathryn Cocke FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR Aquila Mendez-Valdez CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shari Biediger, Lauren Browning, Nicole Crawford, Kristin Mears, Josie Seeligson, Jan Tilley, Janis Turk PHOTOGRAPHY Bryan Le Nguyen, Janet Rogers, Candace Schaddelee
(L to R): Pamela Lutrell, editor, Beverly Purcell-Guerra, editor emeritus, and Nicole Greenburg, former editor
FROM THE EDITOR Pamela Lutrell, Editor San Antonio Woman
I could not ask for a more perfect scenario than to begin my time as editor of SAN ANTONIO WOMAN with the holiday edition! This is my favorite time of year for so many reasons, and the changes we feel in the breezes and see in the vibrant color of our trees depict perfectly the changes in my own life as I step into a role I have been working toward for years.
This is our 14th anniversary at SAN ANTONIO WOMAN, one of the nation’s most successful regional publications, which has been led by impressive women in Beverly Purcell-Guerra and Nicole Greenberg. To celebrate the strength and intelligence of all San Antonio women, we chose to profile the beautiful and talented Isis Romero of KSAT 12. Her bright smile is seen each week on our television screens, and in her private life she is a wife, homemaker and mother to two boys. She is a representation of how diligence and determination eventually make a difference for any career dream. Isis is pictured on our cover in the stunning Loma de Vida Spa at the La Cantera Resort & Spa. This phenomenal location is also a reminder of how San Antonio has become one of the top tourist destinations in the world and a top major market … growing and evolving constantly. If I disappear for a weekend, you will know where to find me…check Loma de Vida Spa. Within these pages, among other features, you will meet three of our city’s top female chefs, learn tips for cooking holiday treats with children, meet the impressive general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue, find new recipes, and be introduced to women in the automotive industry who have made customer service their art. We begin a new feature called SAN ANTONIO WOMAN’S Top 10 Resolutions for 2017, where we select 10 areas in which you may want to set some goals to focus on in the New Year. We are the only publication in town just for women … all year, all the time. If you have comments or suggestions, please write to me at pamela@sawoman.com. I would love to hear from you. We have exciting plans coming your way in 2017. Until then, have a joyous holiday season! Relish each moment … they go so fast. Keep smiling, Pamela
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CONTRIBUTORS
SHARI BIEDIGER Shari Biediger has called San Antonio home since growing up as a military brat and arriving here during high school, where a kind journalism teacher steered her toward writing. She earned her communications degree from St. Mary’s University and began a long writing career at USAA. After marrying, Shari embarked on the life of a military spouse, raised three children and continued working as a writer on stories about the people and places that make Texas a great place to live. Follow her on Twitter at @sbiediger1.
AQUILA MENDEZ-VALDEZ Aquila Mendez-Valdez is one of the preeminent authorities on fashion blogging and consulting in San Antonio. She launched Haute in Texas as a personal blog in 2011, and it has since grown into a community of like-minded women in pursuit of the haute life. In addition, she lends her expertise to a variety of clients across the fashion, lifestyle and retail industries. A passionate writer and social media enthusiast, she has partnered with an array of brands, including Vogue, Prada, H&M and Keds, among others. But perhaps her greatest honor is her role as wife to her husband, Orlando, and mother to her two daughters, Cora and Issa.
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SAWOMAN.COM Check out the stories and the extraordinary women making it all happen in the current issue of
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THIS ISSUE Isis Romero is known by many as the vivacious anchor on KSAT 12’s top-rated newscast. In this issue, we learn about her heritage, her passions and what advice she has for young women who desire successful careers.
@SanAntonioWoman We just reached over 6,000 followers.
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MOVE OVER, PUMPKIN SPICE
ALL SPARKLE ALLOWED
WHO NEEDS WORK?
The Pecan Pie Latte found at Larder in Hotel Emma is giving Pumpkin Spice a run for its money.
It’s that time of year when an overabundance of shine is encouraged. Stop by Julian Gold, 4109 McCullough, for fun ways to accessorize your sparkle.
San Antonio has its own carriage rides for the best way to see the downtown lights... and the weather is ripe for it.
Embracing daily inspirational quotes and sharing them via our social media.
VOTE
TIFF’S TREATS
LUKE’S DINER IN SA
November 8, 2016, is the time to let your voice be heard in national, state and local elections. Make sure you take time to VOTE.
Something to celebrate in Stone Oak ... warm cookies are coming soon.
White Elephant Coffee Company became one of many famous Luke’s Diners for a day in order to celebrate the return of Gilmore Girls on Netflix. Fans are anticipating the return of the original cast to tell us what has been happening in Stars Hollow.
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DID YOU KNOW? We distribute 30,000 copies of SAN ANTONIO WOMAN to nearly 500 locations throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas and to subscribers in 244 cities throughout the U.S.
W WHAT’S NEW
SAINT MARY’S HALL STUDENTS LEARN FROM LOCAL LEADERS Saint Mary’s Hall Upper School Council members recently had a rare opportunity to participate in a leadership training workshop with some of San Antonio’s most distinguished business professionals. Students welcomed Tesoro Logistics president and director Phillip Anderson; Argo Group executive vice president and CFO Jay Bullock; Jonah Energy CEO Thomas Hart; Kelso Director of the San Antonio Museum of Art Katie Luber; amd Zachry Corporation CEO David Zachry. These influential leaders shared their experiences and insights on effective leadership.
BACKSTAGE — MACY’S OUTLET STORE OPENS AT THE RIM This fall, Macy’s opened Backstage, their new outlet store, at The Rim Shopping Center. The 20,000square-foot store offers discount prices on clothing, designer handbags, home décor, toys, shoes, makeup and other retail goods. The stores are targeted for younger and price conscious shoppers. The new stand-alone store is located at 17503 La Cantera Parkway.
TEXAS DERMATOLOGY AND LASER SPECIALISTS OPENING THIRD CLINIC LOCATED AT THE DOMINION Texas Dermatology and Laser Specialists are pleased to announce the opening of a third clinic located at the Dominion. The address is 21727 IH 10 W, Suite 202, San Antonio, TX 72257. The phone number is 210-829-5180. © AL RENDON 20 | sawoman.com
Photo by Elizabeth Warburton
WISEWEAR NOW AVAILABLE AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE IN NORTH STAR MALL Dr. Gerald Wilmink, local designer and CEO of Wisewear, announced the smart bracelets may now be purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue in North Star Shopping Mall. Wisewear designs is called the most stylish smart bracelet on the market with a look which mimics fine jewelry. Wilmink’s designs were created in collaboration with New York jewelry designer Lee Chen. Gerald Wilmink was featured in our January/February 2016 issue Guys to Know.
YOU ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY BY JUNE BRATCHER Former Mayor Lila Cockrell calls June Bratcher a wonderful example of an entrepreneurial woman who at the time of growing a business has also shown care for her community, giving back in assistance and services. Bratcher is the founder of Daisy Tours, a bus tour company with 26 coaches and now worth $6 million. She tells her story in this new book, You Are Driving Me Crazy, of perseverance through times when failure loomed and how she recognized opportunities. The book tells tales of romance, suicide, robbery, sexual harassment and international intrigue around moments of deep despair and glorious joy. This is a perfect book for women in business and for enterprising entrepreneurs. november/december 2016 | 21
W PROFILE
ISIS ROMERO Every Bit a San Antonio Woman BY PAMELA LUTRELL
Though born in a smaller Texas coastal community, Isis Romero of KSAT 12 is the epitome of a San Antonio woman — successful in her career, a homemaker for two young sons and her husband, multicultural, educated and wrapped up with one infectious smile. Her zest for life and passion for news reporting have captured the loyalty of fans throughout the area, so we are excited to help you know Isis just a little better.
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We know your family values are important to you.
What did you learn from working your way
Please speak about growing up in Robstown,
through college?
Texas, and about how you bring those values to your own home.
Putting myself through college was my first taste of true independence, especially financially. I juggled several different jobs,
Robstown is a small town, with very few businesses and not a lot to
applied for scholarships and took out student loans to make ends
do by way of entertainment. Because of that, there is a communal
meet. Though I was a good student, the overwhelming stress of
quality to the town, and residents put their focus on things like fam-
being able to afford college felt all-consuming sometimes, and it
ily and relationships. Robstown is also 93 percent Hispanic, so cul-
taught me a lot about time management, finances and handling
ture and heritage are also very important elements of who I am
stressful situations.
today and something I hope to instill in my children. november/december 2016 | 23
W PROFILE
Please tell us why you have chosen broadcast
What role did a strong mother play in your life?
journalism as your career. My mom was an exceptional woman who died of breast cancer when I saw journalism as a job that would allow me to explore and expe-
I was in my late 20s. I was only 12 years old when she was first di-
rience new things, all while highlighting some of my personality
agnosed, so watching her handle household duties, work full time,
strengths. I’ve always loved to write, and asking questions or speak-
and raise a family while battling the disease taught me a lot about
ing up is something I’ve always been comfortable with. Journalism
the type of mother I wanted to become someday. She was an amaz-
just felt like a natural fit.
ing example, and I miss her every day.
What is one moment that spoke to you when you
What advice do you have for young women
knew this was the career you were meant to have?
who desire to work in journalism, especially with all the different outlets available since
I’m not quite sure I had any particular “moment.” Rather, there’s
the internet began?
never been a time in my career where I felt like I wanted to do something else, or I wanted to leave the industry. I’ve always believed
The industry is competitive, so tenacity is a requirement. The hours
that if things are meant to be, God will make them happen. I’m grate-
and schedules are unforgiving, since news is 24/7. Be willing to
ful He has put me on this path and guided me along the way.
make personal sacrifices, and be comfortable with the unpre-
24 | sawoman.com
break, so you have to be flexible in your life and daily routine.
Tell us a little bit about your family
© Abby Kennan Photography
dictable. You never know when or where news will
at KSAT 12. A newsroom environment looks and feels quite different from many traditional workplaces. There are no cubicles, so employees jump from desk to desk, updating each other on news of the day and life in general. Naturally, we are all well-versed in each other’s lives, so we’re a tight-knit group. I think you will find this in a lot of newsrooms because that’s the nature of our industry, but I would argue that the closeness and togetherness
of
KSAT’s
newsroom
is
something
truly
extraordinary.
Why is homemaking an important part of who you are? Home is the most important place in the world. I want
to create beautiful, happy memories of our lives together. Because I work into the late evenings, tending to the daily household duties can be a bit of a juggling act, but it’s something I give priority to as I plan out my day.
© Abby Kennan Photography
my family to be comfortable, but more importantly, I want
Please fill in this sentence: At the end of the day, I want my children to remember me as someone who . . . . . .loves them, brings them joy, protects them and will always stand by their side.
What makes San Antonio women special? San Antonio women are strong women. In my six-plus years in this city, I’ve met women who exemplify strength at every turn. I’ve interviewed women who had the strength and bravery to start their own successful businesses, women who found the strength and courage to leave an abusive relationship and seek help, and women who stay strong and grounded after a major
Opposite page: Romero rehearses the Nightbeat with co-anchor Steve Spriester in the KSAT-12’s new studio, currently the top rated local newscast. This page: (top): Romero and husband, Phil Anaya, enjoy their time away from news reporting with their sons and Louis, the dog. (Bottom): Romero believes her home is the most important place in the world. She spends time every day with sons Elijah and Phillip before leaving for the station.
tragedy or loss. There is something truly special about women in this city. I’m so proud to live among them. november/december 2016 | 25
W UP FRONT
They can stand the heat and then some IT’S NOT GLAMOROUS AND THE HOURS ARE LONG, BUT WOMEN CHEFS LOVE THEIR WORK By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF
PHOTOGRAPHy By BRyAN LE NGUyEN
Women have been masters of the kitchen at home for a millennium, but relatively few have ventured into professional cooking, and even fewer are chefs in charge of busy restaurant operations. For this article we talked to two women who serve as chefs de cuisine and one who is a pastry chef at a prominent establishment to find out about the joys and challenges of feeding hundreds of customers every week.
It Makes Her Happy Located along a quiet stretch of the River Walk, Zocca Cuisine d’Italia in the Westin Hotel is one of the most attractive eateries on our famed waterway. With a spacious layout that allows privacy for each table, a nice patio, and lots of natural light flooding the interior, it’s the kind of place that says “come in, relax, enjoy yourself.” And people do, including this writer, who recently experienced the establishment’s hospitality during a leisurely lunch with Zocca’s enthusiastic promoter, Michele Krier. We sampled an array of dishes, from hors d’oeuvres to desserts, all as tasty as they were good-looking. Presiding over Zocca’s culinary operation since January of this year is chef Ashley Robertson, a friendly and passionate 27-year-old who oversees a kitchen staff of 22, many of them older than herself. A day or two after Krier and I enjoyed the fruits of her labor, I met Robertson for coffee and conversation during the relatively peaceful hour-and-ahalf between breakfast and lunch. “At first I was a bit intimidated,” admits the young chef. “Oh, man, there’s so much to do every day! But I feel comfortable now. It’s fun. I may start at 8 in the morning and leave at 10 p.m., but my day goes so fast. There’s so much to do that at the end of the day it doesn’t feel like I have been here so long. This job is challenging but never boring. You 26 | sawoman.com
meet so many people every day, and you work with so many people. And it’s gratifying to know that we can cook something that somebody will enjoy, that I can make somebody’s day with my food.” Zocca’s cuisine is basically Northern Italian, she explains, mixed with some local flavors and her own “viewpoint.” In addition to classic Italian pastas, her signature dishes include black-garlic salmon, lamb chops with strawberry demi-glace, and sea scallops with fennel and apple slaw and cranberry chutney. The menu also features a mouthwatering selection of appetizers as well as beef, pork and chicken entrees. Developing recipes is the fun part of the job, like playing with food, she says, and the best part is getting feedback from testers and eventually customers. But her duties go well beyond “playing with food” to include planning for seasonal changes, ordering supplies, daily inventory surveys, mentoring and overseeing the staff, hiring new people and managing the entire kitchen budget and operation. Zocca feeds 220-230 people for dinner during the peak periods in the fall and spring. There are nights when the entire dining room is full of hungry expectations that she and her staff must respond to. “Those are the moments I like best, when we get hit with a flood of tickets (orders) all at once. I feel the
thrill of it when everything works like a well-oiled machine — cooks cook, servers run back and forth delivering the goodies, and everyone is in sync. It’s wonderful,” she says. Growing up in Denver, Robertson had little interest in cooking until at 15 she visited her grandfather who was a restaurant chef. Recruited to help around the eatery, she eventually got involved with the catering side of the business, and thoughts of going to culinary school started popping into her mind. The budding cook eventually received an associate degree in culinary and catering management from the Emily Griffith Technical College in 2007 and followed that up with a BS in hospitality management from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. After starting her career as a line cook at a Hyatt Regency Hotel in her hometown, the young woman progressed rather quickly to lead cook and kitchen supervisor at other hotels before moving to San Antonio when her husband, Ray Silvia, became a chef at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort here. Neither husband nor wife do much cooking at home. Asked why more women are not found among chefs, Robertson speculates that stress and the work environment may not suit a lot of women. “Working as a line cook you get sweaty and dirty; it’s hard work, often grungy in a crazy environment. It’s not glamorous. You are not going to look good,” she notes. “So, many women may not like that, though I don’t mind.” After pausing to consider the question further, she adds that another reason women drop out is that it’s almost impossible to have children and work as many hours as she does. That’s not an issue for her, however. “My career is my priority; it makes me happy,” she states matter-of-factly. Another part of the job she doesn’t mind is the odd requests from patrons. “People ask for all kinds of things,” she says with a chuckle. “The new fad is gluten-free. It used to be whole wheat. People would say ‘I only eat whole wheat pasta.’ I am happy to change the dish for them. One person produced a long list of things she was allergic to. We accommodated her too. Sometimes they come in knowing this is an Italian restaurant and ask for nachos; others want to know where our salmon comes from.” Then there are those who love the food so much they want to talk to the chef about it. Robertson obliges them, too. “When someone is so delighted by something you created, it gives you a great warm tingly feeling inside. It makes me forget that I have been on my feet all day,” she says.
Chef Ashley Robertson, Zocca Cuisine d’Italia
LAMB CHOPS WITH CREAMY RISOTTO AND STRAWBERRY DEMI (From chef Ashley Robertson) Season chops with salt and pepper. Add oil to a hot pan and sear chops on both sides to the desired degree of doneness.
oz frozen strawberries; 1/2 lb butter, cubed; 5 oz demi-glace.*
Risotto: 4 cups chicken broth; 1/2 lb unsalted butter; 1 cup shallots, minced; 1 tbsp garlic, minced; 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice; 1 cup white wine; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; salt and pepper to taste.
Directions: Caramelize shallots in hot oil and deglaze with wine; add thyme sprigs. Reduce wine by half, add all strawberries, followed by demi-glace. Add the strawberry sauce, remove from heat and blend. Put sauce through a chinois, place back in pan and add the cubed butter. Stir until melted. Add salt if desired and serve warm.
Directions: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened — about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook for 2 minutes while constantly stirring. Add wine, reduce heat to medium low and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is absorbed. Add the broth 1/2 cup at the time, stirring and waiting until it’s completely absorbed before adding more — about 30 minutes total. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper, Parmesan and remaining butter. Stir until butter melts. Spoon risotto into bowls and sprinkle with more Parmesan and parsley, if desired. Strawberry Demi-glace: 16oz red wine; 1 cup minced shallots; 1 pint strawberries, halved; 16oz strawberry sauce; 2 oz oil; 6 thyme sprigs; 8
*If you wish to add vegetables, pan sear Brussels sprouts with butter and garlic. **If you cannot buy demi-glace, make it by simmering 2 cups beef broth with 1 tbsp butter until the broth is reduced by half.
november/december 2016 | 27
W UP FRONT The Domain of the Sweets It’s not always easy to find really good nonstandard desserts at San Antonio restaurants, but Biga on the Banks is an exception. The River Walk restaurant owned by celebrated chef Bruce Auden offers a delicious selection of treats with names such as Grand Marnier souffle, almond chocolate joy, and chocolate rum mousse. How could you not be tempted to taste them? The person responsible for the creation of most of these delicacies is pastry chef Amy Delbridge, who has been at Biga for 16 years. She started as a pastry cook, progressed to sous-chef and four years later became a co-chef with another woman. In February of this year, Delbridge became the sole mistress of the famed restaurant’s sweet domain. In addition to desserts, her team also bakes all the breads served in house on a daily basis. “We make two types of yeast bread and cornbread,” she tells me as we are sitting in the handsomely appointed dining room early in the day, hours before the official opening time. “For our sourdough bread we are still maintaining the culture that was given to us by a former chef who started it 30 years ago. We have five other cultures that have been going on for 15 years. (A certain amount of each bread starter, or culture, is always used for the next round of baking.) The latter five are made with wild yeast from grapes, and the bread is allowed to grow slowly overnight in the refrigerator. The wild yeast culture gives the bread a better flavor and texture than commercial yeast.” She then explains that the word “biga” refers to a fermented bread starter widely used in Italy to bake a variety of the crusty, holey breads people like. The difference between a biga bread and the sourdough kind is mostly in the way the starter is made and used. For biga loaves, the starter is made fresh every time. For someone like me who has never made bread from scratch, these are illuminating bits of information. To make all the goodies for a week her kitchen uses some 225 pounds of butter, 150 pounds of sugar, 1,440 eggs, 200 pounds of bread flour, 200 pounds of all-purpose flour and approximately 75 pounds of brown sugar. And that’s just the basics. During the busy fall season the demand usually goes up, especially when banquets become more frequent, and breads and desserts must be made for several hundred people in addition to dining room patrons. But that’s OK with Delbridge. Like Robertson, she thrives on action: “I am never just sitting down. I am always going, going. I like that.” If a banquet is on the agenda, her day may start at 4 a.m., but 28 | sawoman.com
Pastry Chef Amy Delbridge, Biga on the Banks
otherwise she and her staff start at 8 and are done by 4 in the afternoon. Since Biga is open only for dinner, the bakers prepare everything that’s needed for the night, then go home. Which is another aspect of her job she likes. “The pastry chef has better hours than the cooks, and there’s less pressure,” notes Delbridge. “After I became a mother, I definitely did not want to work in the evening.” Though both her mother and grandmother instilled in her a love for baking, she got to her present position more through serendipity than intent. When her parents retired from their military careers, the family settled in San Antonio, where Amy attended Holmes High School and later Palo Alto Community College. At some point, she needed a job, and it so happened that one was available at the former Espuma Café in the King William District. While there, the young woman got to make all sorts of things, including soups, quiches, salads and sandwiches. Five years into that job, a customer mentioned to her that he was leaving a management position in a well-known restaurant to work as a waiter at Biga, which was about to open. He
was an admirer of Auden’s new American cuisine and excited about being part of the new venture. That got Delbridge thinking that maybe she, too, should apply for a job there. “So I did, and Bruce put me in the pastry department, which I loved right away,” she says. Though she has served in other capacities over the years, the domain of the sweets is still her happy place. Unlike Robertson, Delbridge does cook at home because she has a 13-year-old daughter and wants to enjoy a family dinner with her. Her personal favorite desserts are the Italian cream cake and treats that remind her of her childhood, like grandma’s strawberry pie and strawberry jam. Both the cake and the pie made appearances on Biga’s menus in the past but are not currently offered. When we ask her the same question we posed to Robertson about the paucity of women in leading culinary positions, she brings up some of the same issues about hard physical work and having children but also points out that, as mothers, women need health insurance benefits, which her employer does not provide at this time. Various attempts to solve that problem did not quite work out, she notes. Still, insurance or not, there are more women pastry chefs than executive chefs. Maybe they just prefer the nature of the work. No one has done a survey on these matters. “Making desserts is more like science; you have to be more precise at every step,” says Delbridge. “If you miss one ingredient while making a cake, it’s junk and you have to start all over. I love that aspect of baking.”
