JULY 2015
carlee and jim boles have mastered the art of balancing home life with two successful businesses.
A PUBLICATION OF:
THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
history of the dominion
the dominion country club and all of its events
share a coke with... the hodges family a look into the home of the hodges family
the dominion dines
Silo Terrace Oyster Bar
CONTENTS THE DOMINION MAGAZINE | THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
JULY 2015
Boerne native, Jim Boles and wife, Carlee, have mastered the enviable art of balancing a happy home life with two successful businesses on the rise.
COVER 34
WELCOME 14
social 54
THE CLUB
HOME TOUR 58
CALENDAR 16 CLUB HAPPENINGS 18 HOA HAPPENINGS 20
Share a coke with... The Hodges Family
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GOLF 64
FROM THE HOA 28
swimming & camps 66
STAFF PROFILE 30
dominion lakes 67
This issue we talk with Banquet Supervisor, Tony Moradei
good reads 68
54 48
Student spotlight 42 Dominion’s history 44
realtor 72 travel 76
the dominion dines 46 charity 48
58 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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2 BISHOPS GREEN
Live in this luxurious two-story hilltop estate that sits on lushly landscaped 1.1 acres! Large & open living & formal dining graced by stunning multi-layer crown molding & exquisite columns! Spectacular staircases & imported chandeliers! Backyard features a marvelous oasis with sparkling pool with slide, waterfall, gazebo, cabana, and over-sized covered patio surrounded by flagstone decking! Privacy & amazing views! $1,595,000
4 mayborough ln Private and Luxurious Dominion Estate!This Immaculate home is Nestled on a Quiet Culdesac! Open Floor Plan! Brilliant Hardwood and Travertine Floors! Updated Fixtures and Beautiful Details throughout! Gourmet Island Kitchen! Plantation Shutters &Plenty of Natural Light! Downstairs Master Retreat Features Gorgeous Crown Molding and Outside Access! Large Upstairs Gameroom with BuiltIns! 2nd Floor Guest Suite with Private Bath!Backyard highlighted by Sparkling Pool and Spa with Mature Trees & Lush Landscape! $819,000
14 Kings Heath
Exquisite Mediterranean Beauty located in the Renaissance at the Dominion. This fabulous 2 story home boasts elegance and luxury.Open floor plan with lots of natural light and High Ceilings.Grand Entry with soaring 20 ft. high ceilings,crown molding & columns!Gourmet Island Kitchen with Solid Counter tops,cheery breakfast bar & eat-in kitchen.Luxurious living areas offer entertainment and living. Master Retreat has private 2nd Floor Sitting area.Master Bath complete with stunning garden tub & double vanity. $750,000
140 Kuntz Run (Located in Bulverde)
Texas Hill Country Custom Built Retreat with extravagant hilltop views nestled on 10 Acres.Open Concept Floorplan!Chef’s Island Kitchen with 6 Burner Viking Gas Stove, Double Ovens & Sub Zero Fridge!Large Master Suite features gorgeous Stone Fireplace & Walk-in Closet!Exceptional Master Bath with Jacuzzi Tub!Carpet,Tile & Hickory Wood Floors throughout!Exercise Room.Eco Friendly Home with 750 Gallon Gray Water Tank!Covered Wrap Around Porch&Patio for breathtaking Texas Sunsets!Highest Point in Comal County! $1,150,000
719 Sentry Hill (Located in Canyon Springs)
Traditional Alamo Heights Estate. An elegant 4 Bedroom with 3 Full Bath &2 Half Baths. Brilliant marble floored entryway leads into formal dining and study.1st Floor Guest Suite. Grand Staircase leading to 2nd Floor Gameroom overlooking formal living area complete with bar perfect for entertaining. Upstairs Master Retreat features an in-home gym with built in cabinetry. Extravagant Master Bath overlooking pool with private balcony. Gorgeous private yard with mature trees,deck,pool & Life Size Custom Dollhouse! $699,000
JULY 2015 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 7
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,
What an unusual spring we had. It’s been a few years since we had so much rain, but it sure made the community and the golf course look great! The HOA sponsored two events in June: Bark in the Park and the End of School Family Party. Both were well attended and it’s so refreshing to see so many young families enjoying our Neighborhood Outreach Committee outings. We also had a Vendor Appreciation Day where Board and Committee members hosted a breakfast for the vendors that provide services to The Dominion Homeowners Association. They really enjoy our small token of appreciation for all that they do for us. You too can help by offering a friendly smile or wave to the many people working to serve our community. This month, The Country Club is hosting the July 4th Spectacular. There will be great food and activities, as well the best private fireworks in the area. 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
MAY 2015
2015
2015
THE DOMINION | JUNE
N | MAY THE DOMINIO
Jeff Lewis, Chairman Dominion Homeowners Association JUNE 2015
DOMINION
OF THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS
ION OF THE
PUBLICAT ION
ASSOCIATION
ERS ASSOCIAT HOMEOWN
ATION OF:
A PUBLIC
INION ON THE DOM ERS ASSOCIATI
THE NEXT FORHILLS
DOMINION D AT THE HAVE STARTE DIVISION OPERATIONS PRIVATEA SUB PUBLICATION
2 ISSUE 5
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6
VOLUME
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HOMEOWN
ALFRESCOE AMBIENCOF
THE HOME FAMILY A LOOK INTO THE ROSE
OF HISTORY INION THE DOM
DAYS some experiences THE TENT just can’t be explained. the most paramount of these experiences can be positively life-altering. debbie and pete ledoux are proof.
