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LISTENING & LEARNING Scuzzi's Italian Restaurant Owner Mazi Bagheri
FRIEDERICH PARK GETAWAYS HOME TOUR AND MORE!
CONTENTS THE DOMINION MAGAZINE |
APRIL 2019
LISTENING & LEARNING
The Dominion Gives 46
WELCOME 10
Greys Uncorked 2019
THE CLUB
Calendar 12 Message From The Manager 13 Club Happenings 14
COVER 36
Good Reads 48
30
An American Marriage
Fitness Challenge 50
Dominion Women's Forum 20
CITY PROFILE 52
NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS 22
Lake LBJ
HISTORY CLUB 24
HOME TOUR 56
COMMUNITY INTEREST 28
44
Golf 30
OUT & ABOUT 64 ART Events 66
TENNIS 32
Area Events 68
BUsiness PROFILE 34
DAAG 70
Cooking 44
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APRIL 2019 | VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4
PUBLISHED By SMV Texas Design Group, LLC 930 E. Blanco, Ste. 200, Boerne, TX 78006 210-507-5250
Welcome TO
the Dominion Magazine Dear DOMINION Reader,
As we hope you have seen in the many editions of this publication, the Dominion community features some of the most vibrant, successful, and fascinating people in San Antonio. With a wide variety of backgrounds, the collective experiences of our residents is really endless. This month’s cover story, Mazi Bagheri is another in a long line of amazing stories we are humbled to tell. With a background that includes everything from studying dentistry to being the busboy at a restaurant that he would go on to ultimately own, Bagheri has worked tirelessly to advance his career, his education, and his business portfolio. Next time you are at Scuzzi’s Italian Restaurant right across the street from us in the Dominion, be sure to say hi to Bagheri and make a new friend in the community. Also be sure to check out the many pages of photos from the events held throughout the Club and the sports facilities. As we enter the summer months, the Club will become a central hub for the families of our community and there are endless activities, classes, and groups that you might consider joining to make use of the facilities as well as to socialize with fellow Members.
SMV TEXAS DESIGN GROUP, LLC CEO/PRESIDENT Benjamin D. Schooley ben@smvtexas.com OPERATIONS MANAGER Tiffany Lewis tiffany@smvtexas.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Benjamin Weber ben.weber@smvtexas.com THE DOMINION HOA OFFICE 20 Dominion Drive San Antonio, Texas 78257 (210) 698-1232 | www.dominionhoa.com THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB 1 Dominion Drive San Antonio, Texas 78257 (210) 698-3364 | www.the-dominion.com
As always, don’t be shy! Please drop us a note with your story ideas, suggestions, or tips. We exist solely to highlight the many exciting people in the Dominion, and to hopefully tell you the stories of your neighbors you might not already know! So reach out and let’s start a conversation. I wish you a wonderful summer, The Dominion Magazine is published by Schooley
Sincerely,
Media Ventures in Boerne, TX. The Dominion Magazine and Schooley Media Ventures are not responsible for any inaccuracies, erroneous information, or typographical errors contained in this publication submitted by advertisers. Opinions
BEN SCHOOLEY, PUBLISHER The Dominion Magazine
expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Dominion and/or Schooley Media Ventures. Copyright 2017 Schooley Media Ventures, 428 English Oaks, Boerne, TX 78006
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Every Tuesday
Every Wednesday
Every Thursday
EVERY FRIDAY
Every saturday
Every sunday
Burger Night in the Grille 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Delicious, cooked to order and just $5! Treat the family, invite friends! RSVP to 210-698-3364
Wine Down Wednesdays 1/2 Price Bottle Specials! 6:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. Wednesdays just got a lot better! Enjoy the bottles for HALF OFF! Champagne Sparkling wine Chardonnay White Wines Merlot & More
Chef Special Dining Night 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy a different and very delicious meal every Thursday, carefully selected and prepared by Executive Chef Jay Nash! A specialty half price appetizer is offered every Thursday as well! Enjoy!
Prime Rib Buffet 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Join us at the Club for our ever-popular Prime Rib Buffet! Featuring succulent meats with all the garnishing sides.
Tennis- Saturday Morning Workout 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. All levels, men & women. Guaranteed to hit a thousand balls. Loud music and lots of fun!
Tennis- SUNDAY Workout 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Open to all levels. Contact Coach Dan at dan@the-dominion. com
Tuesday Night TENNIS 105 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Open to all levels, limit 10. Email Coach Rajah rajah@the-dominion. com or call the tennis shop to sign up 210698-2288
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Thursday Night TENNIS 105 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Open to all levels, limit 10. Email Coach Rajah rajah@the-dominion. com or call the tennis shop to sign up 210698-2288
MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHERS
THE DOMINION | JUNE 2018
JUNE 2018
THE DOMINION COUNTRY CLUB A HOME AWAY FROM HOM E
THE DOMINION GIVES
5 6
To Stephen Phillips: From all of us at Dominion
BUSINESS PROFILE AREA EVENTS AND MORE!
VOLUME 5 ISSUE 6
Magazine and the many grateful Club Members, we wish you the best of luck in your new career! T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m
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CLUB HAPPENINGS
Dominion Car Show
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CLUB HAPPENINGS
T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m
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CLUB HAPPENINGS
Comedy & Karaoke
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CLUB HAPPENINGS
The Dominion Tennis Academy At Top Golf
The Dominion's 20th High School Invitational
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CLUB HAPPENINGS
New Member Mixer
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CLUB HAPPENINGS
Putting Challenge & Live Music At The Bar
T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m
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DOMINION WOMEN'S FORUM
UPCOMING LUNCHEONS & SOCIAL ACTIVITIES MONTHLY LUNCHEONS
April 5, 2019 Order in the Court Chief Justice Sandee Bryan Marion, Chief Justice of the Fourth Court of Appeals and Chair of the Texas Council of Chief Justices May 3, 2019 High Tea and High Style with Runway Modeling by Joli Boutique
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
April 4, 2019 Cookout on The Range, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. April 13, 2019 Gala, Cocktails 6:30, Dinner and Dancing 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. May 10, 2019 End of Year Luau, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
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DOMINION WOMEN'S FORUM
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NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS
2019 NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS Mariachi Dash Kids’ 1/2 Mile Fun-Run 5k/10k Walk/Run Starts at HOA Parking Lot Saturday, April 13 8:00 a.m.
Fiesta Party Duxbury Park Saturday, April 14 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Community Shred Day HOA Office Parking Lot Saturday, April 17
Music & Wine The Lakes Friday, May 3 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Adults only)
Food Truck Night & Movie in the Park Duxbury Park Saturday, May 11 Food Trucks 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Movie starts at 8:00 p.m.
“Yappy Hour” Duxbury Park Friday, May 17 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
**Memorial Day Pool Party Pool at The Dominion Country Club Monday, May 27 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Charges apply RSVP Required. Call 210-698-3364
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Vendor Appreciation Breakfast
Doggie Howl O’Ween Party
HOA Office Friday, June 21 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Duxbury Park Saturday, October 26 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
**July 4th Celebration and Fireworks
Trunk or Treat Halloween Party
The Dominion Country Club Thursday July 4 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Charges apply RSVP Required. Call 210-698-3364
**Labor Day Close the Pool Party Pool at The Dominion Country Club Monday, September 2 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Charges apply RSVP Required. Call 210-698-3364
Food Truck Night & Movie in the Park Duxbury Park Saturday, September 21 Food Trucks 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Movie starts at 8:00 p.m.