ITALIAN CREAM CAKE (From chef Amy Delbridge) For cake layers: 11 ounces butter, softened 2 2/3 cups sugar 7 eggs, separated 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted 2 cups cake flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/3 cups buttermilk 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 5 ounces coconut flakes, toasted and cooled 1 1/3 cups chopped walnuts, toasted and cooled For frosting: 1/2 pound butter 2 pounds cream cheese 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. For the cake, cream together the butter, sugar and egg yolks (reserve egg whites for later). Sift together flours and baking soda, set aside. Mix buttermilk and vanilla together, set aside. Add a third of the flour mix to the creamed sugar-butter mix. Mix until incorporated, then add half of the buttermilk mix and mix until incorporated. Add the next third of the flour and mix. Add the last half of the buttermilk mix and mix well. Add the last third of the flour. Again mix well. Add coconut and walnuts, and fold together. Whip egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into batter. Separate batter into two parts and fill two 9-inch cake pans. Spread the batter with spatula. Bake for approximately 30 minutes; let cool before frosting. To prepare the frosting, beat the butter until smooth, add cream cheese and beat again until smooth. Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar. The frosting should be smooth. Frost the cake (cakes) as desired. (Serves 12-16)
november/december 2016 | 29
W UP FRONT Chef Lisa Astorga Watel, Bite Restaurant
Small but Special Lisa Astorga Watel likes to do things on a small scale. Her Bite Restaurant on South Presa has only nine tables, and it specializes in “small plates.” Instead of three lamb chops you get one, instead of half a duck, you get a quarter, says the website, but the excellent ingredients and expert preparation guarantee a fine dining experience. Patrons seem to agree, as many online reviews sing the praises of various dishes such as the butter-poached lobster, octopus carpaccio, the lamb cigar (an appetizer) and the banana flambé dessert. Inventively presented cocktails also get high marks. Both the size of the place and the size of the meals allow her to be more creative and more responsive to individual customers, says Astorga, who is the chef-owner. “I interact with customers all the time,” she points out enthusiastically. “They call me and ask, ‘What are you going to have tonight?’ and I tell them, ‘What would you like to have? I’ll make it.’ You can do that if you have a small place. And smaller dishes make it easier to experiment and incorporate new ingredients, so that, again, I can deliver a more personal experience to the customer.” Though the Zagat review describes Bite as a “secret gem that furnishes clever, flavorful and filling French-Chilean plates,” the owner 30 | sawoman.com
thinks of her menu as eclectic and always changing. “I have traveled a lot and I like to explore other flavors. I include something that will surprise people every day,” she explains. “We play with the menu and do fun foods.” Due to its location, Bite caters primarily to dinner customers but offers increasingly popular brunch on both Saturday and Sunday. Diners come from all over the city, and without a reservation you may have to wait for quite some time. In addition, special monthly “wine dinners with a theme” have developed an enthusiastic following. On those occasions, a wine expert may talk about wine-and-food pairings, or the patrons may be entertained by circus artists. “Everybody is loving it,” says the dynamic chef. Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, young Lisa loved helping her grandmother in the kitchen but, like Robertson, never thought of cooking as a career. Back then, it seemed to be the domain of men. Yet the more cooking she did, the more interested she became in a food-related career. Following graduation from high school, she moved to Houston to stay with relatives and eventually enrolled in the culinary program at Houston Art Institute. Then came an internship in Paris and travels to Norway, Denmark and Spain, where the
newly minted pro explored different aspects of the food industry. In Norway, for instance, she learned all about the local lobster species that live in the cold waters of the Atlantic and the North Sea. Back in the States, Astorga got a job cooking for actor Tommy Lee Jones’ family, an experience that lasted eight years – including cooking on movie sets — and generated fond memories. “Oh my God, it was fun,” she says with a broad smile. She traveled with the family and met a lot of their famous friends. It was also through Jones that Lisa met her husband, Damien Watel, a French native and long-time chef at the popular Chez Vatel Bistro on East Olmos Drive. Married in 2010, the couple have a 5-year-old son, Enzo, who often hangs out with Mom at the restaurant. It was Damien who first suggested opening a dining establishment for her to run. Though hesitant at first, Astorga changed her mind when a friend showed her the present spot, then a Southtown beer joint. She credits Damien for visualizing and conceptualizing the new setup and helping her develop the menu. “He is not just my husband, he is also my mentor,” she acknowledges. Though each spouse has a professional kitchen in which to showcase his/her talent, on their nights off, the two often join forces to teach cooking classes for private parties under the business name “Cooking with the Watels.” And as if all of that was not demanding enough, the Watels enjoy entertaining in their home, too, mostly on Monday nights, when the restaurants are closed. Before leaving the cozy eatery, I get to sample Astorga’s butter-poached lobster, which comes in a very deep plate, accompanied by crisp pieces of toast. It looks small, but it’s indeed delicious and satisfying, as all those online reviewers said. I make a mental note to return to check out a few other delicacies.
PUERTO BANUS CROSTINI (From chef Lisa Astoria Watel) I chose this recipe because of the story behind it. I lived in Spain in my early 20s and loved going to Puerto Banus, a resort coastal town near Marbella. I lived with a family who enjoyed this simple recipe close to bruschetta. Many years later, I found myself making this as a late night snack, which my husband thoroughly enjoyed, and suggested it be part of the menu when our Bite Restaurant was in conception. 1 baguette, cut in half horizontally 1/4 cup olive oil 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh oregano 10 roasted roma tomatoes 1 cup shaved Parmesan cheese 10 thin slices serrano ham Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut tomatoes in half and season with salt and pepper and chopped garlic. Roast for 20 minutes. Reserve. Remove tomato skins. Brush olive oil on the open baguette, and spread the tomatoes to soak into the bread. Sprinkle with oregano.and place ham on top. Place in oven for 5 minutes. (Ham should crisp up). Cover with Parmesan shavings and cut the baguette into 3inch pieces. Serve for aperitif (hors d’oeuvres).
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W AT HOME
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Much more than a
PUMPKIN By PAMELA LUTRELL PHOTOGRAPHy By AL RENDON
W
hen Keith and Cindy Booke relocated eight years ago from Inwood to Terrell
Hills, they were in search of a location
closer to their daughter’s school and, above all, a family home where memories could be made. The European-style home was stunning in itself; however, Cindy decided she would create the warmth and family memories through entertaining and holiday décor, which changes throughout the year. “We celebrate autumn, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Fiesta and Easter with decorations throughout our home,” says Cindy. She turns to Cheri Stith and Jamie Weyand of Feather, Fluff, and Flings, 219 Hillview, for assistance with the elaborate décor. “I love to help families make memories for their children and friends,” Stith says. “We really are about feathering the nest, and clients like the Bookes are so much fun, since they allow us to bring our ideas into their home.” For example, the family loved it when Stith suggested the main part of décor feature autumn, while the children’s area be predominantly Halloween, all at the same time. With so much fun happening around holiday décor, it would be wrong not to share the home, so the Bookes are known for the events
(Left) The formal living room is donning feathers and pumpkins this year. The first Monday after Thanksgiving, Cindy’s crystal Christmas tree will be in the corner by the fireplace. (Right) A statement chandelier is the focus of an intimate breakfast area off the kitchen.
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W AT HOME
they host throughout the year. Stith and Weyand will annually update the pumpkins and autumn leaves with the latest decorating trends they discover while going to market. This year a few more feathers were added to the mix after their trip. Christmas decorating happens the Monday after Thanksgiving and is a two-day event. There are four Christmas trees throughout the house — one very girly-daughter tree, one Santa tree, one TCU tree (for Keith’s media room) and one tree that prominently displays Cindy’s collections. “I love collecting crystal,” she says. “On the living room tree, I can enjoy my Waterford, Swarovski and crystal ornaments collected from my travels around the world.” Two more evergreens welcome guests to the patio area and a walk along the pool and tennis court.
(Above) A winding staircase is simple for autumn, but will be fully decorated for the Christmas season. The staircase and beautiful parquet floors bring depth and warmth throughout the downstairs. (Right) The guest bath is in this area of the house and is noted for its Italian tile and shutters. Until Thanksgiving, the children’s area is decorated with Halloween scarecrows, skeletons and jack-o’-lanterns.
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W AT HOME
Stith, Weyand and Cindy agree the importance of holiday décor is to create a strong sense of “home” for the family. They all see adult children decorating and finding joy in the decorations, as they one day will have their own homes and families. Somehow the decorations create a sense of stability and comfort, something always there and deeply missed if for some unforeseen reason they do not happen. Cindy said, “We look forward to them every year and would not do holidays without celebrating in our home.”
In fact, she is considering adding July
Fourth to the mix.
(Top) Keith Booke’s home office is truly regal. The original owner of the home brought the walls from a castle in England to cover all four walls. They add richness to this work environment, where Keith can accomplish his tasks as well as relax with friends and family around the fireplace. Cindy has selected all of the artwork throughout the home. She appreciates depth and dimension in the paintings that capture her eye. All artwork is well lighted to showcase the depth. (Right) The baby grand piano is purposefully located by the staircase at the base of the entryway. The Bookes are noted for the galas and dinners they host in their home, and they often hire pianists to play during the arrival of the guests. The piano is always decorated beautifully for the season, but in such a way that guests may stand nearby in order to appreciate the music.
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(Above) The formal dining room, located by the staircase, is anchored by French doors leading outside. During Christmas, two evergreens are placed on the patio so guests who are dining may see the lights and decorations around the pool and tennis courts in the Terrell Hills backyard. (Below) The family room, just off the kitchen, is Cindy Booke’s favorite room.. She commissioned the imposing wood cabinet to hide the television when the family is not watching. Comfort and warmth are the keys to this room, where the family often gathers. But for watching football games, they go upstairs to the TCU-media room, Keith’s favorite place.
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AROUND TOWN
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CREWTINI 2016 Crewtini is the signature fundraising event for the local chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and was held on September 15 at Ridgewood Plaza.
Above: Scholarship money is raised as teams compete for title of best martini. The panel of judges (L-R) were Larry Mendez of Transwestern, Steve Monroe of Oldham Goodwin, Ray Teske of UTSA, Clint Worth of RL Worth, Mannise Davison of Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, yesenia Dominguez of Transwestern (CREWtini Chair/CREW Charity Director), Laura Anthony of Baptist Health, Cherie Short of Stewart Title, Tricia Lynn Silva of San Antonio Business Journal, Kim Gatley of REOC, Karen Judson of Transwestern, Steve Ison of Rebecca Creek Distillery At left: Enjoying the networking fun is (L-R): Lisa Richter-Allstate Insurance Agent, Lisa Cannon- Keller Williams residential, Novie Allen-RBFCU, Susan Deitker FacilityRX
BENEFIT FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SAN ANTONIO AND MONTERREY, MEXICO Sponsored by Neiman Marcus San Antonio, La Cantera Resort & Spa and IBC Bank. Left: (L-R) Elizabeth Balli, Cynthia Castillo, Janet Montagne and Lillian Riojas enjoyed the fundraiser held at the beautiful La Cantera Resort & Spa Ballroom. Right: All runway fashions were from the Neiman Marcus Fall 2016 designer collections, featuring the most influential designers, styles and trends on the market this season.
ANNUAL RANCH CHIC FASHION SHOW BENEFIT FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY The annual Ranch Chic Fashion Show was held Sept. 15 in the Rosenberg Sky Room at University of the Incarnate Word. This evening was a fun way to garner donations for cancer research with a show of beautiful fashions modeled by local cancer survivors. Left: The committee chairs work throughout the year to put on a successful fundraiser, which always precedes the Cattle Baron’s Ball. (L-R) Renee Silber, Debbie Margozewitz and Dixie George. Right: Cancer survivor Teresa Sanbor struts her black leather on the runway and captures the audience with a huge smile as her best accessory.
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UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER GALA The UT Health Science Center’s ninth President’s Gala Sept. 24 celebrated the military and the important collaborations the Health Science Center shares with the military. More than 1,100 community leaders attended. William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, president of the Health Science Center, announced that gala proceeds will establish The Maj. Gen. (USA Ret.) Joe and Patty Robles Chair in Military Health Research.
1
2
3 1.
Shown at the President’s Gala of the UT Health Science Center San Antonio are (left to right) retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Byron C. Hepburn, M.D.; Debby Hepburn; UT Health Science Center President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP; UT System Chancellor Bill McRaven and Georgeann McRaven. Chancellor McRaven is a retired four-star U.S. Navy admiral. The gala was held Sept. 24.
2.
(Left to right) President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, host of the UT Health Science Center’s President’s Gala, and Mary Henrich visit with gala honorees Patty Robles and retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joe Robles. Following his military retirement, Gen. Robles served as president and CEO of USAA from 2007 until 2015. The gala established The Maj. Gen. (USA Ret.) Joe and Patty Robles Chair in Military Health Research at the Health Science Center.
3.
Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Byron C. Hepburn, M.D., (center) is founding director of the Military Health Institute, which will benefit from this year’s President’s Gala. His wife, Debby, is on the left and Mary Henrich, wife of Health Science Center President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, is on the right. november/december 2016 | 41
W FASHION
BY AQUILA MENDEZ-VALDEZ FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS
GOLD 2.
1.
Of all the metals, none has captured humans’ attention quite like gold. We base monetary systems around it, we refer to women who dig it in pop culture, and we simply love to adorn ourselves with this precious commodity. In my younger years, I can remember thinking gold was outdated. I loved silver; I wore silver jewelry with everything. These days, however, it’s impossible to deny the overwhelming favor gold has in all things fashion-related. All my platinum
3.
jewelry has been tucked away for a time when it will come back in style, and yet I would wager that pendulum will not swing for quite some time. Gold simply has the timeless essence of luxury, and this holiday season you would be remiss not to take part in all the glorious shades designers are offering up. First, Sole Society offers up a leather loafer in this beautiful shade of yellow gold, with a modern twist in the flatform heel. Wear it with distressed jeans, a black silk swing dress or with a pleated midiskirt in a deep berry hue for an easy look that can be dressed up or down. And wherever you’re headed in these stylish trainers, be sure to carry a S’well stainless steel water bottle with you to keep hydrated. If you’ve been seeing them everywhere, it’s because they’re both fashionable and
4.
functional: Cold drinks stay cold for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks stay hot for up to 12. Chokers are almost as popular as the shade of this Lanvin
5.
piece, and the golden tendrils dripping down the back elevate the look to keep you a sophisticate, not a schoolgirl. And truly, what woman doesn’t want to show off her collarbones? Pair it 6.
alongside this Elaine Turner python cuff and a high-waisted pair of wide-leg trousers to turn heads every time you walk out the door. Finally, for chilly holiday evenings, this Topshop jacket hits all the right notes: ombré sequins, modern bomber cut, dripping in gold. But what sort of bag do you carry to compete with such show-stopping outerwear? Look no further than this
1. Lanvin snake chain choker, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, $775. 2. Topshop ombré sequin bomber jacket, available at Nordstrom, $135. 3. S’well sparkling champagne stainless steel water bottle, available at Nordstrom, $25. 4. Elaine Turner Delia cuff, available at Elaine Turner, $99. 5. Dolce & Gabbana Mini Miss Sicily embellished velvet top-handle satchel, available at Saks Fifth Avenue, $2945. 6. Sole Society Daria Kiltie loafer, available at Nordstrom, $79.95.
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Dolce & Gabbana clutch — every bit the type of extravagance to bring to your next festive soirée. Above all, the rule with metallics is one can never have too much. Just mix up proportions, play with texture, and keep the rest of the look sleek. There’s no going wrong with this trend. You might even say it’s worth its weight in, well, gold.
W FASHION CALENDAR November 2-3 Julian Gold Frye Handbag Trunk Show 4109 McCullough Ave
December 1 Morris Kaye & Sons Annual Christmas Soiree 55 E. Basse Rd., Suite 10 5pm-8pm
November 3-5 Julian Gold Algo-Swiss Designer Sportswear Trunk Show
December 7-8 Niemen Marcus La Mer Miracle Broth Facial Event 10am-6pm Cosmetics
November 5 Neiman Marcus Elizabeth Locke Trunk Show 10am-5pm Level One November 6 Morris Kaye & Sons Holiday Prep Party 55 E. Basse Rd., Suite 10 11am-2pm November 9 Saks Fifth Avenue Kiton Made-to-Measure Women’s and Men’s Trunk Show 7400 San Pedro Ave 10am-6pm Men’s on Two November 10-12 Neiman Marcus Jo Malone Holiday Gifting Event 15900 La Cantera Pkwy 10am-5pm Cosmetics November 9-10 Julian Gold Helen Kaminski Handbag and Accessory Trunk Show November 10-13 Neiman Marcus Teso and Ghielmetti Trunk Show 10am-5pm Fur Salon November 15-16 Julian Gold Rachel Zoe Holiday 2016/Resort 2017 Trunk Show November 17 Saks Fifth Avenue Cartier Precious Timepiece Cocktail Party 6pm-8pm Fifth Avenue Club on Two November 19 Neiman Marcus Cle de Peau Facial Event 10-5pm Cosmetics December 1 The Sporting District Helm Boots Trunk Show 302 Pearl Pkwy 3108 December 1-2 Julian Gold Jenn Hansen Jewelry Trunk Show
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December 8-10 Neiman Marcus ODLR and Brandon Sun Trunk Show 10am-9pm Fur Salon December 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Cirque de Beauté Event 10am-6pm Cosmetics on One December 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Gurhan Personal Appearance and Trunk Show 10am-5pm Jewelry on One December 13-14 Julian Gold Christina Greene Jewelry Trunk Show December 14 The Tiny Finch Art Show w/ Kathy Sosa 302 Pearl Pkwy #116 6pm-8pm December 15-16 Julian Gold Carolina Herrera Spring 2017 Designer Trunk Show December 17 Neiman Marcus Armani Prive Holiday Party 10am-6pm Cosmetics
FAB FINDS W PEÑALOZA & SONS
Color your world beautiful with diamond and colored stone ring guards. Mix and match color for the coordinated fashion look of the season. Available in platinum, yellow or white gold at Peñaloza & Sons.
2001 N.W. Military Hwy.
210.340.3536
penalozaandsons.com
THE WOODHOUSE DAY SPA
Simplify your holiday shopping experience with a Woodhouse Gift Card. Receive a luxurious Tourance throw (valued at $150) to keep you cozy and warm all winter long with a Gift Card purchase of $350 or more. Enjoy over 70 relaxing spa services and limited-time packages.
SanAntonio.WoodhouseSpas.com
TEXAS DOVE HUNTERS ASSOCIATION
Join Texas Dove Hunters Association today! With your 2016 Standard Membership Package you get: Richardson 112 Hat, Window/Bumper Decal, Monthly e-Newsletter The Wing Shooter®, TDHA GameGuard Hunting License Holder, 2 Issues of Texas Dove Hunter Magazine per year. All for $35 per year.
900 NE Loop 410, Suite D213 San Antonio, TX 78209
210.764.1189
TexasDoveHunters.com november/december 2016 | 47
W BEAUTY
Holiday Beauty Trend
ILLUMINATION! BY AQUILA MENDEZ-VALDEZ, FASHION AND BEAUTY EDITOR
1.
First there was contouring, then there was strobing, and
4.
finally the beauty world has come to the conclusion that it’s simply all about LIGHT this season. Whether in the form of a shimmery powder or a glowing cream, this trend is appropriate for all ages, skin types and selfie lovers. Bright faces are happy faces, and there’s no better way to accomplish this look than by starting with your basic skin care routine. Each one of Shiseido’s cult favorite White Lucent Power Brightening Masks contains the power of Ion Force Technology to diminish the appearance of dark spots almost instantly. There’s zero downtime, and a session once or twice a week is all it takes to reveal glowing, youthful skin in no time. If you prefer the makeup route for an instant highlight, I recommend starting with Guerlain’s Meteorites Baby Glow foundation. The liquid version of their famous Meteorites powder pearls, this tinted moisturizer perfects, corrects and 2.
hides fatigue in just a couple of quick sweeps. The product also contains SPF 25 to help keep your skin protected and bright for years to come. For a targeted highlight in the corners of the cheekbones, the arch of the brow and anywhere you just want a little sheen, there are two options, depending on your preference:
5.
cream or powder. Benefit’s Watt’s Up highlighter is the clear winner for me in the cream division, especially since it also includes an applicator tip at the opposite end. A makeup novice can apply this highlighter without fear of overdoing it since blending is made simple with the dual tips. If powder is more your style, ColourPop has created a full line of highlighters for every skin tone looking for a brighter complexion. Try Rose Gold for a warm winter look or Glo Up if you have a darker skin tone and want more of a 3.
copper finish to your shimmer. The important thing to remember with powder is a little goes a long way, so use a fine brush to apply just a dusting, and blend well with a Kabuki brush. Best of all, each one retails for just $8, so you can afford to stock up on a few options. Finally, when it comes to glitz, one can never forget the eyes, so look to local brand Chalet for the perfect gold eyeliner to create an exemplary evening look. I love to layer
1. ColourPop Highlighters in Rose Gold and Glo Up, available at colourpop.com, $8 each. 2. Guerlain Meteorites Baby Glow, available at Dillard’s, $54.
this creamy formula in Cleopatra on top of my black winged eyeliner for a transformative piéce de résistance that will have people wondering what your secret is. The beautiful part is, with makeup there are no tricks, only those who are willing to put in a little extra effort to look a little extra special. These brightening techniques won’t take long, but they will have an impact on how you feel. And that glow can never be duplicated. 48 | sawoman.com
3. Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream Highlighter, available at Sephora, $30. 4. Chalet Cosmetics Love that Liner in Cleopatra, available at Chalet Cosmetics, $18.50. 5. Shiseido White Lucent Power Brightening Mask, available at Dillard’s, $68.
