founder & publisher fernando de haro
copy editor
rebecca maria rodríguez
NO 45
design & production
october • november 2017
lead designer gabriela lozano
photographer ferch
high end retouching paola denyce badouin
production + video assistant katya peña
Cream San Antonio amely garza
Hello, October! Here we are once again with another issue finished and ready for you to enjoy! This is issue number #45 and we want to say a big thanks to all of you because these past months have been rough for many people around us, starting with my hometown of Houston that was severely affected by the floods caused by Hurricane Harvey. Shortly after that, Mexico suffered one of the most devastating earthquakes since 1985, Puerto Rico was also heavily hit by Hurricane Maria and hundreds of people lost their homes, and finally, Las Vegas suffered the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. Yet from all of this suffering, all of the tears and sadness, there is something that shines bright in people, and that is their will to unite and fight back and show their spirit and will are bigger than any tragedy. I am proud of how people have reacted around the world with prayers, donations of all kinds and gotten together to help others. Because of this, my faith in humanity is still alive! At Cream, we wanted to honor our own hometown heroes and created the article “Faces of Courage” which is our own small way to say thanks to all the veterans who have risked their lives for this beautiful country that we call home! Stay tuned to our social media because we have new and exciting things coming.
dulce maría miranda
interns monserratt guajardo grecia mariela ramos mariana ortega wendy gonzalez
writers
rubén bazán iii, joe arciniega, michelle cook, victor hugo garcía, elyssa canales-villarreal.
sales
cynthia vallejo, dara michelle neher and leslie miramontes
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Copyright © 2017 Cream City Magazine is a bi-monthly publication. All rights reserved. Points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of Cream City Magazine. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we believe is incompatible with our mission. We also reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we deem competitive or contrary to the best interests of the magazine. Advertisers are legally responsible for the content, accuracy, and images of their ads. Printed in Mexico.
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Faces of ll Fa r fo up r ea G Courage
Gear up for Fall
Meet two dynamic achievers who contribute to the development of both Laredos. They are flying high on Cream’s radar.
ANGELO PICCIRILLO
Piccirillo Gifts/Owner, and Business/Economic Development Professional for TAMIU Small Business Development Center
I was born in Italy and came to the United States when I was 12. I learned English while growing up in Cleveland, and graduated from college in 1978. One month later, I packed my car and drove to Texas to find my future. I began my career in the financial and economic development field over 35 years ago when I first moved to Laredo from Cleveland. I began working preparing SBA loan application for local small business. In 1998, my wife Agueda and I opened a gift store in North Laredo called Piccirillo Gifts. Next year, our store will be celebrating its 20 year anniversary.
Knowledge inspires me and motivates me to keep up with what’s going on in the world and how it’s going to affect our lives. It prepares me for whatever changes may come along, good or bad.
When my wife and I opened Piccirillo Gifts, we did not know what to expect. It was (and still is) a lot of hard work, but as my wife says, Piccirillo Gifts is our baby; it’s part of our life and will always be with us. If you want to become a successful business owner, you must love what you are doing, must love people and provide excellent customer service. I try to provide the same service to all of my customers that I assist at the TAMIU Small Business Development Center. I respect people and provide them with options and directions. I still hope to achieve more in my life. The world is constantly changing and we have to adapt, seize new opportunities and keep moving forward. However, you need someone by your side who supports you and shares the same dream. I am fortunate that I have Agueda by my side. We have put down strong roots and invested our time in creating a brand, and in providing excellent customer service. No matter what the economy may throw at us, we will survive and prosper because the foundation and vision has grown from the strongest roots.
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MARGARITA D. MOLANO Art teacher
I studied 4 years of interior Design in Monterrey, sincerely believing I was going to end up working with an architect. Years later, I owned and managed Señor Frogs for 10 years. At the beginning, I just loved learning and sharing my experiences with my classmates and friends. Later, I did it professionally at several schools in Mexico before arriving at Mary Help of Christians School in Laredo. Today, I’ve been teaching art to children for over 15 years! I took it as a personal challenge: to work with kids, and then prove that I could make a difference.
