Contempo Magazine October 2008 by Ignacio Magana

Contempo

October 2008

The Lifestyle Variety Magazine for the Upper Valley

WILD DATEPALMS with JORGE OLIVER INTEGRATING VINTAGE ARTS & CRAFTS with Contemporary HOME DESIGN BALANCING CAREER & FAMILY STYLE GUIDE for PROFESSIONAL MEN’S SUITS CHOOSING DIGITAL PICTURE FRAMES

NAVIGATING THROUGH ECONOMIC DOWN TURNS The Art of Traditional Mexican Baking Maximize LapTop Battery Power STATE OF THE ART IPHONES

SOUTH PADRE MUSIC FESTIVAL VENUE FIND FALL FUN AT THE VALLEY’S HUBPAGE CONTEMPOMAG.COM

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Contempo

October 2008

The Lifestyle Variety Magazine for the Upper Valley

ContempoMag.com The Valley’s #1 On-Line Magazine

NOW AVGN+ 15k hits per day

South Padre Island Music Festival

34 Publishers Note: It was great to see Padre Island get back in shape in time for the SPI Music Festival. This year the Organizers for the Music Fest decided to break up the venue by spreading events all over the Island rather than just at the Convention Center to better handle the large expected crowds. This year the Music Festival will start on October 31st & it’s not too late to get tickets. Some say this may be Willie Nelsons last public appearance so you don’t want to miss out. Among other regional & local entertainers, you will also see Blue Oyster Cult & Foghat perform. It looks like the weather will be perfect for both indoor & outdoor events. Organizers have decided to extend special area ticket pricing beyond S. Padre & Port Isabel to Valley area residents for the first time. The Island really recovered quickly from Hurricane Dolly. The beaches are clear of debris and Hotels are up & running so get on the stick and make plans to attend. On our cover for October we present Claudia Reyes, pictured at Cimarron, of La Casa de Pan Bakery of McAllen. Claudia brought with her the culture of traditional baking skills from Central Mexico that were adopted from French chefs that proliferated during the Colonial Era. From baquettes came bolillo & from pastries came pan dulce using local herbs & spices like chocolate and cinnamon. Her Pan del Muerto is from a truly authentic Mexican recipe that she prepares each year for October festivities. You can find her little bakery just south of Pecan on N. 10th. ContempoMag.com continues to track page hits upwards in an exponential fashion. Whereas last month it achieved over 22,000 page hits, In September it scored over 47,000 hits. We thank all ContempoMag.com visitors and promise to keep it interesting and entertaining with new blogs, stories, news feeds and videos. Ralph Magaña/Editor 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. All content published and constructed by Contempo Magazine is the property of Contempo Magazine Inc. Permission for reprint shall be granted only upon written request and authorized release from Contempo Magazine Inc.

President/Ralph Magaña Staff Columnist/Michael Bilyeu Staff Writer Medical & Technology/Tony Barclay Staff Writer Gardening/Jorge Oliver Home Improvement/Teresa Morales Staff Fashion Writer/Vanessa Valiente Staff Writer Personal Finance/Melissa Magaña Guest Writer/Terry H. Hill Ad Sales/Ralph Magaña Distribution Manager/Rosa Lopez Assc. Editor/Webpage Editor-Tony Magaña Photography/Ralph Magaña 956-467-7880 e-mail: wmagana@rgv.rr.com web site: www.contempomag.com Suite B, PMB#170, 2403 N. 10th. St. McAllen, Tx 78501

Printed in Mexico

HOME IMPROVEMENT INTEGRATING VINTAGE ARTS & CRAFTS with Contemporary By Teresa Morales

BALANCING CAREER & FAMILY by Megan Hazel

MODERN IN STYLE GUIDE for PROFESSIONAL MEN’S SUITS by Vanessa Valiente

COMPUTER CORNER Digital Picture Frames, Maintain Lap Top Battery Charge & What’s New in I-Phones

NAVIGATING THROUGH AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN Goals, Objectives & Plan of Action by Terry H. Hill

THE WILD DATE PALM, A Cold Hardy Palm by Jorge Oliver SOUTH PADRE ISLAND All Set for a MUSIC FEST by Ralph Magaña FINANCIAL PLANNING A DIVORCE SETTLEMENT by Melissa Magaña THE ART OF TRADITIONAL MEXICAN BAKING

30 34 41 46

SNAP SHOTS of Valley Wild Life

THE EAGER NOSTALGIC Would You Like Doing What You Did Then, Now? Our Tribute to Music Legends.

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Integrating Vintage Arts & Craft with Contemporary Design A Challenge with a Treat

By Teresa Morales - AIA Photography By Will Rios & Teresa Morales

City Architect, City of McAllen, Member AIA, Graduate, Magna Cum Laude, University of Texas at Austin.

Client -- A real estate Attorney, a high school journalism Teacher, a teenage Daughter, a pre-teen Son, and several pets share a home and yard but have different needs … a large garage to double as a work area with plenty of wall space to hang up a collection of old enamel signs … a functional kitchen … a hub for backpacks, sports accessories, and necessities … a computer and mail center … a music room … an inviting functional backyard with lap pool, cabana, patio areas and courtyard … a modern functional environment in an Arts and Craft Style ranch house. Byron Lewis said “The first time my wife caught a glimpse of the 1939 ranch style house she was certain that it was the place to call home.” The Lewis family moved into the home in 1987 and “over the next 15 years, we got to know the place, painted, and worked around its quirks. The 1950s addition and carport had to go. The 1970s sunroom and early 1980s master bath suite were comfortable, but awkwardly stuck on to the original house.” Project – “Somewhere around 2001, I asked my architect friend to help me come up with a cohesive plan to renovate our home to make it our “dream home”. My expectation was to identify and integrate the arts and crafts inspired details from one end of the house to the other. The original wood floors, hand hewn beams, painted brick, exposed rafter tails, glass door knobs, tile and paneled doors would be our inspiration. At the same time, we had to end up developing a modern house with completely updated mechanical, electrical and plumbing.” The 1939 house originally designed in an Arts & Craft style had multiple additions varying in design and character. Our Client’s general goal was to expand and remodel major portions of the house making it more efficient and useful while replacing or modifying previous additions that were inconsistent with a coherent design. A study of the existing details and components along with a study of the existing spaces and functions led to the initial shopping list (needs and wants) and ultimately identified the design features to be enhanced through the remodeling process. The majority of the existing 3,040 square foot house was in a single story but there

