Texan Magazine Spring 2023

THE ALL NEW REDESIGNED

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CONTRIBUTORS

LISA DANTE

KEITH CHESTER

JOSH HUSKIN

LISA DANTE

MARC HESS

JIM PETERSON

LISA DANTE

MARSHALL E. KUYKENDALL

EDUARD PEYER

NANCY FOSTER

BILL DANTE

MATTHEW HARVEY

DR. RICHARD BRUCE WINDERS

ALBERT FLORES

DR. LAURA BENNACK

SHERIFF JAVIER SALAZAR

ILLUSTRATOR

JEREMIAH TEUTSCH

CONTRIBUTING PRODUCTION STAFF

JOSH LOPEZ, SAMANTHA MUSCAT-SCHERR, GABRIELA ALTAMIRANO

Letter from the Editor

Spring is a hopeful season that brings rebirth and transformation in many ways, especially in nature. The Texas wildflowers should be spectacular this year. All we need is a little more rain! Speaking of renewal, what better time for some self care. If you’re thinking of visiting a Medspa, we have the perfect article for you. Renowned and respected physician, Dr. Laura Bennack shares “must read” information to know before you go. And while we’re talking about great advice, Bexar County Sheriff, Javier Salazar is keeping you safe. Read about ways to avoid being scammed.

Next up, the grandest party in all of Texas, “Fiesta,” is right around the corner. It’s a city-wide phenomenon in San Antonio that benefits hundreds of non-profits while honoring the memory of the heroes of the Alamo. As former Fiesta Royalty, I’ve had the honor of attending a lot of Fiesta events. I’m sure you have your favorites, but I was absolutely mesmerized by the beauty and splendor of the Celebrations Of Traditions Pow Wow. It’s featured in this issue and trust me, you don’t want to miss this event!

As you know, blistering south Texas summer temps are right around the corner. Our travel article features a picturesque city where the high temps in July are around 75 degrees. Sign me up! And of course there’s much more in this issue….. Wine expert, Jim Peterson’s article will take your breath away. He brings the Loire Valley to life!

I hope you have a wonderful spring and a very blessed Easter! Thank you for being a part of the Texan family! I appreciate each and every one of you. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

Lisa Dante Editor in Chief

TEXAN

VIVA FIESTA!

MEDICAL SPAS

Where medicine and luxury meet. Anti-aging treatments and more...

Important information to keep you safe! STRAIGHT FROM THE DOCTOR .

by LAURA BENNACK, M.D.

Aesthetic medical procedures (often obtained at “Medical Spas,”) are increasingly popular. Ads promoting such services are everywhere and it’s understandable if the average consumer has questions and concerns about the efficacy and safety of such procedures.

What I would like to do in this article is try and give you as much information as possible on the offerings of the modern medical spa, and some educated suggestions on what questions a patient should ask before obtaining such a treatment.

First a little bit of introduction to the term “medical spa.” These entities seemed to appear about the 1990s, NOT coincidentally, the same year that cosmetic lasers were approved by the FDA. The idea was to make

the medical offerings of a cosmetic doctor, such as Botox, fillers, laser hair removal, etc., more inviting to the general public since very often the clientele for these types of procedures are educated, affluent, and very much looking for the “Nordstrom experience.”

In case you’re not familiar with Nordstrom’s strategy, it is to provide a compelling customer experience with outstanding services. As a practicing physician, I tell my staff often, “Be the Nordstrom,” with one caveat:

Nordstrom’s motto is, “the customer is always right.”

In a medical setting this is not always a correct assumption. Patient’s should rely on staff’s medical schooling, training, and experience to decide what is best in any particular instance.

The Medical Spa was envisioned to treat patients or “clients” in a “spa” type manner, thus merging the spa atmosphere with medical expertise hoping to make the patients more comfortable with their purely elective medical treatment.

The original idea envisioned medical doctors opening these locations or adding this type of service onto their current practice. However, as the range of aesthetic medical offerings expanded and the demand for such procedures rapidly grew, many other types of entities and persons OTHER than doctors began to offer these services. Among them were corporations, beauty salons, and various other MEDICALLY-UNTRAINED personnel.

Realizing the inherent risks in these procedures, many states have enacted legislation, ensuring that most of these medical procedures stay in the medical realm. The specific laws vary widely from state to state; however, I can speak with respect to Texas, where a medical spa MUST be owned by a physician, an M.D. or a D.O.

That brings me to a serious point I’d like to make . You will find numerous “medical spas” that have NO in-person or virtual physician involvement. That leads me to the first question you should ask when you enter one of these establishments, and that is to ask who is in charge of the location. Is there a physician overseeing the practice, and will you see them in person, or perhaps have a virtual meeting with them?

In Texas, all new patients that will receive any kind of medical cosmetic treatment must FIRST have a physical exam by either a physician, a nurse practitioner (NP)or a physician’s assistant (PA).

Additionally, the doctor, and ONLY the doctor, must approve the treatment for each patient . The doctor must, at a minimum, outline in writing “standing orders,” that tell the PA or NP exactly how the procedure will be administered, what the complications might be, and how to handle any complications.

All of this documentation MUST be present at the location where you are treated. Now as a patient, you won’t necessarily see all of this; however, it should be a RED FLAG if they cannot answer your questions about a physician available for questions or complications.

To be clear, once you see the physician, either virtually via cell phone, or in person , you can THEN be treated by an RN, NP, or a PA thereafter for many if not all, aesthetic procedures. An NP or a PA can also substitute for the VISUAL assessment of the patient but CANNOT write the standing orders for the procedure; this must be done by a doctor who is required to co-sign and approve all treatment records.

You will see numerous NPs and PAs in this position and most are well-qualified. Rest assured, at least in Texas, there MUST be a physician, backing them, training them, and overseeing them. But it’s important for you to be sure that the injector /provider has clear, standing orders from the physician, as well as having the physician available even on short notice in case of any complications.

The Medical Spa was envisioned to treat patients or “clients” in a “spa” type manner, thus merging the spa atmosphere with medical expertise hoping to make the patients more comfortable with their purely elective medical treatment.

Relaxation Dream Theater at Radiance MedSpa San Antonio

So now that we’ve gone past the boring stuff of verifying that you’re in a place that’s actually following the laws enacted for your protection, let’s talk a little bit about what procedures medical spas offer and more questions you might want to ask.

The bread-and-butter of most medical spas is their injectable practice. This involves neurotoxins like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and fillers, such as Juvéderm, Restylane, and more. You may hear the names of other newer “toxins” like Jeuveau and soon you will hear Daxxify. These are all FDA approved and just because Allergan (Botox and Juvederm ) advertises widely, it doesn’t mean it’s better or safer.