OF:
THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
history of the dominion
the dominion country club prepares to open
JULY 2015
contemporary comfort
a look into the home of the bhakta family
magazine committee
meet the people behind your magazine
information, or typographical errors contained in this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
THE OFFICIAL
AND CARE, JIMMY G A IN HEALTH MAKIN EN LIVES AND BEGAN G CAREER-DRIV THEY LOVE. DOMINION AFTER LEADIN X SETTLED IN THE IN THE COMMUNITY LOUAN LEDOU DIFFERENCE
not responsible for any inaccuracies, erroneous
FOr Advertising opportunities call 210-507-5250
The Dominion and/or Schooley Media Ventures. Copyright 2014 Schooley Media Ventures, 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006
JULY 4
July 4th Extravaganza! 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Invite Family & Friends to this Awesome Celebration! Fabulous Dinner Buffet! Rockin’ DJ Music all evening! Mini-Bull Rides (ages 2-11)! 2 Fun Bounce Houses! Petting Zoo! Pony Rides! Face Painter! Gigantic Inflatable Slide! Balloon Artist! Magic Tricks! Caricature Artist! The ever-popular SKYDIVING TEAM! The Amazing FIREWORKS DISPLAY! Open, family-style seating; everyone will enjoy a great time together! $45 Adults, $25 Children 4-11 RSVP to 210-698-3364
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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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birthday happy hour & new member mixer 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Celebrate the July babies with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, 1/2 priced cocktails and a cake large enough to share! Help us welcome our newest Members to The Club with a warm Dominion hello!
EXTENDED SUNDAY HOURS INCLUDE MEMBER EXCLUSIVE OFFERS! Throughout the summer, the Mixed Grille will remain open until 8pm! Each Sunday after 4pm, Members may order one entree and receive the second entree free (equal or lesser value). In addition, all bottles of wine are discounted 25%! Cheers to that! Please RSVP to 210-698-3364
Every Tuesday
Every Wednesday
Every Thursday
Every Friday
The Dominion Rotary Club 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. This international service group meets at The Dominion every Tuesday
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
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!
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!
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
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JULY 2015
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
THE
DOMINION CountryClub Happenings
the dominion women’s forum The Women’s Forum ended their season with a fun party on The Dominion Country Club patio featuring different stations with foods from around the world.
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HOA Happenings
end of school f a m i ly p a r t y The Neighborhood Outreach Committee sponsored the End of School Family event held last month to kick off the summer! The kids spent the evening playing in the game truck and moon bounce, and enjoyed cool treats from Bahama Buck’s while getting their faces painted.
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bark in t h e pa r k The rescheduled Bark in the Park event was a successful day with many residents, children, and furry friends in attendance. The dogs enjoyed a day at Duxbury Park with treats and eats, the kids enjoyed face painting and temporary tattoos while the adults enjoyed light refreshments and mimosas! The HOA would like to thank The Dominion Animal Advocates Group (DAAG) for organizing a fantastic event!
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committee update By rob mcdaniel, general manager of the dhoa
The Neighborhood Outreach Committee (NOC) We are looking forward to a fun 4th of July event that will be held at The Dominion Country Club. We hope to see you there to enjoy the fabulous firework show! The summer should be quiet as we take a break from major HOA events. We gear up for our first events of fall with the Close the Pool Party on Labor Day at The Country Club and our National Night Out in October. Stay tuned for the information on our upcoming fall events. The Development Committee revised and updated the maintenance plan for roads in The Dominion. The revised plans incorporate the use of crack sealing and micro sealing with repaving to prolong the useful life of your roads. The Committee also recommended a reserve funding plan for other common elements, such as walls, fences and monuments. The plan calls for setting aside $50K a year for the next 5 years, for the possible replacement of or significant repair to such assets. Both plans were submitted to the Board of Directors for review. The Committee continues to monitor new development in the community and neighboring area. The Security Committee has much on their plate this month. The Jeep Patriot is currently having service performed. The announced deactivation date for the white transponders was June 1, with a total of 1,500 transponders needing replacement. The reading of multiple transponders has been the cause of failures. The issue of loose pets, and particularly without collars and tags, was revisited at the monthly meeting. A subcommittee will develop a policy for the Committee’s reconsideration where the burden is shifted to the pet owners. The Committee is currently tracking vehicle counts and speed on Brenthurst, which is being recorded by the radar trailer. The data indicates most vehicles are traveling in excess of the 30mph posted speed limit. Pending research and implantation of cameras on the radar trailers capable of identifying offending vehicles, the Committee considered a draft speeding policy prepared by Committee member Glen Glass. 28
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The Landscape Committee We have been delighted with the amount of rain we have had this spring, and it has really helped us in establishing all of the new plantings. We are currently working on defining our fall planting projects, which will include some larger enhancements along Dominion Drive as well as some smaller planting throughout several neighborhood islands. We changed out the annual colorful planting at the north and main gates so that they will look full and beautiful in time for the 4th of July holiday, as well as throughout the summer. We should have the periodic mulching done in the next few weeks. Because of the prodigious rain, SAWS has lifted the water restrictions; we suggest checking the SAWS website for watering times. As a Committee, we will continue to monitor our water usage and encourage all residents to consider doing the same. The Finance Committee This month, the Finance Committee reviewed proposals for renewal of our general liability, directors and officers, errors and omissions as well as employee insurance. As always, we reviewed monthly revenue and expenses and are happy to report we are within budget for 2015. In the next few months, we will be working on compiling next year’s budget including a 5-year projection and capital expense budget. Architectural Control Committee In the last month, the ACC has reviewed over 33 applications for construction projects in the community. These include issuing three building permits for new residences, four preliminary reviews for new homes and office space, eight or more on pools and patios and the rest to various smaller projects. The ACC also welcomed Mr. Guillermo Aguayo, a new builder to join the committee. He has experience in architecture for over 23 years, and hopes to utilize his background with both US and Mexican design to broaden the look of new architecture within the neighborhood that is harmonious with the existing homes.
v e n d o r b r e a k f a st
UPCOMING HOA EVENTS Landscape Committee Meeting Thursday, July 2 at 8:00 a.m.
development committee meeting Wednesday, July 8 at 7:30 a.m.
security committee meeting Tuesday, July 14 at 9:00 a.m.
Finance Committee Meeting Thursday, July 16 at 1:00 p.m.
board of directors meeting Wednesday, July 22 at 4 p.m.
Architectural Control Committee Meetings Thursday, July 2nd , 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th at 4:30 p.m.
