Ten West Living Jan/Feb2014 by Dante Klar Media Group

January/February 2014

Las Ramblas Sharing is on the Menu

Saddle Up

Let’s Rodeo San Antonio

California’s San Cities

Food, Shopping and Sun

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CONTENTS

2014 JANUARY/FEBRUARY

SHARING IS ON THE MENU AT LAS RAMBLAS

SAVORING PORT

THAT’S AMORE

ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTION

A TRADITION OF STRENGTH

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If this house could talk, it would dare you to compare its blazing Internet speeds to your own. You’d hear words like “killer online gaming” and “ultimate business tool.” It would brag about the ultimate technology running through it — just like thousands of other fiber optic homes in the Hill Country — all powered by GVTC. So, what would your house say?

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SADDLE UP AND HOLD ON TIGHT

READY, SET, GO!

CALIFORNIA’S SAN CITIES

C OF INSPIRATION

BOERNE PERFORMING ARTS

DATE BOOK

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ords are powerful and filled with emotion and meaning. Words have different meanings for each of us, so I thought I would take a look at some words often associated with the New Year.

Resolved. What a very powerful word. Meaning “firmly determined to do something.” So looking at 2014, I suggest you do not make New Year’s resolutions that are quickly forgotten, but you resolve to make powerful resolutions. Take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way and live life to the fullest each and every day. Hope. Another powerful word often associated with the New Year. Meaning “want something to happen or be the case.” This country has experienced its share tragedies, we all have seen the images. But we keep coming back to hope and the power to believe that each dawn is another chance to get it right. Although the dawn of January 1 harkens a fresh start, each dawn brings hope and a chance to strengthen your resolve.

January/February 2014

Volume 3 • Issue 1

PUBLISHERS Patrick Klar patrick@tenwestliving.com Bill Dante bill@tenwestliving.com

EDITOR Patrick Klar patrick@tenwestliving.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erich Lynch erich@tenwestliving.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Change. Usually implied in resolutions. Meaning “to make or become different.” Successful and long-lasting change requires commitment and risk taking. Change is a theme throughout the year, getting fit, eating healthy, getting finances in order and letting go of stuff. You may not keep your resolutions, but one thing is for certain, change will be part of your life in 2014. It is how you cope with change that will determine the success of your resolutions.

Vernelle Lynch vernelle@tenwestliving.com

You. I favor the informal meaning of the word “you”, which refers to the personality of the person being addressed or the suitability to express it, as in, “Love the shirt. It’s so you.” I believe to succeed, you have to put the “you’ onto your resolutions. As you contemplate the changes you will make in 2014, look at your heart and trust your gut as to what is really “you”. Take a look at your strengths and begin your statement with purpose and determined commitment.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ADVERTISING Bill Dante bill@tenwestliving.com

John Griffin, Jennifer Broome, Bjorn Dybdahl, Basil Morris, Joe Baker, Lisa Dante, Cathy Cardenas, Vernelle Lynch, Steve A. Martinez Jr., Cesar X. Chavez, Esmi Gonzalez, Sue Talford

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Al Rendon

At Ten West Living, we have resolved to bring you the best our community has to offer. It is our privilege to share your hopes, dreams and strength of purpose. What are your resolutions for 2014? Let us know how we can help. We would love to hear from you. All the best in 2014!

To Subscribe www.tenwestliving.com/subscribe.html

Patrick Klar Publisher

Ten West Living is published bi-monthly by Dante Klar Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Copyright ©2012. Reproduction of Ten West Living is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Dante Klar Media Group. Unsolicited material cannot be returned. Ten West Living reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste. Ten West Living is mailed bi-monthly to homes along the IH 10 corridor.

Bill Dante Publisher

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Ten West Living sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable way. This issue was printed on recycled paper using inks containing a blend of soy bases. When you are finished with this issue, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. We can have a better world if we choose it together.

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Las ramblaS S h a r i n g

i s

o n

t h e

m e n u

a t

T h e S p a n i s h r e s t a u r a n t o n t h e R i v e r Wa l k o f f e r s b o l d f l a v o r s t h a t y o u w o n’ t w a n t t o k e e p f o r y o u r s e l f. by John Griffin • photographs by Al Rendon

n Spain’s coastal city of Barcelona, Las Ramblas is an open air market that runs for almost a mile over a number of tree-line blocks filled with restaurants, cafes and shops that draw locals and tourists alike. In San Antonio, Las Ramblas is a restaurant in a quiet corner of the fabled River Walk. Its shaded patio area and sweeping dining room also attracts locals and tourists alike in search of tastes unique within the city. The Spanish influences greet you from the moment you see the Art Nouveau gates leading into the dramatic dining area filled with art glass and, in the summer months, the sensual dance of curtains swaying in the gentle breeze. The menu picks up the theme with its sharing of old favorites, such as gazpacho in season and several types of paella, as well as a number of enticing dishes such as Tempranillo-braised short ribs with crispy jamón and roasted clams with chorizo. The menu is the work of executive chef Jordan Mackey, who took over the kitchen several months ago and has transformed it into a lively mix of Spanish classics plus dishes that reflect various cultural influences in the area, including Moroccan, Basque and French. They all work together to tell a story of what Spanish food can be, and storytelling is one of Mackey’s passions as a chef. When he describes the Lechazo, his roasted rack of lamb, it isn’t just the story of ingredients or techniques used in its preparation. Yes, he mentions the herbs, lemon juice and harissa sauce as well as the fresh market vegetables and the nutty romesco sauce on the side, but he also talks about how this dish belongs to the Spanish region, Rioja, which includes a great many sheep herders as well as grape grow-

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ers, whose robust Rioja red wines are a perfect pairing for the dish. The restaurant’s wine list covers Spain and the Mediterranean as well as California, the Pacific Northwest and South America. “I researched all that I could, so we could make dishes that were more authentic and also a little more accessible,” he says, knowing that many of his guests are also staying in the Hotel Contessa, which houses Las Ramblas. They might not know what to expect of Spanish cooking, but the idea of tapas, or plates shared family style, should have some connection. To reinforce that, the chef even serves his

Above: Executive Chef Jordan Mackey; Next Page: Lechazo (Riojan Roasted Lamb) - Rack rubbed with herbs, lemon, harissa with fresh market vegetables, romesco and lamb essence

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entrees in ways that allow for sharing. A piece of crispy skin Mediterranean salmon, for example, is cut into three pieces before being plated with polenta bacon fries and a ragout of chorizo, olives and cream sherry. Of course, shrimp dishes are made for sharing, although one bite of Las Ramblas’ Gambas al Ajillo may make you want to keep them all to yourself. This dish, “from the Andalusian region, is quite simply shrimp with a lot of garlic,” Mackey says, adding the word “enormous” to reinforce just how much garlic is used. There’s also a rich, buttery sherry sauce that’s typical of the coastal region at the southern tip of Spain. The shrimp are served with a Spanish bread, pan bodega, and topped with boccerones (white anchovies) and a drizzle of olive oil. There’s also an extensive tapas menu, which you can get either inside Las Ramblas or in the Cork Bar, situated in the lobby just outside the restaurant. There are more than 40 choices of hot and cold small plates on the menu, which also features a history of how these savory little gems came about. So, while you’re reading the short tale of tapas and Alfonso the 10th, you can taste your fill of crab-stuffed piquillo peppers, your choice of various cured meats and cheeses, potato

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croquettes and Moroccan-style wings. The daily escabeche features seafood, such as salmon, marinated in citrus and olive oil before being poached in wine, garlic and aromatic spices. It is then flaked and served with flatbread and avocado. (This is not the Latin escabeche you’ll find in Tex-Mex restaurants made of pickled jalapeños and carrot slices.) For those who want to get a little more adventurous, you can also try bites made with salt cod, octopus and squid in various treatments. To enhance the Spanish mood, live flamenco guitar is often featured during the Cork Bar’s happy hour. Tapas, however, are featured from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. To season these dishes, Mackey and his team use plenty of spices that are traditional to Spanish cuisine. They include pimentón, a smoked paprika; pimento d’espelette, a Basque chile that Mackey describes as being similar in heat to black pepper but fiery red; urfa pepper, which has a smoky flavor; a Moroccan take on the berbere spice blend; French vadouvan curry; and Basque sea salt. “Spain has some incredible flavors,” Mackey says. “Here, it’s just found a different zip code, so to speak.” Desserts also reflect Las Ramblas’ heritage, especially in the tradi-

