The Dominion Magazine by Schooley Media Ventures, LLC

APRIL 2015

A PUBLICATION OF:

THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS THE DOMINION MAGAZINE | THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

APRIL 2015

John & Beth Senneff lay the foundation as the first residents of The Dominion

WELCOME 14

travel 46

THE CLUB

TENNIS 52

CALENDAR 16 CLUB HAPPENINGS 18

FROM THE HOA 24

COVER 34

HOME TOUR 56 Coastal French

GOLF 62

STAFF PROFILE 26

Community Interest 66

This issue we talk with server/bartender, Sean Ianno

Fiesta For a Cause

Student spotlight 28

catering & events 30 The Dominion Women’s Forum

volunteer 68

Reptile Rescue, Lobello & Cancer Treatment and Research Center

social group 72

Dominion’s history 42

Jr. Golf & Tennis Club

realtor 76

72 T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

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8 Whitechurch

Traditional Renaissance Style Stucco home on a corner lot in the Dominion! Luxurious open floor plan with elegant crown molding! Brilliant Refinished Hardwood Floors. Spacious gourmet island kitchen complete with solid countertops and stainless steel appliances. Expansive living spaces and secondary bedrooms enhanced with relaxing fireplaces located throughout the home! Extended Gameroom with access to private balcony perfect to enjoy coffee or glass of wine! Backyard highlighted by absolute privacy, covered patio, mature trees and a sparking pool/spa perfect for outdoor entertainment. $799,000

14 Kings HeatH

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APRIL 2015 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4

PUBLISHED By SMV Texas Design Group, LLC 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006 210-507-5250

SMV TEXAS DESIGN GROUP, LLC CEO/PRESIDENT Benjamin D. Schooley ben@smvtexas.com OPERATIONS MANAGER Kristine Duran kristine@smvtexas.com

Welcome TO

the Dominion Magazine Dear Reader, Spring has finally arrived! Although it seemed that winter was going to last forever, we did fare much better than our friends and family living in the mid-west and northeast. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of The Dominion. In this issue we talk to the Senneffs, Dominion’s first residents. I think you will enjoy reading about their experiences living here. We also have our first history installment about the property that became The Dominion. We will have the first of our anniversary celebration events on Sunday, April 12. It is tied in with our Fiesta Party hosted by the HOA and the Dominion Country Club. This is a party you don’t want to miss – there will be lots of fun and a few surprises! The Dominion HOA annual meeting and Board election will be held on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dominion Country Club. This is your opportunity to get an update from The Board, learn where your HOA fees are spent and elect new Board members. We will have plenty of time to answer any of your questions. We will have dessert and a cash bar available after the formal meeting, providing an opportunity for informal discussion with Board members. Hope to see you there!

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Benjamin Weber ben.weber@smvtexas.com ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kayla Davisson kayla@smvtexas.com

THE DOMINION HOA OFFICE 20 Dominion Drive San Antonio, Texas 78257 (210) 698-1232 | www.dominionhoa.com

The Dominion Magazine is published by Schooley Media Ventures in Boerne, TX. The Dominion Magazine and Schooley Media Ventures are not responsible for any inaccuracies, erroneous

Jeff Lewis, Chairman Dominion Homeowners Association

information, or typographical errors contained in this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of

FOr Advertising opportunities call 210-507-5250 14

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april 2

Supper Club 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Program and Dining 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. “Viva Las Vegas “ a night filled with 50s and 60s music with Women’s Forum favorite Tony Wilson providing the sounds of Elvis Presley. If you wish, wear your Rock and Roll clothes and come on to the club. An elegant buffet, happy hour priced drinks and a fun program await you! Join us this month! Supper Club is a great way for the Club’s newest members to meet existing Club members! $25.95 per person RSVP to 210-698-3364

Women’s Forum Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Join the Forum and join the Fun! The ladies get together monthly for a fun program and lunch. The Women’s Forum is a great avenue for meeting the ladies of your Club! The speaker this month is Sheriff Susan Pamerleau, our first woman sheriff.

Easter Sunday Brunch 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. A traditional and elegant holiday brunch for the entire family! The Easter Bunny will be here for photographs, which may be charged to your Member account! $39.95 Adults, $14.95 Children 4-11 RSVP to 210-698-3364

history club 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. The Cold War. Keep your mind sharp and engaged and join History Club!

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HOA-Country Club Fiesta Party 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Fiesta, Fajitas & Floats! Enjoy activities for the kiddos, awesome music and the company of your fellow Dominion friends! In the spirit of community pride, this event is a partnership between the Country Club and the HOA.

Photo SA Camera Club 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Learn a new aspect of photography each month! Cost is $10 per class, charged to your Member account. Please RSVP to http://www.meetup.com/PhotoSA/

Women’s Forum Annual Gala 6:30 p.m. The Dominion Women’s Forum spring gala, An Enchanted Evening in the Tropics, will be a fabulous not-to-be missed event! Catrina Kendrick, this year’s Gala Director and a sponsor, has designed an incredible evening for us. If you want to reserve a seat or possibly reserve a table, please contact Carole Minton via email, caroleminton@satx.rr.com or by phone, (210) 789-9482. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monthly sunday brunch 11:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m. Traditional, elegant and definitely a culinary treat for the entire family! Standout Selections include: Omelet Station, Prime Rib Carving Station, Shrimp Cocktail, Fresh Fruit Display, Blintz with Berry Sauce, Roasted Red Potatoes, Smoked Salmon Display, Chef selection of breakfast and entrée items, and Pastry Chef Judy’s fabulous dessert extravaganza! $26.95 Adults $12.95 Children 4-11 RSVP to 210-698-3364

Every Tuesday

Every Wednesday

Every Thursday

Every Friday

Yoga for Every Body at the Cabana 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Yoga for Every Body: This gentle yoga series is designed for beginning students, those familiar with yoga and moderately active seniors. Standing, sitting and lying down postures. $15 per class RSVP to 210-698-2288

Morning Flow Yoga at the Cabana 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Morning Flow Yoga: Energize your morning with Yoga. The invigorating flow of breath and movement will rejuvenate your whole body and send you into your day feeling strong and balanced. All levels welcome. $15 per class RSVP to 210-698-2288

Men’s Bible Study 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. This group meets every Thursday in the Piano Lounge. Stop by this week!

Athletic Yoga at the Cabana 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 a.m. Athletic Yoga: Designed for the athlete in all of us, this series will improve balance, injury reduction and faster recovery for all regardless of skill, level or sport. Moderately active. $15 per class RSVP to 210-698-2288

The Dominion Rotary Club 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This international service group meets at The Dominion every Tuesday

Women’s Bible Study 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The ladies get together every Wednesday in the Wine Room. Stop by this week!

Burger Night in the Grille 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Delicious, cooked to order and just $5! Treat the family, invite friends! RSVP to 210-698-3364

Stretch & Lengthen Yoga at the Cabana 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Stretch and Lengthen: A nonphysical and non-strenuous practice designed specifically for healing, decompression and mental relaxation. Athletes and those who carry any kind of stress within the body, and are tight and tense as a result, will benefit tremendously by attending this class. All levels welcome. $15 per class RSVP to 210-698-2288

Vinyasa Flow Yoga at the Cabana 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Vinyasa Flow: Active, flowing style yoga class proven to improve strength, cardiovascular health and flexibility. Moderately active. $15 per class RSVP to 210-698-2288

Friday Night Happy Hour 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Kick off the weekend with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and 1/2 priced cocktails with your fellow Dominion Members and Guests! Prime Rib Night in the Grille 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Bountiful and delicious! $21.95 per person RSVP to 210-698-3364

Yoga Basics Class at the Cabana 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Yoga Basics: Offered at a slower pace, this class focuses on the basics of yoga, breathwork and movement. Great for beginners. $15 per class RSVP to 210-698-2288 Pasta Night in the Grille 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Gourmet and cooked to order! Enjoy with salad and bread for only $14.95 per person, 12 and over. KIDS 4-11 EAT FREE! RSVP to 210-698-3364

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board of governors annual a p p r e c i at i on dinner

The Dominion Country Club wishes to express a heartfelt thank you for the time, dedication and support of the 2014 Dominion Board of Governors, led by Chairman Jimmy LeDoux. Past Chairman Craig Newâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and At-Large Member Mike Faustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terms expire this year and both will be sorely missed. Thank you both for valuable time served to your Club!