Follow your dreams, and whatever you choose, do it well. With art in particular, there are never-ending possibilities to explore. You can transpose anything in your mind into creating something new, that is tangible and yours. It doesn’t matter what medium you choose: music, dance, paint, architecture, literature, sculpture… as long as it’s your own. I constantly strive to do more. After many years of working on “WHY ART”: my book for kids about the elements and principles of art, it’s finally ready! I have big plans for it. There’s also a project in the works that includes my community kids’ paintings. Nothing is greater than the opportunity to develop the awareness of many kids in our community, and I hope it enriches their personal lives with something that will truly help with finding themselves as individuals. Now, more than ever, it’s important to encourage and develop your children’s creativity. It will make them into strong individuals who will go far in their lives.
creamout&about
laredo orthodontics picnic
Cream was invited to attend the annual Laredo Orthodontics picnic. It was a fun event where friends and colleagues gather around to enjoy a day filled with great food and activities. See you next year!
border came together to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and their shared heritage through music, food and fun.
creamout&about
runway kids opening Runway Kids boutique celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 22 with a ribbon cutting and a runway show where children hit the catwalk in some of the store’s stylish apparel.
U.S. Over There Wander Makes the Heart Go Fonder
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wedding in Bordeaux. The neo-gothic church was burrowed within rows upon rows of blue-roofed 18th century architecture leaning over the crisscrossed cobblestone streets of the Chartrons district. Twin towers topped by prickly spires loomed in the distance, hinting at the splendor to come blocks before we arrived. In full view, the church fascia of buff colored stones, aged to mottles of gray and lavender, framed a colossal rose window staring down at us like Oz.
After the ceremony, the impossibly slim, impossibly chic American bride, and her impossibly chic, impossibly slim French groom stood at that same spot radiating their beauty and happiness at us all, family, friends, and curious passers by. And as if such a scene needed another layer of charm, a bearded local in a tiny green station wagon overflowing with five large white dogs licking at the wind whizzed by honking his horn, as he shouted his blessings to “les amoureux.” The sunset cocktail party and tented reception at the groom’s family winery in the country just outside Bordeaux, was the final gilt edged page of this Franco-American feast that ended with fireworks against a sliver of a moon, and dancing hours past the cool, inky night.
My wife and I, as well as our daughter and her boyfriend (brother of the bride, both children of dear friends), had flights for home scheduled so early the next morning that sleep was impossible; even the term nap would have been too lavish. So fully clothed, we took a blink until the alarms sounded. At the Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, we deposited the 21 year olds onto their Paris connection, while my wife and I headed for ours through Madrid.
As we settled into our seats, we marveled at how much we missed home, not just our house and our town, but our state, Texas, and the United States;
we missed America herself.
But after such sumptuous magnificence in Europe, having arrived in France by train days before, following a tour of the Spanish Basque countryside, including Bilbao and the medieval village of Arciniega, we had to wonder why. Especially since the contrasts at the particular point in time that we left home couldn’t have placed it at more of a disadvantage: outsized political discord and rhetoric from the White House and the halls of Congress to “Friend” pages on Facebook; Texas’ Hurricane Harvey, Florida’s Hurricane Irma, earthquakes and scattered tornadoes; or marching, brutalizing, vandalizing Nazis in Charlottesville bookended by marching, brutalizing, vandalizing Antifas in Berkeley. Looking back, we could recall that by the time we left the United States for Europe, we were ready to get away. But here on the return, we realized that the grace, beauty, and charm of Mademoiselle France and Senorita España aside, we were ready to go back to our American Girl. We even, perhaps a bit ungraciously, began to find fault. European airports are confusing. Departure gates are not promptly identified; at the Madrid airport no one seemed in a great hurry to post them any sooner than minutes before boarding, as if they were
worried about a spoiler alert. Nothing is sufficiently highlighted or explained. And this was not a language issue for us; it was an information absence issue. In comparison, the U.S. airports, with signs, markers, video and plenty of human beings, handhold, feed and burp us through terminals and gates, straight onto our seats as they cheerfully point to the exits and the dropped air masks in case of a catastrophic emergency that we would unlikely survive. Now that’s service with a smile.