Inquire About Experience

You should rely on the recommendation of your injector as to which injectable best fits your needs; which is why their experience is key, and why inquiring about the injector’s experience is the next question you should raise. One note of explanation:

Even though neurotoxins are FDA approved for many areas, they are often used “off label” for other parts of the body, such as in the neck, and the scalp. This is absolutely legal and appropriate if the doctor has approved their use and written a standing order for that use.

Don’t be confused if the medical spa offers one, two, three or even four different brands of a neurotoxin. Botox has become such a big medical spa offering that so many of the drug companies other than Allergan have jumped on the bandwagon to produce their own proprietary neurotoxins, many which strongly resemble Botox in many ways.

I would like to offer a bit of additional information on neurotoxins. The name “neurotoxin” is just a generic name and part of the “lingo” for what people better know as Botox or Dysport and several similar neurotoxins that have come on the market, which all go by different names.

Don’t be confused if the medical spa offers one, two, three or even four different brands of a

neurotoxin. Botox has become such a big medical spa offering that so many of the drug companies other than Allergan have jumped on the bandwagon to produce their own proprietary neurotoxins many which strongly resemble Botox in many ways.

Your provider may have a preference as to what they use based on their skills and based on what you actually need. For example, Dysport has been known to kick in faster than Botox, which usually takes about seven days, so if you’re in a hurry for these results your provider might recommend Dysport instead of Botox. And, although allergies to these neurotoxins are very rare, a person may be allergic to one versus the other, so having options is always a good thing.

In explaining neurotoxins, it often confuses people that most come in a type of “freeze dried” state. This means that the provider must dissolve, reconstitute or mix the substance with some type of fluid before injecting it. Sometimes people confuse this with diluting it. Usually this fluid added is sodium chloride, which is the same thing that you may have received in an IV if you were in the hospital, and it’s a substance that is plentiful in your body and very rarely allergenic. That also means that this reconstitution may vary from location to location based on the providers familiarity with the neurotoxin as well as their experience.

The amount of liquid used as well can vary between locations and injectors. These variances can make somewhat of a difference in your result, the timing of the result, as well as how much fluid the provider is injecting. I mostly see these neurotoxins diluted with 1/5 of a teaspoon or 1 ml of sodium chloride to prevent spread of the neurotoxin due to too much fluid, however; two and three ml’s is perfectly acceptable and a lot of it depends on the area that’s getting injected. That is something, if you’re interested in understanding in more details that you may inquire of the injector. It does NOT mean however, that the cost is less or more, based on dilution. The cost should be the same per unit of Botox, whether that unit contains one ml of fluid or two mls. Any provider that’s experienced and legitimate will NOT mind you asking these questions.

I’ve even had patients ask me to reconstitute in front of them, as well as ask for a fresh bottle, which is fine with me. It’s no different than if I ask the chef how they prepare a meal, although, it might be a bit more difficult to get the chef to let you you watch them actually prepare the meal!

Another substance you may come across that is used for injecting for cosmetic reasons is PRP, which is short for platelet rich plasma. This is a legitimate and effective treatment, but it may come with its own set of questions you may want to ask. The provider is going to take blood from you, separate out the platelets, and then concentrate those platelets into a much greater amount than normally exists in your body. This is called a “super concentrate.” They will then inject this super concentrate into your skin for various reasons, such as collagen regeneration, to increase blood flow and more.

This procedure has been used by orthopedic doctors for years in worn out or injured elbows

knees, etc. Again, caution is advised as to where you have this procedure done. You should be sure your provider uses specific sterile blood tubes designed for this procedure and that they have the expertise to concentrate the platelets correctly. You might find a place that will use regular test tubes that labs generally use to draw blood for preparing the concentration. This is not appropriate and could cause problems, such as lack of results or complications such as infection.

The cost should be the same per unit of Botox, whether that unit contains one ml of fluid or two ml’s.

As far as fillers go, they could actually comprise an entire article on their own. In the last 20 years we have accumulated more than two dozen different kinds of fillers by many different companies. Fillers vary by their content and their results, so you need to rely on your injector to help you make a decision about which filler to use. Many fillers, like Juvéderm, and Restylane, are made up of hyaluronic acid.

These types of fillers are widely used and gradually dissipate over a period of time (anywhere from three months to two years,) and they are also dissolvable or reversible with a substance called hylanex which breaks down the molecules.

These might be your filler of choice if you’re very concerned about the results or want the option to undo what’s been done. There are also some fillers that are NOT dissolvable such as Sculptra, Radiesse and Bellafill which are made up of varying substances which are not hyaluronic acids. These fillers also dissipate over time, but

they cannot be reversed. Different fillers carry different risks. These should all be discussed with your injector. Some fillers require you to massage them, (or NOT to massage them,) to sleep in a certain way, or to stay out of the sun.

You need to be VERY CLEAR on the postprocedure instructions and you should be provided a written copy of them and and feel free to ask questions or call back for more information.

Most often the problems that I see in patients coming from different places are from either their failure to follow the instructions because they were not given them adequately, or they didn’t understand them, or from the failure to discuss the results fully with the injector so they understood what the results were going to be like.

Most medical spas have many more options for treatments other than their injectables. For instance, you commonly see laser hair removal, and facials that can be done with lasers for resurfacing on virtually any area of the body. You may see an aesthetician in these locations that will do facials that are more of a medical grade than you would find at your normal beauty salon. You might also see things such as laser tattoo removal, hormone treatments, noninvasive fat treatments, body sculpting and often liposuction, if the physician has been trained and is skilled in this area. This is all in keeping with the need of physician oversight and training.

This brings me to the last, but not least important, area of what aesthetic patients should know. Almost all of these procedures should be obtained from a medical provider, (a medical spa) and NOT at a beauty salon.

These treatments are medical procedures which require specialized training and carry real risks. Stronger facial peels in the wrong hands can actually cause bleeding and can pose substantial risks of infection and scarring.

Some procedures cannot be done on all skin types. I can’t stress enough the need for skilled providers as well as detailed, standing orders by a physician and oversight by that physician for the procedures and training of personnel.

Since you will be seeking these procedures at a legitimate medical practice you should be concerned if you are not required to fill out a complete history before you’re seen by the provider.

Many things can affect your treatment such as medications you are taking, if your skin is tanned and whether you plan to go into the sun. Whether you’re pregnant or plan to get pregnant and additionally, your history about whether you’ve had cancer and if so , and what type of cancer, plus of course any allergies are key information your provider should ask for and receive.

The field of aesthetic medicine offers wonderful options for clients who want to look their best. Approach any procedures you are considering armed with these questions, assure yourself that your provider is both legally and by virtue of their expertise, able to provide you with safe and effective treatments. You will be more comfortable, knowing that, having done your homework, you can relax and look forward to the results.

Dr. Bennack is a graduate of Trinity University, St. Mary’s School Of Law and UTHSC of San Antonio. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Doctorate Of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s and an M.D. from UTHSC. She also obtained her CPA after a brief stint in accounting. Apparent is her desire to never, ever stop learning and she carries that desire into her aesthetic practice at Radiance Medspa of San Antonio which she started in 2006. Art is her full time hobby which she not only expresses in her medical practice, but also in her spare time building miniature doll houses and painting in oils and pastels.