THE

DOMINION CountryClub Happenings

A p r i l 2015

A NIG H T AT T H E RACES - DO M INION DERB Y NIG H T ! What a fun night of horse racing, dice, roulette and blackjack all for amazing prizes! Although “just for fun,” everyone came to win and we think the hats were not only gorgeous but brought great luck!

the dominion women’s golf a s s oc i at i on The Dominion Women’s Golf Association kicked off a busy upcoming season with a St. Patrick’s Day happy hour mixer! All lady golfers were invited as an opportunity to learn more about the game of golf and to get better acquainted.

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All Committee Update By Rob McDaniel, general manager of the dhoa

The Neighborhood Outreach Committee (NOC) is working hard on several upcoming special events. These include the New Residents Social, scheduled for Thursday, April 9th at The Dominion Country Club. The NOC is also planning a Mariachi 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, April 11th, as well as a Fiesta Celebration on Sunday, April 12th at the Pecan Grove. All residents are encouraged to participate in the events. The Development Committee continues to work with the developer of Dominion Hills on this project. The committee is also working to update the capital asset repair and replacement plan, which includes the roads, bridges, walls and other common elements. They are also working with SAWS on completing the new pump station and reviewing plans to extend Via Aragon and Avila. The Security Committee is currently reviewing force structure to maximize security posture and coordination with SAPD. A proposal is under review to update the video security system at the Main Gate and install video security systems at the North and South Gates. The Chief is also preparing the Physical Site Survey for 2015. They are also currently preparing a new Patrol Vehicle for the community. G4S has 24

A p r i l 2015

implemented the Community Contact Officer position to streamline resident calls to one source and speed up processing of guests and contractors at the gates. This officer can be reached by calling the main security dispatch number of (210) 698-0041. G4S has also implemented a new resident procedure for Contractor access. The Landscape Committee has been very busy planning upcoming projects for the spring. As you drive around the community, you may notice that High Crescent island and Brenthurst mail kiosk were just renovated with new plant material and irrigation. The next project that the committee will tackle is several areas along the main thoroughfares of Dominion Drive, Brenthurst and Ambassador Lane. Some areas will receive plant material to fill in gaps in the landscaping bed or a complete new design.

UPCOMING HOA EVENTS Landscape Committee Meeting Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 a.m.

development committee meeting Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30 a.m.

Neighborhood Outreach Committee Meeting Tuesday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m.

Finance Committee Meeting Thursday, April 16 at 1:00 p.m.

security committee meeting Tuesday, April 21 at 9:00 a.m.

Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, April 22 at 4:00 p.m.

Architectural Control Committee Meetings Thursday, April 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th at 4:30 p.m.

New Resident Patio Party Thursday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Terrace at The Dominion Country Club Please join us for food, drinks, and activities for the kids. New residents who have moved in over the last six months are invited to attend.

Mariachi Dash 5k/10k Walk/Run

HOA Annual Meeting

Saturday, April 11 Race day registration from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Races begin at 8:00 a.m. with the Kids’ ½ mile Run www.mariachidash.com The Dominion residents receive free race registration! Call HOA office for race code. T-Shirts on sale through the website. T-Shirts not guaranteed on race day.

Wednesday, April 15 from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. The Dominion Country Club Members of the HOA are invited to attend the annual meeting of the Association. New Board members will be elected

Fiesta Party Sunday, April 12 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. The Pecan Grove Join fellow Dominion residents, Fiesta Royalty, and San Antonio Dignitaries as we kick off Fiesta with a little Dominion flair! We’re celebrating our 30th Anniversary with food, fun, music, Mariachis and a golf cart decorating contest! You won’t want to miss this exciting event!

Bark in the Park Saturday, May 23 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Duxbury Park Bring your furry friend out for a fun-filled day at Duxbury Park!

Memorial Day Open the Pool Party Monday, May 25 from 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Pool at The Dominion Country Club Tons of fun in the sun! Kick off the summer with a splash! Charges apply. RSVP required to 210-698-3364.

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Sean Ianno

STAFF PROFILE

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TITLE: Server/Bartender, former starting field goal kicker for UTSA wHometown: Pflugerville, TX education: University of Texas at San Antonio- BBA in Sport, Event and Tourism Management How long have you been with The Dominion? I have been with The Dominion since February, 2013. What is your favorite aspect about working at The Dominion? My favorite aspect of working at the Dominion Country Club has to be the people. My coworkers and especially the members make it an enjoyable place to work and not a place that I dread going to every day. With all the different events and weddings we have, plus working most weeknights in the dining room, I get a variety of duties that keep me from doing the same thing every day. What are your hobbies and interests? Before I graduated in December, 2014, most of my time was taken by football. I was the starting field goal kicker for UTSA and I handled the kickoff duties as well. Being a full-time student-athlete with a job left very little time for hobbies, so when I did get some free time I would just relax with my friends or catch up on sleep. After graduation, I have become more of a full-time employee at The Dominion, mostly working night shifts to give me time in the morning to work out and get ready to try out for the NFL. Although I’m not required to get up at 5:00 a.m. every day like I have for the past 5 years, I still keep myself busy with work and preparing for the biggest job interview of my life: NFL tryouts. What’s your favorite sport? Of course I have to say football! Soccer was my first love but I never enjoyed watching it, only playing. After I started kicking my senior year of high school, it was all over from there. Now I can’t imagine not being a football player. Definitely not something I’m ready to give up yet.

Favorite quote? “Don’t let your successes go to your head and don’t let your failures go to your heart.” Favorite movie and why? My favorite movie would be the whole Dark Knight series but especially The Dark Knight; the one with the Joker. Heath Ledger’s acting was incomparable and the movie keeps you on edge the whole time. I went to see it in theaters 3 times and by now I pretty much have every line memorized. What has been your greatest challenge in your business? The greatest challenges I have to face at The Dominion come from when someone doesn’t show up to work, when something goes wrong in the kitchen, or any mistake that I make like forgetting something a member asked me for. I care a lot about giving good service and I am very critical of myself because I know the members pay a lot of money to belong to this Club, and the amount of money I make in tips is based on the quality of my service. I always do my best and I hate being in situations in which my best is not good enough so I’m not afraid to ask coworkers or my manager for help. I am very fortunate to have great coworkers that feel the same way about service quality. What has been your most rewarding experience in your business? The most rewarding experience I have had from this job is all of the friendships I have made with my coworkers and of course, the members. I get asked every day how my training is going and if I have heard anything about an NFL team being interested in me or what my plans on for my future endeavors. Like I said before, the members make my job enjoyable and I have become good friends with quite a few of them. Favorite aspect or feature at The Dominion? Good pay, flexible hours, nice coworkers and great members make The Dominion a very enjoyable place to work. I couldn’t ask for anything more in a part-time job and I only hope my career has a work environment as nice as this one.

Favorite sporting event you’ve attended? Without a doubt, my favorite sporting event I’ve ever attended was UTSA’s inaugural football game in 2011, and the only event that will ever take that spot is if I play in a Super Bowl. I was on the team when we first started the program in the Fall of 2010 when we had no games, the only fans were our parents, and UTSA football was nothing but a dream. After a full year of working extremely hard with nothing to play for, we were blessed to come out to fireworks and the applause of over 57,000 fans. The feeling we had when we came out of the tunnel that day was indescribable; I still get chills just thinking about it.