Another thing, the coffee is terrible, and way too stingily served. Of course, the taste notwithstanding, we still wanted more, and the looks we got for asking were ambiguously judgmental. We explained that Texans drink gallons of coffee, and that usually elicited smiles and sincere curiosity about our home state, which lessened the sting. As we had on European trips before, we were pleased to mostly find that the people were pleasant. We did come across a “Seinfeld Soup Nazi” at a coffee shop that was no more irritating than ones we might encounter in the United States. People are people the world over; there are lovely ones and lame ones everywhere. That’s about parenting and family, regardless of which language and country. Overall, there isn’t much that we could genuinely deride (except the coffee). We were just anticipating home, and the first American airport we encountered upon our return to the U.S. was bound to receive the largesse of our skewed sentimentality. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a glorious wonder. Signs, brightly lit, painted, and printed everywhere, directing us to baggage claim, Customs, bathrooms, and shops. Gate information posts were waiting patiently for us to gaze upon and reference, with knowledgeable guides everywhere. As for the people, some of them were helpful and friendly and some weren’t, just like we found in Europe. It was particularly interesting, however, for us to note the rich diversity of people throughout the airport among passengers, airport administrators, store clerks and restaurant workers. The halls were teeming with race, culture, gender, and age diversity like we had not seen to that degree in the places we were in Europe this time. It was a surprising pleasure to note, especially for the criticism received from without and within about the functional diversity in our country. However wonderful our visit to Europe, we are unabashedly delighted to be home. We know that time will sort and correct perspective, returning the magic of Bordeaux and the Basques to their well-deserved place in our memory of them, just as it will some of the disappointments of home. Nevertheless, wherever it may be, home is home. It may not be perfect, but it is where our heart is, and there really is no place like it. Plus, the coffee is just right.
BY JOE ARCINIEGA arciniegajoe@gmail.com
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BY ELYSSA CANALES VILLARREAL
From Womb Mates
To Room Mates
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woke up today to a text message from my husband that included an unexpected photo of my twin boys nestled together and co-sleeping on one bed. Apparently, after the last few months of habitual arguing, fist fights, non-stop tattling, and the occasional bloody nose, there still laid a morsel of brotherly love, deep down in the crevices of their rival hearts. I was truly beginning to lose my marbles. Between Andreas (our toddler) and the adventures of this infamous duo I was nearing the brink of insanity. Continuously, I have heard heart-warming stories of harmonious bonds between siblings and an occasional disagreement here and there. These days, however, the only thing they are willing to share is a rivalry so deep that at times I can’t even get them to share a textbook if one forgets to bring it home from school. So I went to the source, seeking guidance and sound advice from my mother, who simply replied, “swack em’ with the belt!”
Keep in mind this woman is a first-generation American with a set of old school Mexican beliefs, but also a mother whom in my opinion successfully raised two human beings. This may very well be the pivotal moment that Nicholai and Alexei graduate with honors to next level discipline. (Thanks, Grandma!) Although I respect her tips, I don’t necessarily think it’s my way. Naturally, I decided to do what any millennial would do...Google! I read through some blogs on sibling rivalry and skimmed over others until I found one that struck a cord. I was lead to understand that tension isn’t biased to only twins but siblings in general. (Hello, Captain Obvious!) First day of school drop-off has oddly been tear free and essentially easy; I’d bid them farewell with such ease and peace of mind knowing that they had each other to comfort and protect one another. From the beginning of their existence they have gone from sharing a womb, to playmates, and to roommates. Ten years of partaking in the exact same schedule is enough to drive anyone mad. Selfishly, I had just expected them to carry on effortlessly side-byside without any rifts. The harsh reality is they are growing up. Their personalities are developing and like the rest of us, they long for some space. As any cool mom would do, I reverted to some old school reverse psychology and offered up choice sports. One opted for football and the other picked up an additional soccer team; unexpectedly this change in scheduling also gifted me some independent time with each of them. We hit the mute button on the bickering and oddly enough these little nuggets actually began to miss each other. Can you say “winning?” Everyone has their claim to have the perfect equation to diffusing sibling opposition, but if I’ve learned anything about being a boy mom, it’s that a good offense is usually your best defense at any sport. cream
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hile the amount of civil marriages at the Laredo courts varies on a daily basis, there was one in particular in late August that shook me to my core. The couple’s intention was to get married in their hometown of Corpus Christi. However, Hurricane Harvey’s forced evacuation left them no choice but to leave everything behind and find shelter in Laredo. Yet amidst the tragedy, and the fact that they had nowhere to go back to at the time, they managed to see past their current troubles and find a judge who would officiate and legally seal their love towards one another. It was a ray of sunlight in an environment of gloom and despair. Texas was hit hard. The state’s coastal bend and the entire city of Houston were paralyzed for days, with cities and towns becoming virtual extensions of the Gulf of Mexico. By the first few days, over 30,000 people had been displaced from their homes and, in true Texas fashion, found refuge in towns across the state. Homes vanished. Businesses were destroyed. Pets were left behind. Jobs were inadvertently terminated. Lives were lost. In essence, the lives of thousands were permanently changed. However, help was found.
