MAY 2015
After leading career-driven lives in healthcare, Jimmy and Louan LeDoux settled in The Dominion and began making a difference in the community they love. A PUBLICATION OF:
THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
next for the dominion hills
operations have started at the private sub division
alfresco ambience
a look into the home of the rose family
history of the dominion
the tent days
CONTENTS THE DOMINION MAGAZINE | THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
MAY 2015
After leading career-driven lives in healthcare, Jimmy and Louan LeDoux settled in The Dominion and began making a difference in the community they love.
WELCOME 14
CHARITY 48
THE CLUB
TENNIS 54
CALENDAR 16 CLUB HAPPENINGS 18 HOA HAPPENINGS 22
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COVER 36
HOME TOUR 58 Alfresco Ambience
FROM THE HOA 26
GOLF 64
STAFF PROFILE 30
realtor 66
This issue we talk with Server, Jimmy Vasquez
pet adoptions 68
Student spotlight 32
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Dominion’s history 44
the dominion hills 72 finance 76
dinning 46
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MAY 2015 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 5
PUBLISHED By SMV Texas Design Group, LLC 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006 210-507-5250
Welcome TO
the Dominion Magazine Dear Reader,
What a great month we had for Dominion residents’ events. We kicked it off with a new resident cocktail party on April 9, with over 80 residents attending. The following Saturday we had the Mariachi Run with over 150 participants. The Fiesta/30th Anniversary party was postponed from April 12 to April 19 but turned out to be a great event with over 500 residents in attendance. Lastly, we had our Dominion Homeowners Association Annual meeting with over 125 attending. What a wonderful way to showcase our beautiful community. Many thanks to Carla Ruiz and her Neighborhood Outreach Committee, the Events subcommittee, HOA Staff, The Dominion Country Club and the many volunteers for organizing these events. In the last issue of this magazine, you learned about the history of the land that comprises Dominion. In this issue, you will discover information about the early days of The Dominion. Unfortunately I missed these early days and it sounds like I missed some real fun. There is more to come on the transition to the current Dominion and thanks to long-time Dominion resident, Janet Key for working us through the history. At the annual meeting you elected Jim Berg, Coleen Dietz, Carole Minton and Carla Ruiz to the Dominion HOA Board. They join Glen Glass, Glenn Grossenbacher, Sandy Souchon, Lynn Hicks and myself to form our 2105/2016 board. The following day, the newly constituted board voted to have me remain chairman, Sandy Souchon to remain Treasurer and elected Glen Glass as Vice Chairman and Carole Minton as Secretary. We look forward to serving our community for another year. I also want to thank Rich Dietz who was identified as the Volunteer of the Year. Rich works tirelessly for our community on many fronts. I have never worked with anyone who has such a strong command of the details involved in managing our development committee and the many facets that touch our community. Thanks Rich!
SMV TEXAS DESIGN GROUP, LLC CEO/PRESIDENT Benjamin D. Schooley ben@smvtexas.com OPERATIONS MANAGER Kristine Duran kristine@smvtexas.com 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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The Dominion and/or Schooley Media Ventures. Copyright 2014 Schooley Media Ventures, 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006
may 1
Women’s Forum Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Join the Forum and join the Fun! Nordstroms presenting Summer Trends and Styles with goody bags of skin care treats
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the renaissance member/guest tournament All Day Annual Renaissance Member / Guest event. Please call the pro shop for course operating hours. 210-698-1146
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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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mother’s day sunday brunch 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Treat Mom, Grandma and all the special ladies in your life to an elegant holiday brunch at the Club! $39.95 Adults, $15.95 Children 4-11 RSVP required to 210-698-3361
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20th annual taste of the dominion 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Enjoy the taste of several of San Antonio’s most popular and treasured dining establishments! This member-favorite event benefits the San Antonio Food Bank; an evening of great fun benefiting a great charity! Don’t miss out! $35 per person Please RSVP to 210-698-3364 16
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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/
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aerification of golf course All Day
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birthday happy hour 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Celebrate the May Birthday Babies with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, 1/2 priced cocktails and a large cake to share!
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match play begins Sign up for Men’s Match Play. Call the golf center for more information. 210-698-1146
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memorial day pool party 12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Spend Memorial Day at The Dominion! All-American Family Buffet, Pool Games, Cranked Up Music, Drink Specials, and fun in the Sun with Dominion Friends. The event is open to all Dominion residents and Club members. $18 Adults, $12 Children 4-11 RSVP to 210-698-3364
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ladies diamond classic 12:00 p.m. Tuesday Practice Round, Wednesday and Thursday tournament event. Tee times will be available for golf members on Tuesday all day and after 3:00 p.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday.
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Women’s Forum End of the Year Event 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Around the World at The Dominion, with food from Italy, Mexico, France, Asia, and Texas, on the Terrace; 1/2 priced drinks. For Forum members and spouses/significant others. Reservations are required.
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monthly sunday brunch 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Traditional, elegant & 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 12:30 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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THE
DOMINION CountryClub Happenings
easter egg hunt This cherished event includes the Easter egg hunt, a cookie decorating station, pictures with the Easter bunny and a whole lot of family fun!
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women’s forum luncheon There’s a new Sheriff in town and the ladies of The Dominion are very impressed! Sheriff Susan Pamerleau spoke at the April Women’s Forum luncheon about serving Bexar County citizens with compassion, strong leadership and her number one priority of safety for all! Sheriff Pamerleau was a riveting speaker and all attendees greatly enjoyed her visit.
supper club Elvis has not left the building! The Supper Club Viva Las Vegas Event was a lot of fun and laughs! We had Elvis, we had the Pink Ladies, we had Vegas lounge attire, we had great music and mostly a lot of fun!
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HOA Happenings new resident pa rt y The Neighborhood Outreach Committee welcomes the new Dominion residents twice a year, and our spring party was held on the terrace of The Dominion Country Club in April. New residents got to meet their new neighbors and we had a chance to welcome them. Everyone enjoyed a great evening with good food, children’s activities and new friends. Thanks to The Dominion Country club for hosting us.