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Miguel is 15 years old. He is a freshman at TMI High School where he is a member of the TMI Varsity Golf team. He enjoys going to the driving range after school to work on his game. Miguel started playing golf at a very young age. He has played Junior USPGA tournaments and his goal is to play competitively again. In his free time, Miguel enjoys visiting with friends, racing go karts, working out and listening to music. He is currently working on his Eagle Scout project. Miguel has many interests: commercial real estate, financial banking and mechanical engineering. When it’s time to select a University, he doesn’t want to go too far from home.

Isabela is 13 years old. She is a 7th grader at TMI. She is a USAG competitive gymnast. Isabela has been in gymnastics since she was four. Being on the team has been challenging, but she has learned to manage her time between school work and gymnastics. Isabela is also part of the Tennis team at TMI. In her little free time, she likes to spend time with friends, listen to music, work out and go shopping. Isabela aspires to attend medical school. She wants to be a plastic surgeon or a cardiovascular surgeon. Her dream is to attend The University of Florida or Rice University.

Jose Manuel is 17 years old. He attends Saint Mary’s Hall and is a junior in high school. He is a member of the Varsity soccer team and currently spends quite a bit of time preparing for the SAT and ACT. He attends regular prep courses and is taking sample tests regularly. His goal is to attend UT Austin because it is close to home, highly rated and it offers a premed program. Jose wants to attend medical school. In his free time, Jose enjoys racing go karts, working out and playing the piano. His love for piano was instilled at a very young age by Dominion resident, Mrs. Cain. His immediate goal is to earn two internships to help build up his resumè for his college application. He recently earned his Boy Scout Eagle ranking. 28

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student spotlight For Jose, Miguel and Isabela, children of Carla and Dr. Jose Ruiz The Dominion has been their only home. They have made great friends, created childhood memories and have cherished the safe environment. They were part of the summer “Dolphins” swim team every summer since they each were five years old. They also created wonderful memories at the Dominion Tennis Summer Camps. Now they enjoy playing tennis and golf and dining at the Club. The Ruiz children believe that The Dominion is a great place to live.

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By Helene DePeralta Each year the gala has a theme. In recent years, we’ve had April in Paris, ¡Viva España!, An Affair to Remember, Circus Fantasy and last year, New York State of Mind. This year’s Forum gala, An Enchanted Evening in the Tropics, will be held on Saturday, April 25 and it will be a fabulous not-to-be missed extravaganza! Catrina Kendrick, this year’s Gala Director and sponsor, and her team of professional designers are creating an incredible evening for us. To set the mood and create a fantastic photo opportunity as part of her sponsorship, Catrina is providing two magnificent indoor waterfalls measuring 5 ft. tall by 4 ft. wide, manufactured by Yosemite Home Décor. Catrina will surround these waterfalls with large palm trees and lush tropical plants and flowers. This setting will help create An Enchanted Evening in the Tropics. To ensure those photos are wonderful keepsakes, Landers Photography will be on hand to take pictures. While the attire at the gala will be formal, it would be wonderful if the men as well as the women wore tropical formal attire. For the men, a white dinner jacket would be perfect. This is certainly not required; it’s just a suggestion. For listening as well as for dancing, the wonderful eight-member Oh So Good Band will perform. An elegant and sumptuous sit-down dinner will be served at beautifully decorated tables located throughout the Club. There are two requirements, though, in order to attend: be a member of this year’s Women’s Forum and make a reservation with Carole Minton because this event will sell out. If you would like to attend and are not yet a member of the Women’s Forum, the dues are reduced each year on March 1 so it will cost only $17.50 to join the Forum for the rest of this Forum year. See Kelly Thompson at the Club to obtain a Forum membership form. If you want to reserve a seat or possibly reserve a table of 10, please contact Carole Minton now. Of course, we cannot guarantee when you call or email her that a whole table or even the number of seats you request will be still available, but if you’re interested, we suggest you try. You may reach Carole via email at caroleminton@satx.rr.com, or by phone at (210) 789-9482. 30

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The Club has a 48-hour cancellation policy for the gala. That means if you make a reservation and find you cannot attend, you must cancel no later than Thursday afternoon, April 23, or your Club account will be charged. We look forward to seeing you there!

the dominion women’s forum cordially invites you to our 2015 gala

An Enchanted Evening In The Tropics april 25th cocktails: 7:00 pm Dinner & Dancing: 8:00 p.m. formal attire $75 per person r.s.v.p. to carole minton | caroleminton@satx.rr.com (210)789-9482

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CORNERSTONE John & beth senneff lay the foundation as the first residents of the dominion By kristine duran

After leading an exciting life of business ventures and traveling, Jack and Beth Senneff settled down in Texas, becoming the first-ever residents of The Dominion. Even when they tried to leave, something about this utopian development pulled them back for good. Jack’s first taste of Texas was long before the idea of The Dominion had been conceived. It’s where he completed his pilot’s training when he was called into active duty during the Korean War, stationed in the quiet town of Hondo. He was quickly introduced to San Antonio as a nearby city to let loose with his comrades; a place that would stay on his radar for years to come. After completing 83 missions in North Korea, Jack attended Law School at the University of Iowa where he met the cheerful and energetic Beth. The two married in 1956 near the end of their education, and moved to New York City after graduation where Jack landed a job with a large law firm. The Big Apple was fun for the couple, but three children later, the Senneffs decided that raising a family in the city wasn’t ideal. With baby number four on the way, Jack and Beth packed up and headed to Michigan for Jack’s new position as a Senior Attorney for Ford Motor Company.

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Jack’s career in law was rewarding and he was thriving in his position, but the corporate life didn’t agree with a number of his personal goals. He soon left Ford to pursue his passion for writing and business, creating a venture capital magazine called New Venture Reports. “He was looking at young companies that might be a good investment. He was writing about four companies a month in his publication,” Beth says. She was completely supportive in his decision and helped him build his new business, which became very successful early on. With such a flexible business, the Senneffs were on the hunt for a new place to allow that business to flourish. So they moved their four boys to La Jolla, California. “Jack wanted to be an entrepreneur and he used his legal background to do that,” Beth explains. From there, he met other businessmen and they formed a company involving real estate and companies to invest in. Eventually Jack sold his part of the

first friend in The Dominion. “She had a big smile on her face and she was so nice; just the opposite of what I expected,” Beth remembers. So nice, in fact, that she gave the Senneffs the beautifully shaded lot she had originally chosen for herself. Once their first home was complete, they threw a large cul-de-sac party in front of their new home for all of the workers and anyone who had a slab poured in the blossoming development. “It was held the day after move-in and we let everyone go through the house. My secret was to leave all the boxes in the garage and un-pack the next day!” Beth laughs. “The workers were so excited to show their wives what they had done and it was wonderful meeting them and all of the couples that would one day be our neighbors.” The first residents of The Dominion were treated like royalty. “The guard would have to come and meet us to drive us to our house because there were no roads and we didn’t know where our house was. They would take so many pictures; they were so proud

the first residents of The Dominion were treated like royalty. business and went into real estate. “When the boys began going to college, Jack had dreams of real estate ventures in Texas so we moved to San Antonio in 1980 into Bluffview,” Beth says. The couple loved their new home and community where Beth began her first bible study; a true calling. But one grandchild turned into two and two grandchildren turned into five, so the Senneffs began looking for a larger home to accommodate their growing family. In 1983, the couple caught wind of a “risky new idea” of a development on a golf course: The Dominion. “Houses on golf courses were the thing in California, so we weren’t afraid to do this,” Beth says. “But my first reaction was, ‘I don’t want to go out to The Dominion. It’s too far out and there’s going to be a bunch of snooty people out there because the houses are going to be really big, and I’m not going to like that.’” But Jack was intrigued, so the couple made the trip up Loop 1604 to see what all of the hubbub was about. Upon pulling up to a large tent on an empty lot, the Senneffs were greeted by a sweet girl who would quickly become their 36