Texas is a proud state. Its inhabitants (this writer included) may at times border on stubborn, refusing to ask for help out of fear of appearing weak or needy. Mostly, it’s because we firmly believe that we can take care of ourselves. My family and I were luckily spared from the tragedy. However, as a proud Texan, I found myself asking for help for those whom I knew that, by Lone Star standards, can traditionally take care of themselves. It was this tragedy that opened my eyes to so much. Without Texas immediately asking for aid, people from across the country and from across the border (not to mention across the political aisle and religious spectrum) were devoting so much of their time and energy and finances that it reminded me, once again, how wonderful the human race can be. Doors were opened to strangers looking for a place to sleep. Entire paychecks were donated to the cause. Caravans carrying basic necessities were deployed. The slumber of many was deferred, all because our fellow man was in need. Texas accepted the much needed help, abandoning all preexisting pride. How wonderful would it be if this approach was practiced daily?
While much of the aftermath will only be measured in approximate dollar amounts, it is the help of others that trumps any permanent damage to our feelings. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” While I agree with him, I beg to make an exception, given the circumstances under which he said it. In the days after Harvey’s landfall, pastor Joel Osteen was heavily criticized for his refusal to use his church as a shelter for refugees.
BY RUBÉN BAZÁN III THERUBENINDEX@GMAIL.COM
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Social media is a powerful force, yet his criticism occupied very little of my news feed. More were the stories of aid being administered and helpful hands being stretched out. I saw more people asking what they can do to alleviate the situation. This, my loyal readers, is what we should be remembering in times of need. The amount of gratitude we have towards those who did do something quickly eclipses all negativity.
Beloved TV personality Mr. Rogers once publicly remembered something his mother said. “Always look for the helpers” he recalls, reminding us that there is light in the people who exist to serve others. Texas may be a proud state, yet it was during Hurricane Harvey that not only did it need help, but help found it. Like the Corpus Christi couple who found someone to marry them, so did Texas find someone who provided love and support – even if it came from out of town. I recognize that Harvey isn’t the only tragedy. Andrew, Katrina, Sandy, Gustav, Isaac, Irma, and Maria are only a few of the hurricanes that have destroyed so much. Earthquakes such as the one in Mexico City and its surrounding areas and tsunamis across the world do extensive damage as well, as do wildfires and other extreme forces of nature. However, this hit close to home, and it gave me much to think about and much to appreciate.
We’re all members of this society – a society called earth. Fortune’s wicked hand spins the wheel we so simultaneously love and dread. So give a hand when needed, and accept the help you’re given. It is, after all, the best way to unify our hearts. Forever in debt to those who help, serve, and provide.
ice cream what comes to mind when someone mentions
the words “mexican ice cream”? Surely the great variety of flavors: from the most classic to the most eccentric and unimaginable where it is possible to combine the sweet with salty, spicy and sour. This is the essence of “La Tradicional”, a Mexican concept in ice cream where you can choose from a wide variety from traditional ones like lemon, mango, vanilla, strawberry, etc., to more special ones like “chocolate Abuelita”, or cucumber with jicama and chamoy, and tastes that include classic Mexican pastries such as the “Gansito” snack cake.