From Left: Escabeche Today - Fresh seafood marinated with citrus, picual olive oil, garlic and crushed chilies (served in a variety of styles and changes daily); White Asparagus Asado - Grilled asparagus, slow poached egg, jamon, wilted chickory, charred bread, idiazabel and la rambla oil; Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Prawns) - Garlic Sherry sauce, boccorones, early harvest olive oil, white asparagus, stuffed mushrooms, padrons; Marcona Almond Chocolate Torte - Milk chocolate mousse, almond butter and strawberry gelee

tional crema catalana, Spain’s answer to crème brûlée, and flan. But Mackey takes things to a new level with his spiced chocolate and almond gateau, in which a chocolate mousse is suffused with spices that include smoked chile and coriander. It’s an exciting way to finish off your evening. Mackey worked in California’s Napa Valley, Seattle and Miami for years before coming to San Antonio in early 2013. In each of those cities, he concentrated his efforts on showcasing local ingredients to their best advantage. For Las Ramblas, he knows that nothing has the same authenticity as Spanish olive oils, jamón Serrano and other cured meats, but he is using Texas Gulf shrimp, local lamb, Fredericksburg peaches and area produce as much as he can. And he’s visiting farmers markets to find out to forge relationships with the vendors and learn what seasonal crops are available. One of the River Walk’s most treasured memory makers is the chance to go on a barge dinner, and eat or sip a glass of wine while watching the beauty of the city glide by. Sometimes, the execution of that can leave a little to be desired. Patrons will take off and discover their steak is not cooked the way they want it, and there’s nothing that can

be done about it, Mackey says. So, he’s redesigned the restaurant’s barge dinner menu in a way that addresses the situation. He now offers a number of tapas that can be shared by everyone on board throughout the length of their trip. The items, including the imported cured meats and cheeses, are meant to be served at room temperature, so the barge ride can proceed without having to be timed to something from the kitchen. This gives the kitchen staff greater flexibility, which means that you can arrange a dinner trip with little advance lead time. Call Las Ramblas first thing in the morning and “we should be able to handle it,” he says. Providing that kind of service so you can enjoy San Antonio more fully is just another way of sharing what Las Ramblas prides itself on.

Las Ramblas Hotel Contessa 306 West Market St. (210) 298-8040 http://www.thehotelcontessa.com/las_ramblas/

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Your San Antonio Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of two tiger cubs! Come see them soon!

$2limit off4.zoo admission Not valid with any other offers, special events, or train ride. must show coupon at gate. Expires 12/31/13 tenw13

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PORT S A V O R I N G

by Cesar X. Chavez

ver been offered a white port? Tawny port? Ruby port? Vintage port? Was it confusing, since you weren’t sure what a white, tawny, ruby or vintage is? Well, we’re about to clear that up for you, especially since during the cold months of January and February, some wine enthusiasts like offering delectable wines such as these to their guests. I know many of you have run into the term “port wine” often enough when following a recipe and usually there was some confusion as to what type to buy when you went searching for “port wine” at your favorite package store. One thing to remember, all port is wine, so you don’t have to say “port wine”. Just the singular word “port” will suffice. Port actually comes from the Douro Valley region in Portugal and although I’m sure you have run into port that comes from California, Australia, or other countries but technically it isn’t the real port. For example, Champagne only comes from the Champagne region in France even though the name is used unofficially in the United States for sparkling wine. Port, for basic purposes is a sweet red wine that has been fortified with brandy to arrest the fermentation process, thus leaving one with a delicious sweet wine and a much higher alcohol content (usually about 20%, regular wine is between 12-14%).

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Although there are over one hundred grape varieties used in the production of port, these grape varieties, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cao, Tinta Roriz,Touriga Francesa and Touriga Nacional are the most cultivated and best known varieties. These grapes have to be grown in the Douro Valley for the classification/designation to be official. This was defined and established as a protected region, or appellation in 1756, making it the oldest defined and protected wine region in the world. Chianti (1716) and Tokaj (1730) have older demarcation but no regulation associated and thus, in terms of regulated demarcated regions, Porto is the oldest. Now for the real educational part – knowing the various types of ports. White Port – Made only from white grapes, a white port can vary in different degrees of sweetness with a minimum alcohol content of 16.5%. For the most part, I prefer a white port well-chilled, slightly dry and as an aperitif. Ruby Port - Probably the most popular in this country is Ruby port, which is matured for around three years in the cask and then bottled ready for drinking. Ruby port is a full, rich, and satisfying wine for everyday drinking and not only is it used in many households for marinating and cooking, it is a great after dinner drink paired with desserts.

The Tawny. I enjoy my tawny’s with some good brie, a fine stilton and raw unsalted walnuts and pecans, now that’s heaven! Vintage Port – Now here are wines of superior quality, produced in exceptionally good years from select areas within the region. Made from wines produced in a single year, they are kept in wood for two to three years before they are bottled. These ports have outstanding flavor characteristics, they must be very full-bodied and deep in color when they are declared (two years after they are made). Aging in bottle endows them with the smoothness and elegance that gradually takes over from their initial astringency and they evolve into ports of great balance, complexity and distinction. Wine collectors prize the most adored years and it is not uncommon for a rare vintage port from a well known house to fetch thousands of dollars at auction. A brief example of the best port houses are, Grahams, Dows, Fonseca and Taylor. There are many sub-categories, styles and types of ports that would involve too much detail for one to mention or elaborate on, since word space is of the essence. What I have mentioned is basically the most common categories you will encounter at your usual wine and spirits shop.

rienced ports that are sweet to the palate. But as I described the various types and categories, you now know it can be a serious aperitif, an after dinner dessert wine or as I mentioned my favorite – a good solid fine tawny reserve with pungent cheeses, such a brie and stilton along with some walnuts and pecans. As for what type of glass to use, I prefer a deep generous glass filled only partially so as to swirl the wine and enjoy its wonderful bouquet and aromas. I know you have seen port served in minute glasses which I have always thought rather ridiculous, since not much of any of the unique qualities of a good port can be appreciated. I realize that for many wine consumers, port is not typically an area that is well studied. Yes, even a novice wine lover may know that 1994 and 2000 were great vintages for Vintage Port, but far more often than not, they are unaware of the majority of fine ports that come from a wide array of vintages and producers. The area of port is extensive and at times can be complicated and confusing for even the learned drinker. I propose this, go to your favorite wine shop and talk to your wine consultant about what they would recommend for an aperitif, after dinner or just a sit-around and enjoy a port evening. You’ll be glad you did!

Many people still think that port is an after dinner drink, since they have only expe-

Tawny Port - Tawny Ports (my favorite), are aged a long time in wooden barrels, spending 3 or 4 years in casks. They tend to lose most of their fruit and the normal deep red color becomes more of an amber hue (which gives the wine its name) and acquires a nutty character. Basically you have the regular tawny ports that have spent a few years in wood and then you have the specialty tawny’s- 10 years, 20 years, 30 years and 40 years. Assumingly, the older the designation, the more expensive the port. I usually enjoy some tawny reserves (ports that have a minimum age of seven years in cask) – my favorites being, Quinta do Portal, Ferreira’s Dona Antonia Personal Reserve, Churchill’s, Poças and Graham’s

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THAT’S AMORE by Lisa Dante

ome might think it’s the most romantic day of the year. But I like to view Valentine’s Day as a time to celebrate all the relationships that you value in your life, not just the romantic ones. This way no matter what your status, you can look at the day with joy and appreciation for all the beautiful people in your life.

