The Lifestyle Variety Magazine for the Upper Valley
feb 2008
Contempo Destination Tequisquiapan
Mexico
Intl. Wine & Cheese Festival
Golf Lesson with Cimarron’s Andrew Schelbert EARN $20,000 OF COLLEGE CREDIT IN HI SCHOOL AGING MAY START SOONER WHAT YOU CAN DO
PREPARE YOUR VALLEY HOMEFOR THE ENERGY CRISIS
SPRING FASHION
WEAR FOR PROFESSIONAL VALLEY WOMEN
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Contempo
www.contempomag.com can be your site too! visit the site to inquire.
The Lifestyle Magazine for the Upper Valley Publishers Note: Welcome to our first issue of Contempo Magazine. Our goal is to provide a monthly publication that will enrich the lifestyles of our readers with articles & interviews of local interest. In this issue we take a close look at ways to reduce ever increasing utility bills, offering solutions that consider our unique climate & construction methods. We will include departments focusing on special topics including local social life & events, advances in local medical health, first hand aspects of travel locations off the beaten path & others. In Season, will cover local sporting opportunities & events. Professional women’s fashion is our cover story this month to help you look fabulous at work this spring. Our web site @ contempomag.com is up & we hope it becomes a hub for Upper Valley internet activity. The site will provide access to local stories & blogs as well as business advertising. You will also find our current articles translated in to spanish at our website. Letters to the editor should be submitted to the website. Ralph Magaña/Publisher
Contempo is a publication of Contempo Magazine Inc. All opinions represented are of the authors & not necessarily the views of the publisher. The publisher makes no representations regarding advertising content. Contempo Magazine is a trademark of Contempo Magazine Inc. All rights reserved. Publisher/Contempo Magazine Inc. Editor in Chief/Ralph Magaña ConsultingEditor/Laura Grubb Guest Columnist/Andrew Schelbert Staff Columnist/Tony Barclay Contributing Columnist/Doris Herrmann Staff Columnist/Melissa Magaña Ad Sales-Ralph Magaña Distribution Manager-Rosa Lopez Webpage Editor-Tony Magaña cel 956-467-7880 off 956-686-9548 wmagana@rgv.rr.com
www.contempomag.com PMB# 170, Suite B
2403 N. 10th. St. McAllen, Tx 78501
Printed in Mexico
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Inside This Issue
Destination Mexico-Visit Tequisquiapan, a mini San Miguel with low humidity, health spas, natural hot springs & a pop international wine & cheese festival.
Around the House-Valley climate demands
some unique ways to make your home more efficient. Stay comfortable with an eye on the electricity bill.
Your Kids-can earn a year of college credit in H.S. A case in point at Sharyland High School.
Topics in Medicine-Dealing with the aging
before it accelerates-a medical perspective. And an up close profile of area physicians who deal with it.
7 14 20 26
In Fashion-Colors for a warm spring that’s nothing
30
Season for Golf-Discover the club @ Cimarron
36
to sweat about. Doris Herrmann sheds new light on how to use layers for professional women this spring.
& golf lesson with Pro Andrew Schelbert on your short game to help lower your score next time out.
Dining/Entertainment Guide
Are you not entertained? Don’t miss out on the fun. Plan your active lifestyle around these exciting events.
40
In Search Of-recent events we tracked down.
42
Business Spotlight & Properties-Palms Crossings &
50
Join us for a hop around town in search of the in-crowd.
McAllen Convention Center. Commercial & Residential Real Estate.
Contempo Magazine page 3
Hacienda Tres Vidas HOTEL & SPA 414-226-9488 Classic European Therapy 414-226-3848 414-104-3264 www.haciendatresvidas.com haciendatresvidas@prodigy.net.mex Tequisquiapan, Qro. Mexico
ShiaTsu
In-Room Hot Tubs & Steam bath
HYDROTHERAPY ELECTROTHERAPY CLASSIC MASSAGE ENERGETIC MASSAGE EXFOLIATION FACE & BODY WRAPS FACIAL TREATMENTS
Steam & Sauna
Heated Pool
Spacious Rooms with Plasma & Satelite TV state of the art Capsule Spa Jet
Panoramic Hilltop views of Pena Bernal
Hotel
La Plaza Tequis, center of Mexico “La Plaza�, center of Tequis
jacuzzi suites heated pool cable TV international cuisine indoor or patio dining at
La Valentina Restaurant
La Cantina Video Bar with views on the plaza square Tel: 414 27 30005
www.tequisquiapan.com.mx/la_plaza plazatx@prodigy.net.mx
Tequisquiapan
hot springs, wine festival, health spa mecca
Contempo Magazine page 6
a dance & theater group from Queretaro perform weekends on the Plaza.
Tequisquiapan, better know by the locals as just “Tequis (TECHEZ), is one of the most incredible little towns in North Central Mexico. It has all the splendor typical of the quaint pueblos that dot this accessible part of Mexico & much more. Tequis is located about 9 hours south of Reynosa, in the state of Queretaro, about a 30 min. drive east of Queretaro, the state capitol. Founded centuries ago for its access to abundant shallow aquifers below its surface that supply “aqua termales”, natural hot springs. Tequisquiapan is a lush mini San Miguel de Allende without the noise & traffic. There you will find a beautiful town square or “placita” enclosing a garden park surrounded by shops, restaurants, street vendors displaying balloons & ice cream & candy, designer stores, & night life establishments. Really close by, not more than half a city block away, is the Farmers Market loaded with local veggies, fresh meats, dry goods, an assortments of handcrafts & an old fashioned new stand. A large open dining area surrounded by a cluster of boutique restaurants serve up dishes like menudo at the Market. Winding about the entire town are streets of well maintained cobblestone & cantera stone walkways. Colorful large bougainvilleas projecting from stone planters decorate many exterior stucco walls downtown. A stones throw beyond the square, numerous townhouse communities, spas & family run hotels wind along narrow
street passages much like you would see in a rural European community. Because of it’s moderately high altitude & tropic latitude, Tequis maintains an avg. daytime temperature of 76 degrees practically all year long while offering low humidity. Situated in a valley surrounded on 3 sides by mountains along the San Juan River, it has become one of the Meccas for weekend travelers from Mexico City who recognize the tranquil nature. Many who have already discovered Tequisquiapan find it a peaceful, picturesque place to retire. Interestingly, close by in Bernal, another village about 20 mins. away, the inhabitants are well known for living long & healthy lives. Indeed as you pass through Bernal you see a lot of men apparently into their 90’s briskly walking about! At the Rock of Bernal, a vertical granite rock jetting out of the ground to over 300 feet, a festival is held in the summer to celebrate its healthy effects on the people there. The regional climate & terrain are healthy for vegetation as well. They say that fertilizer in this region is never needed because of the rich mountain soil that makes its way down into the valleys below. It’s mild climate rarely permits freezing weather since occasional cold fronts don’t have much bit by the time they reach it. Evenings can be a little chilly in the winter, requiring no more than a light sweater November through January. The weather is great for any sport activity, particularly golf & it is generally accepted that golf balls travel furContempo Magazine page 7
La Pena Bernal stands sentry to the Bernal church & park. Spring celebrations honor this towering rock, one of the world largest solid monoliths.
gold fish pond at the 7 Ranch, 10 mins from sq.