W GUYS TO KNOW
DENNIS TRAMMELL VP AND GENERAL MANAGER, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF PHOTOGRAPHy By CANDACE SCHADDELEE
fter graduating from
A
college with a degree
in
English,
Dennis Trammell took a temporary holiday job with the Parisian department store in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala., and “fell in love with it.” He has been in retail ever since, for a total of 31 years. Following the merger of Parisian and Saks Fifth Avenue in 1998, he was happy to stay with the company, eventually rising to the position of vice president and general manager of the Birmingham store. During his tenure, the store’s business doubled over a period of 10 years. Despite deep roots in Birmingham, three years ago Trammell moved
to
and San
his
wife
Antonio,
where he took the helm of the local Saks store in North Star Mall.
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What appealed to you about retail? It’s fast-paced and always changing. You are always looking ahead, and you have to be creative and organized. And it’s very competitive, so you are driven to win.
Why did you decide to leave your hometown to take this job? Opportunity! This store in San Antonio has always been one of the topperforming stores in the entire company. Also, my wife and I became empty-nesters. Our son, who had graduated from college, was working on his MBA in Berlin, Germany, and had just married. So it was a combination of reasons – a sense of adventure and the store that has such a culture and legacy that it represents Saks in a first-class way.
How is this store different from others in the Saks chain? The most obvious thing is its longevity. It has been here for 31 years. We have two associates who have worked here since the opening, and several others have been with Saks for multiple years. They give the store the culture that it has. The relationships that these associates have created with both the local customers and our Mexican clients have built a lot of customer loyalty. It really stands apart from the others. I think the local clients have a special appreciation for the level of service we offer.
What are your goals for the San Antonio store? To continue the legacy that it has and to grow even more. We are currently about to start construction on new Gucci and Prada handbag shops. In 2017 we will undertake construction to expand our Louis Vuitton shop. We already have these shops, but we are going to put in new installations. We also continuously edit our merchandise assortment. Based on customer and designer trends, we always upgrade and update our assortments. Clients’ needs have completely changed. Today a person can purchase whatever he or she wants with a touch of a key. So for us, it’s about what kind of experience we can create in the store that cannot be accessed on the internet. That one-on-one experience is what continues to sustain brick-and-mortar stores.
So what do San Antonio customers like? San Antonio customers love fashion, from A-K-R-I-S to Dolce & Gabbana; they love color and bold prints, but also a classic style such as Cucinelli’s. The local customer is very much a designer client.
buyer and designer manager prepped the store with extra Dolce & Gabbana pieces, and the designers’ rep flew in from New York for the occasion. It was a luncheon and a fashion presentation for 25 of our best clients. After the lunch, everyone had the opportunity to shop and enjoy one-on-one service from the Dolce team in the fitting room. We had a fabulous day! It goes back to creating that experience for the client that I mentioned before. This past spring, we had three jewelry designers come, and we held a formal dinner event for 50 top clients.
Do you personally interact with customers? That’s my No.1 job! I would say that 80 percent of my day is spent on the selling floor interacting with customers and associates. I have always been a people person, energized by sharing ideas and assuring that we are delivering the best luxury service that the customer deserves ... We also want to create an environment where our associates thrive and enjoy their work because happy associates make happy customers.
Open-air malls, like La Cantera, have become increasingly popular throughout the U.S. Has that trend impacted your North Star Mall operation? From a proximity standpoint, North Star is more convenient for clients in Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park or those coming from the airport. Thus Saks, being an anchor of North Star, has the advantage of location for those shoppers. Not to mention covered parking, which is important in the San Antonio weather. The number of our customers has remained steady.
What are the upcoming fashion trends? For women, there’s a lot of velvet and brocade, over-the-knee boots, chunky heels in shoes. There’s also this glam-grunge look, which is a return to the ‘70s, and a military-inspired look. For men, there’s the new office casual — more fitted with a shorter jacket, maybe with a layered vest underneath; and sneakers are a really big trend. The leather bag rounds up the look for men.
Have you and your wife explored San Antonio since you moved here? Do you have favorite hangouts? The No. 1 draw for Karen and me is The Pearl. We love the selection of restaurants, the Hotel Emma and everything about The Pearl. But we have enjoyed many terrific restaurants in San Antonio. The food scene here is very attractive.
In addition to the already mentioned, which other designers do you carry?
How much do you personally follow the trends?
McQueen, Max Mora, Emilio Pucci, St. Laurent, Christian Louboutin, Chloe … we have it all.
(After a brief moment of surprised hesitation) Well, I try to stay on trend.
How much do you personally get involved with buyers and their choices?
Have you had opportunities to get involved in the community yet?
We can influence our buyers through communication. In the designer area we have the opportunity to select our buys each season. Outside of designers, it’s more collaboration and the ability to influence but not control the selection. However, the buyers want our information; they want to know what our clients are asking for.
Back in Birmingham, I was on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Association of Alabama and the Alabama Ballet and was a member of the Birmingham Botanical Garden’s Men’s Club. Here, I am not involved with any boards, but we, as a store, are heavily involved with the Charity Ball, the CTRC’s Key to the Cure fundraising event, the Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi and a few others. We create shopping events for these charities and donate a percentage of the sales to them.
Tell us about the special events that Saks has for its customers. For instance, recently we had a Dolce & Gabbana luncheon. Our
Mr. Trammel’s comments have been edited for publication. november/december 2016 | 51
W HEALTH
Are you
EATING BY JAN TILLEY
your feelings?
Emotional eating is the practice of consuming large quantities of food — usually “comfort” or junk foods — in response to feel-
Do feelings of anger, sadness or stress drive me to eat?
ings instead of hunger. It is often an over-
Do I turn to food for comfort or eat out of boredom?
whelming drive or desire to put a Band-Aid on our hurts and challenges. Unfortunately, the fix is temporary. Emotional eating ultimately makes things worse, fueling low self-esteem, and stirring feelings of anxiety and depression. To find out if you are an emotional eater, ask yourself:
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Am I often in a state of extreme dieting or restricting? Do I frequently eat to the point of feeling stuffed? Do I feel the need to eat in secret?
W HEALTH Let’s explore five of the most common reasons for emotional eating with ideas on how to make healthy behavior changes to prevent “eating” your feelings: 1. Mindless eating Emotional eating is often a direct result of simply not paying attention to what or why we eat. It may be unconsciously eating large quantities of peanuts, crackers or M&M’s just because they are there. It may be planning a date with a very large bowl (or carton) of ice cream to make up for the lousy day you are having. The solution is to eat mindfully, planning what and when you will eat. Avoid distraction — have a quiet, calm environment where you can really listen to your body. Your goal will be learning to stop eating when you are full rather than when the carton is gone.
2. Food is your main source of joy. I often ask people what life would be like if they did not overeat or binge. A common answer is, “I would have nothing to look forward to — emotional eating is my happy place.” Research suggests that sugar acts much like a drug, stimulating the release of opioids in our brains. For this reason, kicking the habit of emotional eating is not simply mustering the willpower to stop. The solution is to find more constructive ways to self-soothe. To give up emotional eating entirely, you must also practice healthy ways to deal with difficult feelings, which brings us to #3.
3. Inability to tolerate difficult feelings Bad feelings can be painful, and we learn early to do whatever it takes to avoid pain. Unfortunately, many of our choice distractions are not always in our best interest. While abuse of drugs and alcohol is frowned upon, eating can be seen as an acceptable alternative to dealing with uncomfortable emotions. To conquer our need to use food to mask pain, we need to practice allowing ourselves to experience honest, authentic emotions. This is not an easy step. If you feel the need for professional support, seek the help of a therapist or dietitian to help you deal with difficult emotions in a constructive way.
4. Poor body image Body hate and shame are among the biggest causes of emotional eating. It is difficult, if not impossible, to develop a strong, positive sense of self when negative body image and shame are present. To break the cycle, we must learn to respect and appreciate our body. Begin by surrounding yourself with positive messaging, friends and family who love you just the way you are. Make a list of things you love about yourself. Keep the list handy, and when you start to feel vulnerable, use the list to remind yourself of how amazing you really are!
5. Deprivation Extreme food restriction or sleep deprivation can increase your vulnerability to emotional eating. When deprived of food and sleep, we
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often experience an increased appetite and more powerful cravings. To minimize your risk, aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night, and eat every three hours throughout the day to avoid hunger.
november/december 2016 | 55
W OVERCOMER
FINDING THE VISION FOR A
New Year AFTER THE WIMBERLEY FLOOD By PAMELA LUTRELL
PHOTOGRAPHy By MARTIN WADDy
hough the biggest event in her life happened prior to Memorial
of 32 feet. (Data courtesy of National Weather Service.)” Entire blocks
Day 2015, Jesseca Smith, 40, knows the lessons left with her are
of homes (about 400) were swept away, and the stories of death and
ones to live by and good ones to remember as everyone goes into
destruction, some involving children, were gut-wrenching.
a New Year. She acknowledges all people go through tough times, and during her most recent one, she learned:
Smith said, “The flood was sudden and unpredictable. All the longtimers, residents and neighbors alike, reassured us that the river only got higher once, at about 30 feet, but still then it wasn’t too big a
Trust God, for this too shall pass, and everything will work out.
deal.” Yet after a barrage of flood warnings, it took only 30 minutes for the water to rise 40 feet, and only five minutes for the river to
Keep your commitments and promises, no matter what.
enter their house. Help others, always. It takes us out of ‘self’ and into the bigger picture because everyone is truly connected.
Quickly, the Smiths abandoned any plan to save material possessions and loaded their truck with very little but themselves and their dogs. They joined others in an escape attempt that was shrouded in
She has experienced firsthand how powerful helping others and re-
the same intensity as a disaster movie. As they drove away from the
ceiving that help can be after the waters subsided. For all these les-
house, huge cypress trees floated by and slammed into the neigh-
sons were learned during the devastating flood in Wimberley on May
bor’s house.
23-24, 2015. According to ksat.com, “The Blanco River gauge at Wim-
Several families found safety in a field, which became an island
berley showed the water level rose from nearly 9 feet at 10:30 p.m.
surrounded by water on all sides. “My husband is a hero. Simple as
Saturday to more than 40 feet by 1 a.m. Sunday, eclipsing the record
that,” Smith said. She remembers detail after detail of helping others
56 | sawoman.com
and even pulling a wheelchair-bound woman from her truck as the vehicle washed away. As the night drew on, she would watch her husband leave and return each time with a neighbor or a pet. She recalls, “I was absolutely livid each time he’d leave into the darkness, not knowing if I would ever see him again. Yet at the same time, I was so proud when he would return with people. Once he came into view with two small children under each arm and their mother holding onto to him and carrying a family dog.” The long night eventually brought assistance, and the Smiths began to rebuild their lives. At that time, they owned only the clothes on their backs. Thanks to many people, like Debbie Margowitz of Phyllis Browning, they started over again. “Everything that makes a home was given to us,” she said. “Strangers sent us gift cards and toiletries. People from all walks of life sent money and gift cards. The Fiestaware Company even sent four place settings in my favorite colors,” she said. People helping one another gave the Smith family hope and life. She now encourages others to send these items (“to help victims feel human again”) for people who have lost everything in a disaster:
Under wear Socks Toothbrushes Hairbrushes Lotion Wet wipes Pajamas Comfortable clothes New blankets Feminine care Razors Shampoo Soap Fingernail files
These are the immediate needs for any care package. Despite the disastrous flood waters entering Jesseca Smith’s life, she has been flooded with hope and love from other people. She is now ready to give it back as often as possible.
Be It Resolved In 2017: Help One Another.
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W MOMMY MATTERS
HOLIDAY COOKING PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN ARE NOT ONLY FUN, BUT ARE A GREAT WAY TO CREATE TRADITION AND DEVELOP USEFUL SKILLS BY NICOLE CRAWFORD
he holidays are right around the corner, and for many people that means an extra dose of family time and food. If your children are anything like mine, they might want to help when they see you getting ready to whip up a batch of holiday treats. While I appreciate their eagerness and enthusiasm, I’ll be completely honest — sometimes I want to just cook by myself. It’s quicker, quieter and usually less messy, a welcome moment of zen during the holiday rush.
Nevertheless, I still want my kids to love food and cooking. Studies
stage your child is in. For us adults, “gourmet” means prime cuts of
have shown children who spend time cooking tend to have healthier
meat that are meticulously prepared. For a 3-year-old, it just means
eating habits. And in my own experience, children are much more
something pretty and tasty. Kids are great at keeping it simple.
likely to be open to new foods if they are familiar with the cooking
I have an 8-year-old, 5-year-old and 3-year-old at home right now (and
process and various ingredients that go into their meals. So instead
a 4-month-old, but his taste is pretty simple). Each child has a differ-
of banning my kids from the kitchen, I’ve learned to give them their
ent set of skills, interests and patience levels, so the recipes I choose
own cooking projects to work on, especially during the holiday season.
to prepare will differ based on their age and abilities. For example:
The key to raising successful child chefs and minimizing stress and
1-2 Years:
messes is to remember where they are. Cooking is a great way for
At this hands-on age, kids are driven by their sense of touch and
kids to hone the developmental skills they are working on at a given
smell. Use ingredients they can touch, or let them mix dough by
age. Consider ways you can tailor the experience to the developmental
hand. When my kids are younger, I also let them smell various
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RECIPE
spices and ingredients to expose them to different smells. It sounds crazy, but they love it. Fun cooking projects for kids of this age group: (Note: To minimize the safety requirements, prepare recipes that are chilled or don’t require cooking.) • No-bake spiced cookies (cut them out with cookie cutters) • Sliced apples topped with nut butter and crushed peppermints • Holiday ice cream sundaes
3-5 Years: Encourage your child to start measuring with assistance at this age, but let their creativity come out by using sprinkles, icing, cookie cutters and other fun props. Help reiterate concepts like counting and simple addition as you combine ingredients to give them real-life application of what they’re learning in school. Fun cooking projects for kids of this age group: • Cookie cutter sugar cookies decorated with sprinkles • Gingerbread house kits • Peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream and holiday sprinkles • Cookie cutter pancakes decorated with strawberry jam, green sprinkles and whipped cream
6-8 Years: At this age, kids become more interested in the technical aspects of cooking, like weighing, measuring and timing. I bought my oldest daughter her own set of cooking supplies at the dollar store, and she keeps them in a special spot so she can prepare simple dishes like oatmeal, hot buttered toast, basic cookies and yogurt parfaits for herself and her siblings (and maybe her parents, too). Fun cooking projects for kids of this age group: • Homemade gingerbread house (help them make the gingerbread themselves) • Simple holiday cookies (Joy of Cooking has some great basic recipes) • Paleo fudge
8 and up: For older children, a cooking class might be a fun way to introduce more advanced concepts and learn together. Several local venues offer cooking classes for kids, including the following: • Young Chef’s Academy • Central Market Cooking School • H-E-B Buddy Cooking Classes • Junior Chef Classes at Williams Sonoma I love holiday cookie parties as much as anyone else, but the extra cooking does become challenging when you have kids underfoot. Cooking together can be great bonding time your kids will always
Paleo Fudge INGREDIENTS: 1 stick (8 ounces) grass-fed butter 3/4 cup maple syrup 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk 10 ounces chocolate chips 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped DIRECTIONS: In a heavy pot (like enameled cast iron), melt the 1 stick butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the maple syrup and coconut milk. Whisk to combine and continue to stir until the mixture starts to bubble and increase in volume significantly — it will almost double. At this point, add the chocolate chips and stir over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches "soft ball" temperature (234 F) on a candy thermometer. Note that as the chocolate reaches temperature, it will start to separate from the butter — this is normal. Once it reaches temperature and cools back down, it will easily come back together into a consistent mixture. After it reaches temperature, remove from the heat and continue to stir with either a whisk or spoon until it stops bubbling and the mixture comes back together (it will start to look more like smooth melted fudge). At this point, stir in the vanilla extract. Lay a piece of parchment paper in either a 9x9 or similarly-sized baking sheet. Pour the hot fudge into the pan and smooth it out into an even layer. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts and place in the refrigerator until it hardens for approximately 3 hours or overnight. Using a sharp knife, cut the fudge into even squares. Wrap up in small bags for gifts or plate to enjoy! Keep stored in the refrigerator if you aren't serving it right away.
remember. Just don’t forget, simplicity is key. Enjoy your time in the kitchen, and happy holidays!
Recipe and photo courtesy of Cassy, founder of Fed and Fit and author of the brand new cookbook, Fed & Fit. november/december 2016 | 59
W ROLE MODEL ROLE MODEL
Taylor Breshears SECOND-GRADE TEACHER AT NORTHWOOD ELEMENTARY By KRISTIN MEARS PHOTOGRAPHy By JANET ROGERS
I
nstilled with the passion to be a lifelong learner at a young age, Taylor Breshears knew that a career in education was the path for her. “My dad was in education,” she explains. “He not only put forth countless time and energy for his students, but also with me. He exemplified what it takes to become successful. I wanted to share that same passion with others.” Breshears was raised as an only child in the same house since she was 2 years old. Her close-knit family calls the MacArthur cluster (Northwood, Garner and Mac) area home. After graduation, she attended Texas State University, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood development. “I have looked up to so many people, I feel inspired to learn from them, and since becoming a teacher, I always try to do my best and be the best version of myself,” she explains. “I love when I can witness a student’s success,” says Breshears. “Anyone in education will say that when the child has accomplished a skill that was hard or impossible to them, this is why he or she teaches.” For the past two years, she has taught second grade at Northwood Elementary School — the same school she attended in her early years. Her passion for education is thriving, and although she loves teaching second grade, she aspires to utilize her talents beyond just one classroom by becoming a PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership and Service) teacher in the future. When Breshears isn’t being a “superhero” for her second-graders, you can find her heavily involved in the community. “I have a lot of interest in this community,” she says. “I acted as a Young Life leader/supporter, and currently coach a Little League softball team for Alamo Heights.” She loves to participate in anything outdoors or adventurous, and also lends her time working at a local boutique.
ABOUT TAYLOR
Breshears returns to teach at the school she attended as a child.
Her role models: “The person that had the most influence on my life was my granny. She is no longer here, but to this day, she guides all my decisions and taught me my core values. One of the most important traits she instilled in me was to have compassion for others — whether that is cooking a meal for a loved one, simply being friendly to someone you don’t know or loving each person, no matter the circumstances. She was the strongest yet gentlest woman I have ever encountered.” Words or phrases she lives by: “Be passionate in all you do and try to inspire others.” Last book read: “I used to love the series of books about Eloise at the Plaza in New York as a kid. They are some of my keepsakes. Now I’m reading suspense thrillers.”
Age: 27 Why she is a role model: It takes a big heart to help shape little minds, and Taylor Breshears’ early passion for teaching is exemplified in her second-grade class at Northwood Elementary. With a compassionate work ethic and endurance to keep learning, she may look up to other influences, but this community leader, teacher and adventurous spirit is a role model not only to her second-graders, but to her friends, family and community peers as well. 60 | sawoman.com
Favorite band: “Such a hard question for someone that loves music, but I love Ray Charles, Garth Brooks and Mumford & Sons.” Favorite movie: Mary Poppins and all of Shirley Temple. Favorite pastime in San Antonio: “I am in love with just how much our city is changing. The Pearl is a wonderful place to eat out, go shopping and go to a local market. There are so many new things for people my age to do.”
Most memorable moment as a youth: “Honestly, growing up in this community. Going to the Alamo Heights Little League fields and playing late night games, riding my bike with all my girlfriends, and being welcomed at everyone’s house. It’s a real neighborhood with neighbors that stay close. That’s something you don’t find just anywhere.”
“Be passionate in all you do and try to inspire others.”
Describe a personal goal: “To have a family. I have been so blessed to be born into a warm, supportive family, and I have always wanted to give that to someone else. I want my children to make this world a better place. For them to know how to love, be a friend and be passionate about their dreams.” Describe a professional goal: “My career goal is to find a position in education that allows me to utilize my talents beyond teaching in just one classroom. I would love to one day be a PALS teacher, which is Peer Assistance Leadership and Service. I was a PALS leader in high school and found out just how rewarding it was to build relationships.” What struggles, obstacles or triumphs have shaped you? “I had to work extra hard in some areas of reading when I was really young. It made me feel less successful than some of my peers. But I ended up with straight A’s by the time I got into junior high. Now I take that personal experience into my own classroom. When I sense a student is trying to learn but struggling, I want them to feel supported, encouraged and accepted. That has shaped me into the teacher that I am today. All those teachers that dedicated their time to help me are not forgotten.” november/december 2016 | 61
W ACCORDING TO LINDA
What’s Relevant in San Antonio by LINDA ELLIOTT
Don’t Fret — It Could Be Worse! Do you ever feel your world is collapsing?
to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and strug-
You don’t know what to do. You wonder how the heck you’re going to
gling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
turn things around to fix the problem. You wake up during the night and can’t get back to sleep because of stress and worry. Life stinks!
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots of water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in
I know what it’s like because I’ve been there. I throw a pity party
the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil with-
for myself, but nobody comes. Feeling down and out is a lonely place
out saying a word. In about 20 minutes she turned off the burners. She
to be. Time to get out of that dark place. I’ve found one of the best
fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs
ways to minimize the direness in my life is to get over “me” and be in-
out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and
spired by others who are dealing with much more that I am.
placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?”
Let me share the stories of two incredible women. The first one is Harriet Marmon Helmle, a dear friend whom I’ve
“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” the daughter replied. She brought her daughter closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted
known since the mid-‘80s. She is one amazing human being. Harriet
that they got soft. The mother then asked her to take an egg and break
has a hereditary disease that destroys her joints. There’s not a joint in
it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally
her body that has not been replaced, often several times, or had prob-
she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its
lems. Every year of her adult life she has endured multiple surgical
rich aroma. She then asked, “What’s the point, Mother?”
procedures. Most recently, she went through emergency heart surgery.