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to take care of the first family! They would constantly check on us and the developers would bring us wine and cheese baskets. I mean, the early days of The Dominion were really something,” Beth reminisces. It seemed like the press surrounding The Dominion was only growing once the Senneffs home was finished. The Express News published an interview and home tour of the Senneffs’ home, and a marketing video for the new development was filmed right in their residence that was used for years to follow. The neighborly camaraderie is a large factor in what kept the Senneffs in their first Dominion home for 13 years, and the early stages of the Dominion Country Club only strengthened those friendships. Before the Club was officially built in 1985, Jack remembers Club activities and a Sunday buffet taking place under a large tent. When construction on the Club began, the couple was honored to be asked to contribute an object that would be built into a cornerstone of the structure. “As usual, we were busy,” Beth says. “I was going to go to a Christian store, but everything was so far away from

“For the Dominion Belongs to the lord and he rules over the nations” psalms 22:28 rsv.

Aerial shot of the Senneff’s home - Wayne Wright (developer) home is also seen.

here so I didn’t get to a Christian store. But it was like the Lord told me, put a scripture in.” Appropriately, they chose, “For Dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations” Psalm 22:28 RSV. The Club was wonderful for their active family life. The couple played golf, the men and children played tennis, and the grandchildren were on the swim team. “We had so many children, we taught all of them to swim in our huge pool,” Beth says. “People would come down and say, ‘Beth, we can hear your whole family on the golf course!’” As all of the grandchildren started entering high school and beginning their own lives, Jack and Beth decided that it was once again time for a change of scenery. So the couple made a beeline for the relaxing Canyon Lake. “But we kept our Club membership

because I always thought we’d come back here because I couldn’t imagine going someplace else,” Beth says. Entrepreneurial Jack set out on a whirlwind of what he now deems “crazy ventures”. He created a nonfat tortilla which he introduced to HEB, created a nutritional supplement for neuropathy, wrote three books on Peripheral Neuropathy, and opened a small Italian restaurant aside from continuing his endeavors in real estate. The move to the lake proved to be conducive to his creativity, but the allure eventually wore off. “Medical appointments were difficult to make. There weren’t any restaurants out there. There wasn’t really anywhere for us to go with our friends,” Jack says. Beth adds, “The grandchildren would go out there and waterski, but then they went off to college and we were left sitting on the porch. It T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

got lonely. I just didn’t think it made sense to stay there.” So chances are it wasn’t a mere coincidence when a couple made an offer on their lake house for full price before they had even put it on the market. With no plan on where to go next, the Senneffs searched for their next abode, ending up back at the place where they had made so many fond family memories. Needless to say, The Dominion is very different now compared to the days of being guided in by guards on a dirt road. “I had no idea it would grow this much. I think I imagined larger lots and a smaller community, but I still love it,” Jack says. This year, the couple will be celebrating 60 incredible years of marriage. These days, Jack works on his garden, growing tomatoes, roses and spaghetti squash. Beth plays bridge and is heavily involved in the Hill Country Women’s Bible Study she helped build many years ago. The two also volunteer for assisted living every other week. The Senneffs are so proud to be back in the community that truly feels like home. “I was afraid to first come out, but I really think that people who do well in life are nice people,” Beth says. “We’ve been very pleased with The Dominion. The first part of Psalm 22:28 RSV says, ‘Dominion belongs to the Lord,’ and He has truly blessed our community.”

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The Dominion: Frontier Beginnings By Janet Key, dominion resident

This month marks the 30th anniversary of this beautifully master-planned community known as The Dominion. It is now home to almost 4,000 residents, a firstrate country club and a challenging 260-acre golf course. Although it seems like the land where the community stands has always been the premier neighborhood that many notable locals call home, it was only a few decades ago that the scenery was much different. Long-time Dominion resident, Janet Key has authored a multi-part series on the history of The Dominion. Look for additional articles in upcoming issues.

Toepperwein house

he Dominion as we know it started in 1981. The land purchased by Wayne Wright and some Arizona investors was approximately 1100 acres, but the history of this treasured land goes back much farther than that. We’ve had a couple of very famous owners that did not live here. In the chain of title, we find the first owner to be Anson Jones, the first president of the Republic of Texas. One of his neighbors was John W. Smith. John was the last messenger to carry a dispatch from the Alamo during the siege, and also fought in the Battle of Jacinto and helped Texas win independence. He was rewarded with a land grant that we now refer to as Camp Bullis. It is likely that Anson Jones received the Dominion property in much the same way. John Smith went on to become the first mayor of the city of San Antonio. John Smith sold part of his property to a German noble man named John O. Meusebach who was most successful in settling a number of his countrymen in the Leon Springs area. He went on to colonize the city of Fredericksburg in 1846 and is also credited with negotiating a lasting peace treaty with the Comanche Chiefs Santana, Old Owl and Buffalo Hump, thus opening up the Hill Country to colonization opportunities. A large group of German settlers settled in the area of Leon Springs around the mid 1800’s. One of the most notable was Max Aue (as in Aue Road which is the north boundary of The Dominion). Max served three tours of duty with the Texas Rangers. After his last tour ended in 1852, he was rewarded with 640 acres across IH-10 from The Dominion. He met Emma Toepperwein in 1856 and they married before opening 42

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the Leon Springs Supply Co., a general store which today is known as the Settlement Inn next to The Grill. It was a stagecoach stop, grocery store and the post office for the area. Max also served as the postmaster until 1861. The school for the area is still around and located near the north gate, on Dominion property. It’s a large stone structure with a flag pole in the front and carved on the stone over the door is the date 1859. Aue’s son, Rudy, built and operated five saloons during World War I, when the first officer’s training school was established in Leon Springs. The railroad, which went right across our front entrance, sent a carload of Pearl Beer to Leon Springs every weekend. In 1926, Rudy Jr. built the store that was originally a Texaco station and is now Rudy’s Bar-B-Que. At that point in time, the stone building that now houses Macaroni Grill and The Grill was a Dance Club known as the B29 Club and then an Ace Hardware store. Rudy’s sister, Lucille, married and ended up living in the old schoolhouse on the north end of The Dominion. Things died down after World War II and the population of Leon Springs slipped back to 37 so there was no need for the school. After Lucille’s second husband died around 1985, The Dominion Group Ltd. purchased her property and added it to the originally 1100 acres of The Dominion. Many of you may remember Lucille, as she was an early member of The Dominion Country Club. Enough about Leon Springs, let’s get back to The Dominion. When Wayne Wright and investors purchased the land, the property was then owned by the Lewis Moorman family and used as their summer getaway. It was known as Greenwood Farms, a working dairy farm that had been operated by the Lucchese family and previously by the Toepperwein family. The entrance to the farm was the low water