hotes, restaurants & shops lead off the plaza ther there because of the relatively high altitude low humidity effect. Not more that 10 minutes away from the plaza is a mature & well manicured golf club called Club de Golf Tequisquiapan. It has an 18 hole, par 72 course that winds through eucalyptus, pines, rivers & ponds. The climate, good soil and attentive care by the greens keeper produce perfect greens & fairways all year long. On the fringe, they maintain a gutter to prevent grass contamination. These greens know how to swell up & offer a soft, uniform putting surfaces. The Club membership is a mere plus or minus 300 families but its not hard to find a member to play with. Expert caddies are available most of the time, even on weekdays for $25 a round & provide all the customary services plus a line on your puts. Club de Golf Tequisquiapan boasts a natural hot springs swimming pool, a steam room, tennis courts, practice range, a bar & full service restaurant. It is surrounded by a private residential subdivision full of beautiful garden homes. The Club is locally owned & operated with a full staff always at your service. Among of the most comforting aspects of Tequisquiapan are the people. They are mostly comprised of locals & a fair number of various others coming from Mexico City to live more comfortably, retire or raise a family, start a business or just to have a weekend home. But overwhelmingly, everyone is there to enjoy a comfortable, quite, peaceful life free from crime & the trappings of the big city. Everyone is so pleasant, passer-by greetings are a must. At little boutique shops & eateries with canopied dinning so busy along the plaza, you have a chance to meet lots of people. With many cosmopolitans from Mexico City around you wont be surprised to find a splendid variety of dining possibilities. There is a number of restaurants including Italian, Hungarian, Argentinian, Spanish, french & Mexican where the patrons & owners are often from the subject country. On my last visit I met a french master electrician living there & working on a new hotel project! He was havContempo Magazine page 8
More markets cluster about the plaza. ing the time of his life but his Spanish was a bit scratchy. I have met Germans, Italians, British & other internationals who discovered & resettled in Tequis. More recently, Tequis has become a favorite for hotel health spas. The thermal hots springs in Tequis provides a natural advantage. The oldest hotel spa in the area is The Relox. It is located right in the center of town, with an entrance just off the main square. It is a huge facility with a lot of tradition. A new hotel spa has just recently opened about 15 mins. from town called “Tres Vidas” or Three Lives that presents a rustic atmosphere with great views down into the valleys below. They have a Hungarian massage therapist who looks like he was born to rub your back. Their facility is equipped with modern health gizmos & staff including a french chef. Another new hotel spa under construction called “Villa Florencia” will open in a few months. It is just a short walk from the town square with a limited number of 28 exclusive suites. Outside, the grounds are simply fabulous with tropical gardens, exotic birds, ponds, fountains & statues everywhere. All bedrooms are accommodated with plasma TVs, posture enhancing mattresses, Jacuzzis & air conditioning. In addition to all the expected treatments, it will house a conference center ballroom equipped with modern audio/video entertainment devices for gatherings & movies. There are many bed/breakfast & family owned & operated hotels all around town & all have swimming pools with hot spring water. Weekends are popular with the Mexico City crowd, so make reservations early. Its not the kind of place you want to just show up & see what’s available unless its on a week day. Many modest hotels there have rooms available for around $60/nite except during “Semana Santa” (Easter) & The Wine & Cheese Festival” held during the two weeks in May. “El Vino y Queso”, the international festival is held throughout the town center & park for two weeks with over 400 wines offered by vineyard from around
Tequisquiapan the eternal fountain of youth.
full kitchens washer/dryer cable TV 0 private 36 C in-room thermal baths hair dryers Sleep up to 8 per suite private parking
Suites Poza Real
tel: 414-273-0454 414-273-2223
heated pool 40 paces to the town plaza
pozareal.com.mx poza_real@hotmail.com
The event hall & pool at the new Villa Florencia Hotel the world. This is the real thing as far as wine festivals go. Exquisite regional cheeses offer up the perfect match. A few crackers & there you are strolling from booth to booth, testing some unyet released vintages from Chile or Australia. There are even some local & regional wineries on hand. The wine & cheese festival period is combined with a regional fair that occupies the surrounding grounds offering more food, art, fashioned goods, entertainment & a palenqe where cock fighting (a civic tradition accepted in this part of Mexico,) matches are performed till the wee hours of the night. It’s not unusual to find a nationally recognized star making an appearance & singing during intermissions, particularly on occasions like the wine & cheese. In the main park one evening during the festival a talent contest is held. Its obvious from the impressive performances that contestants prepare well in advance. Many are accompanied by professional musicians or mariachis & deliver for the crowd. Not far from town, northwards towards the Bernal Rock there are several hot spring baths with “guisers” where very hot & clear thermal water gushes from natural wells. These natural features have been there for ages & stories abound of their therapeutic values. Right up near the source you can bath in extremely hot water, or there are various ponds that lead away with cooler temperatures. Because the waters are always flowing, its considered a very sanitary place to bath. Public facilities & vendors are close by & it costs little to spend the day there. Actually its very common for residents in town to tap into these thermal waters below their homes with wells to supply small natural indoor hot hubs (no heater necessary). There are several new developments near town that offer security gates, large & small home lots, a clubhouse with a restaurant & pool, and a convenience store that opens early & closes late. A new subdivision has started up near the golf club offering home lots with club benefits. Home & building styles project a spectrum of architectural expression. The cupola is a projecting dome found at the apex of a ceiling that has a rounded top with stained glass side windows. It fills rooms below with colored light & is usually centered over a bovida (curved ceiling). Several other inspiring architectural styles are common in this region. Art Deco, Greek, Colonial, Hacienda, some Mediterranean & classical. Artistic expression is certainly abundant in each & every home in town or out by the country club. There is a new modern super market near the main highContempo Magazine page 10
Colorful handmade crafts on Eequiel Montes St. attract attention.
way that skirts town & a new shopping center houses a movie theater for current films. Near there, a brand new private care hospital is now open & joins the public hospital in providing medical services. There are several ways to travel by air, premium bus service & by car. You can fly from either Reynosa or McAllen. From Reynosa by way of Monterrey one can arrive at the new Queretaro Airport aboard Mexicana, Mexicana Click or Airo Mexico. from there its only a 20 min. cab to Tequis. From McAllen you can arrive at Queretaro through Houston. Isn’t that easy. There is terrific bus service from Reynosa to Queretaro offered by Executivo-Primera that is non-stop, 3 fully reclinable seats per aisle. Its roomy & comfortable with beverage service, clean toilets & movies. The bus leaves once from Reynosa early evening & arrives in Queretaro early morning so you can sleep & not waist time. From the new Queretaro station it take a 30 minute cab ride to Tequis. By car, it takes about 9 hours to get to Tequis if you use the tollways called “quotas”. The quotas & the federal highways connecting these by-passes are all in excellent condition & divided with 4 lanes. You will need insurance & you must process the car a few blocks from the bridge after you cross because it, like you, needs a visa. The process only takes about 20 mins. at this huge & modern Reynosa facility. There are two different routes from Reynosa to choose from. Both join together at a little place called Huisache on Hwy 57. The Older route is
A typical garden home at Club de Golf Tequisquiapan.
No. 8, par 5 at Club de Golf.
Park de la Pila-two blocks off the main square. to by-pass Ciudad Victoria south of Reynosa while the newer route, mostly on a toll way, by-passes Monterrey & Saltillo to the southwest of Reynosa. The Victoria route is a bit more scenic while the Monterrey route offers better road conditions with tolls. Recent travelers tell me the Victory route is faster if no work is being done around the mountain south of the city. Both routes converge at Huisache. From Huisache, continue south on 57. Use the Quota by-passes around San Luis & Queretaro to save time. One can spend up to $40 in toll fees by time you reach Queretaro. About 30 minutes south of Queretaro, at San Juan del Rio look for the Tequisquiapan Exit. From there its about a 20 min. drive to the east. Modern gas stations are everywhere these days with attached convience stores & restaurants. It is always important to drive during daylight hours to avoid heavy night time trailer traffic. All varieties of unleaded gas are available at all service stops. If you tire, an overnight between Matehuala & San Luis Potosi is about half way there. Overall, Tequis is a great visit. It’s small town with an energetic & active cultural heritage. We will revisit Tequis for the Wine & Cheese Festival in May. Next month we will discover Satillo. By Ralph Magaùa
Contempo Magazine page 11
heavenly elegant posture inhancing bedding
Hotel Villa Florencia Nautha No. 6, Col. Centro C.P. 76750 Tequisquiapan, Qro.
www.villaflorencia.com.mx 414-273 30 29
let us pamper you. state of the art convention ctr.
stimulate your senses
paradise awaits you in Tequis.