July 4th Celebration and Fireworks The Dominion Country Club Grounds Saturday, July 4 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Charges apply – Open to all Dominion residents RSVP required to 210-698-3364
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TITLE: Banquet Supervisor Hometown: Iran/ Tehran family I’ve been married to a beautiful lady for 12 years and do not have any kids, but I have one brother, two nephews and two nieces in the US. What brought you to America? After the revolution, I had to leave Iran and went to Germany for three years. Then I came to the US in 1984 and since then, I have not been back to Iran. How long have you been working at The Dominion Country Club? I started 13 years ago on November 29, 2002. I had a friend who worked here who told me about it, so I started working here part time. After a few months, I really liked it and quit my other job. What is your favorite aspect of working at The Dominion? I like meeting interesting people and the environment at The Dominion is the perfect place to do so. Also, I love what I do. What are your hobbies/interests? I like visiting my friends and family, going to movies and playing sports. I love the martial arts and I have a black belt in Taekwondo. I also play volleyball and I was on a national soccer team back in Iran. favorite quote? Live free. What has been your most rewarding experience in your business? I had a meeting when I was working at Holiday Inn and someone lost the key to the meeting room. I had to get ready for breakfast so I took the door off to get in the next day and I was rewarded by my general manager.
Tony Moradei
STAFF PROFILE 30
JULY 2015
• 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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BY Kristine duran & PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN WEBER After growing up in Boerne, Jim enrolled in Texas A&M University with a major in General Studies. Just as he had in high school, Jim became increasingly involved in the agricultural activities on campus and decided to become an Agriculture major, but was never sure about the bigger picture.
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Each summer, Jim would trek down to his hometown and seek out a local summer job in hopes of finding his way. The first summer, his high school Ag teacher introduced him to a general contractor who was working on the Boerne High School at the time. Jim joined his crew as general labor and found the function of construction enjoyable. The next summer, Jim decided to try something different and took a job at his father’s insurance business. “In that event, I enjoyed 5 o’clock and lunch. But wearing khakis and loafers all day just wasn’t what I wanted to do,” Jim says. So when it came time for an internship during his senior year, he accepted a job working for the general contractor in Arlington. He worked during the day and went to school at night for three months straight that summer. “It was probably one of the hardest summers I’ve ever had in my life, physically and mentally,” he says. But the knowledge Jim gained was worth it. After that summer, he decided to pursue building.
A Place to Call Home
After graduation, he landed a job with a national builder. With a newfound passion for building homes, Jim was on the hunt for a lot where he could build his own. “When you’re so young, people don’t think you have enough experience or think you’re talented enough,” wife, Carlee says. “Jim felt that it was important to live here because of his profession. Being a young custom home builder, he was able to be involved in the community.” At the age of 23, Jim bought his first lot in The Dominion and custom built his first home. It was at that house that Jim met Carlee through a mutual friend while she was attending dental school.
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Dallas Bride
Carlee grew up in Dallas and graduated from Texas Tech before enrolling in dental school at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Carlee always had dreams of becoming a dentist, but it was a medical mission to Mexico during her freshman year of high school that solidified her passion of the practice. She had a plan from which she had never strayed, until she met Jim. Carlee had full intentions of returning to Dallas after dental school to work for her hometown dentist, but the summer before her last year of dental school, Jim came into her life. She decided to stay in San Antonio for another year after graduation to see where the relationship went, and the two were engaged by the end of that year. Jim sold his first home and used the money for Carlee’s engagement ring, a two-week trip to Africa and another lot in The Dominion for his second home. It was in that home that the couple married ten years ago.
Mind over Matter
Jim’s trip to Africa turned out to be a meditative experience and instrumental in the future of his career. At the time, he was still employed by the national builder, working long hours and needed a break. “I enjoy staying in unique places, being immersed in the
whole culture,” Jim says. While in Zimbabwe for 14 days, away from life’s distractions, Jim decided that he would start his own business. Within a month after returning, he began Jim Boles Construction. “Starting my own business was a little scary at times, but when you don’t have anything, what can they take away from you?” Jim says. The first house built by Jim Boles Construction was a million dollar spec house in The Dominion. The house was sold before it was even done. From that point on, Jim’s business only continued to flourish throughout the area. “I thoroughly enjoy what I do. For me, it’s rewarding to sit back and see the clients’ thoughts and ideas, not only on paper, but three dimensionally.”
Family First
After living in his second home for three years, the couple sold it and built the house they live in today; Jim’s third home in The Dominion. Eight years later, the couple is still blissfully living in the home which has undergone major renovations over the years to accommodate their growing family. Daughter, Payton, was born in 2008 only a few years before the couple learned they would be welcoming twins, Gage and Emerson. With Carlee also running her own business as a solo practitioner at Gentle Dental Care in Stone Oak, the couple lives their lives at
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a hundred miles a minute. “I enjoy what I do. It’s a stressful job, but I love going to work every morning and helping people out. Jim’s always encouraging me to expand, but it’s a balancing act being a boss, a mom, an owner of a company and a wife,” Carlee says. But even through the hectic schedules, the couple finds that family time is easy to come by. “We spend a lot of time together. I think we do a good job of balancing our careers and our personal lives,” Carlee says. The couple devotes their weekends to taking the kids on outdoor adventures at the ranch, farming, fishing and hunting when they’re not traveling. On top of it all, Jim stays faithfully involved in the community. He has been a part of the Architectural Control Committee for almost 10 years, as well at the Landscape Committee for six years.
On the Horizon
Most recently, Jim’s passion for agriculture has come back into the picture. He has purchased a farm nearby and has begun developing and building a wholesale nursery. He currently has 1,300 live oak trees, and is hoping to add another 1,300 by the end of the year which he will sell to other nurseries and landscapers. Jim shows no signs of slowing down in his business endeavors, but he attributes a lot of his success to Carlee. “Here’s the way this works,” Jim says. “I couldn’t go out and play and do all of this stuff that I do if it wasn’t for what she does with our family and her business. That lets me go out and be a lot more entrepreneurial and chase whatever I want to chase.” But for Carlee, it all comes naturally. “Three healthy kids, good careers and a nice place to live; we’re blessed, definitely.” 38
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Name: Berkeley Brown Age: 19 School: TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas ’14; Harvard College ‘18 What is your major? Undeclared, but most likely Social Studies. I realized I love reading, writing and studying people and the issues we face. Social Studies allows me to do that in an interdisciplinary way. Within social studies I’ll choose a “focus field,” and once I do that I can then draw from courses across the university, whether in government, religion, or even economics. All of this will culminate in a Senior Thesis, a monster of an undertaking, but it’s something by which I want my college experience to be defined. What do you hope to do after graduation? For lack of any big social studies firms to hire me, I’ll probably try my hand at business school (sorry, Dad). What activities are you involved in? Harvard Undergraduate Council, First Year Social Committee, Women in Business, Harvard Alumni Association Undergraduate Board, Harvard College Faith and Action, Running Club Any awards and accolades related to those activities? Elected Co-Chair of First Year Social Committee, Vice-Chair of Student Relations Committee on the Undergraduate Council, Associate Director of Outreach for Women in Business What do you like to do in your free time? Running, biking and playing tennis at The Dominion. When I’m away at school, my favorite thing to do is run along the Charles into Boston, explore the city, try out a new restaurant, and then take the T back to Cambridge. Apparently that’s called “destination running”; I call it “the freshman 15”.