National Night Out Neighborhood Parties Tuesday, October 1 (Times vary by neighborhood)
Music & Wine The Lakes Friday, October 18 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Adults only)
Duxbury Park Saturday, October 26 5:30 p.m.
Chili Cook-Off Duxbury Park Saturday, November 9 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Bonfire Duxbury Park Sunday, November 24 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Texas Tough Turkey Chase Kids’ 1/2 Mile Fun-Run 5k/10k Walk/Run Starts at HOA Parking Lot Thursday, November 28 8:00 a.m. ** Dominion Residents (NonClub Members) invited to select Dominion Country Club events.
NEIGHBORHOOD HAPPENINGS
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS CANDIDATE INFORMATION (displayed alphabetically) Â
Allan P. Baumholtz Bruce Burger Gary Cram Christine James David Meads Craig New Bob Parker Dana Phillips Sandy Souchon Mark Wohlfarth
Not sure whom to vote for? You'll have an opportunity to meet the candidates and ask them questions at the Meet the Candidate Forum on Tuesday, March 19th at 5pm at The Dominion Country Club. The Annual Meeting Notice will be mailed to all owners on Monday, March 11th and will include additional information on each of the candidates. The mailer will also include a proxy and absentee ballot. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17th at 7pm at the DCC.
BEING GOOD NEIGHBORS This fawn was left at The Pavilion mailboxes last summer. Residents obeyed the signs posted by Dominion Animal Advocates Group (DAAG) that they stay quiet and not disturb the baby, while a resident checked on the fawn periodically. The mother returned overnight and moved the baby. Deer mothers leave their fawns in yards or areas where they think the fawns will be safe from predators.
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SOCIAL GROUP
by Colonel Dan Johnston, Dominion Resident
HISTORY CLUB
Not Your High School History Club
Were you in the high school classroom the day the assignment from Ms. "Kill-YourSpirit" was to read chapter 14 (pages 238-259) in the history book, answer the questions at the end of the chapter, and turn in the work at the end of the period?
Maybe it was the day that Coach "You-AreAll-Losers" said he needed to work during the class period on plays for the game Friday night, so the history class was to watch a video on famous leaders of the organized labor movement in the 19th century?
Or how about the day when Mr. "CoastingTo-Retirement" handed out a worksheet in history class with 54 dates, names, and places important in the 18th century with instructions to memorize them before the test the next day?
Whatever day it was, too many students have turned off history for life because of experiences like the ones above. One of our primary goals in The Dominion History Club is to overcome negative impressions members may have about history. Another goal is to stimulate an interest in history that
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may lay dormant in some members. And still another goal is to confirm in other members their love of history, causing them to happily declare as they leave a meeting, “I knew I loved history for good reason!� History is rich with very human stories, and we pursue those stories with relish the second Thursday of every month (excepting the three Summer months). We investigate history as a continuum of cause and effect. Students in the high school classroom respond to the realization that some day they will be 40 years old, and they will be
able to look back on the timeline of their life and understand how decisions they made starting when they were youngsters created a series of events that led them to their position in life. The cause and effect aspect of our personal histories is a reflection of the same larger aspect in world history that has resulted in our place in the world today. Understanding this principle is what we pursue with diligence and humor in History Club. If that is not enough to attract interest, understand that History Club is not the stifling experience that many of us had in our youth; at our meetings there are no dues, no notes, and no tests, and members can be observed drinking in class. And there are pleasant people in attendance that you might even like.
With our historical confidence established by our journey to that point and attendance at our meetings averaging 50 or so, in the Fall of 2017 we went back to the Stone Age and began our pursuit of World History chronologically through the ages. Join us. History is fun!
We have pursued a rather disjointed path in the first five years of History Club. The consensus at first was to begin in our comfort zone, so we started with the history of the 20th century. That occupied us for the meetings of our first two years. Then, remaining with subject matter of some familiarity, we spent the next year pursuing the history of the Americas and the history of the world after 1750. This agenda brought us in the Fall of 2017 to where we began (World War I) at our first meeting in January of 2014. T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m
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• House calls and after-hour availability • Reduction in unnecessary labs, imaging, and referrals, with enhanced care coordination • Wholesale discounts for labs and imaging • In-office procedures and labs included at no additional cost (i.e. rapid strep, urinalysis, pregnancy test, injections) • Bilingual services/Hablamos Español • Now offering SkinMedica products and IV Myer’s cocktails
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APRIL 2019
COMMUNIT Y INTEREST
FROM MAIN PLAZA TO FRIEDERICH PARK: How The Friederichs Impacted San Antonio by Matthew J. McDonough
As you take Interstate 10 west out of San Antonio, you may notice the slow change from the flat urban jungle of San Antonio to the rolling hills near Leon Springs. While the once largely untouched area continues to experience rapid growth and development, there are still pockets of green hillsides reminiscent of the way things used to be. Perhaps the most scenic of these is Friedrich Park, which sits just west of I-10 between the Camp Bullis and Dominion Drive Exits. An important part of San Antonio’s Municipal Parks Department, Friedrich Park is a 600 28
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acre natural area boasting over 10 miles of hiking trails, habitat for several endangered species, and world class bird watching opportunities. It is generally considered San Antonio’s premier park for enjoying the Balcones Escarpment, the geological formation typically associated with the Texas Hill Country landscape. While the park’s environmental importance is a huge point of pride and enjoyment in the area, many do not know that the Park also boasts a unique history that ties it to some of San Antonio’s most storied figures and events.
The story behind this beautiful park began, like so many San Antonio stories do, in the 1850s, when Wenzel Friedrich immigrated to Texas from his native Grunthal, Bohemia. Arriving in the port town of Indianola, he had found his way to San Antonio by 1854, the year he married his wife, Agnes Urbaneck. Wenzel quickly established himself as an integral part of San Antonio society, helping to found the City’s first volunteer fire department, and building an industrious cabinetmaking business. By the 1880s, cabinetmaking had morphed into furniture making, and he was soon at the top of his field on a global scale. Friedrich has been credited with inventing the western furniture style of crafting items from local horns and antlers. His innovative creations found their way to expositions across the country, and his clientele included such European Aristocracy as Queen Victoria, Otto Von Bismark, and Kaiser Wilhelm I (for whom the King William Neighborhood was named). Wenzel and Agnes had seven children, their youngest being Albert Friedrich in 1864. By age 17, the industrious Albert was discontent working as a bellman and bartender at the Southern Hotel on Main Plaza. In 1881, he decided to open his own saloon cross the street. Like his father, Albert also had an affinity for horns and antlers, and decided to call his new watering hole the Buckhorn. Wanting to build his collection and draw more business, Albert soon started the Buckhorn’s legendary practice of trading horns and antlers brought in by patrons for food and drink. This made the Buckhorn a popular watering hole for traveling cowboys, soldiers, and westward expansionists. Theodore Roosevelt was a patron in 1898, when the soon-to-become 26th United States President chose San Antonio to train his famous rough riders for their service during the Spanish-American War. Teddy and Albert would most likely have been on a first name basis, as Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, an avid hunter and wildlife collector himself, would have enjoyed venturing into the Hill Country in search of trophy bucks to provide Friedrich. Since opening its doors in 1881, the Buckhorn has experienced continuous success in San Antonio, and is still operated by Albert’s grandson at the corner of Houston and Presa Streets.