28 bedroom 60 chanel cable TV private parking wired for internet game room massage therapy private thermal springs magnificent garden & pool
Hotel Hacienda
Las Delicias Tel: 01-414-273-0180 Fax: 01-414-273-0180 tequisquiapan.com.mx/lasdelicias delicias_tx@hotmail.com
Beat the Heat & the Bills. New Advances in home products & construction materials help maintain comfort & reduce energy bills. by Ralph MagaĂąa
Now, homes constructed throughout the U.S. & here in Sharyland must meet minimum energy efficiency standards dealing with air conditioning, lighting, insulation, infiltration, glass surface exposures & the likes, all in the effort to reduce our country’s energy demands in a highly competitive global market. In spite of all these efforts, our energy bills continue to rise dramatically. We have to keep in mind that many methods are used to produce electricity. Coal, oil, thermal, geothermal & nuclear generation for years have kept pace with demand until now. No one needs to tell you how much you now pay in utility bills vs. 5 years ago for the same level of comfort. The wake up call is ringing & we have to take charge. So, in the following pages we shall consider some innovative ideas you can employ, whether you are considering a new home or looking at some existing home upgrades, that will help you lower your utility bills. More high efficiency home products, including appliances are now available. Even washers & dryers come in high efficiency models. One or two upgrades can make a difference depending on your situation. Surprisingly, we begin with your accountant. Each year the IRS has been increasing the tax credit for energy saving home improvements. So basically, the government can give you some of your own money back for installing devices that will also reduce your utility bills. Not to bad. Based on your adjusted gross income, your accountant can suggest how much you may want to spend on the project. Air conditioning upgrades provide the greatest impact. Contempo Magazine page 14
By increasing A/C efficiency by a level or two you can save from $60 to $200 per month on electricity. The additional cost of these units is roughly $200 per cubic ton of air capacity. So, for a 4 ton A/C unit the additional cost is about $800. In less than two years the additional cost will be recovered while the unit should perform well for over 10 years, delivering the same level of comfort. These a/c units often include a 10 year vs. the standard 5 year warranty on the compressor. A/C efficiencies have been improving each year for some time now. Not long ago, maybe 6 years or so, a SEER rating of 10 was considered state of the art. SEER ratings of 15-16 are becoming available these days. Basically, the higher SEER units require less electricity. Keep in mind that the local building officials do not require the most efficient A/C units, although they will apply certain minimums. For most jobs a refit will require replacing the air handler (inside the home) & the compressor (outdoors) but should not take more than a day. A/C contractors will likely charge more if the handler is in the attic vs. a closet, particularly in the summer when they are busy & attic temperatures rise. If you have been living in your home for over 8 years its likely that the efficiency level of your A/C unit is about 40% below what’s currently available. So you are spending a lot more for the same comfort level achieved by the more efficient units. Advanced programmable thermostats are widely available & cost $40 to $100. It takes about 10 minutes to change out & can be a do it yourself. These new thermostats are digital for accuracy & low maintenance. They allow you to pre-program various A/C schedules so
“It can cost half as much to cool a home twice the size using a high efficiency 16 SEER A/C unit, over a 8 SEER unit, widely installed in new homes just 12 years ago.” that you can minimize unwanted cooling time. You can for example, set the program to automatically start up the A/C just before you arrive home from work or have it gradually shut down early morning as you prepare to leave. It could have a weekend schedule or a preset travel schedule that allows the unit to cool briefly, to reduce humidity & then shut down. Water heaters consume a great deal of electricity all day long for the convenience of having a hot shower ready at any time. The problem is that 40 to 60 gals. of water is being kept at 125 degrees all day long. They can generate up to $60 a month in electricity depending on where the thermostat is set. “Tank-less” water heaters have been available for over a decade. The principle of these units is to heat the water instantly & only when needed. Very small water cells, typically three with proportionally large electric heat elements, heat the water sequentially from cell to cell, once it senses that you have turned on a hot water faucet. The newer models are very dependable & deliver hot water instantly to an entire home. Its about the size of a first aid kit & mounts on a wall. Placement can be near the breaker panel in the garage to reduce the expense of the electrical wiring required to power it. They come in different sizes for different bathroom requirements & cost from $550 to over $900. In addition to saving around $40 per month vs. a standard water heater, they can deliver an unlimited amount of hot water in case you have the relatives over or if you have an extra large hot tub. You will need a plumber & an electrician & it only takes about 1 day to install. Infiltration of outside air is another problem particularly in south texas with high winds. Not only does air leakage waist already produced conditioned air, but introduces humidity & dust as well. Even a cool room can “feel” warm when excessive humidity is introduced. Dust can cake on the cooling coils at the air handler forcing it to work over time to reach desired temperatures. Sources of infiltration include windows, doors, dryer exhaust vents, undampered bathroom exhaust vents & attic stairways. There are some easy ways to detect & treat infiltration. On a windy day, light a candle, blow it out, & run it along the seam of your windows & doors (careful around the drapes). Look for the smoke to flicker as you slowly move along. Mark & treat any problem areas outside with an exterior grade siliconized “window & door” caulk. Most window manufacture labels actually indicate that this be done routinely each year as caulk can weather. The black rubber gasket-looking weather stripping around exterior doors will often decay in as little as 3 years. It can be replace with in a matter of minutes & only costs a few dollars at Home Depot. The threshold at the base of any exterior door may have gaps. It can be adjusted or tightened, eliminating these gaps, using a large standard screw driver. This should be done slowly & with force so that you don’t strip the adjusting screw head. For a new home or remodel consider exterior doors made of insulated composite materials vs. wood doors, since they warp less over time & are then, less likely to create air gaps. Attic access hatches & stairways are notorious for allowing hot attic air to penetrate rooms below. A piece of carpet can be attached to the attic side of these accesses with staples. The carpet piece should be slightly wider than the hatch or door so that it seals well using door weight. Crooked attic stairs on the other hand might need replacing for a proper seal. EFIS or expanded foam insulation systems, an exterior wall surface mostly of expanded polystyrene, is an excellent material for stopping heat gain through walls. Compared to brick or standard stucco methods, EFIS does a superior job of stopping the heat well before it reaches framing Contempo Magazine page 15
material in the wall. Once installed, it is a continuous form of insulation preventing infiltration as well. The EFIS construction process involves laying fiber mesh & structured cement over 1-2 in. thick foam panels over a vapor barrier. A textured color coat is then applied further sealing up the material & create a hard, surface finish. Although most heat gain developes in the attic, exterior walls on the south, west & east side absorb considerable heat. EFIS wall products diffuse the heat well before it reaches interior spaces. Power roof exhaust vents are a great way to reduce the heat stored up in your attic. Most homes are designed to remove attic heat by convection. That is, with eave vents along the soffit or overhang & ridge vents along the top edge of the roof, hot air will tend to rise, working its way up & out the ridge vent while allowing cooler air to displace it, entering through the soffit vents. Power roof vents do the same thing but much quicker, not allowing the temperature a chance to build up. They are controlled automatically with a simple thermostat so when the temperature reaches lets say, 110 degrees it automatically kicks in & later off. In many older homes the fan electric motor or the thermostat fails & years can go by with this condition undetected. Its a small expense to repair either problem & only takes a few hours. A standard unit is geared to protect about 2200 sq. ft. of floor space below. The fan should be located as high up & as close to the roof ridge as possible to increase efficiency. A new power exhaust vent costs around $175, a small investment when you consider how much hot