Harmonic High Seas
Smooth Jazz Launches with New Cruise Line
By Amy Morgan
Warm breezes, starry nights, swaying romantically with your partner to the sound of Smooth Jazz while mingling with fellow music lovers. Who wouldn’t want to come aboard on the 7th annual BillyRay Sheppard Smooth Jazz Cruise organized by Foster Perry Travel?
Foster Perry Travel’s booking now for the sevenday cruise that will launch November 9 from Galveston on the Seascape, a newly appointed ship in the MSC cruise line. In addition to BillyRay, Foster Perry Travel has scheduled a lineup of San Antonio’s best Smooth Jazz musicians to play private concerts for their group of music lovers each night. Nathan Mitchell, Darryl Williams and JJ Sansaverino headline their own shows with the backing of San Antonio’s Main Event Band. Other activities, like a signature cocktail party, autograph session and White Night, round out the week while still leaving participants time to delight in the cruise experience.
Jazz Saxophonist BillyRay Sheppard will perform with other jazz artists on the MSC Seascape Smooth Jazz Cruise, November 9-16, 2025.
"Our cruisers are able to enjoy all the entertainment and amenities this ship offers,” said Dionne Roberts, who owns Foster Perry Travel with fellow Smooth Jazz lover and husband, Henry Alvarez. “Many repeat attendees look forward to reconnecting with friends.”
Also exciting, the Seascape’s sailing will be the inaugural voyage for the MSC line out of Galveston. MSC is not new, just perhaps new to those accustomed to embarking from the newly expanded Galveston port. The European cruise line started as a cargo shipping company and moved into cruises in 1988. Most recently, the Italian brand has been sailing from Miami. While part of the experience of this Smooth Jazz Cruise might reflect the line’s European heritage, MSC has prioritized appealing to Texans as the line expands their U.S. market into Galveston.
“The Seascape is only four years old and a clear sign that MSC is looking to make waves (pun intended) and disrupt the status quo in Galveston,” Dionne said. “It’s an absolutely stunning ship, and frankly some of the other cruise lines are going to have to up their game a bit since MSC is combining a beautiful ship with pricing that is absolutely meant to get you to
give them a try.” Originally there were only three cruise line options out of Galveston - Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean – with none sending their top-of-the-line, most popular ships. Today Norwegian and Princess lines sail out of Galveston as well, and many of those ships are newer and more laden with amenities than before.
“It was an easy choice to partner with MSC to create a new and amazing experience for our 7th BillyRay Sheppard Smooth Jazz Cruise,” she added. While you do need to book directly with Foster Perry Travel to participate in the special Smooth Jazz Cruize activities, it’s as easy as completing the booking form and letting us make it happen for you, Dionne said. “If you can’t make the Jazz cruise but would like to work with us for your own personal travel or join one of our other group trips, we’d love the opportunity to create an amazing journey for you.”
Dionne and Henry founded Foster Perry Travel, located in Stone Oak, in 2016. “We’re a fullservice travel agency helping families and friends find fun and adventures,” Dionna said. “Travel and music are our passion. When we can, we love to bring them together.”
Community Calendar
Presented by Frost
Elephant & Piggie’s We are in a Play at the Magik Theatre Through Sunday, March 23, days and times vary. Live theater production based on Mo Willem’s best-selling book features catchy tunes, lively dances and plenty of laughs. The Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St. 78205; www.magiktheatre.org
Dancing with the Stars Live 2025 – Thursday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. See the glitz, glam and breathtaking performances of America’s favorite dance show. Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston 78205; www.majesticempire.com/events.
St. Patrick’s Day Artisan Show – Friday, March 14 - Saturday, March 15, 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sunday, March 16, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Artisan show on the Riverwalk with 40 booths featuring handmade items. River Walk Extension, 602. E. Commerce St. 78205; www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/st-patricksdays-artisan-show
St. Patrick’s Day River Parade and River Dyeing - Saturday, March 15, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 1-3 p.m. River Parade and Festival celebrate the luck of the Irish and dyeing the river green at both the Museum Reach and downtown locations. San Antonio River Walk 78205; www.visitsanantonio.com/event/ st-patricks-river-parade.