were two small and separate second floor areas. The stairway near the front door led to a single bedroom with a full bath while the narrow rear, winding stairway accessed a smaller single bedroom over the garage. The height of the garage did not accommodate the family vehicle. The irregular floor plan was transformed to a 3,957 square foot house with auxiliary cabana, patios, four-car garage, lap pool and various entertaining areas. The house serves as a backdrop to a collection of period furniture and accessories, a collection of enamel signs and a display of music memorabilia while providing individualized spaces for each member of the family. Lewis recalls “Although I had worked on business and community projects with design professionals, working with my friend Teresa Morales-Best was my first personal experience with an architect. After patiently listening to me, looking at my clippings, magazines and books, we met and looked at several hand drawn sketches to get us started. I was trilled to see my ideas take life on paper. We quickly narrowed down the big picture and started the difficult task of getting the details in line to coordinate with some sort of budget. Moving through the design and development process was very exciting. The benefit of using an experienced design professional became abundantly clear after every meeting. We eliminated the awkward steps and door swings, trapped space, and inappropriate remodeling. All the while, she took notes of what my expectations were in terms of finishes, fixtures, colors, and hardware.” After a year of fine-tuning the project, the search was on for the contractor to execute this unique and complicated project during a red-hot construction market with not only the ability to perform a ‘non-traditional’ construction style but to adapt traditional subcontractors to the craftsmanship needed. Lewis concluded “in the end, we achieved substantially what we were looking for through stubbornness, hands on detail, and tenacity.” Significant interior features and creative solutions used to address project challenges:

•Fluted textured art glass screens private garden •Bay window expands space for breakfast area •Vertically elongated wall cabinets in kitchen with glass front, adds storage •Wrap around stairway enlarges landing transitional area which doubles as a study •Wood borders on flooring with diagonal hard tile inlays •Double ceiling trim accents and unites transitional spaces •Hub cubicles for quick access to necessities located adjacent to rear door •Arched trim insert in picket railing simulates window and garage door design •Staggered garages isolated from street view •Private garden access between master bath and lap pool •Arched trellis supporting wooden swing General Integrated Retrofit – Take the 1939 irregular floor plan, redesign the multiple additions, add a modern functional (efficient and useful) environment in an Arts and Craft Style ranch house. All major functional areas were affected by the improvements while the existing design features were enhanced through the remodeling process: The ENTRY – Replacement of entry doors, side lights, hardware and light fixtures; The KITCHEN – Redesigned kitchen layout with new bay window breakfast area;

The UTILITY AREAS – Added a family “hub” adjacent to the rear door, a computer/ mail center, a new laundry area, and a new half bath; The FAMILY ROOM – Updated with an indoor-outdoor visual connection, audiovisual accessories, and a reading corner; The MASTER BATH -- Transformation of the master bath with a free standing vintage style tub adjacent to a private garden area, a pedestal sink, a built-in vanity, dressing bench, steam shower, and two walk-in closets; The GARAGE -- Two new garage areas, a four-car garage and work area and an oversize single garage with storage and work area; both staggered and out of sight from street view; The Second Floor BEDROOM/STUDY SUITE – A second story suite above the new garage with a shared study overlooking the backyard, two bedrooms with large walk-in closets and full bath; The CABANA – A cabana with kitchenette, shower, changing area and bathroom; SITE AMENITIES – A linear lap pool accented with semi-circular areas for socializing with fiber-optic perimeter lighting and telescopic fountains, accented at both ends with twin swings suspended from arched trellis structure, various paths in stepping stones

custom design for every job commercial or residential made of maple, ash & other hardwoods for paint or stain we use premium hinges & hardware call Joe @ (956) 459-6441 / lonestarcustomshutters@yahoo.com leading to wood and glass enclosures around a private garden or a nursery work bench, white picket fences for a dog run, mechanical yard enclosures and fenced areas. The ENTRY Improvements to the Entry include a new door unit with fluted art glass and sidelights, stressed hand hammered push plates with glass knobs for door hardware coordinating with both the new door design and the original glass door knobs as well as new entry light fixtures The KITCHEN While the limited overall space of the Kitchen would not be expanded, it immediately became a challenge to create an efficient use of the space. The space is not only small but it is wedged into a corner bisected by the traffic pattern of a) the main daily access from the garage to the living room and b) accessing in one direction the dining room and in the opposite direction the breakfast area. The kitchen did not allow for an Lshape nor a U-shape, instead we had to deal with one not so long counter and an even shorter island. The solution included adding a bay window overhanging an existing patio to scoot the breakfast table a couple of feet allowing clearance between it and the island – this being the main access between the garage and the house! The range/oven was then relocated to the island across the sink. While the side-by-side refrigerator was tucked at a right angle to the end of the longer counter, it is placed adjacent to the high trafficked hall, perfect! UTILITY AREAS The various utilitarian spaces between the Garage and the Kitchen were redesigned for a functional and efficient use of spaces including a “hub” consisting of cubbies and baskets for storing backpacks, sports accessories and other necessities in close proximity to the rear door for quick access; a computer/mail center niche with natural daylight via a narrow strip window; a new laundry area with built-in ironing board; linen closet; pantry and a half bath. The FAMILY ROOM While improvements were made to accent the merging of interior and exterior sitting areas with adjacent patios, the large floor to ceiling windows were shaded by a wooden trellis structure composed of heavy natural-stained cedar planks, off-white painted heavy timber frame contrasting with the off-white smooth horizontal siding and dark rough looking vertical siding of the second floor. Modernization including audio-video equipment is balanced by the sensitive combination of furnishings, accessories and a collection of antique lamps. The space provides for both a central sitting area for a larger group as well as private reading corner. The MASTER BATH The existing bathroom addition was a typical late 1970’s cedar lined walls with built-in corner tub, glazed ceramic tile, shag carpet and cathedral ceiling with cedar beams … it spoke of a different era. The transformation included not only replacing all plumbing fixtures and finishes but re-arranging the bathroom layout and creating an adjacent private garden viewed through the fluted frosted art glass. While the new Master Bath

