OCTOBER 2015
A PUBLICATION OF:
THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
CONTENTS THE DOMINION MAGAZINE | THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
OCTOBER 2015
The Dominion is fortunate enough to be positioned at the entrance to some of the most beautiful and scenic areas of the great state of Texas.
student 52
WELCOME 14
art 54
THE CLUB
CALENDAR 16 CLUB HAPPENINGS 18 HOA HAPPENINGS 20
COVER 34
Greg Glowka
40
social group 58
FROM THE HOA 28
st. jude dream home 60
STAFF PROFILE 30
charity 62
Meet the team behind The Dominion Magazine
Apron Society 64
54 60
CLUB DINING 40
A new and improved Mixed Grille Menu
GOLF 44
travel 72
San Antonio awarded the distinction of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site
napa trip 46 TENNIS 48
community 66
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(830) 368-4204 | www.tilestudio925.com 28721 ih 10 west Boerne, Tx 78006
OCTOBER 2015 | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 10
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
Welcome TO
the Dominion Magazine Dear Reader,
In this issue you will meet our publisher and the staff of SMV Texas Design Group. They, along with help from our volunteers and HOA staff, produce what we think is a very high quality magazine; I am proud that we are associated with them. SMV is a local Boerne firm, not a national publisher, and we hope you are impressed with their creativity and professional presentation. We have received so much positive feedback about the magazine. We enjoy that feedback but are also interested in your ideas about ways we can make the magazine better. We are always looking for story ideas or residents to feature in the magazine. If you have any ideas, drop an email to Sonia Mathews at dominionccrs@sbcglobal.net. Now that summer is behind us, the Neighborhood Outreach Committee’s activities are starting back up. This month we have National Night Out and on October 31, the Doggie Halloween Party and Trunk or Treat Halloween Party. We will also have our semi annual event to welcome our new residents that have moved into The Dominion in the last six months. Take a look at the calendar of events from the HOA as well as the Country Club in this issue. I am sure there is something for every resident and club member to enjoy. I have had the opportunity to spend some time with the new club General Manager, Stephen Phillips. I am impressed with his ideas about improving the club and we have already seen evidence of some of these changes. Take a minute and introduce yourself next time you are at the club.
OPERATIONS MANAGER Michelle Hans Michelle@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 information, or typographical errors contained in THE DOMINION | SEPTEMBER 2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
Jeff Lewis, Chairman Dominion Homeowners Association
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
FOr Advertising opportunities call 210-507-5250
MExICAN MODERNITy
a look into the home of Patricia alvarez
THE RIM’S NEW HOT SPOT
bowl and barrel VOLUME 2 ISSUE 9
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DOMINION DINES
this month we check whiskey cake kitchenout & bar
OCTOBER 2015
A PUBLICATION OF:
THE DOMINION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Dominion and/or Schooley Media Ventures. Copyright 2014 Schooley Media Ventures, 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006
october
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Supper Club Member Art Show 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Everyone knows Supper Club is a wonderful avenue for mixing and mingling with fellow Club Members, but join us this month and find out who amongst the ranks is a talented artist! The creativity within your own Club will astound you! Please RSVP to 210-698-3364
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Women’s Forum Luncheon - Julian Gold Style Show! 11:30 a.m. Join us for the most popular event of the season! Fabulous fall fashions modeled on the runway by professionals and Forum members followed by a delicious lunch and shopping opportunities. Reservations are a must! $19.50 per person.
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Oktoberfest Friday Night Happy Hour 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Dominion with complimentary German hors d’oeuvres and happy hour priced German beers and cocktails with your fellow-Dominion Members and Guests!
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History Club 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Keep your mind sharp and engaged and join History Club! Every month Dan Johnston introduces a new, exciting topic or continues from the previous month. This club attendance has grown to well over 75, so get your RSVP in early! Please 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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Women’s forum halloween costume party 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. The Theme is “Dynamic Duo” and the plan is a lot of fun! Forum Membership Required Please RSVP to 210-6983364
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Birthday Happy Hour 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Celebrate the October Birthday Babies with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, happy hour priced cocktails and a delicious birthday cake large enough to share!
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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! $27.95 Adults, $10.95 Children 6-11, Children 5 & Under Complimentary RSVP to 210-698-3364
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Kids Halloween Party 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Not so spooky fun awaits the entire family with trick or treating, family hay rides, cookie and mini-pumpkin decorating, a ghoulishly great dinner buffet and fun with your Dominion friends! $16.95 Adults, $13.95 Children 2+ 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
Ladies Bible Study 12:30 p.m.– 2:00 p.m. The ladies get together every Wednesday in the Wine Room. Stop by this week!
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!
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
Pasta Night in the Grille 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Enjoy delicious Italian favorites, gourmet and cooked to order. Children 11 and under dine complimentary from the pasta bar. $14.95 Adults Please RSVP to 210-698-3364
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. Delicious and bountiful includes baked potato, hearth rolls and a crisp garden salad. $23.95 per person RSVP to 210-698-3364
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THE
DOMINION CountryClub Happenings supper club The Dominion partied Margaritaville-style at the “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” party hosted by Supper Club! The live band played Jimmy Buffet-style music, the tropical drinks were flowing and the fabulous island dinner was delicious! A GREAT time was had by all! Make plans to attend the October 1st Supper Club Art Show!
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Women’s forum The Women’s Forum began their season with a wonderful luncheon and entertainment by Angela Malek, opera singer. Add fun vendors and door prizes - it was a great kick off!
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HOA Happenings
labor day at t h e d om i n i on A long-standing tradition of fun in the sun as we say goodbye to another summer!
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styling for the discerning gentleman™
COMPROMISE ELSEWHERE. $10 OFF YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE 930 E. BLANCO, BOERNE TX
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There has never been a better time to join The Dominion Country Club!
The Dominion Country Club is your oasis, and home away from home. The Club offers a world-class 18-hole Bill Johnston designed signature golf course with full practice facilities, an incredible tennis program, swim center, fitness and spa in the locker-rooms, and Clubhouse dining with fun filled social activities. There is something for everyone here at The Dominion Country Club! Please contact Aleya Davis in the Membership Office for more information at 210.698.4820 or Membership@The-Dominion.com
42 GALLERIA | DOMINION Located at the end of a winding street in The Dominion, this private European-inspired estate offers a masterful blend of modern amenities and elegantly appointed spaces for luxurious living and entertaining. The property`s spacious interior imbues feelings of classic Mediterranean-revival styling, evident through its neutral, airy color palette, graceful columns, mouldings and intricate motif carvings. Multiple living and dining areas comfortably accommodate guests for intimate gatherings or divine sit-down dinners. State-of-the-art amenities make the kitchen a dream for the keen chef, featuring stainless steel appliances, gas cook top and custom antiqued cabinets. Suited for the discerning owner, the master suite is elegantly appointed with a sitting area, exercise room, spa bath and exquisite closet. Additionally, all secondary bedrooms are generously sized, while a game/media room could serve as a second master suite. A covered patio and expansive deck offers the ideal backdrop for both relaxation and gatherings alike, showcasing spectacular views of rolling terrain.