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Whether you’re at dinner with your significant other, or out with friends, Valentine’s Day is the time to show and share our love and thanks with those closest to us. You’re probably thinking, “Well, shouldn’t we be doing that every day?” and the answer is, of course, yes, but it’s nice to know that there is a special day set aside to remind us of this very thing.

Previous Page: Swarovski Crystal Cuff available at Swarovski at The Shops at La Cantera, Red dress available at Bebe at The Shops at La Cantera; This Page: Low cut red top available at Bebe at The Shops at La Cantera, Red leather tote available at Henri Bendel available at The Shops at La Cantera

It can be fun and flirty and give you on opportunity to dress for the special day. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really what you make of it. Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of the color red? Interestingly enough, the Pantone Institute, the authority on naming the color of the year for 2014, has announced that the usual pastels that we see every spring, are taking a back seat to bold vibrant hues. One

of the predominant colors in the spring palette for 2014 is a gorgeous bold, red they are calling Cayenne. I think incorporating red with edgier black gives it a more sophisticated look. While combining pink and red changes the entire feeling, to emulate a softer femininity, yet makes a strong statement.

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This Page Clockwise from Top: Oversized red sunglasses available at Swarovski at The Shops at La Cantera, Red Swarvoski watch available at Swarovski at The Shops at La Cantera, Snakeskin stiletto sandals available at Bebe at The Shops at La Cantera

Haven’t met your true love yet? Remember, it’s okay to give yourself a Valentine’s present. It’s the perfect affirmation to the world of how fabulous you are. Besides, you are worth it! A crystal encrusted, crimson, Swarovski watch, perhaps? Or maybe a killer pair of snakeskin stiletto sandals? After all, both will last longer

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than a bunch of roses. So whether you’re deliciously paired up or happily flying solo, embrace the day as a chance to celebrate all the kinds of love that enrich and adorn our lives, because after all… that’s amore!

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ENTERTAINMENT

PROJECTION F R O N T

P R O J E C T I O N

T E L E V I S I O N

A T

I T ’ S

F I N E S T

by Bjorn... Just Bjorn

The first few weeks and months of 2014 offer some of the best in viewing entertainment. With college bowl games, pro basketball, the winter games and not to mention the next season of Downton Abby all on the viewing schedule, your television viewing option may never be better.

Projection television offers many advantages. It’s true, a projector allows you to have your video screen be almost any size you have room for. But size is not the only advantage. With the new projector technology you have the option of 4K Ultra High Definition and 3D, giving you a theater quality video experience.

With that in mind it may be a great time to take a look at the options for how and what you’ll be watching all this great entertainment on. Of course there are numerous options for large flat panel televisions, but let’s not forget about projection television.

Here are a few of the options we like best:

Sony 4K Home Theater ES Projector

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First up is the Sony 4K Home Theater ES Projector featuring 4K-resolution (4096 x 2160). That’s greater than 4 times the current 1080p

Runco LS-3

HD! This projector is recommended for screens up to 200”. Enjoy your favorite 1080p HD movies and shows upconverted to 4K quality or look to the brand new download and streaming service Sony just launched for actual 4K content. And yes it is also capable of projecting 3D as well. While this is a bit pricey it will give you that high-end theater experience right in your own home. Next up is the Runco LS-3. This projector combines form and function; the Runco LS-3 offers never-before-seen performance in a stylish package. Native 1080p resolution, advanced connectivity and legendary video performance will create a theater experience in any environment. The LS-3 combines DLP (Digital Light Processing) projection and proprietary digital video processing to achieve deep black levels and significant contrast. This projector will make you want to buy your own popcorn machine. Epson has a great line-up of projectors to pick from but our favorite is the Epson Pro Cinema 6030UB 1080P 2D/3D Projector. This pro-

jector offers a home cinema experience that will immerse you in stunning 2D and 3D images, in Full HD 1080p. Images are always rich and brilliant. It gives you exquisite detail, whatever the scene, with an incredible contrast. A state-of-the-art lens ensures stunning picture uniformity, while THX display certification and ISF certification offer the most advanced video quality. The Pro Cinema 6030UB projector also offers efficient setup with the widest lens shift available. There you have it, our top three picks for front projection television entertainment. There are many other fine projectors out there, with a little research you’ll find just the right projector for your needs. With so many to pick from you’ll find one for just about any budget as well. 2014 looks like it is going to be another great year for video entertainment, why not view it as a great big, super high definition projected picture in the comfort of your own home.

Epson Pro Cinema 6030UB 1080P 2D/3D Projector

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T R A D I T I O N

OF STRENGTH M I L I TA R Y C I T Y, U . S . A . W E L C O M E S T H E U . S . A R M Y A L L - A M E R I C A N B O W L

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by Vernelle Lynch

he U.S. Army has been defending our country’s freedom for more than 235 years, and San Antonio has been part of that rich military tradition reaching back for more than 300 years, earning the city the nickname “Military City, U.S.A.” Few traditions are as storied and rich as our Nation’s military traditions, unless you’re in Texas where high school football reigns supreme. On January 4th those two strong traditions come together at the Alamodome for the 14th U.S. Army All-American Bowl. For more than a decade, the colors of the U.S. Army – the strength of the nation – have heralded the All-American Bowl as the premier high school football game in the country. Showcasing 90 of the nation’s elite high school football players and top 125 high school marching band musicians, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl celebrates the unique characteristics and core Army values that define the extraordinary Americans who wear the Army colors. Unique to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the players in the game are provided the opportunity to interact with Soldiers during activities throughout the week. These exceptional servicemen and women spend time with the All-Americans, providing an example of how using the Army’s core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, leads to success in life. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl has

a strong legacy that includes many of today’s NFL and college stars. There are currently more than 180 former U.S. Army All-Americans in the NFL, including more than 54 first-round picks. In 2012, Andrew Luck became the first U.S. Army All-American alumnus to be the number one overall selection in the NFL Draft and in 2007 former U.S. Army All-American Tim Tebow became the first underclassmen to win the Heisman Trophy. “The players and musicians of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl have earned the right to wear the Army colors by sharing the core values and extraordinary mental, emotional and physical strength that are the hallmark of Army Strong Soldiers”, said Mark S. Davis, Deputy Assistant of the Army, Marketing. “The U.S. Army is proud to continue its strong partnership with the city of San Antonio and to highlight the best and brightest that our nation has to offer.” More than just a game, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl offers many free and fun activities throughout the city of San Antonio during what has become known as Bowl Week. The Army Strong Zone: Just outside the gates of the Alamodome, leading down to Sunset Station, the Army transforms 129,000 square feet of concrete into a collection of interactive zones that immerse visitors in the unique Army experience. Not only does the Army Strong Zone show off what you may already know about the Army – things like world-class medical

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training and unmatched technology – it also offers a glance into what you may not know about the Army, such as elite combatives, K-9 and special forces teams. Simulators, demonstrations, hands-on exercises and a chance to interact with Soldiers who live the diverse options and opportunities of the Army each day allow visiting students, community groups and the public to learn more about the Army, its elite technology and its unmatched personnel in a fun, family-friendly environment. This year the Army Strong Zone will host a robotics competition comprising of more than 30 teams from high schools across the country. The Army Strong Zone is free and will be open to the public Friday, Jan. 3, from 8:00am – 7:30pm, and on Saturday, Jan. 5, from 9:00am – 11:00am and 2:00pm – 5:00pm.