Shamrock Shuffle 5K and Fun Run – Saturday, March 15, 8 a.m. Kick off your St. Patrick's Day celebration with a dog/family friendly run. Lady Bird Johnson Park, 10700 Nacogdoches Road 78217; www.findarace.com/us/events/san-antonios-shamrockshuffle
YOSAPresents Dancing Queen:The Music of ABBA – Saturday, March 15, 8 p.m., YOSA Philharmonic celebrates the timeless music of ABBA, reimagining the greatest hits with a fresh orchestral twist. HEB Performance Hall at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.tobincenter.org.
Spring Fairy Garden Workshop – Saturday, March 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Design, plant and decorate a Reflections of Nature inspired fairy garden in this hands-on family art workshop. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place 78209; www.sabot.org
The Price is Right Live! – Sunday, March 16, 7:30 p.m., The hit interactive stage show lets participants play games just like on TV. HEB Performance Hall at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.tobincenter.org.
Culinaria’s Women & Whiskey with a twist – Thursday, March 20, 6-9 p.m. Spring Awakening with Highland Park. Tastings, bites, vendors and live entertainment. 16641 La Cantera Parkway 78256; www.culinariasa.org.
Single Professionals Networking Meeting – Friday, March 28, 4-6 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for conversation, libations and food in a relaxed, social setting. Cover 3, 1806 N. Loop 1604 W. 78248; www.spn-sa.org
Wanderlust Run – Saturday, March 29, 8:45 – 9 a.m., 13.1, 10k, 5K, staggered starts. The third of the Texas Hill Country Challenge Series. Start at Marketplatz Square, 126 W. Main, Fredericksburg 78624; www.scallywompus.com
Valero Texas Open – Monday, March 31 - Sunday, April 6. Venerated golf tournament will celebrate its 103rd anniversary in Texas. TPC, 23808 Resort Parkway 78261; www.valerotexasopen.com
Dearly Departed presented by Reagan Stage Theater – Thursday, April 3, Friday, April 4, 7 p.m., Saturday, April 5, 1 p.m. Comedy tells the story of the Turpin family’s attempts to prepare for their father’s funeral in the backwoods. Black Box Theater, Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan 78258; www.reaganstage.org
Adventures in Marriage Workshop – Friday, April 4, 6:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, April 5, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Skill-based marriage enrichment for every season of life. Grace Point Church, 9650 Huebner Road 78240; www.livethelifesatx.org.
NCAA Men’s Final Four Weekend Events – Friday, April 4 - Monday, April 7, times vary. Events surrounding the Men’s Final Four include a March Madness Music Festival, open-team practices at the Alamodome, Tip-Off Tailgates, River Rally and Championship River Parade. Locations vary in downtown San Antonio. www.mysanantonio.com/sports
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Visit us at 21011 US Highway 281 North in San Antonio or call (210) 220-6576
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Visit us at 21011 US Highway 281 North in San Antonio or call (210) 220-6576.
Pudgy Pups
Increase Exercise, Reduce Treats to Optimize Fido’s Health
By Camp Bow Wow Staff
Fido is Fat! Maybe it’s a classic case of too many table scraps, or maybe your wily pup has been helping himself from the bowls of his furry siblings. Either way, Fido has put on a few pounds that could endanger his health. Obesity in dogs is defined as “any excess body fat that impairs or could impair your dog’s normal function,” according to Allthingsdogs.com. Obesity is loosely categorized as 30% above ideal body weight (although there is no universally accepted definition for pets).
The American Kennel Club quoted veterinary experts who estimate “40% of dogs in the United States experience being overweight or obese.” Being overweight impacts pet health, they warn. Excess pounds can lead to joint problems and arthritis, thyroid disease, shortness of breath, heart problems, diabetes or other musculoskeletal difficulties like hip dysplasia.
This troubling trend of obesity in dogs can shorten their lives, truncating their years of loving companionship with their families. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2018 found that being overweight was associated with a shorter lifespan in the 12 dog breeds studied. The estimated reduction in lifespan for the overweight group was up to two-and-ahalf years!