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In fifteen years, where do you see yourself? That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I’m 19, so right now I have no idea where I’ll be in 15 years, or 10 years or really even next week, but I think that’s a good thing. Right now I’m involved in both student government and business organizations, so whether I end up in public service, the business sector or something that is not yet on my horizon, I hope to have an impact on whatever community in which I find myself. What are some of your favorite Dominion memories? Driving around The Dominion with other TMI alumni.
By Janet Key, dominion resident
cover of san antonio new homes news ‘93
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a
fter the big Senior PGA was over, the rest of May and June of 1985 were a bustle of activity at the club with events going on every day. The ladies golf and tennis groups were formed, as were junior programs. Then there were swim team meets and plans being formulated for a Tennis Classic to be held in October. The Club membership grew and the dining rooms were full. Gourmet dining included table side preparation of Caesar Salad, Steak Diane, Tournedos of Beef, Beef Wellington, and Chateaubriand. After dinner, if you did not want to select something from the dessert cart, you could have a bowl of mixed nuts or chocolates brought to your table. If you did want dessert, they could bring out copper pans and make you flaming desserts such as Cherries Jubilee or Bananas Foster. Post dinner, there was a selection of teas or French pressed coffee and the maitre’d would bring a box of cigars to your table. The menu was very European but you could also bring your own recipes and The Club would cook them for you. The Wine Room was only open on Friday and Saturday nights and would seat 50 people. It had a prix fixe menu featuring a 7-course meal for the total sum of $50 per person, not including beverages. For a splurge you could order a $36,000 bottle of 1865 Domaines Barons de Rothschid Chateu Lafite Rothchild. Although that sounds like a fortune, the same bottle and vintage is now worth over $125,000 with only three in existence. If you were the first to make a reservation, you and your guest could choose the menu. I did it once and spent days researching the most elaborate menu I could! Needless to say, the Wine Room was full every weekend. Everything was served on our China with sterling flatware and fresh flowers on the table. I used to tell people that you could live in a mobile home in The Dominion and if you only entertained at The Club people would think that you were a millionaire. The club was a hot topic in San Antonio and the media was all over, having gotten a taste of the luxury and beauty, or, should I say, our “passion for living” out on IH-10. All events and parties were covered with plenty of photos of us entertaining in the style to which we were so recently becoming accustomed. People used to wonder if you could only wear formal dress to The Club, but with one of The Dominion’s royal couples, the Romanos, sometimes showing up in their sweat suits, the pressure was off of the rest of us. One of my favorite memories is having met my husband for an after golf lunch at The Club. While we were ordering, we heard a helicopter land out on the putting green. Straining to see who was getting out,
we saw Marti Wender along with James Michener, author of over 40 novels including “Hawaii”. Michener was in town to research his new book, “Texas”. They popped in for lunch and we got to meet him. The 4th of July finally arrived with a Firecracker Invitational Golf Tournament and Paul Revere Tennis Tournament. The pool was open with activities for everyone else, including relays where you would swim carrying a spoon with a Dominion golf ball in your mouth or diving for full beer cans laying at the bottom of the pool. The day was capped off with a huge barbecue, hot air balloon rides, clowns, face painting, and finally, a seventeen minute display of fireworks that lit up the entire San Antonio sky and turned IH-10 into a parking lot. The fireworks were orchestrated to music by Zambelli Internationale Fireworks at a cost of close to $75,000. You were invited to join in this celebration if you had done something positive for The Dominion and there were 5000 people in attendance. The following Saturday was the Opening of the Club Gala. It was a formal affair that captured the true spirit and pride that was now symbolized by The Dominion. There were 1500 guests present with so
grand opening
much elegance and sparkle that you needed sunglasses. An ice carver was flown in from Tucson, Arizona to do an 1800 lb. ice castle carving, which was surrounded by the finest caviars and vodkas from around the world. There were the dessert displays that we had come to expect and carving stations throughout The Club. Music and dancing went into the night and a wonderful time was had by all. Speaking briefly at the gathering was our US Congressman Tom Loeffler. He pointed to The Dominion Country Club and its development as the ultimate symbol of the great things that could be accomplished through hard work, cooperation and the determination to make a dream come true. We were all proud!