contains elements that in themselves would be contradictory, its overall layout and pallet of materials and colors unify the space allowing the use of “vintage” fixtures with modern amenities such as the steam shower. The trellis covered private garden area is tucked into a space between the bath and an adjacent cabana and provides for easy access to the new lap pool during daily grooming activities. The private garden enclosure consists of a glass door unit with sidelights with fluted art glass. The GARAGES The existing two-car garage was too small and the height was inadequate for the family vehicle. After significant study of alternatives, the existing garage and second floor bedrooms were demolished and replaced with two garage areas. One large garage to accommodate four vehicles and workbench with storage and walls to display the Owner’s collection of enamel signs. The second garage for a single large utility vehicle contains workbench storage and a walk-in storage for seasonal items. The new construction allowed for he two garages to be staggered whereby visually concealing from street view. The garage doors were also designed to match the Arts and Craft era. The Second Floor BEDROOM/STUDY SUITE Above the new garage, a Suite consisting of two Bedrooms each with a large walk-in closets, a full bath and a common area that was transformed into a Study bordered by the wrapping stairway that replaced the original narrow winding stairway. The bowstring arch design found in the windows overlooking the back yard patio and pool area is reflected in the picketed railing of the stairway. The CABANA Refuge for one or more can be found in the quaint cabana with wood beamed ceiling, bamboo fan, white wicker chairs … amenities include a kitchenette, wine cooler, changing area, bathroom, shower, and the view of the lap pool, the swing suspended on the trellis and the full grown landscaping which provide the backdrop to this drama. SITE AMENITIES At every turn, a new view draws you to a nearby detail (perhaps a piece of art, flowering shrub or the detailed on the light fixture) another turn and a view in the distance catches your eye & your interest (color, texture, flowing or still). At times the water in the pool is still enough to provide a perfect reflection but then the fountain spouts rise and the sound of water splashing, light bouncing, soft blowing wind and chirping arouse more than one sense. Contrasts of smooth concrete, textured stone walks, light smooth wood siding, rough natural cedar beams, brass in the pierced light fixtures, rough hammered texture in the door hardware, heavy cubic forms in the outdoor seating against the manicured green lawn or the wild growing palms and flowered bougainvilleas … a variety of auxiliary spaces provide the opportunities for entertaining many in a backyard that is both functional with the lap pool, cabana and patio areas and inspiring. The MATERIALS Horizontal smooth wood siding was redone, functional wood shutters replaced, flashing and crickets added at the masonry chimney, white washed brick, large roof overhangs with heavy rafters, wood shakes … a large lone star is a backdrop for the suspended

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swing … a small lone star is pierced on the metal trim of a light fixture … saintly stone statue stands slender and tall as though meditating as it is suspended on a red tiled sea … inside – glossy rich dark woods reflect the natural light contrasted by the umber light through the glowing bass lamp shade … rich warm colored woven fabric provide a floating island for the furnishings to rest on the cool blue green molted hard tile … the materials provide contrast and yet they complement. Lewis discusses his preferences and essential elements to finish up the Arts and Craft style ranch house, “Our expectations for detail, including period correct fixtures and furnishings were high. We learned about Rejuvenation Lighting, Craftsman Hardware, Pozzi Windows, and other unique sources. In the end, the hand hammered door hardware with glass knobs blends perfectly with the original items. The bath and kitchen fixtures are modem interpretations of the proper arts and crafts period style. The lap pool and landscaping are a modem reflection of the arts and crafts influence. As a bonus, I have a 4-car garage that is hidden from view at the curb. The overall elevation achieves the perfect understated ranch arts and crafts aesthetic with unique and elegant surprises inside. After substantial completion, we had the challenge of furnishing new space and transforming the decor to reflect an eclectic arts and crafts influence while keeping or blending in the long time favorites acquired over the years. At a professional development seminar in Austin, I picked up the hotel magazine and had the good fortune to discover the shop, Austin Craftsman. Upon further inquiry and appointment, I met David Foglia, who is an expert on the arts and crafts period as well as an artist and real estate developer. He was not happy with the response to arts and crafts in Austin, and we were able to acquire some significant authentic pieces of furniture to form the framework that we needed while assisting him in liquidating his shop. With authentic Gustav Stickley, Stickley Brothers, Charles Stickley, Limbert, Shop of the Crafters, and period lamps from Goodwin and Kintz, Bradley and Hubbard, and Handel, the transformation was on. We filled in the functional areas with new, period designs from Strictly Wood Furniture, Warren Hyle, and others. The end result is a very comfortable and unusual home for South Texas. Old homes are not as appreciated here, and certainly not available in the market. The overall experience and attention to detail has been a great learning experience.” A very special thanks to my friends Byron Jay Lewis and Keely Lewis for entrusting me with their architectural projects and especially with the unique opportunity and creative challenge of being involved with the transformation of this 1939 house to their ‘dream home’. I admire their dedicated involvement and love for good design and specific detailing in architecture.

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Wal-Mart Alamo

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IBC McAllen Area 7 Day Locations

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Balancing Career & Family By Megan Hazel

Whether you are male or female, a mom or a dad, balancing career and family can be really difficult. When you're a woman, though, the choices you have to make seem especially difficult and the responsibilities all the more great. For some reason, women are guilt-ridden with their career decisions and the choices they make about working while trying to raise their children, providing nutritious meals for their family, keeping a respectable house and keeping their husbands happy. Last on the list, of course, is finding some time for themselves. So how does a woman find time to actually feel happy with her daily activities while keeping up with all of the responsibility? First, take time to smell the roses! Literally, you can take time to smell the roses but you can actually do this with no flowers in sight. Every day, try to look around and appreciate what you have, taking in the sounds of your child's laughter, the wag of your dog's tail, the special glance of your husband as you tell a funny joke. Sometimes, the knowledge of what you have on your plate for the day will feel overwhelming, but a little perspective goes a long way. It may be a clichĂŠ and a very tired phrase, but it truly does work. People tend to get lost in the mundane, day-to-day "functioning" instead of really living their lives. For example, next time you are worried about fitting in your exercise with your child's play date at Little Gym, forego the Little Gym and head out with your son or daughter for a run. Strap the little one in the jog stroller or if he or she is old enough, ask them to put on the running shoes with Mommy and head outside! Once outside, you can literally stop to smell the roses. Just a few minutes of gratitude a day will work wonders for your soul and automatically make your life feel more balanced. Along these same lines, try and give yourself some "me" time once a week. Once a week may not seem like much, but if you really allow yourself to soak it in and enjoy the time spent, it will make the stress of all of the rest of the hectic days melt away. Take a good block of time on a Saturday or Sunday - 2 hours, maybe - and mark this time in your calendar in pen, not pencil. Keep a standing appointment with yourself, and honor it as you would any other. Think you are too busy on a weekend to