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same
None of Harriet’s disabilities kept her from making a huge difference
adversity – boiling water – but each reacted differently. The carrot went
in our community. Space does not allow me to list all that she has done,
in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the
but suffice it to say that San Antonio is a better place to live because
boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile.
of Harriet. Along with her full-time job, she also serves as executive
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting
director of the newly established San Antonio chapter of Social Venture
through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground cof-
Partners, a global organization that strengthens non profits and builds
fee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water,
powerful relationships to tackle our community’s social challenges.
they had changed the water.
Harriet’s tireless energy and determination to help others is absolutely mind-boggling. She is my hero!
“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”
My second example is a woman named Ruth whom I only know through a mutual friend who says she is the most positive and happiest person you could ever hope to meet. How could this be? Ruth is blind from diabetes, she lost two babies, her husband died prematurely of a
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
heart attack three years ago, and she has had heart surgery and a kid-
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with
ney transplant. She has every reason to be bitter and depressed about
the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a finan-
her circumstances, but she refuses to let her problems prevail. Ruth
cial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?
lives life to its fullest and enjoys every minute. No pity parties for her!
Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough
These are just two examples of wonderful women who have cause to complain about the life they have been dealt, but they don’t. We all can learn from them. I end with a precious story that a special friend shared with me in 2002. Enjoy!
with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water got hot, it released the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you
Carrot – Egg – Coffee Bean Which One are You? A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going
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elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity? ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN? AND I JUST LOVE THIS: Don’t tell God how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is!
november/december 2016 | 63
W BUSINESS WOMAN SPOTLIGHT What do you do? I am an ophthalmologist. I specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and perform eye surgery.
Length of time at this job: I have been practicing ophthalmology in San Antonio for 10 years.
What is it that you like best about your job?
Sharon K. Sra, MD ALAMO HEIGHTS OPHTHALMOLOGY
It’s a nice balance between clinical medicine and surgery. And it never gets boring. The technology is constantly advancing, and the surgical outcomes are becoming more precise. Most of all, it’s very gratifying to restore sight and improve quality of life for patients.
Education/Major: I received my undergraduate degree at Baylor University. I attended medical school and competed my ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
What career path led you to where you are today? It wasn’t until college that I decided on a career in medicine. During medical school, I considered several specialties, but after I rotated through ophthalmology, I fell in love with the specialty. I enjoyed reading and studying the intricacies of the eye and how it works. I am still fascinated by the eye and how amazing and resilient it is. It is such a small organ but very complex, and it provides us with our most valuable sense of sight.
Would you encourage your children to go into the same field? I would love my daughter to be self-sufficient and to have a happy, meaningful life. It’s up to her to discover her strengths and interests. If she chooses to be a physician, I want it to be her decision.
What did you want to be when you were growing up? I wanted to be lots of things growing up! Everything from a movie star, a flight attendant, to a journalist.
What do you enjoy doing on a day off? Relax, sleep in, and have a lazy day.
What is your favorite vacation? Serengeti in Tanzania. But,I love beach vacations to relax and recharge.
What book/books have you read lately? When Breath Becomes Air
What’s the best movie you have seen in that last year and why? Zootopia! Such a great movie! Funny and inspiring with a great message of never giving up.
Do you have a favorite dish? I love French fries! It’s my weakness.
How do you find balance in your life — career, community and home life? The balancing act can be hard, especially with a family. The nice thing about my field is that I can have control over my day to enjoy life away from the office. Most surgeries are planned and scheduled, but there are emergencies. We do take calls, but for the most part, it’s not too bad.
What are your goals? What is the best advice that you have ever received? “Always be able to support yourself,” from my dad. Photography by JANET ROGERS
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To provide the best quality of care possible and to help people see as best as possible
People would be surprised to know that I ... wake up at 4:30 a.m. to exercise. This allows me to spend more time with my family in the evening.
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS W
WOMEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
DRIVEN TO
WIN By SHARI BIEDIGER PHOTOGRAPHy By BRyN LE NGUyEN
Once Karl Benz strapped an engine to a three-wheeled cart in 1885, the race was on — for cars that are better, faster, safer and more efficient and look smart on the starting line. That couldn’t suit these four San Antonio women any better. On a daily fast track to help people find the right car among the endless lots, makes and models in this city, they work long, demanding hours in a maledominated industry. But like Benz’s wife, Bertha, who borrowed the motorized cart to travel to grandma’s house one day, effectively capturing the public’s imagination, they have a drive to get things done and the will to get there first.
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Carolyn Liotta
W WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Customer Relations Manager Toyota of Boerne Drives: Toyota Camry Favorite road trip: Highway 290 to Austin “I never thought I would make my life’s work in the automotive industry,” Carolyn Liotta says. Then a family member invited her to work at his dealership 24 years ago. “And I have never looked back.” She was hooked from the moment she sold her first car, a pre-owned Honda Civic, for reasons that had little to do with the commission. “I loved selling cars,” she says. “It allowed me to connect with people and build relationships. I mastered the skill of making people feel comfortable with the sales process.” What didn’t come as easy was learning about the product. In fact, the “old car dogs” made a bet that she wouldn’t last two weeks. “Challenge on!” Liotta says. “As a woman, I had to know my craft better than the guys.” She sold cars for many years and worked her way up to become a general sales manager of a Toyota dealership. That can-do attitude came from growing up with four brothers in a suburb just outside of Manhattan. Relocating to San Antonio 10 years ago, today she works as the customer relations manager at Toyota of Boerne, a job that requires her to know “something about everything.” Liotta is responsible for hiring and training new sales staff and finds success by leaning on everything she’s learned over the years climbing the career ladder. “The most challenging part of the job is finding balance, which means finding mutually acceptable resolutions when problems arise,” she says. “Safeguarding the dealership’s reputation in the community is very important to me. I want to ensure that all of our guests are treated with integrity and professionalism.” As for those old car dogs, she says, “I know where I am today — those guys, not so sure!”
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Brittney Dupaul E-Commerce and Marketing Director Red McCombs Toyota Drives: Toyota 4Runner Favorite road trip: Texas Hill Country “I love to see an idea become reality and then become a success,” says Brittney Dupaul, a San Antonio native and the youngest of three girls in her family. After playing Division I soccer for Texas Tech University, Dupaul got her automotive career start 13 years ago as a business development center agent. Though meant to be temporary, the job became a springboard to her present career when she found the industry a perfect match for her personality — fast-paced and competitive. “I am also the independent type and like the freedom to be creative, test new ideas and make decisions,” Dupaul says. She found that freedom at Red McCombs Toyota, “and I have continued to learn and grow ever since.” Dupaul describes a typical day as “drinking from a fire hose,” and “running a race,” and for that reason, time management is her greatest challenge. Since learning to delegate, she says, “I have been able to open up a whole level in my career. I now put as much effort and concentration into hiring the team as I do in completing tasks myself.” It has paid off. She has risen through the ranks to e-commerce and marketing director, a position responsible for the dealership’s advertising, marketing, e-commerce, business development and sales. “It’s everything,” she says. “I get involved anywhere I am asked. I believe that if you work hard and excel, then opportunities will naturally come.” That doesn’t mean she isn’t ready to compete when the time comes — a trait she developed as a tomboy growing up, playing every sport she could, even if it meant playing with the guys. It made her a better athlete on the field, Dupaul believes, but she doesn’t view her male colleagues as rivals off the field. “I’ve been fortunate to have found nothing but mutual respect along my career path in this industry,” she says of her co-workers, men and women who have a passion for the product they sell and enjoy working with people. And she loves to innovate in ways that help them be effective. “There is a difference in thinking something might be a good idea and actually taking an idea and putting it into action,” Dupaul says. “I have the opportunity to do that in my job. And even if every idea is not always successful, there is always something to be learned for the next one.”
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Elizabeth Cox
W WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Director of Marketing North Park Lexus of San Antonio Drives: Lexus GX 460 Favorite road trip: California’s Pacific Coast Highway People who know Elizabeth Cox, the marketing director for North Park Lexus of San Antonio, say she’s always happy, smiling and willing to help. It turns out helping others is perhaps as much a part of her DNA as cool cars and road trips. With a childhood that began in the Ozarks and took her all the way to England and back for college at Penn State, Cox knows a thing or two about cars, basic auto maintenance and navigating the open road. At 18, she shipped her own car from England to the U.S., picked it up at a port in Washington, D.C., and drove herself to college. “Before I left, I was required to know how to check my oil and change the tires,” Cox says. But it was her grandfather who inspired a sense of charity in her when he started the first Meals On Wheels program in Michigan in 1973. Cox is marking her 15th year at the Kahlig Auto Group dealership where she began as a certified sales and leasing consultant. “Lexus wasn’t hiring, but I managed to talk with the new car manager at the time and convinced him to give me a few minutes of his time,” she says. Today, she’s on the marketing side of the business — “the creative innovator” — focused on advertising, community relations and digital marketing. It may still be a man’s world in the showroom, but Cox knows what she brings to the table. “This is where being a woman has its benefits,” she says. “I know what is important to me when I make purchases, and I believe that women can provide a special service when it comes to consulting, advising and shopping.” A mother of four, Cox says her family remains her greatest success. They spend time together enjoying frequent vacations driving to places like Colorado, the Blue Ridge Mountains and, recently, Highway 1 along the California coastline. And being a busy wife and mom helps her relate to customers. “I have helped moms get into a new car because they have a baby on the way, and have helped the same moms get a different vehicle because they are giving that ‘baby’ their car for their 16th birthday,” Cox says. “I just love that.” More than that, she adds, is the opportunity to be part of the Lexus community that supports the San Antonio area so generously. “I’m honored to be part of it.”
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Lisa M. Casillas Fleet Manager for Uber Account Gunn Acura Drives: Nissan Juke SL Favorite road trip: West Texas and Big Bend Lisa Casillas has a window on life working in auto sales. “Everyone who comes through the dealership is here because they’re moving toward something or away from something,” she says. “One way or another, I have a chance to play a part in making things better in someone’s life.” So whether the customer is buying a new car to celebrate a promotion or his family is growing, or because of a divorce or death of a spouse, she knows the car is integral to a change in a person’s life: “Regardless of the circumstances, I have a chance to do what I can to impact people in a personal and positive way.” It’s that idea that motivates her in an industry where “your best is never good enough,” she says. With manufacturers raising the bar ever higher in an ultra-competitive industry, Casillas finds work-life balance her greatest challenge. “There’s never much time to just rest and breathe and enjoy the fruit of your labor, because if you do that, you’re just going to fall behind,” she says. As fleet sales manager for the dealership’s new Uber account, her typical day involves spending a lot of one-on-one time with Uber drivers helping them find cars to lease, processing their lease contract and helping them get the proper insurance. Having worked more than 20 years in auto sales, Casillas doesn’t give much thought to being “one of the guys,” and simply enjoys the chance to observe how they playfully relate to one another. “I spent a lot of time with my uncles growing up, and they never treated me like I was ‘just a girl,’” Casillas says. “They raised me to believe I could do anything I wanted as long as I didn’t let things make me cry!” Indeed, women should know that they have a really strong voice in the automotive marketplace, according to Casillas, and there is no need to feel intimidated when shopping for a car. Studies show women play a leading role in 85 percent of car purchases. “That’s huge, and women should feel empowered knowing that they are recognized as a group to be reckoned with,” she emphasizes.
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Every year girls work tirelessly to earn the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Their work helps lead them to college scholarships and higher military rankings and connects them to people throughout their community. But the impact of their hard work doesn’t stop there. Girl Scouts say that the lessons they learned in pursuing their Gold Award help them in their lives far beyond anything they could have imagined as teenagers. Girl Scout Alumna Rachel Eschete, says that earning her Girl Scout Gold Award helped her develop skills that she uses to this day. “I definitely learned time management, she said. “But I also learned how to ask for help when I needed it and that taught me how to delegate responsibilities to make all the moving pieces come together as one master plan.” One of the first lessons Rachel learned as a Girl Scout helped inspire her Gold Award project. “Things I remembered learning as a young Girl Scout is a Girl Scout always leaves a place cleaner than she found it,” the 28-year-old events project coordinator with the CE Group said. “Even when we were out and saw a gum wrapper on the ground, we’d pick it up.” That lesson stuck as she would later spend three months of her summer as a teen Girl Scout rehabilitating an overgrown volleyball court at the pool where she herself spent many summers first as a young girl on the swim team and eventually becoming the head lifeguard, swim instructor and coach. Rachel said she knew she wanted to give back to a community that she had been a part of for so many years. “It was rewarding to put so much time and energy into something that I knew wasn’t just for myself but was for the community to enjoy and be able to use,” she said. Rachel marks the time spent earning her Gold Award as a highlight of her Girl Scout Leadership Experience. “Earning a Gold Award is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said. “Being a Girl Scout is such a great learning experience and every Girl Scout should take advantage of the Gold Award challenge, not just to better their community but because you get can get so much out it. You learn you’re capable of big things.” Jackie Gorman, SAGE executive director and former Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas board chair, attributes her Girl Scout Leadership Experience for her confidence and strength of character. “I truly think that my character and my values were shaped by being a Girl Scout,” she said. “Girl Scouts reinforced the values my parents taught me. My first thought is to tell the truth. My inclination is to help other people. ‘On my honor I will try,’ that’s how I live my life.” Jackie earned her Girl Scout First Class Award as a Girl Scout Cadette. The award required her to complete four challenges, tests of skill and ability, such as social dependability, emergency preparedness, active citizenship and the Girl Scout Promise. Growing up in a military family, Jackie was living at Ft. Lee, Va. when she was ready to test for emergency preparedness. Instead of participating in the base’s disaster drill as was custom for Girl Scouts to show their abilities, Gorman’s test came when the bus she and other Girl Scouts were on while traveling to Washington D.C. broke down. Once the bus broke down the leaders decided it was time to test our preparedness. Jackie was in charge of the Girl Scout Brownies on the trip, making sure they were safe and occupied. “I was only 13 or 14 and while there may have only been 10 or 12 Brownies on the trip, it felt like 20.” Jackie said the test helped her realize you can’t plan for everything. “Nothing phases me anymore,” she said. “I just take it as it comes. That challenge helped me learn to adapt as you go forward and believe in yourself to know you can do it.” While the Gold Award has changed in name over the course of 100 years one thing hasn’t changed, that the impact the girls are making. “Take a look at what these young women are doing and the projects they are creating,” Jackie said. “These girls are the future of our world. They will be leading us 20 or 30 years from now.”
W BOOMERS
BABY BOOMERS
Vacation Homes INVESTMENT AND ANSWERED DREAM By PAMELA LUTRELL
Climbing Sales Who wouldn’t like to spend the golden years listening to waves rolling
and the fulfillment of lifelong dreams and goals. Many will move to
in on a beach or gazing over snow-covered mountains? For previous
these homes permanently after retirement — couples like Jay and
generations these have only been dreams; however, the baby boomers
Glenna Callarman, who purchased their Colorado property early in
are breaking sales records with the purchases of vacation homes.
their marriage. After paying off the land and slowly building the home
Since 2013, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has reported
themselves, they retired from Texas to Colorado when Jay achieved full
healthy sales of vacation homes.
retirement from the oil industry. It took an early commitment to their goals and disciplined budgeting.
“Baby boomers at or near retirement continue to propel the demand for second homes, although headwinds softened the overall volume of
Mandy Van Steepen has worked in marketing for over 30 years. She
vacation sales last year,” NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said in a
joined Legacy International, specifically for the McCombs Properties,
release. Boomers consider vacation home options as investments, a
last year. She has several years of working in real estate between Cal-
place for families and grandchildren to create memories and traditions,
ifornia and Texas. She says, “Our target market across all of our com-
76 | sawoman.com
W BOOMERS
not using “ When the home, a homeowner can place it into the rental pool, and Texas is one of the hottest rental markets in the country. The rental numbers are incredible and make the second home
“
ownership option very attractive and simple.
munities is primarily the baby boomers. At Palmilla Beach, I would say
vestment in your family is the first,” she says. She loves to see families
50 percent are in the baby boomer age range, and at Reserve St.
where the children will return to the home even after going off to col-
Charles Bay, they are the primary buyer.”
lege and beginning their own lives. Secondly, the purchase is a wise investment for a real estate portfolio with appreciation and rental rev-
Van Steepen recommends purchasing a home for a long-term invest-
enues. “According to our owners,” she says. “the rental revenues come
ment over renting, though renting might be the less expensive option.
close to paying for the property. We agree. Why not let others pay for
“Port Aransas especially allows for a huge investment opportunity,”
your beach home? It is a win/win situation.”
she says. “When not using the home, a homeowner can place it into the rental pool, and Texas is one of the hottest rental markets in the
Boomers need to take care when shopping for these homes. Van
country. The rental numbers are incredible and make the second home
Steepen cautions to watch out for reverse mortgage options, taking
ownership option very attractive and simple.”
too much out of retirement funds for the purchase or developments that do not allow the buyer to sell the home within a specific amount
Lee Ann Peters, sales director of Cinnamon Shores on Mustang Island,
of time. Boomers often need the flexibility to sell at any moment. “Most
said there are typically three main reasons to own a beach home. “In-
important,” she said. “is not to overspend your retirement budget.”
78 | sawoman.com
november/december 2016 | 79
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For additional information on resources for seniors visit:
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W SUSTAINABLE GARDENING GREEN GIFTS
BY JOSIE SEELIGSON
NATU LOVE RE RS
for
Living gifts that perpetuate health and productivity are the ultimate in both sustainability and pleasure. Plants help improve air quality both indoors and out, and keeping green plants around is a surefire way to fend off winter blues by bringing living indoors. This holiday season, pass on a piece of life to your favorite nature lovers.
Living holiday trees Pine aroma infuses many homes during the holidays, as does the tradition of selecting cut trees, then decorating and admiring them. But after a few weeks, their green needles turn brown and dry, littering the floor below and leaving a trail out the door when the spent body is dragged to the curb. It doesn’t have to end this way. Some local nurseries sell potted varieties of pine or cypress trees, either as alternative to cut trees or in addition to them. If you add a simple bow or an ornamental tag, these can also make fantastic living gifts. The tree can stay inside for the holidays, then bed down outside to keep growing. If a yard doesn’t have enough space, many local schools, playgrounds, baseball fields or other community centers need shade, so these trees can also help spread canopies for others. If you donate the tree, just make sure that there’s some form of irrigation/watering in its new home to keep it alive. When purchasing living holiday trees, select a variety suited to this region’s climate and soil. Ask for Japanese black pine, Aleppo pine, Deodora cedar, Arizona cypress, bald cypress, Montezuma cypress or Italian stone pine. Keep the tree outside in its pot with water and sunshine until you want it inside — then know you have about two weeks with it indoors before it needs to go outside again. While indoors, keep its soil moist and the tree a good distance from fireplaces or other heat sources. 82 | sawoman.com
Later, when you plant it in the ground, dig the hole about two to three times as wide as the container and the same level as the root ball— be certain not to cover the root flare on the base of the trunk when planting, as this slowly suffocates a tree. If in doubt, err on planting trees a bit higher than too deep. Allow for growing space—some of these trees can reach 40-50 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide when mature. And keep it watered. Some, like the Montezuma cypress, can grow at rapid speeds with abundant water, especially if placed next to a water source like a pond, riverbank or even an underground leak, so you may get to enjoy a mature tree in rapid time.
Living indoor worlds If you want to gift an easy-to-care-for indoor plant, terrariums may be a great choice. These tidy tabletop greenhouse gardens can be bought fully assembled (try Shades of Green), but can be pricey. They also can be fairly easy and fun to make yourself. Keep an open mind here; you can use all sorts of interesting glass containers you may al-
ready have on hand, like old vases, mason jars or fishbowls whose occupants swam off to that bowl in the sky. You can also treasure-hunt glass containers from thrift or wholesale stores. Within these containers of varying sizes, you can first build a little plant world — simple or elaborate — and next have the option to personalize it in all sorts of ways. At the base of the glass container, start with a layer of small rock material—pebbles of any kind, recycled glass nuggets, aquarium gravel, etc. These form a false drainage layer to settle water so plants don’t flood. The depth of this layer should be proportional to the overall height of the container, usually 1/2 to 2 inches deep to accommodate roots. Next, add a thin layer of activated charcoal crumbles or shards (ask for at your local nursery) to reduce fungi, bacteria and odors. On this, add potting soil appropriate for your plant types. Due to varying soil and watering needs, it’s best to separate terrariums by plant type; keep succulents and cacti together, ferns and tropical plants together (for example, succulents need a sandier mix, ferns need rich potting soil). Put in enough soil so plants can fit cozily, yet still have room to grow. Select small plants that fit inside the container and won’t get too tall. Remove plants from their pots and gently break up the soil ball to get to roots. It’s fine to carefully separate multiple stems and trim roots if needed, as they can grow back. Make a small well in the soil, plant the roots, then cover and press soil up to plants’
bases. Leave a bit of elbow room on container edges for plants to stretch out. Set a top layer of moss or pebbles, and you now have a lovely little garden world. You can stop here, or depending on your personality or the recipient’s, take it a step further by creating a scene within the little plant world. If your recipient loves horses, hippos or wildlife, purchase tiny figurines at toy or hobby stores to place among sticks and rocks collected outside. Or raid a kid’s old toy stash for small cars or action figures or even a tool cabinet or kitchen drawer depending on theme — no rules in creativity! Wipe down any dirt from the glass walls for a clear view inside, and give it a couple of shots of water as a holiday toast; do remember they are lightweights and don’t need much. Monitor the terrarium’s water needs based on how dry the soil is. If your glass container has a lid, watch for condensation droplets on the ceiling, which means excess water needs to evaporate; just open the lid for a bit. If a leaf or plant wilts or dies, remove it from the terrarium to maintain ecosystem health. Also, keep in mind that terrariums are essentially little greenhouses, and direct sunlight through glass traps heat and scorches plants, so place them in indirect light. And most of all, let these living gifts sustain your own life joy and help replenish it in others.
november/december 2016 | 83
2017 TOP TEN RESOLUTIONS
Bright Ideas By PAMELA LUTRELL
2016 is a year many are ready to bid a fond farewell. But never fear, SAN ANTONIO WOMAN has decided to take readers into this New Year with optimism and to focus on 10 areas we should all give consideration to in order to have hope for a bright future in our private lives.