So how does the keeper of an old -time saloon on Main Plaza, in the middle of downtown, end up with his name on a park in the City’s far-flung northwest corner? For that, we look to the next generation. Albert and his wife Emelie were survived by two children, one of whom being Norma W. Friedrich, who was born in 1893. In 1946, Norma, a feme sole (or single woman) purchased a parcel of land “BEGINNING at a fence corner . . . at the southwest intersection of Heuermann Road and Traylor Loop” from Milton C. Heuermann, Helen Hayes, and Olga Hornberger. It was this land that eventually became the heart of Friedrich Park. These three sellers were the children of Charles Heuermann, who had acquired the property, “270 acres on the waters of the Leon Creek”, from a Fritz and Rosa Kraut in 1909. Charles, in turn, was the son of William Heuermann, who played another unique role in San Antonio history. In 1882, the influential Maverick family of San Antonio hired famed local architect Alfred Giles to build the Crockett Block, an important commercial structure directly across the street from the Alamo. One of the first tenants of the Crockett Block building was Heuermann & Brothers Grocers, an entity probably among the City’s first commercial grocers. By 1885, Heuermann had silently partnered with Charles Hugo and Gustav Schmeltzer to form the Hugo Schmeltzer Grocer Company, also located on Alamo Plaza. For those who may recall, it was Hugo Schmeltzer who, in 1903, sold much of the original grounds of the Alamo to Clara Driscoll and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Without this historic conveyance, the Daughters would not have been tasked with stewardship of the Alamo for over a century, the Alamo may have been totally lost to decay and urban development. Although William Heuermann had died in 1900, three years before the conveyance, his family members signed the transaction as executors of his estate. So, fast-forward back to 1946, when the Heuermanns, descendants of arguably San Antonio’s oldest commercial grocer, sold a parcel of land on Leon Creek to Norma Friedrich, descendant of the famous Buckhorn saloon keeper. Norma kept the property in her name until her death in 1971. Although she married before her death, the fact that she purchased the land before the marriage, and kept it in her name, was sufficient to keep it her separate property. When she passed away in 1971, the following provision was discovered regarding the Heuermann property was discovered in her will:
“I direct that my Trustee offer to give the City of San Antonio or Bexar County, the One hundred eighty (180) acres of land owned by me on the Heuermann Road, near Leon Springs, in Bexar County, for use as a public park. My Trustee is further authorized to offer the City or County such additional sum of money . . . not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars . . . Any conveyance of land either to the City of San Antonio or the County of Bexar shall be made with the stipulation that the park be known in perpetuity as ‘EMELIE AND ALBERT FRIEDRICH PARK’ . . . in memory of my parents, Emelie and Albert Friedrich.”
ago, that does not mean that this space was not an important part of other people’s experience, even if for a totally different reasons. Next time you find yourself wandering the trails of Friedrich Park, make sure to stop to enjoy this gift of beauty and tranquility in a rapidly changing area. While you’re at it, you can be grateful for families like the Friedrichs and the Heuermanns, who worked hard to make San Antonio the city it is today, and who strove to preserve this amazing piece of history.
Thus, through an executor’s deed dated 1973, Norma Friedrich’s last wish concerning her Leon Springs property was carried out, and her land was conveyed to the City of San Antonio. Several other parcels were donated in the following years, and today, the park covers over 600 acres of pristine hill country environment. It is home to two of the area’s endangered bird species, the goldenCheeked Warbler and the Black-Capped Vireo. It offers excellent hiking opportunities, with some of the most dramatic elevation shifts in the area. It is very easy for modern citizens of San Antonio to perceive our city as sectional, with downtown constituting the historic center, and the ever-expanding city limits marching into new areas. While this is true to a certain extent, it is also important to remember how things were before we arrived here, and to try to place our experience into the context of an evolving world. Just because the neighborhoods we live in, malls we shop at, and restaurants we eat at today were not here a century T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m
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GOLF
SPEED IS EVERYTHING IN PUTTING by Daniel Stevens, Head Golf Professional, The Dominion Country Club
Putts with good speed and poor line will tend to get closer to the hole than putts with poor speed. Yogi Berra: “Ninety percent of putts that are short don’t go in.” Always make sure your “Aim Point” is beyond the hole: Many golfers tend to pick a spot on longer putts that is the high point of the break. This is typically a spot about half way down the line. If this is your practice, do not be surprised if you leave putts short. You’re aiming at something short of the hole! Intermediate points are wonderful to use for aligning the putter face and your body correctly, but do not use that spot as your target. Remember, the target is the hole and you have to have enough pace on your putt to make it to the hole. GOOD PRACTICE Find an old cup on the practice green and then place a quarter about 1 ½ feet beyond that old hole. Hit putts from various distances to the quarter, using the old hole as a “must cross” point on your line. This will be exceptional practice for putts under 10 feet and will help you train your mind to visualize a target past the hole for longer putts. Practice with a purpose and see one of the PGA Professionals at The Dominion for more help with your game.
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Serving the local Dominion & Leon Springs communities Striving to be your attorney, when and where you need him
HERE TO SERVE estate planning | probate | real-estate
Matthew J. McDonough is your local Leon Springs attorney for estate planning, probate, and real-estate matters. Located at the Dominion Ridge Shopping Center, Mr. McDonough provides the trust, knowledge, and dedication of quality legal services without the hassle of downtown travel. As a long-term Leon Springs resident and alumni of TMI, the Episcopal School of Texas, he prides himself on serving his community and being especially available to residents of that area. Check out his blog, “Life in Leon Springs�, located on his website, for articles on local politics, history, and recreation in the I-10 West/Leon Springs region.
MATTHEW J. McDONOUGH ATTORNEY AT LAW 22211 W. Interstate 10, Suite 1206 San Antonio, Texas, 78257 T: (210) 854-4899 F: (830) 282-6835 m.mcdonough@mjmlawsatx.com www.mjmlawsatx.com
T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m
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TENNIS
LEARN TO WATCH THE BALL by Julian Lopez
Ever feel like you are in control and winning a point only to miss what should have been the winning shot? Missing by six feet out or just plain hitting the ball right back to the opponent(s)? You are not alone and it is important to realize everyone does it! This happens for one of three reasons. First, you are not looking at the ball!! Second, you watched the ball but then looked up as soon as you made contact. Last, you watched the ball but didn’t move to play the ball in your hitting zone. If you also decided to blast the shot you took more risk than was necessary. Hitting the winning shot happens when you are hitting the next shot in the sequence and not because you are using power. PRACTICE: Hit to a target, the same target every time you practice. Make the target a safe one, not close to the lines. Also, pick a number to reach (10, 20, 30) balls in a row without missing and keep practicing until you reach your goal. Remember when trying to reach your goal, the most important number is the last one.
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COUPON REQUIRED
License #M-16956
COUPON REQUIRED
130 Serenity Dr. $339,000
MLS# 1346626 Well maintained B.W. Baker garden home on quiet cul-de-sac. Convenient to schools, downtown, and the trails. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with a study and fabulous backyard. New hard wood floors in living and dining room. Walk in attic storage.