do this? You will feel much more productive the rest of the weekend allowing yourself this little â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;refresher', rather than trying to cram some time in on a random Tuesday or other weeknight. For this special time, you can book a massage or a facial at your favorite spa. Take a couple of hours to go window shopping at your favorites stores, by yourself or with a friend. Take in a matinee with a couple of girlfriends. If your husband is willing to fly solo on a Saturday night, you can even book a girls' night out once in a while and truly let loose! Even if your budget doesn't allow for these activities once a week, you can lock yourself in the bathroom with a good book, a bubble bath and a nice glass of wine and feel good about your time alone - you deserve some! Probably the most obvious way to balance career and family is to incorporate your family into what would otherwise be "work time". If you have a short commute to work, for example, perhaps you can drive your kids to school each morning instead of having them take the bus. In the alternative, you could have your morning cup of coffee at the bus stop with them and spend a few minutes chatting about their day and what they plan to learn in school as you sip your cup of Joe and breathe in the morning air to mentally prepare for your own day ahead. If you normally exercise in the morning and leave the house very early, switch your workout time to lunch and leave the office to go to the gym, eating at your desk when you get back. You will have more time with your family each day and get a healthy break from your pile of papers to boot. You may need to get a little creative with your schedule, but there are definitely ways to help balance career and family. Sometimes an extra few minutes each day or a once-weekly good block of time can go a long way in helping restore your peace of mind and help you feel less harried. Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about women's health and career topics

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A MODERN IN-STYLE GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEN’s SUITS

The suit has always been a sharp and essential item in a man’s work attire, but with so many updates in what constitutes appropriate and attractive fashion, every gentleman could use a refresher on the when, what and hows of a suit in the workplace. Modern day has broken down nearly every fashion rule and norm from the past. In the 1950’s men would wear a suit to work, church, and dates with the ladies. Even in the 80’s, my father would put on a suit every morning before going in to his office at IBM. Today, still at work in the technology industry, he presently sports a polo and some chinos. Work appropriate clothing became so relaxed, the term ‘business casual’ was coined and is now the most common form of dress in the work force. However, its popularity does not mean the suit is outdated, just infrequent in its appearance. A suit is most appropriate on CEOs of sizable companies, lawyers, bankers, city officials, and directors that deal with large groups of people or clients on a day-today basis. Most with the modern touch of no tie. The tie comes into play when a businessman needs to impress. This could be for a job interview, a meeting with a new client, a conservative work event, a lecture to a cluster of employees, when making a public appearance, or perhaps the quarterly update with investors. The goal of the suit and tie is seriousness. Particularly in this day and age when casual attire is widely accepted, the addition of the tie means business. The appropriate shirt to go with a suit, whether you have a tie or not, is still a

long sleeve, collared button front. That means no polo or t-shirt. Although it has become quite fashion forward to wear a t-shirt with a blazer and jeans on the weekends, wearing a t-shirt with a suit during the work week looks like you have walked off the set of Miami Vice, therefore inappropriate for job wear. When a man walks into a room his appearance will speak before he does. In business a chap’s exterior needs to say four keys things about him: confident, intelligent, efficient and trustworthy. An ill-fitting suit can ruin this all. A sloppy suit will distract every audience and slaughter a first impression. When picking out a jacket a single breasted, two-button look is the most modern. Three button also works, especially with taller men, but in general steer clear of the double-breasted. To check the fit of the suit’s chest, button the jacket fully and see if your fist fits inside. If it doesn’t the jacket is too small. If your fist has a lot of legroom, it is too big. As for the length of the jacket it should hit a bit below your crotch. The shoulders of the jacket should have light padding that ends when the natural shoulder begins to slope to the arm. Then the sleeves should end about an inch past the wrist and allow the shirt cuff to show about a half inch. The fit of the trousers can be some work. When buying a suit the ratio between the chest size of the jacket and the waist of the pant is normally six inches. For the many that don’t reside in the average size of clothes, you may need to see a talented tailor to get the fit you desire. When wearing your pants you should be able to fit two fingers in your waist. Pay

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attention to the seat (crotch) of the pants and the amount of the fabric around the thighs. You want a smooth fit. You don’t want a low crotch and spacey pants, nor do you want a noticeable tight fit. On the topic of pleats, none is most modern, but still popular in older or conservative crowds. The length of the pants in the back should rest a half-inch above the ground while wearing your dress shoes. This will create a smooth and single break in the front of your pants. Once again no cuff is modern, but most conservative or older folk will sport the cuff with no shame. The overall fit can be easily tested by seeing if you can you move your arms freely, bend over and sit down. You need to be able to go about your day with ease without swimming in the folds of that fine suit. When talking about the color of your suit you can always fall back on the basic black. For a little edge try looking for black on black stripe. You can also go a little more fashionable with some thin, dotted colored stripes on your black suit. Think red, blue or green pinstripes. Charcoal grey and light grey are other gorgeous choices for a suit. To add a modern touch, pick up a suit that has some texture to it. Keep in mind though, no matter the style, no matter the color, even though it is true that the “suit makes the man,” it is the man that makes the choice of suit and hires the tailor. Editors Note: Vanessa Valiente is a noted costume designer for cinema, television, and stage. Her credits include the series, “FashionHouse”. She has been a personal stylist for many Hollywood celebrities. She is currently a costumer for the CBS Series,”Ex-List “.Her fashion blog for men and women is www.v-style.typepad.com. Her website is http://www.vanessavaliente.com/home.html See her movie credits on the internet movie database at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2378827/

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The Computer Corner

PICKING DIGITAL PICTURE FRAMES KEEP YOUR LAP BATTERY FIT THE NEW HTC TOUCH HD BLACKSTONE E-MAIL MEMORY LIMITATIONS

with Michael Bilyeu Greetings All!