TEXAN FASHION

After a season of demure colors, it’s time to switch gears with spring’s colorful frames. With a rainbow of color to choose from there’s not the slightest excuse for not wearing tinted lenses. They’ll be seen everywhere for spring 2023. Also, they’re pretty party perfect for San Antonio’s biggest pachanga of the year…Fiesta!

Wear them outdoors or leave them on inside. The pastel shades are the perfect accessory to elevate your Easter vibe. But you may be wondering…. Do they provide protection from the sun?

TEXAN FASHION

You can’t gauge UV protection by color

Most sunglass lenses (the ones you are going to want) are treated with UVabsorbing chemicals and those chemicals are usually colorless. Therefore, treated CLEAR lenses WOULD block light just as well as dark ones. But they don’t block glare.

Why are UV-blocking sunglass lenses important? According to the American Optometric Association, adults and children can both experience eye damage as a result of overexposure to UV light without adequate eye protection.

TEXAN FASHION

What you need to look for to make sure your eyes are protected: You want 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays, or 100% protection against UV 400. The glasses should have a sticker on them stating such.

Why wear a standard pair of black or brown tinted sunglasses when you can elevate your fashion game this spring with a pair of colortinted sunglasses?

Why wear a standard pair of black or brown tinted sunglasses when you can elevate your fashion game this spring with a pair of color-tinted sunglasses?

Mood Boosting Benefits

Well, according to color therapy research they just might brighten your mood. Some lens colors evoke certain physiological responses. Green is calming, yellow aids concentration, and pink is happiness inducing. Orange promotes social confidence, while blue is said to improve communication. Violet may promote feelings of creativity, inspiration and generosity. Just another reason to invest in a pair of tinted sunglasses. You’ll look good and boost your mood all in the name of self care.

CELEBRATIONS OF TRADITIONS

POW WOW

Official Fiesta® San Antonio Event

April 22, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Admission is free and open to the public.

For additional information: unitedsanantoniopowwow.org

Erwin J. De Luna, (Taos Pueblo and Navajo) at the Celebrations of Traditions Pow Wow, an official Native American Pow Wow that is part of Fiesta.

Photo by Carol M Highsmith, Library of Congress

All who attend this time honored, breathtaking and educational, spectacular event will have the opportunity to view and participate in the Native American Culture and Traditions of dance and music at an official Native American Pow Wow, sponsored by United San Antonio Pow Wow. The event will also include vendors selling Native American arts, crafts and supplies.

Don’t miss the Grand Entry at 12:30p.m. It is truly a culturally stunning display showcasing the intricate designs and traditions, full of symbolic meaning of America’s first inhabitants. Through the Pow Wow, the American Indian can pass traditions to their children and grandchildren so that the culture can be maintained and enriched, learning the honored ways of the past

It is truly a culturally stunning display, showcasing the intricate designs and traditions, full of symbolic meaning of America’s first inhabitants.

American Indian Regalia

A dancer’s clothing is regalia, not a costume. It is a prized possession. Some regalia has been handed down through generations and is priceless. The regalia reflects the spirit and customs of people being honored. The clothing is handmade, usually by the dancer, friends and family. Every article has special meaning and may take years to complete and with great expense. The clothing represents the living history of “The People.”

Feathers

You will see many feathers as part of the regalia. The American Indian (tribes and individuals) believe in the sacredness of certain types of feathers, most notable is the Eagle. Feathers have been used as religious symbols, as public signs of accomplishments and special honors. If an Eagle feather should drop from a dancer’s regalia, a ceremony must be performed, usually by a veteran or elder. This ceremony varies with different Nations, but in general the ceremony needs to be performed to restore it’s medicine. During this ceremony, spectators should stand and remove their hats. Picture taking and videotaping is strictly forbidden at this time.

Understanding The Culture

To understand any culture, it is necessary to look at it’s folklore, tales and legends. In the American Indian culture, religion is everywhere around them. American Indians see the work of the Creator in everything: the sun, the moon, the wind, the ground and in animals and plants given to them for food. They gave a daily sense of the Creator and worship by showing love and respect for Mother Earth.

TEXAN Magazine had the honored privilege of sitting down and interviewing our dear friend, EJ De Luna, a very revered, accomplished and respected American Indian, who was instrumental from the start in bringing to life the Celebrations Of Traditions Pow Wow, and forming the United San Antonio Pow Wow, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Erwin J. De Luna, President (Navajo – Taos Pueblo) of United San Antonio Pow Wow and past President of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission

explained how the Celebrations Of Traditions Pow Wow came to be.

“The first gatherings in San Antonio resembling the Pow Wows were Indian dance demonstrations conducted by the Boy Scouts at their annual Scout Country Fairs in the 70s. A few decades later, United San Antonio Pow Wow origins began back in the late 90s when various leaders from different American Indian organizations and individuals from various American Indian tribes met to discuss ways to celebrate the Culture and Traditions of the “First People” of the United States and to bring together everyone regardless of each programs area of interest.”

Representatives to the original meetings were Osage, Comanche, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Mohawk, Cherokee, Navajo, Taos and Lipan Apache as well as individuals with the Mission Indians in the San Antonio area.

Photo by Katherine De Luna

TEXAN EVENTS

The group addressed the need for a unified Native American group in the city of San Antonio to promote the Traditions and Culture of the American Indian in the most positive manner possible. Also, to provide Indian people the opportunity to participate, to practice, and to teach tribal traditions among all tribes. They also wanted to enlighten the non-Indian about the history and culture of America’s first inhabitants and to dispel stereotypes created about the American Indian.

The organization would be conducted as a non-profit, charitable, religious and educational group to fulfill these purposes. United San Antonio Pow Wow, with volunteer assistance would conduct public discussion groups and presentations, an annual Native American Pow wow to provide an avenue to present the Native American culture, practices, beliefs and traditions.

Utilizing a large number of volunteers, contributions from individuals and the City of San Antonio Community Initiatives Department, the first Native American Pow Wow was presented on February 21, 1998. Participants not only included individuals and families from the State of Texas, but from New Mexico and Oklahoma

as well. Early in the organization of the United San Antonio Pow Wow it was decided that the organization would be open to any individual who shows a true interest in the traditions of the Native American. Membership includes individuals recognized by any Indian tribe, nation or organization stating membership in that entity, which must be a state or federally recognized approved Indian tribe or organization. Also, eligible are individuals with blood relative’s documentation and any individual with a true interest in the traditions and culture of Native Americans willing to fulfill the purpose of the organization.

Everyone is welcome at this free, official event that takes place during Fiesta®! Don’t miss the astonishing beauty and educational opportunities promoting the culture and history of America’s first inhabitants! But most of all, it’s a very fun day for the entire family!