The U.S. Army Awards Show: New in 2014, the U.S. Army Awards Show highlights the selfless service of America’s soldiers and the outstanding on- and off-the-field achievements of the country’s best high school football players. Players will be recognized for their achievements and many will be selected for top awards, including the Player of the Year award given to one outstanding All-American each year. The event features performances, award presentations and honorary guest speakers and provides an opportunity for soldiers, senior leaders, players and families to celebrate the unique and shared strengths between them. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl: See tomorrow’s stars today; NFL

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stars such as Adrian Peterson, Michael Oher, and Andrew Luck are all former U.S. Army All-Americans. Broadcast nationally on NBC, the All-American Bowl is the centerpiece of the entire week. The premier All-Star game in the country, the 2013 game welcomed more than 35,000 visitors to experience the classic East vs. West match-up. The college decision segments on the sideline, where top recruits don baseball caps representing the schools they’ve chosen, has become an instantly recognizable part of the All American Bowl event. Additionally, the Army presents one student with a scholarship during the 3rd quarter, highlighting the Army’s continued support of academic excellence. The Army provides much more than a great football game for those in the Alamodome. It starts before the game, when Soldiers past, present and future are recognized for their service on the field. When the players head back to the locker room at halftime, the 125 members of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band perform a world-class halftime routine. And, throughout the game, the thousands of Soldiers, athlete and musician family members and local fans in attendance keep the decibel level high, singing and cheering for their hometown players. For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, visit GoArmy.com, and USArmyAllAmericanBowl.com. The All-American Bowl also is social – check out Facebook.com/USArmyAllAmericanBowl and Twitter.com/ArmyAllAmerican.

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YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2014 SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO by Steve A. Martinez Jr.

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The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is one of the premier rodeos in the nation, named the Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year for nine consecutive years. Production of this 2-plus week long event requires over 5,000 volunteers to execute all of the details that make one of the largest events in San Antonio. The San Antonio Rodeo draws in over a million people each year, and has become a staple event for Rodeo-goers. The rodeo is run by the San Antonio Livestock Exhibition Executive Committee, or SALE, “a volunteer organization that emphasizes agriculture and education to develop the youth of Texas.” Since the association implemented the scholarship fund in 1984, it has committed over $123 million dollars through scholarships, grants, endowments, cattle auctions and other means. Not only is the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo one of the most entertaining events of the year, it has made its mark on Texas by supporting the youth and contributing to the future of agriculture. Gather up your restless posse of cowboys and cowgirls and head our way for the unforgettable San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo from February 7th - 24th this year. There are plenty of events, so be sure to take advantage of our complete guide so you reckon’ to make it to all your favorite events.

History

In 1854, in an emerging Texas cattle town, history was made when one of the first ever Texas Agricultural Fairs was held in San Antonio. In the following years, many other fairs and expositions came to San Antonio and all encountered the same problem, inadequate facilities to accommodate their needs. It was evident South Texas was in dire need of facilities to serve as a showplace for a livestock exposition. This cry for greater accommodations was heard in the early 1940s by Joe Freeman, the man who began the movement, which eventually gave birth to the Joe and Harry Freeman

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Coliseum. Freeman’s two prime interests were youth and the agricultural and livestock industries. His dream was to build a coliseum to be used for a number of events, but specifically, a livestock exposition for the youth of Texas. After assembling a number of volunteers, ranging from cattlemen to sports-minded citizens, the movement began to construct this multi-purpose coliseum. The years of gathering support and money paid off when construction began in January of 1948. In the following September, the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum was opened to the public. On February 17, 1950, a landmark event took place with the first Annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The first exposition met with unqualified success, entertaining more than a quarter of a million visitors, an unheard of record for an opening show. In 1984, a very forward thinking SALE Executive Committee began to think about encouraging 4-H and FFA high school students to continue their interest in the agriculture industry by majoring in agricultural-related studies in college. So was born the SALE Scholarship Fund which awarded fifteen, four-year scholarships totaling $90,000 to students entering Texas colleges in the fall of 1984. 2003 was another milestone year in the history of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. For the first time since 1950, the rodeo & concert performance was not held in the Freeman Coliseum but in the brand new, state-of-the-art facility, the SBC Center, located right next door (The SBC Center is now known as the AT&T Center). The Freeman Coliseum then became the home to hundreds of commercial vendors providing the perfect venue for rodeo patrons ready to shop. Since SALE’s inception in 1950, the Stock Show

& Rodeo has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious, single events in San Antonio with over one million visitors entering the grounds each year.

Rodeo

The rodeo consists of seven PRCA events as well as a Grand Entry, Mutton Bustin’, Calf Scramble and Xtreme Bulls. Mutton Bustin’ is a huge crowd pleaser and one of the most popular events. During each rodeo performance, a few lucky kids get to climb on the back of a dashing sheep and hang on for six exciting seconds. The Calf Scramble, also during the rodeo performances, is when 24 4-H and FFA members compete to catch, halter and coax one of 12 calves across the winners line. Xtreme Bulls, back for the 8th year in a row, is the most intense bull riding competition in professional rodeo. It takes place on the final Saturday of the show, February 22nd at 1pm. The tradition of pairing Xtreme Bulls with electrifying musical performances continues this year with an appearance by Montgomery Gentry.

Ranch Rodeo Finals

Rising in popularity, Ranch Rodeos are a throwback to the old west and the beginnings of modern day rodeos. The modern Ranch Rodeo puts real life working cowboys to the test. These real-life cowboys, representing the ranch they work on, compete against each other in events similar to the tasks they face. Events include steer loading, branding, steer tying, hide race, rescue race, and the milk race. And yes, you read right, the milk race is where the cowboys must wrangle a wild cow and milk it to complete the event. Ranch Rodeos are unique in that they are team competitions, unlike modern rodeos. The six teams competing qualified based on performance in circuit rodeos through out the year. The six teams are the best in the west, and are invited to compete at the South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals at the

Brett Eldredge Thursday, Feb 6th at 7pm

Jake Owen

Friday, Feb 7th at 7:30pm

Tim McGraw

Saturday, Feb 8th at 7:30pm

Big Time Rush Sunday, Feb 9th at 1pm

Alan Jackson

Monday, Feb 10th at 7pm San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Prizes are awarded to the Top Hand (not unlike a football game MVP), the winner of each event, and to the top two teams of the running average. The first place team also earns coveted custom belt buckles, the South Texas Ranch Rodeo Championship title, and bragging rights for the rest of the year. Tickets are $25, which includes grounds admission. Seating is not assigned, so be sure to arrive a little early for the best seats. Tickets are available through the Rodeo Ticket Office, for more information call 210225-5851 and visit www.sarodeo.com.

Carnival

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is proud to welcome one of the largest carnival providers in the United States, the Wade Show Carnival. Thrilling rides including the Turbo Force, Italian Twister, Slingshot, Tango and Force Ten provide hours of fun for everyone. Challenge a friend and test your skill level at any of the games and win one of the many prizes. Li’l Partner Land is the perfect spot for the lil’ ones, specifically designed to meet the needs of parents with small children. Last, but not least, top off your good time with a taste of the mouth-watering foods served on the Midway, such as funnel cakes, turkey legs, candy apples and cotton candy.

Family Fair

The Family Fair is an area that provides a wide variety of interactive activities and attractions geared towards family fun and education and live musical entertainment. This is the ultimate in family entertainment where the kids can be kids and the adults can act like kids. With everything from petting zoos, educational exhibits, great food, and even pig races everyone is sure to be entertained.

Texas Star Marketplace

The Texas Star Marketplace, located in the Free-

man Coliseum and the Two Step Marketplace, located in the Exhibit Hall directly behind the Freeman Coliseum, showcase products from some of the United States, Mexico and Canada’s finest commercial vendors. Over 650 hand-selected vendors showcase items such as home furnishings, accessories, leather goods, custom boots, clothing and jewelry. From shabby chic to old west, there is something for all tastes! You can also find other vendors located throughout the Stock Show grounds, in front of the barns along Freeman Blvd and on Bickett, adjacent from Family Fair. These vendors feature agriculture related items such as tractors and horse trailers, fencing, hay bailers, irrigation systems, horse pens, cattle scales, animal feed and a wide array of agriculture supplies. Marketplace Hours Sunday through Thursday from 10am - 8pm Friday from 10am - 10pm Saturday from 10am - 10pm

Music

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo attracts some of the biggest names in music. Each performance begins with a rodeo, which lasts just under 2 hours. After the rodeo there will be a brief intermission (about 20 minutes) followed by the concert. Tickets are available at a variety of price points. All seats are reserved. When you purchase your ticket you receive admission to the grounds, rodeo and concert. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the AT&T Center Box Office, calling Ticketmaster at 1-877-63-RODEO (1-877-637-6336), online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster Ticket Center.