DIGITAL PICTURE FRAME CHOICES OK so you want to get a digital picture frame… The prices are pretty good right now, so go ahead and get one. The first thing to consider is the size of the display? Well, that would depend where you are going to display it. For a desk top display you should go with a 7 inch frame, in a large room an 11 inch would do just fine. The one I recommend is the Ativa 11 inch wooden frame. It comes with 2 color frames and it has a flash drive port. This is a great feature because you can load all your pictures from your computer, and you are limited in space only by the choice of flash drive you use. It also can play videos and music as well, while the slideshow keeps all you memories on display. MAINTAINING BATTERY LIFE Next, I get a lot of calls concerning laptop batteries not lasting the original amount of time. This is also true of many re-chargeable items, including cell phones, mp3 players, etc. The cause of this is called battery “memory”. The best way to maintain the battery life is to run the battery all the way down at least once a month. This will improve the batteries life and the run time as well. If you are using the laptop plugged in most of the time, remove the battery and insert only when leaving. STATE-OF-THE-ART CELL PHONES Now about that cell phone. Ok so you want a really cool phone but don’t want to deal with the iPhone. The current, out of this world cell phone is the HTC Touch HD Blackstone. It has a high definition 3.8 inch viewing screen, Tom Tom Go GPS, Bluetooth, MP3, Am Fm Player, Windows Mobile 6.1, Mobile Office, Internet, E-Mail, and it has an SD card slot so you can have any size storage you want. There are many more features including a 5.0 Megapixel camera that any Techno Wizard would be proud to show off… SECURITY UPDATE Also it is that time again, the new Norton Internet Security 2009 is available and you should be installing it on all computers. E-MAIL MEMORY LIMITATIONS QUICK-FIX Last item. Are you having problems with Outlook? The E-Mail program has issues with the amount of data you are saving. Outlook 2000, and Outlook 2002 have a limit of approximately 1.8 Gigs of storage. After that it starts to crash. Outlook 2003 has a limit of about 20 Gigs, and Outlook 2007 says it is unlimited. OK that’s fine except you are having problems now. Microsoft Outlook comes with a tool to try to fix data file problems. Do a search of your C drive for a file called “Scanpst”. When you find it, run the program and browse to your data file and let it try to repair the file. This could result in lost mail, but if it’s not working anyway you have nothing to lose. After completing the repair, trim down the amount of data you have according to what version of Outlook you have, or consider upgrading to a newer version. Ok, that is all for now, have fun and happy computing… Computer Doctor Michael Bilyeu Computer_doctor@myctsonline.com

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Navigating through an Economic Downturn By Terry H. Hill An economic downturn is a phase of the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline.This phase basically marks the end of the period of growth in the business cycle. Economic downturns are characterized by decreased levels of consumer purchases (especially of durable goods) and, subsequently, reduced levels of production by businesses. While economic downturns are admittedly difficult, and are formidable obstacles to small businesses that are trying to survive and grow, an economic downturn can open up opportunities. A well-managed company can realize the opportunity to gain market share by taking customers away from their competitors. Resourceful entrepreneurs capture the available opportunities, from an economic downturn, by developing alternate methods of doing business that were never implemented during a prior growth period. The challenge of successfully navigating your business through an economic downturn lies in the realignment of your business with current economic realities. Specifically, you, as the business owner, need to renew a focus on your core clients/customers, reduce your operating expenses, conserve cash, and manage more proactively, rather than reactively, is paramount. Here are best practices that will help you to successfully navigate your business through an economic downturn:

Goals:

The primary goal of any business owner is to survive the current economic downturn and to develop a leaner, more cost-effective and more efficient operation. The secondary goal is to grow the business even during this current economic downturn.

Objectives:

• Conserve cash. • Protect assets. • Reduce costs. • Improve efficiencies. • Grow customer base.

Required Action:

• Do not panic… History shows that economic downturns do not last forever. Remain calm and act in a rational manner as you refocus your attention on resizing your company to the current economic conditions. • Focus on what YOU can control… Don’t let the media’s rhetoric concerning recessions and economic slowdown deter you from achieving business suc-

Contrary to the other costcutting initiatives, evaluate the possibility of increasing your advertising expenditures. This tactic realizes the advantage of the reduced “noise” and congestion (fewer advertisers) in the marketplace. The downturn period a great opportunity to increase brand awareness and create additional demand for your product/ service offerings. cess. It´s a trap! Why? Because the condition of the economy is beyond your control. Surviving economic downturns requires a focus on what you can control, i.e. your relevant business activities. • Communicate, communicate, and communicate! Beware of the pitfall of trying to do too much on your own. It is a difficult task indeed to survive and to grow your business solely with your own efforts. Solicit ideas and seek the help of other people (your employees, suppliers, lenders, customers, and advisors). Communicate honestly and consistently. Effective two-way communication is the key. • Negotiate, negotiate, and negotiate! The value of a strong negotiation skill set cannot be overstated. Negotiating better deals and contracts is an absolute must for realigning and resizing your company to the current economic conditions. The key to success is not only knowing how to develop a win-win approach in negotiations with all parties, but also keeping in mind the fact that you want a favorable outcome for yourself too.

Recommended Best Practice Activities:

The Nuts and Bolts… The following list of recommended best practice activities is critical for your business’ survival and for its growth during an economic downturn. The actual financial health of your particular business, at the outset of the economic downturn, will dictate the priority and urgency of the implementation of the following best practice activities. 1. Diligently monitor your cash flow: Forecast your cash flow monthly to ensure that expenses and planned expenditures are in line with accounts receivable. Include cash flow statements into your monthly financial reporting. Project cash requirements three-to- six months in advance. The key is to know how to monitor, protect, control, and put cash to work. 2. Carefully convert your inventories: Convert excess, obsolete, and slowmoving inventory items into cash. Consider returning excess and slow-moving items back to the suppliers. Close-out or inventory reduction sales work well to resize your inventory. Also, consider narrowing your product offerings. Well-timed order placement helps to reduce excess inventory levels and occasional material shortages. The key is to reduce the amount of your inventory without losing sales. 3. Timely collection of your accounts receivable: This asset should be converted to cash as quickly as possible. Offer prompt payment discounts to encourage timely payments. Make changes in the terms of sale for slow paying