By the way, you can also order any flavor that you can think of à la carte! (In advance of course). Cream took the delicious task of testing these authentic and handcrafted ice creams, also known as sorbets, and we all came to the conclusion that they are delicious. Cream Certified! La Tradicional Nieves de Garrafa 3819 McPherson Rd. • (956) 337-1796
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PHOTOGRAPHY FERCH
HIGH END RETOUCHING PAOLA DENYCE BADOUIN MODEL PAULA RAMIREZ
HAIR & MAKEUP STEPHANIE CAZARES
APPAREL PRAGUE BOUTIQUE AND BRILLIANCE BOUTIQUE
APPAREL BRILLIANCE BOUTIQUE
APPAREL PRAGUE BOUTIQUE
APPAREL PRAGUE BOUTIQUE
APPAREL BRILLIANCE BOUTIQUE
Catching Up with
Mr. Dickerson He is a lawyer like no other. You can spot him driving his motorbike in full suit and tie with his neon colored helmet on his way to the court. If you are wondering who this might be, it is Joseph Michael Dickerson, known to many as Mike. He is someone I have admired ever since we met some years ago, when we wrote an article about the Boys Scouts, an organization to which he is truly committed to. Since that time, we became really interested in knowing a little bit more about him. A few days ago, we went to have a cup of coffee. Today, we share with you a little of what he does and about a special project he is preparing to launch early next year. BY FERNANDO DE HARO
Laredo Office: 2 Lindenwood Drive, Laredo, TX 78045 Phone: 956-267-4516 / Fax: 956-791-5401 McAllen Office: 3900 N. 10th Street, Ste. 915, McAllen, TX 78501
Joseph Michael Dickerson Sole Practitioner
creambizfinancial
Hello Michael, we see you everywhere! You are always very active within your community, and mainly with the Boys Scouts. Tell me, where do you get all that energy and love to help people around you from? There is always energy to do the right thing and to do good for others. I don’t always have energy and need to muster it up just like everyone else. You just need to keep going when things need to get done. Laredo has been growing a great deal lately. There are more and more openings of new businesses and we can see way more development in the city. What does it mean for you to be part of this? Well, it means a lot to me to be a part of my clients’ new businesses and the start of their new ventures because I know that they are being set up in a manner that is going to provide them the most protection and give them the greatest chance for success. As a transactional attorney and BoardCertified estate planner, I can imagine saving time is of the utmost importance. How have you discovered time you didn’t think you had? Two things that have been timesavers in my life is an app called Audible and my motorcycle. I use the app to listen to books when I have free time, either driving to the office or while driving on out-of-town trips. I’m able to listen to about twenty-five books throughout the year, whereas before, I would read only one book a year. Riding down IH 35 on my motorcycle to get to court and a decent parking space has also been a big timesaver. I think people get a kick out of seeing me zoom past on a bike, with my neon helmet and a business suit. It certainly makes me visible to motorists! You volunteer with Rotary International and you are really involved in Boy Scouts here locally. How does your service life challenge the time you have for business and family? Well, Rotary and Scouting are both very important to me. I try to incorporate family-time with those two organizations. Our boys are all in Scouting and I met my wife through Rotary, so we do a lot of things together as a family and a couple. The friends we have made in both organizations are also part of our extended family. As for the law firm, I think the service I do for Rotary and Scouting has helped with with my client base. My clients are very supportive of me, and at the same time, they know the quality of professionalism my firm is ready to provide. They know they have an attorney who doesn’t just care about the transaction. I care about the community, the youth, and the future generations. I think that makes an attorney stand out to their clients. It’s important they can see the quality of character of the attorney that they’re hiring.
Joseph Michael Dickerson Texas board-certified estate planning and probate attorney. With more than 20 years of experience as an attorney who focuses on helping people plan for the future.