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Mariachi dash
The rain held off for the Mariachi 5K/10K Walk/Run - one of our first celebrations of The Dominion 30th Anniversary. Residents of all ages enjoyed food, fun, and exercise participating in this great family event!
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f i e s ta at t h e dominion The Dominion Homeowner’s Association and the Dominion Country Club celebrated Fiesta and the 30th Anniversary with a great party. Everyone enjoyed the parade of decorated golf carts, displays of the history of The Dominion, wonderful food, mariachis and music, children’s activities and much more. What a fun night!
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annual meeting By Rob McDaniel, general manager of the dhoa
The Dominion Homeowners Association Annual Meeting was held at the Dominion Country Club on Wednesday, April 15. Homeowners heard presentations from the Chairman, Jeff Lewis, the HOA General Manager, Rob McDaniel, and the chairpersons from the HOA Committees. The election results for new members of the Board of Directors were also announced. There were four open positions, three for 3-year terms and one for a 2-year term. Two of those voted in were current members of the Board and will be serving another term. These homeowners are Jim Berg and Carla Ruiz. Elected to new terms were Colleen Dietz and Carole Minton. We welcome our new members to the Board and thank them for their service!
Retiring from the board is Jimmy LeDoux, and we also thank him for his time and service. At a meeting the day following the Annual Meeting, officers for the next year were elected and they are Jeff Lewis – Chairman, Glen Glass – Vice Chairman, Carole Minton – Secretary, and Sandy Souchon – Treasurer. The chairs of the various Committees will be chosen at the next Board meeting. Rich Dietz, who chairs the Development Committee and serves our community in countless ways, including serving on the Landscape Committee, was honored as Volunteer of the Year and thanked for his dedication and service.
Pictured above are the 2015 members of the Dominion Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors: Sandy Souchon, Jeff Lewis, Lyn Hicks, Carole Minton, Glenn Grossenbacher, Carla Ruiz, Collen Deitz, Glen Glass and Jim Berg. 28
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UPCOMING HOA EVENTS Landscape Committee Meeting Thursday, May 7 at 8:00 a.m.
Neighborhood Outreach Committee Meeting Tuesday, May 12 at 8:30 a.m.
security committee meeting Tuesday, May 12 at 9:00 a.m.
development committee meeting Wednesday, May 13 at 7:30 a.m.
Finance Committee Meeting Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 p.m.
Architectural Control Committee Meetings Thursday, March 7, 14, 21, 28 at 4:30p.m.
Bark in the Park Duxbury Park Saturday, May 23 10:00 a.m. - Noon Bring your pet for neighborhood fun!
Memorial Day Open the Pool Party Pool at the Dominion Country Club Monday, May 25 Noon - 4:00 p.m. Charges apply - Open to all Dominion residents RSVP required to 210-698-3364
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TITLE: Server, The Dominion Country Club Hometown: Vera Cruz, Mexico When did you come to live in the usa? I came to the USA twenty three years ago and lived in Riverside, California for sixteen years. I have family, including my parents, who still live in Vera Cruz, so I travel back to Mexico each year to visit. When did you relocate to San Antonio? I came to San Antonio seven years ago. I had been working for many years at the Hillcrest Country Club in Beverly Hills, California, and knew that I wanted to work at the best country club in San Antonio. That is why I chose to interview at The Dominion. I interviewed, was hired in one day, and began working the next day. I have been at The Dominion Country Club ever since! Do you have children? I have three children. My daughters are 15 and 13 years old and my son is 10 years old. I am very proud of them. We spend a lot of time together having fun. What are your hobbies? I enjoy lake fishing, especially for catfish, and playing basketball. My favorite times are playing with my children. I also like to watch football and basketball. My favorite football team in Mexico is America, and my favorite NFL football team is the Cowboys. I also like the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team. What’s your favorite sport? My favorite sport is basketball. I am the #1 Spurs fan in San Antonio! Do you have a favorite movie? My favorite movie is “Water Boy” starring Adam Sandler. When I worked at the Hillcrest Country Club, Adam Sandler was a member. He is a very nice man and we became friends. I like all of his movies, but “Water Boy” is the best!
Jimmy Vasquez
STAFF PROFILE 30
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What do you enjoy most about working at The Dominion? I love the people at The Dominion. I enjoy seeing many members every week and getting to know them and their families. I work with great people too. My experience with The Dominion members makes me very happy to come to work every day. I am very thankful.
Name: Steven Banner Age: 17 years old School: Tom C. Clark High School How did you get into baseball? I started playing baseball when I was 3 years old. I started out like all the other kids just playing tee-ball and at first I wasn’t the best compared to the other kids my age. At the time I thought baseball was just going to be a phase I had at the time and never really thought I’d go anywhere with it. When I was 7 one of the kids on my little league team got injured in one of the games and I volunteered to take his place in the game. Until then I had mostly played right field, picking grass, not really into the game at all. I took over for the injured kid at catcher and quickly found out I was pretty good at it, and I’ve played that position ever since. What team do you play for? I’m on the Varsity baseball team at Clark and have been since my Sophomore year. Tell us about the best game you ever played: The best game (and most memorable) I’ve ever played was over this past year at the State Tournament in Waco. We made it to the State championship game after a long, tough tournament and I hit in the game tying run and scored the winning run in front of a lot of people. That was really special for me. Outside of sports, what other activities are you interested in? Outside of baseball, I like to play guitar and hope to get better at it. I also enjoy going to YoungLife, hanging out with friends and family and spending time outdoors. What school do you hope to attend upon graduation? Upon graduation I either want to attend the University of Texas at Austin or Baylor University.
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What do you plan to major in? I plan on majoring in sports medicine with hopes of becoming a physical therapist. What is your favorite thing about The Dominion? My favorite part of growing up in The Dominion has been the feeling of security and community throughout the neighborhood.
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BY Kristine duran
After leading career-driven lives in healthcare, Jimmy and Louan LeDoux fell in love and never looked back. As individuals, they achieved many goals, but together have grown and helped each other make a difference in the community they love at The Dominion.