customers (i.e. changing net 30 day terms to COD). Invoicing is an important part of your cash flow management. The first rule of invoicing is to do it as soon as possible after products are shipped and/or after services are delivered. Place an emphasis on reducing billing errors. Most customers delay payments because an invoice had errors, and therefore, will not pay until they receive a corrected copy. Email or fax your invoices to save on mailing time. Post the payments that you have received and make deposits more frequently. The key is to develop an efficient collection system that generates timely payments and one that gives you advance warning of problems. 4. Re-focus your attention on your existing clients/customers: Make customer satisfaction your priority. A regular review of your customers’ buying history and frequency of purchases can reveal some interesting facts about your customers’ buying habits. Consider signing long-term contracts with your core clients/customers which will add to your security. Offer a discount for up front cash payments. The key is to do what it takes to keep your current customers loyal. 5. Re-negotiate with your suppliers, lenders, and landlord: i) Suppliers: Always keep your negotiations on the level of need, saying that your company has reviewed its cost structure and has determined that it needs to lower supplier costs. . Tell the supplier that you value the relationship you have developed, but that you need to receive a cost reduction immediately. Ask your supplier for a lower material price, a longer payment cycle, and the elimination of finance charges. Also, see if you can buy material from them on a consignment basis. In return for their price concessions, be willing to agree to a long-term contract. Explore the idea of bartering as a form of payment. ii) Lenders: Everything in business finance is negotiable and your relationship with a bank is no exception. The first step to successful renegotiations is to convince your lenders that you can ultimately pay off the renegotiated loan. You must point out to your lenders why it would be in their best interest to agree to a new arrangement. Showing them your business plan and your action plan that includes your cost-savings initiatives, along with “the how” and “the when” of the implementation of your plan is the best way to achieve this goal. Explain to them that you will need their cooperation to insure that you can survive, as well as, grow your business during the economic downturn. Negotiated items include: the rate of interest, the required security to cover the loan, and the beginning date for repayment. A beginning date for repayment could be immediate, within several months or as long as a year. The key is to realize that your lender will work with you, but that frequent and continual communications with them is critical.

iii) Landlord: Meet with your landlord. Explain your need to have them extend the term of your lease at a reduced cost. Make sure you have a clause in the lease agreement that entitles you to have the right to sublet any or all of the leased space.

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6. Re-evaluate your staffing requirements: This is a very critical area. Salaries/wages are a major expense of doing business. Therefore, any reduction in the hours worked through work schedule changes, short-term layoffs or permanent layoffs has an immediate cost saving benefit. Most companies ramped up hiring new employees in the good times, only to find that they are currently overstaffed due to slow sales during the economic downturn. In terms of down-sizing your staff, be very careful not to reduce your staff to a level that forces you to skimp on customer service and quality. Consider the use of part-timers or the current trend of outsourcing certain functions to independent contractors. 7. Shop for better insurances rates: Get quotations from other insurance agents for comparable coverage to determine whether or not your present insurance carrier is competitive. Also, consider revising your coverage to reduce premium costs. The key is to have the right balance-to be adequately insured, but not under or over insured. 8. Re-evaluate your advertising: Contrary to the other cost-cutting initiatives, evaluate the possibility of increasing your advertising expenditures. This tactic realizes the advantage of the reduced “noise” and congestion (fewer advertisers) in the marketplace. The downturn period a great opportunity to increase brand awareness and create additional demand for your product/service offerings.

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9. Seek the help of outside advisors: The use of an advisory board comprised of your CPA, attorney, and business consultant offers you objectivity and provides you with professional advice and guidance. Their collective experience in working with similar situations in past economic downturns is invaluable.

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10. Review your other expenses: Target an across-the-board cost-cutting initiative of 10-15%. Attempt to eliminate unnecessary expenses. Tightening your belt in order to weather the downturn makes practical, financial sense.

ROOF, WALL SHEETING & FASTENERS MATERIALS There are four factors that make the strength of the Armor roof and wall panels one of the highest in the industry; the 80,000 PSI hi-tensile strength, the 26 gauge minimal thickness (Available in 24 gauge also), the 42 inch wide coils that allow for a (36” net) wide sheet with 11/4” deep corrugations that act as a rigid steel stud and are 12 inches on center. The wider coil also allows for the purlin bearing rib (PBR) on both the roof and wall panels which supports the panels while being fastened at the overlaps and prevents oil-canning, spreading and leaking. Our semi-concealed wall panels are a very attractive option that is available on some models for a minimal charge. COMPETITION: Many competitors use 50,000 PSI, 29-26 gauge panels that are only 38-41 inches wide which may allow as low as only a ¾ inch deep corrugation. This soft tensile strength, thinner, shallow corrugation and narrow material while cheaper allows for a much weaker panel and does not provide the PBR panel on both the walls and roof. These low quality factors allow the holes around the fasteners to become enlarged due to vibration and “humming” when the panels are put under pressure from wind and snow and may eventually cause leaking or in severe weather may cause the panel to fail which allows the entire building to twist and strips the panel from the building like peeling a banana. (See photo below)

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Proactively managing your business through an economic downturn is an enormous challenge and is critical for your survival. However, through wellplanned initiatives, an economic downturn can create tremendous opportunity for your company to gain greater market share. In order to take advantage of this growth opportunity, you must act quickly to implement the above best business practices to continue realigning and resizing your company to the current economic conditions. Copyright © 2008 Terry H. Hill Terry H. Hill is the founder and managing partner of Legacy Associates, Inc, a business consulting and advisory services firm. A veteran chief executive, Terry works directly with business owners of privately held companies on the issues and challenges that they face in each stage of their business life cycle. To find out how he can help you take your business to the next level, visit his site at http://www.legacyai.com. About The Author An author, speaker, and consultant, Terry H. Hill is the founder and managing partner of Legacy Associates, Inc., a business consulting and advisory services firm based in Sarasota, Florida. A veteran chief executive, Terry works directly with business owners of privately held companies on the issues and challenges that they face in each stage of their business life cycle. Terry is the author of the business desk-reference book, How to Jump Start Your Business. He hosts the Business Insights from Legacy Blog at http:// blog.legacyai.com and writes a bi-monthly eNewsletter, “Business Insights from Legacy eZine.” By signing up for Business Insights from Legacy eZine at http://tinyurl.com/2t4fxs you can keep abreast of the latest tips, tactics, and best business practices. You will, also, receive the free eBook, Jump Start Your Knowledge of Business. Contact Terry by email at http://www.legacyai.com or telephone him at 941556-1299.