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BUSINESS PROFILE
by Dr. Abha Gyani :: photography by Snap Chic Photography
JOVEM Name of Business Jovem means young in Italian. Your Name Abha Gyani, MD Education I received my undergraduate degree from Columbia College, Columbia University in New York City. I moved to Chicago for medical school where I attended Chicago Medical School and did a five year program to obtain my masters in applied physiology and medical degree. I completed my training at Harlingen-Uthscsa in internal medicine. Title/Role/Specialization I am the medical director and owner of Jovem. How did you get into your business? I actually got into medical aesthetics inadvertently. I was trying to help a few friends of mine that were aestheticians and wanted to start doing Botox and fillers . They needed a medical director to get started so I attended a beginner course on Botox and fillers. As I was taking the course I realized how much I actually enjoyed the field and decided to start doing it myself. After practicing internal medicine for 17 years, it was a nice change to start something new. What makes your business unique? What makes my business unique is that I am more of a concierge service. A majority of my clients are working moms and have busy schedules like myself. I try and accommodate their lifestyles and am willing to take the services to their homes as well if they are unable to make it in to the spa. We often arrange Botox parties so women can get beautified while enjoying the company of their friends simultaneously. A lot of people are scared of needles so my goal is to make the whole experience as least intimidating
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and painful as possible. Sometimes being in a comfortable environment as opposed to a doctors office makes all the difference. What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of your business? The most challenging aspect of my spa has been the business portion of it. Most physicians will agree that the one thing that is lacking in our education in medical school and residency is we are never taught how to run a practice. Fortunately i I am lucky in that I my husband has been a business owner for many years. He has been able to guide me through the processes thus far. What is the most rewarding aspect? The most rewarding part of my business has just been making men/women look more beautiful from such simple non invasive procedures. It is at times instant gratification. In addition, I get to meet amazing men and women on a regular basis. My previous work has been in a hospital environment taking care of mainly geriatric patients. It’s nice to actually be able to work with people my own age going through some of the same mid life experiences and challenges. What does the future hold for your business? I want to see my business expand. Medical aesthetics is a field that is growing rapidly with so many new innovations. I hope to continue my training so that I can provide a large variety of services to my clients. Family (husband/kids/etc) I have been married for 16 years to my husband Kuldeep Gyani who has always been supportive of my career. We have two beautiful boys Karan who is nine and Aryan who is 7. They are in third and first grade at Saint Mary’s hall.
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LISTENING & LEARNING by Brian Kenneth Swain, Dominion Resident
Last year around this time we featured local restaurateur Mori Bagheri in these pages. In that article, we talked a great deal about his Iranian heritage and his decades starting and managing successful restaurants in San Antonio like Bourbon Street and Papa Nacho’s. We were, however, remiss in failing to discuss another important aspect of Mori’s history since coming to San Antonio, i.e., the nurturing and mentoring of other local business leaders, one of whom—Mazi Enti—is the subject of this month’s profile. Dominion resident Mazi Enti also hails originally from Tehran, a city with several similarities to San Antonio, not only weather (though they would easily beat us out for summer heat), but also hard-working, creative, and entrepreneurial people. He is a generation younger than Mori, but shares many of the same characteristics that make for a successful entrepreneur. As a child, Mazi recalls being very good at math and science, so much so that when it came time for college, he chose to major in software/ computer engineering. And, though he would never end up working in that field, the education has served him well, not only because of the quantitative nature of the restaurant business that few of us ever see (food/menu costing, profit management,
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etc.), but also in his ability to troubleshoot and repair the computer systems that are critical to the running of the business. Mazi left Tehran at the age of twenty-one to pursue an additional graduate degree in architecture. This led him to spend nine months in Naples, Italy where he completed two semesters in the program before once again changing directions in what has been an eclectic life. “It turned out that the Italian they spoke in Naples bore very little resemblance to what I had been led to expect from my research prior to leaving home. As a result, I spent an inordinate amount of time translating and retranslating in order to keep up in my studies. It was extremely challenging.” Fast forward a few months and Mazi took the advice of family members and emigrated to the U.S. to explore dental school. His father was already living here in Los Angeles, and Mazi put down roots in San Antonio to explore medical coursework at San Antonio College. Unfortunately, he quickly discovered that none of his prior college or graduate school credits would be transferable to the SAC program, meaning he would need to start over from scratch, a daunting
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prospect, to put it mildly. Around this time, in mid-2003, he also met for the first time a fellow Iranian ex-pat named Mori Bagheri, a fortuitous introduction that put his life on a very different path from any he had explored to that point. In the years that followed, Mazi worked at and learned about pretty much every job you can do in a restaurant, starting as a busboy at Salsalito Cantina (a Tex Mex restaurant Mori owned at the time), and then trying his hand at everything from dishwasher to bartender to waiter to line cook. He quickly became a top server and began being chosen as Bagheri’s go-to employee for off-site events like parties, catering, etc. Soon, in order to expand his experience, he transitioned to working only nights at Salsalito and took on an additional position at Formosa Garden, the well-known Chinese restaurant near 410 and New Braunfels Avenue. And—because working at two restaurants at the same time apparently wasn’t challenging enough—he soon took a third position at Acenar, another Tex Mex establishment in San Antonio, working as camarero in the upstairs event room Atomar from 10:00 at night until 2:00 in the morning. Having by this point gained a good deal of experience in every facet of restaurant operation, Mazi was given the opportunity to manage Papa Nacho’s, another of Mori Bagheri’s locations across Highway 10 from the Dominion. By the time 2007 rolled around, Mazi and Mori sat down to have a serious conversation about opening a new restaurant that would be run wholly by Mazi. “Even though we were business partners, Mori made it clear from the start that Scuzzi’s would succeed or fail due to my efforts only. A challenging opportunity for sure, but a little frightening at the same time.”
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The first Scuzzi’s—located on 1604 near Military Highway—was successful from the outset, with Mazi working as General Manager, leading a team of dedicated waiters, bartenders, and kitchen staff to provide high-end Italian fare. Only then 2008 came along, and with it the economic collapse and subsequent market downturn that Americans are all too familiar with. This naturally affected the restaurant business as well, and Mazi was quickly faced with the prospect of a significantly smaller customer base and reduced profits. In order to weather the economic storm, he made the difficult decision to let go his salaried staff members and endeavor to perform all of their duties himself until things turned around. This decision resulted in endless 12-14-hour days, but it enabled Scuzzi’s to remain in business, and it also taught Mazi that in a pinch he was, in fact, capable of performing all of these roles, though it didn’t result in much leisure time. Though he admits to loving the restaurant, Mazi is, first and foremost, a businessman, and so, as Scuzzi’s became increasingly successful, he started additional businesses in the area. Before he knew it, he was owner of a cabinet company, a granite company, a gym, and also a real estate company that bought and flipped houses. But by 2016, he came to the realization that it was all too much and he needed to streamline his life and decide what he really wanted to do, which was to focus on Scuzzi’s. “With a portfolio of disparate businesses, the only connection was me, which meant that anytime there was a problem, I had to personally get involved. With the restaurant, I can trust my team to deal with issues as they arise. Many of my senior staff have been with me for twelve or more years, so they know how things work. They are very talented and very loyal.”
Poaching of restaurant staff can be a serious challenge in a vibrant culinary market like San Antonio, particularly when someone decides to open a new establishment and begins looking for well-trained talent. But Mazi has learned an important lesson about the role of employees in restaurants. “Yes, people are a big part of what makes a restaurant successful, but so are the systems and processes you put in place. When you take one of my people, you get the person but not the system. I’ve gotten more than one good employee back who went elsewhere only to have that establishment fail for lack of a workable system.” And one of the key components of that system is listening. Mazi is very hands-on and he trains his people to be the same way. When customers make recommendations— whether about menu items, service, or any other aspect of the dining experience—Mazi takes these comments to heart, whether that means modifying recipes, augmenting the wine list, or making other recommended changes. He pays particular attention to Dominion residents, many of whom have traveled extensively and have spent time in some of the world’s finest restaurants. And if something goes wrong, that means doing whatever it takes to make it right. In this age of social media and the easy/free exchange of opinions—on Yelp, Nextdoor, or Facebook—a disgruntled customer can do far more damage to the business than simply not returning. “It’s all about communication. My mother told me something once that has stuck with me my entire life. ‘You have one mouth but two ears, so you should listen at least twice as much as you talk.’”