Denise Graves
CertifieD Luxury Home marketinG speCiaList
www.thegravesgroup.com | dgraves@phyllisbrowning.com | 210-408-4053 | 210-260-2176
committee update By rob mcdaniel, general manager of the dhoa
The Neighborhood Outreach Committee (NOC) has plenty of fun planned for you this month. National Night Out is our first event of the fall and you won’t want to miss this opportunity to step out and enjoy the evening with neighbors. There will be events throughout the community so be sure to check in with your NOC representative on details for your area or contact the HOA for more information. Halloween day will be an eventful day full of spooky fun for your pets at the Doggie Costume Parade as well as the Trunk or Treat event in the evening. Last year’s Trunk or Treat was a BLAST! Residents from all neighborhoods brought out some treats to share in the pot-luck style event and kids of all ages dressed up in costume for the costume contest and trick or treating, Dominion style! We hope to see you there! Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Within the past two months, the Architectural Control Committee has reviewed and approved a total of 8 brand new homes. For modifications on existing homes, the ACC reviewed and approved a total of 25 projects. They also have started a new process to review colors and materials for new homes. Builders are requested to create mock-up boards that will display the colors for stucco and trim, any masonry materials including rock or brick, and roof tiles so the committee members can review and make sure the proposed colors compliment surrounding residences. The Finance Committee meets every month to review the financial statements to closely monitor the assessments and ensure operating expenses are within the budget. We are currently gathering sales projections from developers and builders and anticipated expenses from committees to compile the 2016 Budget. We will also prepare a 5 year capital expense budget to be sure we will have funds needed for major expenses. If anyone would like to become a member of the Finance Committee, we meet the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm, Please send an email to lisafratangelo@sbcglobal.net. The Development Committee and the HOA Board recently approved several road repair projects in The Dominion. This work will primarily be crack sealing and micro sealing sections of streets, as well as repairing a few depressions and pot holes. The most intensive project will be the repaving of the section of Champions Lane from Ambassador to 28
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the Country Club Villas circle. The crack seal and micro seal projects will be spread through streets in the Gardens, Cottages and Estates, as well as Eton Green Drive from Brenthurst to the Renaissance. The project should begin in the fall with more specifics on locations and times to be distributed at a later date. The Board also approved the construction of a new HOA storage building, next to the existing HOA office. The storage building will look like a detached 2 car garage with exterior architecture similar to the HOA office. The building will be used to store the HOA street sweeper and maintenance truck, as well as materials and equipment currently stored in the old “Goat Barn” located behind the Keller Williams real estate office. The goat barn is targeted for demolition later this year. The new facility will be built with assistance from The SA Builders Association, in appreciation of the HOA’s support of the Parade of Homes. Sometime during the upcoming month, traffic on the north bound I-10 access road between Boerne Stage Road and Ralph Fair Road will be limited to ONE way, north bound. This will require Dominion traffic exiting the north gate at Aue Road to turn right on the access road and proceed to the Ralph Fair Road intersection. The new turnaround at Ralph Fair Road Bridge should also be open to facilitate better traffic movement. Dominion residents exiting the north gate and wishing to go to Leon Springs will need to take the turn-around at Ralph Fair Road or exit The Dominion at the main gate. This detour is due to construction of a new frontage road bridge over Leon Creek between Boerne Stage Road and Aue Road. This construction work is scheduled to take 6 to 9 months. Once finished, the frontage road between Aue Road and Boerne Stage Road will again be a two way street. Security Committee and the HOA recently changed how driving citations are given to residents. The Security patrol will no longer attempt to stop resident vehicles in violation of the Rules and Regulations for Motorized Vehicle Operations, Safety and Use of Roads. If patrol witnesses a violation, they will identify the resident by the license plate on the vehicle and mail the citation to the home address. This is different to past processes whereby patrol would pull over the vehicle in violation. In addition, the Security patrol vehicle is now equipped with a dash camera and patrol officers are now wearing body cameras for your protection and their safety.
UPCOMING HOA EVENTS Landscape Committee Meeting Thursday, October 1 at 8:00 a.m.
neighborhood outreach Committee Meeting Tuesday, October 13 at 8:30 a.m.
development committee meeting Wednesday, October 14 at 7:30 a.m.
security committee meeting Tuesday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m.
Finance Committee Meeting Thursday, October 22 at 1:00 p.m The HOA has much in store for you this fall. The Trunk or Treat event planned for Halloween is a “Can’t Miss” event for families. The Neighborhood Outreach Committee organize the event to provide an alternative to traditional door-to-door trick or treating where children are able to enjoy Halloween munchies, music, a costume contest, and CANDY all in one place! We hope to see you there! In last month’s magazine, we talked about the 2015 Parade of Homes showcasing the works of several builders in The Bluff section of The Dominion during the second week of October. The HOA has made arrangements with G4S and SAPD to ensure that the safety and security of residents will not be affected while the public tours the homes. One of the homes being unveiled in this year’s Parade of Homes is the 2015 St. Jude Dream Home. The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has partnered with Mike Hollaway Custom Homes and various other organizations to raffle off a newly built home as a community service project raising money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. There will be an open house giving participants who purchased a raffle ticket the opportunity to tour the home they have a chance of winning. The HOA has worked out logistics with the St. Jude Dream Home team on how ticket holders will be permitted in to the community without disturbing residents during the hours of the open house. G4S and SAPD will be onsite to direct participants to the home during the weekends made available for public viewing. In gratitude for The Dominion agreeing to host this year’s Greater San Antonio Builders Association (GSABA) Parade of Homes, the Board of Directors has approved the GSABA’s offer to subsidize the construction of a maintenance storage building for the HOA.The storage building, which will be located just next to the HOA office, will be used to house the HOA street sweeper, maintenance vehicle as well as other HOA items. The design of the building will be approved by the Architectural Control Committee to comply with Dominion aesthetics. As always, if you have any questions about HOA matters, please feel free to call or stop in to the HOA office during business hours to discuss, or send me an email at dhoa@dominionhoa.com .
board of directors meeting Wednesday, October 28 at 4 p.m.
Architectural Control Committee Meetings Thursdays, October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th at 4:30 p.m.