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Growing up in Southern Louisiana, Jimmy was an athlete through and through. He was offered several scholarships upon graduation and chose Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played football from 1969 to 1972 as a wide receiver. He went on to play the Orange Bowl, the Bluebonnet Bowl and the Sun Bowl. Fans still remember Jimmy
and he looks back at this time fondly, attending LSU football games every year. Jimmy graduated with a degree in Finance and went straight into hospital administration for Humana. At 27, he became CEO of a small hospital in Louisiana. Jimmy’s career took him from hospital to hospital, eventually ending his career with Humana in San Antonio.
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That’s when Jimmy began a wound care company in the same city, before New Orleans called for him again. He returned to a hospital there, still retaining his position as CEO of the wound care company in San Antonio. It was then that some friends told him about a woman he ought to meet from Mississippi. At the time, Louan was working in Mississippi as a child psychiatrist. She grew up right outside of Jackson, Mississippi, a place she thought she’d never leave. With a compassionate nature, Louan knew she wanted to help others. After completing her schooling in Mississippi at Jimmy’s alma mater’s rival, Ole Miss, she became a medical doctor of a post traumatic stress disorder unit, but primarily practiced child and adolescent psychiatry. Jimmy and Louan’s mutual friends saw a likeness in the two and knew this would be a couple to last. It wasn’t the first time the idea had been presented to the two. In 1980, a different set of mutual friends had proposed the idea when Jimmy and Louan were working in the same hospital in Jackson. Louan wasn’t interested then, but this time she took a chance.
The two met at their friends’ home in San Antonio. Jimmy invited Louan to look at homes with him in The Dominion, since he was planning on moving back to San Antonio sometime and dreamed of living in that exact neighborhood. Louan obliged, and when the two were met by a realtor, Jimmy introduced her as his wife. “We had just met!” Louan exclaims. “I was thinking, this guy is really funny. We looked at houses and it was fun and I ended up loving The Dominion.” Louan would travel from Jackson to New Orleans during their dating years, until the two married in 1995. Louan remembers, “I thought I would never leave, but then I met Jimmy. He said he needed to move to Texas and asked me if I wanted to get married and move and I said sure, let’s go!” Jimmy’s wound care company was still in San Antonio, so that affected his next move, but he insists that his reasoning behind returning to the Alamo City is because of The Dominion. “At the time we moved to San Antonio, Louan had a lot of dogs and couldn’t find a place with a bigger backyard so we moved to Shavano Park,” Jimmy says. But his sights remained on San Antonio’s premier neighborhood. The couple finally found their ideal home, where their beloved animals could roam freely at The Dominion 13 years ago. Jimmy and Louan immediately felt welcomed to the community and have been involved in many Dominion organizations since. Jimmy was the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Homeowners Association,
is currently serving his second consecutive year as the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Dominion Country Club and is a part of the Development Committee. Louan is a former member of the Security Committee and a current member of the Neighborhood Outreach Committee, but her time is mostly spent with the Dominion Animal Advocates Group (DAAG); the group-turnednonprofit she began nine years ago. “I looked out the window one day and saw a pregnant [stray] cat and thought that was not right,” Louan says. “I’ve rescued all of my life. I think I probably got it from my family. Growing up, I had horses and baby cows that needed to be nursed. And we lived in town, not on a farm,” Louan laughs. “My mother knew that if I was walking home from school, I was going to bring some abandoned dog home.” After researching the roaming cat problem, she learned that there were close to 2000 of them in the San Antonio area. Louan soon discovered that the city recommended the Trap Neuter Return (TNR) method. “A friend in the neighborhood said she had been interested in TNR. So we got a group and we first started addressing the cat overpopulation, and then we realized that there were other needs in the neighborhood like lost and abandoned dogs and injured and sick wildlife.” Instead of looking for someone else to cover these needs, Louan took the problems into her own hands and formed a group in the community to help the animals
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of the area. DAAG was only a community organization until last year, when it officially became a nonprofit organization. These days, Louan’s time is primarily occupied by DAAG. “We used to travel together before we were married, then when we got married we traveled a lot, but now the priority is the cats,” Jimmy says. He has been supportive of DAAG’s efforts from the start, helping rescue, transport and socialize the foster animals whenever he can. “I so much appreciate that Jimmy is supportive of my involvement in DAAG,” Louan says. “Having a nonprofit and being responsible for so many animals is a full-time job.” Jimmy sold his wound care company and presently owns an oil and gas safety company, doing business in south and west Texas. “I kind of retired, but then with the oil getting to where it is I’m starting to have to work again and playing less golf,” Jimmy laughs. And if you know Jimmy, you know how important golf is to him. At The Dominion, he has won the Golf Championship once, the Match Play Championship four times, and the Seniors’ Championship twice. Even with his busy schedule, he makes it to the course every Saturday. Jimmy and Louan also brought their Cajun flavor to The Dominion and opened their neighbors’ eyes to a culture many were not familiar with prior to their arrival. “For eight years, we had a Cajun party,” Jimmy says. “The first time we had it, we bought 300 pounds of crawfish and we had like 250 pounds leftover because nobody knew how to eat it!” But they have seen a major difference, judging by their last celebration this year, where Jimmy cooked 10 gallons of gumbo, 10 gallons of etouffee and 300 pounds of crawfish, with none left over. Louan states, “I guess we taught the neighborhood how to appreciate good Cajun food.” The fun-loving couple spends the majority of their time within The Dominion gates, but makes it a priority to travel to Lafayette to visit their two daughters and four grandchildren as much as possible. At any time of the year, there is a family trip in the works, whether it’s to Florida for July 4th or an annual Argentina hunting trip. “When you get involved like us in the community, you have to have some downtime,” Jimmy says. Involved, they are. But they wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s a service to our community and it’s fun to get to know more people and make things better. You don’t ever have to leave the neighborhood to have a wonderful social life,” Louan says. Jimmy agrees by stating, “It’s not going to get better unless you do it. When you see things that you want done, it’s not going to get done unless you do it yourself. This is a happy community and we’re not leaving.”