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But Mazi’s mother did not have a monopoly on good advice. He recalls a conversation he once had when he was a young boy with his father. “When you eat, you don’t carry the fork all around your head before getting to your mouth. If you’re hungry, you take the fork directly from the plate to your mouth. When you want something—whether it’s information, a favor, whatever—ask for it directly. Don’t beat around the bush.” Mazi’s family is very spread out. His mother and his older sister still live in Tehran, while his father and a younger sister are here in San Antonio, the sister a student at SAC and prospective future medical school student. When probed about non-business interests, Mazi responds: “I was very athletic in school: soccer in middle school, basketball and rugby in high school. I also enjoy skiing, which is not something people typically associate with Iran, even though they do have four seasons there, including snowy winters.” And what about bucket list items—travel, etc.? “I want to go to a World Cup, maybe the upcoming one in Qatar (2022). I had tickets for Brazil last year, but so many things came up with the business that I just couldn’t make it. And, of course, I want to make it back to Tehran sometime. I’ve not been back since leaving at 21.” And what, I ask, would you do if you had a whole week off and didn’t need to do anything at all with the restaurants?
Mazi finds time also to involve himself and his restaurants in the community. He participates in Culinaria (more than 1000 shrimp cooked at the most recent event), Taste of Dominion, Fiesta, and other fundraising events, as well as doing work with the San Antonio Food Bank. When choosing a place to live, he’s always been close to his businesses. When the first Scuzzi’s opened on 1604, he had an apartment that was located a few steps across the parking lot. When it came time to open the Boerne Stage Road location, the Dominion was a logical choice. “I like not only the easy access to the restaurant, but, more importantly, the peace, quiet, and tranquility of my home in The Gardens.” And what about the future? What does a guy aspire to when he’s still quite young but has already done more different things than many do in a lifetime? “I want to get to a place where I can relax a bit more. My problem is I’m too much of a perfectionist. That said, I’d like to open a couple more Scuzzi’s locations and eventually get to a point where I can begin franchising them.” Mazi hesitates for a few seconds when presented with the opportunity to offer a few closing thoughts, words of wisdom, etc. “I guess I go back to the fork thing from my father. Be direct, say what you mean, do what you say you’re going to do. As for me, I’m an open book. You have a question? Just ask me.”
“I’d go to Miami—hang out on the beach, try different restaurants, just relax. But even though I’m really close now to the restaurant industry, when I go to one with friends, I keep my comments and criticisms to myself and just focus on having a good time.”
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COOKING by Tiffany Lewis
PRIME TIME
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What’s better on an early summer evening than some good friends, some good wine, and a killer prime rib. This month, take some time to expand your grilling expertise with this easy to prepare, and ridiculously succulent, prime rib with horseradish cream sauce.
INGREDIENTS 1 (4-rib) standing beef rib roast (about 8 to 12 pounds) 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper Horseradish-Cream Sauce, for serving (recipe below)
DIRECTIONS Rinse the rib roast with cool water and pat dry. Place on a wire rack set on a baking sheet, cover with dry paper towels, and refrigerate until the surface of the meat is dry to the touch. Remove the roast from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and rub with oil, salt and pepper. Let it sit for 1 hour at room temperature. About thirty minutes after you prep the roast, prepare the grill. For a charcoal grill, light about 5 quarts of charcoal. After about 10 minutes, when the charcoal is red hot, carefully transfer it to one side of the grill’s charcoal grate. Set a drip pan next to the hot charcoal. Set the cooking grate over both the charcoal and the drip pan. Place the roast bone-side down on the cooking grate and over the drip pan (do not place over flaming charcoal; it will burn) and cover the grill. Rotate and flip the meat every 30 minutes so that every side of the roast is exposed to the hot side of the grill. Continue until a thermometer inserted into the center of the roast (not touching any bones) reads 125°F for medium rare, about 2 hours. (You may need to add more charcoal halfway through the cooking time.) If you are using a gas grill, we recommend cooking at 250°F for about 2 hours, or until internal temp is 125°F. Transfer the roast to a cutting board, tent it with foil, and allow to rest for 10 minutes (rest time is VERY important). Separate the ribs by cutting through the meat in between them. Slice the meat off the bones and serve with horseradish-cream sauce.
HORSERADISH-CREAM SAUCE 1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled 1/2 cup sour cream 2/3 cup (5 ounces) prepared horseradish 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed Freshly ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS Place heavy cream in a medium bowl and whisk until the cream starts to hold a line when you drag the whisk through it. Using a rubber spatula, fold in sour cream, horseradish, chives, and salt. Season with pepper and additional salt as desired.
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THE DOMINION GIVES by Tiffany Lewis
Until this point in its life a grey has never been in a home, never been to a Petco/ PetSmart, and most astonishing of all: they never DREAMED there could be other dog breeds! The retired racer is a blank slate upon which the new adopters can draw a beautiful picture of retirement. Look at these beautiful animals who have been adopted to date and are now "LIVING LIFE AFTER THE FAST LANE"! The toughest but most joyous part of fostering is placing your foster dog into its new home. Although it can be sad to see them go, the sorrow is quickly overtaken with the joy of matching a greyhound with its new family. The number of greyhounds we can bring into our program is limited only by the number of available foster homes. Please contact us if you would like to open your home and heart to a greyhound on their journey from the track to their forever family.
GREYS UNCORKED 2019: Hounds, Art & Wine
Austin Greyhound Adoption’s primary mission is to find responsible & loving homes for purebred greyhounds after life on the racetrack and to acquaint the public with the desirability and availability of greyhounds as pets. Small dog and cat testing, as well as other behavioral assessments if needed, are done so that a better placement may be achieved. Our hounds are taken to AGA's veterinarians immediately upon arrival to be spayed/neutered, heart worm and parasite tested, teeth cleaned, vaccinations, nails trimmed & bathed. Foster families help newly retired racing greyhounds adjust to life in a home. They introduce their foster dogs to things they 46
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may not have seen on the farm or at the track, like sliding glass doors, mirrors, stairs, tile floors, ceiling fans, and more. They get to know each dog's personality which helps us to find the best forever home possible. Austin Greyhound Adoption pays all medical expenses for greyhounds in foster care, and all we ask of foster families is that they love their foster dog like one of their own, feed it, and talk to prospective adopters about their foster dog. Nobody knows the greyhounds in our program like their foster families! There's nothing quite like placing a retired racer in someone's home to become part of their family. Thanks to our foster parents the greys have been introduced to a house, ceiling fans, sliding glass doors, stairs, swimming pools, full length mirrors, etc.
With the recent vote in Florida that will close greyhound race tracks in that state over the next two years, we expect that 2019 will bring a flood of displaced greyhounds back to Texas. Austin Greyhound Adoption will be very busy as we try to secure foster families and place these homeless greyhounds in loving homes. Come join us for Austin Greyhound Adoption's "Greys Uncorked" at Hawk's Shadow Winery for an afternoon in the beautiful Texas Hill Country while supporting retired racing Greyhounds and the AGA Adoption Program. Ticket prices include 4 wine tastings, etched crystal wine glass, and a cheese & cracker tray. We'll have raffles and a silent auction featuring art and wine ... and well behaved hounds are always welcomed! Tickets are available for $25/person in advance or $30/person at the door and can be purchased online through Eventbrite. All proceeds benefit Austin Greyhound Adoption. Date And Time Sun, April 28, 2019 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT Location Hawk's Shadow Winery & Vineyard 7500 McGregor Lane Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.