Jeremy Camp

Thursday, Feb 11th at 7pm

Kacey Musgraves Wednesday, Feb 12th at 7pm

Thomas Rhett Thursday, Feb 13th at 7pm

Heart

Friday, Feb 14th at 7:30pm

Dustin Lynch

Saturday, Feb 15th at 1pm

Josh Turner

Saturday, Feb 15th at 7:30pm

Randy Houser

Sunday, Feb 16th at 1pm

Pesado

Sunday, Feb 16th at 7:30pm

Rascal Flatts

Monday, Feb 17th at 7pm

Trace Adkins

Thursday, Feb 18th at 7pm

Pitbulll

Wednesday, Feb 19th at 7pm

Dierks Bentley

Thursday, Feb 20th at 7pm

Martina McBride Friday, Feb 21st at 7:30pm

Montgomery Gentry Saturday, Feb 22nd at 1pm

Billy Currington

Saturday, Feb 22nd at 7:30pm Ten West Living

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READY, SET, GO! by Esmi Gonzalez, Professional Organizer

January is Get Organized Month (GO Month)! This month-long public awareness campaign by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) promotes the advantages of getting organized and offers suggestions and solutions to help the public become more organized and productive at home and at work. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of GO Month this year, NAPO Professional Organizers across the country will host community events to help individuals, families and businesses bring time management, organization, storage solutions and productivity into their lives. The local NAPO Chapter of San Antonio (NAPO-SA) will donate their time and services to the Wounded Warriors Project. NAPO-SA will help local Wounded Warrior families in 2014. Some of these families are affected by TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) which occurs in IED blasts. Severe TBI often keeps these young men and women from being able to hold jobs and sometimes from completing simple tasks. Organization, repetition and routines are the best ways for these men and women to function independently. NAPO-SA will make a real difference for these families. What can you do to get and stay organize in the New Year? Getting started is the hardest part, where do you begin? Having the right attitude helps with motivation. First decide which areas in your home need organizing attention; your closet, home office, family room, maybe your garage. Set deadlines for each project, this keeps you on track and on schedule. Make organizing an appointment, set the date and time on your calendar. No other repair people in your home, no phone calls and no emails. Set small goals; breakdown the project. For example if you are working in your office, tackle the file cabinet first, don’t stray,

and stick with the cabinet only until it’s completed. Then if time allows move onto your desk and so on. Organizing means decluttering, it’s important to downsize and pare down. When going through your belongings ask yourself “do I really need this, have I used it in the last year?” If the answer is no then you know to donate, recycle or discard. Next place “like” items together. If you store items away in boxes or containers, always label. Labeling containers, drawers, jars in the pantry and cabinets helps save time when looking for a certain item. No more wasting time opening boxes to see what’s inside and finding what you need in the very last box! After each project, reward yourself, maybe with chocolate candy or a movie with your family. Accomplishing a project is motivation! Don’t expect everything to run smoothly or as planned. There will be setbacks and that’s OK, reschedule and get back on track, and don’t give up. Staying organized is a continuous task. Set certain days to do certain tasks and assign duties to each family member. Set monthly and quarterly to-do tasks. Once a month clean out the refrigerator and pantry for expired food. Straighten out the garage quarterly and take unwanted items to the recycle center or your favorite local charity. The key to getting organized is staying organized and being organized. If you feel you need a little help to get started, call a Professional Organizer. We help teach, coach, and implement organizing systems customized just for you. Find a Professional Organizer near you through naposanantonio.net. Happy Organizing!

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C A L I F O R N I A’ S

San Cities by Jennifer Broome

California’s San Cities….one is known for fun in the sun and the other is a mecca for foodies and shoppers.

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San Francisco Ten West Living

Photo Courtesy of John Bahu

Clockwise From Left: San Diego, Oysters and Ceviche from Jordan, Hotel Del Coronado

With 70 miles of gorgeous coastline, San Diego is a destination for the beach lover. Just ten minutes away from San Diego International Airport, you can dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean at Mission Beach or Pacific Beach. These two are quintessential beach towns compared to the fashionable and elegant La Jolla. From history to family fun to one of the most romantic hotels in the country, San Diego has it all. Dating back to the 1800s, the spot where San Diego’s waterfront development began is a must. The Gaslamp Quarter’s modern and historic buildings are home to over 200 trendy nightclubs, rooftop bars, quaint shops and boutiques, art galleries, and upscale restaurants. As a premiere shopping and dining playground for the hip, trendy, eclectic, and upscale, the Gaslamp Quarter single-handedly makes San Diego an elite urban destination. One of the newest and hottest spots in the Gaslamp Quarter is The Commons Bar. It has a Cheers bar atmosphere, but they serve uncommon pub grub like the Ron Burgandog and Ahi Tuna Sandwich. For a casual lunch or the best champagne brunch in town, Searsucker is the the spot. Chef Brian Malarkey was a Bravo Top Chef finalist and judge on ABC’s The Taste. He is crafting a new American class cuisine with his cutting-edge flair with a menu broken up into categories like “Smalls,” “Ocean,” and “Ranch”. To stay in the middle of the action in the Gaslamp Quarter, Andaz San Diego fits the bill. You will find cosmopolitan comfort in the 159 ultra-modern rooms and suites featuring rich textures, warm woods, and daring architectural design. RoofTop600 is a rooftop restaurant by day and San Diego’s largest rooftop lounge at night. As you dine or imbibe, enjoy stunning sweeping views of downtown San Diego. Take a harbor cruise, shop in Seaport Village, explore the USS Midway Museum, take the family to Legoland California or SeaWorld San Diego, catch a Padres game, or explore the iconic Balboa Park. Founded in 1916, Balboa Park is known as the Smithsonian of the West. It has thirteen museums, theaters, botanical gardens, and is home to the world famous San Diego Zoo.

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Courtesy of the mineral mica, Coronado’s sand seems to sparkle in the sunshine. Coronado Island sits just across the Big Bay from downtown San Diego. With its small-town quaintness, old-world mansions, elegant gardens, luxurious boutiques, and dining options with incredible ocean views, it is easy to understand why Coronado is dubbed “The Crown City,” after all Coronado is Spanish for “the crowned one.” The crowning jewel on Coronado is the historic Hotel del Coronado. The enchanting island setting coupled with the Victorian splendor of the Hotel del Coronado makes Coronado one of America’s most romantic getaway destinations. Built in 1888, with it’s iconic red turrets and red shingled roof, it is easy to see why movies like “Some Like It Hot” were filmed here and why the guest list includes presidents and movie stars. Hotel del Coronado has 679 recently remodeled rooms in three distinct buildings. In the historic Victorian Building, the small Victorian Rooms offer historic luxury blended with modern conveniences. For a more resort experience, stay in one of the 78 cottages and villas in Beach Village. The historic Old Town San Diego is considered the birthplace of California. Along with museums, artisans, galleries, and shops, there are over seventeen historic points of interest in Old Town. Every Wednesday and Saturday there are living history demonstrations like quilting, blacksmithing, and carpentry to show what life was like in the 1800s. With over 30 restaurants in Old Town, you can dine on anything from traditional Mexican cuisine to sushi. Just minutes from downtown San Diego is Mission Bay Park. It is the largest park of its kind in the world with twenty-seven miles of shoreline surrounding the 4,600-acre aquatic park. From sailing to kite surfing, it is water sports galore with a variety of waterways, inlets, and islets. With great weather, it is easy to see why everyone is walking, running, rollerblading, biking, surfing, or stand up paddling in Southern Califor-