This past political season was the ugliest ever and left most with a bad taste, so in order to go forward positively, we encourage you to remember LIFE IS SHORT. Take it one day at a time, and live each day to its fullest. These 10 areas have been carefully selected to encourage growth and joy for a successful 2017. Improving health, home and career, plus enjoying the beauty around us in this thriving city, are all ways to put smiles on our faces. As we enter 2017, let’s remember the words of Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
Happy New Year, everyone. From all of us at SAN ANTONIO WOMAN, we wish you the best year ever.
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RESOLUTION NO. 1
Rediscover San Antonio While most residents lead a very busy lifestyle, our hometown is changing rapidly around us. This year, make a determined effort to rediscover all that is new in San Antonio. For example, the River Walk has expanded from a three-mile walk to 15 miles of treasure with museums, historic missions, and beautiful design. Make sure you know what everyone is talking about in Southtown and The Pearl. There are fine foods and entertainment for all ages in these new, ever-changing developments. Downtown continues to grow and, trust us, it is time for a visit to the new Alamo Plaza, Market Square and the Tobin. Do you know what First Friday is all about? Have you seen the new Mays Family Center at the Witte Museum on Broadway? Do you know of the changes in the San Antonio Zoo or Botantical Garden? It is time to visit your own backyard, and this is the year to do it!
For the new year we suggest treating our city like you’re a visitor — try new things, go to places you’ve never been before — Mariachi mass at Mission Concepcion, Pearl Farmers Market, a concert in San Fernando, or hiking in Hardberger park … it’s easy to get stuck in a routine and miss out on the many opportunities in our city to be active, creative and connected – challenge yourself to get out of your neighborhood and comfort zone and re-acquaint yourself Elizabeth Fauerso Chief Marketing Officer at The Pearl with San Antonio!
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RESOLUTION NO. 2
Take More Day Trips We are surrounded by beauty and opportunity, yet often take it for granted. One of the best ways to unwind is to hit the road for a quick day trip. Consider the artistic flair of Rockport, the enjoyable tours of Texas vineyards, a lazy afternoon by the Guadalupe River in Gruene, shopping at the San Marcos Outlet Malls, antiquing in Comfort or Castroville, boutique shopping in Boerne, or a picnic by the Frio River. Place some of these on your calendar today, and remember we live in the prettiest part of Texas.
Janis Turk Travel Writer
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San Antonio is like the hub of a giant wagon wheel of adventure. Drive in any direction leading out of the Alamo City, and you’ll find extraordinary opportunities in entirely different settings. Want to play cowboy? Head to the hills of Bandera and ride horses at a guest ranch. Want to go fishing and eat fresh crab and shrimp from a big hot boiling pot? Head the other direction to Rockport-Fulton. Feel like some shopping and south-of-the-border fun? Shop in McAllen and enjoy great eats along the Mexican border. San Antonio is a day tripper’s dream; there’s no end to the fun you have in your own backyard.
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RESOLUTION NO. 3
Develop a Balanced, Healthy Lifestyle Balance is a great word for 2017. Balance in good physical and mental health. The key here is to keep your goals simple and obtainable. Perhaps just take three weeks to drink more water every day, or three weeks to be active every day, or three weeks to eat vegetables every day‌after three weeks good habits can easily begin. San Antonio is on a new path to good health with more physical activities on the calendar than ever before, the opening of several farm-to-table restaurants. and leaders who practice what they preach, such as Mayor Ivy Taylor, who invites residents to join her in walks throughout the city.
We do not sleep enough, exercise enough, or drink enough water as the ever-increasing hurry-up lifestyle takes over, and we find that we do not have time to take care of ourselves. We have become so far from balanced that being in balance sounds like a novel idea. And the results are showing up in our bodies. Kay Spears Certified Clinical Nutritionist Author, Balanced Living
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RESOLUTION NO. 4
Makeover Your Look Shallow? Not really. It is amazing what a small to large makeover can do for confidence, and confidence is powerful and attractive. A healthy dose of confidence can lead to major changes in a career or private life. Consider a change of hairstyle, a few new clothes, a regular visit with a nail technician, a gym membership, makeup tips, or a new type of personal style. Top clothing designer and stylist Rachel Zoe says, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.� Whether you like it or not, your choice of clothing does send a message about who you are. Remember, there are many budget-conscious ways to stage a small makeover. For example, Encore Consignment can help you refresh your closet with gently worn beautiful designer clothing.
When you feel good about the way you look, it enhances your confidence. Self perception has a tremendous impact on how others perceive you. The more self confident you are, the more likely you will do your best. Therefore your wardrobe should reflect the best version of yourself. Georgeanne Catalani Owner of Encore for Woman
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RESOLUTION NO. 5
Pamper Yourself Women are notorious for placing their own comfort, care and well-being at the bottom of the list. We would like to recommend some changes in 2017. Find ways to treat yourself, and make sure you are at the top of your care list. You will discover your joy to be deeper and your strength to handle a career and serve others to go longer. Make a goal to pamper yourself at least once a month. You might visit a local spa, get a massage, have a regular facial, sit by a fire and read a favorite book, go out with girlfriends or take a day trip. Whatever your cup of tea may be, take care of yourself with a special treat every month.
As human beings we need to take the time to breathe. To be. To simply pause and take a moment to disconnect – in order to reconnect. Each day commit to taking a moment to re-center and refocus. We must always take care of ourselves before taking care of others. When we do this – it’s the recipe for magic….. and amazing things will happen. Maggy Dunphy Executive Director of Spa and Wellness Destination Hotels and La Cantera Restort
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RESOLUTION NO. 6
Support Local Businesses We cannot stress this enough and encourage residents to support the local economy. Support residents likeTanya and Barry Clark, who are proud to own two businesses which are both located in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The Clarks recognize that the success of the community in which they live and work is an integral part of their businesses. Scentchips and La Villita Cafe support many local organizations and are members of numerous downtown affiliations. Eat Local...Shop Local is their mantra. Whenever there is a need to fill, look first to see if a local merchant can fill it, and choose local whenever possible.
Letty Tijerina Elle & Elle Boutique
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As a new business owner, one of my goals is to impress buyers to ‘shop local.’ It’s important to know that when a consumer shops local, not only is he helping the owner stay in business, but is also helping our community. Shopping local helps employ local people and also gives back to the community by supporting local groups like high schools, health care facilities, churches and much more. Shopping local keeps our own people working.
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RESOLUTION NO. 7
Update Your Home This is a good time to make small changes to update your home for your comfort and enjoyment or to enhance market value. San Antonio’s home market is thriving, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors. You might consider any of these small changes, which can make a huge difference whether you are staying or selling: • A fresh coat of paint on the exterior with a pop of color on the trim and shutters. Curb appeal brightens our outlook the minute we pull into the driveway and can welcome us, even as homeowners. • Clean out the clutter and open up some new space for living. Organization is never out of style. • Add a new piece of artwork to change the appearance of your favorite room. • Plan now for spring planting and seek advice on the flowers that grow the best in our climate. • After-Christmas home decor sales are some of the best of the year, so consider an upgrade in the kitchen or master bath. It might be as elaborate as marble counter tops or as simple as new window treatments.
Tiffany Taylor Searls Bygones Fine Furniture Consignment
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One new piece of furniture in a room even if it's a rug, piece of art or an accessory that has color can change the whole look of a room and make it much warmer and richer looking.
RESOLUTION NO. 8
Practice Financial Stability We all talk about it, but this needs to be the year when we make a determination to be financially stable. San Antonio is full of intelligent women financial planners ready to assist us during this unstable economic time. Take a moment and write your own list of financial goals for the year, but implement a plan to put them into action now. Make sure you cover budget, income, taxes and, oh yes, savings. A good plan always includes savings, especially now, when so little is certain in the markets. Perhaps this has been an area of weakness in the past. 2017 is the time to stop overspending and ignoring the future. Seek the professional advice you need. Other than good health, there is no area of your life more important than financial stability.
I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction. If you think it, you will receive it. Instead of telling yourself, “I need to get out of debt,” say “I am thankful that I am financially free.” The deal is that if you are focused on “debt”, you will attract MORE debt. If you are thankful for your financial freedom, money will come your way, which you can use to pay off the debt. Brooklyn Chandler Texas Financial Advisory
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RESOLUTION NO. 9
Take a Class Education inspires all of us and does not need to stop after the all-important college degree is obtained. Find a way this year to learn a little more and stay current with your knowledge. It might be a cooking class at Central Market, Culinary Institute or Sur la Table. Perhaps you would like to improve your technical knowledge, which can be done with Linda.com, Coursera.com or at any of the five schools in the Alamo College network. Look for the many classes offered during the summer through the Northeast Independent School District. Several locations of YMCA will help improve your health with all types of classes for physical needs. One of the keys to business success is to possess public speaking skills. It might be time to research Toastmasters in the San Antonio area. Then you can own the room every time you are asked to make a presentation.
In our classes, you can enjoy demonstrations, wine discovery, or hands-on classes, including healthy cooking techniques for recipes to help you keep your New year’s resolutions. Whether you have just a few hours or a few days, plan a Foodie retreat with your friends. It’s a great way to sample the education experience at the CIA! April Goess Director — Education Culinary Institute of America San Antonio
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november/december 2016 | 103
RESOLUTION NO. 10
Make a Difference Let’s go back to where we started with our resolutions ‌ saying goodbye to 2016. This past year was so divisive and difficult. Social media exploded with toxic talk on many news and political topics in ways we have never seen. Thank goodness we live in a community with a small-town neighborhood atmosphere where many love one another and work well together. In order to keep our city thriving and optimistic, the women of San Antonio need to find more ways to serve those in need, to reach out as mentors to younger women and to cross lines which divide with open arms. It is time to say STOP to the negativity and build our community together. What are you doing to make a difference in San Antonio or in the lives of those who work and live near you? Be the one who reaches out first. Be the one who is the example of optimism. Be the one who organizes a neighborhood picnic or new social event at work. Be the one who makes a difference in this slice of the world we have been given. And have your best year ever.
Leslie Foley Capital Campaign Coordinator Ronald McDonald House Charities
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There is a great need in San Antonio where those less fortunate could use a helping hand. Numerous local non-profits exist to help the disadvantaged, disabled, poor, elderly, children, pets and special needs. We should all look for an opportunity to volunteer our time, talents, funds, and/or knowledge to help those less fortunate, striving to make San Antonio a better place we call home.
W HILL COUNTRY GUIDE
THE HILL COUNTRY’S
All is calm, and all is bright as twinkling lights, night parades, Christmas shopping markets and warm Yuletide fun fill the calendar in towns throughout the Hill Country this season. Families are busy making merry once more, enjoying ice-skating rinks, tree-lighting ceremonies, Christmas arts and crafts fairs, spooky Dickens plays and warm wassail. From Boerne to Blanco, Fredericksburg to Floresville, Kerrville to Kyle and beyond, trees are decorated, tinsel glistens, light fills the night, and love is in the air. Make your family’s holidays extra merry and bright by joining in the happy Hill Country fun. Jingle on over to…
Snow falling at Dickens on Main, courtesy of Boerne CVB
Bandera
slide for sledding. Spend the day on the Hill Country Mile dining, shopping and visiting Santa, then make your way up and down Main Street as the entertainment delights folks from 4 - 10 p.m. each night. Find unique holiday gifts from the many darling shops along Boerne’s Hill Country Mile. This year will feature a new free photo experience, so you can take professional-looking pictures to share with friends and family or for your holiday card. Check www.dickensonmain.com for a full schedule of events.
Bandera celebrates the best of the holiday season with a lighted night parade on December 2, along with a visit with Santa, Christmas caroling, musicians, cowboys and after-hours shopping in local stores. Locals and visitors alike love the annual Cowboy Capital Campfire, which will be held this year on December 3 in Bandera’s City Park on the Medina River, with cowboy singers and storytellers and a living nativity scene. Bring a lawn chair, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and stroll through a display of 100+ lighted Christmas trees and holiday scenes at the Bandera Trail of Lights at City Park, which opens each evening at dark. Bandera is the perfect day-trip town for authentic cowboy Christmas fun.
Boerne Boerne kicks off the holiday season November 25 and 26 (Thanksgiving weekend) with a Hill Country Christmas event of epic proportions at the 17th Annual Dickens on Main celebration. Be a part of the magic as 106 | sawoman.com
Fredericksburg and Luckenbach
Boerne’s Main Street, known as the Hill Country Mile, transforms into a vintage Christmas experience, complete with great shopping, visits with Santa Claus, children’s craft activities, unique vendors, food trucks, snow on Main Street, ice sculpting and music, theatrical performances and an amazing 60-foot ice
Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the holiday season with the Lighting of the German Christmas Pyramid and Community Christmas Tree on Friday, November 25. The 26-foot, carousel-like Weihnachts pyramide, or “Christmas Pyramid,” is a large version of a traditional German decoration dating back to the 16th century. Fredericksburg’s Christmas pyramid, handcrafted in Germany, is illuminated each year on the Friday evening follow-
BEST & BRIGHTEST HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS By JANIS TURK
Blanco Courthouse courtesy Blanco CVB
ing Thanksgiving, kicking off the Christmas season in Fredericksburg and remaining lit through Epiphany, the first week of January. That same weekend, the seasonal Eisbahn (“ice rink” in German) returns to Marktplatz for its 12th consecutive year and remains open daily (except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) through New Year’s weekend. Enjoy outdoor ice-skating on real ice; Eisbahn uses special refrigeration units to keep the ice frozen even when the weather is warm outside. Then, in early December, Fredericksburg enjoys its Light the Night Christmas Parade and AfterGlow. AfterGlow festivities take place at Marktplatz, and the parade takes place on Main Street on Friday, December 2. Enjoy free Santa photos, holiday gifts, local foods and wine and holiday cheer. For events in the nearby community of Luckenbach this December, look online or call the Luckenbach Post Office and General Store for upcoming
dates for the annual Luckenbach Christmas Tree Lighting and Hondo Crouch Birthday Celebration, (830) 997-3224. For a full list of holiday events in and around Fredericksburg, visit www.VisitFredericksburgTX.com.
Johnson City, Blanco, and Stonewall Christmas crowds will gather at the Old Blanco County Courthouse on the Friday after Thanksgiving to watch the lighting of 100,000 twinkling lights at the old courthouse square in Blanco. Afterward, visitors can take pictures with Santa, take a carriage or hay ride through the town or shop for Christmas ornaments. The event continues through January 1, with various activities each evening. For more information, contact the Old Blanco County Courthouse Visitors Center at (830) 833-2211. That same weekend, and lasting through New Year’s, Johnson City will present its 27th Annual Lights Spectacular, with one of the largest light displays in the state, featuring more than one million lights at the Pedernales Electric
Co-Op Headquarters. To learn more, visit www.lbjcountry.com. Holiday celebrations also take place each year in Stonewall at LBJ State Park & Historic Site and its Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm visitor complex, as well as at the Johnson Settlement in Johnson City. Be sure not to miss the LBJ Tree Lighting at LBJ State Park & Historic Site, a free timehonored Texas Parks and Wildlife family tradition started years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson. For more information on this year’s holiday events at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, call (830) 644-2252. For more information about holiday events at the Johnson Settlement and LBJ’s Boyhood Home, call (830) 868-7128 x231.
Kerrville and Ingram Kerrville and Ingram are home to a sleighfull of holiday fun, including Kerrville’s 16th Annual Holiday Lighted Parade & Courthouse Lighting Ceremony, which will be held Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Kerr County Courthouse, with a night parade featuring lighted floats, a 45foot tree and lighting ceremony and the arrival
Storefront on Main Street, Fredericksburg, courtesy of Trish Rawls) november/december 2016 | 107
Trail of Lights in Wimberly, courtesy of Wimberley CVB
W HILL COUNTRY GUIDE Gruene Hall lit up for the Holidays, courtesy of Gruene CVB
New Braunfels and Gruene
of Santa Claus. Another not-to-be-missed holiday event in the nearby town of Ingram is Tiny Tim’s A Christmas Carol. In this play, a healthy grown-up Tiny Tim shares his behind-thescenes account of what really happened to change the bah-humbug heart of Ebenezer Scrooge, (830) 367-5121. For more information on all the exciting Kerrville holiday events, call (830) 257-8000 or visit www.kerrvilletexascvb.com. For information on the lighting ceremony call (830) 459-0566.
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New Braunfels celebrates in style on Friday, November 18, at 6 p.m., when friends gather to enjoy the Downtown Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Arrival, a free annual event celebrating the spirit of the season. There will be treats for sale and photo opportunities with Santa on the bandstand. Then on Thursday, December 1, come enjoy Wassailfest downtown from 6-9 p.m., an evening of music, food, shopping, thousands of holiday lights and warm wassail. Then in the adjacent community of Gruene, on Saturday, December 3, turn out for the15th annual Gruene Pony Express Ride into town, when kids can take photos, with Cowboy Kringle. Then stop and shop at Old Gruene Market Days and stay until dark to enjoy the Gruene Town Lighting, (830) 629-5077.
Wimberley Wimberley lights up the night on Saturday, November 26, at dusk (5:15 p.m.) during the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens’ Tree Lighting Ceremony that heralds the opening of the EmilyAnn’s Trail of Lights, which runs through December 29. The trail is open Sundays through Thursdays from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 until 10 p.m. Along the trail, enjoy 8 acres of decorated wonderland with the town’s Ye Olde Yule Log burning nightly, weather permitting. There is no admission to this walking Trail of Lights; however, donations are accepted. Much of the trail is now wheelchair accessible; golf cart rides are available for those who need assistance. Locals and visitors alike also enjoy the Second Saturday Gallery Trail from 4-7 p.m. at art galleries and shops throughout the downtown on the second Saturday of every month. (512) 847-9438. www.wimberley.org.
W TRAVEL
Need a cure for the common cold winter blues?
TAKE A CRUISE AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING STORy AND PHOTO By JANIS TURK
“The cure f¹ eþrything is saltwater — s at, tears ¹ the sea,” writes author Isak Dineson, and she’s right. There is no winter cabin fever that can’t be cured by a salty sea breeze, a piña colada on a sunny beach and a long slow boat ride.
H
elp is within reach: It’s as close as
ALL ABOARD!
Magic and the Carnival Breeze Mediterranean
the glittering Galveston Strand and
Crystal Cruises: This cruise line is all
cruises. “I’ve taken one of these trips with my
the “let good times roll” port of New
about luxury: gourmet dining, penthouse
parents and another with my daughter, and
Orleans. A cruise is the most fun, affordable
suites and educational programs (everything
they were magnificent. We only had to unpack
vacation Texans can take, and cruises are also
from golf to language lessons). The high end
once, yet the itineraries gave us a sampling of
the easiest getaways to do on a whim. Every-
Crystal Cruises are all about the VIP experi-
many different exciting European ports and
thing is provided: The suite, food, activities
ence on ships like Crystal Serenity and Crystal
provided a fantastic introduction to the
and excursions have been organized for you
Symphony, which boast a nearly 1-to-1 crew-
Mediterranean.”
and may be booked and paid for with a quick
to-guest ratio. On shore, excursion opportuni-
painless click of a computer mouse. Many
ties are better than average—think zip lines,
fessor Angie Sauer says her favorite trip was
cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean
balloon rides, elephant encounters and more
a Blue Lagoon Cruise to Fiji. “It was a small
and more offer all-inclusive vacations, making
in exotic places like Bali and Hawaii.
Blue Lagoon Cruises: Local university pro-
ship, so it felt personal with fun fellow passen-
it even easier to stick to a budget. Best of all,
Carnival’s Fathom Cruises: Be among the
gers and superb service, and Fiji was simply
a week-long cruise can cost far less than a
first American travelers this year to cruise to
paradise.” Blue Lagoon offers three itiner-
landlubber holiday would, and you can see lots
the historic Cuban ports of Havana, Cienfue-
aries, each journeying into Fiji’s Mamanuca
of exciting places but only unpack once.
gos and Santiago de Cuba aboard a Fathom™
and Yasawa Islands, sailing to uninhabited
Whatever kind of vacation you want (from
ship: the newest brand in the Carnival Corpo-
tropical shores and anchoring in private la-
a singles cruise to an educational expedition
ration, supported by its sister brand, P&O
goons. A maximum four hours of cruising each
to a Disney vacation), no matter where you
Cruises, bringing impact travel to life aboard
day ensures guests spend more time exploring
want to go, (from Croatia to Cancun) and no
the 704-passenger Adonia, the smallest ship
onshore and less time on the ship.
matter how many days you want to get away,
in the P&O fleet.
there’s a cruise for you. Here is our prescription for the best cruise cures this season. 110 | sawoman.com
Blount Small Ship Adventures: Max
Louisiana travel blogger Shannon Hurst
Hartshorne, editor/blogger for the popular
DalPozzal recommends both the Carnival
travel site GoNOMAD, enjoyed an 85-passen-
Stella Australis expedition cruise exploring Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn.
ger Blount cruise through New England. With
city,” says Van Zandt.
of Ceara and the Chilean fjords and the lush
a collection of quaint islands along its rocky
Disney Cruise Line: From its signature
forests of the Amazon basin. Stroll the boule-
coast, he says New England is best seen by
Sail-Away Celebration (a kid-friendly dance
vards of Buenos Aires, enjoy vivid African cul-
water. Blount’s boats go where big ships can’t,
party) to its pirate-themed dinners and night-
ture in Salvador da Bahia, ride a cable-car up
navigating Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard,
time fireworks, Disney cruises are all about
Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain, and dine on a beach
Block Island and Newport and passing bays,
pleasing kids and parents and providing excel-
a thousand miles into the Amazon before
beaches and lighthouses.
lent entertainment. Life-sized Disney charac-
cruising south to Antarctica,” says the
Viking River Grand European Cruise:
ters mingle with kids by the pool and in the
Seabourn website. A favorite sailing for late
Travel writer and blogger Lisa Chavis has
kids’ clubs, while adults enjoy their own pri-
winter is the 21-Day Ultimate Antarctica and
traveled widely and says a favorite trip was a
vate dining areas, excursions, nightclubs and
Patagonia itinerary on Seabourn Quest. De-
Viking River Grand European Cruise from Bu-
pools. The seven-day Disney Wonder Ship
parting on Feb. 2 from Chile, passengers will
dapest to Amsterdam, featuring 15 days on
cruise from Galveston stops in Grand Cayman,
enjoy stops down the western coast of South
the Danube, Rhine and Main Rivers. “We en-
Costa Maya and Cozumel.
joyed seeing castles and dining on incredible cuisine,” says Chavis.