The current Board of Directors include: Erwin J De Luna, President (Navajo – Taos Pueblo), Calvin Osife, Vice President (Navajo), Katherine De Luna, Secretary (Navajo – Taos Pueblo), Milo Colton (Cherokee); Lee Walters (Blackfeet), Lu Bell Pratt (Cherokee), Lodean Starr (Choctaw), and Ronald Rardin.

COOL SUMMER DAYS

AHEAD IN CALGARY

by BILL DANTE

How does 75 degrees for the high temperature and 50 degrees for the low, sound to you, ….in JULY? Sounds great, but it’s not happening in Texas!! You will, however, find those temps in the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.

Compared to last year in Texas, it does sound great. I’m sure you remember that parts of Texas had 100 + degrees every single day starting in May and that lasted into the beginning of September. This was not the norm and we are not sure if it’s going to happen again.

Don’t miss the Calgary Stampede! July 7-16, 2023

It’s the largest outdoor rodeo in the world, featuring the world’s toughest competitors. One of best, fun events is the 100 year old Chuckwagon Races. The food is amazing, with unbelievable hotcake breakfasts, clean air and the temperatures, well I already told you. Oh, bring your boots and Stetson, because everyone is wearing one.

This is not a small city. Calgary is the 4th largest city in Canada and is about the same size as San Antonio, Texas.

TEXAN TRAVEL

TEXAN TRAVEL

TEXAN TRAVEL

Top Five Things To Do

There is a lot to do in and around Calgary. This is where the Winter Olympics were held in 1988. Then, there are the Canadian Rocky Mountains on the western skyline.

1. Museums

The largest Living Museum in Canada is called Heritage Park. It’s approximately 130 acres that is all about “How The West Was Won.” There are over two hundred exhibits including an authentic steam train that you can hop a ride on around the park. Also there’s the S.S. Moyie Paddlewheeler that you can ride across the lake. You will love the museums, “Gasoline Alley” with first class antique cars, restored rare trucks, including a 1908 REO with working gas pumps. There are about 30 museums and most are free to enter.

Steam locomotive in Calgary’s Heritage Park

TEXAN TRAVEL

2. Prince Island Park

Located downtown on the Bow River. That’s where you will see the red Peace Bridge. You can even stroll across it. Outdoor concerts are happening weekly and their famous Eau Claire Market is right across the street.

Eau Claire Market

Peace Bridge

TEXAN TRAVEL

3. Canada Olympic Park

This is to the west and in the Rocky Mountain foothills. You’ll find great hiking trails, mountain bicycling, a zip-line that is one of the longest in Canada. Ride the cable car for a fantastic view and while you’re there you can visit Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

4. Calgary Zoo

Started in 1912, you’ll see rare and endangered species that just might be the highlight of your visit.

TEXAN TRAVEL

5. The Rocky Mountaineer Rail Journey

I saved the best for last. You can take a fun, 90 minute ride into the mountains and over to the National Park of Banff. You will enjoy the ride, maybe have lunch, see Kicking Horse Pass, Rogers Pass and the beautiful Lake Louise. I would take an overnight bag and spend the night in the town of Banff. There’s lots to see and do. Also, the Rocky Mountaineer Rail is the same line that, if you have another week, goes all the way to Vancouver, Canada. (Although, it’s a very pricey ride to Vancouver.)

The cost of living in Calgary is very good. $100 US dollars are worth $135 in Canada. Finally, example airfare from Austin to Calgary, round trip, is $500. Nice hotels start at $85 per night. The best boutique hotel is the La Germain with an average of $160 per night. The Hyatt Regency averages about $175 and a five star hotel runs around $225. Restaurants are fairly priced and reasonable. ONE LAST THING…if possible take a picture with the Royal Canadian Police. They are very friendly. July is gonna be hot in Texas. Beat the heat in Canada!

Have a great trip!

WHO WERE THE IMMORTAL

32?

Remember The Alamo!

Immortal 32 Centennial Monument in Gonzales, Texas

No doubt, you already know the history about the Battle of the Alamo. In 1836, Mexican forces were victorious in recapturing the Alamo in San Antonio and nearly 200 Texian defenders, including Davy Crockett, brutally died. The Mexican troops outnumbered the defenders by a long shot…. as in more than 5,000 Mexican troops vs. less than 200 Texian defenders. Santa Anna showed no mercy.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

The year was 1836, William Barret Travis sent out a passionate plea for aid for the Alamo garrison. Thirty two men, which included boys, were the ONLY unit of Texian Militia from the Gonzales Ranging Company to answer the call. They saddled up with haste, and those men and boys headed to the Alamo. One of the 16 year olds, William Phillip King, convinced his father to stay with the family and that he would go in his place.

Thirty two men, which included boys, were the ONLY unit of Texian Militia from the Gonzales Ranging Company to answer the call.

Heroes of the Alamo Monument in Austin, Texas

The Immortal 32 left in response from two courier letters sent by William B. Travis on February 22nd, who was the Commandant of the Garrison in the Alamo. This was a last minute request because Col. Travis and others in the Alamo didn’t expect any Mexican troops to enter the area until the middle of March. He assumed that General Santa Anna’s army from Mexico would be delayed due to winter weather and wet ground. But, unfortunately the Mexican army made great time traveling and were close to approaching San Antonio from the southwest by late February. That was 3 weeks earlier than expected.

The dire plea for help, known as the “Travis Letter,” was delivered by Texas Ranger Captain

Albert Martin, who was also from Gonzalez. Ranger Martin knew the area well and had no problem riding the 70 mile distance between Gonzales, the closest city, and San Antonio. At the same time a copy of both letters were also taken to Colonel Fannin in Goliad,Texas. There, 320 Texan men were preparing to also go to the Alamo and immediately respond to Col. William B. Travis’ plea for help. But that didn’t happen.

The Immortal 32 from Gonzales, under the leadership of George Kimble, were waiting to meet up with Col. Fannin, who was bringing the 320 men, with 4 cannons and supplies. However, Fannin had wagon problems and decided to turn back to Goliad within the same day.

Entrance to the Alamo Gift Shop

TEXAN HISTORY

The Alamo

TEXAN HISTORY

The Alamo Cenotaph “The Spirit of Sacrifice”

So, the 32 men and boys left Gonzales, without Col. Fannin and his reinforcements. They rode day and night, approaching San Antonio on the 29th. It wasn’t until the middle of the night at 3a.m., on March 1st that they were able to fight and slip by the large Mexican army, not losing any of the 32.

Upon their arrival inside the Alamo walls, everyone’s morale was raised and a sense of relief was felt by their brothers-in-arms. They all assumed more reinforcements were on the way. Unfortunately, this was the only substantial reinforcement that the Alamo received.