If you or someone you know has a good, interesting, or unique story we’d like to know about it. If it’s something you and other residents might like to know more about contact us at The Dominion Magazine. We’d love to hear from you.
210.507.5250 | peggy@smvtexas.com
GOOD READS
by Marlene Neslund, Dominion Resident
AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE is Tayari Jones’ fourth novel. She divides this tale of love and loss into three parts plus an epilogue. Part One, “Bridge Music,” introduces one of the main characters, Roy Othaniel Hamilton, the only child of a loving family living in Eloe, Louisiana. Roy, as the narrator, confesses that while growing up there was nothing extra. “If my childhood were a sandwich, there would be no meat hanging over the bread.” Nevertheless he manages to get a college education. “Eloe…is located in America, and if you’re going to be black and struggling, the United States is probably the best place to do it.”
returns to his home in Eloe to see the man who raised him as his own son, Big Roy. He has lost his beloved wife, Roy’s mother, and has been forced to learn to cook. Roy thinks, “I watched him and wondered if this is what it means to move on, to learn to live in a new way without someone.”
Chapter Two changes the voice of the narrator to that of Celestial, the second main character. She is Roy’s wife of one year. “I believe our marriage was a fine-spun tapestry, fragile but fixable. We tore it often and mended it always with a silken thread, lovely but sure to give away.”
Part Four, “Generosity,” brings the three members of the love triangle together. Right before this, there is a strong scene between Andre and Big Roy in Eloe. It contains authentic dialogue and perhaps some of the best writing in the book.
Their story develops rapidly when Roy is falsely accused of rape and is sentenced to seventeen years by a Louisiana court. The novel now progresses in letter form, written alternatively by Roy in prison and Celestial, whose career is blooming in the art world. While in prison, Roy gains the protection of the “Ghetto Yoda”, who has experience and wisdom of the incarcerated life. His name is Walter and it is discovered that he is Roy’s biological father. Part Three, “Prepare a Table for Me,” starts with yet another narrator, Andre. He is Celestial’s childhood and best friend. Over the five years of Roy’s imprisonment, he becomes Celestial’s lover. He states, “… there is real history between us, not just an accident of time and place.” Right before Christmas, Roy is released early, serving five years. His conviction is overturned but there is no apology nor compensation. After his release, Roy first 48
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The Epilogue completes this story of love lost and new love. As the author states in her notes, “My characters are three people in love- with home, family, freedom and each other. They are also three people in pain.” This novel is an Oprah Book, and as with many of them, concerns itself with racism and the unjust treatment of the African American. The theme of fatherhood is also prevalent. Andre thinks about Celestial’s strong relationship with her successful father; “But a man who is father to a daughter is different to one who is father to a son. One is the left shoe and the other is the right. They are the same but not interchangeable.” Andre’s estranged father tells him in street language, “Every
relationship requires that you go through some shit.” One of the author’s goals was to present a strong female character. Celestial is headstrong, resourceful, independent and hard working. Even Davina, a minor but influential character introduced in Part Three, shows a woman who has survived the hard knocks of life and still holds her head up high. And the names of these women reflect their superior constitutions. Tayari Jones had to rewrite this novel four times before winning editorial acceptance. It has won a number of awards, but it is doubtful it will be remembered as a piece of literary excellence in years to come. A film adaptation is in the planning and hopefully that will be more satisfying.
FITNESS by Jessica Worthey
FITNESS CHALLENGE UPDATE
Dick has lost over 35 lbs! He continues his work with the nutritionist and personal training 3 times a week. Dick has noticed his leg swelling has gone down significantly, a big goal was to get the fluid level decreased. He fits better in his clothes and has increased energy levels. Next month he hopes to lose an additional al 17-20lbs, he is determined to meet his goal and maintain the weight loss!
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Ed has lost 12lbs. He is training with Jess 3-4 times per week and working on his muscle tone and flexibility. He also took a skiing trip. He is juicing in the morning to get those veggies in his diet. He enjoys playing with dogs for added fitness, you may see in the neighborhood chasing Thunder. His goal next month is to play more golf, eat better, no more ice cream and maintain his daily workouts.
Dave Kirk has noticed an increase in flexibility over the past month. His ability to balance has improved, which greatly impacts his injury prevention from taking a fall. He has been trying more Asian food to get additional protein and vegetables in his diet. Linda and Dave created a small home gym to increase fitness activity. Dave’s goal for the next month is to try to play 9 holes. He hopes to get on the driving range as the weather warms up. His yoga practice is keeping his balance and range of motion on par for the course!
Kayce is 5 lbs away from her goal weight. She has been training with Jess 5 times per week on cardio, HIIT, weights, Yoga and Core. She went skiing this past month. She has been trying to make better choices with her diet. She is determined to get her spring break bod ready!
BUNION CORRECTION SPECIALISTS Bunions are a common problem causing pain and limiting activities in over 30% of the population between ages 18 and 80. At Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute we employ the most advanced methods to repair your bunions and give you pain free, normally functioning feet again.
Comprehensive foot and ankle care clinic treating patients of all ages and conditions from athletes foot to major bone deformities.
Many people are afraid to correct their bunions because they have the misconception that it is a painful, long recovery. This is truly a myth. Today, most bunions are corrected safely under local anesthesia with mild sedation anesthesia. In a procedure that is completely bloodless. The average bunion takes only 25 minutes to repair and most patients are back in their own shoes doing normal activities in less than 2 weeks. Give Graser Podiatry and Bunion Surgery Institute a call and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions about any and all foot problems.
17 Old San Antonio Rd., Suite 201 :: Boerne, TX 78006 :: (830) 253-0008 :: Toll Free (833) BUNIONZ www.drrobertegaser.com :: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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G E TAWAY S by Ben Schooley
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Welcome To LAKE LBJ
Lake LBJ is dotted by some amazingly quaint small communities that have offered countless lake-goers a wonderful experience. From Kingsland to Horseshoe Bay to Marble Falls, Lake LBJ is a very unique lake that is nestled in the hills west of Austin and is an extremely popular lake for aquatic fans every summer from April to October. What makes Lake LBJ unique is that it's one of only a handful of lakes controlled by an elaborate dam system that allows the government to classify it as a “constant level lake�. That's right, no matter the deluge nor the drought, the water level on Lake LBJ is constant. It never falls, it never rises. It has allowed a generation of people to enjoy one of nature's most beautiful lakes in an ever-constant pristing condition. That was, until this past fall. Historic rains pummeled the Colorado and Llano rivers which feed Lake LBJ, and in what seemed like a matter of hours, the water began to rise. And rise. The Lower Colorado River Authority did what it has always done, and it opened the flood gates on the lake to maintain the level, but for the first time in history, it was impossible to release water fast enough to maintain the level on the lake. Within an afternoon, million dollar homes all along the shoreline of Lake LBJ were destroyed, The clean-up has been long, but sure enough, the quaint towns along Lake LBJ are coming back and welcoming visitors again for this upcoming tourist season. For this issue, we take a look at a few of those towns and highlight how, in the midst of their rebuilding, they are ready to welcome you and provide some wonderful summer memories.
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KINGSLAND, TEXAS One of the most hard-hit towns from the flood, Kingsland is a small community of the west side of the lake. The central portion of it was virtually wiped out, including its main bridge into and out of town. However, while getting there might require a bit of a detour, the town is aching for your tourism business and features some great stops.