Stella Australis Cruises: One of my most
America before heading (weather permitting) to the Antarctic Experience for six days. From
memorable trips was a Stella Australis expe-
there, the sailing finishes in Buenos Aires. This
New Zealand-based international photogra-
dition cruise through the wonders of the
luxury cruise line is sure to please the most
pher, director and explorer Tasha Van Zandt
southernmost Patagonian channels, past gla-
discriminating travelers.
says one of her most unforgettable trips was
ciers and the glorious scenery all the way
a Baltic Princess Cruise to Russia, with a
around Cape Horn at the end of the earth.
highlight being a stop in St. Petersburg. “Re-
Each day we took zodiac boat outings to hike
Still not convinced a cruise will cure what ails you this winter?
cently I was featured on a television program
and see penguins and other magnificent
Planning to put off for another year?
that followed me, my mom and my grand-
wildlife. I can’t recommend this cruise enough
Remember what Mark Twain said:
mother as they returned to Russia together,
for those who dream of exploring Patagonia,
for the first time in 37 years, to walk on the
Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn.
very streets where they grew up. Joining a
Seabourn Luxury Cruises: “Thread tropi-
Princess Cruise throughout Europe allowed us
cal jungle rivers to virgin forest isles, and then
to visit multiple places where they had once
wend your way to broad, bright beaches during
traveled and allowed us to see St. Petersburg
Seabourn’s ultra-luxury cruises to South Amer-
in a unique way. To travel by ship allows pas-
ica and Antarctica. Skirt the long Atlantic
sengers to see so many incredible places
coastline of South America, and see the color-
quickly, and it was like being on a floating
ful colonial cities of Brazil, the golden beaches
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
For a comprehensive list of cruises departing from Galveston this season, visit this helpful website: www.galveston.com/cruiseschedule
november/december 2016 | 111
W ARTBEAT ARTBEAT
Embroidering HISTORY AND CULTURE Show will pay tribute to Old Spanish Trail highway By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF
Y
ears ago, artist Laurel Gibson stopped to look at some merchandise sold from a roadside stand along Highway 16. Large perforated paper rolls attracted her attention, but she was puzzled. What were they for? It turned out she was looking at decades-old paper rolls once used by player pianos (mechanical pianos) as a music storage medium. She bought them with no clear idea what to do with them. After collecting dust for a while, the rolls have finally been put to good use as canvases for her embroidered drawings in Embroidering the Old Spanish Trail, a unique exhibit currently at Bihl Haus Arts, which will stay open through mid-January 2017. The show is part of the multistate centennial celebration of the construction of the Old Spanish Trail Auto Highway (OST), the first such road in the Southern part of the country, which ran from St. Augustine, Fla., to San Diego, Calif., traversing eight states, including Texas, along the way. The centennial festivities are spearheaded by the San Antonio-based OST100, which according to its website, was organized “to locate, revitalize and preserve the roadway, businesses and historic sites of the original 1920s Old Spanish Trail Auto Highway.” It so happened that Bihl Haus Arts founder and guiding light Kellen Kee McIntyre learned about the centennial from her neighbor Charlotte Kahl, a history aficionado and the chairperson of OST100.
On this page: Artist Laurel Gibson stands in front of her piece titled, “Oh Yeah”. It is a portrait of a young Louis Armstrong executed on several parallel panels. Opposite page: Laurel’s piece “Compare Lapin” is an embroidered drawing on a player-piano paper roll.
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PHOTOGRAPHy By JANET ROGERS
“That’s how I got interested,” says McIntyre. “Bihl Haus, which is about 100 years old as well, stands on the stretch of OST that followed 4 miles of the current Fredericksburg Road. To join in the celebration seemed like a natural fit for us.” Then McIntyre, who has known Gibson for a long time, remembered Gibson’s piano rolls, which date back to the same time period. “The use of player pianos peaked in the 1920s, exactly during the construction of the original road,” she added. “Everything came together nicely, and I said, let’s do an exhibit.” To develop her concepts, the artist traveled up and down the old route, visiting places, sketching and photographing monuments, road segments, old businesses and landmarks of all kinds, while also interviewing the locals wherever she went. But this landscape was already familiar to her. An Arizona native, Gibson remembers going with her family to visit the Nogales area on the border, home of ghost towns and mining camps as well as splendid old Spanish mission churches such as the nearby San Xavier del Bac, which impressed young Laurel with its colorfully decorated interior. “It was like walking into a painting,” she recalls. More recently, Gibson, her sister and their mother took a train-andcar trip down to Florida to visit Disney World, traversing a sizable portion of OST’s territory. She sketched away during the entire journey, and it was those images that she showed to Kahl when they first met. As a result, the two women immediately connected as kindred spirits. “I like this meridian of the United States; it’s been part of my life all along,” said Gibson, who was named OST100’s official artist. “This is the trail that kind of defines me.” Gibson also attended the 2015 meeting of OST100 supporters in Mobile, Ala., to learn more about the centennial plans and will address the same gathering this year to talk about Embroidering. And, of course, she drove along the convoluted route that the highway took through the San Antonio area, from Seguin to some fields in Boerne. There are still patches of it that can be seen here, she said, including one behind the Drury Inn near 1604 and I-10. “The subject matter has to be meaningful to me personally for me to be able to depict it for what it is and to convey why it should be remembered,” she explains. “Many of my students have never even heard of the Old Spanish Trail Highway. I feel it should be remembered. I just got inspired to go for it.”
Embroidering Will Travel As far as anyone knows, player piano rolls have never been used as ground for visual art before. Gibson’s first task was to find a way to physically stabilize the old paper while maintaining its flexibility. A jazz and blues aficionado, the artist first drew representations of jazz musicians and their instruments. At the time of this writing a couple of those panels were hanging in her studio, designed to depict the history of jazz along vertical lines. A large, remarkable portrait of the young Louis Armstrong, titled Oh, Yeah, was smiling at us from another wall. Jazz is yet another element that fits perfectly into the OST story, as the genre flourished during the 1920s and ‘30s. On another wall stood a very different image, however, showing a large figure of a praying Virgin Mary overseeing the entire OST landscape represented by smaller human figures and the outline of the OST pathway. After drawing her images with color pencils, Gibson embroiders certain parts to give them more presence and texture by guiding her needle through the paper’s existing perforations, turning “musical notes” into “visual music.”
Other themes with ties to the time period, such as Prohibition-era secret partying and romance in The Great Gatsby style, were captured on other panels. What’s additionally interesting about these pieces is that, though some images are drawn on a single paper panel, the Armstrong portrait and the Virgin Mary work encompass multiple parallel panels that retain a measure of free motion even while just hanging on the wall. Intentional or not, it’s a nice touch. The entire project was made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Texas Commission for the Arts. To expand the impact of the show, a series of special events has been planned throughout November and December and beyond, including player piano demonstrations, period jazz performances, workshops and panel discussions on period themes such as fashion and transportation. “I think holistically about our shows,” said McIntyre, “and this show will reach so many different audiences. It’s a show that has legs.” Indeed. McIntyre is planning to turn Embroidering the Old Spanish Trail into a traveling exhibit that will visit towns and cities along the OST over the next decade. As for Gibson, who holds art degrees from Arizona State University and UTSA, this is her biggest project so far. Known primarily as a ceramicist, she has had solo shows at the McNay, the Children’s Museum and at the Semmes Library in recent years, but this project is definitely the most challenging. “It’s really exciting for me as an artist. I am learning more with each piece, but I have no clue what people expect to see,” she said with a slightly nervous laugh. To which McIntyre calmly responded: “They will be blown away.” november/december 2016 | 113
An introduction to encourage support of professional women from across San Antonio
WOMEN IN BUSINESS DIRECTORY W
FELECIA ETHERIDGE
Chief Customer Engagement Officer — CPS Energy Felecia Etheridge recently relocated to San Antonio to bring her 30+ years of experience in the energy industry to CPS Energy customers. She is ready with enthusiasm and extensive knowledge to serve the local community. “Through CPS Energy’s People First commitment, we are vigilantly focused on our customers. Customers are our beacon that keep us laser focused on building brand and earning loyalty with high service standards and excellent execution. My role is to ensure that we meet our commitment by delivering intentional, consistent, and exceptional experiences to our customers and communities so that we are a company that customers and communities alike trust and want to do business with,” she said. Felecia started her career performing energy audits, handling high bill complaints and energy efficiency inspections. She read meters, worked in walk-in centers, and did new customer engineering – she even worked on a line crew! In addition to all of this, she has been responsible for IT, call centers, meterto-cash operations, marketing, customer intelligence, sales, regulatory affairs, and key account management. Two of the most interesting responsibilities in her career were leading a team that helped design the competitive Texas Retail Electric market, and serving as a general manager for customer engagement in Australia. She has a BBA from Texas A&M and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. She is beyond qualified to meet all challenges that arise in energy service. Though working hard, Felecia still takes time to enjoy the cultural diversity of San Antonio. “On any given weekend, I can go to a play, a basketball game, a festival, have Greek, Mexican or German food. What could be better? I also enjoy the community feel that is here while at the same time having opportunities of a big, vibrant city,” she said. Look for her to be out and about, enjoying the sites, but also working diligently to make sure all energy needs are met through CPS Energy.
Energy Felecia Etheridge CPS Energy 145 Navarro San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 353-4385 fetheridge1@cpsenergy.com cpsenergy.com
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W WOMEN IN BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Consignment Bygones Fine Furniture Consignments 3615 Broadway 210-828-1424 2211 N.W. Military Highway Suite 107 210-348-1919
Tiffany Taylor Searls
Owner, Bygones Fine Furniture Consignments As a young girl I grew up playing in my mother's furniture consignment store in Fort Worth. I never dreamed that some day she would move to San Antonio and start another store and that I would fall right into her footsteps. However, after graduating from college, that's exactly what I did! It was an easy decision for me. I knew this would be the perfect profession for me since I love design, working with the public, and best of all, working beside my mother every day. Sadly, mother passed away two years ago. Luckily my brother had joined our partnership, and for the two of us, it’s a great feeling to know we are carrying on her legacy. I truly love what I do and cannot imagine doing anything else. It's so rewarding to help people find exquisite pieces for their homes. I get to preview beautiful homes and select a variety of wonderful pieces for the store. Getting it picked up and placed takes a lot of energy and I couldn't do it without our amazing staff. Three years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and failure was not an option for me. I knew I had to beat this not only for myself, but also for my husband and my two young boys. I learned that I have to live every day to the fullest since we are never promised tomorrow. Before my diagnosis, I missed many of my boys' games from a sense of responsibility to be at the store. Now I realize that those are memories lost, so I am at every game. I travel more, spend more time with family and friends and don't sweat the small stuff. I give God all the credit for my complete healing and for all the many blessings he has bestowed on me. Life is a gift so I choose to pour my heart into it every day.
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LEESA HARPER-RISPOLI
President, Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® When D’Ann Harper opened her first brokerage in 1986, she couldn’t have known the lasting impression it would make on Texas real estate. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® grew from just 18 Sales Agents to over 350 as of October 2016. Based on the foundations of trust, innovation and partnership, the CBHarper brand has truly grown into a local real estate leader. Named one of the Best Places to Work by both the San Antonio Express News and the San Antonio Business Journal for numerous years, Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® embodies a unique culture of family. Leesa Harper-Rispoli, President of Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS®, has been ever present watching the company her parents built blossom. The growth Leesa and D’Ann have worked hard at cultivating in their “CBHarper Family” business is the product of both compassion and passion for empowering those around them to achieve success. Among the first of its graduates, Leesa Harper-Rispoli mastered the Ascend Executive Leadership Program. Exclusive to Realogy, of which Coldwell Banker is a subsidiary, the program is available to brokerage owners in helping participants lead their respective companies into the future. Budge Huskey, former president and CEO of Coldwell Banker, LLC, said of Leesa’s achievement, “I am deeply proud that D’Ann Harper had the foresight to send Leesa Harper Rispoli to a program that is purely focused on helping participants master the competencies needed to be the leader of a real estate brokerage company in the future.” On the trail blazed by her mother before her, Leesa truly believes in the vision to provide services that exceed the expectations of esteemed clients and business partners. Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® lives its ongoing mission to incorporate innovation, trust, and partnership into all aspects of the daily business. This means, continuing the legacy of supporting various causes and charities throughout the year, with organizations such as Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, Habitat for Humanity and Any Baby Can of San Antonio. As a leader in the real estate industry Leesa Harper-Rispoli plans to carry her family name into a vastly successful future. Making Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® a family affair has built a sense of trust and partnership both in the community and through the employees who value being a part of it.
Realtor Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® 18756 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 301 San Antonio, TX 78258 210-483-7004 lrispoli@cbharper.com www.cbharper.com
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W WOMEN IN BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Attorney LaHood & Calfas PLLC 1924 N. Main Avenue San Antonio, TX 78212 210-212-6969 LaHoodLaw.com Like us on facebook
Robbie L. Ward
Attorney at Law, LaHood & Calfas PLLC Born in West Texas, Robbie Ward learned early the importance of strong family values and a strong
work ethic. Upon graduation from college, she moved to San Antonio to attend St. Mary's University
School of Law. The internship she began in Law School became her first full-time job as a lawyer in the Bexar County District Attorney's office. Because of her hard work, intelligence and skills as a trial
lawyer, she was quickly promoted to a high ranking Felony Prosecutor in the family violence division. While at the District Attorney's office, she was recruited by the United States Attorneys office. She
worked as a Federal Prosecutor for over a year before becoming the First Assistant in the Ector County
Attorney's office. After two years as the second in charge of the Ector County Attorney's office, she
returned to San Antonio. Now in private practice with the premier law firm of LaHood & Calfas PLLC,
Robbie is blazing a trail in her representation of those in-need of criminal defense, family and personal injury matters. Robbie is very experienced in both state and federal court, and well respected
throughout the legal community.
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CYNTHIA LEE CCIM, GRI
Commercial Realty
An award-winning licensed real estate Broker for KW Commercial, Cynthia Lee, is among an elite 7%
who holds the CCIM designation, Certified Commercial Investment Member. CCIMs are recognized as
leading experts in commercial real estate with advanced knowledge in financial and market analysis.
With this expertise, Cynthia specializes in office and retail tenant representation and carries the pres-
tigious title of Director of Real Estate for two national brands including San Antonio-based Massage
Heights. In addition to franchising and group real estate management, Cynthia has a team in place to handle all commercial real estate transactions both locally and nationally while maintaining her com-
mitment to excellent communication with the client.
Cynthia gained experience as a commercial real estate broker while working for Transwestern, one of
KW City View Keller Williams Realty Licensed Broker Associate #0607833 M: 210.386.8148 O: 210.630.6100 cynthialee@kw.com
the top commercial brokerages in the country. Cynthia transitioned to KW Commercial to practice both
commercial and residential – a synergy she believes is critical. She knows where consumer growth is
happening and further enhanced her residential knowledge by earning the top residential designation,
GRI, Graduate Realtor Institute.
Cynthia’s background includes 16 years as a television news anchor and reporter for KABB-TV in San
Antonio. She currently serves on two boards: Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (City of San Antonio) and CCIM San Antonio. She is a Leadership San Antonio alum and was recently featured
as a top Broker in the June 2016 issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
Cynthia is a mother to a four-year-old daughter and in her spare time, is a certified kickboxing and
boot camp instructor for two local gyms and plays the piano. Cynthia grew up in Seguin, Texas and is a
graduate of SMU in Dallas, Texas.
november/december 2016 | 119
W WOMEN IN BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Estate Sales Professional Estate Sales, LLC 900 NE Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78209 210-826-7653 www.professionalestatesales.com
PEGGY CALHOUN, ISA & JOY CURNUTT Thanks to the families and clients that have used our services. This past year was a record year for Professional Estates Sales. Our estate and downsizing sales made these transitions easier with professional assistance. We are proud to be the company “The Professionals Use”. Our A + rating with the Better Business Bureau, testimonial letters and references speak to our customers satisfaction. We have a physical office in San Antonio, Texas. Over the years, Joy and Peggy have become noted for their sensitive handling of estate property distribution. For many, needing an estate sale is a happy time with new adventures and life styles beckoning but for others, the circumstances can be sadder. Old age, death, financial setbacks and other less pleasant situations may dictate the need. Whatever, Professional Estate Sales offers not only a competent, turnkey service but, often of equal importance, a compassionate understanding which minimizes any distress generated. And, based on the countless “thank you’ letters received, this is greatly appreciated. So, the next time you need to profitably empty the old homestead, or even liquidate an entire business, in 78209 or across Texas, Peggy and Joy’s Professional Estate Sales is the go-to company because they really do know how to, from start to finish, top to bottom and A to Z, literally “clean house!”
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LINDA SMITH
CEO/President, En Su Casa Caregivers “There are only four kinds of people in the world- those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” This quote from Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter succinctly sums up the tremendous need for the type of services En Su Casa Caregivers offers. Established in 2002, En Su Casa Caregivers is a privately owned and operated in-home care agency. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, En Su Casa is dedicated to serving aging and other vulnerable people so they may receive care in their own homes. They provide services in San Antonio and westward into Uvalde, Eagle Pass, and the surrounding areas. Driven by its core values of trust, compassion, and integrity and built on word of mouth referrals, our company has shown consistent growth in its 14 years of business. “Growth is valued, but with growth also comes the task of staying true to our values and commitment to serve our clients as we would our own family. Our team members understand and respond by going above and beyond the scope of duty to deliver services,” according to Linda Smith. As a result the company has been listed every year since 2011 on the San Antonio Business Journal list of largest home care agencies. In addition, it was awarded a Fast Track Award by the Journal in 2015 for its double-digit yearly growth. Linda is a member of the North Chamber of Commerce and South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, where she formerly served on its Board of Directors. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin Better Business Bureau since 2011. Linda has also served on the private care and community care committees of the Texas Association of Home Care and Hospice and has been an active member of that organization since 2007. She is passionate about making a positive impact in other areas as well and demonstrates this through support of charitable organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Down Syndrome Association of South Texas, AFCECO, and World Vision.
In-Home Care En Su Casa Caregivers 401 S. Presa Street San Antonio, TX 78205 210-403-3210 www.ensucasacaregivers.com
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W WOMEN IN BUSINESS DIRECTORY LISA MOCHEL
Strategic Business Consultant, eEmployers Solutions, Inc. Lisa Mochel, Strategic Business Consultant for eEmployers Solutions,
Inc. (eESI). I consult with businesses to help them focus on increasing
profitability, maximizing employee productivity, assisting with employee
retention, reducing time spent in transactional human resource duties,
and reducing employment-related liability. eESI was established in 1999,
and is based in San Antonio with a national presence. eESI is a relationship
company, who wants to know our partners, and wants our partners to
know us. I enjoy working with people to help them solve their business is-
sues or challenges that keep them up at night. In today’s environment, human resource management is much more complex than ever before. We
take the burden off our partners, making certain they are compliant. I also
feel very strongly about being involved in the local community because I
love giving back.
Business Consultant eEmployers Solutions, Inc. (eESI) 12211 Huebner Road San Antonio, TX 78230 210-495-1171 lmochel@eesipeo.com
http://eESIpeo.com
DAWN LAFREEDA
Den-Tex Central, Inc. dba Denny’s Franchise Restaurants
Dawn Lafreeda, founder and CEO of Den-Tex Central, Inc., is one of the largest and most successful restaurant franchise owners in the country. Working her way up from waiting tables at Denny’s at 16, she currently owns 78 of their restaurants and employs over 3,000 in her seven-state operation. During her career, Lafreeda has been featured in numerous publications, such as Entrepreneur, Food and Drink International, and Multi Unit Franchisee, among others. She has received numerous business and service awards, including Working Woman 500’s Largest Women Owned Businesses in the Country, Denny’s Operator of the Year, the Presidential Leadership Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Denny’s Developer of the Year, the Anchor Award from Equality Texas, and the HRC Equality Award. She recently filmed a pilot for The Food Network in which she advises young restaurant owners on how to take their business to the next level. Lafreeda is involved in her local community and supports Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family Endeavors, Equality Texas, Family Equality Council, The Human Rights Campaign, and No Kid Hungry, among others.