air it can power out & away from your home. Vinyl windows are a much better alternative to Aluminum windows because vinyl frames absorb heat much less than metal window frames. Operating vinyl windows are also more quiet to open & close. Vinyl is now more resistant to discoloration than the earlier composites, lasting just as long as metal framed. A Low-e film can be applied to insulated glass at the factory. Windows can come tinted or a tint can be applied later. If you have lots of windows facing the south & west sides these alterations can make a big difference by reducing heat gain. Vinyl windows cost about 30% more that aluminum windows & about 40% less than wood windows. Tinting from the factory can be as little as an additional $20 per window. It is considerably more expensive to apply later. Consider too that operable windows with openings along the top instead of the bottom will more effectively help exhaust hot air & pass less dust & debris. & above all, be sure to take advantage or our mild winters by using window screens on those cool, dry evenings. Exterior wall & roof colors can make some difference too. The darker the color the greater degree of heat absorption. The lighter the color the greater degree of heat reflection. So avoid black, slate type colors specially on the roof & avoid dark brick colors that might continue to warm a home through the night due to a build up of latent heat over the course of a day. Extending a roof overhang or eave in a new home brings style to a home design & protects exterior walls & windows from the sun. I rarely see Valley homes with eaves as long as 3 feet from the wall. A 4 foot eave will provide shading well into the afternoon. An extended eave will also permit better air flow at the eave vent to help quicken hot air exhaust at the ridge. In new construction extending an eave can be relatively inexpensive by using scrap lumber to extend roof rafters, eave soffit & plywood decking. The only significant expense will be to account for more roof finish material. Frank L. Wright, the most famous American architect, designed many award wining beautiful homes with extended eaves, using structural steel to project overhangs well beyond 6 feet. Upgrading attic insulation is easy to do in a new or older home. With a little elbow grease, protective goggles & a mask, you could do it yourself. An Insulating contractor can quickly complete this work in a single day. If your home was built over 10 years ago it may have only 10 inches or so of attic insulation. Insulation effectiveness is measured in R values that predict how well heat penetrates through it. Higher R values produce more effective insulation. Today many homes achieve R-36 attic insulation & higher in the attic. Many older homes have as little as R-19 in the Contempo Magazine page 16
A tank less unit exhausts electricity only when it senses hot water in use. When the faucet is closed it immediately stops producing hot water. attic. Indeed, you can find homes over 20 years old that have little to no attic insulation. There are several different materials to choose from but the main thing to look for is their R-value. Rock wool is a preferred material because it is organic & helps more with sound insulation. It can be pump sprayed into the attic quickly & forms a continuous barrier. It emits no foul smells & is non-combustible. It costs a little bit more that fiber-glass but is worth it. In fact any enhancements you make insulating will pay off in a short time. You will notice the impact on your utility bills most dramatically in the summer. When you first take a peek through the access door to the attic look to see if the insulation seems batted down or unlevel, if it appears above 10 inches in height or not. Its not uncommon to find dispersed insulation remnants left by field personnel working in your attic over the years. Highly efficient/Low heat light fixtures & bulbs can be found at any home store in varieties that satisfy practically any lighting application. There are essentially three types of bulbs-incandecent, fluorescent & halogen. Incandescent are the typical light bulbs that have always been around. A wire or “filament� is heated with electricity, producing light. These bulbs get hot at any wattage as do halogens. Fluorescent bulbs with light generated from gas being electrically charged, produce virtually no heat. The 150 watt, incandescent recessed lights widely used in homes are like ovens compared to the new fluorescent recessed bulbs that also use less electricity. Don’t be shocked by the prices because these lights last much longer that standard bulbs. Original versions cast a blueish, almost neon sort of light, but now different effect lighting is available in these highly efficient, low maintenance lighting alternatives. Unfortunately, suppliers of solar & wind products are scarce in the Valley. Afford ability too, makes these alternatives a tough sale. Solar, at best, is a big expense to help warm up the water heater. It can make contributions to the electrical supply & in theory, you could even sell power back to the utility company. But with todays technology, your house might look like a big mirror pointed at the sky. Wind power, uses wind force to propel turbines that generate electricity. However, the propeller blades must be quite large to harness wind force. Consequently, they are awkwardly large & expensive. Several entirely different types of construction materials, combining structure with insulation, have appeared on the market in the form of roof panels know as SIPs & foam block for walls that promise to provide long term improved R ratings integrated with the load bearing structure. The pitch also makes the reasonable argument that these products prevent thermal changes from penetrating the walls & attic, thereby stopping the heat sooner than traditional methods. The SIPs or Structural Insulated Panels, are basically large sheets of thick polystyrene foam insulation sandwiched between large sheets of plywood or OSB on both sides. For structural integrity, 2 X 6 or 2 X 8 lumber is inserted between these sheets like ribs. It is not unlike plywood decking & rafters that make up a typical roof except for the foam inserts. Each of these large panels are designed to fit into a pre-determined location & must be installed with the aid of a crane. Once on site, the panels can reduce construction time since they go up much faster than a typical framed roof. However, they must be custom ordered well in advance or they could end up prolonging work. Certainly they do an outstanding job of protecting a home from significant heat gain. On the downside, They are extremely expensive & there is the time & expense of having them sized by an engineer who is familiar with them. Some lag time may be required regardless, because a complicated layout is probably better off if job mea-
surements are taken rather than relying on plan measurements to begin fabrication. Depending on the size, shape & panel configuration, SIPs can cost twice that of a traditional roof. Specially when you consider that a typical roof represents 70% of the entire framing bill. There are probably some job site alternatives that could cost much less to insulate between roof rafters using readily available materials until these products are competitively priced. The same is true for foam block wall products. Essentially they are composed of concrete block & foam inserts, some stronger than others, all still requiring a separate wall finish. For now, EFIS remains a much more cost effective alternative & also provides an exterior wall finish in many textures & colors. EFIS panels range from 3/4 to 4 inch in thickness. The base component, poly styrene is among the most effective insulators & like foam block, delivers its protection before heat can reach wall voids. There are so many other ideas to help shield you from the escalating costs of comforting our Valley homes. Research these and other new ideas thoroughly. There will be drawbacks as well as advantages & the specific application will favor some over others. It is an industry not absent of gimmicks & half measures so be prudent & consider all the angles.
extended overhangs reduce heat gain thru windows without inhibiting natural light
By Ralph Maga単a
All contempo articles & columns can be found online in large type & in spanish at contempomag.com
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Contempo Magazine page 17
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College Credits In High School An early start can yield big savings by Melissa G. Magaña Financial Advisor @ Wachovia Securities
One of the best ways to prepare for life’s challenges is to earn a college degree. Education can provide the groundwork for a comfortable standard of living and a better future for generations to come. Despite the benefits of higher learning, a barrier still exists for many people, and that barrier is cost. With college tuition & fees escalating, planning ahead for college expenses is becoming more essential for parents & college bound students. Many parents are aware of scholarship opportunities & grants but some high income households may be limited to the various types of financial assistance available. Another way to offset higher education costs is by achieving college course credits while students are still in high school.