National Night Out Various Neighborhoods Tuesday, October 6, Starts at 5:00 p.m.
New Resident Patio Party Thursday, October 15, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Doggie Halloween Costume Party Duxbury Park Saturday, October 31, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Trunk or Treat Halloween Party Duxbury Park Saturday, October 31, Starts at 5:30 p.m.
Bonfire Pecan Grove Sunday, November 22, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Turkey Chase The Dominion Commons Thursday, November 26, Starts at 8:00 a.m.
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As the team behind The Dominion Magazine, we are so pleased that you are reading this issue, as it represents the one year anniversary of the publication! That said, there was a lot of work that went into the early days of planning this project, and without the help and support of the HOA staff and Board, you wouldn’t be reading this today. A little history first: The Dominion Magazine is published in conjunction with my company, SMV Texas Design Group, based in Boerne. We have been publishing high-end publications since 2007, and most recently had been working on a similar publication for Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation in Bergheim. We had been doing the Cordillera Ranch Living Magazine for almost 6 years, and made the decision to step away from that project and look for new opportunities. No sooner had this decision been made that we took the call from The Dominion HOA about the possibility of beginning a magazine, so from my chair, it felt like one of those “the timing was too perfect” moments where you just know that it’s something you can’t pass up.
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And with that, The Dominion Magazine was born in the summer of 2014. Since then we have worked daily with the HOA staff and Board, and with their unending help, I believe that we have created a vibrant publication that enables you to learn so much more about your friends and neighbors here within The Dominion, as well as the surrounding area. I’d personally like to express my sincere gratitude to the HOA team as well as the Board. Believe me when I say that their work has been tireless and enabled us to truly achieve the vision we all had for this magazine at the onset. Additionally, to the countless citizens that have emailed us with appreciation, given us great suggestions, written articles, and otherwise encouraged us: THANK YOU
Ben Schooley - Publisher Education: Texas Tech University “This magazine has been one of my favorites to work on. Neighborhood publications like it are some of my favorites because, as time goes on, you begin to feel part of the community. The Dominion has been overwhelmingly welcoming to me, and I have so enjoyed getting to know so many people that call it home. I hope that, as the years go on, I am blessed with the opportunity to meet many more!”
Ben Weber - Creative Director Education: Texas Tech University “As a graphic designer, being able to create a piece that is so much more than a newsletter for the residents of The Dominion has been wonderful. The Dominion is a development that is such a high caliber environment, and it has been a lot of fun to create a magazine that, I feel, reflects the stature of this community.”
Kayla Davisson - Assoc. Creative Director Education: Full Sail University “This year has been absolutely amazing, and I can’t think of a better place to work and spend my time. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people to work with at The Dominion. Every month is filled with new and exciting things to create, and I’m always looking forward to it! I really do thank everyone involved for allowing us to be a part of your beautiful community!”
Michelle Hans - Operations Manager Education: Texas A&M University, College Station; Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1999 “I have had a fantastic time meeting, getting to know, and working alongside some really awesome residents, as well as the HOA and Club staff, of The Dominion. In the short time I’ve been with SMV, I’ve felt like I’ve been a part of the team for much longer, as everyone has welcomed me with such a warm reception. The Dominion Magazine is truly a remarkable publication, showcasing some extraordinary people, groups, and clubs that make up part of such outstanding community. Thank you for your kindness, and I truly look forward to working alongside everyone for many more issues to come.” 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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• 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 Kevin Thompson The Dominion is fortunate enough to be positioned at the entrance to some of the most beautiful and scenic areas of the great state of Texas. A short drive from here, The Texas Wine Trail begins and the options that await are virtually endless. This month, is Texas Wine Month and we hope that you’ll venture out and find out about one of Texas’ best kept secrets. For a comprehensive list of wineries, their locations, and special events, please visit www.TexasWineTrail.com. Only the bravado of Texas would challenge the transcendence of Napa. That’s exactly what’s happening at a winery near you. The Texas hill country is now the second-largest wine grape-growing region in America. Wine Enthusiast magazine named it a Top 10 Worldwide Wine Destination last year (sandwiched between the Aegean Islands and Mendoza, Argentina). Not shabby for a viticultural area designated less than twenty-five years ago. “The hill country was already known as a tourist destination,” said Julie Herbert, general manager at Grape Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg. “The wineries have simply built on that foundation.” Nearly three dozen wineries now populate the area with new additions each year. Last year the region welcomed Pontotoc Vineyard (Chickasaw for “land of hanging grapes”), the German-rooted Kuhlmann Cellars, and Fat Ass Ranch & Winery (ever tried watermelon wine?). No need for airfare with so many options just within a short drive from The Dominion. A full tank of gas and a designated driver, or a reservation with a service like Off the Vine Wine Tours (embarking from The Boerne Wine Company), and you’ll be savoring fine wines in no time. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find.
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www.BeckerVineyards.com 464 Becker Farms Road Stonewall, TX 78671 830-644-2681
No hill country wine tour is complete without a visit to the most prominent of them all, Becker Vineyards. Dominion residents Bunny and Dr. Richard Becker founded their winery in 1992. Wine Enthusiast magazine recently nominated Becker Vineyards for American Winery of the Year. The winner will be revealed at a black tie affair in NYC in January 2016. “We’re pretty excited,” Dr. Becker said. “It’s a nice list to be on. The other four nominees are west coast wineries.” Not that Dr. Becker is chasing California. He’s finding France. “I really love French wine. When we started, everyone said, ‘You have to make sweet wine. Texans won’t drink wine without sugar in it.’ But I liked dry wine and that’s what we were going to make. If it didn’t work out, it didn’t work out.” It worked out. American and Texas palates seem to have shifted at just the right time. Becker Vineyard’s success has caught even the Beckers by surprise. “We didn’t expect this. We were in the middle of nowhere,” explained Dr. Becker, who chose the Stonewall location near Fredericksburg because it was closer to somewhere than Brady, where his roots date back to the Civil War. “What’s made the whole thing cook is that the wine is actually good.” According to Dr. Becker, hill country wine has a long history. The Gillespie County farm census in 1860 listed the number of cattle, goats, chickens, how much wheat and corn and how many barrels of wine each homestead owned. The Germans made wine from native Mustang grapes. “It’s the air and the soil that have Texas wineries winning a disproportionate number of medals at competitions worldwide,” Dr. Becker believes. Becker Vineyards will ship 120,000 cases of wine this year, up from 20,000 in 2002. “We make it all as if we only made 500 cases,” Dr. Becker insists. “We pay a lot of attention to it.” Becker Vineyards is open seven days a week. On Saturdays, guests can experience the exclusive Reserve Wine Library housed in the winery’s barrel cellar. Space is limited. Taste is not.