Why have you been a lone wolf lawyer since the beginning of your career? I’ve always had my own practice, but I have had partnerships with other attorneys. However, the main rule for those partnerships has always been, “You eat what you kill.” Being a lone wolf lawyer is more about being able to have control of my time and the opportunities to participate in the different activities like Rotary with Scouting and having family time. Basically, I’m not a fan of people telling me what I can do and when I can do it. What has been the biggest game changer for you in the past year? After having a blended family of five boys together with my wife ranging from 23 years of age to 9, having a baby girl in the past year has been a big game changer. She has stolen my heart. It’s also pushed me to be more focused on what’s important and making time to be home. It’s given me a reason to be more effective and efficient with my time at the office. What’s your guilty pleasure of the moment? Domino Drop app game. Has having such a large blended family of six children changed your perspective as an estate planner and someone who designs important documents like Wills? Most definitely! It’s allowed me to give a personal reference to clients who have similar backgrounds. It has made me realize that you can be fair to all your children, yet you might not want to be equal to all your children, and that’s OK. It is a matter of seeing how each individual child is going to be affected by the wealth you decide to leave to them or perhaps not leave to them. Both decisions can have merit. The estate planning process should be unique and tailored to fit the needs of each unique family. What’s the best advice you could give to your clients to end the year right? I recommend two things. Make sure you have your estate
plan in order or in the least, have a Will, even if you just write something up yourself. Obviously, it will be better to have your Will completed by a Board-Certified Attorney in Estate Planning and Probate, but if you don’t, having something in place is better than having nothing in place. The second thing is having your business documents up-to-date. Make sure that your records are in order and that all of the company actions are documented so you don’t have any headaches that go by the name of Uncle Sam. I highly recommend to my clients to make their updates every year. What’s on the horizon for the JMD Dickerson law firm in 2018? We’re launching a Business Entity Maintenance Subscription Plan for our business owner clients. This entails our firm maintaining your Corporation or LCC minutes and documenting important transactions so that every year is closer to being worryfree and up-to-date. Additionally, we will review our clients’ tax returns and financial statements to make sure that they have documented everything as it should be. The subscription fee for our firm’s service will be $100 a month. In return, clients answer an easy questionnaire, send back with their business tax return and financial statements, and we will do the rest. It will be the perfect way for business owners to start the New Year. Thank you Michael for sharing your passions with our readers. We are hopeful but also sure that we will meet again! Is there anything else you would like to add? I will leave you with Dickerson Rule number 23: “If you don’t ask, the answer is already NO.” So, don’t be afraid to ask, try and go for it! You will either fail and learn or succeed.
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creamtips
Reasons To Refinance
Your Home Loan Refinancing a home loan means paying off an existing loan and replacing it with a new one. There are several reasons why homeowners refinance:
1- Getting a lower interest rate/monthly payment - if having financing problems, you can always refinance for 30 years again and lower your monthly payment 2-
The chance to shorten the term of their mortgage; - if the current interest rates are lower than what you currently have, getting a refinance for 10 or 15 years (the lower the term, the lower the rate) might be a benefit for you. Sometimes, the monthly payment stays the same and could save you seven years
3- The desire to convert from an FHA to a Conventional
mortgage - There are people who bought their property as FHA (Government Loan) and their annual mortgage insurance won’t end unless they refinance as a Conventional Loan when they reach 20% equity and their monthly payment will drop drastically
4- To get a Home Equity Loan (get money back from your equity) and use that money to payoff debt or start a new business, etc. - When you reach 80% equity on your loan (which means that the remaining balance of your mortgage is not more than 80% of the value of your property) you qualify to get some cash back as a loan for your personal use. However, refinancing has is advantages and disadvantages. Since it has closing costs involved (which can be rolled into the loan) it requires processing, underwriting, title and third-party fees and escrows reserves, it's important for a homeowner to determine whether his or her reason for refinancing offers a true benefit.
My job as a Mortgage Loan Officer is not to sell, but to present options that you can decide on after being given the proper information. Most people who come into my office determined to refinance their loan. Realistically speaking, this is not always the best plan for everyone. I can help you determine if refinancing is right for you.
BY ALEJANDRO BERNAL abernal@southwestfunding.com
Alejandro Bernal is currently the Branch Manager at Southwest Funding and has been a loan officer for 10 years. The married father-of-two, enjoys spending time with family & friends, in addition to playing golf & tennis.