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By Janet Key, dominion resident
1984 s we ended the early days of The Dominion land in the last issue, we were talking about Tom Slick. He and his brother-in-law, Lewis Moorman, were owners of Greenwood Farms, which is now The Dominion as we know it. They had changed the farm from a working dairy farm to an Appaloosa horse farm. Tom Slick was a Texas based inventor, businessman, adventurer and heir to an oil business. In San Antonio, he was probably best known for his development of the Southwest Research Institute, both started in the early 1940s. To put these Institutes in south Texas and not near a great university or major manufacturing base was considered high risk. Tom did it anyway, and because of his dedication, he has been credited with helping the South Texas Medical complex to develop. There have been many books written about Tom Slick. He was a great adventurer and led many expeditions to investigate the Loch Ness Monster, the Yeti, Bigfoot, and the Trinity Alps giant salamander. He died in a plane crash in 1962 at the age of 46. Lewis Moorman and his wife, Betty, kept the Greenwood Farms and turned it into their summer retreat. All but 70 acres of the Farm were sold to Wayne Wright and the original development group in 1981. The remaining 70 acres were sold by the family in 2000 to the group that tom slick developed The Dominion Hills.
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From 1981 to 1983, the property was a scene of much activity and planning for the fabulous development that we live in. The vision of The Dominion Group was to have a self-contained and environmentally friendly development which could recycle the effluent from their sewer treatment plant to water the golf course and provide it’s own water system. Getting water became a problem but, with the help of many, water was finally secured from the city of San Antonio even though we were miles outside the city limits. In 1983, The Dominion Group Limited was ready to start marketing their new development known as The Dominion. It encompassed a 1265 acre area with a 260 acre sculpted golf course, complete with Leon Creek flowing through it and a series of man-made water features. There was to be a 54,000 square foot Renaissance-style country club facility with gold domes and cantera stone columns, state of the art locker rooms, dining rooms, a wine room, and piano lounge. To compliment it all there was to be a tennis center with 13 laykold lighted tennis courts and a competition sized pool. It all sounded magnificent but nothing was there for people to see. There were not even roads where the homes would be built. The challenge: how do you get people to buy into The Dominion Group Limited’s vision of what The Dominion would be? The Dominion Group Limited decided to show off what they had with elaborate parties that showcased a lavish life style that would catch the attention of any potential Club members and the city of San Antonio. What they already had was some of the most lush and scenic property on the edge of a large city. The views from the hillside home sites stretched for miles into the Texas Hill Country. Leon Creek was clear and flowing into sparkling ponds. Now they needed a place to host this series of 25 parties and entertain the prospects, the elite of San Antonio. A large, air-conditioned and heated tent was erected in the middle
of a gorgeous grove of old pecan trees located next to Leon Creek where there’s a low water crossing that could be used as a driveway off the IH-10 access road. The road was also used by the Moorman family to get to their summer retreat. We still use this area today for our November Bonfire party. It is located between the tee box for hole #2 and the green for hole #8. The Dominion Limited decided to have a series of parties, each party to have a guest list of people who would already know each other, such as a group of doctors, dentists, bankers, attorneys, or golfers from other country clubs, etc. If you were a member of one of the targeted groups, you would receive an elaborate invitation in the mail. It might have engraving, gilding, be glitzy, have pop-outs, or full of confetti! The invitations alone rivaled the Fiesta Queens’ ball gowns! Some of the parties were black tie, some were Halloween parties, but they all demanded that you wear your finest. The waiters and bar tenders all wore black tie. There were ice sculptures and fresh floral arrangements and the long buffet tables of giant shrimp and crab claws, caviar, and lobsters along with tenderloin and a sumptuous display of desserts, all cooked in a kitchen trailer. There was a full bar and music. It made you wish you had brought your sleeping bag so you could just spend the night in the tent. We all signed up for tours of the first area to be developed, The Estates. We received guided tours in a minivan from one of the developers. There were to be 234 lots developed ranging in size from 1/2 to 1 1/2 acres and priced from $60,000. to $320,000. If you wanted to be one of the first to pick a lot, you deposited $1,000., which gave you the privilege to reserve your lot before the builders were allowed to pick theirs. Fifty people stepped up and put their $1,000. down. Of those first 50 families, 23 still own property in The Dominion and two families still live in the home that they originally built, the Gutzman’s and the Bradley’s. People could see the golf course designed by Bill Johnston taking shape. More lots began to sell and finally there was the ground breaking ceremony for the club house, complete with gold shovels, in the early spring of 1984. Wayne Wright, managing partner, was in charge of publicity with Janelle McArthur and they did a fantastic job. With the help of Gene Canavan, a former city councilman, and his influence with San Antonio’s most powerful, a series of newspaper ads hit the press. Each ad featured a prominent San Antonian congratulating The Dominion for being an outstanding and successful development. The parties continued and people watched their mailboxes daily hoping to get an invitation to one. The minivan tours graduated to helicopter tours to help the prospects chose their lots. The builders planned huge mansions to sit on the hillsides. If you were one of the first 50 lot owners, The Dominion threw you a “slab party” as soon as your slab was poured so that you could
invite your friends and neighbors from your current neighborhood to come out and see the plans for your new residence. The parties were elaborate, with food being delivered in a limousine. Your new Dominion neighbors were also invited to help everyone get to know each other and feel at home when they moved in. Finally, the golf course opened for member play in September, 1984. The course seemed to be the perfect venue for a pro seniors’ tournament which was not being discussed by the PGA. The partners all agreed that the fist PGA Seniors Tournament would be the perfect way to showcase the Dominion Country Club. Notable golfers came to play the course. Among them were Billy Casper, Gene Littler, and Miller Barber. The PGA chose Dominion and the date for the tournament was
set for May 6-12, 1985. Thanks to Rich Luders, by early December the contract with the PGA was finalized along with the television contract for national coverage with ESPN. All those who had been attending parties, buying lots, and club members signed up to help with committees for advertising, logistics, scoring, marshals, security, parking, hospitality, etc. The list was long on things needing to be done, but everyone pitched into help. We wanted to put San Antonio and The Dominion Country Club on the PGA map. Ralph Bender, who designed the club house, practically lived at the site along with most of the workers. Truckloads of carved cantera stone arrived daily from Mexico. There were crates of Italian marble and thousands of expensive Ludowici roofing tiles. Soon the ceiling brick layers from Guadalajara, Mexico, and the faux painters who adorned our domes and walls arrived to do their part, all under the watchful eye of interior designer Mary Bender (no relation to Ralph). As the golden domes began to rise over the oak trees along IH-10, the city of San Antonio took notice and The Dominion became the talk of the town! Next month: The opening of The Dominion Country Club as the history continues…
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BY Chef Jay Nash ,Head Chef of The Dominion Country Club.