Photo Courtesy of Joanne DiBona

Clockwise From Left: Mission Beach, Golden Gate Bridge, San Diego ‘s Little Italy

nia. Along the 3-mile boardwalk in Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, you will find everything from surf shops to beach bars to rows of condos for rent to upscale restaurants and boutique hotels. Built in 1925, Mission Beach’s iconic Belmont Park is home of the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. Pacific Terrace Hotel in Pacific Beach is the perfect place to fall asleep listening to the soothing sounds of waves crashing on the shore. Pacific Terrace Hotel brings a little “Tommy Bahama” feel into the 73 guest rooms and suites with hand-crafted wooded beds, plantation shutters, hanging tapestries, and silk ceiling fans. Feel the salty air on your skin and take in a breathtaking sunset from your private patio or balcony. For breakfast, go for the legendary brioche cinnamon rolls at Baked in Mission Beach. Seeing their hot cinnamon rolls sign on the boardwalk drove me into the bakery. The cinnamon rolls are diet breaking worthy! Want to enjoy breakfast with a view of the ocean? Wave House Bar and Grill serves up items like their Heart Healthy Omelette with broccoli, zucchini, spinach, and goat cheese. For a killer Bloody Mary or Bloody Ceasar, World Famous is the spot. For fish tacos even the locals brag about, you have to go to Oscars Mexican Seafood. Watching the sun set over the Pacific is nothing short of breathtaking. Soak up the moment out on a pier or simply standing on the beach, or indulge in the moment with a glass of champagne or prosecco at Jordan in the Tower 23 Hotel. Pair the bubbly with oysters on the half shell or ceviche. With its upscale restaurants and shops, La Jolla is known as “the jewel” of San Diego. Its gentle surf makes it a perfect place for paddle boarding, tidepooling, kayaking, and even diving. For patio dining, George’s at the Cove has long had the reputation as the place to go with their California modern cuisine. George’s Bar is a relaxed setting where indoors blend with outdoors in La Jolla’s best rooftop dining. For the golfer, La Jolla is shear paradise since it is home to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. From

the old Curio Shop, take the tunnel down to visit Sunny Jim’s Cave to see a variety of native sea birds nesting on the cliffs and sea lions sunning on the rocks. For an overhead view of the sea lions, the patio of Eddy V’s Prime Seafood is the place. Toast the moment with one of their more than 200 world-class wines while dining on fresh seafood or steaks. The Hake Kitchen and Bar is one of La Jolla’s newest restaurants. This tucked away cozy restaurant is already gaining a following with favorites like their Ceviche and “Smokey” Mahi Tacos. California’s other San City is San Francisco. It is a melting pot of cultures and food. From the Financial District to Nob Hill, each neighborhood is unique and drastically different from the next. A visit to Chinatown is a must. It is the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in the United States. San Francisco’s Chinatown is blend of shops selling nicknacks to jewelry and pearl shops to stores like Michael Fine Art and Antiques filled with gorgeous Asian antiques, beautiful pottery, and esquitsite chandeliers at unbelievable deals. Just a couple of blocks away from Chinatown is Union Square. From Neiman Marcus to Prada to Saks, all of the big name upscale retailers are here. Stay in the heart of Union Square at Grand Hyatt San Francisco. It is modern sophistication at its best in the city. The 660 guest rooms are newly renovated and feature the Hyatt’s Grand Beds. The hotel’s chic modern OneUp Restaurant features innovative American bistro cuisine with Northern California influences. OneUp Lounge’s stylish setting and lively environment is perfect to enjoy regional wines, handcrafted cocktails and signature whiskey. For breakfast go for the diner experience at either Sears Fine Foods or Lorie’s Diner. Neither are anything fancy, but for a hearty breakfast loved by locals and visitors, these two diners close to the Grand Hyatt are a must. Sears Fine Foods has been a San Francisco institution since 1938. They are most known for their world famous 18 Swedish Pancakes. Lorie’s Diner is din-

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Clockwise From Left: San Francisco’s Chinatown, Cable Cars, Sliders from Marengo on Union

ing 50s style with its red booths, rock ‘n’ roll, Coca-Cola, Elvis, and Marilyn Monroe memorabilia decor. Their creamy egg batter recipe for French Toast was made famous in the west coast train dining cars of the 30’s and 40’s and their Corned Beef Hash is considered the best in city. State Bird Provisions is one of the city’s hottest restaurants. It is an adventurous and inventive contemporary American restaurant with items like Red Trout with mandarin and hazelnut-garum brown butter and Roasted Bone Marrow with chanterelles & pink peppercorn. Don’t miss out on desserts like the Eggnog “Ice Cream” Sandwich with almond macaron and cocoa-sherry coulis. On a recent girls shopping weekend, I discovered The Hidden Vine and it was a hit with our entire group. It has been named one of “America’s Best Wine Bars” by Travel & Leisure. In a comfortable and unpretentious environment in the Financial District, The Hidden Vine offers a wine list of over 180 different wines with 40 poured by the glass. Try the Bolsa which is sopressata and manchego baked in a puff pastry, or Mushroom Flatbread with crimini mushrooms, caramelized onions, thyme, and smoked mozzarella to elevate your experience even more. At the foot of the Four Seasons in the Financial District is the Press Club. This wine bar and lounge is one of the hippest and most popular wine bars in San Francisco. Their eclectic menu features everything from outstanding cheese and charcuterie boards to bites like the Press Club Popcorn Mix of truffled popcorn, porcini dusted almonds, puffed wild rice, and vinegar chickpeas to entrees like Quail Egg and Chevre Raviolo with duck confit, roasted sunchokes, frisee, brown butter, and orange zest.

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In the Cow Hollow District is Union Street filled with unique boutiques and trendy cafes and restaurants. After multiple trips to shop Union, a couple of my favorite shops are Ambiance, Shaw, Jest Jewels, and Fatto a Mano. Marengo on Union is the place for wine, whiskey, and sliders. The menu is Texas meets California with sliders like the All-American and Crispy Chick. Marengo offers over twenty wines by-the-glass, a sixty-plus bottle wine list, world-class beers, and over a hundred whiskeys from Japan to California. The front is a comfortable dining area that just feels like it is the neighborhood gathering place. In the back is the Whiskey Bar complete with two retractable glass roofs. Betelnut is an Asian style beer house specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine. Go family style and try multiple items including their Szechuan green beans, a signature mainstay for over two decades. The Korean BBQ skewers with flank steak and shishito peppers and Cecelia’s Minced Chicken with Black Mushrooms and Lup Cheong Lettuce Cups are equally outstanding. A couple of must on a trip to San Francisco are exploring the mysteries of Alcetraz, enjoying a Bloody Mary and fresh seafood brunch at Spinnaker in Saucelito as you soak up the view of sailboats and yachts in San Francisco Bay, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, and of course enjoying some of San Francisco’s world famous Sourdough Bread. California’s San City are different in character, but both are urban paradises that will leave you wanting more than just a long weekend under the California sun.

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C of Inspiration The Blessing of Understanding H o w F a i t h Wo r k s by Cathy Cardenas

“ T h e r e i s n o t h i n g t h a t w a s t e s t h e b o d y l i k e w o r r y, a n d o n e w h o h a s a n y f a i t h in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever”- Gandhi hen I started writing this I decided to look up the definition of faith to see how others defined it. To my surprise, there were a lot of definitions of faith. When I stopped to think about that, I realized that would make sense because we all define faith differently in our lives. Sometimes our designations are due to religion, the struggles in our life, and most especially, our desire to understanding God’s will. We have faith in God, His plan, our purpose in life, and that our families will be taken care of in times of need. I could continue on all day about the different ways we see faith in our lives, but instead I want to share the importance of why understanding faith is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. Many years ago I was able to truly understand what faith was; not by merely looking it up, but instead by learning how it works and the importance of exercising it in our lives. For most of us it’s really easy to throw the word faith out there very casually. “I have faith In God”, “I have faith I’ll get that job”, or maybe “I have faith that the guy I like will ask me out.” I too used to throw that word around until I hit a hard time in my life; it was then that I had to really understand faith and what exercising that faith really meant. For many years when I would struggle I would say a quick prayer and tell myself, ‘I have faith, it will be okay…God’s got this’. This was a great first step, but the problem I had was not really letting go and letting God. I was not truly having faith and exercising it. I kept trying to handle it myself and when I was at my lowest point, when I felt that there was no hope left, it was the worst thing I could do. I have always loved the quote that says:

“You don’t know how strong your faith is until it’s all you have.” I still remember the day I learned what this meant in my life. About 8 years ago I hit a low point in life, mentally, spiritually and financially. I had prayed like I normally would and say, ‘God—I have faith’, and go on with my day. The difference this time was that I truly trusted my convictions and exercised my faith in Him. For the first time ever I had truly let go and let God take over my struggles and burdens and it was only then that everything started to happen and blessings poured in. God can’t help us if we are not willing to ask and then completely turn our burdens over to him. That means we let go, move on, don’t look back and stop trying to control things that you have no control over. Exercising our faith means letting Him take over. He wants to help, and will, if we let Him. I remember a story I read many years ago about a woman who was going through really hard times in her life. One day while praying she asked, ‘Why is my life so bad? Why my life not more like Mary from church? She always looks great, her children are the best dressed, she’s on the PTA, and she’s never late and is always out doing so much for others. My life is always in chaos, I can’t ever finish anything, my kids’ clothes are worn and we are always having some kind of financial issue’. The Lord appeared to hear her complaint. The Lord then whispered to her, “Mary has burdens - let me share what some of her burdens are. She has been diagnosed with cancer and her husband just lost his job; and on top of that, one of their children has health issues.” “How could that be?” said the woman. “It certainly does not show, she seems to have the perfect life.” The Lord then asked the woman to look down at his

feet. He said, “Do you see those stones?” “Yes”, she replied. He said, “Those are all of Mary’s burdens that she lays at my feet every day and turns over to me. When she does this, she is truly letting go and letting me help her. She has burdens but the reason she seems so at peace is because of her faith and hope in me.” When we can truly let go of our problems and hard situations is when God can step in and take away the bad and bring in the good. There is no single person on earth who loves us unconditionally and wants only happiness for us more than God. This being true, why do we struggle so much to have faith in Him, especially during our trials? I believe that it is fear that keeps us from exerting faith sufficient for deliverance. The fear of trusting God, that He is in control, will take care of our anxieties, and carry us through life’s trials if it is His will. Sometimes we have to have faith, especially when a prayer is not being answered right away or when our will is not His will. In fact, this kind of sacrifice may be one of the most difficult occasions to exercise faith; letting go of something we really want so that God can instead bring us something better, is faith indeed. To truly have real faith is to just fully let go of everything and have faith that God can and WILL work it all out. As we begin this New Year, we will have a lot of resolutions, goals and plans. I encourage you to put strengthening your faith at the top of your list. When we truly put God first and faith in Him, life just seems to work out - and usually in a much better way than we had planned!

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land

JUST GOT TOTALLY BORING

THE 2014 FUN CARD. PAY FOR A DAY. PLAY ALL YEAR. Unlock every door of the deep when you pay for a day to play all year. From our thrilling Steel Eel® roller coaster to our awe-inspiring animal encounters, when you have the 2014 Fun Card, you can go whenever you get that feeling in your bones. 2014 SeaWorld Fun Card includes admission to SeaWorld San Antonio on scheduled operating days for the 2014 season. Does not include admission to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark. Other restrictions apply. © 2014 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

SeaWorld.com/SanAntonio

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BOERNE P E R F O R M I N G

A R T S

by Sue Talford

With the holidays in the rear view mirror, we have the luxury of reflecting on the happiness and fun-filled memories of the last two weeks in December and concentrate on new beginnings in 2014! Family activities and excitement need not stop hereâ&#x20AC;Śyour New Years resolutions can involve special activities that will maintain the positive excitement generated by the holiday season.

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2014 SERIES THE TEN TENORS Monday, January 27 What could be more electrifying than the internationally acclaimed singing sensation, The Ten Tenors, as they return to the U.S. with their highly anticipated brand new show celebrating Broadway’s greatest hits, The TEN Tenors on Broadway? This dynamic live experience is a wonderful collection of Broadway’s mostloved classics sung by ten of Australia’s hottest tenors, who have sold over 3.5 million concert tickets across seven continents.

Why not extend your holiday festivities to include an evening of entertainment by world-class artists where the thrill, excitement and pure enjoyment of live performances will keep laughter and levity in your daily routine? And the best part of all is NO stress as you journey I-10 West (away from the congestion) to Boerne…a place as unique as its name! Boerne Performing Arts will deliver on its New Year entertainment commitment as they begin their 3rd season of bringing the world of professional performing arts to this small hill country town. The newly formed organization has successfully sold out every concert since it began presenting their world-class artists in 2012. “Our first priority is selecting high quality artists that tour internationally. We combine that with offering a wide variety of performing arts!” states Carol Schultz, chairperson of the 100% volunteerdriven organization. “We are proud to be presenting artists that regularly perform in the larger venues throughout our state and country, and yet Boerne, with its a state-of-the-art auditorium, can still shower the performers with our small town warmth and hospitality.” So, imagine this! You have a delightful dinner at one of the fine restaurants in downtown Boerne, travel five minutes to the venue (where parking is free and close to the doors), experience a worldclass performance in a 1,000 seat venue where every seat has a clear view of the stage, and then you have a short drive home with minimal traffic.

When you “Journey to Boerne” for the 2014 concerts, you will experience world-class artists from Australia, Canada, Ireland, United States and Israel. In addition, by purchasing tickets to a Boerne Performing Arts event, guests will be supporting the Boerne Performing Arts FOR KIDS program, which provides special school shows for area students. The FOR KIDS program will positively impact over 4,000 students this year and all opportunities are provided at no cost to the students. It’s a new year…so take your pick of the new offerings by Boerne Performing Arts…and enjoy a live theater experience with your family and friends! All performances are at 7:30 p.m. at Boerne Champion High School Auditorium. Ticket prices range from $30-$60 for each event and include all ticketing fees. Tickets may be ordered (and printed) directly online at www.boerneperformingarts.com, by phone at 830-331-9079, or in person at the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce or the Boerne Convention & Visitors Bureau. The entire production is a total community event!!! Larry Woods, Director of the Boerne Convention & Visitors Bureau, states, “The artists may not know how to pronounce Boerne before they arrive…but our goal is they will repeat our town’s name numerous times after their visit!” Mark your calendars now and make destination Boerne a cultural experience with an evening of enjoyment presented by Boerne Performing Arts!

THE STEPCREW Monday, February 10 If dancing is your thing, The StepCrew promises an evening filled with “Everything you’d Expect…and like nothing you’d Imagine” as this enthusiastic dance troupe hailing from Canada and Ireland will brilliantly “step” you on a journey through Ottawa Valley step dance, Irish step dance and Tap! Lionized by The Chieftain’s Paddy Maloney, “The StepCrew does not simply draw their audience in, they take them by the hand and remind us what dance is meant to be about – fun!” VOCA PEOPLE Thursday, March 6 Think Blue Man Group! Change the costumes to white and replace the instruments with some of the most talented vocalists on the planet! Voila! Voca People! This dynamic, intergalactic musical theater experience has dazzled audiences in over 25 countries around the globe since 2009, from South America, the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East…and now in one exclusive show in Boerne, Texas! This overnight YouTube sensation is worth “googling” on your phone right now! You won’t believe it! TIME FOR THREE Tuesday, March 25 Time for Three is a charismatic ensemble that has performed in array of venues… from Carnegie Hall to the Indy 500! Self-proclaimed as world’s first classically trained garage band, their myriad of musical offerings knows no boundaries as they perform works by Bach-BrahmsKate Perry-Mumford & Sons, with a tenacious technical talent and passionate presentation. Ten West Living

DATE BOOK

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

2014 COMEDY

Joe Ely Band

Bart Crow

January 4

February 1

Brian Regan

Gruene Hall

January 19

1281 Gruene Road

Lila Cockrell Theater 200 East Market St.