Restaurant Den-Tex Central, Inc. dba Denny’s Franchise Restaurants P.O. Box 690730, San Antonio, TX 78269 Dlafreeda@dentexcentral.com 210-694-0707 122 | sawoman.com
www.dennys.com
TRACIE S. HASSLOCHER Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner BA, ABR, ALHS, GRI, SRS, LTG
Tracie is the sole broker owner of Hasslocher Boutique Realty, LLC. Located on Crownhill Boulevard, Tracie has sold residential, land, and farm and ranch real estate since 2005 in all areas of San Antonio, including Charlotte, Karnes City, and Hondo. Confidentiality, mutual respect and trust are qualities she strives to accomplish with every client she helps. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Residential Real Estate, Marketing and Broker Management in her spare time. She is actively involved in the SA Board of Realtors serving as Vice Chair of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Committee. MEMBERSHIPS: San Antonio Board of REALTORS® Texas Association of REALTORS® National Association of REALTORS®
Real Estate Broker Hasslocher Boutique Real Estate 8520 Crownhill Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78209 O: 210-568-9595 C: 210-863-2629
tracie@09boutique.com hasslocherrealestate.com
BROOKLYN CHANDLER WILLY JD, RFC, CDFA, Texas Financial Advisory
Brooklynn Chandler Willy, JD, RFC, CDFA is the Chief Executive Officer of Texas Financial Advisory and host of the Texas Financial Radio Show which airs on 550 AM & 107.1 FM (KTSA) every Sunday at 1 p.m. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Political Science along with a minor in Spanish. She then went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s School of Law. Texas Financial Advisory and Brooklynn’s top priority is to maintain the utmost standards of integrity and professionalism with you, the client. TFA provides the financial guidance and service to retirees and those planning for retirement that need to achieve financial independence. We are here to create, grow, protect, and preserve wealth. It’s our responsibility to evaluate and asses your financial situation and make suitable recommendations, which we do with integrity and transparency. Everyone should be planning ahead for their financial future. To schedule a time to discuss your financial future and the possible role of insurance or investments in your financial strategy, contact us at info@texasfinancialadvisory.com or call us at (210) 530-1292 today!
Financial Advisory Texas Financial Advisory 20650 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 100 San Antonio, TX 78258 210-530-1292 www.texasfinancialadvisory.com november/december 2016 | 123
W WOMEN IN BUSINESS DIRECTORY MARIA ANTOINETTA JOERIS Owner, Salon Visage
Maria Antonietta Joeris, a San Antonio native, is a salon owner and stylist, but most importantly, a wife and a mother. As a very young girl, she developed a passion for fashion and hairstyles; and her obsession with the craft helped the work come very easily to her. After cosmetology class in high school, on to intense training in New York, LA, and London at the Vidal Sasson Academy and Jingles International London, Maria was ready to open Salon Visage. The salon has thrived for the last 24 years and she was even able to add a boutique three years ago after growing a dedicated clientele who supports Maria’s dream and success. She is honored to have coiffed celebrities like Vikki Carr, Joan Rivers, Rita Moreno and former president George Bush Sr. She loves to assist the needs of those with thinning hair and offer the latest treatments, as well as, options for wigs and styling. Maria is a facilitator for the American Cancer Society and believes it is important to give back to the community she loves and serves.
Salon Owner Salon Visage 2510 N. Main Ave. San Antonio, TX 78212 210-615-8680
salonvisage.com
TIFFANY TREMONT
President and CEO, Silotech Group, Inc.
Tiffany Tremont is the President and CEO of Silotech Group, Inc. (Silotech) which she founded in 2000. Tiffany leverages her experience in the IT industry, National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Air Force and has led Silotech to be at the forefront of cybersecurity operations and training. In 2015 and 2016, Silotech was handpicked to develop, train and cultivate the next generation of cybersecurity operators for the Air Force and Army. Her company conducts cybersecurity operations for the Defense Information Systems Agency and remains on the cutting edge of cybersecurity solutions that not only impact San Antonio but also protect our nation. Her innovative and strategic leadership has been recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal being awarded the Tech Titan for cybersecurity and also receiving a CEO-C-Suite award for 2015. Just recently she was recognized by the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA) International with a Women Appreciation Award and her company has been recognized as Best Places to Work two years in a row. Additionally, her resilience and innovative solutions have boosted the company up a thousand positions in the Inc 5000.
Cybersecurity Silotech Group, Inc. 10100 Reunion Place, Ste. 250 San Antonio, TX 78216 O: 210-569-0950 M: 210-748-0707 124 | sawoman.com
www.SilotechGroup.com
Emily M. Becker, MD, FAAD, FAAP Dermatologist
Emily M. Becker, MD, F.A.A.D., F.A.A.P., is board certified in Pediatrics and Dermatology. Dr. Becker began her education at the University of Dallas, graduating Cum Laude. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Dr. Becker continued her postgraduate education completing a Pediatrics residency in New York City at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and Dermatology residency at UTHSCSA. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Becker is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American Board of Dermatology. Dr. Becker is passionate about providing the best care for diagnosing and treating skin conditions in children of all ages, adolescents and adults. Texas Dermatology and Laser Specialists proudly serves multiple generations of Texans.
Dermatology Texas Dermatology and Laser Specialists 21727 IH 10 W, Suite 202 San Antonio, TX 78257 210-829-5180
Malini Fowler,
Texasdls.com
MD, FAAD
Dermatologist
Malini Fowler, MD, F.A.A.D. is Board Certified in Dermatology. Dr. Fowler began her education at the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, Texas, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. She obtained her medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Fowler continued her postgraduate education with a general surgery internship and completed a dermatology residency at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. During medical school, Dr. Fowler was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and served as chief resident during her final year of dermatology residency. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Fowler enjoys general and surgical dermatology as well as cosmetic dermatology including Botox and fillers.
Dermatology Texas Dermatology and Laser Specialists 3320 Oakwell Court San Antonio, TX 78218 210-829-5180
Texasdls.com
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W WOMEN IN BUSINESS DIRECTORY VANESSA BESSLER Artistic Director and Founder, The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio
Vanessa Bessler is a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Panama and also performed as a guest principal dancer in companies throughout Latin America. Vanessa has studied in Panama, Panama; New York, New York; Havana, Cuba; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Milan Italy and Miami, Florida under renowned teachers including: Wasil Tupin, Angelco Yureska, Belinda Writes, Hector Zaraspe, John Magnus, Marek Cholewa and Elena Kunikova, among others. Her studies include Russian Vaganova, Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dancing methods. Vanessa is a certified teacher with the acclaimed Bolshoi Academy for all levels and earned an MBA from Barry University. She was recognized by Youth America Grand Prix with the Outstanding Teacher Award - Austin 2016 and has prepared award winners and finalists in many ballet competitions including YAGP and the World Ballet Competition.
Dance Vanessa Bessler, MBA The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio
Photography by Ash Bowie
PO Box 90008 San Antonio, TX 78209 210-540-8308
vanessa@childrensballetofsanantonio.org www.childrensballetofsanantonio.org
JUNE HAYES
June Hayes & Associates
June Hayes & Associates specializes in estate sales and appraisal services for executors, trusts, wealth management departments, and families in complicated or large estates, or simply provides solutions during difficult times. We will represent you and your family to the best of our abilities and believe that your success is our success. June Hayes, ISA AM, has been an Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers since 1995, and is the first Accredited Estate Liquidator, and to date the only accredited member, in our area. June is a member of the Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts, San Antonio museums, national collector’s groups, and has a Better Business Bureau A+ rating. Consult June Hayes for appraisals for probate, equitable distribution, estate taxes, charitable donation, insurance claims or updates, to downsize or sell. Ask about selling your jewelry, furs, couture, and designer handbags in cooperation with iGAVEL INTERIORS™ international auctions.
Estate Sales The Estate Sale Gallery at Los Patios 2015 NE Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78217 210-844-2130 126 | sawoman.com
www.JuneHayes.com
DIANE CRAIG Realtor
Diane Craig has been helping real estate buyers and sellers in San Antonio for 30 years. Recognized as a leader in her profession Diane has been awarded the San Antonio Board of Realtors Salesperson of the Year, has been a repeat PT 50 winner, and a Texas Monthly Five Star Realtor. She serves as a member on the Board of the San Antonio Blood and Tissue Center and is a member of Impact San Antonio. Diane is also chairman of the San Antonio Board of Realtors Governmental Affairs committee and is a trustee of the Texas Association of Realtors Political Action Committee. She recently received her Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation. Diane is committed to providing the highest level of professional and trustworthy service available.
KAY SPEARS,
MS, CCN Balanced Health Healing Center Kay Spears is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, proprietor of Balanced Health Healing Center in San Antonio and author of 7 Steps To A Healthy Body And A Renewed Spirit. A leading expert in the underlying causes to disease, Kay understands the emotional and spiritual connections to healing. She is a valued partner with many local doctors in the treatment of disease and the role nutrition plays in the treatments. This led to her new venture, Redbird Farmacy, embracing “Go to the Farm and not the Pharmacy,” founded on the belief of Hippocrates: Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. Redbird Farmacy is a collaboration with her Chef/husband bringing nutrient dense grab and go snack boxes, organic soups and custom meal plans to San Antonio. Come see Kay to get your personal consultation and start your new balanced lifestyle today!
Realtor
Clinical Nutritionist
RE/MAX Associates
Balanced Health Healing Center
300 E. Sonterra Blvd., Ste 1180 San Antonio, TX 78258 210-602-7015 dianecraig@remax.net
CRISTINA MORALES HEANEY
CEO, U.S. Safety Services
U.S. Safety Services celebrates its 11th anniversary in business this year. A Certified First Responder Organization with the Texas Department of State Health Services, U.S. Safety Services is a provider of first aid, medical first responder services, CPR training, and OSHA training: 10- and 30-hour classes for general industry. Select clients served include tourism, sporting and entertainment venues, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facilities, and municipalities. Dedicated to the success of all small business owners, Cristina is particularly interested in the impact women business owners have on the economy. Her dedication to women in business led to her participation in NAWBO, where she now serves as chapter President, to one of the country’s most successful chapters. She is also passionate about education and in assisting the youth of San Antonio to grow and thrive. She currently serves on the Community Board of SA Youth.
First Responder/ Safety Training U.S. Safety Services cmheaney@ussafetyservices.com 210-687-1604 www.ussafetyservices.com
16350 Blanco Road, #110B San Antonio, TX 78232 210-764-2121 info@kayspears.com www.kayspears.com
Tourism JUNE BRATCHER CEO, Founder, Daisy Charters & Shuttles
1505 E. Houston Street San Antonio, TX 78202 210-225-8600 June@DaisyCharters.com www.DaisyCharters.com
A deluxe charter coach provider with over 30 years of experience in transportation. Specializing in mass transportation locally and nationwide with 26 deluxe coaches with offices in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, TX.
Commercial Real Estate Law CINDY HILL Commercial Real Estate Law
926 Chulie Drive San Antonio, TX 78216 O: 210-225-6666 C: 210-216-1392 cindy@cindyhill-law.com
Focusing on commercial real estate acquisition/sales and contract projects, Cindy’s experience and know-how help her clients to maximize profit and efficiency. She works on contracts, leases and other documents necessary for the sale, purchase or leasing of commercial real estate property.
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W WOMEN IN BUSINESS CALENDAR November 1 NAWBO Member Orientation La Madeleine (Blanco and 410) 8:30 – 10:30pm November 2 Northside SA Chamber of Commerce SBA 8(a) Business Development Program San Antonio District Office 11:30am – 12:30pm Free/Please Register November 4 San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Gala Location TBD Reception at 6:30pm Dinner/Program at 7pm November 9 NAFE Meeting Location TBD Check-in and Networking from 11:30 - 11:45am Lunch and Speaker, 11:45am – 12:30pm Opportunity Networking, 1 – 1:30pm
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November 9 Final Salute Necessities Drive at NAFE SA Wine Wednesday Norris Conference Centers at Park North 6 – 8pm $17 for members/$22 for future members
November 18-20 Northside SA Chamber of Commerce Parker Trade Show San Antonio Event Center Friday, 11am – 6pm Saturday, 10am – 5pm Sunday, 10am – 5pm
November 10 NAWBO WMB Luncheon Petroleum Club 11:30am – 1pm
November 19-20 Northside SA Chamber of Commerce Christmas Showcase Series Freeman Coliseum Saturday, 9am – 5pm Sunday, 10am – 5pm
November 10 Northside SA Chamber of Commerce 2016 November Legislative Reception IBC Bank Medical Branch 5:30 – 8pm November 17 NAWBO EC Day Conference Our Lady of the Lake University 8:30am – 3pm
December NAWBO Holiday Special Date and Location TBD 5:30 – 7:30pm December 1 San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce Mistletoe Madness Mixer Location TBD 5:30 – 7:30pm
December 7 Northside SA Chamber of Commerce 2016 Bexar County Business Conference Freeman Expo Hall 7am – 3pm Renee Watson – (210) 335-2478 December 7 Northside SA Chamber of Commerce SBA 8(a) Business Development Program Overview SA District Office 11:30am – 12:30pm Free/Please register December 10-11 Northside SA Christmas Showcase Series McAllen Convention Center Saturday, 9am – 5pm Sunday, 10am – 5pm $6 at the door
DREAM HOME Guide
Luxury homes available for purchase in San Antonio and the Surrounding Texas Hill Country Area SanAntonioDreamHomes.com
november/december 2016 | 131
W CITYSCENE
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF
IN FULL SWING By November, the performing arts season is in full swing and itching to get into the holiday mood sooner rather than later. A great event to get us all in the spirit of celebration is Luminaria, coming up Nov. 9-12. The annual showcase of regional and national artists, dreamed up by then-Mayor Phil Hardberger in 2008, has grown from a single night of outdoor light shows and performances to a fourday festival involving 50 different art groups. All art forms are represented and then some: dance, music, performance art, poetry, photography and other visual disciplines, film and video, and all sorts of cutting-edge multi-genre fusion/experimental art. The fest changes location every year, and this time it will take place on the near East Side, in two parks — Dignowity and Lockwood, at the Carver Community Cultural Center, and on and around the Hays Street bridge. New this year is the unveiling of several “legacy” murals that will continue to adorn the neighborhood long after the fest fades into memory. It’s all free except for a few workshops and brunches with artists on the final day, all reasonably priced (www.luminariasa.org). You may not be able to see it all, but this feast for the senses and the mind should not be missed. “Come to be inspired and see the level of art that San Antonio has to offer,” says executive director Kathy Armstrong. “Come to see something new and enjoy yourself.” I second that. As we get closer to Thanksgiving and beyond, San Antonio stages will explode with dance, music, plays and musicals. To begin with, there are three professional Nutcrackers, starting with Ballet San Antonio’s new version choreographed by new artistic director Willy Shives (Nov. 25-Dec. 4; www.balletsanantonio.org). It will be followed by the Mejia Ballet International production, presented by ARTS San Antonio (Dec. 16-18, www.artssa.org), and the traveling Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at the Majestic Theatre (Dec. 26-27, www.majesticempire.com). The latter is an Americanbased company that features Russian dancers and presents a fairly different interpretation of the iconic ballet. I loved the Paul Mejia production when I saw it two years ago, but I am now the most curious about Shives’ original vision for BSA. From what I’ve seen so far, Shives is definitely leading the company to new heights.
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IRISH CHRISTMAS Courtesy ARTS San Antonio
Fun shows abound at the Tobin Center as well, including Irish Christmas (Dec. 10), another gem brought to town by ARTS San Antonio in partnership with the Tobin. It’s a family-friendly musicdance-narration spectacle featuring authentic Irish songs played on traditional instruments and dancers “who dance over brooms, on half-doors, around butter churns, into the world of mythology and out again.” Don’t you want to see that? Other interesting offerings include The Other Mozart, which tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus’ talented but forgotten sister (Nov.17); and a concert by a contemporary Mozart-like prodigy, 14-year-old Ethan Bortnick, the world’s youngest solo musician to headline his own concert tour (Dec. 2). A pianist, singer and composer, he started creating his own music at age 5. You may have seen him on TV. Now you can see him perform live (www.tobincenter.org). And don’t forget the eclectic offerings by San Antonio theaters. There are too many to mention here, but I would like to draw your attention to two companies — the Classic Theater of San Antonio and the Woodlawn Theatre — which share the same building in the Art Deco District and produce very different but always well-received shows. The former will entertain you with the delicious 18th century comedy of manners, The School for Scandal (www.classictheatre.org), while the latter is likely to please you musically and thematically with Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enduring musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, based on the Biblical story of Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, and his 11 jealous brothers (www.woodlawntheatre.org).
The Port Aransas Garden Club Proudly Presents
The 29th Annual Port Aransas Tour of Homes Saturday, January 28, 2017 The Port Aransas Tour of Homes, January 28, 2017, begins at the Port Aransas Community Center (408 N Alister) where tickets, refreshments, raffle and silent auction items are available — doors open at 8:30am. Homes on the Tour—The Port Aransas Tour of Homes 2017 features a diverse collection of homes, all located in the heart of “old town” Port Aransas. From historically significant to modern renovations to new construction to glamping, you will visit homes that showcase island living at its best! These cottages, casas and condos exemplify the life and charm of “old town” Port Aransas. This extraordinary home tour is accessible via bicycle, golf cart, vehicles or on foot. Tour Options Tour maps and brochures listing the tour homes are available at the Community Center. • Bus tours are available at 9:00 and 11:00am cost is $25.00 per person • Self-guided tours are available from 1:00 to 5:00pm cost is $20.00 per person Ticket Purchasing Options Bus tour tickets limited to 90 per tour; self-guided tickets are unlimited.
Tickets are available for purchase: • After Thanksgiving, use the website PayPal links www.PortAransasGardenClub.org • After December 15th: Susan Castor Collection, 1908 Hwy 361 Gratitude, 316 N. Station Street after December 15 • On tour day at the Port Aransas Community Center Get More Information on the Tour (or contact PAGC for an interview): • Call or text the PAGC phone at 361-332-8080 • Email portagardenclub@gmail.com • Follow us on our website www.PortAransasGardenClub.org • Visit our Facebook page /Port-Aransas-Home-Tour The Port Aransas Garden Club • Is a 501c3 corporation formed in 1964 to encourage interest in city beautification • Uses funds from fundraisers for landscaping; multiple civic projects in Port Aransas; scholarships for Port Aransas High School seniors
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DENNIS JEWELRY SERVING SAN ANTONIO
FOR 80 YEARS
For 80 years, Dennis Jewelry has been a part of the San Antonio landscape. George Dennis, longtime San Antonio jeweler and owner of Dennis Jewelry, reflects on the store’s past and future.
How did the idea of a jewelry store first begin?
parents were married for 64 years, that was a long time ago! I also
“My father’s first job, at the age of 12, was as a bicycle delivery
helped a young man with his wedding ring, and he told me he was
boy for a local jeweler. This man, a master jeweler, became my
a fourth-generation customer.”
father’s mentor and taught him the jewelry business. After World War II, my father returned home to San Antonio and opened his own shop.”
What role has Dennis Jewelry played in the story of your family heritage? “I know where we have come from. My father grew up on the west side of San Antonio. He started from the bottom. In looking back,
What separates Dennis Jewelry from the competition?
I can trace almost everything we possess and have accomplished
“We are working bench jewelers ourselves. I do gold and platinum
to the existence of Dennis Jewelry Company and to the patronage
smithing, diamond setting and all aspects of repairs and alter-
of our wonderful customers.”
ations. We have a large in-house shop and do excellent quality work. Our sales staff and support employees are committed to a quality experience for our patrons.”
Why do you believe Dennis Jewelry will continue to be around for years to come? “We fill a niche in the jewelry arena because we are full-service
What is your favorite memory from serving a customer?
jewelers and watch repairmen. We operate with the utmost in-
“I once waited on an elderly lady who told a story of my father mak-
firm where your word is your bond, and your handshake is your
ing her engagement ring while he was still single. Considering my
contract.”
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tegrity and honesty. People like doing business with a private
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W ENTERTAINING
Not Just Another Christmas Party BY PAMELA LUTRELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIS TURK
It started on a trip to New York City. Four best friends from Terrell Hills … women who had raised their children together … traveled the world together … began to discuss another Christmas. Though not in the real “tinsel town,” it was all of the tinsel and stressful gift giving which was on the mind of Linda West. “I knew of some women from Houston who decided to do something different with gift giving to their friends,” she said. So, she shared her idea with Carol Carr, Kelly Fellbaum, and Hollye Marshall and the San Antonio version of Cheers for Charity was born. NYC was five years ago, and the annual Christmas party has grown to include over one hundred of their closest friends. West said, “It is a party we gift to our friends where all of us gift back to the community and make a difference for others.” Marshall said, “Who needs another candle on the shelf or coffee cup with a message? We encourage our friends to donate to our designated group and gift it in the name of a teacher, family member or friend. Now, there is a gift which really has meaning.” Each year a different charity is designated. Friends are encouraged to make a donation to the charity in the Christmas box which greets them at the front door. In 2014, the charity was Fisher House. Just prior to the party, the San Antonio Country Club called to inform the ladies they would have to send a substitute bartender over for the evening because the one they hired had an emergency. George Frederick showed up to tend the bar and tend to their hearts with his big smile and caring ear. He had experience at both. Frederick spoke to the women afterwards and invited them to visit his own ministry, Hope House, and consider it for the 2015 party designee. 136 | sawoman.com
His enthusiasm for what he does is contagious. “We empower people,” he said. “We take the hopeless drug addicts, prisoners newly released, and prostitutes to show them how they have been gifted with talents and skills they can use positively in the marketplace. We give them hope to begin again.” With that hope, Frederick is able to take them through job and financial training and help to actually place them in local businesses. Employers will visit his classes and walk away ready to hire those who were trained. The Cheers for Charity four visited the same classes and knew they had to help Hope House. “We need donations, volunteers, clothing, household items, and so many things in order to make a difference in lives and make sure these people leave the streets for productive jobs. There’s no condemnation. We are all special and just need a support team,” Frederick said. He joyfully served as bartender again for the 2015 party guests as husbands wearing candy cane pants and Elf hats carried the trays; friends visited and caught up on family news; a neighbor stopped by with her Boy Scout clad son to make the donation, though they could not stay long; lights were twinkling; and Josh Groban singing carols over the speaker-system. But, underneath it all are four life-long friends who just want to make a difference in the world. Marshall said, “We were told a group of ladies in Dallas now want to do the same, because they heard about us. Wouldn’t that be fun if the giving continued to grow? That’s what Christmas is about.”