Our Culinary team is blessed to have an addition most of our sister clubs do not have – a pastry chef, and a really good one. Pastry Chef Judy Marts has been scratch baking for us since March of 2012, and we are lucky to have her. Judy had worked for Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Hawaii and Jackson Hole, working her way up from Pastry Cook to Executive Pastry Chef, before opening her own bakery and gift shop in Wimberley, Texas. Her shop, The Cookie Jar, was open for 4 years, featuring homemade treats and delicacies. Judy moved on to the JW Marriot briefly before coming to The Dominion Country Club. It takes a lot of pride and care to produce the amazing desserts and simple treats Judy makes on a daily basis. Most everything is made from scratch, handcrafted home-style, with over-the-top flavor and
texture. Her pastry items remind me of an old adage, “elegance in simplicity”. Everything she makes is made well; simple items become extraordinary from her attention to detail on a professional level. Many readers have already experienced some of her goodies from dining in the Mixed Grille, or from desserts and treats during Club events and special functions. One of our member favorites is her pecan pie, for which she has generously decided to share the recipe.
•2 2/3 cup sugar •¾ cup all-purpose flour •1 1/3 cup eggs •1 1/3 cup light corn syrup •1 1/3 cup dark corn syrup •1 tbsp Melted, unsalted butter •1 tbsp Vanilla extract •2 9” frozen pie crusts •1 ¾ cups (7 to 8 oz) pecan pieces for each pie Preheat the oven to 425. Place the bottom oven rack just below the middle area of the oven. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the sugar and flour. Add eggs and whisk until combined. Pour in the light and dark corn syrups and mix well. Add the melted butter and vanilla, mixing carefully until combined. Fill each pie crust with pecans, dividing the filling between each crust; be sure not to fill past the rim of the crust. Place both pies on the bottom oven rack and bake for 20 minutes at 425. Reduce oven temperature to 375 and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. As oven temperatures may vary, Judy suggests placing a piece of foil on top and continue baking if pecans are getting to dark.
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Judy’s items will be a highlight of our Mother’s Day Brunch on May 10th. Be sure to RSVP to 210-698-3364 as reservations fill quickly, and remember…save room for dessert!
• Residential and Commercial Painting • Interior and Exterior Painting • Eco-Friendly Paints • Drywall Repair • Wallpaper Removal • Multi-Year Warranty • Carpentry Services • Furniture Quality Cabinet Refinishing • Locally Owned & Operated
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San Antonio Symphony orchestra
More than Just a World-Class Orchestra:
the San Antonio Symphony drives our City’s Future By: Annette M. Paulin, Director of Grants San Antonio Symphony
f
or Dominion resident Richard Dietz, serving on the board of the 75-year-old San Antonio Symphony is a natural extension of his beliefs that exposure to the performing arts and music is a vital educational experience, as well as a driver of 21st century economic development. “I strongly believe that for businesses to grow here and for San Antonio to convince other businesses to come here, we have to have a strong cultural arts environment that attracts a younger workforce,” said Dietz. “A thriving symphony helps draw that demographic and builds the creative class that underpins a world class city.” It is also a driving force behind educating the youth growing up here, which can in turn keep them interested in staying in San Antonio in the future. With arts funding within schools always a difficult balance with other budget priorities, the the San Antonio Symphony has risen to the forefront in working to expose students across the city to the magic of music. During the 2014-2015 season, more than 33,000 local elementary schools students will have participated in the Symphony’s nationally-recognized Young People’s Concerts (YPC) Series, which includes 24 free-admission educational performances made possible by H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt and the Symphony’s education partner, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. These programs are essential to providing exposure to performing arts through school field trips, especially in schools with higher populations of at-risk and economically disadvantaged students. Studies suggest that arts-engaged students do better than their nonengaged peers with college, building careers and becoming engaged members of the community. For Dietz, the educational mission and the engagement of the
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From left to right: David Gross, San Antonio Symphony President, Dominion resident and San Antonio Symphony Board Member Richard Dietz and Sebastian Lang-Lessing, San Antonio Symphony Music Director.
symphony members as active community participants is also important. “The Symphony members are not just world-class musicians, but they are also the teachers, conductors, instructors and mentors through private lessons, for youth orchestras and group ensembles,” he said. “The Symphony members themselves are such an important part of the San Antonio arts. It’s not what the Symphony as a whole gives back to our community; it is also important to remember what the 72 members of the orchestra contribute as well.” But one of Dietz’ driving missions on the board is to make sure that his immediate community understands the importance of supporting the Symphony as well. Dietz points to the arrival of Maestro Sebastian Lang-Lessing in 2010 as a milestone in the Symphony’s history, as his talent and vision brings a wide variety of style to the Symphony with appeal to all ages. Says Dietz, “Attend a concert. Think about becoming a member. Stretch yourself creatively with music and give back to our wonderful City by supporting our largest performing arts organization in its mission to bring world class music and musicians to San Antonio.” Joining the San Antonio Symphony’s Maestro Society is a simple and enlightening way to invest in the city’s economic and cultural future. For as little as $1,000 per year, Society patrons are invited to special behind-the-scenes events and rehearsals. Maestro members can see for themselves what a YPC concert can do for a child first hand or witness the immeasurable display of talent that a 72-member orchestra can bring to life during a rehearsal. For more information on being a Maestro member, visit www. sasymphony.org/category/donate/maestro-society. For information on the remaining 2014-2015 concert season and its educational programs, visit www.sasymphony.org.