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www.GrapeCreek.com 10587 East US Highway 290 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-644-2710 Many of us have bought a bottle of wine during a California wine tour. Not many of us have bought a vineyard. That’s exactly what Grape Creek owner Brian Heath did last year. Annually, Heath and his team seek ideas and inspiration in California. When a tour guide casually mentioned a vineyard for sale, Heath Vineyards was born. Founded in the late 1980s, Grape Creek calls itself a “boutique” winery, distributing the fruit of its vines via a 5,000-member wine club as well as tasting rooms in Fredericksburg and Georgetown. Grape Creek does not distribute through wine wholesalers. “The model works for us,” GM Herbert says. “Our wine club members purchase 85% of our wine. We offer special ‘wine club only’ wines and hold special events and tastings for our members.”
Grape Creek’s charming courtyard in Fredericksburg welcomes visitors. Wine club members can access a private section of the shady patio on weekends. Live music wafts in the background as patrons enjoy their wine. In May, Grape Creek added another element of “Tuscany in Texas” when Stout’s Pizza Company opened on the grounds. The trattoria, offering gourmet pizza, pasta, salads and cheese boards grace the Grape Creek menu. After lunch and a tram tour of the estate including a stop at the first commercial wine cellar in central Texas, visitors can shop at the winery’s unique gift store, well stocked with whimsical winethemed wares.
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www.FourPointWine.com 10354 East US Highway 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 830-997-7470
Multi-taskers will appreciate this stop on the wine trail. An efficient collaboration of three Texas wineries, 4.0 Cellars (it’s the threesome’s “fourth” location) brings a modern feel to a traditional industry. Constructed in a hill country contemporary motif, the tasting room unites Texas wine, Dublin cheeses and fine chocolates. Brennan Vineyards in Comanche, Lost Oak Winery in Burleson and McPherson Cellars of Lubbock have different wine-making styles, but the same commitment to quality. They joined together in 2012. “We want there to be a second Napa in Texas,” said Sylvia McPherson. “We want to raise the bar.” Her husband, Kim, has deep roots in the Texas wine world. McPherson’s father, a former Texas Tech chemistry professor, cofounded the legendary Llano Estacado Winery in Lubbock in 1976. Dr. McPherson brought Sangiovese grapes into the state which his son still uses as his signature varietal. “4.0 Cellars is a unique venture,” notes Pat Brennan. “The common thread that brought us together was our dedication to being the best.”
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Along with Dr. Becker and Dr. Young, Dr. Brennan rounds out a triumvirate of medicine-practicing Texas winemakers. (“Winemaking, like medicine, is both art and science,” Becker observes.) Dr. Brennan calls his a classic slippery slope story. He “got the bug” in 1997 when he purchased an historic home 100 miles southwest of Fort Worth. He planted five acres with the intent of merely selling grapes. Famous last words of a winemaker. “Our Viognier has been repeatedly acclaimed in national and international competitions. It’s our claim to fame,” Dr. Brennan said. “It’s been a real adventure. We’ve met some wonderful people including our partners in 4.0 Cellars.” Roxanne Myers of Lost Oak Winery completes the partnership. “Our goal was to bring together three top quality Texas wineries who are dedicated to growing the industry. We’re trying to put a bottle of Texas wine on every Texas table.”
www.BendingBranchWinery.com 142 Lindner Branch Trail Comfort, Texas 78013 830-995-2948
The Dominion’s own Dr. Richard Becker of Becker Vineyards isn’t the only MD prescribing wine in the hill country. Internist Robert Bob Young began growing grapes in Helotes prior to securing his slice of Texas near Comfort in 2009. Nestled a stone’s throw from the Guadalupe River, Bending Branch is a self-described sustainable vineyard. Rainwater catchment provides irrigation. Grapes, untainted by pesticides or fungicides, are harvested by hand. Even the handsome tasting room counters are reclaimed from wilted Live Oaks. True to their bluegrass roots, Bob and wife, Brenda, host a lively Kentucky Derby party each year complete with a hat contest and homemade mint juleps. A “light crowd” of 300 enjoyed the festivities in May. The winery’s varietals excel in the warmer central Texas climate. Roussanne, for instance, does better than Chardonnay but has similar characteristics. Like most area wineries, Bending Branch sources grapes from its own property and from other parts of Texas and California. Its Vermentino has been described as the hypothetical offspring of Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. A scientist by trade, Dr. Young experiments with innovative fermentation methods. “As opposed to large tank fermentation, we ferment in small bins to increase the intensity of flavor and concentration,” Dr. Young explains. One fermentation approach, cryomaceration (i.e., deep freezing), causes grapes to expand, cell walls to burst and flavor to pour forth. Another “flash” method achieves nearly 100% extraction. With rare Italian-made machinery, Bending Branch can heat grapes to 185 degrees and then rapidly cool them in minutes. Similar to distillation, this method steams off impurities that taint a wine’s flavor. Dr. Young also experiments with obscure varietals. Tannat is his signature red wine. Tannins give red wine their salutary effects. A doctor should know. From a hilltop overlooking the Guadalupe River Valley, Bending Branch’s tasting room and outdoor patio will inspire your emotions. A tour of Dr. Young’s winemaking laboratory will challenge your intellect. The winery’s “urban” tasting room in downtown Comfort will also do both. 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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BY Franck Mannechez, Operations Manager, Dominion Country Club The Mixed Grille at The Dominion Country Club is pleased to introduce an exciting new menu for a true gourmet experience. Sample world class cuisine created by Executive Chef Jay Nash. We want to position our restaurant as a place that offers a classic experience with A la Carte selections that combine elegant cuisine and homemade cooking. Chef Jay has been drawing his inspiration from our member’s request and family favorites.
USDA Prime 10 Ounce Filet char grilled to your specification with Light Veal Demi-Glace, Oyster Mushrooms, and Sauce Béarnaise on the side
Hand Cut Sea Bass Filet Pan seared and served with Saffron Cream and Sautéed Baby Spinach
From a range of extremely fresh fish as well as high-end prime meat, our new menu has already been well received. We look forward to seeing more members come and enjoy our new menu. Our wine list will be expanded soon to pair with our new entrees.