March 3rd, more Mexican troops arrive bringing the number up to 2400+ and ten cannons. March 5th, at 10p.m. the Mexican artillery ceased their bombardment. In the early dawn hours of March the 6th, in the bitter cold, 4,000+ Mexican soldiers began preparing for the final assault.

The Alamo defenders, which included the Immortal 32, were defeated within 90 minutes with the last group fighting inside the church.

Historical Note:

The first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired in Gonzales, Texas in October 1835. 100 Mexican calvarymen were sent to retrieve a loaned cannon which was to be used to ward off Indians. The Texans, some of whom were the same men who would later be the Immortal 32, refused to give up the cannon. Some shots were fired, the Mexican army left, but what came out of that episode was the creation of the famous flag, “COME AND TAKE IT!”

Interestingly, the original cannon was recast into a bell that hangs today in the belfry of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, four blocks from the Alamo.

THE MAJESTIC BEAUTY OF THE

AND ITS WINES LOIRE VALLEY

by JIM PETERSON, WINE ENTHUSIAST & INSTAGRAM WINE INFLUENCER

Chateau de Chambord, in Loire Valley, France,

Living in Europe twice, offered many opportunities to explore the often overlooked areas of Europe. It’s common for first-time visitors to hit the highlights of the renowned cities like Paris and Rome, and they have certainly earned their enduring appeal. When you live there, and everything is so relatively close, it makes it so much easier to explore some of the lesser known, yet often more breathtaking areas of Europe.

The Loire Valley, merely two hours southeast of Paris, is one such area. The Loire River Valley stretches from Orleans to the Atlantic Ocean. It is often called the “Valley of a Thousand Châteaux” because there are so many of

them. Its popularity with the French aristocracy began in the early 1400s when King Charles VII moved his court there to escape the British occupation of Paris during the Hundred Years’ War. This lasted until Joan of Arc led the French troops to victory in the Loire Valley. After that, the mild climate and good hunting made it a popular place to build “hunting lodges” where the wealthy and royals could retreat for relaxation.

And who can relax without wine? With that, the Loire Valley developed its own wine subculture with the many villages creating their unique styles of wine along the way.

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Jim Peterson in the Loire Valley

The storage cellar in the castle Valencay. Loire Valley, France

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FAVORITE APPELLATIONS

The Loire Valley stretches 170 miles and has about 87 appellations where a variety of grapes like Melon de Bourgogne, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Gamay (among others) are used to make very distinctive wines highlighting the terroir of each location. As can happen with some French wines, the grapes used in the wines are often hard to discern because we become so accustomed to the appellation name. There is no way to cover all the appellations, so let me focus on a few of my favorites.

SANCERRE

If you shy away from Sauvignon Blanc wines because you have only tasted the tart, sometimes mouth-puckering wines from New Zealand, then I encourage you to try a white wine from Sancerre. The white wines are 100% Sauvignon Blanc and have an elegance about them I find impossible to resist. You can still get the flavors of green apple or pineapple, but there is a mineral characteristic imparted from the limestone soils that puts it all in balance. The wines are crisp and dry, and this makes them perfect to refresh you on a summer day or to sip while enjoying your favorite seafood. There are also smaller quantities of Sancerre red and rosé wines made from Pinot Noir, and I highly encourage you to try these if you happen to see them on the shelf.

POUILLY-FUMÉ

Here is another appellation where Sauvignon Blanc rules the day. The name may strike a chord because Robert Mondavi used the “Fumé” part of this to market his California Sauvignon Blanc as Fumé Blanc. The best Pouilly-Fumé wines can easily compete with the wines of Sancerre. In fact, the best Sauvignon Blanc I have ever tasted was an aged Didier Dagueneau Silex Pouilly-Fumé. It’s what many (including myself) consider to be the best Sauvignon Blanc made in the entire world.

CHINON

The Chinon (shee-naan) wines are the hearty red wines of the Loire Valley. They are made from the Cabernet Franc grape, which is typically a blending grape with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux blends. These celebrated red wines are usually inky dark in color with black fruit and spice flavors often tinged with a bell pepper aroma and flavor that adds to its uniqueness. Even better, they are very food and wallet friendly. If you are used to drinking big, bold California wines, try surprising your palate with a Chinon red.

VOUVRAY

The white wines of Vouvray are made from the Chenin Blanc grape. The styles can range from dry to sweet depending on the producer, so it is worth asking about these wines before buying. I prefer the dryer style which can offer a crisp acidity with aromas and flavors of white fruits like pear and apple along with hints of honeysuckle. This is a perfect aperitif or to serve with a goat cheese laced salad.

SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY

Here in Texas, finding a wine from this tiny appellation always seems to be a bit of a scavenger hunt. Only red wine production is allowed, and all wines must be at least 85% Cabernet Franc. Small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot d’Aunis are allowed to make up the rest (if they are used at all.) All I can say is these wines are fantastic if you can find them. I grab one every time I see it.

hunt

MUSCADET-SÈVRE-ET-MAINE

The white wines of Muscadet are made solely from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. Because of the appellation name, people often confuse these wines with those from the Muscat grape, but there is no similarity whatsoever. These wines are quite dry with aromas and flavors highlighted by a citrus backbone often finishing with a light salinity that leaves you thirsting for more. This makes it the perfect match to a beurre blanc sauce over grilled or pan seared white fish. Delicious.

Here in Texas, finding a wine from this tiny appellation always seems to be a bit of a scavenger

Chateau de Chenonceau

LOIRE VALLEY TRAVEL NOTES

The Loire Valley is an amazing travel destination. The natural beauty of the river valley only accentuates the experience of the wines, and of course there is nothing like the amazing array of châteaux you can visit. We stayed in a small château turned Bed & Breakfast, Château Des Ormeaux, near the town of Amboise. Highlights of our trip included the iconic Chambord Castle, the largest of the châteaux in the Loire. Construction began in 1519, originally intended as a hunting lodge for King Francis I. That fact is easily forgotten when you see the grandeur of the French Renaissance architecture and the scale of the place. It’s truly amazing.

The other must-visit is Château de Chenonceau which bridges the Cher River with

beautiful arches to support the structure. The history here is even more intriguing because there are competing gardens on either side of the entrance. One side was planted by the mistress of King Henry II while he housed her there. After he died in 1559, his widow Catherine de’ Medici basically kicked her out and made it her permanent residence. She then designed a more magnificent garden on the opposite side to overshadow the first.

Whether you choose to experience the Loire Valley through its wines you find here in the United States, or you decide to make it part of a European travel adventure, you cannot go wrong.

Between the wines, the historical relevance, the natural beauty, and the opportunity to explore and experience so many facets of French culture, there is no other place quite like it.

Chateau de Chenonceau

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Chateau de Chambord

PRODUCER RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are a few of my favorite Loire Valley producers you can typically find in Texas.

Lucien Crochet, Sancerre – The red, white, and rosé are all brilliant wines.