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summer is here By: Barry Mills, tennis director, dominion country club
Ladies and Gentlemen of The Dominion, I hope you are ready for the heat because it is coming! Driving into work some years ago I heard on the radio that the worst jobs during the Texas summers were roofers and tennis pros! Not at all, not at all. We love the heat! This month I want to give you a virtual, day-to-day sample of what happens on our courts all summer long, including our special themed events, day-to-day clinics for the adults and, of course, our fabulous summer camps for the kids. Our Cinco de Mayo Celebration will be held on Sunday, May 3 from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Our Pro Staff arranges an afternoon of Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles. As our players battle through the various tennis matches, Coronas, Coronita’s and Dos Equiis (XX) are available for a little liquid courage, along with some classic holiday snacks. This event is more social but played with a very competitive spirit. The Dominion’s Singles Club Championships are the granddaddy of all of our events. We offer a Singles Level or Division for everyone from 2.5 (2.5 is a classification meaning “just started to play competitive matches”) to an Open division. All matches are played in the 2 or 3 days prior to the final which is scheduled for Memorial Day. The tennis center hosts the spectators to some cold beverages while the finals are being played. Come on down to the courts and see our best players compete. As the finals are drawing to an end, we host our Memorial Day Extravaganza for the entire family. Every year this event gets better and better. All of our professional staff hosts their own unique tournaments throughout the morning. Joe will play his, now very famous, “3-2-1” game, Dan’s “Cantuarama” is now legendary on Saturday mornings, and Barry will host the very active “Olympic Tennis”, where it’s all about the Winners! Once all these games are complete, we will all move to the mini tennis courts. Everyone is entered, man, woman and child, to compete against one another on the mini tennis courts. After all the tennis is finished, our whole group retires to the pool where the holiday fun continues. The Greatest Clinics Ever start June 10 and every Wednesday and Thursday throughout June and July from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. All of our members and their guests are invited to join Joe Rother and I covering a different topic every week that will be posted in the shop. These topics will cover every aspect of your game; working on a particular
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shot or improving strategy in your matches. Call either Joe or myself if you are interested. Men’s & Ladies Margarita Doubles League will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. beginning on June 17. Come on out and enjoy the cooler evening temperatures and play in a relaxed atmosphere with all your friends and a frosty margarita! The format is progressive doubles and lasts 4 weeks. One of our signature events is The Wimbledon White starting Saturday, July 11 at 8:00 a.m. I love this event as it is all about wearing the classic white and enjoying the greatest tournament in the world. All levels can participate as the tennis staff organize Leveled Men’s, Ladies and Mixed Doubles. We all watch the Ladies Final in the early morning with some strawberries and cream. I will be mixing some Pimm’s, a traditional English Summer drink, throughout the day. Try one; they’re lovely! Once the Final is over, we take to the courts and play some tennis throughout the remainder of the morning. We finish with some cucumber sandwiches. Please come by the shop, call 210-698-2288, or visit www.thedominion.com for more information on summer activities. Our staff will be happy to talk to you about any of the events detailed above. We would love to have you play on our courts!
summer camps Summer Camp begins June 9th and runs for 10 weeks throughout the summer. We have camp for every age from 3 ½ to 18. All your favourites are back. Tennis, Golf, soccer, basketball, swimming, The climbing wall, Reptile Man, Up and Down The River are just a few of the many fun activities in which the children participate. Brochures and enrollment forms are available all over the club or you can visit our website and download everything you need from there. Please call me at the shop if you need any more details. Open to all residents and non-residents.
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after
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Working in real estate, Jean always had her eye on The Dominion and secretly imagined her home on its beautiful grounds. Her husband, Larry, however, didn’t dream of leaving Alamo Heights. That was until 2012, when she found the home that would persuade him; private and open with a large pool and patio. Built by Linda Colvin Custom Homes years ago, Larry and Jean Rose wanted to give the outdated home a facelift. So they looked to Bradshaw Designs to achieve the Mediterranean villa concept they sought. With some cross construction and a fabulous decorator, the interior has gone from heavy and passÊ to light and modern.
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man cave
During the remodeling process, the couple created an extra room that has evolved into Larry’s man cave. The room is enclosed and features a comfy leather couch and big screen TV. Man’s simplest pleasures never looked so good.
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kitchen
The couple thinks of their home as a painting that carries guests all the way through to the lovely backyard. Fond of an openness and light, Larry and Jean opted to remove every interior column the home once had. This allowed for an ease of flow, where every room is centered around the kitchen. You’ll find Jean on a chic stool at the bar while Larry prepares their meals. The monochromatic kitchen is where Larry spends most of his time, as cooking is his forte.
master bath
The master bath went from night to day during the home’s revamp. Hardwood floors were replaced by the basket weave flooring you see now, as well as the countertops and glass shower. Jean is especially pleased by the new and fresh look it now radiates.
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Furnishings & All The Finer Things Design Services Available :: CalamityJanesTradingCo.com 404 S Main St., Boerne, Texas :: 830-249-0081
By Anthony Re, Director of Golf Operations, Dominion Country Club The Dominion Country Club would like to recognize the winners in the Dominion Member/Member/Guest Golf Tournament last month. We had a wonderful turn out with 52 players consisting of Three Flights. Day one was a beautiful day for golf while day two brought high winds and cold weather to make for some tough conditions to score in. Brandon Reyna & Haley Holcott
our First Flight Gross Winners: Two-Day Total Score 130 Brandon Reyna & Haley Holcott our First Flight Net Winners: Two-Day Total Score 124 Milton Barnes & Anthony Rodriguez Jay Harpole & Nick Altomore
our Second Flight Gross Winners: Two-Day Total Score 142 Ron Hahn & Roberto Alvarez our Second Flight Net Winners: Two-Day Total Score 125 Craig New & Charles Brightwell our Third Flight Gross Winners: Two-Day Total Score 153 Jay Harpole & Nick Altomore our Third Flight Net Winners: Two-Day Total Score 131 A.P. Gentry & Cory Gentry
Ron Hahn & Roberto Alvarez
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This month, May 6 – May 9, The Dominion will be hosting our Annual “Renaissance” Member-Guest. This is a fabulous four day event for our Dominion members to showcase their beautiful Club.