Char Grilled Hand Cut 14 Ounce USDA Prime Ribeye with Light Demi-Glace and Oyster Mushrooms
Hand Breaded Lobster fried golden brown and drizzled with Peppered Cream Gravy
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HELP US WELCOME KYLE O’BRIEN TO THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB! Kyle has enjoyed a career which began in the late 90’s working at Newport Golf Club and Conference center just outside of Houston, Texas, while playing golf at San Jacinto Junior College. Kyle left Houston to continue his college golf career at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Health. Continuing his career in the golf business, Kyle accepted an Assistant Golf Professional position at The Dominion Group’s River Place Country Club in 2004. He was named Head Golf Professional in 2006 and finished his tenure at The Dominion Group’s River Place in November, 2008. Kyle most recently served seven years as the Head Golf Professional at Twin Creeks Country Club. Kyle is honored to serve here at The Dominion Golf Group’s flagship Club. He looks forward to maintaining the professionalism and level of service to which Dominion Members have grown accustomed. Kyle will work diligently to enhance Member service and communications, Member tournaments, and overall great experiences in the Pro Shop and on the course! 44
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Kyle and his wife Lindsey are blessed with three beautiful children, Evan, Caden, and Adelyn, and look forward to many years in this area.
Sign up for our great October tournaments: October 3-4: Men’s Senior Club Championship October 9: JJ Invitational, open to all October 14-15: Ladies Club Championship October 23-24: Member-Member Guest Tournament
2015 Men’s Club Championship Competive golf was displayed in all flights this year with your outright winners being determined in true fashion, by the back 9 on Sunday. The golf was competitive, the weather was great, the course was immaculate, and the food was delicious. Thanks to all that came out for this year’s tournament and we hope to see you all, plus more, for next year’s event. A special congratulations to all of our winners.
Your 2015 Champion Joseph Naffa Other Results:
Championship Flight 2nd Gross - Eddie DeVane 1st Net - Mike Koetting
President’s Flight 1st Gross - Ed DeVane 1st Net - Jeff Lewis
First Flight 1st Net - Speedy Gonzalez 1st Gross - Col. Dan Johnston 2nd Flight - 1st Net - George Yunes 1st Gross - Antonio Naffa
concert on the green What a great night of music, good food, and fun. Residents and club members all enjoyed a delicious barbecue dinner and set under the stars listening to the country music band, John Reeves and the Brew. Songs of Willie, Waylon, Johnny Cash, and many more had everyone singing and dancing.
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A group of Dominion golfers and partners enjoyed a fabulous trip to Napa in September where they played golf, visited wineries, had amazing wine dinners, and even stomped grapes. A great time was had by all!
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ladies tennis The 2015 Tennis Ladies Member Guest was filled with great Tennis, great ladies, delicious food catered by the Club and fabulous prizes. A big thank you goes out to all businesses and individuals who donated their goods to help spoil the ladies, and to Cindy Exton for making the event successful!
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student spotlight Brooke Meads and her family have lived in The Dominion since late July. However, they have been members at The Dominion Country Club for about two years. Her favorite part about living in The Dominion is being so close to the golf course. Brooke, a senior at Cornerstone Christian School, has played golf throughout high school. She started playing in her freshman year and immediately fell in love with the game. Last year, she was captain and MVP of her school’s girls varsity golf team. Brooke says that, out of all the great memories she’s made during her years of playing golf, her favorite was qualifying for the 4A State TAPPS Competition (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools). She was ranked in the top 15 players at the regional competition, and went on to finish 16th place out of 60 players at the state competition. Brooke says that, while she enjoys every minute of it, being on the golf team is pretty time-consuming. Starting in January, the boys and girls golf teams practice and play at different golf courses around San Antonio every day. Their season ends in May. Brooke says that her team plays 4-5 golf tournaments in a season in addition to the district, regional, and state golf tournaments. Her personal goal for her senior year is to be ranked in the top 10 at the 2016 State Golf Tournament. This past summer, Brooke spent every day out on the golf course. She also hung out at the pool with friends, read a little, and narrowed down her college search. Brooke is considering St. Mary’s University, Trinity University, or UTSA. She plans on studying political science. Besides golf, Brooke enjoys running, shopping, playing the piano, and singing. 52
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The Little Blue Silver THE BEAUTY OF THE HILL COUNTRY AND THE ATTENTION IT DEMANDS By Ben Schooley
When I was a kid, I would lie on my back amongst the tall grass behind my family house, a few yards from the little creek that ran through the field, and I would stare at the clouds. It’s a mundane activity, but an inspiring one. I could gaze at those slow-moving puffs of clouds and see all sorts of shapes and figures in them. Somewhere along the way, my thoughts would meander, I would slip in and out of sleep, and I would be refreshed. Greg Glowka has a similar slant. “When I was a kid, I would go to my grandpa’s place and fish in his old pond. And from as early as I can remember, I would stare at where the sky would meet the horizon, and it would just float my boat. I could do it day in and day out, and I do it to this day. So I’m always staring at the horizons, and it’s just something about the beauty of the Hill Country. And it’s always captured my attention and demanded my efforts. That’s my favorite part of my paintings…it’s putting in that little blue sliver on the painting…I could do that over and over and never tire of it.” A lifelong artist, Greg has been putting that “little blue sliver” of the horizon on his landscape paintings since day one. “The man that lived across the alley from me when I was a kid was the brother of Porfirio Salinas, who was a pretty famous bluebonnet artist back in the day. I was exposed to his art early on, and my other neighbor was an artist, and I would poke around these guys’ garages, and it made my mouth drop. And so I doodled. And doodled some more. In the 7th grade, 54
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I got ‘mono’ and spent the entire time sketching. Somehow I got into those ‘starving artist’ shows, and I loved every minute of it.” With such a strong propensity for art, Greg’s parents saw early on that he had a future with his creativity. “My dad was my biggest supporter. He would always tell me – ‘You are so lucky. You’ll never have to get a real job. You don’t even know how lucky you are.’ And even my mom got into it. She would always applaud my efforts, and it just motivated me to do another drawing.” After high school, Greg attended San Antonio College for graphic design courses. “No sooner than I started classes, I got a job doing graphics work for a local company. I was kind of a one-man graphics department. And I painted the owner a landscape as a gift, and she told me that I should be a full-time artist. So she told me to take some art classes at UT, and she would pay me the same salary for half the workload if I’d take classes. So for 2 or 3 years I took and re-took classes on art. I couldn’t get enough of it. Finally, I entered an art show, and was accepted. At the same time, the graphics job went away, and so I was flying as a full time artist for the first time. Nanette Richardson Fine Art Gallery agreed to show my work, and they were selling.” After moving to Bulverde, Greg began to focus heavily on his art. “I’d run a painting into Nanette, and by the time I got home there would be a message on my machine saying that it had sold. It was wonderful. So during this time in Bulverde I really began to focus exclusively on the art