HORSESHOE BAY, TEXAS Horseshoe Bay is the resort community on the southeastern portion of the lake, and abuts the dam for the lake, so the waters are deepest here and pristine. The community itself features resort amenities such as golf, spa, and restaurant, but the area also offers quite a bit while you are out enjoying the waters for the day.
The Bluebonnet Cafe is one of the most famous spots in town, and has been featured in dozens of publications over the years. Famous for its down-home menu and home-made options, the Bluebonnet is your first and last stop while venturing through Kingsland. www.bluebonnetcafe.net
On the Rocks Restaurant and Bar One of our favorites, you can't get a much better view. Situation with a scenic view of the dam, patrons can dine on the patio overlooking the lake, sample a varied menu, enjoy live music, and enjoy a cold cocktail while watching the sunset on one of the most beautiful lakes in Texas. www.diningontherocks.com
The BoatTown Burger Bar is exactly what it sounds like – a burger joint located right on the water where you can pull in with your boat, walk in dripping wet in your trunks, and enjoy a homemade burger and a margarita right on the banks of the lake. www.facebook.com/BTBurgerBar/
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Tired after a day on the lake? Have a boat full of people and don't really have the time or energy to “clean up” too much for dinner or drinks? “Hole in One Sports Bar” is for you. A family friendly atmosphere serving pizza, burgers, and similar offerings, it's a great spot to enjoy before heading home with a cold beer and a filling burger, chicken, nachos, or steak. www.holeinone.biz
MARBLE FALLS, TEXAS On the northeastern portion of the lake sits Marble Falls, which is the largest of the cities residing on the Highland Lakes system. Far from a big city, yet more than a small town, Marble Falls has most of the amenities of a larger town, but with a small town vibe. River City Grille When in a small town, the locals know where the “secret spot” is for good food. River City Grille is the spot for Marble Falls folks. It's not easy to do good ol' fashioned “diner food” and do it well, but that's exactly what they do at “The Grille”. An easy atmosphere, convenient location, and a great laid-back vibe with food that you'll certainly remember. www.rivercitygrilletx.com Bella Sera Restaurant Bearing no relation to the Boerne based restaurant, Bella Sera in Marble Falls has been slinging spaghetti and other Italian dishes since '03, so they know what they're doing. Using homemade and fresh ingredients, come for the pizza or ravioli, and stay for the amazing wine menu. www.bellaseratx.com
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HOME TOUR
MODERN
IN DOMINION Modern in Dominion - An architectural masterpiece designed by Oscar Flores - Beyond the homes, 14-foot entry is a light-filled open floor plan with spacious living spaces and Fleetwood sliding doors that blur the line between indoors and out bringing awe-inspiring views to the living room with floor to ceiling windows. An eye-catching 500 bottle temperature controlled cooler is one of many focal points in the entertaining space. Six bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms complete the interior including a master suite with a separate living area, walk-in closet, spa-like bath with a large soaking tub. The ultra-modern pool is an engineering marvel in itself featuring a waterfall that cascades from the roof. Outdoors you will also find under the stars dining spaces, an outdoor kitchen with Lynx grill, sink, refrigerator and an incredible rooftop deck with views for miles. The home also features a NUVO home audio system with built-in speakers throughout. This property offers a truly elevated lifestyle experience with easy access to the best that San Antonio has to offer.Â
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Price Upon Request // Represented by Adam Rivera with Kuper Sotheby's International Realty www.modernindominion.com Adam Rivera 210.872.8683 www.theadamrivera.com adam.rivera@sothebysrealty.com 4 Dominion Drive, Building 2 San Antonio, TX 78257 Photography by Lauren Keller
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OUT & ABOUT
EXPLORING THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES AROUND US One of the wonderful parts about living in San Antonio is the variety and diversity of activities that you can enjoy. Yes, there are many things going on at the Country Club, but outside the gates, there’s a world of experiences to enjoy in the city. From art to books to wine to history…there’s so much that you can be involved with and learn a great deal about from the teachings of the experts in each field. Below you’ll find some of our favorites that are happening around town, and hope that you’ll find one that speaks to you and Carpe Diem!
ART Southwest School of Art (highly respected) features a whole slew of adult community art classes you can join. We would list them for you, but there’s literally too many of them. We’re talking page after page of options. Go to their site and check them all out; you won’t be disappointed. www.swschool.org
THEATRE Performing Arts San Antonio features 4 or 10 week acting classes taught by Paul Tinder. Designed for those that are interested in acting in everything from full blown theatre to commercials, the classes teach you the “behind the scenes” aspects to acting and theatre that will surely engage you. www.performingartssa.org
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BIRDING You go outside and fetch the mail and hear a beautiful bird call. Do you know what kind of bird it is? Well, join the San Antonio Audubon Society and you will! They meet the first Thursday of each month at the Zoo, and schedule frequent outings to observe birds in their habitat and document their observations. www.saaudubon.org
HIKING The San Antonio Hill Country Hikers’ Group meets multiple times per week to hike various parks and nature preserves. Very casual, but just a group of people that love to hike together and meet like-minded folks. Don’t worry – they’re not hiking the Himalayas…just local parks at approximately a 4-6 mile average journey. www.meetup.com/ SanAntonioHillCountryHikers/events/
SPELUNKING Probably a niche activity or interest, but hey, spelunking in caves is pretty cool! The Bexar Grotto is committed to the protection of caves and cave conservation activities. These activities include exploration, education, restoration, protection, and assisting government agencies and private landowners in developing management plans for caves and karst. Bexar Grotto members have contributed many hours of volunteer time and effort to study and protect these valuable resources and enjoyed themselves in the process! The Bexar Grotto is a chapter of the National Speleological Society (NSS). The NSS is a non-profit organization affiliated with the American Association for the advancement of Science. The NSS was founded to advance the study, conservation, exploration, and knowledge of caves. Since 1983 Bexar Grotto has provided a forum for cavers to meet and participate in various caving activities, including surveying/mapping, exploration, and conservation projects. http://caves.org/grotto/bexargrotto/
BOOKS The San Antonio Public Library Foundation hosts “Great Books Seminars” frequently that are great for you book-lovers! The free events are open discussion forums based on some of the most well known literary works of the 20th Century. December’s events are centered around the writings of Nietzsche. www.saplf.org
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ART EVENTS - APRIL
heART on the hill 2019 April 5, 2019, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM $65
Join us on Friday, April 5 for heART on the hill, an event benefiting St. Paul's Episcopal Montessori School. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and an art auction featuring pieces from some of San Antonio's top artists. This year's theme is Art Deco, so don your best flapper gown, pull out that geometric pattern tie, and enjoy a night on the town, Gatsby-style! Lambermont Events 950 East Grayson Street San Antonio, TX 78208
Mission City Film Art Party: ¡Viva Art Festival by San Antonio Party! April 12, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM Public Library Free with Museum admission April 10, 2019, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Free
The City of San Antonio has long had a deep artistic well of individuals that have raw, untapped potential in the creative art of filmmaking. As such, the San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) has taken the vital role of fostering local talent by creating a film festival that celebrates local talent and creativity. SAPL’s Mission City Film Festival has been created to encourage development in the art of film making by local talent and it is its mission to showcase and promote the artistic filmmaking made by emerging and established filmmakers of San Antonio. Alamo Drafthouse 618 Northwest Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78216
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Celebrate Fiesta before Fiesta and put the art in pARTy. Enjoy a craft cocktail by The Esquire Tavern, cash bar, live music by Blackbird Sing, and themed tours. Pick up your Fiesta medal the day of or online. Viva Fiesta! San Antonio Museum of Art Luby Courtyard 200 West Jones Avenue San Antonio, TX 78215
More Than Just a Pretty Picture: Mastering Instagram April 13, 2019 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM $199-499
Join us in San Antonio for an entire day focused just on Instagram with Carly Anderson, Jennifer Borget, and LaShawn Wiltz. Discover how these three professionals spot their photo-worthy moments, make an art and a sizeable following of their Instagram content, and how this open doors to new opportunities. Learn from experts who have mastered the art and rhythm of storytelling and growth of their personal brands on Instagram. What guides them as they choose what to post each day. Where do they find ideas for the content they share? And how do they seek out those perfect photos and videos to add to an ever-growing stream of awesomeness? How have they adapted to changing technology and algorithms that affect which photos display in someone's feed? More information available on FLOCK's event page.