crossing bridge on Hole # 2 of the golf course. The farmhouse and barns were located where The Dominion Hills are now. In fact, one of the three homes that were on the farm is still there, as the Historical Society insisted they keep it. Prior to being the Moorman’s home, it had originally belonged to Adolf Toepperwein. Parts of this home are over 120 years old. Besides the main home, which had been added onto several times, was a caretaker’s home, an original homestead, a log cabin and a log barn, swimming pool and tennis courts. The home on the farm was not Adolf Toepperwein’s first home on Dominion property. The original Toepperwein homestead was located near Hole # 15 on the golf course. The date cornerstone on that home now resides in the fireplace of a home on Henly Ln. It was basically a one-room stone structure with a metal roof and a dirt floor…..how far we’ve come. Next to this home was an updated two-room version, and next to that one was a Victorian farmhouse. There was also a barn on the property that, prior to 1995, was used as restrooms for the back nine. It was also historical, but was torn down in the middle of the night before an injunction could be presented to stop it. The developer felt that it might keep them from selling the lots along the golf course in the Pavilions. The Toepperweins also had a family burial plot in the same area. The original Toepperwein that resided on the property and was buried there was born in Germany in the late 1700’s. Note, the Toepperweins may have been tenants and not actually have owned the property at that time. The most famous Toepperweins to live on The Dominion property were Ad & Pinkie. Their claim to fame came with their marksmanship skills. They worked for Winchester Repeating Arms Company and travelled the West for forty years, demonstrating their marksmanship. They both still have records in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Ad’s record was the 19,999 out of 20,000 hits that he made on handthrown wood blocks. Pinky would shoot cigarettes out of Ad’s mouth and the buttons off of his vest. Now there’s a trusting husband! Her record was 967 of 1,000 clay targets with a .22 semi-automatic rifle. In his later life, Ad worked as a cartoonist for the San Antonio Express News, ran a shooting school and taught firearm safety. The firing range for the school was probably located behind Darby Glen in the Estates of The Dominion. You can see some on Ad’s handiwork on display at the Buckhorn Hall of Horns on Commerce St. in downtown San Antonio. Ad died in 1962 after retiring from his vaudeville act. After Ad Toepperwein died, one of our most infamous owners purchased the dairy farm part of The Dominion. His name was Tom Slick. He and his brother-in-law, Lewis Moorman, started the Slick/ Moorman cattle company. There are books written about this famous San Antonian and his adventures. He died at the early age of 46 in a plane crash while leading an expedition in search of the Abominable Snowman. More about The Dominion history next month…

Ad & Pinkie Toepperwein

John O. Meusebach Cemetery in the neighborhood off Champion Lane

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BY Mo H Saidi, dominion resident CEO and Editor of Voices de la Luna: A Quarterly Poetry & Arts Magazine

uring a recent vacation to Mexico, we had planned to visit our German expatriate friend in Ajijic on Lake Chapala and tour the historical and cultural highlights of Guadalajara. For reading during the flight, I took along the short novel Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo who was born in the village of Aculpo, west of Sayula in the state of Jalisco. Once we realized the significance of Rulfo’s works and his influence on famous writers like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, we added a short diversion to visit Rulfo’s birthplace, which is only a few hours drive from Ajijic. We left the Guadalajara airport and drove 45 km on a busy freeway to get to Lake Chapala. The tree-studded road along the shimmering Lake Chapala was welcoming after the pollution of the Guadalajara area. The day was mostly sunny and mild. Our host drove the car up a narrow cobblestone road to her house, which overlooks the lake. That night we attended a chamber music performance in the palatial home of the Bragg family. The view of the lake from their portico was striking. The hosts invited us to a taste in their tequila bar with over 600 varieties of tequila, including a barrel of homemade spirits in a niche facing the bar. The next day we took a short trip to the berry farms around the southern shores of Lake Chapala. A narrow two-lane road connects the small towns and villages around the lake. We stopped in Petatan, a small village known for its reedy shallow waters and flocks of American white pelicans, which come from two thousand miles away in Canada to spend the warm winters here. From afar, they look like white swans but

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when you get close you recognize their long orange bills and pouches. Before leaving the village, we bought samples of blackberry, raspberry, and strawberries from a local farm. And the next day, we drove west and south to Sayula and the small village of Apulco, the birthplace of Rulfo.

Hospicio Cabanas Museum, Guadalajara

Magical realism is a chiefly LatinAmerican narrative strategy that is characterized by the matter-of-fact inclusion of fantastic or mythical elements into seemingly realistic fiction. Prominent among the Latin-American magical realists are the Colombian Gabriel García Márquez,

the Brazilian Jorge Amado, the Argentines Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortazar, and the Chilean Isabel Allende. Our next excursion was visiting Tequila, which is an hour drive from Guadalajara through a modern highway. Santiago de Tequila (in Spanish) is a town and municipality located in the state of Jalisco about 60 km from the city of Guadalajara. Tequila is best known as being the birthplace of the drink that bears its name, “tequila,” which is made from the blue agave plant, native to this area. The heart of the plant contains dense sugary starch and had been used by native peoples here for centuries to make a fermented drink. After the Spanish arrived, they took this fermented beverage and distilled it, producing the tequila known today. The popularity of the drink and the history behind it has made the town and the area surrounding it a World Heritage Site. Although the area was inhabited by natives since several thousand years ago, the modern history of the city begins in 1530 when the village of Santiago de Tequila was founded by Franciscan monks, who moved many of the local people here from Chiquihuitillo Mountain (now known as Tequila Volcano). In 1541, indigenous people in various parts of Nueva Galicia revolted against Spanish rule. When

Friar Juan Calero of the monastery near Tequila try to pacify the situation, he was killed by a barrage of arrows and rocks. The beverage tequila is made wholly or mostly from the blue agave plant. This plant is native to the Tequila area. Use of the agave plant goes far back into the pre-Hispanic period. The piña, or heart of the plant, was used by the indigenous peoples cooked as a sweet, and as the base for a fermented alcoholic beverage. By the time the Spanish arrived, the natives had begun to cultivate the plant. The Spanish first considered taking the plant back to Spain but decided to develop it and its product in Mexico. A Physician-Writer, Mo H Saidi was born in Iran, moved to the United States in 1969, and became a U.S. citizen in 1975. A retired OB/GYN Professor, Saidi is the co-founder and Editor of Voices de la Luna: A Quarterly Poetry & Arts Magazine (voicesdelaluna.com). He has published three award winning books of poetry, collection of short stories and other work. His novel, The Marchers: A Novel will be published in 2015. He is a resident of The Dominion.

Blue Agave Farm-Tequila, Mexico

White Pelicans of Lake Chapala

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grand slam By: Barry Mills, tennis director, dominion country club

At this time of year, tennis is at the forefront of our minds. School and team seasons have begun, the weather is getting better and the Grand Slams of tennis begin. I am often asked about the different surfaces so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to explain the different courts used at the biggest tournaments of the year. From the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club to your neighborhood high school, tennis courts come in a variety of surfaces. Professional Grand Slam tournaments – Wimbledon, the US Open, the Australian Open and the French Open – feature grass, hardcourt and clay surfaces. While the dimensions of each court remain consistent between surfaces, playing styles and the ball speed do not. The US and Australian Grand Slam tournaments feature a hardcourt surface. Typically constructed from plastic or cement, this “fast” surface results in short rallies that favor hard serves. Many professionals consider hardcourt the most fair of surfaces in terms of playing style as it allows the baseliner to compete evenly with a serve and volleyer. The amount of sand in the topcoat and the type of substrate underneath affect ball speed and the tacky surface can increase the likelihood of player injury. You may remember that the Aussie Open was played on recycled tires. This rubber surface was removed within a year after the escalation of player injuries. Our courts at The Dominion are resurfaced to the same specs as the US Open courts in Flushing Meadow and use the minimum of sand to provide, in my opinion, the best surface available. The courts at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, perhaps the best known professional Grand Slam tennis tournament, feature grass. It is similar in complexion to the golf putting green but watered less and rolled more during the playing season to allow a more even bounce. The grass surface moves the ball the fastest of all Grand Slam surfaces because it lets the ball slide. Grass surfaces favor serve-and-volley players who rush the net following their serve to take advantage of an opponent’s lack of time to return the ball. If you have been watching Wimbledon over the years, you might have noticed how the surface has changed to help the baseliners compete and to produce longer rallies. Less watering during the tournament allows the earth to harden and produce a higher bounce. There are discussions every year as to speed the surface up or down. Constant mowing and frequent watering throughout the year make grass courts expensive to maintain. The northeast has the most grass courts available. 52