Daniel Chotard, Sancerre – Very pretty Sancerre.

Domaine Couly-Dutheil, Chinon – The red Chinon is magnificent, but don’t pass on the others.

Château Soucherie, Anjou – I did not mention Anjou wines, but these are incredible.

Éric Chevalier, Pays Nantoc – makes a variety of delicious and affordable Loire Valley wines.

Domaine Sérol, Côte Roannaise – The “Turbullent” sparkling Gamay rosé is a fan favorite.

Follow Jim on Instagram, @tx_wine_pilot, for more wine tips and reviews.

Jim Peterson is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who mainly flew the A-10 fighter jet. He has ties to the wine business going back over 20 years and is an avid wine collector. His extensive wine knowledge includes travel to many wine regions while living in Europe, many tastings led by Master Sommeliers, and ongoing personal wine exploration and self-study. He has cultivated a large following on his Instagram account, @tx_wine_pilot, tasting and reporting on wines from vintage to value. He now works in marketing and resides in San Antonio, Texas.

by SHERIFF JAVIER SALAZAR, BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS

Most people think it could never happen to them. In my 30th year of law enforcement, I have seen and heard it all when it comes to scams and scammers. Suffice it to say, scammers are alive and well. They are also persistent, resourceful, well organized, and singleminded in purpose—to separate us from our hard earned money. Fear not, however, as the best way of thwarting them is to simply NOT engage. Unsolicited phone calls, emails, even text messages, should ALL be suspect.

In fact, if you didn’t initiate a communication, the best approach is to NOT answer the phone, NOT reply to the text, and NEVER click on a link you didn’t ask for. Unfortunately, scam operations are extremely adept at mimicking logos of well known tech companies and actual top financial institutions. They rake in money by the millions just by sending out “phishing” emails and texts, just to see who takes the bait—hence the word “phishing.” The scammers use the actual real name of the most popular banks.

For the purpose of the following example, I’m going to use the name, “ABC Bank.”

Here’s how one modern scam works:

1,000 people receive a text that says:

“ABC Bank Alert: Your loan is past due!” To make a payment, sign in to ABCLoanPay.org. in order to pay without late fees.

Of the 1,000 people who get this text, some of the recipients DON’T bank with ABC Bank. They figure it’s a mistake and disregard it.

However, some of the 1,000 people WILL bank with that bank but will know they are up to date on all loans and will also disregard it.

Unfortunately, several innocent people of those 1,000 are STRICTLY BY CHANCE, actual ABC Bank customers. They WILL assume that they must have gotten busy and missed a payment or figure their spouse, who keeps up with the bills, must have forgotten one.

They’ll click on the convenient link provided by the nice people (scammers) at “ABC Bank,”give a bit of personal information, and BAM, all bills paid.

ONE PROBLEM…… The text WASN’T from their bank at all, but a relatively simple operation for sophisticated scammers who created a SHAM website, links, and phone lists to send a “bait text.” Instead of paying their bills conveniently, victims are drained of money.

Instead of paying their bills conveniently, victims are drained of money.

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By the time it’s caught, the money is gone. Maybe the actual bank will make the victim whole, but maybe not. Maybe it’s reported to law enforcement, but perhaps not, as the victim who is made whole figures, “I’ll chalk it up to experience, but at least I got my money back. No harm, no foul. No need to involve the police.” Maybe the victim is too embarrassed to report it because they were so easily duped and know they should know better. Again, law enforcement is not alerted. Either of these scenarios is what scammers are counting on. Off they go to scam again.

Email scams work roughly the same way. Links are sent from official looking financial institutions or tech companies purporting to help you with everything from missed payments to errors in personal information that one “has to log into and correct immediately.” Again, a convenient link is clicked, one goes to a very convincing and reallooking website where victims enter personal information in hopes of correcting what they were told is an error. Scammed once again!

Suffice it to say, if you did NOT initiate the email or text, IGNORE IT! I repeat, IGNORE IT!!!

If you do get one of these communications, and don’t reply, but still need some reassurance that there are no issues with your bank; look up the number to your real bank on your own and call to speak to an actual employee.

communications as there are entire phone

Speaking of phone calls, here’s several I’m hearing with more frequency:

1-“Hello. This is Captain Jones with the Your County Sheriff’s Office. You’ve missed jury duty, and now have a warrant. Just give us a credit card number by phone to pay the warrant and avoid being arrested.”

Scammers go WAY out of their way to make this scam realistic. For starters, phone numbers can be “spoofed” or faked. In other words, thanks to technology, these entities can mask their own number and make it look as though a real law enforcement agency is calling you. If the number to your local law enforcement is 210-555-5555, that number will actually appear on your caller ID. Second, they will usually give the number to a real law enforcement official. Chances are, if they identify themselves as “Captain Jones with the Your County Sheriff’s Office, chances are the scammers found the name of a real person on the real agency’s website and are using it to lend credence to their scam. Here’s how to thwart these scams.

Hang up! It’s that simple.

First, the vast majority of law enforcement agencies don’t solicit money or payment by phone, for this very reason.

Second, IF you end up having any warrants for jury duty, tickets, etc, we WON’T call you to tell

you. We will actually arrest you.

Hang up on that fake captain and rest assured it’s as fake as a 2023 Super Bowl ticket to see the Dallas Cowboys! (I’m a Cowboys fan, so I can make that joke.)

2-The next scam I’m seeing quite often is the “stranded or arrested relative.” The static-filled scam phone call will come in the dead of night. A frantic young voice will say, “Grandma/Grandpa, is that you? It’s ME!” The scammers are hoping for several things. They hope the victim will be an actual grandparent who is disoriented from having been awoken from a dead sleep and that they will answer the frantic young caller’s “it’s ME!” With a name, “Jimmy? I can hardly hear you! What’s wrong?” Once you’ve filled in the blank with a name, the fake “Jimmy” will tell you he’s only got 1 minute to talk as he’s in jail in Mexico after going across the border with friends and being wrongfully arrested. But if you just give the nice police officer your credit card information over the phone, they’ll let him go. The phone will be yanked away from young “Jimmy” as a fairly official yet scary “police officer” assumes the communications to hopefully take the credit card number from the frantic victim who desperately wants their grandchild safely back on US soil.

Once the card info is given, the scam is done.

If you do indeed have a grandson named Jimmy, chances are he was never really in Mexico and was never really in danger. The scammers’ gamble paid off and they caught you vulnerable. They played on your emotions and panic and you took the bait. Hang up the phone on the fake “Jimmy.”

If you feel this could ever be a real possibility for you or your family, consider creating a PASSWORD only family members would know to give you on demand in the event the unlikely situation presents itself. If he doesn’t know the password, hang up.

Although the “fake” Jimmy might plead with you on the phone NOT to call his parents so he doesn’t get in more trouble …..For extra peace of mind, call the real Jimmy or your children. They should understand the middle of the night call and you can go back to sleep reassured.