“At the University of Texas San Antonio, Student fees per semester more than doubled between 2002 and 2006 from $528 to $1,199 and tuition went up 80%”
I recently graduated from a private university in San Antonio. Along with my diploma, I was mailed a receipt history totaling all charges that I incurred while in college. The receipt was for $70,000. My first thoughts were WOW, my mom & dad really made a big sacrifice & this receipt didn’t even account for my living expenses. For this gift I am truly thankful. But I helped reduce their burden long before starting college by earning 24 hours of study in college credits at Sharyland High School. Those cheesy infomercials where you hear things like, “This opportunity is a one time deal.” Well in this case it really is. Planning should start early. Junior high and freshman year students can start taking advanced classes that may permit them to qualify for enrollment in college level courses. Sharyland High School offers a variety of programs to earn college level credits. One of which is dual credit. This is a 2 for 1 deal that gives high school students a chance to earn college hours & high school credits while taking a single class. Usually, a college professor from a local university is invited to teach the class. And because the classes are taught at the high school, this program doesn’t require the student to attend class on the college campus. The class qualifies for high school & college credit & does not require the student to attend the class at the college campus. Concurrent enrollment is a program worked out by both the college & high school administration that permits the student to attend classContempo Magazine page 20
es on the college campus for college credit only. Most high schools allow students preparation & travel time for these programs. Usually the student or parents are responsible for paying any course fees. Advanced placement courses give participants the chance to take an exam at the end of a qualified high school course to receive college credits. Credit is earned based on the student’s score and their university requirements. Many high schools across the state offer similar programs. Based on my experience, the programs at Sharyland High School worked out perfectly for me. All my college credits earned while there were accepted for credit at the university I attended. My Dad considers it one of my “outstanding accomplishments as a teen”. I on the other hand used it as leverage for apartment rent my senior college year. Overall, I was able to graduate from college a semester early, saving about $20,000 in tuition, fees & living expenses for the effort, even though I made career changes during my time there. More than that I was able to get a head start on my career as a financial advisor. As a Financial Advisor, I believe the best way to cope with rising college costs is to start saving and planing early. When it comes to education funding, time really is money. And a way to reduce the impact of college expenses is to consider a 529 College Savings Plan which does not take much effort to get started and can begin accumulating funds long before your child reaches high school. A 529 College Savings Plan is a state-sponsored investment program that has special status under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Also known as “qualified state tuition programs,” or QSTP’s, 529 plans may include a prepaid tuition program and/or a savings account plan. 529 plans offer investors professionally managed taxed advantaged portfolios to help meet rising college expenses. Contributions in these plans grow tax deferred and withdrawals are federal income taxfree when made for the payment of qualified education expenses. State income taxes may still apply. Proceeds can be used at an accredited post-secondary educational institution, offering a degree or credential, eligible to participate in Department of Education student aid programs. Anyone may contribute on behalf of a child-incuding parents, grandparents, other relatives and family friends-regardless of income or state residency. Maximum contributions man vary from state to state, but could be as high as $305,000. With the high contribution maximum and no income restrictions for participation, these plans have become a very
popular tax-advantaged savings vehicle. The availability of tax or other benefits may be conditioned on meeting certain other requirements. The account owner retains control over the distributions from the 529 plan and the asset is considered a donor asset for financial aid purposes. If the child decides not to attend college, the account owner still controls withdrawals and is free to change beneficiaries (any new beneficiary must be a member of the family), leaving the assets in the plan for later use, or withdraw the assets. If the child wins a scholarship, the owner may be refunded the scholarship amount without penalty (taxes still apply to any earnings). Basically, you as a parent are planning now for your children’s college education in the future. Start now by contacting your Financial Advisor.
By Melissa Magaña
Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing in a 529 savings plan. An investor should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 college savings plans. 529 Plans are subject to enrollment, maintenance, administrative and management fees and expenses. Non-qualifed withdrawals are subject to federal and state income tax and a 10% penalty. 1. Wachovia Securities is the trade name used by two separate, registered broker-dealers and nonbank affiliates of Wachovia Corporation providing certain retail securities brokerage services; Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC, and Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. 5. Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member NYSE/SPIC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate nonbank affiliate of Wachovia Corporation. 11. Securities and Insurance Products: Not insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency
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Dealing with Aging A Medical Perspective
From the moment we are born our bodies begin to change constantly until our final breath. A physical & developmental construction process proceeds from the fetal stage before birth until about age 19. After that starts the slow process of change we call aging. Aging can be defined as the body’s progressive loss of physiological function & increasing susceptibility to disease that occurs with increasing age. The downhill slope is almost imperceptible in our 20’s & early 30’s but becomes steeper & steeper at an increasing rate in our 40’s. How fast we age is a function of several factors, some of which we can influence & some that we cannot change. Our bodies are made up of millions of cells. Although we think of ourselves as one biological being ,we are really, a composite of individual cells of different organs. Each of these cells must get nourishment, use energy to perform its functions, remove waste & repair any damage it suffers. Cells can be damaged by many things. Cosmic radiation from the sun & universe affects us twentyfour hours a day. Scientists that study atomic physics often have to do studies deep underground in mines to avoid interference from cosmic radiation. Ultraviolet light from the sun is the leading cause of aging of the skin. Over time the ability of the cell to repair damage to its structure & processes mentioned above result in permanent deterioration. Scientists have identified that we have some natural defenses against aging. In the 1950’s they dis-
covered protective enzymes, which are proteins cells make that could neutralize potentially damaging chemicals called free radicals that arise from oxygen. Theoretically, it was thought that taking some vitamin supplements to improve on this chemical protective action would be of benefit. However, benefits have only been seen in lower animal forms experimentally with results not verifiably demonstrated in humans. The body keeps a master biological blueprint in the form of deoxyribonucleic acid commonly known as DNA. By combining millions of different combinations of a few basic elements which are reproduced every time a cell divides, the blueprint can be passed on to new cells. Errors in this process have been theorized to be responsible for genetic disease, cancer & aging. However for the most part, aged cells don’t seem to be the primary victim of DNA errors. DNA does play a role in that each of us seems to inherit different resistances to aging. One of the best predictors of aging is how long our parents & grandparents live. Cells are organized into organs, each of which has a specific contribution to the well being of the whole body. One interesting scientific observation of people who lived beyond normal life expectancy is that they seem to lack any tendency of experiencing organ failure of any particular type. The failure of one or more organ systems (nervous, skin, bone, muscular, heart, etc.) can not only lead to premature death but also to a sever decrease in the quality of life. Interestingly, this is one area where we can do the most to prevent such failures by how we live our daily lives. Contempo Magazine page 25
Do eat right. Do be physically active. Do use clothing to protect your skin. Do exercise with moderate load bearing. Do take calcium. Do start early, it makes a difference later.