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The French Open features red clay courts. Comprised of crushed natural materials such as shale or brick; in French, “terre battue” or crushed earth. The clay court holds the ball the longest and is the considered the slowest of all surfaces. Baseline players who play with consistency, use heavy spin and prefer the longer points and higher bounces prefer clay courts. “American” clay courts, commonly called Har-Tru, allow the ball to bounce more quickly than the traditional red clay courts but still permit longer rallies. While every Grand Slam tournament is held outdoors, many players enjoy indoor tennis. Indoor tennis facilities most commonly use carpet surfaces and these surfaces vary greatly in terms of texture and material. Indoor courts also use suspended surfaces. The suspended surface helps players avoid knee and ankle stress because of its shockabsorbing qualities. Tennis professionals regard it as a medium-speed surface. Finally, some indoor tennis surfaces use painted wood. Faster even than grass, wood is the most unusual of all surfaces and is still found in England at The Queen’s Club in Barons court, London. An original “real tennis” court is still used at Hampton Court, King Henry VIII’s summer residence. I enjoy talking about the greatest game so please feel very welcome to visit me at the tennis courts at The Dominion. Bring some Pimm’s!

April

7th - 7:00 p.m. Men’s league (6 weeks) Pizza and Beer Tuesday nights are for the Men. Tennis, Pizza, Beer and poker. Perfect. 25th Ladies Interclub vs. River Place Our Annual Battle against our sister Club in Austin. Not for the faint of heart. This we need to win!

May

3rd – 2:00 p.m. Cinco de Mayo Mixed Doubles Serving Coronitas & Margaritas 22-24th Singles Club Champs Who is the Best? 25th – 9:30 a.m. Memorial Day Tennis Extravaganza the entire family!

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“I knew this is where I wanted to live as soon as we drove through the gates,” Lisa Arcuri says. Once they came upon the traditional home of her dreams, with high ceilings and neutral colors, she knew it was destiny. John and Lisa Arcuri are a long way from their hometown of Long Island, New York, but they couldn’t be any happier. Since moving to The Dominion in July of 2014, the couple and their two boys have been consistently impressed with the welcoming neighborhood. They came to The Dominion in search of a blank canvas for Lisa’s Mediterranean design concepts and found exactly what they were looking for. John and the boys agree that a large yard and pool were also necessities.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

LIVING AREA

Visitors are struck by stunning floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a view of the picturesque backyard. Sunlight fills the living area that is inspired by Tuscany and features Tuscan landscape artwork.

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DINING ROOM

As a former caterer and personal chef, Lisa loves to cook and entertain. She was inspired by the South of France and the ocean when decorating this area of her home. She says the artwork really speaks to her in this room, which is important as this is where she spends a lot of her time with the family.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

MASTER BEDROOM

Although the closet is not as spacious as the one in Gladys’ dreams, it’s all about the details in the Samaniego’s master bedroom. The colorful detailed ceiling and grand chandeliers are Gladys’ favorite part of the house. The view of the tranquil backyard doesn’t hurt either.

MASTER BATH

The neutral palette with earthy undertones continues in the luxurious master bath. This busy couple can easily find peace with in their tranquil terracotta marble lined bathtub surrounded by candlelight.

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office

The office is a bustling work zone that helps keep the entire family organized. But this family works hard and plays hard, so the large window showcasing their magnificent pool gives them something to look forward to for the weekend.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

By Anthony Re, VP of Golf Operations, dominion country club Stop by the pro shop to see the new golf equipment with Taylor Made, Titleist, Nike and other club vendors. We all have heard the saying “I may play bad but I sure do look good.” Having new clubs and a new golf outfit is a good way to start off the 2015 season! For the month of April we have a few events. Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4 is our Member/ Member – Member/Guest Golf Event. Full Golf Members can play with another Club Member or invite a guest to play in a two-man scramble on day one, and one best ball net on day two. See details in the pro shop. During the week of April 23–26, the Club is hosting the NCAA BIG 12 Women’s Championship event. The golf course will be tied up only for two hours in the morning of each day, with tee times available for our Members. For this event, I need 20 volunteers for Friday, Saturday and Sunday as an official scorekeeper of the group from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers will receive two free guest passes to use either weekday or weekend. Come out and support these great female athletes from Baylor, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and TCU!

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Tip of the month

By Anthony Re, VP of GOLF OPERATIONS Information also provided though PGA Instructors

Green side bunker shot Clarification - Bunker NOT Trap. The governing body of golf, the USGA, calls them bunkers. When we get in a bunker we usually feel trapped, because we have no idea how to get the ball out! Most of us have heard the saying that a shot from the sand is one of the easiest shots in golf and better being in the sand then a shot from around the green! Confusing to most players, but here’s the truth: shooting from the sand can be easy, if you understand the mechanics behind the shot. In a regular shot, your club hits the ball and then the ground. With a bunker shot however, your club should hit the sand, which in turn moves the ball. But how much sand do you move? That depends purely on the shot at hand. Many skilled players move a lot of sand on green side explosion shots. Some will enter as much as 4 inches behind the ball. Less sand means more spin, but that’s risky for golfers with high handicaps. If you miss hit and take too little sand you can end up either flying it into the lip or leaving the ball in the bunker. The technique used for bunker shots has evolved over the years. Old-school instructors taught that you should set up open to your target and swing outside in to cut across the ball. That method is not only unnecessary, but it often results in shanked, bladed and pulled shots among other misses. Another part of this misconception is that students are taught to open their club faces to offset the open stance that so they won’t slice the ball. The ball will fly in the direction of the sand. If you swing and move sand forward onto the green towards the flag, then that’s the direction the ball will fly! Having an open face will make the ball come out higher and it will enable you to use the bounce on the bottom of the club, but it will not cause the ball to go sideways. The first thing you need to be a great bunker player besides good instruction is a good sand wedge. Depending on where you play, you may need a wedge with more or less bounce. If the sand is light and fluffy, more bounce will help you cut through it and prevent you from getting your club head stuck. If the sand tends to be more firm or even wet, less bounce is desirable so that you won’t bounce off the firm surface and skull the ball across the

The Situation:

Your ball is in a green side bunker. You want to hit a nice explosion shot that will come out high and stick softly on the green.

The Solution:

Choke up on your sand wedge for just a little bit more control. Stand square or slightly open to your target. Be careful with standing open...only in moderation. Open the club face to use the bounce for soft sand. Play the ball forward in your stance to make sure that you hit the sand first. For most higher handicappers, set your weight 80% on your front foot and keep it there throughout the shot to prevent backing up and hitting too far behind the ball. For a better player you may not need as much weight left, especially if you are trying to hit the ball further. Think of a sand shot as going 50% of the distance of a pitch with the same swing. The size of your swing will help determine the distance. For most sand shots I recommend swinging from 10:00 to 2:00. The most important thing is to swing hard, take sand and stay aggressive. Deceleration is a killer in the sand. No matter how hard you swing, the ball won’t over shoot the green if you take some sand, but if you decelerate the ball either won’t come out or you will flip your hands and send it sailing over the green.