3-The last of these similar

calls I’ve seen with more frequency recently is probably the most disturbing.

It’s what is frequently known as the “virtual kidnapping.”

There are several variations of this, but here is the one I’ve personally dealt with in my official capacity.

The intended victim gets a call in the middle of the day or night from someone with a foreign accent, claiming to be from the cartel. The claim is made that “we have your husband/wife” and we are demanding money to release them without harm. If you notify the police or anyone else, they will be tortured/killed!” To add to the confusion, disturbing screams of a fake kidnap/ torture victim will be heard in the background. Again, the caller will count on the victim being frantic and panicked and will “fill in the blank” with a loved one’s name. I’ve seen where the caller will demand a credit card number or even demand a cash drop at

a local business. As troubling as this might be, CALL THE AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY!

Check in with your loved ones as soon as practical for added peace of mind. Chances are they are OK.

Any of these scenarios are likely, but these certainly aren’t the only ways scammers can get us. Some scams like the “Nigerian Prince,”the “Pigeon Drop” and others have been around for decades. Others have only emerged with and have been made possible by new technologies. The thing we can be sure of is, as new technologies will continue to emerge, so will new scams.

The constant advice I keep giving is still the same. “Hang up on scammers!”

Sheriff Javier Salazar, Bexar County, Texas is a career law enforcement officer, husband, father, and son.

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INTRODUCING KIDS TO COOKING

by MATTHEW HARVEY

In this day and age of convenience and fast food, busy schedules for everyone, it’s no wonder that many kids grow up not knowing how to cook a basic meal. When kids are old enough, it’s not too early to introduce them to the joys of cooking. Plus, it can be a fun bonding experience for the entire family.

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Just follow a few simple rules:

Rule 1

When working with your kids, start simple. No one needs to start making chateaubriand with their kids right out of the gate. Heck, I’m in my 40s and still haven’t made that.

Rule 2

Have patience.

That’s a big one for me. I have to remember that I may have the experience of making many dishes, but all they’ve done to this point is eat it. They haven’t prepped or made the food just yet. They’re going to have more questions than a game of “Jeopardy.”

Rule 3

Let them know it’s ok to mess up. No one needs to be a perfectionist in the kitchen. So they may grind a bit too much salt, or not cut that vegetable

evenly, it’s ok. Ego from “Ratatouille” is not about to show up to your kitchen to judge you, nor are the judges from “Chopped.”

We recently began showing our kids the joys and creativity you can have from cooking as a group.

To get started, I’d love to share with you these simple recipes.

We recently began showing our kids the joys and creativity you can have from cooking as a group.

Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf

Almost nothing says comfort food like meatloaf. You can make this as simple or as complex as you want, use a variety of ingredients and seasonings, and most times, you’ll still come out with something remarkable. When we prepared our most recent meatloaf, my wife and I decided to have our kids help out. Not only in making it, but in picking out the ingredients.

We ended up using:

Ground beef

Shredded cheese

Pepperoni

Gunpowder, (don’t panic, it’s the name of a wonderful seasoning from the folks at Grill Your @$$ Off, available at Spirits Of Texas, in Bandera, Texas)

Garlic Powder

Worcestershire sauce

Heinz 57

Mustard

Pork rind panko breadcrumbs (however any breadcrumbs work)

We start by adding the ground meat into a mixing bowl and add in the cheese, we use about 8 oz, but you can use more or less depending on how cheesy you want it. You can also remove the cheese if you so desire.

Then, sprinkle enough of the gunpowder and garlic to just cover the top with a light dusting. Let your kids squeeze in a little of the Heinz 57, mustard, and a little of the Worcestershire sauce.

Sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and mix it up.

Once it’s mixed up, spray a loaf pan with some nonstick spray, or let the kids do it. They’re going to ask why.

There’s nothing wrong with that. Unless you’ve told them and they ask why for the fifth straight time, then breathe and move on. Once the loaf pan is sprayed, put in about half the loaf. Then layer the middle with pepperoni. It makes it taste amazing. Once that’s layered, finish filling the pan the rest of the way and, what we like to do is add a small layer

of ketchup over the top.

Then bake in a 375-degree oven for about 45 minutes.

Once done, slice and serve. Now, here’s where you can get into a bit of trickiness.

Not everyone is ready to let their kids handle knives, and that’s ok. However, they do make sharp but safe, plastic kitchen knives that are kid safe. We got one for our kids. They’re in most grocery store kitchen sections. This allows them the ability to learn to chop and slice without the worry of them losing a finger.

But what to serve with meatloaf? There are so many choices. There’s traditional mashed potatoes, there’s less traditional options such as a side salad. Heck, you can do whatever you want, make it your meal. With us, if we go that route, we’ll throw in some extra grated cheese, or pieces of bacon, or even have a bit of fun and mix the meatloaf into it and just have cheeseburger mac.

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Oven Roasted Potatoes

All you need is a few potatoes, washed and quartered. We use red russet as they are a bit healthier, or rainbow fingerling potatoes. Once they are quartered, mix in a bowl with sunflower oil, or olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of minced garlic.

Cover a pan with foil, it totally makes clean up ten times easier, and roast for about 30 minutes at 375. Check on them every now and again and turn them or flip them halfway through. This makes an excellent pairing.

I know what you’re asking, am I only teaching them to cook dinner? No, but let’s face it, most of us work, so mornings are a bit harder, until the weekend.

Not only are you showing and having your kids learn fun skills, but you’re also teaching them multitasking, that’s it, they need to give you a world’s greatest parent mug. You’ve earned it.

Here’s a safety tip when kids grate cheese. Now, yes, you can take the easy way out and buy the pre-grated cheese, but where’s the fun in that. We’re cooking, we’re teaching, it’s fun. Grab the grater. At our house we also have what we call the cheese glove. We picked it up in the kitchen section of an HEB, it’s a cut resistant glove. These things are wonderful. Have your child, or one of your children, put this on and grab the cheese.

Upscale Grilled Cheese

One of the easiest things in the world to teach kids to make is a grilled cheese sandwich, but it teaches kids timing as well, because as we all know, there’s a fine line between a great grilled cheese and burned bread. But we’re not just settling for any grilled cheese, we’re going to upscale it.

First, we’re going to start simple, two slices of bread and butter. Butter one side of each piece of bread. Next is the cheese. I like to use a combination of swiss, cheddar, and provolone. That’s right, we’re going beyond just American sliced cheese. We’re showing kids that there’s better cheese out there.

Get a non-stick skillet and put it on a medium heat

burner. Add the first piece of bread, butter side down, and layer the cheese on the bread. Sometimes I’ll throw in a piece of turkey or roast beef, but that’s for later. Once the cheese is added, put on the second piece of bread with the butter side up. Take a spatula and give it a little press. Let your kids hear the toasting of the bread. After a couple of minutes, carefully flip the sandwich over and toast the other side, again slightly pressing down on the bread. I like to think this allows the cheese to better melt onto the bread, and it may, but it’s something I’ve done for years so why stop now. Lift part of the bread ever so slightly until it gets to the toasting level you want, then remove onto a plate.