Death from heart disease occurs in people sometimes 30 years earlier than it would normally occur due to lifestyle choices. Smoking, sedentary ways of life, obesity & high carbohydrate diets have all been shown conclusively to greatly increase the risk of premature death. Conversely, eating right, not smoking & exercise have been shown to result in significantly increasing one’s chances of survive beyond normal life expectancy. Over exposure to ultra-violet rays from the sun probably represents one of the greatest abuses we suffer from. Not only is it the leading cause of sever aging of the skin but also kills millions worldwide by causing skin cancer. To prevent skin damage we need simply to avoid exposure. Although using skin protectants with highly rated levels of sun protection like SPF 30 would seem beneficial, there is some controversy. Some studies have failed to show benefits from their use perhaps because people developed a false sense of security. Scientist theorise that using these products encouraged these people to suffer longer exposures than they normally would. In addition, during these long exposures it is likely that the product may have not been reapplied appropriately after the initial application. The use of sun screen chemicals should not replace the common sense use of clothing barriers to sun exposure, like hats & sleeved shirts. It’s important to remember that people with dark pigmentation might still be at risk of skin cancer if overexposed. Our joints, bones & muscles play a large part in how we see our sense of health & youth. Beyond the teenage years our muscles & joints will never really make new cells again. Bones on the other hand, are in a constant state of building up & breaking down which must Contempo Magazine page 26
be carefully balanced. The old adage of the American author, Mark Twain who advised living life in moderation, applies best in regards to this organ group. Using them insufficiently, specially at mid-life & beyond can result in premature weakness & loss of range of motion. Conversely, heavy stress to our joints over a lifetime from obesity or mechanical stress, like heavy lifting can permanently damage the soft tissue & joints. The cartilage which covers the articulating surfaces of our joints, in effect forming a cushion between our joints & bones, has no significant renewal capacity beyond the teenage years. The same applies to the soft tissue connections or tendons that extend around the joints. Loss of cartilage leads to degenerative arthritis which can cause pain & loss of movement of the joint. In sever cases, joints like the knee & hip can be replaced by mechanical prosthesis, greatly improving joint function. The most common cause for joint replacement in late middle age is chronic obesity which prematurely wears out the joint. The weakening of bones that occurs in women beyond the age of menopause is called osteoporosis. It is a chronic condition that may have no symptoms early in it’s course. Fractures of the hip & curvature of the spine herald its advance & severity. Again, our bones are in a constant state of perpetual breakdown & renewal. Bone strength is enhanced by frequent load bearing, such as one gets from exercise & is weakened by lack of load bearing such as occurs with prolonged bed rest. The ability of bone renewal to keep up with bone breakdown relates to nutrition & chemical control factors like hormones. How bones will age in one’s senior years can be
affected by a women’s choices in early adulthood. Insufficient intake of calcium at this stage in life can increase the chances of osteoporosis later. Moderate exercise produces a stronger baseline bone strength which will be more resistant to aging. Total removal of the ovaries in a premenopausal women can disrupt the balance of bone growth & decay leading to premature osteoporosis. Although much is known about the physiological processes involved, the treatment of osteoporosis remains a constant evolution. The standard practice of replacing lost female hormones has come into question because this may increase the risk for certain women to get breast cancer. Newer drugs which affect bone growth without acting like a hormone have been the focus of recent research. There has been much controversy about the use of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) to reduce the effects of aging. Growth hormone was shown “to improve some measures of body composition, including increased muscle mass, reduced total body fat, improved skin elasticity & reduced rate of bone demineralization, but without positive effects on strength, functional capacity or metabolism” according to a well received report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, to date long term studies have not shown that these benefits were long lasting. In addition, many scientists question the validity of the effects of HGH because most of the patients taking the hormone were also undergoing exercise programs, which in it self could account for significant improvements. The taking of HGH is not without risks. Medical science is familiar with a disease state called Acromegaly, which results when a tumor in the pi-
tuitary gland at the base of the brain produces too much HGH. This can lead to cardiac abnormalities, skeletal deformations & the development of diabetes mellitus. Many scientists expressed concern that the favorable reports of HGH have been clouded by the development of a multi-million dollar medical industry providing this fountain of youth. For those who believe in the Darwinian theory of evolution its been often pointed out that from an evolutionary perspective there are not many reasons to select survival beyond that point at which we can help our children to survive. Certainly the time it takes to raise a child to independence for humans is much greater than that seen for much of the animal kingdom so logically we evolved to live longer “for the kids sake”. Life expectancy is at the greatest length it has ever been in history. At the same time, it does seem to take our children longer to grow up than in previous generations. So, the next time you hear that someone’s child is moving back into their parent’s house, think positively because they may be contributing to a longer lifespan for us all! (The author, Tony Barclay is a Harvard Medical School Graduate & a retired physician.)
Contempo Magazine page 27
Profiles in Medicine
Dr. Juan J. Gonzalez-Dickson Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
909 S. James Weslaco, Texas Contempo Magazine page 28
956-968-0802
special advertising section
I was born in a small Colombian town named Monteria. It is located close to the “Macondo”, a place where Gabriel Garcia Marques created 100 years of solitude. And believe me, that book was no fantasy. Instead it revealed common-place occurrence & situation, en that which occurred in small towns like Monteria. Many of his observations of the people there inspired him to write with a depth of feeling & passion for life. The house where I was born was small but nevertheless, was filled with love, encouragement & the desire for progress. My father was the currier for a petroleum company, now known as Exxon. It was located on a remote beach, in a tiny hamlet called Covenas. He was always on foot or bicycle, my father, leaving every morning at 6:30 sharp. We struggled, but after some time my father became an “entrepreneur” selling exotic spices from the Middle East. I truly enjoyed working with him & remember his exploits since I was 5 years old. Some years later I became interested in medicine while helping my Uncle’s medical practice. His practice grew & he moved to the U. S. Seeing how my uncle realized his dreams probably inspired me most to pursue a medical career. From that moment on my sole purpose was to finish my medical career. We had little money so I enrolled in a public university, but the best one, Antioquia University, very far from my hometown. As always on my own, I worked, studied hard & even took an interest in Literature. I studied under alumni of “Gabriel Garcia Marques. At that time civil unrest & turmoil by students on campus practically paralyzed activities. I transferred to a more costly but more credentialed university in Bogota, The Opus Deu Javeriana University where I learned about self reliance. The violence & political turmoil continued. So I decided to continue my medical career in the U. S. & with the help of my uncle continued my medical studies in Michigan where I met my loving wife, Daisy. After some time in Puerto Rico pursuing both our careers, we found our special place in Weslaco. After a complicated & difficult pregnancy my wife gave birth to our only child, Emily. She is the light of my life. Daisy & I give thanks to God every day for the chance to share our lives together as a family. I am thankful also for the gift of a loving wife who has made me a better man. Daisy, not only at my side & a supportive mother, but a successful business women in the South Texas laboratory industry.
PRECISION ORTHOPEDICS JOSE M. MARINA, DO BOARD CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
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Contempo Magazine page 29
Look Fabulous
& Beat the Heat
A professional women’s guide to wardrobe By Doris Herrmann Contempo Magazine page 30
without appearing to have been sitting in a sauna all day. The right materials, styles, accessories & make-up will fit into any lifestyle, and can go a long way in making those hot days more bearable, keeping the professional woman looking fabulous.
Fabrics
While things heat up in the Valley during our springs & summers, living & working in the Rio Grande Valley presents a specific fashion need for the professional woman. The heat & humidity make it impossible to choose some of the newest fashions seen in other areas of the country, and the influence of the more casual style of clothing worn by professionals in Mexico & other Latin American countries has also filtered over into the business fashion of a contemporary professional in the Valley. While our climate limits us as to what we can wear, there is no need for any woman in the Valley to look less than her best once. Following a few simple guidelines will help the modern day woman have that “Contempo”
First & foremost, many of the clothing choices made by a professional woman should focus on materials. While a wool blazer looks beautiful, and the shimmer of silk seems alluring, when its 105 Fahrenheit with 99% humidity it won’t take long to look like you’ve been through a car wash without the car. Making the right choices for the foundations of your clothing can really help you stay more cool & comfortable throughout the day. Cotton-breathable foundations, blouses & skirts are a must. The durability of these fabrics & the ability to wash them so easily makes cotton an excellent choice of fabric for professionals in the Valley. There are various types of cotton to consider, & each offers a different appearance depending on what you are looking for. Percale is the lightest weight cotton & is an excellent choice when trying to maintain a pressed look for the day., muslin is also a an excellent choice as it is loosely Contempo Magazine page 31
woven, but it doesn’t always keep that polished & professional look. Oxford is another good choice that maintains a firm look. Its crispness lends itself well to business luncheons, but normally needs to be ironed to maintain a starched appearance. Linen, my second choice fabric to help beat the heat & humidity is a cool fabric that wears well in an office setting. While cotton is my first choice, I find that linen really fits well if I need a nice pair of slacks. Its cool & comfortable, but it does need to be drycleaned, & while I love my dry-cleaner dearly, I really like the ease of just tossing it in the washer & pulling it out. With the influence of Contempo Magazine page 32
Styles the more casual look of our Latin American neighbors, the professional wardrobe in the Valley has that casual feel. Shorter skirts, going without panty hose, & open toed shoes are all acceptable when the temperature is pushing over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. While blue jeans might be acceptable on Fridays, the denim skirt is acceptable any time of year in the Valley. Layering is a must in the heat. Layering clothing such as blouses & jackets will help you beat the heat, but look professional. A cool tank will help you make it to the office building, & just the simple addition of a blazer or a more fashionable top I find that the proper accessory can do wonders
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once you’ve entered the cooler building will help you maintain your cool & look fashionable as well. Layering also gives you a more versatile look as you interchange layers to create more outfits.