A Special Note on Distance Control: Just like with pitching, distance is difficult to control when shooting from the sand. There are several factors that help determine how far your ball will go and when you become aware of them and practice them, controlling distance can be much easier. •The size and speed of your swing. Obviously a faster swing or a bigger swing will make the ball travel further. •The club face. While an open face will make the ball go higher, contrary to what you might think, it can actually make your ball go farther in the sand. The reason being is that it will dig less as you are able to utilize the bounce on the bottom of the club. •The texture of the sand. Soft sand can be heavy and if you make a big splash it will kill the shot. With firm sand you will take less sand and that sends the ball further. •Ball position. Contrary to what most people think, playing it back will not make you hit it farther. If you play it back you will catch the ball on the down arc pushing it down into the sand. Playing the ball forward enables you to catch it on the up swing with a shallower angle of attack and fly it farther. •Your feet. The deeper you dig your feet into the sand and the lower you make yourself, the deeper you will hit into the sand. The less you dig in with your feet, the less sand you will take.

green.

Team Granado, 2015 Dominion Cup Champions T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

fiesta for a cause It’s that time again amigos! I can already hear the fajitas sizzling and taste those refreshing margaritas… While Fiesta is fun, your attendance at any of its 100 official events also benefits a local nonprofit or military organization. But before you fill your fiesta schedule with the typical staples of the Oyster Bake, Fiesta de los Reyes and the Battle of Flowers Parade, consider adding one of the following events with significant charitable impact.

Thursday, April 16 Fiesta Hat Contest and Luncheon 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Put your best hat forward! Guests will be entered into a raffle, delight in a fabulous lunch and silent auction, and participate in a competition of prize winning hats. This event’s proceeds provide scholarships for local students as well as go toward the restoration of the historic mansion that houses The Woman’s Club, which was once the home of the first Fiesta King Selamat. At the Omni Colonnade Hotel; $75 in advance; www.thewomansclubofsa.org Tejano Explosion 5:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. at the 1000 Block of West Commerce; April 16-April26; prices and entertainment vary; www.tejanoexplosionsa.com

Friday, April 17 Taste of New Orleans 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., April 18 12:00 p.m.-11:00 66

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p.m., April 19 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. At Sunken Garden Theater; $15 (presale $12), 10 and under free; www.saza.org Alamo Heights Night 5:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. At University of the Incarnate Word; $12, $5 for ages 12-17, free for active duty and children under 12; www.alamoheightsnight.org Chips N’ Salsa Feeling lucky? Kick-off your Fiesta experience with casino games, live salsa music, a silent auction, and cocktails and appetizers. This event benefits SA Youth, an organization that is active in drop-out prevention and recovery programs for our city’s low-income children. 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. at El Tropicano Riverwalk Hote; $50-55, VIP $100; www.chipsnsalsafiesta.com WEBB Party 7:30 p.m. At Lambermont Estate; $85 presale, $100 at door; www.webbparty.net; www.san antonioaids.org

Fiesta Pops April 18 8:00 p.m., April 19 3:00 p.m.at Tobin Center; $25-85, college students and younger are 50% off; www.sasymphony.org

Saturday, April 18 Any Baby Can’s Fiesta 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. At the AT & T Center; $10 admission, $25 Superhero 5K, $20 Walk for Autism, $25 5K Wheelchair Division; www.anybabycansa.org Fiesta Especial 5K and Parade 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. At City of Windcrest Hall; $35 5K, $25 1-mile; www.fiestaespecial.com Fiesta Arts Fair 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., April 19 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Voted the “Best Arts Fair” in San Antonio two years in a row, this family-friendly event is a must for our growing art community. Peruse the works of 120 contemporary artists from

all over the country while enjoying live music, yummy fiesta foods and an art raffle. Proceeds sustain educational programs at the Southwest School of Art; a nationally recognized leader in visual arts education. At Southwest School of Art; $10, $5 ages 5-12, 5 and under free; www.swschool.org/fiestaartsfair Fiesta Ole Style Show, Luncheon and Bazaar 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Oak Hills Country Club; $50; olgaperez6464@gmail.com Patriotic & Historical Ball 7:15 p.m.-11:00 p.m. At Granada River; $15; www.texaspioneers.org

Monday, April 20

Thursday, April 23

Texas Cavaliers River Parade 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. At San Antonio River Walk; $12-24; www.texascavaliers.org

Fiesta Comedy Explosion 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Tobin Center; $125 (event $25, donation $100); www.priestholmesfoundation.org

Tuesday, April 21

Saturday, April 25

NIOSA April 21-24 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. at La Villita; $15, 12 and under free; www.niosa.org

Fiesta Pooch Parade Furry friends can fiesta too! Dress your pooch in their Fiesta best for a 2.6 mile walk through lovely Alamo Heights and Canine Costume Contest. Arrive early for registration and participate in demos and fun with your pet. The parade benefits Therapy Animals of San Antonio, where volunteers “bring people and animals together for healing” in health care facilities, local agencies and schools. costume contest 8:15 a.m., parade 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at Alamo Heights Swimming Pool; $20-30; www.therapyanimalssa.org

Fiesta Cornyation April 21-23 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. At Charline McCombs Empire Theatre; $15-35; www.fiestacornyation.org

Wednesday, April 22

Incognito: Fiesta’s Masked Ball 7:30 p.m.-11:45 p.m. At Whitley Conference Center; $35; www.urban15.org

Fiesta Gartenfest 5:00 p.m. At Beethoven Garten; $5, 12 and under free; www.beethovenmaennerchor.com

Sunday, April 19

A Taste of the Northside 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Come early and come hungry! A ticket gets you eight food tastings from over 60 notable Northside restaurants, five beer and wine tastings from Republic and Silver Eagle, and live music in a country club setting. This event benefits Brighton Center, serving children with disabilities and/or developmental delays through in-home therapy, parent programs and advocacy support. At The Club at Sonterra; $65 allinclusive; www.brightonsa.org

Champagne and Diamonds Brunch 10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Who doesn’t love bubbly and a little bling? The Lo Bello Women’s Association does the breakfast and lunch hybrid like no other with a chance to win a 2 carat diamond valued at $32,000+. Enjoy a silent and live auction, music and dancing while enjoying a fabulous brunch. Proceeds go toward scholarships to local students pursuing four-year degrees plans at San Antonio area universities and colleges. At Alzafar Shrine; $125; www.lobellowomensassociation.com A Day in Old Mexico April 19-26 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. At Charro Ranch; $15, $5 ages 6-12; www.sacharros.org

Coronation of the Queen of The Order of the Alamo 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. At Majestic Theatre; $25-60; www.majesticempire.com

King William Fair 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. In the King William Historic District; $10, 12 and under free; www.kwfair.org The Circle for Life Motor Rally 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. At Javelina Harley-Davidson; $30; www.thecircleforlife.com

Sunday, April 26 Fiesta Wildflower Bike Ride 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. At Morgan’s Wonderland; $60 15 and up; www.fiestawildflower.com

Visit www.fiesta-sa.org for the complete list of official Fiesta events.

Fiesta Fantasias “Parks Rock” 3:00 p.m.-9:00p.m. At Maverick Park; $12, 12 and under free; www.throwbackfiesta.org

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

REPTILE RESCUE By Chris Varelas, dominion resident

Every year, as the first warm days of spring present themselves, the reptiles of The Dominion warm from their sleepy slumber of winter. Unfortunately, many fall prey to uninformed gardeners, pets or worse. Many residents have been startled by a snake cruising for that first meal of spring, usually a small field mouse, or rat; hence the importance for living in balance with nature. Cooper Varelas is a 13-year-old 7th grader at Rawlinson Middle School. In addition to his studies, football, track, karate and baseball, he finds time to lend a hand with educating and assisting residents of The Dominion who unknowingly don’t know what to do or who to call when reptiles meet humans. “I have always been fascinated with reptiles and amphibians,” says Cooper. It was only natural to apply his interest and knowledge to helping residents deal with uninvited guests. As Cooper states, “they were here first!” Several years ago, Cooper started Dominion Reptile Rescue, a nonprofit reptile removal service, free of charge for the residents of The Dominion. “I am available 24 hours a day and either me or my dad will answer,” Cooper says. “Typically, I tell the caller to not lose direct sight of a snake or it will magically disappear.” He also insists that residents remember that most snakes are beneficial to your garden and absolutely pose no danger to you or your pets. 68

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Snakes generally generate the most excitement according to Cooper, followed by turtles. Even though there are many species of lizards in the neighborhood, most, like the Six-Lined Racerunner high-tail it when discovered. Cooper states that many species of snakes are found in The Dominion, including the Smooth Green Snake, Texas Patch-Nosed, Eastern Black Neck Garter, Texas Glossy, Emory Rat and Texas Rat. Unfortunately, all four of the venomous snakes found in the United States are also found in The Dominion. They are the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Water Moccasin and Texas Coral. Interestingly, most of the Coral sightings are across IH-10, especially in Friedrich Park. “My mom saw the biggest Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, excess of 5 feet, near the north gate over 10 years ago. This was an undeveloped area at that time, and was chock full of wildlife,” Cooper says. Cooper has helped many residents with snake identification and removal. All animals are safely removed by Cooper and relocated to a rural area that is indigenous. Cooper can be reached at 210-843-6828 or 210-310-4358.