We lost a valuable member of our Dominion family last month. Roger Johnson was a San Antonio native who came to work at The Dominion Country Club when it first opened. He worked his way up to become the manager of the Mixed Grill and the 19th Hole. Roger never met a stranger and no one who met him could forget his smile and happy, friendly nature. He was a mainstay at the 19th Hole until he retired in 2011 due to health problems. Many of his fans at The Dominion played in a golf tournament in his honor, and a plaque was installed in the 19th Hole designating it “Roger’s 19th Hole” so he will be remembered always.
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FEATURED PROPERTY
11 Kings View THE DOMINION 4 BED/ 4 FULL AND 1 HALF BATH 5,422 SQUARE FEET SMART HOME ONE-OF-A-KIND OFFERED AT $1,745,000
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Hometown: Kerrville, TX and San Antonio, TX
Describe your education and background: Prior to earning my real estate license in 2006, I worked for 17 years, assisting in growing my family’s business, Reznikov’s Fine Jewelry. In the years of working along side my father Ted Resnick, I learned a great deal about high-end luxury products and the buyers who acquire them. While working in the family business, I was afforded some time to explore my true passion which is real estate. Real estate is multi-faceted and has always intrigued me on all levels. At a young age I was able to get a taste of the real estate industry, pursuing my first personal real estate transactions. Over the course of several years I purchased investment properties, custom built a coastal property, as well as built a luxury home here in San Antonio. After that, I was hooked. I knew I had discovered my true desire to pursue the business full time. In 2006, I left the family business and so began my career in real estate. My niche is Luxury Residential Real Estate and I am an expert in The Dominion neighborhood. How many years have you been in the business? Receiving my license in 2006, I have been a Realtor working full time in the business a little under 10 years. What sets you apart from the others in the real estate industry? All aspects of real estate intrigue me and as we know, the market is ever changing. When approaching any type of real estate transaction it is important to be as informed as possible of current market trends, while anticipating future turns in the market as well. It is important for me to continually educate myself so that I am able to share and bring the most extensive knowledge of the real estate market to my client. I always strive to place the needs of my clients first. By taking time to listen, I offer both buyers and sellers the level of personal attention they deserve. I work to offer my clients a professional partnership, making myself available to their questions and concerns, provide to them honest and informed answers, offer effective solutions to their concerns, while keeping their best interests at the forefront no matter what
challenges may arise. My personal experience of building custom homes, working with investment properties, along with buying and selling residential and coastal properties, only enriches my level of service and diversity, which I am able to offer to my clients. There are many facets of a real estate deal, however there are two that I view as being very significant. There is the transaction side, which encompasses the many details and legal aspects in getting a deal done. The second is the emotional aspect, which in some light, always comes into play. Both aspects are equally important and need attention throughout the process. I always strive to address each, and keep them separate, as much as possible, so that there is harmony in the end. What are your biggest challenges in this business? My largest challenge is that there just are not enough hours in a day. Some people may have the impression that this business is one you can turn on and off. I, however, feel that when I have committed myself to my clients, it is important that I am available to them when they reach out. I am very grateful for my Mophie phone case and my unlimited cellular service plan. What are the greatest rewards in this business? For me, the greatest reward in this business is being able to wake up each day and do something that I truly love. I love working with people. As much as this industry focuses on the art of the transaction and negotiations, I feel it is equally important to capture my client’s personal needs and place them in high regards. I strive for honesty, fairness, and with the strength of my faith, to always do what is right. Not only have I assisted many clients with their real estate needs over the years, I have also developed some wonderful friendships which has been a very rewarding experience for me. And that, I am truly grateful for. #1 Individual REALTOR® Company Wide--City View San Antonio Business Journal Top 5 Luxury REALTOR® San Antonio Platinum Top 50 REALTOR® Texas Monthly Five Star REALTOR ®
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Toby
sam
• 11 months old ( grey tabby) • TNR’d (trap, neuter, returned) • Warms up quickly, and playful
• 1 year old black cat • Easy going, gentle, and friendly • Gets along well with other cats and dogs
These animals are available through Dominion Animal Advocates Group, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping at-risk animals in the Dominion have safe and happy lives. If you are planning to adopt a pet, please consider adopting from your neighbors’ rescue group. All DAAG foster cats are neutered, vaccinated, tested for feline diseases, and microchipped. www.facebook.com/DominionAAG For more information, please contact Louan Ledoux at 210-854-8055 or at ledouxlou@aol.com.
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$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.
$2,200,000 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
Bluebonnet Realty C 210.912.8221 | p 830.816.2288 | f 830.816.5903
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next for dominion hills by Guillermo Aguayo, Dominion Resident
70 gorgeous single family home sites and six premium lots surrounded by beautiful oak trees are all in the future for the new neighborhood in Dominion Hills.