Workshop: Point, Shoot, and Print with David Salinas
Live! At The Library: Lone Star Swing Orchestra
Join professional photographer David Salinas in a two-day workshop inspired by the special exhibition Capturing the Moment. Spend Saturday shooting film around campus and Sunday printing your favorite shots using traditional darkroom processes. Cameras and supplies are included, but registrants are welcome to bring their own 35mm cameras. Saturday will be spent mostly outside walking and shooting photos. Please dress appropriately and be prepared to be on your feet.
Big band sound comes to the Patrick Heath Public Library's amphitheater with Lone Star Swing Orchestra on April 18th at 7 p.m.! Bring your lawn chairs, picnics and dancing shoes for a night of free music under the Texas stars!
April 13-14, 2019 $75-$85
April 18, 2019 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm Free
Patrick Heath Public Library 451 N. Main Street Boerne, TX 78006
This is a two-part workshop. Please be prepared to attend both sessions when registering. San Antonio Museum of Art 200 West Jones Avenue San Antonio, TX 78215
Hotel Valencia Riverwalk 150 East Houston Street San Antonio, TX 78205 T h e D o m i n i o n -M a g a z i n e . c o m
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AREA EVENTS - APRIL
April 5
First Friday Art Walk Fredericksburg Tour fine art galleries offering special exhibits, demon-strations, refreshments, and extended viewing hours the first Friday of every month. Various locations. 830-9976523; ffawf.com
April 5
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in Concert Blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and Dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy reminds us that it is cool to swing. After 25 years, 11 records (with sales over 2 million albums to date), over 2,800 live shows, and countless appearances in film and television, BBVD’s all-original core lineup has Boerne “dancin’ in the aisles” with their horn-infused music and legendary highenergy show. Boerne Champion High School Auditorium, 201 Charger Blvd. 830-331-9079; visitboerne.org
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April 5-7
Texas Vintage Motorcycle Fandango The event includes a vintage parts swap meet, bike show, and vintage dirt races. Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 530 Fair Drive. cherokeeamca.org
April 12-14
Swing on the Square The annual festival is a weekend full of live music and family fun. Swing on the Square hosts live music on three stages. There is also a BrewHop (craft beer tour), Hall of Fame Show, farmers and arts market, Cowboy Gospel show, and street dancing. Downtown San Marcos, Courthouse Square. 512-3938430; smtx-swingfest.com
April 13
Boerne Parade of Artists Boerne Professional Artists (BPA) is hosting its 23rd Annual Parade of Artists on April 13th, 2019. The 'Parade' is a festive event held each spring which attracts hundreds of art enthusiasts from around the country to visit various art venues in Boerne. It is a selfguided tour of local galleries, studios and “other venues” principally located along the Hill Country Mile.
April 13
Second Saturday Art Beat Boerne shops and art galleries are teaming up to present a heart-racing fine art experience. Take a walk on the art side every second Saturday of the month. Look for the flashy banners displayed through-out Boerne. Hill Country Mile, 100 N. Main. 210954-6659; visitboerne.org
April 25-28
Hill Country Film Festival Annual film festival screens the best of independent film from Texas and around the world. Fritztown Cinema, 2254 US 87. 866224-7714; hillcountryff.com
April 27
Texas Corvette Association Annual Open Car Show The 27th Annual Open Car Show is expected to draw more than 350 entrants and hundreds of car enthusiasts. This year’s show offers a weekend of exciting activities. In its 11th year as an official Fiesta event and once again in the beautiful city of Boerne, this Open Car Show is open to all types of vehicles and offers something for every-one. Hill Country Mile, 100 N. Main. 830-2265386; visitboerne.org
April 27
“International Series: Kupinski Guitar Duo” This classical guitar duo is the perfect finale to a diverse season of artists from around the world. Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd. 512-300-2247; austinclassicalguitar.org
April 26
Bulverde Lions Club Wild Game Dinner The Bulverde Lions Club works actively throughout the year in planning and conducting their Annual Wild Game Dinner at Anhalt Hall in Spring Branch, Texas. Our next Wild Game Dinner will occur in April 26, 2019. The Annual Wild Game Dinner serves delicious exotic food and hosts live and silent auctions consisting of hunts, fishing trips, premium guns and many other assorted fishing and hunting items. 6 PM https:// bulverdelionsclub.com/wild-game-dinner 830 237-0155.
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DA AG
WHEN TO HELP SPRINGTIME BABY ANIMALS AND WHEN NOT TO
BABY BIRDS A nestling is a pink baby with no feathers or just a few fluffy feathers. A nestling on the ground can be placed back in the nest or in a box lined with brown grass and attached to the tree closest to where the baby was found. The parents will not abandon it because you touched the baby bird. It may take several hours for the parents to resume care. Watch from a location that cannot be seen by the parents. Fledglings are covered with feathers and may spend several days to weeks on the ground learning from the parents how to hunt for seeds or catch insects. If a fledgling is found in an unsafe area, it may be moved to the cover of a nearby bush.
by Louan LeDoux
If you find a baby duck or goose and know where the mother is, place the baby near the mother. If the mother has not claimed the baby within one hour or if the mother is dead, contact WRR. BABY MAMMALS If you find a baby mammal, replace it in the den or nest if you can. Otherwise, place the baby in a small box near where it was found. Stay out of sight and allow 4-6 hours for the mother to return. If the mother does not return, call WRR. Baby deer, or fawns, are often left by their mothers for extended periods while the fawns lie quietly curled and almost motionless. If a fawn is in a dangerous area such as a roadside curb, it may be moved to the closest safe spot. If a fawn is wandering alone, crying, or lying on its side, it may be orphaned.
Spring brings the coming of newborn babies in the wildlife community. When you find one of these babies, how do you know if it really needs help? In most cases, it is best to leave young wild animals alone. A baby's best chance of survival is to stay with its mother. Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (WRR) located in Kendalia, TX is an excellent resource for residents of The Dominion. The facility accepts sick and injured wildlife and orphaned babies. Their hotline number is manned by volunteers who can answer questions regarding when and how to help. 70
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Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (WRR) has a 24 hour hotline to help if you are uncertain if an animal needs to be rescued or if you need advice on how to help an animal. If a baby animal is obviously orphaned, injured, sick, or covered with ants or bites, call WRR. They get many calls during the spring and summer so leave a detailed message and await a return call. Do not try to feed or give water or cow's milk to a baby animal while you wait. WRR also has a San Antonio drop off location at 1354 Basse Road. Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation 24 hr Hotline (830) 336-2725
THE DOMINION MAGAZINE 930 E. Blanco Rd., Suite 200 Boerne, TX 78006