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The Wild Date Palm : A Cold Hardy Palm by Jorge Oliver

We are preparing to enter the winter season and thought I would share with you about cold hardy palms. Palms are instantly recognizable and typically associated with warmer regions. The 200 genera and 2500 species of palms prosper mostly in tropical habitats demanding mostly constant warmth and moisture. A few species have become adapted to cooler regions and can be grown outdoors beyond USDA Hardiness Zone 10. One particular palm I want to introduce is the Phoenix sylvestris more commonly known as Wild Date Palm or Toddy Palm that originates in India. This palm has characteristics in common with the edible date palm (phoenix dactylifera) and the Canary Date Palm ( Phoenix canariensis). It does not sucker and bears shorter fronds than either species. The sap is collected from the cut inflorescences (flower/seed pod) in India and boiled down into sugar (jaggery) or fermented into an alcoholic beverage (toddy). Like most of the larger Date Palms, it makes a durable specimen plant. Phoenix sylvestris is a very slow grower up to 40 feet in height and can withstand up to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Its very drought tolerant and adapts well to all well drained soil conditions. There are no pest problems.

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In the landscape Phoenix sylvestris provides for a great centerpiece specimen. Although expensive itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a palm that will provides many years of enjoyment. It can handle all types of weather, soil conditions and once established it will present no problems. If you have any questions please contact me. Jorge Oliver has been interested in tropical landscaping and culture since growing up in his native Puerto Rico. His background in engineering and anthropology have influenced his success as one of the most successful tree farmers and landscapers for some of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most elite homes in Florida. He is also a champion Koi raiser and pond designer. He can be reached at jorgeoliver@contempomag.com.

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South Padre Island

Back up to Speed in Time for the S.P.I. Music Festival by Ralph Magaña

One of only two tropical beaches in the entire Continental United States, South Padre Island offers Valleyites and travelers from all around the World year round sun, fishing, surfing, site seeing and eager nightlife for all ages. On the southern tip of the longest barrier Island in the World, Padre Island spans 130 miles from Corpus Christi to Brownsville, Texas. It is divided only by a channel at Port Mansfield. Because it lies on the same latitude as Miami and Dubai, (Latitude 26) Padre Island enjoys a sub tropic warm summer climate along with a mild winter season. Rainy seasons in late summer are short while winter brings bright, cloudless skys and a cool northern breeze. Fall is a particularly good time to visit the island since strong summer sea breezes slack off to produce beautiful calm seas. It’s not the best kite flying time but it sure is nice to see a perfect sunset reflected on still water. Throughout the year one can find all sorts of busy events and festivals but it is a real treat to experience the Island in the Fall. It is quite noticeable at this time

of year a lack of “young” tourists giving the island as a whole an atmosphere of exclusivity. It’s great for long walks on the beach or grabbing some uninterrupted sunbathing time. A quite swim or an evening out for dinner is all the bit nicer when things calm down to a tranquil, Fall pace. There is no waiting for a table at the famous “Grapevine Cafe” for breakfast where they serve those huge breakfast tacos that I can never finish. And you don’t have as long a wait to be seated at popular places like Mamacita’s or Blackbeard’s in the evenings. Probably because of the Hurricane, there are unusually good prices at gift shops and for excursions this Fall. Although the Texas International Fishing Tournament was canceled this year, all the fishing guides I spoke with indicated a bounty of fish are being taken in the bay. On my visit I noted all the boats coming into Jim’s Pier after both morning and evening runs had taken lots of Reds and Trout. Capt. Chad Elkins of Shallow Water Guide Service, based out of Jim’s Pier, says that they

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had been and still are catching many large flounder in the shallows as well. “The cancelation of TIFT left a lot of fish behind that we are now stringing up. The bay fishing has never been better.” Wind surfers were having fun out between the sand bars. I watched some beginners managing the light breeze well and some experts performing complex maneuvers. At the tip of Isla Blanca Park on the far south end of the Island, near the monument, surfers have discovered a cove that generates repeating, consistent waves that run alongside the shore instead of against it. You could tell it was a great spot because the surfers would effortlessly return to the catching zone more easily along the shore. A handful of them kept it up until sunset. Nearby, surf fishers worked the fish from anchored lawn chairs while further south along the jetty, photographers started setting up for sizzling sunset photos. Looking into some Island statistics, I found that before Hurricane Dolly, real estate properties had been faring

quite well. South Padre Island, up until that point, had continued to experience excellent growth in real estate rentals and sales even under non-stop development. Of course the hurricane changed all that but may have created a special window of opportunity for some good buys. Also, rental prices that are usually off this time of year are further depressed making for some high value, short term accommodations. I wasn’t surprised by the lack of excessive hurricane damage after visiting the Island only a month after the storm. Unlike Galveston, it was almost entirely built up in the last 50 years as tough windstorm building codes were being developed. Homes built with these strict guidelines are structured to withstand sever hurricanes. Unlike homes built farther inland, newer Island homes must have galvanized steel anchors, extending from any support making foundation and roof contact. Windows, roof tiles and even garage doors much be fabricated and installed using special techniques and procedures that make them highly resistant to strong winds. Hurricanes are a fact of life on just about any eastern American coastline but in the last 50 years only a few have tormented our beaches compared to Florida, Louisiana and the Carolinas. Certainly history has shown that the Island weathers storms well and so the potential for investment will recover rapidly as it always has in the past. There is plenty to do on South Padre Island this time of year. In late October you can attend the 2nd Annual South Padre Island Music Festival. Last year some 25.000 were in attendance. This year they are expect-

ing over 35,000 visitors. Also this year they are going to be moving the venues around to different spots to help handle the large crowds so there will be activities and entertainment all over the island. Although people come from all around Texas, this year they will have special ticket pricing for Valley residents that you can find out more about by visiting contempomag.com.

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Other fun things to do on the island: Schlitterbahn Family Water Park. Tandem Parasailing. Take a Sunset Cruise. Visit the Old Port Isabel Lighthouse. Horseback on the Beach. Play Golf at the South Padre Island C.C. Surf Fish off the Jetties. Night fish on a Lighted Pier. Have Oysters Rockefeller at the Sea Ranch. Try the World’s tallest Reverse Bungy Jump. Take in a movie at Island Cinema North. Shop at the Island Upscale Boutiques. Shell hunt or Shell shop at Shell World. Go Bay fishing with Capt. Chad. Rent a Beach Buggy or Beach Bike. Check out high value second home properties. Have a Cool one at the Palms on the beach. Catch a game at Louie’s Backyard Sports Bar.