800-745-3000

Floore’s Country Store 830-606-1281

14464 Old Bandera Road

New Braunfels, Texas

Helotes, Texas

www.gruenehall.com

www.liveatfloores.com

210-695-8827

www.ticketmaster.com Elvis Lives! Valentines Super Love Jam

FAMILY

January 19

February 1

Majestic Theatre

Illusions Theater at Alamodome

Disney Live! Three Classic Fair Tales

224 East Houston Street

January 4-5

www.majesticempire.com

210-226-3333

100 Montana Street www.ticketmaster.com

The Roadshow Tour

Two Tons of Steel

January 23

February 8

AT&T Center

Floore’s Country Store

800-745-3000

Lila Cockrell Theater 200 East Market St.

800-745-3000

www.ticketmaster.com Celtic Nights

One AT&T Center Parkway

February 27

www.ticketmaster.com

800-745-3000

210-695-8827

Helotes, Texas www.liveatfloores.com

Majestic Theatre 224 East Houston Street

14464 Old Bandera Road

210-226-3333

www.majesticempire.com

MUSIC

James McMurtry January 24

Queens of the Stone Age

Floore’s Country Store

February 10

14464 Old Bandera Road

210-695-8827

Majestic Theatre

Helotes, Texas

224 East Houston Street

www.liveatfloores.com

www.majesticempire.com

January 3

In the Mood

Gordon Lightfoot

Majestic Theatre

January 25

February 12

Spirit Of Michael Jackson

210-226-3333

Live Concert Experience

224 East Houston Street

210-226-3333

Lila Cockrell Theater 200 East Market St.

www.majesticempire.com

Majestic Theatre 800-745-3000

224 East Houston Street

www.ticketmaster.com

www.majesticempire.com

Definitive Pink Floyd Concert Experience

Bellamy Brothers

Kristin Chenoweth

January 4

January 31

February 15

210-226-3333

Shine On

Floore’s Country Store

Majestic Theatre 224 East Houston Street www.majesticempire.com

210-226-3333

14464 Old Bandera Road Helotes, Texas www.liveatfloores.com

Ten West Living

Majestic Theatre 210-695-8827

224 East Houston Street www.majesticempire.com

210-226-3333

DATE BOOK

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

2014 Los Vivancos

Ghost - The Musical

San Antonio Symphony presents

February 16

January 21-26

Gershwin Piano Concerto

Lila Cockrell Theater 200 East Market St.

Majestic Theatre 800-745-3000

www.ticketmaster.com

224 East Houston Street

February 21-22 210-226-3333

www.majesticempire.com

Majestic Theatre 224 East Houston Street

210-226-3333

www.majesticempire.com Willie Nelson

The Ten Tenors

February 23

January 27

Majestic Theatre

Champion Auditorium

224 East Houston Street

201 Charger Blvd.

210-226-3333

www.majesticempire.com

SPORTS 830-331-9079

Boerne, Texas

New York Knicks

January 2

www.boerneperformingarts.com

Los Angeles Clippers

January 4

Charlie Robison February 28 Flooreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Store 14464 Old Bandera Road

210-695-8827

San Antonio Spurs NBA Basketball

Dallas Mavericks

January 8

San Antonio Symphony presents

Minnesota Timberwolves

January 12

Rusalka in Concert

Utah Jazz

January 15

January 31-February 1

Portland Trailblazers

January 17

Mlwaukee Bucks

January 19

Oklahoma City Thunder

January 22

Chicago Bulls

January 29

Sacramento Kings

February 1

Helotes, Texas

Majestic Theatre

www.liveatfloores.com

224 East Houston Street

210-226-3333

www.majesticempire.com

PERFORMING ARTS San Antonio Symphony presents

Detroit Pistons

February 26

San Antonio Symphony presents

New World Symphony

Charlotte Bobcats

February 28

Dvorak Festival, Cello Concerto

February 7-8

AT&T Center

January 10-11

Majestic Theatre

One AT&T Center Parkway 210-444-5050

Majestic Theatre 224 East Houston Street

224 East Houston Street 210-226-3333

210-226-3333

www.spurs.com

www.majesticempire.com

San Antonio Rampage AHL Hockey The Step Crew

Oklahoma City Barons

January 3

San Antonio Symphony presents

February 10

Abbotsford Heat

January 7

Dvorak Festival, Violin Concerto

Champion Auditorium

Abbotsford Heat

January 11

January 17-18

201 Charger Blvd.

Utica Comets

January 13

Majestic Theatre

Boerne, Texas

Milwaukee Admirals

January 16

www.boerneperformingarts.com

Rochester Americans

January 18

Iowa Wild

January 24

Iowa Wild

January 25

Grand Rapid Griffins

January 26

224 East Houston Street www.majesticempire.com

210-226-3333

830-331-9079

Ten West Living

DATE BOOK

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

2014 Toronto Marlies

Second Saturday Art & Wine

Hill Country Optimists Antique Show

January 31

January 11

February 22-23

AT&T Center

Galleries throughout Boerne 830-833-0621

Kendall County Fairgrounds

www.secondsaturdayartandwine.com

1307 River Road

One AT&T Center Parkway

210-444-5050

www.sarampage.com

830-995-3670

www.texasantiqueshows.com Boerne Market Days

U.S. Army All-American Bowl

January 11-12

January 4

Main Plaza

Alamodome

100 North Main

100 Montana Street

800-745-3000

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo 210-844-8193

www.boernemarketdays.com

www.ticketmaster.com

February 6

Jake Owen

February 7

Tim McGraw

February 8

Big Time Rush

February 9

Asian Festival

Alan Jackson

February 10

Monster Jam

February 1

Jeremy Camp

February 11

January 11-12

Institute of Texan Cultures

Kacey Musgraves

February 12

Alamodome

801 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd.

Thomas Rhett

February 13

Heart

February 14

Dustin Lynch

February 15

100 Montana Street

800-745-3000

210-458-2300

San Antonio, TX 78205

www.ticketmaster.com Primer Sabado! Folkloricos

Josh Turner

February 15

Mexico vs Korea Republic Soccer

February 2-3

Randy Houser

February 16

January 29

Market Square

Pesado

February 16

Alamodome

514 W Commerce Street

Raccal Flatts

February 17

Trace Adkins

February 18

Pitbull

February 19

100 Montana Street

800-745-3000

210-207-8600

San Antonio, TX 78207

www.ticketmaster.com Boerne Chocolate Walk

Dierks Bentley

February 20

Harlem Globetrotters

February 8

Martina McBride

February 21

January 30

Downtown Boerne 830-249-9511

Montgomery Gentry

February 22

AT&T Center

www.boene-tx.gov/chocolatewalk

Bill Currington

February 22

One AT&T Center Parkway

800-745-3000

www.ticketmaster.com

LOCAL FLAVOR

AT&T Center Second Saturday Art & Wine

One AT&T Center Parkway

February 8

www.ticketmaster.com

Galleries throughout Boerne 830-833-0621 www.secondsaturdayartandwine.com

Primer Sabado! Dia De Los Reyes January 5-6

Boerne Market Days

Market Square

February 8-9

514 W Commerce Street San Antonio, TX 78207

210-207-8600

Main Plaza 100 North Main

210-844-8193

www.boernemarketdays.com

Brett Eldredge

Ten West Living

800-745-3000

Ten West Living

Volvo Center January-February Sales Event! 2014 Volvo XC60

$3750 OFF MSRP

Redesigned & Reimagined 2014 Volvo S60 and XC60

2014 Volvo S60T5

$4000 OFF MSRP

See The Volvo Center for complete details. 2014 Volvo S60 MSRP $33410.00 Volvo Center Discount $2000.00 Volvo Owner Loyalty $2000.00 Volvo Center Sale Price $29,410.00 plus TT&L 2014 Volvo XC60 MSRP $35,860.00 Volvo Center Discount $1500.00 Volvo Owner Loyalty $2000.00 Volvo Center Sale Price $32,360.00 plus TT&L. $2000.00 owner loyalty for Volvo & Saab owners with proof of ownership. Offer End date February 28, 2014.

The Volvo Center 210-MYVOLVO

1326 N.E. Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78209

Monday - Friday 9am to 7pm Saturday 9am to 6pm Ten West Living

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