CANCER TREATMENT & RESEARCH CENTER retreat On January 31, 2015 the Dominion Country Club hosted the 2015 CRTC Council Retreat for Board Officers and Trustees. Dr Thompson, Director of the Cancer Treatment and Research Center, opened the retreat with an inspiring vision of the road ahead for the CTRC. The future plans involve a major investment in recruiting, research and expansion of clinical trials, which will continue to bring leading edge research and therapies to the communities of Southwest Texas. The goal of the retreat was to define a five-year plan for increasing Council support to the CTRC. Participants were highly creative and very engaged as they looked into all the opportunities available over the near future. Exploratory teams are now looking into the top priorities for continuing to grow our support of all the CTRC activities. Please contact us at ctrccouncil.org interested in joining.

if you are

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

$3,850,000 | 35 Old San Antonio Rd | Boerne | 78006 14 acre Retreat in Boerne. 8,000 + living sq. feet. 2 main houses (one is a 1890 renovated stone paradise), 2 guest cottages, pool, out door entertaining, century-old oaks, and a workshop with RV storage. Commercial Potential. Do not miss out on this masterpiece.

$2,000,000 Exquisite 2.4 acre estate on the creek in Downtown Boerne. One-of-a-kind property that rarely comes available. Please call for details. MLS #1104063

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Jr. Golf & Tennis Programs By Brian McMyler, PGA Teaching Professional The Dominion Country Club Plant a seed and let it grow. Sometimes the introduction to a sport can be the start of a lifetime passion. I can still remember hitting my first golf shot at 10 years old at the local elementary school in Huntington Beach CA. From that point on, I fell in love with the game of golf. I have been able to work in the game that I have a passion for, and I feel fortunate to be able to share that passion with others. I can show you how to hit that shot to start your passion for golf. My name is Brian McMyler and I am a PGA teaching Professional at the Dominion Country Club. I have been teaching juniors to play golf for over 25 years. I came to the Dominion two years ago from Canyon Springs Golf Club where I developed and grew a number of successful junior and adult programs. I am currently working on doing the same at The Dominion with programs for juniors to learn a game they can play forever. I currently live in the area and have two young daughters. If your kids are like mine, they have many interests. I believe in letting young children get exposed to many sports and activities so they can figure out which ones they have a passion for. If your child has an interest in golf, I have a few options for them to explore. For a beginner junior golfer, we have our Golf and Tennis Afterschool class for ages 5 and up. This program was started two years ago by me and Dominion Tennis Professional Dan Cantu. The afterschool classes are held on Tuesdays or Fridays. Tennis is from 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. and golf is from 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Classes are run on a month to month basis so there is no long-term commitment. Juniors have the option to go to golf only, tennis only or, our most popular option, attend both classes to get exposed to both of these great sports. The golf class schedule is based on four classes per month. We cover all aspects of golf including short game, full swing 72

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and have a blast with putting games. Along the way, the juniors learn all the life skills golf has to offer. The last class of each month is the kids’ favorite because they get to take their skills that they learned from the earlier lessons and use them on the course. For our more experienced players and tournament caliber juniors, we have The Dominion Jr Golf Team. The team was started last year by me and fellow Dominion Golf Teaching Professional Nathan Camacho. We have practice on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. This team is run a lot like any other sports team. We have three 12-week seasons: fall, spring and summer. The juniors on this team are competing in tournaments in the local, state and even national level. We have kids on the team that have won STPGA team and individual events as well as US Kids Golf tournaments. We have structured practices that focus on specific aspects of the game but just like beginners, they all love to play on the course. Summer junior camps will be here soon. Our summer program introduces juniors of all ability levels to golf by teaching basic skills in a fun environment. For golf we have weekly camps that run Tuesday– Friday 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. We also have a golf and tennis camp that runs from 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. This camp starts in the morning with golf and includes a lunch buffet and free swim, then finishes your day with tennis. For information about the afterschool tennis class, please contact Dan Cantu at 210-698-2288. For golf or the golf and tennis option, contact Brian McMyler at 210-393-3171. For information about our Jr Golf Programs, please contact Brian McMyler at 210-393-3171 or Nathan Camacho at 210-632-1884. I hope to see you on the course.

T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m

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American Artist Seth Camm Your legacy - Strong and proud as a hill country oak, it is your familys history and a testimony to your accomplishments. Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it time to document your legacy? Master oil painter Seth Camm will preserve your story for the ages. He will create a portrait of yourself, your family, your home, or even your pet to capture this moment in your family history- Give a gift to the future by documenting your legacy today

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FEATURED PROPERTY

740 Tuxedo Dr. MENGER SPRINGS 5 BED/ 4 BATH 6261 SQUARE FEET HOME BUILT IN 1993

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Hometown: San Antonio, Texas Describe your education and background: I graduated with an Associates of Arts in Tourism and Business Administration from San Antonio College and Bachelor’s Business Administration-Management Degree from University of Washington DC. I was privileged to work with some large organizations while managing the operations aspects of the company. One of my highlights was owning my own Travel Corporations and Tour Operator in California. I have also worked as a Travel Agent, Travel Consultant, Branch Manager, and General Manager and I feel that these positions prepared me for my future roles as a Business Owner and my career in Real Estate and Investments. How did you get started in this business? When the real estate crash happened in California, I started evaluating the Top 2 Growing Cities in real estate; San Antonio being one of them and the other was Oklahoma City. I decided on San Antonio instead of Oklahoma City as it was a continuously growing city in Texas. Having business relationships with Mexican Nationals from California and Texas, I figured that San Antonio would be the perfect location to start a real estate sales and investment company. Wealthy Mexican Nationals and Business owners became the key target of my monthly seminars abroad in Mexico and locally to educate business owners on how to expand their business, purchase and invest in real estate in San Antonio and the United States.

What sets you apart from the others? I combine impeccable business savvy with knowledge of the real estate and financial markets in San Antonio, while at the same time, understanding the special needs of top-of-the-market buyers and sellers. My clients benefit from my personal attention and very valuable business knowledge. What are your biggest challenges in this business? Raising the bar every single time, I set further goals so I can continue to be my best every time and keep growing and give the finest service to my clientele. What are the greatest rewards in this business? The greatest rewards in this business are the ongoing building of longlasting relationships that have been a direct result of an unwavering commitment to excellence and personal service that has earned the trust of my clients. These personal and professional relationships are vital to my business and can put me and my team in a great position to obtain repeat business and most important of all personal recommendations and referrals. How many years have you been in the business? I’ve been in sales for most of my career, but I have been actively practicing real estate since 2008 in San Antonio.

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The Dominion Homeowners Association 20 Dominion Drive San Antonio, TX 78257

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