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silo terrace oyster bar By Lisa Arcuri dominion resident Silo Terrace Oyster Bar, just across the street from our lovely Dominion, is a culinary journey of the finest seafood in San Antonio. Proprietor Patrick Richardson has been sharing his knowledge of boutique oysters and unique seafood selections with San Antonio for over a decade. He started with Silo Elevated Cuisine on Loop 1604 and Alamo Heights, and then this past fall, treated this area to its very own Silo Terrace Oyster Bar. Your experience begins as you are ushered like VIP’s up a stylish elevator to a second floor dining space that is open and airy. Silo has a simple, contemporary feeling with a tone on tone color palette of soft greys and other neutrals. Tables have a cozy, private feeling in booths for two, or if you’re in the mood for a great view, floor to ceiling windows provide excellent views showcasing the night time lights of 46
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The Dominion and the world passing you by. An outdoor bar offers a fireplace for those cooler evenings, and ample casual seating. As you begin your evening, Patrick suggests you start with three raw oyster selections from the East Coast. The Chincoteague oysters from Virginia have an excellent salt content with a crisp and juicy texture with a seaweed finish. Standish Shore oysters from Duxbury Massachusetts are best described as having a sweet-buttery flavor and texture with a clean and salty finish. Irish Points from Prince Edward Island are very meaty, and finish clean. All of these varieties are flown in daily. For a perfect pairing, have the Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne. It’s light and crisp and helps to cleanse the palate between offerings. Next, try the Grilled Oysters Rockefeller. This decadent treat begins
with the freshest oysters, which are first grilled, then stuffed with a heady concoction of bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and Applewood smoked bacon. Pair this with one of their many classic cocktails. Either the Irish Mule or the deconstructed Ol’ Fashioned would be perfect with this dish. Following these two amazing courses sounds hard to top, but Chef Gary Boatman and his team do not disappoint. The Lobster Ravioli starts with house-made ravioli that are prepared and brought daily from the Alamo Heights location. The lobster is slow butter poached, and if you don’t know what that means, it is cooked by slow boiling it in butter. This renders the lobster even more tender and succulent than a standard water poach. The Chilean sea bass is without flaw. It is treated delicately and is accompanied by Wild Mushroom Risotto, sugar snap peas, and white truffle oil. Pair these selections with ChevreChamps Royaux- Chablis. Light, crisp and delicious. For those who prefer a meat and potato type of meal, Silo’s proprietor and chef have thought of you as well. The Beef Tenderloin with bleu cheese whipped potatoes, and grilled asparagus is one such offering. They like to change the menu daily, keeping their menu choices fresh, in season and exciting. To end your evening, there are many delicious options. The Classic Key Lime Pie and the Toasted Coconut Pie are two tempting options. The key lime pie is represented on the menu as the official Florida State Pie, and is both light and refreshing at the same time. The Toasted Coconut Pie is inspired by the Commander’s Palace Restaurant in New Orleans. It is not the typical heavy recipe, but instead whipped light and fluffy, and not overly sweet, with a macadamia nut crust. If you’re looking for an exceptional evening, full of delicious food, beautiful ambience, and an education on the freshest and most unique seafood, Silo Terrace Oyster Bar is the place to go. Mr. Richardson, Chef Boatman and their team are elevating beautiful ingredients and creating lasting memories of a meal well enjoyed. Happy Hour nightly 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday – half priced wines by the bottle Live Entertainment on Thursday 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Lisa Arcuri is a native of Long Island New York, and most recently moved to Texas in July of 2014 from the Boston Massachusetts area. Lisa has been cooking her whole life with her mother and grandmothers. Lisa has over twenty years’ experience in food service, catering and as a personal chef. Lisa, her husband John, and their sons, John Philip II and Gregory, live in The Dominion.
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MENDING HEARTS AROUND THE WORLD... ONE GIFT AT A TIME by Leslie Davis Met, HeartGift Executive Director
Imagine your child with a life threatening heart ailment, and no one where you live can treat it. That is the very real story that plays out in underdeveloped countries around the world. And that is when families turn to HeartGift to provide their child a second chance at life. Since HeartGift expanded to San Antonio in 2008 — the original chapter is in Austin — doctors have performed nearly 40 surgeries on children from 12 countries around the world. The majority of patients typically have septal defects, or holes between the chambers of their hearts. These defects are fixed through surgical intervention and usually do not require additional surgeries or long-term medical oversight. “For every child born in the United States with a hole in their heart, repair is assured by our country. But, for children in developing countries, the cards are stacked against them. Children without access to care who have these cardiac defects literally suffocate to death and eventually die from being too winded to even eat adequately,” said Dr. John H. Calhoon, Director and Chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and founding member of the San Antonio chapter of HeartGift. “These holes between a child’s pumping chambers are relatively easy to patch. We feel blessed that we have this opportunity to use our training to make a difference.” Surgery to correct these defects easily leads to charges of $150,000 or more in the United States. The full care for each HeartGift patient is overseen by a team (that donates all medical care at no charge or cost) of more than 30 health care professionals from the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, University Health System and Tejas Anesthesia. HeartGift provides all hospital costs to University Health System at a nominal fixed rate. Yet, what truly makes HeartGift unique is not necessarily the surgery, but the volunteer community that comes together to care for patients. HeartGift patients, who stay in San Antonio about one month, are set up with host families as part of the program. Host families and host communities provide both parent and child a little southern hospitality, opening their homes and their hearts during a difficult time. Whether through housing, meals, local transportation, comfort or entertainment, HeartGift patients and their host families embark on this journey together to heal a child’s heart and make it all a little bit less scary while so far from home, creating a lifetime of memories and a bond which can never be broken. “The advantage of this model is that we can engage an entire community in the care of a child,” remarked Leslie Davis Met, Executive Director of the San Antonio chapter of HeartGift. 48
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“HeartGift gives our community the opportunity to forever change the life of a child. These children and their families come from all over the world, and the donations we receive go directly to help give them a gift to last a lifetime.” The Dominion community is already engaged in HeartGift. Many members participate in the annual HeartGift Heroes Golf Event. Just two months ago, 40 golfers teed off to play nine holes of golf all with the common goal of mending the hearts of two children in 2015. Tournament title sponsor DOCUmation and Dominion resident Scott Woolfolk led the way. All proceeds from the tournament will go directly toward underwriting the necessary medical and transportation expenses required to save a child’s life. The first tournament beneficiary will be Alice, a toddler from Uganda, who alongside her mother begins her HeartGift journey to Texas in August of this year. Thanks to the generosity of the golfers, sponsors and volunteers, Alice and her mother will put their trust in the hands of HeartGift to repair the hole in Alice’s tiny heart. Save the Date for next year’s golf event on April 30, 2016! HeartGift surgeries happen with the help of many. Whether serving as a “HeartGift Angel” for a child through a $25,000 donation, or a general donation that assists with the day-to-day care of a child, every donor adds value to HeartGift. By contributing to HeartGift, donors give children around the world access to life-saving treatment and a new hope for the future. We would love to welcome you into our San Antonio HeartGift family. To learn more about HeartGift or donate, visit www.heartgift.org.