Grab a bite at Mamacita’s Restaurant. Watch the sunset over the Bay from Coconut’s or from Isla Blanca Park. Build a World Class Sand castle. Give your Dog a treat with a beach run. Snap some family photos with Island backdrop. Watch the sunset from Louie’s Backyard then Catch a Sunday game at their Sports Bar. Fish the Bay Flats with Capt. Chad Elkins.

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Financial Planning in a Divorce Settlement Provided By: Melissa Magaña, Financial Advisor Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member NYSE/SIPC

Marriage confers many financial protections, rights and benefits on a couple. But by the same token, the dissolution of a marriage through divorce requires unraveling a household’s structure. It is often the immediate effects of the transition that take center stage — who will stay in the house, what will happen with the children, how joint property will be split or liquidated. But to create an equitable settlement for you and your spouse, it is important to consider the long-term financial impact of the division. Smoothing Emotional Discussions Divorcing couples are often anxious to get the process over with as soon as possible. Or perhaps one party hopes to reconcile and doesn’t want to alienate the spouse. “No matter how amiable the divorce is, discussions about assets, liabilities and finances can be emotionally draining, inconvenient and expensive,” says Anne Lober, a partner with Sherman, Williams, Lober & Thompson in Santa Cruz, Calif., which publishes www.divorcehelp.com. The average length of a U.S. divorce process is one year, according to the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts. Bringing a third party into the decisionmaking process can help ease the negotiations. While it is common to consult a divorce attorney, engaging a qualified financial advisor early in the process as well can provide a thorough knowledge base for financial decisions. This may save time and money. A qualified professional can help you prioritize goals for your situation and forecast a settlement’s long-term effects related to:

Retirement Planning.

Strategies for dividing pension plans, qualified retirement plans and stockoption elections. Valuation of assets. Considerations related to the growth potential of your assets, like inflation, future earning potential and compound interest. Tax liabilities. The taxable results of transferring or selling assets. Cost-of-living expenses. Continued health insurance premiums, life insurance and long-term cash flow needs.

Real Estate Trade-Offs

Although real estate is often the largest portion of a couple’s net worth, it is also an illiquid asset that may be expensive to maintain with just one income. While it may make financial sense to sell the home and split the proceeds, this adds to the emotional weight of the divorce, and one or both parties may try to keep the house. Generally speaking, the transfer of real estate during a divorce is nontaxable. However, any property acquired as part of a settlement will be taxed in the future. When determining the financial effect of keeping the house, it’s important to remember that “cost basis — not just the current market value of the asset — needs to be taken into consideration prior to the divorce settlement,” explains Lober. For example, say a couple bought a home for $40,000 30 years ago and it is now worth $425,000. The unrealized capital gain is

$385,000 — $135,000 more than the $250,000 exclusion that the person who keeps the house is allowed as an individual. If the person sells the house, he or she will have to pay taxes on that $135,000. Had the couple sold the house before they divorced, they could have used their combined $500,000 exclusion and paid no taxes.

Planning for the Future

Everything acquired during marriage, no matter whose name it is in, is typically considered marital property. This includes pensions and retirement accounts. One party may choose to keep these assets for their long-term growth potential, offsetting them with other assets to create an equitable settlement. Keep in mind, however, that funds in a 401(k) or an IRA normally cannot be accessed before age 59½ without incurring a 10 percent penalty tax for early withdrawal, so these assets should not be considered the same as cash. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is the legal document that divides up a qualified pension or retirement account pursuant to a divorce. A qualified specialist can help with the many nuances that go into a QDRO. Even though a divorce may be consuming in the present, planning for the future is an essential part of every settlement. Your Financial Advisor can help you and your tax and legal advisors with the financial aspects, both present and future, to help you reach the best decision possible for your situation. Together, we can discuss: Costs of living post divorce Offsetting the value of a business in a divorce settlement Determining how much alimony should be granted, and for how long. This article was written by Wachovia Securities and provided to you by Melissa Magana, Financial Advisor. 0907-64640 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 (WSFN), Member FINRA/SIPC The accuracy and completeness of this article are not guaranteed. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Wachovia Securities or its affiliates. The material is distributed solely for information purposes and is not a solicitation or an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. Provided by courtesy of Melissa Magana, a Financial Advisor with Wachovia Securities in McAllen, TX. For more information, please call Melissa Magana at 956-687-7211. Wachovia Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC, is a separate nonbank affiliate of Wachovia Corporation. ©2008 Wachovia Securities, LLC. Investments in securities and insurance products: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANKGUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE

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The Art of Traditional Mexican Baking By Ralph MagaĂąa

The baking tradition in Mexico dates back to the colonial era, particularly influenced by the French. In the late 1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bakeries flourished throughout Mexico with literally thousands of new varieties like conchas, orejas, cuernos and cochinitos that stimulated the palettes of locals and tourists alike. Combining the wheat dough with measured blends of chocolate, fruits, berries and nuts, these new bakers crafted delightful new selections and distinguished

them with interesting names that differ from the common french pastries that North Americans are accustomed to. Indeed, new varieties of pan dulce, bolillo and pan de muerto were developed regionally throughout the country including the coastal region of Veracruz. Now in McAllen you can find bakery pastries, specialty cakes, cookies and other confections that are crafted in an authentic Mexican tradition at La Casa Del Pan, owned and operated by Rolando Jimenez and Claudia Reyes. Claudia (featured on our cover this month), a titled Confectionery Chef originally from Veracruz, Mexico gets up in the wee hours of the morning each day because she knows there will be plenty of eager customers following the scent of fresh bread into the bakery near North 10th and Pecan. There you will see and smell all the splendid tastes of old Mexico baking because that is where all her baking is done. She also specializes in decorative cakes and â&#x20AC;&#x153;gelatinas artisticasâ&#x20AC;? (pictured above) that remind me of early childhood visits to Mexico City confectionery. These little but beautiful gelatin creations look like they envelope non-edible figures but are as delicious as they look. My favorite item in the bakery is actually her simple pecan/powdered sugar cookies. They are baked just to the right crispness every time. I know because I have been back many times for more cookies. lol. For sure the secret to her success is in the cookies because she makes them herself just like everything else in the bakery. They also offer a lunch menu of tasty fresh bread sandwiches for dine-in or take-out and can also work up confections for catered and special events. Her artistic talent is clearly evident in the decoration of the specialty cakes shown here. Thanks to Rolando and Claudia for bring a piece of Mexican baking to the Upper Valley.

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