mi amor es
me siento orgullosa
la niĂąa en mi ama
nunca digo no a
ROSITA GONZAGA / CANCER SURVIVOR
karla peña
BY GRECIA RAMOS
Style influencer and anime lover, Karla Peña or better yet, “The Devil in a Black Dress” is a young creative in the fashion world. Her blog centers itself around the minimalist trend with a twist of sexy. Centered around fashion, she still finds time to love and care for herself. From practicing healthy skin-care habits to creating looks that inspire thousands of followers on Instagram, Peña is cultivating and paving ways for women just like her in the media industry.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BLOG ABOUT FASHION? Simply put, I was inspired by creative freedom. Fashion is a form of creative expression, and being able to challenge myself in the creative realm made me happy. It was also thanks to boredom and wanting to be different from everybody else. I wanted something that would always be mine. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TREND RIGHT NOW? RED. It’s going to be a FW17 staple for the bold (unfortunately I’m not that bold). It’s gorgeous, but not sure why I feel uncomfortable wearing it. I’ll just have to admire it on other people. WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Anime is where it’s at! In fact, I get butterflies when I meet somebody else that likes anime. IF YOU COULD, WHICH CELEBRITY WOULD YOU HAVE DINNER WITH? Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the creators of Rick and Morty. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? When I'm free, I spend a lot of time listening to and curating future funk playlists. I’ll scroll through Tumblr, watch some YouTube videos, catch up on new anime and nap. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION DESIGNER? Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs of fashion house Cushnie et Ochs. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A FELLOW FASHIONISTA? You don’t notice what somebody is wearing; you notice how confidently they’re wearing it. HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN YOUR STYLE? My style would be a blend of minimalism and edginess. I tend to focus on black pieces that are either really cool, or really sexy. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? Rating things on a 10 point scale. Anybody that follows me on Twitter knows I'm a harsh critic, and I rate things daily from food to movies. Nobody's safe. The 10-point scale is concise, and I unfortunately take a lot of pride in it. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS IN FASHION? I would like to run and own an online shop. It's an exciting business venture I want to conquer. Seems like being your own boss is the way to go nowadays, especially with a growing e-commerce market. I have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, so I'd want to put that to good use as well. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY? When I was very young, my grandfather bought me a Lovebird. I’d ride my tricycle at the park with my little bird on my shoulder. OTHER THAN FASHION, WHAT DO YOU REALLY LOVE? My family, friends, and mild breaded chicken curry with a mango tea. WHAT COLOR DESCRIBES YOU? WHY? Black is my favorite. It’s just
a clean and mysterious shade. You can look amazing in black without drawing too much attention. You can tell somebody is observant when they find beauty in black pieces. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUNGER YOU IF YOU COULD? I’d tell my younger self not to overthink, and to listen to my instincts. Most importantly, I'd tell myself not to even try experimenting with colors, because you're going to end up in black anyways. IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE AND WHY? I would probably be living in Seoul, South Korea. It's an emerging fashion hub, and I'm definitely into the K-wave. I’m actually planning a trip soon! IF YOU COULD SWAP LIVES WITH SOMEONE FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD YOU BE? Rick Sanchez, from Rick and Morty. WHY DO YOU LOVE CREAM CITY MAGAZINE? Cream City Magazine really brings new and transcending fashion trends to Laredo. Not only that, but it’s inspirational because it proves that having creative freedom goes a long way. Cream Magazine is modern, and it makes me really happy that all types of creative talent resides here in our own town. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME WHERE WOULD YOU GO? “Fashion is not an engineered creation; like other living things, it is born”. I’d want to travel through every point in time to witness the birth and evolution of fashion since it began. Clothes are no longer just necessary. They’re a form of expression and identity. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTY HACKS? First, I've been raving about Korean skincare for almost 2 years, because it's completely changed my skin. I want everybody to try it! Second, falsies! I’ve been wearing false lashes for eight years. WHAT WOULD YOU LOVE TO SEE MORE OF IN LAREDO? Diversity. Laredo is definitely growing, and it is important, if not necessary, to create a city friendly to all people and ideas, while still proudly representing and sharing our Hispanic roots. cream
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creamtips
Practice Pilates
Pilates is a type of exercise that is meant to increase flexibility and muscular strength without the intensity of other workouts. These low intensity workouts target the spine through postural alignment and the abdomen through core training. The great thing about pilates is that it is a highly customizable workout plan that can benefit everyone differently. You can visit Laredo Pilates studios where you can practice pilates in the hands of their certified instructors.
TEASER
Model: Elisa Saldivar
• First, inhale and maintain your shoulders away from your ears. Reach your arms out toward the ceiling. • Exhale, then flex your spine off mat, one vertebrae at a time until lower back touches the floor. Flex your hips and reach your legs off mat. Continue rolling and reaching your arms toward your feet. • Inhale again and reach arms by ears. Balance in a V position.
• Exhale. Roll your spine down the mat while lowering your legs at the same time. Imprint your lower back before lowering legs to mat. Keep arms by your ears. This sequence has many benefits, especially for strengthening the back and abdomen. Similarly, it stretches the hamstrings, strengthens the hip flexors and improves balance overall.