HEARTGIFT HEROES GOLF EVENT AT THE DOMINION On May 22, the fifth annual HeartGift Heroes Tournament was played at The Dominion. It was a fun afternoon for all and a very successful event for the wonderful charity. Dominion residents were involved in the tournament in several ways. Dr. John Calhoon, a board member of HeartGift, chaired the tournament committee which included Dr. Clint Baisden, a fellow Board member, Scott Woolfolk, and Jimi Ellis. One of the major sponsors was DOCUmation through the kindness of Lou Scantland and Scoot Woolfolk. Dr. John Calhoon and Dr. Clint Baisden also helped sponsor the event. Melissa and Roberto Alvarez donated a skybox at a Spurs game, one of the many terrific items auctioned off in a live auction led by Pat McMahan. Scott Woolfolk took the overall honors and the trophy. There was other excitement, though, as Tim Marcus made a hole-in-one on a hole sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Boerne and walked away with a new Mercedes!
dr. clint baisden, mark webb, dr. adil husain, dr. john calhoon, and bob mcgann
tim marcus, mercedes benz hole-in-one winner
winner scott woolfolk
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Keith Coehlo, Mark Paine, Mike Burke, Michael Himoff, Ralph Minton, Larry Anderson, Michael Schroeder, Jeff Lewis, Larry Miller, Sid Hodges, Boyd Bruckmiller; not pictured: Dan Johnston, Frank Santos
Senior Hill Country Interclub Golf Group by Ralph Minton, Dominion resident
e
arly in 2009, two friends who had been playing golf together for some time got together again to discuss golf at their clubs. Bob Duncan, now at Cordillera, and I didn’t get to play as often since Bob and his wife Karen had moved to Cordillera. We came up with an idea about playing area courses for fun, competition and lunch all for the low fee of $75 per player. We didn’t want any other money involved as it was mainly for fun and another chance to get to play golf. Together Bob and I approached our respective club pro shops to see if they could generate some interest. The pro shops thought it was a great idea. We then began to contact other clubs and golfers. The first clubs approached were Commanche Trace in Kerrville and Canyon Springs, which is a great public course layout near Hwy. 281. We met and worked out the rules and other qualifications for play. We felt a trophy should be presented to the winning club each year so it was the first purchase of the group. We came up with the following set of rules: Match Play - 2 Man Teams, Better Ball, All 18 holes must be played. The age requirement was 55 and older. Of the 10 player teams, three could be single digit handicappers. The maximum handicap would be
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24. One point would be given for the winning hole, half point if the hole was halved. The winning pair of the matches would receive an additional point. Highest points would be gathered throughout the season. At the last get together, Team 1 and 2 would play against each other, heads up. Likewise, Teams 3 and 4 would play each other, etc. There would be 6 teams with 10 players on each team. The season of play is March through July. There are 14 to 16 players at each club that rotate turns as players available to participate. Additional players from each of the clubs could also play just for the experience. The original teams were The Dominion, Cordillera, Canyon Springs, Commanche Trace, Sonterra and Tapatio Springs. The Dominion won the inaugural year. Cordillera is the current holder of the trophy. The number of players has gone from 10 to 8 and the number of clubs has gone from 6 to 8 with one club replaced. Canyon Springs is no longer involved but other clubs have joined: River Crossing, TPC and Fair Oaks Ranch. Currently The Dominion is in third place only a few points from the two top teams and play is scheduled for June 22nd at our home course. River Crossing closes out this season on July 23rd. We are within reach of the trophy.
Summer is right around the corner, and that means it’s time for pool parties, cookouts and fun in the sun. With The Dominion’s Swim Center opening on Sunday, May 31, you don’t have to go far to find something fun to do with the kiddos!
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by KRISTINE DURAN & PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN WEBER Long-time Dominion residents, Sid and Carol Hodges are known throughout the neighborhood for their friendliness and their commitment to the community, but most of all, for their extraordinary Coca-Cola collection. With a lengthy career of 36 years with the soft drink company, Sid’s collection contains several unique products and merchandise that merit full display. For that reason, when the couple moved to The Dominion in 1999, they wanted to build a home that could accommodate their extensive collection, especially their retro Coca-Cola cooler turned bar. The Dominion provided the ideal space for the couple and their collection, and the two have grown to love the caliber of its residents and its Country Club amenities.
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dining room
Carol was inspired by the interior design she had encountered in New Orleans. She was charmed by the reflections of dining room chandeliers through beveled glass. The chandelier is stunningly visible through the front doors’ beveled glass.
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bedrooms
With a big family – 4 children and 7 grandchildren – the couple needed a big house. There are four bedrooms to make those enjoyable family gatherings convenient. The grand open spaces throughout the home make entertaining for large groups a piece of cake. Carol says the space easily accommodates 50 people.
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Three-Shelf Collection
These three shelves contain 36 years’ worth of cans and bottles from around the world; about 150 items.
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Coca-Cola Bar & Wet Box
This 1955 cooler might have been transformed into a bar, but it is electric and still works as a cooler today. It is extremely practical as well, with its four chairs, as many first-time visitors enjoy spending time in the Coca-Cola room. Sid says his most unique item in the collection is the wet box, caddy corner to the bar. This 1936 Westinghouse is an open-top cooler that retailers would reach into for the product, as CocaCola was then only sold for immediate consumption. The couple had the cooler refinished and restored to its original condition.
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By Bryan Ledesma, Head Golf Professional, Dominion Country Club The Dominion Country Club would like to take this opportunity to officially introduce our 1st Assistant Golf Professional, Michael Kaylor. Michael moved from Atlanta, Georgia where he was an Assistant Golf Professional at Cherokee Town & Country Club. He attended The University of Tennessee from 2005-2009, and from there went on to the Golf Academy of America in Myrtle Beach from 2011-2012. He has lived in San Antonio since October of 2014. Michael said, “San Antonio has been a very pleasant place to live and I am looking forward to spending many years in this wonderful city.” Now that it is summer time, we should have an abundance of perfect golf days! The next upcoming member tournament will be the “Firecracker Scramble” on July 4th! We have a sign-up sheet in the golf shop, or feel free to call us at 210698-1146 to register your team. July 26, we will be holding our annual Parent/Junior Golf Tournament. The format will be a modified two person
scramble and includes golf, prizes and hors d’oeuvres following play. The Dominion Women’s Golf Association (DWGA) hosted a twoperson scramble on May 31 that turned out to be very successful! They acquired 8 new ladies to their wonderful Association. If any other ladies are interested in joining the DWGA, contact Michael Kaylor in the Golf Shop!