Hey Girls! Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies You need: 1/2 cup butter (1 stick-room temp.) 1 block of cream cheese (room temp) 1 egg 1 Box Butter recipe cake mix Powered Sugar for dipping
Note The Cheers for Charity Party in 2016 will benefit our local Believe It Foundation overseen by Andrew McCallister. Believe It! Promotes the inclusion of physically challenged children.
Beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the egg, mix again. Finally add the dry cake mix until combined. Chill for 30 minutes or more. Preheat oven to 350. Drop by teaspoonfuls in a bowl of powdered sugar, roll into balls. Bake 10-12 minutes. Makes 3-4 dozen.
november/december 2016 | 137
Calendar
W
November 25 - December 4 THE NUTCRACKER The Tobin Theater
ART // MUSIC // FILM // THEATER // DANCE // CHARITY // OUTDOORS November 4
November 6
FAMILY FLASHLIGHT NIGHT
YOSA GOLD SERIES 1 REMEMBERING BOWIE
San Antonio Botanical Garden, 6 – 8:30 pm Join us for Family Flashlight Night at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Explore the Garden at night. Find your way through the Light Maze, hear a story read aloud and view the night sky with the San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers. Be sure to bring your flashlight and a sweater in case it’s a cool night. Stay tuned for free shuttle parking information. www.sabot.org
The Tobin Center, 7pm Celebrate the legacy of David Bowie with memorials by Glass, Pärt, and Purcell, plus the world premiere of Troy Peters’ new concerto for SOLI Chamber Ensemble. This thrilling program also includes two of the world’s most popular orchestral works, the 1812 Overture and Márquez’s Danzón No. 2. www.tobincenter.org
November 4- 13
WURSTFEST Landa park, times vary Join us for a unique annual celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun. The event is located near the headwaters of the beautiful Comal River in New Braunfels. Enjoy good food, music, dancing, exciting carnival rides and games, German, Texan and domestic beer, special events and the finest in Alpine and Bavarian style entertainment. www.wurstfest.com
November 5
DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS La Villita, 5-11pm Experience the festive tradition of India that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The entertainment includes Diya floats, fireworks and Indian cuisine and crafts. www.diwalisa.com
November 6
OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN The Majestic Theatre, 7pm With a career spanning over five decades with more than 100 million albums sold, Olivia’s has won four Grammys, numerous Country Music, American Music, Billboard and People’s Choice Awards, an Emmy Award, and claims 10 No. 1 hits and more than 15 top ten singles. www.majesticempire.com
soundscape, have transformed your zoo into a holiday light display like none you've ever seen. Join the thousands of visitors of all ages this year and make Zoo Lights a part of your annual holiday tradition. www.sazoo-aq.org
November 18
AN EVENING WITH THE TEXAS GYPSIES The Brauntex Theatre An award-winning band featuring vintage jazz and swing from the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. www.brauntex.org
November 17-18
THE CHILDREN’S NUTCRACKER
November 11
The Scottish Rite Theater The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio will perform the Nutcracker. The performers are 7 ages and up and accepted into the CBSA by audition or invitation only. www.thechildrensballetofsanantonio.com
SUNDAY JAZZ AT THE WITTE
November 19-31
The Witte Museum, 1- 5pm Join us every second Sunday of the month to enjoy a relaxing afternoon listening to jazz under the pecan trees of the Will Smith Amphitheater. Food and beverages are available for purchase from Picante Grill. www.wittemuseum.org
November 18 Thru January 1
ZOO LIGHTS The San Antonio Zoo Over 300,000 environmentallyfriendly LED lights set to a musical
SEAWORLD SAN ANTONIO’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION SeaWorld San Antonio Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer leads the way to Christmas joy while making spirits brighter under the glow of five million holiday lights. SeaWorld San Antonio transforms into a winter wonderland, lighting up Texas with the largest lighted Christmas display in the state. ww.SeaWorldSanAntonio.com
November 19
LIGHT THE WAY
December 9 DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS La Villita
( EDITOR’S PICK ) November 19
ALAMO HEIGHTS OPTIMIST CHRISTMAS TREE LOT OPENS Corner of Austin Highway and Broadway for the last 57 years! Texas' largest and oldest Christmas tree lot, the Optimist Club Tree Lot will open on November 19th. Look for us in the holiday parade and join us at the lot after the parade for live Christmas music while you seek out your family’s perfect tree.
138 | sawoman.com
November 18 - January 1 ZOO LIGHTS The San Antonio Zoo
The Incarnate Word Campus, 7:30pm Join us on the UIW campus to celebrate one of the most anticipated events of the year. This year’s event marks the 30th anniversary of Light the Way and will officially kick off the holiday season in San Antonio. Guests will enjoy an evening filled with performances from fan favorite entertainers, all leading up to the flip of the switch, illuminating UIW's campus with nearly a million twinkling lights. www.lightthewaysa.com
November 19
November 24
BOERNE YMCA TURKEY TROT
RAUL JIMENEZ THANKSGIVING DINNER
Boerne Main Plaza, 8am The 5th Annual 5k/10k Turkey Trot takes place on a scenic city run. It starts on the west by the Main Plaza and follows the Old #9 trail. It will split off for the 10K. The Trail walk is a meandering mile down by the Cibolo Creek. The Turkey Trot is one of the Hill Country's top races. More than 550 registered in 2015, so register early to ensure you receive a shirt. Packet pickup and registration begin at 6:30am. The races begin at 8am. www.active.com
The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Now in its 37th year, the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner continues to provide senior citizens and the less fortunate a place to enjoy a hot and nutritious turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day. Held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in downtown San Antonio, the event invites seniors to dine at a “community dinner table,” celebrate the holiday with their peers, and enjoy live music and entertainment. www.rauljimenezdinner.com
November 19
39TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE ON BROADWAY On Broadway, 5:30pm This year’s parade will step off smartly at 5:30pm from Ogden Lane adjacent to Cambridge Elementary School. The parade will proceed south and end at Broadway and Barilla. Everyone is welcome to an after-parade party full of kid-friendly fun. The after party is located in the parking lot located on the corner of Broadway and Grove Place behind Nothing Bundt Cakes. Join us and kick off the holiday season in Alamo Heights. www.alamoheightchamber.org
November 25- December 4
THE NUTCRACKER The Tobin Center, Times vary An iconic classic with new choreography and festive costumes, featuring Tchaikovsky’s elaborate and most beloved score. Live music performed by the San Antonio Symphony. The Symphony is sponsored in part by Rotary. www.tobincenter.org
November 25
BRAUN FAMILY THANKSGIVING WITH RECKLESS KELLY The Brauntex Theatre Reckless Kelly, Mickey and the Motorcars and Muzzie Braun celebrate with a musical Thanksgiving tribute. www.brauntex.org
FOR MORE ON SAN ANTONIO ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT VISIT WWW.SAARTS.COM
NOV/DEC
2016
ART // MUSIC // FILM // THEATER // DANCE // CHARITY // OUTDOORS November 25
December 1
THE FORD HOLIDAY RIVER PARADE
LUKE WADE
The River Walk - Arneson River Theater, 6 - 9pm Watch as the holiday season is ushered as millions of holiday lights illuminate the River Walk and a parade of festive holiday floats pass by in the 35th Annual Holiday River Parade. wwwsanantonioriverwalk.com
The Tobin Center, 7:30pm Often young singer-songwriters aspire to draw a picture with words, a melodic expression of the visual, hoping to capture a single moment in time. Luke aspires to capture our journey through it - and his sophomore album, The River, speaks to a brilliant departure on that journey. www.tobincenter.org
Weekends in December
December 3-4
FORD FIESTA DE LAS LUMINARIAS
HUMANA ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SAN ANTONIO MARATHON AND 1/2 MARATHON
The River Walk, 7-10pm Experience the holiday serenity of the River Walk as you stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 2,000 Luminarias each night. This centuries old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday & Sunday only for three weekends in December. Luminarias are a traditional Mexican Christmas lantern originally consisting of a candle set in sand inside a small paper bag. Prime time to view the luminarias is on the weekends when viewers can enjoy both the lights and the Ford Holiday Boat Caroling. www.sanantonioriverwalk.com
November 27 - December 3
MARIACHI VARGAS EXTRAVAGANZA The Lila Cockrell theater, times vary An annual event taking place in San Antonio, TX, celebrating the history and cultural impact of mariachi music. The festival includes concerts by worldrenowned musicians and competitions with participants from all across the U.S. www.mariachimusic.com
Downtown San Antonio, times vary Take a running tour through San Antonio with live entertainment along the course. Then celebrate your finish with a festival, beer garden and headliner concert!. There is a new flat, fast and beautiful course to take your run through the city's rich history, diverse culture and unparalleled fun. www.runrocknroll/sanantonio
December 6-11 JERSEY BOYS The Majestic Theatre
Four Season became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. The show features the hit songs Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Rag Doll, Oh What a Night, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and many more. www.majesticempire.com
November 17-18 THE CHILDREN’S NUTCRACKER The Scottish Rite Theater
December 4
TONY BENNETT
December 9
THE DAILEY & VINCENT CHRISTMAS SHOW
The Majestic Theatre, 7:30pm Tony Bennett has introduced a multitude of songs into the great American Songbook including the chart toppers Because of You, I Wanna Be Around, The Good Life and I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Enjoy these classics and many more. www.majesticempire.com
The Brauntex Theatre The Rockstars of Bluegrass. Dailey & Vincent are one of the most exciting, reputable and elite bluegrass bands in America. Join them for this special Christmas performance. www.brauntex.org
December 6 - 11
December 9
JERSEY BOYS The Majestic Theatre, times vary Worldwide, more than 20 million people have seen Jersey Boys. And now, the show returns to San Antonio. Jersey Boys is the story of how Frankie Valli and the
BILLY JOEL The AT&T Center, 8pm Legendary musician Billy Joel will perform in San Antonio for the first time in more than seven years This will be his only Texas stop this year. Enjoy the Piano Man as he
December 9 BILLY JOEL The AT&T Center
performs his many legendary hits. www.attcenter.com
December 16 - 23
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS The Majestic Theatre, times vary A Charlie Brown Christmas became an instant classic when it premiered on television in 1965 and has only grown in popularity since then. Now it comes to life on stage as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang come to understand the real meaning of Christmas. www.majesticempire.com
December 22-23
THE SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY: HOME ALONE The Majestic Theatre, times vary A true holiday favorite, this beloved comedy classic features renowned composer John Williams' charming and delightful score performed live to picture by the orchestra. Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who's accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation www.majesticempire.com
December 3-4 THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MARATHON Downtown San Antonio
november/december 2016 | 139
W DINING
Boudro’s Texas Bistro A SAN ANTONIO HOLIDAY TRADITION By LAUREN BROWNING PHOTOGRAPHy By JANET ROGERS
W
ith holidays upon us and family and friends among us, San
pudding with whiskey sauce.
Antonio’s River Walk beckons us to return to its dazzling
Probably the most legendary item on their menu is their fresh gua-
lights, scrumptious fare, jubilant smiles and jingling bells.
camole, made tableside. Rumor has it they were making tableside gua-
At this chilly time of year, when traditions reign supreme, we the peo-
camole long before it was trendy in San Antonio.
Some of my other
ple of San Antonio relish in rounding up our blankets, zipping up our
favorite appetizers include the chile-fried Gulf oysters served on crispy
jackets and making our way down to the River Walk to delight in its
yucca chips and topped with serrano honey aioli and pineapple pico de
magical state.
gallo and the wild field mushrooms served over grilled polenta, goat
And one of the most treasured destinations along the River Walk is
cheese and roma tomatoes and chipotle-thyme sauce.
Boudro’s Texas Bistro, a haven for American Southwest cuisine for over
And the deliciousness does not stop here. Executive chef Robbie
30 years. So hop on a dinner cruise or enjoy dining by the vibrant
Nowlin and his culinary team deliver great finesse with consistency
lights, and see all this San Antonio staple has to offer.
through the entire menu. Many popular items come from their wood-
Specializing in fresh Gulf seafood, black Angus steaks and chops,
fire grill, which imparts a lovely smoky essence into these Texas-in-
the restaurant from its beginnings followed a South Louisiana theme,
spired dishes. Choose from almost every mouthwatering cut of black
hence the name. In fact, when Boudro’s opened in 1986, the original
Angus beef imaginable (prime rib, loin end cut rib-eye, filet of sirloin
spelling was Boudreaux’s. Over the years, the name changed to reflect
and flank, to name a few), or and sink your teeth into the Niman Ranch
its true South Texas identity, but the bistro continues to offer many
double-rib pork chop rubbed with chipotle chile adobo and served with
crowd-pleasing Cajun and Creole classics like duck and sausage gumbo,
a sweet potato, pineapple and chorizo hash and a stack of onion rings.
blackened Gulf fish, shrimp and grits and, of course, their famous bread
For fish fans, there’s the fresh fish of the day or Atlantic salmon cooked
140 | sawoman.com
Whether it's wood-grilled black Angus beef, or a Nimon Ranch double rib pork chop, or the fresh fish of the day, Boudro's is ready to help River Walk visitors celebrate the holidays with fine cuisine and beautiful decor.
delicately on the grill — ideal choices for anyone dreaming of having
month of December, however, reservations fill up quickly, so don’t delay.
one of their rapturous desserts, like warm winter berry cobbler and
Barges accommodate up to 20 diners for a four-course dinner lasting
vanilla ice cream, all to themselves. Boudro’s is considered one of the top River Walk destination restaurants for out-of-town tourists as well as San Antonio natives. Its suc-
about two hours. In the warmer months, cruises begin at 8 p.m., but in the cooler months, they begin at 6 or 7 p.m., depending on the day. Cost is $50 per person, not including beverage service, taxes or gratuity.
cess is built on much more than just great food. Fast, attentive and
The evening begins with guests sipping on wine, beer or one of
professional service, a substantial wine cellar with selections pleasing
Boudro’s famous margaritas. The illustrious tableside guacamole
aficionados and novices alike, and, of course, inviting surroundings on
follows, and just as the southwest caesar salads arrive, the barge
a convenient stretch of the River Walk all contribute significantly.
leaves the dock for the first part of the relaxing journey. The second
Above all, Boudro’s brings people together, giving families, groups of
part of the journey includes the main course, either the combination
friends, couples, and others the opportunity to more fully experience
plate of black Angus beef tenderloin filet and house-smoked shrimp
the River Walk together.
and Gulf crab enchilada with side of corn pudding or the grilled At-
But wait, there’s more. To further experience this expanse of downtown. discover or rediscover Boudro’s community barge dinners — the
lantic salmon with Creole mustard butter, garlic mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.
next echelon of holiday memory-making on the River Walk. While dinner
Finally, the barge docks, and guests leisurely conclude with toasted
and barge cruises can be arranged for private parties, community barge
nut brittle ice cream in a pool of hot fudge for a divine dessert. Add
dinners run all year around. Subject to availability, reservations can be
holiday lights and festivities at this time of year, and you have a unique
made as early as two weeks prior to the date requested. During the
way to savor the season in San Antonio in all of its twinkling glory.
november/december 2016 | 141
TIME EAT to
RESTAURANT GUIDE SUSHI ZUSHI
AMERICAN
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142 | sawoman.com
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528 River Walk 5800 Broadway 215 Losoya 10501 IH-10 W. 10820 Bandera 1439 E. Sonterra Blvd. 3810 Broadway 111 S. Leona 421 E. Commerce 910 S. Alamo 7915 San Pedro 14535 Nacogdoches 11523 Bandera 101 Bowie 7959 Broadway 145 E. Hildebrand 3210 Broadway 290 E. Basse, #105
224-9951 822-6151 212-0566 691-8974 684-5376 402-6006 822-3797 225-6060 226-8462 223-1806 481-4100 646-8088 558-6788 223-1000 930-8070 822-9522 824-3005 332-5149
PIZZA 2920 McCullough BARBARO 7959 Broadway BRAZA BRAVA PIZZERIA CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN 11745 IH-10 W. 255 E. Basse Rd. 7701 Broadway FLORIO’S PIZZA GRIMALDI’S PIZZA 330 E. Basse, #101 618 McCullough GUILLERMO’S MISS ELLIE’S 903 E. Bitters Rd SORRENTO 5146 Broadway 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy. TRILOGY PIZZA BISTRO VOLARE GOURMET PIZZA 5054 Broadway
320-2261 320-2100 699-4275 424-2014 805-8646 832-8288 223-5587 499-1258 824-0055 404-1818 828-3354
SEAFOOD FISH CITY GRILL FUSION SEAFOOD, STEAK LANDRY’S SEAFOOD PAPPADEAUX SEAFOOD OSTRA ON THE RIVER THE SANDBAR SILO TERRACE OYSTER BAR STARFISH WILDFISH SEAFOOD GRILLE
18130 Hwy. 281 N. 11703 Huebner Road 517 N. Presa 76 N.E. Loop 410 212 W. Crockett 200 E. Grayson 22211 IH-10 West 709 S. Alamo 1834 N.W. Loop 1604
495-3474 694-4201 527-1845 340-7143 396-5817 212-2221 698-2002 375-4423 493-1600
SOUTHWESTERN CALIZA GRILL CANYON CAFE FRANCESCA’S AT SUNSET ORO RESTAURANT AND BAR
420 W. Market 225 E. Basse 16641 La Cantera Pkwy. 705 E. Houston
224-6500 225-0722 558-6500 225-5100
STEAKS 222-2362 877-0600 691-8827 495-2233 222-0561 494-0561 225-5550 225-6718 930-9393 545-6965 695-8302 490-8302 225-9444 479-8765 224-9835 340-1337 824-4231 733-0621 342-8981 497-8000 227-7140 732-6017 341-5424 225-1262
Chama Gaucha 18318 Sonterra Place San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 564-9400 ANTLERS LODGE THE BARN DOOR BOLO’S ROTISSERIE GRILLE FLEMING’S GREY MOSS INN KIRBY’S STEAKHOUSE LITTLE RHEIN STEAKHOUSE MORTON’S STEAKHOUSE MYRON’S STEAKHOUSE J. PRIME STEAKHOUSE THE PALM PERRY’S STEAKHOUSE RUTH'S CHRIS
9800 Hyatt Resort Dr. 8400 N. New Braunfels 9821 Colonnade 255 E. Basse Rd. 10901 Scenic Loop 123 N. Loop 1604 E. 231 S. Alamo 849 E. Commerce 10003 N.W. Military 1401 N. Loop 1604 W. 233 E. Houston 15900 La Cantera Pkwy. 7720 Jones Maltsberger 600 E. Market Street
520-4001 824-0116 691-8888 824-9463 695-8301 404-2221 225-1212 228-0700 493-3031 764-1604 226-7256 558-6161 821-5051 227-8847
ENHANCE YOUR LISTING!
Call (210) 826-5375 for more information. november/december 2016 | 143
W WOMEN ON THE MOVE Jennifer Duplantis Jennifer Duplantis is now director of marketing for KM Builders and will lead the marketing and branding effort for the firm. Working with general manager Keith Moehle, she will establish and guide the strategy for marketing, public relations, advertising and external communications. Duplantis attended Texas A&M University.
Leticia N. Love Leticia N. Love has joined the KFORDgroup, working in the areas of tax preparation for individual, estate, corporate and partnership returns. She will also be involved in tax research and planning, bookkeeping and other areas of accounting. Love earned her degree in accounting from UTSA. Experienced in bookkeeping, she has prepared corporate, state and local tax returns for various industries. Love transitioned to public accounting after 15 years of working on the corporate side.
Jennifer Roland Jennifer R. Roland has joined Alamo Heights Independent School District as director of athletics. She was previously director of athletics for Lubbock Independent School District and served as assistant athletic director for Wylie ISD and head volleyball coach at Haltom and South Hills High Schools in Fort Worth. At McPherson College. she was head volleyball coach, assistant athletic director, director of intramurals and assistant professor of physical education. Roland earned a master’s in sports administration from Florida State University and a B.S. in physical education from McPherson College.
Alexis Santangelo Alexis Santangelo has joined Alamo Heights Health & Rehabilitation Center as Elite Patient Care (EPC) nurse practitioner. An adult/gerontological nurse practitioner. she served an internship at The Cleveland Clinic, starting out on a certified stroke and neuroscience unit and later working on an A.C.E unit (Acute Care for the Elderly). She has been an RN for four years and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Akron. She is a member of the Honors Society of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Sujata Venkateswar Sujata Venkateswar, CPA, has joined the KFORDgroup. She is also a certified valuation analyst (CVA) from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. With more than 20 years of experience, she is qualified to prepare business valuations for sale, gift tax, S Corporation conversion, shareholder buyout and divorce purposes. Venkateswar earned a master’s in business administration from UTSA in 1992 and later taught accounting at Our Lady of the Lake University.
Emily Stewart, MD Texas Dermatology and Laser Specialists welcomes Emily Stewart, MD, to the practice, seeing patients at both the Oakwell Court and Dominion locations. Before joining the group, Dr. Stewart was a dermatology resident and co-chief resident at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. She previously completed an internal medicine internship at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville and received her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Mich., her hometown.
144 | sawoman.com
Weddings W
Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Aluyen (Kelly Niemiec) June 10, 2016
Paul Overstreet/Overstreet Photography
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foster (Sarah Elizabeth Sorenson) October 15, 2016
Monica Roberts Photography
Mr. and Mrs. William Gilchriest (Holly White) October 7, 2016
Monica Roberts Photography
Kurtis Kronk Photography
Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Scott Saunders (Andrea Nichole Blem) October 8, 2016
Candace Schaddelee/Rememory Photography
Mr. and Mrs. Neel Patel (Monica Vaghela) July 10, 2016
Candace Schaddelee/Rememory Photography
Mr. and Mrs. James Hill (Amanda Berry) April 12, 2016
november/december 2016 | 145
W LOOKING BACK
Photo credit: Humanities Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin.
1926 Will Rogers giving off-the-cuff talk, October 30, 1926, in San Antonio, Texas.
146 | sawoman.com