exclusively on the art and hone my skills.” With any solitary activity, it has its challenges. “I moved out to Fischer a few years back, and I love the hell out of it. However, the loneliness is tough. It’s the hardest part of my job. I spend so much time by myself painting, and sketching. And the next thing I know, I haven’t talked to anybody the entire day. So a few years back I burned out. I just wasn’t inspired. So a friend worked at a golf course, and got me a job mowing the fairways. I think I made $8 an hour. I quit after a short bit, but I tell ya, if I could make $80k mowing lawns, I’d do it in a second. Accountants work their entire careers, then freak out and run off to become painters or musicians. So maybe I’ll do the opposite. After a lifetime of this, I’ll burn up and mow lawns for a living. Who knows!” Greg laughs. Utilizing the beauty that God has supplied him with, Greg works daily to capture it on canvas. “I’m trying to get more into Plein-Art paintings. It’s the act of taking your canvas out to the source of the painting, and doing the art right there. Normally I take photos, return to my studio, and paint. I need to just go out in the field, sit down, and paint. It’s good for me, and it’s good for my art. It keeps it fresh.” Greg is currently on display at the Nanette Richardson Fine Art Gallery, the Fredericksburg Art Gallery, and will be featured at the National Western Art Foundation Art Show in early March. You’ll also find him sitting in a field atop one of the majestic hills surrounding his studio in Fischer, fighting off the solitude, and enjoying the endless inspiration. “I love the hell out of my little house up in Fischer. I miss the conveniences sometimes of being closer to San Antonio, but as we all know, that cursed town is coming closer to each of us everyday. As for now, I paint and create, and have a conversation or two with a goat.” 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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photo sa by jim landers, photo sa founder
Of course I am biased because I started this camera club in January of 2006, but I think that Photo SA is the most welcoming, informative and fun, all-level (beginners to pro), camera club in San Antonio. Between 20 and 50 of the 1000+ members get together on the second Thursday of each month in The Dominion Country Club. Each month we bring in speakers who share their interest and passion in photography. Some are professional photographers, some amateur photographers, some speakers are camera reps, reps from photo labs and others in the photography industry. We host the “Annual San Antonio Photography Tournament” in October of each year. Photo SA Details All levels of photographers are welcome, digital or film: those to photography, hobbyists, part-timers, even pros: Meet others in the area that have an interest in photography! Come to a meeting to swap tips and techniques, share your images and stories and have fun doing it! Each meeting has a different topic. Some of our past meeting topics: • • • • • • •
“Your camera’s identity crisis; video!” “PS WoW Factor 3.0” a powerful class on print finishing” “Learn by Doing, 7 great self-assignments to invigorate and improve your passion” “Where the family is - the camera is! “The Power of Photography” “Where’s Cleto Morning Show Live” “Portraits, MacGyver Style” (the creative use of a shoe-string budget)
Regular Monthly Meetings: the second Thursday of each month from 6:30-8pm at The Dominion Country Club Monthly Social Events: Fridays the week following the regular meetings, we have a social event where we meet at a different location each time (restaurants, studios, photo labs, etc.). Monthly Photo Competition: Each month we have a new topic. Up to five “Outstanding” winners get their image printed as an 8x10 donated by Digital Pro Lab and the “Best Overall” winner gets a 16x20 of his/her image donated by finerworks.com. All prints are presented at the meeting when the winners are announced. Mission Statement: Photo SA is dedicated to the advancement of photography as art, hobby and profession. Slogan: Where great speakers and events expand your knowledge and appreciation of photography. 58
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We help our members reach their full creative potential by: • • • • • •
Sharing ideas and information on all aspects of photography. Providing regular programs and competitions for members. Creating a space for constructive dialogue, feedback and criticism. Providing advice, help and encouragement. Providing or sponsoring lectures, demonstrations, and exhibitions for the benefit of the community. Providing opportunities for good fellowship and mutual aid.
Helping young photographers: We collect and donate digital cameras to Harris Middle School (SAISD) and support their thriving camera club through Mrs. Rosanne Volpert, a Photo SA club member and middle school teacher. Annual Photo Tournament: In October of each year, we host the “Annual San Antonio Photography Tournament” (for all levels ages 12 and up). Tournament info: Date: Sunday October 18, 2015, Time: Arrive no later than 8am Attention all photography enthusiasts! We have put together a photo tournament that you are not going to want to miss! An Instant Gratification Photography Competition! You
will arrive by 8am, the rules and the list of categories will be revealed at registration (7:30-8am) -this is to keep things as fair as possible. Then you get to roam around the grounds of the beautiful “Dominion Country Club” and create wonderful images! By noon the competition is over and while you are eating lunch, the judges will choose the winners. The winners will be announced immediately following lunch. There are MANY VALUABLE PRIZES that will be distributed as the 60+ winners are announced. Note about the sponsors: 100% of last year’s sponsors are returning and so far we have grown the number of sponsors by 600%. Sponsor info: If you would like to sponsor, donate a product or include a flyer or promo item in our “Goodie Bags” (we must have the items by Tuesday 10/13 at noon): email: jim@LandersPhotoSchool.com for details About Photo SA founder Jim Landers: Jim is a local professional portrait photographer whose studio has been on I-10 at Ralph Fair Road since 2003. He has been the Dominion Country Club photographer since 2008. Jim is one of the few pro photographers that actually has a college degree in Photography. He specializes in business and family portraits and has been in business since 1995. Contact him at jim@LandersPhotography. com or 210-681-8552. Photo Classes, Seminars, and Workshops: www.LandersPhotoSchool.com
Current Sponsors ·Pentax by Ricoh ·Digital Pro Lab ·Finerworks.com · San Antonio Photo Lab ·Lens Baby ·Photoflashdrive ·Topaz Labs ·Hilmy Productions ·Landers Photography School ·Sonny Melendrez ·Think Tank Photo ·Alien Skin Software ·Camera Exchange ·Digital Imaging Firm ·Black Rapid ·Wingman Web Design Lowe pro ·Alamo Karts ·Portrait Pro ·Santikos Theatres
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In 1991, Dr. Donald Mack raffled off a home in Shreveport, LA, raising over $166,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Because of the success of the event, that first year, the St. Jude Dream Home became the annual fundraiser and ultimately became the single largest national fundraiser for St. Jude. To date, the program has given away over 300 homes and raised over $245 million. The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway is a community service project sponsored by Mike Hollaway Custom Homes, Fox 29, The CW 35, News 4 San Antonio, Dream Day Foundation, and national sponsors Brizo, Shaw Floors and Trane to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A newly built home, along with other high-end prizes, will be given away at the end of the promotion on November 12, 2015. •
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TICKETS: $100 tickets will be available Thursday, August 20th. You may reserve your ticket by visiting www.dreamhome.org for a chance to win the St. Jude Dream Home or other prizes. One out of every 500 ticket buyers has a chance to win a prize valued at $1,000 or more. The grand prize is the St. Jude Dream Home located in The Bluff neighborhood of The Dominion. On average about 7000 people walk through the house during the Open House weekends.OPEN HOUSE: The Grand Prize house will be open to the public every weekend October 24 - November 11, Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from Noon to 5:00 p.m. DRAWING: Winners will be announced on WOAI News 4 San Antonio on November 12, 2015. Only 9,000 tickets will be sold.