couples tournament - enjoying the evening, are the mccarts, the devanes, and the habys
We would like to recognize Traci and Scott Lewis, winners of the Larry Harper Open, held annually to celebrate the birthday of Club member and friend, Larry Harper.. Happy Birthday Mr. Harper! Congratulations to the winners of the popular Couples Tournament, Molly Jolly and her father, Mark Jolly. harper tournament - Traci and Scott Lewis with Larry Harper
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summer camps a n d aq uat i c f u n We are smack dab in the middle of our actionpacked summer at The Dominion Country Club. Summer Camp Director of Mighty Muscles and Action Adventure, Ann Mills has organized a series of entertaining camps for ages 3 ½ to 16 years old. Weekly sessions will continue into mid-August. Swim Team Director, Cassandra Rupp’s Dominion Dolphins program began in May and will be accepting new swimmers until the program ends in mid-July. Pictures tell of all of the fun! Visit www.the-dominion.com for more information.
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the dominion lakes By rob mcdaniel, general manager of the dhoa
The Dominion is a unique, and some would say fortunate neighborhood to have a man made series of lakes or ponds near the front entrance. These lakes are perhaps the one and only amenity of The Dominion Homeowners Association. In many regards, the lakes are like Central Park for The Dominion. The Dominion lakes consist of 10 separate lakes connected by surface water flow and sub surface pipes with pumps which allow for the water to circulate from the top area above Waterford Glen to the bottom just off Dominion Drive. The lakes area is open to all residents and their guests. The lakes house 2 swans, many koi fish and several species of birds. The lakes have intertwined walking trails and several picnic tables and benches dispersed throughout. The park is often used for photo shoots, casual walks and picnics. While there are fish in some of the lakes, fishing is not allowed. The lakes are maintained by the HOA. This includes repairing
and replacing pumps, repairing the electronic controls, cleaning the cattails and maintaining other landscaping surrounding the lakes, and adjusting water flow between the various lakes. What most are not aware of is that the lakes are fed by well water provided by a well drilled and permitted specifically for the lakes. Unfortunately, the lakes are over 25 years old and will at some point require substantial renovation to possibly include the replacement of lake liners, pumps, and connecting pipes. Not surprisingly, this type of project will not be inexpensive. Most residents are aware of the lakes and many make use for some of the purposes noted above. However, many residents are not aware the lakes exist or that they are an amenity for the entire community to enjoy. If you have never visited the lakes, we encourage you to drop by on foot, bike or even in your car and stop for a few minutes to rest, relax and enjoy this unique amenity.
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By B. B. Saidi, dominion resident
For many Dominion residents, participation in a book club is part of their day-to-day existence. Yes, we love our books! Several book clubs are currently active in our community. Most of them meet once a month during the school year with time off during the summer months. Participation is by invitation, with the total number limited by seating available in members’ living rooms. Each club has a slightly different reading list and its own way of selecting books. One such book club was originally started by Suzanne Leatherman, with help from Susan Cox, Brigitte Saidi, Davelyn Robbins, Ruth Dolan, Pam Burdick and others, and has continued for over a decade. Each month they meet at a different member’s house where the hostess offers a buffet, wine and soft drinks, while another club member introduces a book and author and guides the discussion. Before members leave for their summer break, books are selected and hostesses and discussion leaders have volunteered for the upcoming year. The April 2015 selection of this club was Reyna Grande’s awardwinning first novel “Across a Hundred Mountains”. The hostess was Carol Hodges who prepared a delicious Mexican-themed buffet while Brigitte Saidi led the discussion. Reyna Grande is the author of three critically acclaimed books which have become part of the reading list of many educational institutions. Grande has a San Antonio connection as she was a member of Sandra Cisneros’ Macondo Foundation Writer’s Workshop in the King William neighborhood. Currently, Grande teaches creative writing at UCLA. This novel offered an eye-opening insight into the Mexican immigrant experience. In vivid images, Grande describes the brutality of life in Mexico’s small towns, where the poor are permitted to eke out a minimal existence, so long as they abide by the rules of the rich and powerful. No objections are permitted; neither against sexual harassment, nor against exploitation of manual laborers. And the church is strictly on the side of the rich. That is the milieu from which people escape as they embark on the onerous trek through desert, across one hundred mountains to the border. Although many never make it across the border and their graves dot the bleak landscape of Northern Mexico and South Texas, the long walk is their only chance. Grande skillfully weaves the story of two women into a joint narrative. One is Juana, the only surviving child of a dirt poor family who is trying to follow in her father’s footsteps to the magical ‘other side’ – el otro lado. The other one is Adelina, a Mexican-American immigrant who has created a successful existence in the US and is trying to locate her father who disappeared years ago on his way north. The novel moves in and out of the life of these two characters. The story of Juana is given a linear narrative, while the story of Adelina skips back and forth through her life. The astonishing finale pulls all narrative strands together into one great story.
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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.
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Hometown: Spring, TX and San Antonio, TX Describe your education and background: Randon: I grew up in Spring, Texas and attended the University of Texas in Austin. Shortly after I graduated, I decided to work as a mortgage loan officer in Houston. I bought my first investment property back in 2005 and after that I was hooked on real estate. I moved to San Antonio in 2004 and bought my first home in The Dominion in The Cottage Estates. Celeste: I grew up in San Antonio and graduated from St. Mary’s University. I worked for an attorney and for the San Antonio City Council before I teamed up with Randon and started real estate. I have a passion for real estate and interior design. We have flipped over 9 investment properties. We have helped several clients furnish their homes after assisting them in the home buying process. With our experience we pride ourselves on being a one-stop-shop for buyers and sellers. How many years have you been in the business? We teamed up and got our real estate license in April of 2010, so about 5 years. How did you get started? Our 1st experience in real estate was buying and flipping an investment property together. We thought it would be a fun project and after putting it on the market, we sold the property in 14 days. We then realized how much we actually enjoyed being involved in real estate. Although I would like to take all the credit, my wife Celeste has a real gift for interior design and always seems to be ahead of the curve with what’s trending in high-end design. I tend to have a passion for the construction side of things. I really enjoy landscape architecture as well. With this experience we have become a great resource for clients with homeowner needs such as contractors and service providers. Together we are able to provide our clients additional value and have had great success in all aspects of real estate.