Many pup parents don’t even realize Fido has become a little fluffy. While obesity has become a major health crisis for dogs, it’s a problem that’s often overlooked. According to Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT, and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), many pet owners have a misperception about what a healthy pup’s “figure” really should look like, something he calls the “fat pet gap.” The organization was founded to advocate for the recognition of "clinical obesity" as an official veterinary diagnosis, according to their website. They believe the official designation will improve “how obesity is discussed, diagnosed, managed, and prevented in pets.”
As for humans trying to lose weight, the problem can be tackled with the twin strategies of diet and exercise. Your vet may suggest reducing portions, separating your pack’s bowls or cutting down between-meal snacks. Try natural treats with fewer calories like green beans, sweet
potato or carrot chunks, blueberries or Greek yogurt instead of fatty, pre-packaged mystery meat. Your vet can guide you, so you don’t restrict too many calories too soon.
Many pups, like their non-furry family members, need to uncurl from their pillows and get moving. Taking a walk with their parents is an excellent first step. Group play also is great way for a dog to shed a few pounds, get fit and have fun while doing it. Try doggie camp that offers plenty of time to romp, especially if your work or family obligations make taking Fido for regular exercise difficult. Camp Bow Wow owner Tamara Wetegrove noticed her yellow lab, Zeke, was starting to get a little chunky several years ago. She signed him up for additional sessions at camp, which reversed the trend. “Zeke dropped 10 pounds within two months from play at camp and cutting back on his portion sizes,” Tamara said. “I believe our Lab lived to be 14 years old due to watching his food intake (Zeke had been sneaking snacks from his canine siblings’ bowls at home) and his frequent visits to camp. It kept him fit after he dropped those pounds.” While most dogs enjoy playdates, Camp Bow Wow’s Stone Oak location also offers sessions on a treadmill designed for special situations like high energy campers who need extra time to run, breeds that can’t tolerate heat or pups rehabbing after an injury.
Talk with your vet before making big changes in your furry family member’s diet, but it’s never too early or too late to get in a little exercise.
Bonus Benefit
Put Your Tax Refund Toward a Healthier, Happier You
By Amy Morgan
Phew! You completed the dreaded task of filing your taxes, and now you can look forward to your refund. Why not put that hard-earned money back to work for you? Reward yourself with the gift of the beautiful smile you’ve been dreaming of. You can correct unsightly crooked teeth or a misaligned bite in sometimes less than 12 months.
No longer an out-of-reach luxury, orthodontics has become much more affordable. And the professionals at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics are dedicated to working with their patients’ budgets. They’ve created in-house financing and payment plans that start with just a $250 down payment.
Board Certified Orthodontist Michael Roberts, D.D.S., brings 34 years of experience to 7to7 Dental. With extensive Invisalign training and an advanced Invisalign Fellowship Course, he oversees the 7to7 Dental’s Invisalign-approved team of professionals. While they still offer traditional braces, Invisalign is Dr. Roberts’ preferred method of orthodontics for children, teens and adults.
“Every patient of mine is a candidate for Invisalign unless proven otherwise,” he said.
The Invisalign creative process and high effectiveness allows Dr. Roberts to reverse engineer from a patient’s desired smile to the beginning and create a highly specialized plan. This begins with taking a three-dimensional image of the mouth using a technically advanced iTero 5-D intraoral scanner. The pictures, in detail to the 1/1000th of an inch, are stored in a computer, which uploads them to an onscreen simulation. A patient can visualize exactly what their mouth structure might look like side by side with the suggested treatment plan. Dr. Roberts can even add the patient’s photo to the simulation to show a patient how their smile would look with straight teeth.
“It makes quite the impact!” Dr. Roberts said. “The iTero digital scanner is the single greatest advancement in my career. It has changed the landscape of dentistry and orthodontics completely.” Once the image is approved, Dr. Roberts will create a course of 20-25 custom fitted Invisalign trays to complete the treatment.
Patients wear each aligner 24/7 for a prescribed time frame, removing only to eat, drink or clean. The Invisalign aligner wraps around the teeth like a glove, he added, rather than just sitting on the front.