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Ever wonder what it must have been like to guard the Kennedy children after the president was assasinated? Or to observe, up close, Richard Nixon before the Watergate scandal broke? Well, here’s your chance to meet Kathryn Clark Childers, one of the first female United States Secret Service Agents, who will be the keynote speaker at a fundraising luncheon benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio. In her presentation, “Secrets of Service”, she’ll share the inside scoop on these assignments that gave her the distinct privilege of being “a mouse in the pocket of history.” Please consider sponsoring a table to attend this event that will be held on November 12 at the Greater San Antonio Builders Association Ballroom, located at 3625 Paesanos Parkway, from 11:30 to 1:00 PM. Tables of eight cost: $5,000 for the Gold Star Table $2,500 for the Silver Star Table $1,500 for the Bronze Star Table
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All sponsors will enjoy a tax deductible contribution, less value benefits received. For more information about sponsorship of this event or to order $100 individual tickets, call the Ronald McDonald House Charities (210) 614-2554 or go to the RMHC website http://www.rmhcsanantonio.org/. The Ronald McDonald Houses in San Antonio provide a “homeaway-from-home” for families while their critically ill children undergo extensive and time-consuming treatment for cancer, leukemia, organ transplants and other serious illnesses at area medical facilities. The families receive valuable emotional support in addition to inexpensive and comfortable surroundings. While McDonalds Corporation is instrumental in establishing the houses, ongoing support and maintenance depends solely on volunteer efforts, private donations, and fundraising activities.
The Dominion Apron Society by Sandra Marquez
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Over eleven years ago Dominion resident, Christine DeKemper, had the idea to put together a group of neighbors who could help each other out when in need. The Dominion is lucky enough to have residents from all over the country - and the world, so some people do not have family around to help them out at times when they might require help. The “Apron Society” was born with a mission to provide assistance when a neighbor might be facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. If residents are in need for reasons such as illness, an accident, family death, etc., the members of the group are there to provide prayers, meals, transportation, pet assistance, visitation, information, or just a shoulder to lean on. When we receive a request, notification goes out to the group, now numbering almost 150 members. If someone just wants prayers, we send many prayers and good thoughts. If someone needs more assistance, often a specific advocate is assigned who can help coordinate transportation, meal deliveries, dog walking or pet feeding - whatever is needed.
The Apron Society includes both men and women and there is always plenty of room for more volunteers. We meet quarterly for a little get together and to share. It is a very bighearted group of volunteers and the added bonus of being a member is that you can make wonderful new friends. Our leader of several years, Sharon Koenig, along with husband Steve, is moving from the community. We will all miss her and very much appreciate all of her efforts for so many of us within The Dominion community. We were extremely lucky to have found a new leader, Carole Minton, who has now taken over for Sharon. If you are in need of our support, know someone else who is, would like to volunteer to help others in the neighborhood, or just want more information, please contact Carole at caroleminton@satx.rr.com.
Pictured are Carole Minton with Moyra Jardon, who hosted the September Apron Society meeting. Moyra opened her lovely home to the group where we all enjoyed tea, champagne, wonderful food, and her special hospitality. Carole Minton and husband, Ralph, have lived in The Dominion for eighteen years. They moved to The Dominion from California where Carole was a marketing executive at IBM. After retiring, she worked with a ballet company in San Jose, worked with a start-up software company, and eventually worked in real estate. Encouraged by their son, David, who lived in San Antonio, the Mintons investigated living
in Texas and finally decided that San Antonio and The Dominion would be their home. Carole has continued her real estate career but is also very active in the community: she was one of the group that started Supper Club, has served on the Women’s Forum Board, and presently serves on the HOA Board of Directors and the Neighborhood Outreach Committee. Carole is also a very talented artist. The Mintons have a son who lives in San Antonio, a son who lives in Indianapolis, and a daughter who lives in Scotsdale. Carole says that one of the things that drew them to The Dominion is the friendliness of the residents. We appreciate that she is carrying on that tradition by chairing the Apron Society. 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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By kristine duran “Medicine is one of those things…” Dr. Aria Dayani begins but trails off in thought. He sits in his modest office, looking much younger than one would expect a physician of his locally buzzed-about status to be. “When I was younger,” he continues, “if somebody had a financial problem they would go to somebody and get some input, if it was a legal problem they could do some research without necessarily seeing an attorney, but if it was a medical issue, there was no way to decipher that language without a doctor.” It was that collective lack of understanding medicine, especially when emotions are running high, that ultimately motivated him to pursue internal medicine. Dr. Dayani grew up in San Antonio before heading off to college in Ohio. He attended medical school at St George University in New York and completed his residency at Drexel University in Philadelphia before returning to San Antonio. Privileged enough to take a year off, thanks to his parents, he wasn’t sure where his career was headed. That was until his parents set up a dinner with the esteemed Dr. Saleh Jaafar, who has since been Dr. Dayani’s most prominent mentor and role model. “The rest is history,” Dr. Dayani says smiling. He adds, “That man single-handedly made my career. That’s why I’m now the Medical Director of his group MedCare Associates and we’ve been able to expand into the Boerne market extensively, as well as other surrounding areas.” MedCare Associates was founded about 20 years ago by Dr. Jaafar when he was working in the Hondo emergency room. He then expanded the group to Bandera and Castroville, and the group now has five offices going on seven. They are the largest private group in San Antonio with 80,000 lives; one of the largest in the state with no financial affiliation with any hospitals. What makes MedCare Associates unique is that they are one of the few groups (the only one in San Antonio) that
will see their patients in the hospital, nursing home, hospice, and in the office. The group has now expanded to Boerne and it is seems to be just what the growing city needed. He begins, “Boerne is a burgeoning community and there’s a lot of growth here. For years, one problem in Boerne was if you would pick up the phone and call a doctor, they’d tell you it was going to be four weeks until you would be seen. You need to be seen the same day. That philosophy has made our Boerne office the busiest office anywhere near here in a short period of time.” He may only have been practicing for three years, but in those three years he has gone from seeing one patient a day to now seeing 50 patients a day. Dr. Dayani’s personal philosophy is what has made him one of the most sought-after doctors in the area. “When you’ve never had a job in your life, you have nothing to compare it to,” Dr. Dayani says. “So when I met Dr. Jaafar, I was fortunate enough that he mentored me. When you meet different doctors, some are money hungry and some are not, but one thing that I learned from him was compassion for patients. If somebody is having a tough time and they can’t pay, let it go and you’re going to win that patient over for the rest of your life. That type of compassion and understanding when it comes to giving patients access to care is what has kept us going and what keeps me going.”