What sets you apart from the others? As one of the top producing teams in San Antonio, we have produced over 46 million dollars in sales since April of 2011. Our partnership represents a unique and dynamic combination of success, expertise and experience. It is a certain lifestyle we live and sell. We are a full concierge service and our clients receive hands on service throughout the entire transaction. Celeste and I view every transaction as if it was our own. Some of the things we do that set us apart is agent open our listings and arrive early to ensure the property is show ready. The first impression is most important, so we make sure the property looks its best. We not only sell the home but we also educate the buyer about the neighborhood, local retail and school districts. One thing we pride ourselves on is staying up to date with current and future market trends. We have lived in The Dominion for over 9 years. Our first home in the neighborhood was in The Cottage Estates. I remember when The RIM didn’t exist and families joked that they needed a sack lunch to come and visit. There has been such growth near the I-10 Corridor, it has continued to make The Dominion very desirable for buyers and sellers which is important, not only a real estate professional but as a Dominion resident. What are your biggest challenges in this business? One of the biggest challenges for us in real estate is making sure the other parties in the transaction are staying on schedule. There are multiple people involved in a real estate transaction and keeping them all on track for the closing date can be difficult at times. We have surrounded ourselves with a great team of real estate professionals so our buyers and sellers can experience a stress-free real estate transaction. What are the greatest rewards in this business? Some of the greatest rewards we have had in real estate are selling a client’s home for above asking price or handing a client keys to their new dream home and seeing their smile. We have made some long lasting friendships with our buyers and sellers and look forward to the many memories we will continue to create. Over 46 million dollars in sales since 2011 2012 Keller Williams Top Producing Newcomer Team Nationwide & Canada Winner of Double Gold Production award in 2011 & 2012 Winner of Triple Gold production award in 2013 & 2014 2011, 2012, 2013 Platinum Top 50 Finalist 2014 Platinum Top 50 Winner
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WHEN YOUR LOVED ONES HAVE PASSED ON, WE’LL BE HERE TO HELP.
L AW F I R M B O E R N E , T X : : 8 3 0 - 2 4 9 - 9 3 5 8 : : N E W L O C AT I O N O C T O B E R 1
The End of the Long Drought Floods on Memorial Day 2015 by Mo H Saidi, dominion resident After five long years of near record drought for Texas that began in late 2010 and intensified in 2011, decreasing the Edward Aquifer to a new low of 630 feet, a severe weather front brought storms that covered our region. The heaven opened its bosom and thunderstorms flooded the counties of South and Central Texas. The Edwards Aquifer rose above average for the first time in years. Here in The Dominion, ground maintenance staff reported over ten inches of rain in just a few short weeks. Medina Creek morphed back into a lake from a shallow 3% level, and around The Dominion golf course, the lakes filled up to the rim, fairways flooded, and water running along and across cart paths forced closure of the front nine holes. While The Dominion and the City of San Antonio benefitted from abundant rains, several towns north of us faced devastation. The near-record drought was erased from the maps. Although the drought was severe and exceptional in many counties, Texas has seen worse. The level of the Edwards Aquifer had been as low as 612.5’ in 1956 after another long devastating drought. Yet in a good, rainy year it may reach as high as 703.3’ (in 1952.) The lowest level of the Aquifer last year was 626.7’ on 30 August 2014. Persistent low levels forced the San Antonio Water System to advance the water usage restriction to Stage 2 Restrictions when the 10-day rolling average of the Edwards Aquifer level fell below 650 feet mean sea level at the monitored well. However, to lift the restriction we need the aquifer level to remain above the trigger point for 15 days. Aquifer depletion is a problem in some areas; it is especially critical in northern Africa and the Central United States. However, new methods of groundwater management such as artificial recharge and injection of surface waters during seasonal wet periods have extended the life of many freshwater aquifers, especially in the United States. The Ogallala Aquifer of the Central United States is one of the world’s great aquifers, but in places it is being rapidly depleted by growing municipal use and continuing agricultural use. This huge aquifer, which underlies portions of eight states, contains primarily fossil water from the time of the last glaciation. In the United States, the biggest users of water from aquifers include agricultural irrigation and oil and coal extraction. In addition to widely recognized environmental consequences, groundwater depletion also adversely impacts the long-term sustainability of groundwater supplies to help meet the nation’s water needs. An example of a significant and sustainable carbonate aquifer is the Edwards Aquifer. This aquifer has historically been providing high quality water for nearly 2.5 million people, and even today, thanks to frequent storms, is near capacity because of tremendous recharge from a number of area streams, sinkholes, rivers and lakes. The primary risk to this resource is human development over the recharge areas. Strong, powerful cold fronts often take over warm air that might be nearly motionless in the atmosphere. Cold, dense air squeezes its way through the warmer, less-dense air, and lifts the warm air. Because air is lifted instead of being pressed down, the movement of a cold 76
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front through a warm front is usually called a low-pressure system. Low-pressure systems often cause severe rainfall or thunderstorms, as happened these last few weeks. When the persistent rainfall and swirling winds ran through the Hill Country, severe flooding and tornados resulted, e.g., the disastrous Blanco River overflow and the destruction of Fischer Store Road Bridge and homes in Wimberley. Alas, the chaotic and blind storm with its torrential rains also brought flood, tornado and high winds and caused widespread flooding in Texas, inundating businesses, knocking out bridges and sweeping some homes from their foundations causing human casualties. More than 37 trillion gallons of water fell on the state in May, according to the National Weather Service making May of 2015 one of the wettest months in the record. On the positive side, the somewhat unexpected substantial rain during the last few months due to the cold front changed the outlook of Texas communities. The gardens of our neighborhoods and Hill Country roadways were adorned with colorful blankets of wildflowers, grass and lush plants. The Memorial Day floods brought substantial water to the area, increased the water level in the aquifer and filled nearby lakes. On a recent biking tour through nearby hillsides, water greeted me with cheerful gurgles in every creek that I crossed.
ih 35 at san marcus
the dominion golf course
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