“I can do things with Invisalign I could only imagine with conventional braces. Invisalign is the most accurate tool we have for moving teeth,” Dr. Roberts said. As an added benefit, 7to7 Dental provides each new orthodontics patient with a box of high-value tools to enhance their oral health journey. Each Invisalign patient is treated to an ultrasonic cleaner that will disinfect their clear aligners and keep them fresh and bacteria-free. Traditional braces patients are likewise given a new electric toothbrush to help patients clean hard-to-reach areas and keep their brackets free from debris.
Because 7to7 Dental is open 7 a.m. -7 p.m., services are provided when it’s most convenient for the patient. Tax returns are often deposited electronically shortly after filing, so schedule your appointment and make this the year you create the smile you’ve been waiting for.
By Amy Morgan
TReagan Student Swimmer Breaks Rattler Records, Places at
State Aquatic Athlete
here’s nothing like the camaraderie and acceptance found in being part of a team. The Ronald Reagan High School swim team has made senior Montserrat Spielmann feel at home since she moved to Stone Oak as a freshman. And she’s not just a participant, her performances have helped the girls advance to win district and regionals in 2024 and 2025, and set a new region record for the 400 free relay.
A fierce competitor, Montserrat also has won individual medals, finishing first in the state in the 100 Fly in 2023 and 2024 and breaking the region record this February. She also finished second in the 200 Freestyle race last year. She’s broken 11 school records starting freshman year with the 800 Freestyle relay and earning her first individual record in 100 Fly the next year.
Montserrat is always ready to step in for the good of the team. When a spot opened at breaststroke in the 2025 Medley Relay, she agreed to step into the position, even though it is not her strongest stroke. “I’m ready to try something different this champs season,” Montserrat agreed. She considers her greatest value the way she focuses on being a friend others can count on.
“It’s important to encourage the people around you, even when you are having a bad day,” she said. “The people I train with are my best friends. I want them to do their best.” She also runs the team’s Instagram page, a skill she honed through Reagan’s DECA club.
In addition to swimming for Reagan, Montserrat trains year-round with her club team, Alamo Area Aquatics Association, coached by Olympic gold medalist Doug Gjertsen, a world record holder himself. Top meets include Junior National and Sectionals, which bring together the best swimmers in the country.
Montserrat’s talent, as well as her dual U.S. and Chilean citizenship, have allowed her to compete internationally – in the South American Championship, Odesur, at the age of 15 and at the Pan American Games in Chile in 2023. Her Chilean-born parents were recruited to work for Proctor & Gamble in the U.S. after college. The family speaks Spanish at home, so Montserrat was able to converse freely abroad. “It was so much fun to watch some of the best athletes in North and South America do their thing,” she said. Montserrat plans to swim at another international event this summer so she doesn’t take time away from classwork. A dedicated student in addition to her exceptional athleticism, Montserrat ranks second in Reagan’s class of 2025 with a GPA that tops 109.
Montserrat credits her parents as being her role models because they are not afraid to take risks. She’s also inspired by Stanford swimmer Torrie Huske, whom she noted has great ideas about leadership.
The youngest of three siblings, Montserrat began swimming to keep up with her brother, Diego, (RHS 2021). She’ll continue to swim at the University of Michigan, where she plans to study engineering with a minor in business. She chose the Wolverines over top schools on both coasts in part because of their strong alumni network and school spirit. “When I wore my Michigan shirt, it was impossible to walk anywhere without someone saying, ‘Go Blue!’” She also appreciates the school’s balance of athletics and academics that matches her priorities.
Her favorite class at Reagan was AP Chemistry with “Mrs. Y” Yzaguirre. “She pushed me to do things I never thought I could!” Montserrat explained, adding her teacher even convinced her to take extra-curricular chemistry tests that resulted in some of the school’s highest scores.
Despite a busy schedule, Monteserrat makes time to give back. She rallied the swim team to donate food and toys to the SA Food Bank, is part of National Honor Society and volunteers at non-profit Taking it To the Streets downtown. Her family worships at San Joselito, a local Catholic community.
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