MedCare Associates of Boerne Dr. Aria Dayani, M.D. 120 Medical Dr. Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 249-9307 or (830) 816-5700
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san antonio awarded the distinction of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. by Mo H Saidi, Dominion Resident On Sunday 5 July 2015, the United Nation’s cultural and educational body announced that five new sites around the world, including the San Antonio Missions in Texas, were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. With this first World Heritage site in Texas, San Antonio joins such unique places as Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China and the Gizeh Pyramid in Egypt. It is the 23rd World Heritage site in the United States. Other U.S. sites include the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Louisiana’s Poverty Point (2014). UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee approved the listing of the five Spanish Roman Catholic structures, which includes the Alamo, that were built in the 18th century in and around what is now San Antonio, because it considered the missions “an example of the interweaving of Spanish and Coahuiltecan cultures, illustrated by a variety of features, including the decorative elements of churches, which combine Catholic symbols with indigenous designs inspired by nature.” The missions were the only site in the U.S. considered for world heritage status during the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany. You can explore the Missions along the River Walk’s new Mission Reach, an eight mile stretch with recreational trails, picnic and seating areas, pedestrian bridges, pavilions and portals to four Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada. The San Antonio Mission Trail, which begins at the Alamo, winds southward along a nine-mile stretch of the San Antonio River. The Mission Trail is a great walking, biking or driving experience to explore centuries of history and culture. The trail is a linear park that came about via a unique cooperation with the City of San Antonio, the Archdiocese of San Antonio, local property owners along the river, and the National Park Service. It took more than a decade to set up but the benefits will accrue to the entire area. The trail connects the five missions of San Antonio: Mission San Antonio de Valero (commonly known as the Alamo,) Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Mission San Francisco de la Espada. There is no admission fee at 72
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any of the missions, however, donations are accepted. The four southernmost Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada —are included in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which officially opened in 1983. Land for the park was donated by the city, county, state, the Catholic Church and the San Antonio Conservation Society. From the beginning, the missions were intimately connected to the San Antonio River via acequias for irrigation of the crops. The Mission Trail offers historic and artistic interpretations of the story of the missions and highlights their social and cultural importance to the area. Project planners worked closely with the National Park Service to ensure that there would be a seamless transition between the Mission Riverwalk and the historic missions. The park’s Visitor’s Center is in Mission San José, where you can view Gente de Razon, which tells the story of life in the missions during the 1700s. The film is shown every 30 minutes. Mission San José also has a museum and bookstore. All four mission churches still have active Catholic parishes that hold regular services. The churches are open to visitors during regular park hours, except in the case of a wedding or a funeral. The church at Mission Concepción celebrated the 250th anniversary of its dedication in 2005. It is the only mission church in San Antonio, Texas, that never lost its roof or walls to age or neglect. As a result, remnants of the original colorful frescos still remain here, while other missions show recovered or reconstructed murals. For more information please visit www.missionsofsanantonio.org
Mission San José: San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, the “Queen of the Missions,” is the largest mission in San Antonio, established in 1720 and completed in 1782. Spanish designers, directing workers from the local Coahuiltecan tribe, built the mission using Texas limestone and brightly colored stucco. At its height, it provided sanctuary and a social and cultural community for more than 300 Indians, and was surrounded by acres of fields and livestock herds. The mission had its own gristmill and granary, which have been preserved. In 1874, San José’s church dome and roof collapsed. In 1928, the church tower collapsed. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) almost fully restored Mission San José to its original design in the 1930s. When visiting the church, look for flying buttresses, carvings, quatrefoil patterns, polychromatic plaster and the famed “Rose Window,” a superb example of Spanish Colonial ornamentation that was sculpted around 1775. Explore the stairway that leads to the belfry and choir loft; all 25 risers were hand-hewn from a single log and assembled without the use of nails or pegs. Mission San José underwent a $2.2 million historically accurate renovation that was completed in the summer of 2011. Interior domes and walls were repainted to match the original colors and hues. Work also included restoration of the “retablo,” or altar backdrop, which frames sacred statues of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Francis, the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. The latter two statues are hand-carved and date to the Spanish colonial era. The St. Joseph statue was originally in the possession of Father Antonio Margil de Jesús, the mission’s founder, and had not been used in the church for decades.
Mission San Juan Capistrano: Mission San Juan was established in San Antonio in 1731. The church, priest’s quarters and granary were completed in 1756. The mission’s fertile farmlands allowed for a self-sustainable community, and its surplus helped supply the region with produce. The chapel and bell tower are still in use. Note the typical Romanesque archway at the entrance gate and the remains of a half-completed, more elaborate church that was begun in 1772 and abandoned in 1786 when the mission’s population declined. Guests can also tour a selfguided nature trail that leads to the river.
Mission Concepción: The beautiful church at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña looks much like it did in 1755 when it was first dedicated. Interior renovations in 2010 returned the church’s interior walls to the rich colors of 255 years earlier. The church’s exterior was originally decorated with geometric designs painted on the façade and iron crosses and weather vanes were placed atop the two towers. The exterior paintings have faded, but inside you can still see original frescos in some of the rooms. The church stands as the oldest unrestored stone church in the U.S.
Mission Espada: Mission San Francisco de la Espada, the southernmost of the four in the park, contains the best-preserved segment of the acequia (irrigation system) that was used to bring water to the fields. Today, part of the acequia operates the Espada aqueduct and dam. Also noteworthy are an unusual door and stone archway. The mission was established in San Antonio in 1731. The priest’s residence was completed in 1745 and the church in 1756. Inside the mission compound were a blacksmith shop, kiln for baking brick, and workrooms with looms and spinning wheels. Corn, beans, melons, pumpkins and cotton were grown in the irrigated fields adjacent to the mission. A fire in 1826 destroyed most of the mission buildings at Espada, with only the chapel, granary and two of the compound walls remaining. Espada’s ranch, Rancho de las Cabras (Ranch of the Goats) was located 30 miles south of the mission, near what is now the town of Floresville. Part of this property containing the ruins of the ranch compound was acquired by the National Park Service in 1995. Guided tours of the property are available on the first Saturday of the month.
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