Now again, I said there are times I like to add roast beef. I’ve also done turkey, bacon, pepperoni, you name it. It adds more flavor, more protein, and just makes that sandwich so much better. Now when adding meat, I like to have the following layers, bread, cheese, meat, cheese, bread. This way the meat ends up trapped in the melted cheese and the sandwich is still delectable and gooey. Otherwise, it could fall apart, and you have a toasted sandwich. What I recommend with kids is to do the first one, then do another letting them handle things, but you are overseeing, and helping with the flipping, etc. This, while seemingly simple, can cause some anxiety in a new cook because not only do they want to do it right, but they also want to impress their parents with their cooking skills.

Now are there more things you can teach? Of course. The sky is the limit here. And if you’re not comfortable cooking, then you can all learn at the same time. There’s no rule that says you have to be an expert at something before you enjoy it. But these are just a few of the things we’ve done over time with our kids that we hope help inspire you to get your kids in the kitchen and allow them to discover the joy of cooking. It’s not just something for grownups. Kids can get into the fun too. Before long, your kids are going to want to surprise you with what they’re able to do in the kitchen.

Matthew Harvey is a father of two, who enjoys cooking and sharing his love of food with others. He left the restaurant industry early on and embarked on a long career in IT before eventually moving to the small, but quaint town of Bandera, Texas with his wife and two teenage kids. He feels that no recipe is too secret or sacred that it cannot be shared. Be it family recipes, recipes he’s come up with or things he’s found on the internet, he loves to share what he’s learned with other people. He has never lost his passion for cooking or his love of making people laugh while sharing what’s he’s done or made for others.

There’s no rule that says you have to be an expert at something before you enjoy it.

YOUR VERY OWN

BACKYARD CITRUS ORCHARD

by MARC HESS, EDITOR OF “GARDENING SOUTH TEXAS”

Dr. Calvin Finch, South

speaker and retired Director of Water Conservation and Technology at the Texas A&M University System

Ditrus trees are an elegant form of edible landscaping. As evergreens, you will find that citrus make attractive plants throughout the year providing rich green foliage along with a sweet scent. Come winter they will fill your landscape with brightly colored fruit that could last until early spring. Your citrus fruit is usually ready to harvest between October and May, which is during cooler months when many other types of fruits don’t naturally grow. Most citrus is picked off the tree when it is ripe and ready to eat.

The popularity of growing citrus in landscapes and on patios has increased throughout south and central Texas. Many homeowners are creating urban backyard orchards and harvesting fruit from container-planted trees on their patios

You can have citrus trees growing in South Texas as long as you choose the right variety, put it in the right place, and pay a little attention to their care and maintenance requirements.

Texas horticulturist,

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Regular grapefruit and orange varieties (that refers to true orange varieties, not Satsuma oranges) are not cold tolerant and, unless the growers takes extraordinary measures, they will not make it through a hard freeze.

Fine citrus trees such as Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Meyer’s improved lemon (Citrus x meyeri ‘Improved’), grapefruit (Citrus x paradise), navel orange and the Valencia orange have increased in popularity in South Texas. However, many of these regular citrus varieties did not survive winter storm Uri, the ‘ice apocalypse’ of February 2021, unless they were brought into shelter.

To be successful at growing citrus in South Texas, you should stick with the cold-hardy varieties or be prepared to grow your trees in containers that are protected or can be moved indoors for the winter.

There are several fruit trees that are not that sensitive to the cold and have proven well-adapted to our climate. You will also find that these citrus trees are readily available in local nurseries. David Abrego, a Conservation Consultant with the San Antonio Water System, recommends these cold-hardy choices for backyard citrus orchards in South Texas.

Satsuma (Citrus unshiu) Satsumas are a variety of mild mandarin oranges that are the hardiest of the citrus varieties and the easiest to grow in Central Texas. Among the sweetest of citrus varieties they are also seedless and the easiest variety to peel. Common varieties include ‘Miho’, ‘Owari’,

‘Seto’ and two brand-new cultivars, ‘Orange Frost’ and ‘Arctic Frost’.

ChangSha (Citrus reticulate var. satsuma) is a tangerine variety that has been modified to make it more appealing to consumer taste. It produces large quantities of fruit. Originally, the fruits contained many seeds and the tree was very thorny. Newer varieties have fewer seeds and a more upright growth habit.

Kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia) is ideal for small spaces and produces small fruits with an edible peel that’s sometimes sweeter than the pulp. Unlike true citrus, kumquat typically produces throughout the year and it does very well in containers.

Citrus In Containers

Speaking of containers, citrus trees grow well in containers as long as you keep them fed and watered. The lush color of the evergreen foliage makes a great decorative element and the sweet citrusy scent will add a sensuous ambiance to your patio or outside living area.

The great advantage to growing your citrus in containers is that you can move the plant into shelter to protect it from the harsh part of winter.

If you want to grow your citrus in a pot, be sure to use a quality potting soil. It’s a good idea to keep your citrus in the plastic nursery pots, then “double pot” them into a decorative container that matches the décor of your patio.

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In The Ground

If you decide to plant your citrus trees in the ground, out in your landscape, plant it in a protected area such as the south or southeast side of your house to provide shelter from the cold Northwestern wind brought by cold fronts. The house will also provide a little bit of heat to keep it warmer during the winter. Be sure to plant your new trees at least four to six feet away from the structure to allow for

future growth. Choose your citrus wisely and you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor before you know it.

If you’ve spent a summer afternoon basking aside a sweet-smelling citrus tree or if you have tasted fruit collected with your own hands, you know it’s worth the time and effort of planting a fruit tree.

MARC HESS is an author whose latest novel, “The Gillespie County Fair,” is available on Amazon. It’s a riveting story about the gentrification of rural Texas. He is also the editor of Milberger’s Gardening South Texas newsletter, a monthly (except January) publication covering the challenges and solutions of gardening in South Central Texas’s unique growing zone. It’s available on-line at no charge at https://www.milbergernursery.com/newsletter-archive/

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TEXAN LEMON BLUEBERRY BUNNY SPRITZER

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Vodka ( Blueberry flavored)

• .75 oz. Lemon Juice

• .75 oz. sweetened Ginger Syrup

• 3 oz. Topo Chico or Club Soda

Instructions

Add the first THREE ingredients to a shaker, shake and strain over ice, top with Topo/Club Soda, stir and serve.

Garnish with fresh lemon slices, blueberries and a sprig of Rosemary.

If syrup is unavailable, use 4 oz. of ginger beer and 1 oz. Topo.

Tip:

Kobeashi beeffrom the Sumo Ranch

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