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Clothing Accessories for a basic outfit. A simple short skirt with a cotton tank can really be dressed up with the proper scarf or jacket. This will also help when help when walking from the outside in the heat & humidity to inside a cool office building. Jewelry-The large style of the more contemporary jewelry today doesn’t sit well in the humidity of the Valley. Large clunky earrings & bobbles just become sticky half way through a business day. A simple gold or silver chain with a small charm looks nice & neat & adds that touch of feminism. Earrings that are studs or simple hoops also fit well with the heat we have to endure in our daily lives. If the professional woman feels that larger jewelry is a must, then it can be carried in a purse & put on after entering a building. Scarves are a must for any professional women. A well worn scarf can perk up any outfit. If you are looking at softening your facial features with a little silk, or if you want to cover a plunging neckline in the office of a more conservative client, a simple silk scarf can be your answer. Most scarfs come in a variety of colors so one or two good ones will match just about anything. While the scarf should not be worn outdoors, it is nice to have it tied to your purse for a splash of color. Then just tie it around your neck as you enter the office. This way you have the cool soft & fresh look of silk draped around your neck when you need it, without it wilting during the day from wear & tear. Contempo Magazine page 33
Clothing Accessories The humidity of the Valley is a curse to make-up. We all have experienced those days when our faces look bare & dirty by the end of the day. While professional women must wear make-up it’s essential that it be formulated for high humidity & that it be lightly applied. Heavily applied foundations will slide off your face & onto your clothing, so look for make-up that is specially formulated for high heat & humidity. It’s also better to try out the make-up first. Make an appointment for a professional make-up application, & then wear the make-up all day before deciding to purchase it. Make-up that works for your friend doesn’t always work for your skin type. Keep that in mind when you are looking for the right brand. Finishing powder is an essential element to any woman’s face. To help avoid that wilted look towards the end of the day, remember to reapply a little finishing powder to help your face look bright & to remove the wet look of oiliness. Don’t let the heat & humidity of our warm springs & summer keep you from looking your best. A few simple techniques that fit into any lifestyle will help the professional woman look attractive & professional while “Mother Nature” turns up the heat in the Valley. Visit contempomag.com & give us your take on ideal women’s office fashions for warm weather.
By Doris Herrmann
Contempo Magazine page 34
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Contempo Magazine page 35
The Short Game
Skills to Lower Your Handicap By Andrew Schelbert PGA Golf Professional The Club at Cimarron
number 11 one hundred seveny-nine yrd. par 3 from the backs, bunkers front right & mid left of the green.
Whenever I meet people, and they find out that I’m a P.G.A. Professional, they ask what I can do to help them lower their handicap. My answer is always the same, “work on your short game.” The short game is comprised of shots that take place on or near the green. Putting, chipping, pitching, and bunker play are all aspects of the short game. The handicap of the average golfer has not decreased since the 1950’s. I believe most of this can be attributed to people practicing the wrong things in their golf game. Every time you go to practice your golf game there are people on the range hitting balls, working on their full swing, & very few people practicing their putting, chipping, or pitching. I tell students who take lessons from me to spend as much time practicing their short game as they do their full swing. If you can become a better putter you will lower your scores. Putting is 43% of the game of golf. The best putter on the PGA Tour for 2007 was Tim Clark. Tim Clark averaged 1.727 putts per hole or 31.086 putts per round in 2007. He was also #1 in sand saves, getting it up & down 68.10% of the time. Tim was 4th in scrambling, getting the ball up & down from 100 yards & in 63.60% of the time. At the end of 2007 Tim Clark finished the PGA Tour 28th in money and a World Golf Ranking of 27. Tim Clark was 176 out of 196 in Greens in Regulation. This shows the importance of the short game at the highest level. Contempo Magazine page 36
The chalk line helps the player to set up square to the target line & helps the players putting stroke stay on line.
The Mechanics of Putting • Posture is generally the same as in a full swing: Back straight, bending at the hips, your knees may flex a little more than in the full swing if you like. • Stance can vary from shoulder width to feet almost being together. There is a lot of flexibility here. • A neutral grip is preferred. But a grip is very individual in putting. There isn’t one particular grip that’s best. • Your arms & shoulders form a triangle. Whether your arms are straight or bent doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you maintain the way you’re holding your arms throughout the stroke. So if they’re straight, keep them straight: if they’re bent, keep them bent. Don’t change the angle of your arms during the putt. • Ball position: There isn’t one prescribed ball position, but most of the better players have a ball position that is toward the instep of the left foot. • Eyes directly over the ball.
During the Stroke • Putting is a pendulum motion. Only the shoulders & the arms move. The hips & legs stay still. • Your rists don’t cock or hinge. Remember they are only clamps holding the club! • There isn’t any weight shift in putting. • Eyes are looking at the ball, not tracking the putter. If your eyes are on the ball you will see an after image of the ball after you hit it. If you’re tracking the putter, you won’t. • Learn to have real confidence in your putter by practicing, even in your living room. It’s fun & rewarding.
Contempo Magazine page 37
Chipping Chipping is very similar to putting in that there is no body motion, it’s simply shoulders & arms. There’s no pivot. If you can learn the proper technique in chipping, you’re guaranteed to take strokes off your score. Technique-your feet & hips will have a slightly open stance. This will allow your hands & arms to move through impact without hinging your wrist. Your feet will be close together. The ball position will be back towards your right foot. Choking down on the golf club with your hands over your left thigh. This insures that you hit the ball first on the down swing. Don’t break your wrists, or flip your hands, it is simply a pendulum type stroke with getting the ball on the ground & rolling toward the hole as soon as possible. Don’t confuse a chip with a pitch. They are very different techniques. A chip is more like a putt in that there is no pivot. A pitch is more like a regular shot because there is a pivot. Contempo Magazine page 38
“The Punisher” The Punisher is a wedge that has been extended to keep your hands from flipping at chip shots. You should be able to use the proper technique with the punisher, and the extension of the club shaft should never hit your side. If the club shaft hits your side, you are flipping your hands at the chip shot.
Discover
the club at
Cimarron
581-7401 SW of Shary Road & Expressway 83, Mission TX
The Contempo Guide to good fun, food & entertainment.
Contempo Girls enjoying the casual atmosphere at one of their favorite hang outs for Salsa, Merengue & Tejano Music, The Shrimp House Bar. Dance Floor/Video Bar Great Latin dance music & karaoke Wed, Fri, Sat. night. Contempo Magazine page 40
SHRIMP HOUSE
3805 Plantation Blvd. Suite G, Mission 584-9242
$6.99 to $8.99 including:
Fish Veracruz Shrimp Enchiladas Fajita Ranchera Shrimp Chipotle Shrimp Cilantro Seafd Chile Relleno Chichen Sombrero Fish Albanil & more. Sundays-Paella Valenciana
Kareoke Salsa, Merenge & other Latin Dance Wed, Friday, Saturday Video Bar
Expressway 83 Cimarron Shary Road
Daily Lunch Specials Come join us for
Shrimp House Plantation Grove
Military Hwy
see our menu @ contempomag.com
In Search of
Celebrations!
Let us know of birthday plans, aniversaries or other significant events by contacting us at:
contempomag.com
The Zeta Sigma Chapter of ALFA SIGMA ALFA members & friends always try to celebrate a birthday even if they are coming from San Antonio where the chapter is located at The University of the Incarnate Word. The birthday girl is the one in all the pictures.
Contempo Magazine page 42
P.F.CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO
experience the art of sofisticated cuisine from southeast asia
3100 W. Exprwy 83 Palm Crossing at Ware Rd. 664-1516 www.pfchangs.com
KATO SUSHI
2306 E. Expwy 83 2706 Cornerstone
Mission 583-9688
Edinburg 688-5746
see our menu @ contempomag.com
see our menu @ contempomag.com 584-3355 201 S. Shary Rd. Mission
Exquisite seafood originals prepared precisely the way you like it.
shrimp, oysters crab, fish steaks including fajita & rib eye huachinango veracruzana molcajete, full boat bar.