Operations have started at the private subdivision of Dominion Hills where a new project begins its first stage of development: the addition of a new luxury neighborhood. Working with The Dominion Homeowner’s Association, Agora Homes, the development company in charge of this Dominion Hills project and its new phase, will build 70 gorgeous single-family homes. The city of San Antonio has issued the necessary permit for this first phase of the development of the new neighborhood. Although the new homes are not within the secured perimeter of The Dominion, Agora Homes has consulted with the Development Committee in matters like street specifications, walls, lighting, signalization, etc. The Architectural Control Committee will be supervising every detail of the new houses to ensure they are built with the utmost quality. This HOA committee input should guarantee the best end result for The Dominion and The Dominion Hills residents. 72
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AND WHO’S BEHIND IT? Attracted by the beauty of the city of San Antonio and its high quality of life, Agora Homes launched operations in this fast growing Texan city in 2011, betting on The Dominion Hills, formerly known as Independence Village.
the next stage Discover the new plans for Dominion Hills: - 70 gorgeous single family homes with high-end finishes and equipment. - 6 premium lots with spectacular views, surrounded by mature oaks, these within the secured perimeter of The Dominion. - Commercial area with modern and elegant office buildings, secluded by beautiful heritage trees.
Current plans at Dominion Hills Dominion Hills and the related neighborhoods are in the Dominion Planned Unit Development (PUD) and are subject to the Dominion Umbrella Restrictions, ACC review and approval, and overall Dominion standards. Pending approval by The Dominion HOA Architectural Control Committee, new houses will be built in Dominion Hills. The Committee pays great attention to the design and aesthetic appearance of exterior and materials and will help ensure the new additions blend harmoniously with the existing architecture. Also, taking advantage of the spring season, this subdivision is giving a refresh to its green areas. The improvements in the natural surroundings include renovating the common areas, main entrance, islands, and home landscaping using deer resistant and drought tolerant plants.
Grupo Inmobiliario Agora has more than 30 years of experience in developing residential communities and shopping centers. Since its foundation, this company, now considered one of the fastest growing development companies in Mexico, builds each new home with a commitment to quality and an approach to construction, always aiming at creating the best quality residences and providing the best home buying experience for its customers. The group searched for the best developing area in the city and was rapidly enchanted by The Dominion’s high quality standards. Among its plans for 2015, Agora Homes plans to increase participation in the residential and commercial markets.
The plans for 2016 Even though the specific details are still in the works, there will be a new beautiful neighborhood of The Dominion to be developed next year.
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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. Isn’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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save money on your
property taxes By Joe Schuessler
“Any one may so arrange his affairs that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which will best pay the Treasury; there is not even a patriotic duty to increase one’s taxes.”Judge Learned Hand Real Estate: it’s a valuable asset for any family or business. After all, they’re not making any more of it. One of the largest expenses associated with owning a residential or commercial property are Annual Ad Valorem Taxes assessed on Property. These taxes can be a significant expense. Annual Ad Valorem Taxes are also imposed on personal property that produces income, such as materials and equipment. Many landowners are not aware of a number of strategies to reduce tax bills for Ad Valorem Taxes, such as tax exemptions provided for by Texas State Law or market valuation comparisons. Land in San Antonio and the surrounding area has been soaring in value. The past few years have seen steady increases from a County Appraisal District (CAD), which is a local government agency that manages and assesses property taxes. Therefore, this year presents a ripe opportunity to contest property valuations. The County Appraisal District assigns a taxable value to each piece of property in its jurisdiction. Due to the sheer volume of parcels of property they must assess, CAD often overlooks relevant information that might change its assessment of a property. For example, there are exemptions that reduce the taxes on a specific property valuation for Homestead Properties, for Disabled Persons, for property owners 65 years of age or older and their surviving spouses, for surviving spouses of disabled veterans or members of the armed forces killed in action. Additional exemptions can be had for Agricultural, Wildlife, Charitable, Historical, Religious uses and many more. In addition to tax exemptions provided for by statutes, the assessment of your property’s value can be challenged by comparing the tax value of your property to neighboring properties from information from recent sales, or any other relevant information about the value that CAD may not be aware of. Business owners whose assets include tangible Personal Property that is used to produce income must file a document called a “Rendition” with their County Appraisal District by April 15 each year. A Rendition is a report that describes all taxable personal property which is either owned or controlled on January 1 of the year. Tax Counselors can also assist you in filing a rendition for Personal Property. For Commercial and Residential Properties, a land owner must first file a protest with CAD within 30 days after receiving notice of their 76
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new valuation, in order to make a protest of the valuation. This step is critical; if you do not file a timely protest, you may not be able to challenge your property’s assessment for the year at all. The second step in contesting a tax assessment is to present your case to an appraisal board by an informal hearing either by correspondence via telephone or in person. If a lower valuation cannot be achieved by the informal hearing, Texas law provides for a third step being an appeal to an Appraisal Review Board which is a panel of local residents. If an Appeal to the Appraisal Review Board is not successful, the next step in the process is filing an appeal with your County’s District Court, where representation by an experienced attorney can make all the difference. Deadlines are approaching. Valuation Statements from your County Appraisal District typically arrive by mail on April 30, and the effective deadline to challenge the assessment is typically on or about May 31. Now is the time to take action, don’t delay in getting in touch with tax counselors to discuss strategies to minimize the taxes on your property. A competent, experienced tax Counselor can guide you through the process and help ensure you receive a fair and accurate valuation on your property. Allen & Associates has a proven track record for getting results for clients. Representative examples of our work in this area include particular cases where we achieved this: •In one particular situation we lowered a valuation on a commercial property in Kendall County by over $750,000.00, providing over $16,000.00 in Ad Valorem Tax savings. •In another case, we were able to help a client take advantage of a statutory exemption on a ranch in Bexar County that resulted in tax savings of more than $9,000.00. •On a residential property in Kendall County we reduced the actual amount of taxes by more than $2,750.00. Our offices are located at 12 Upper Balcones Road in Boerne, Texas. Contact us today. (830) 443-4900.
About the Authors: Randy Allen is the Managing Partner of Allen
& Associates, L.L.P., a law firm based in Boerne, Texas, whose practice areas include: Oil and Gas Title Examination, Real Estate, Litigation, Wills, Estate Planning, and Ad Valorem Property Tax Consultation. Joe Schuessler is an Associate at Allen & Associates, L.L.P. and his practice experience includes Oil and Gas Law, Real Estate, Criminal Law, and Civil Litigation.
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The Dominion Homeowners Association 20 Dominion Drive San Antonio, TX 78257
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