630-4322
Jackson road & Jackson St. McAllen
618-2244
4009 N. 23rd. St. McAllen
ONYX Contemporar y Cuisine Contemporar y Atmosphere
featuring:
Grilled Chilean Sea Bass Rack of Lamb New York Strip Honey Glaze Duck Signature rolls Panko Crusted Crab King Crab Stuffed Flounder Sushi Sashimi rolls Seafood Risotto Grilled Sweet Red Chile Salmon Garlic Shrimp Bruschetta Macadamia Crusted Halibut U-12 Shrimp Trip
Preferred Wine Selections
Specialty Drinks @ the ONYX Bar.
688-6600 at Harvey & N. 10th. St.
2901 N. 10th Street
McAllen TX
CASA DEL TACO
El Meson Restaurant Fine Mexican Cuisine from the Heart of Old Mexico Beer & Wine Botanas Seafood Original Salsa Adobo Recipes, fajitas, steaks, caldos Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
southwest corner of
McColl Rd. & Ridgeview
call for take-out
664-0094
see our menu @
contempomag.com
Try our Carne Asada with fajita steak, grilled onions, red & yellow peppers, squash, jalape単o, rice & beans.
medical area office suites with lots of parking near the hospitals south McAllen 2010 S. Cynthia 3360-10,000 sf
Call 467-7880 for more info
call Daisy 497-5605 for leasing information 909 S. James, south of Knapp Hospital Weslaco
finished out office spaces available contact:
Charles Marina or Tony Marina
682-3000
1000 E. Bus. 83 Pharr property is on Bus. 83 between I Rd. & Hwy 281 Pharr
contact:
Charles Marina or Tony Marina
682-3000
Contempo Magazine page 48
up to 10,000 sq.ft. available retail, office restaurant
maple woodwork
lighted tennis court private library
large game rm.
Resort Home on the lake at Cimarron master with pool view
huge garden patio on the lake with panoramic view elegant granite fireplace in living room
boat dock on the lake
high ceilings
open concept kitchen with view
exercise room
great rm.
call Robbie Hohenstein at 648-3216 or 688-5600
master hot tub
McAllen Convention Center District Centerpoint for an accessable South McAllen
The new McAllen Convention Center certainly seems all worth the effort as it joins other new & established commercial centers of activity in & around South McAllen eastward to Sharyland. It is right in the middle of a developing east/west corridor along Expressway 83, the commute route for thousands. From the east end where Las Tiendas moves westward to 10th, then Simon La Plaza, followed by the commercial zone about the Convention Center, up west through Sharyland where Target, HEB, Home Depot & a host of banks are anchored with a commanding presence, there has developed an expressway corridor bound by south McAllen & east Mission or Sharyland. The predictable extension has begun to encompass Bryan Road as well, as hotels, medical facilities & commercial enterprises make their presence westward into south Mission. The explosive growth has been a real treat for residents of South McAllen & Sharyland. Great food & specialty shops are now only minutes away. A trip to Barnes & Noble, The Blue Shell & certainly P. F. Changs Contempo Magazine page 50
were a real effort in the good old days! I recently timed a trip from the Expressway along 10th. Street north to Pecan. The experience on or about 5:00 PM took 9 minutes. An eternity if you consider that no account was made for reaching 10th, branching from 10th., or traveling northward further to La Vista, Fern or Nolana etc. I for one, never relished the long drive to B & N & back to South Sharyland. But then I have a love for books. The new Barnes & Noble at the Convention Center is a treat to all book lovers on the south side. Many thanks Barnes & Noble, good choice. B J’s Restaurant Brew House is another welcome venue with fantastic pizza & a row of both tame & exotic beers from their special brewery. Their menu is offers a feast of variety. From any view one can appreciate the ultra-high tech plasmas tightly clustered to form a giant screen over the main bar. & now we have our own P. F. Changs, by any ones standards, the very best in Oriental Cuisine in these parts. They blend a 3 element hot sauce to your liking at the table that literally goes wonderfully with everything on their truly unique menu from the far east. Their stone ground Mojito made the original way is one of my favorites. Another top notch restaurant a bit further west along the corridor is a favorite for sea food. The latest addition to the Blue Shell Restaurants, now at the Target/ HEB center on Shary Road, joins a well established family. First, the Blue Shell atmosphere is perfect ‘seaside”. Fresh! Fresh! seafood, perfectly cooked is always the rule at the Blue Shell. & you know it right
when you take your first bite of fried shrimp, whole or fillet fish. Never under cooked. Their Veracruzana is as close as it gets, seriously. They have not one or two but 4 seafood cocktail variations & can always adjust to your taste buds. Just north of these establishments & to the east of the convention center several clothing stores & merchandisers have arrived. Both locally & nationally recognized retailers along with specialty shops will soon fill in remaining lots. International Bank of Commerce has started construction on a new branch at the strategic south east corner of the Convention Center, directly across from the property reserved for a five-star convention hotel. I am sure that their drive through banking services will be extremely popular since both on & off expressway ramps will be accessible for the growing number of commuters between McAllen & Mission. Many new up scale residential subdivisions have developed in south McAllen & in the Sharyland area that offer the clear advantage of proximity. Closer to the airport, major shopping centers, medical centers, dining & entertainment activities, the south side will continue to offer the advantage of the Expressway Corridor well into the future. The good news for all of us on the south side is that it now only takes us a couple of minutes to get around. Now that’s progress!
By Ralph Magaña Contempo Magazine page 51
IBC
BANK We do more
opening soon IBC Palm Crossing Branch
Now do your banking, shopping & dinning in style.
2900 W. Expwy 83 Ware Rd. Exit McAllen 686-0263
MEMBER FDIC / INTERNATIONAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
Contempo Magazine page 53
The Contempo
Restaurant Review McAllen & Sharyland
THE BLUE SHELL-great seaside atmosphere with a boat bow over the
stylish bar. With four busy local restaurants its no wonder we serve the freshest seafood in the area. The Huachinago Veracruzana is truly original & the Whole Flounder served your way hard to beat. We always prepare dishes to your taste, so don’t be afraid to ask. Mission 584-3355 McAllen 630-4322/618-2244.
EL Meson-No typical Mexican food at El Meson. Instead
you will find nothing but original recipes & special new items that Edmundo brings from the Mexican interior. Here the salsa picante is not store bought. Besides great fajitas prepared the traditional way I also recommend the Pollo en Salsa Adobo. A one of a kind Mexican Restaurant close to home.
P. F. Changs-With fascinating dishes from the far east they will delight your
appetite like no other. Savor a special sauce prepared at your table that goes great with spring rolls or any of their tasty starters. Even the Cashew/Almond Chicken, a common oriental standard is prepared like no other. The full wet bar makes Mojitos the old fashion way. Take Out available.
La Casa Del Taco-a long time favorite with 2 locations in the S. McAl-
len/Mission area. Sergio was possibly the first to bring the now famous Caldo Tlalapeno to the Valley along with other exquisite soups from Mexico. BBQ chicken, sausage & beef cooked just right in an open pit are local favorites. Sergio has won “Best in Valley” awards for his botanas.
The Shrimp House-Seafood with a unique mexican twist including molcajete dishes of shrimp & beef fajita. Huachinango Veracruzana is another of our specialties. Come Wednesday, Friday & Saturday to enjoy our Video Bar & Dance floor for Salsa & other Latin Music & kareoke. Full bar with mixed coctails, beer & wine. Large dance floor & great sound. Informal attire is OK here at The Shrimp House Video Bar. 3805 Plantation Blvd. Suite G, Mission, TX 584-9242.
KATO SUSHI-This sashimi dish with salmon, red tuna
Contempo Magazine page 54
& octopus is simply fabulous. unlimited variations of sushi, rolls & tempanyaki are served lunch/dinner/beer & wine. Shary Rd./Exp 83 Trenton/McColl 585-9688 688-5746
Contempo Magazine page 55
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BARBARA HALL 6316 N. 10th. Street Bld. F, Suite 601, McAllen, TX 78504 (956) 992-0713 bhall2@farmersagent.com