Laredo Pilates Fitness Studio 416 Shiloh Dr. Ste. A-7 • Laredo, TX 78045 • (956) 337-2349 • www.laredopilates.com
! s o c ¡ta Mi debilidad...
No importa en donde me encuentre, mis ganas por probar unos clásicos tacos no parece tener llenadera. Los tiempos han cambiado desde que la gastronomía Mexicana se dió a conocer alrededor del mundo, por ejemplo en lugares tan exclusivos como el elegante restaurante “Rosa Mexicano” en la ciudad de New York varias décadas atrás. Los platillos más emblemáticos como el mole, los chiles en nogada, la cocina regional como la Oaxaqueña, la del centro del país y muchas más ponen muy en alto el nombre de México. Pero, indudablemente, uno de los sellos alimenticios más representativos de nuestra cultura alimenticia son simple (pero no sencillamente) los TACOS. Y digo no sencillamente porque en los últimos tiempos las tendencias culinarias y la globalización del término “foodie” nos pone a todos más al alcance de todas estas nuevas fusiones de sabores internacionales. Hoy en día, las creaciones de grandes chefs mexicanos como Enrique Olvera y su famoso restaurant Pujol en la Cd. de México, en donde este año inaugurará su segunda locación con una barra de degustación de Tacos de 10 asientos (al estilo de las barras de Sushi en Japón), incluyen ingredientes que provienen de casi todos estados de la República Mexicana, cada componente de la tortilla y lo incluye cada taco serán sin duda del nivel de perfección, muy al estilo de este renombrado chef. Poniendo a México y a nuestros ya famosos tacos una vez más en la cúspide del mundo culinario. Así que en su próximo viaje a cualquier destino, no se olviden de experimentar una deliciosa orden de tacos, ya sea en uno de estos novedosos lugares llamados “Food trucks”, puestos callejeros, restaurantes gourmets, taquerías tradicionales, etc. Pueden ser al pastor, de arrachera, de mariscos, de algún delicioso y exótico ingrediente como gusanos de maguey (¡yumm!), o alguna creación original de la llamada tendencia “cocina de autor”. Para que no se nos olvide uno más de los motivos por las cuales estar muy orgullosos de ser Mexicanos: ese patrimonio cultural tangible, delicioso y legendario… EL TACO. POR VICTOR HUGO GARCÍA SIGUELO EN INSTAGRAM @victorhugo956
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Romelio Lerma veteran of
u.s. air force 1967-2007
What was the thing that inspired you to become a part of the armed forces? To become a better person, be familiar with things that were happening around the world, and to learn more about the Armed Forces. What do you feel after having served your country? I feel the best person in the world, also to teach my grandchildren the beautiful things that I learn while serving my country. Love it a lot, if I had to do it again I would gladly do it again, with lots of pride. U.S.A.F. for ever! I miss it a lot.
Faces of
Courage
At Cream City Magazine, Veterans Day holds a special place in our hearts, because that’s when we recognize some extraordinary people in our community. For some of us, these people are also cherished parts of our lives, through blood and through camaraderie. Though we owe more to these individuals than we could ever give, we hope they feel the immense amount of gratitude we have for them. In honor of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, Cream is proud to present this feature. We thank you and salute you for your service.
JosĂŠ R. Sandoval veteran of
u.s. army
Jesus D. Sandoval veteran of u.s. army and u.s. navy reserve
Jesus and Jose Sandoval are twin brothers who were drafted at the same time by the U.S. Army and fought side by side and feel proud to have serve their country together.
Rikky Zamora veteran of
u.s. army
(retired 20 yrs) afghanistan 2001, iraq 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2010
What was the thing that inspired you to become a part of the armed forces? Service to the country I was born in and sacrifice to protect my family so they do not have to fight to protect our home on American soil. What do you feel after having served your country? I wish I could done more. Isaiah 6:8 sums it up for me. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Alicia RamĂrez veteran of
u.s. army
(operation iraqi freedom) What was the thing that inspired you to become a part of the armed forces? I always had a passion for the military. But when I originally had the opportunity to enlist, I was focused on college. Since I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement, I felt that joining the U.S. Army would give me a better chance at becoming either a U.S. Customs or Border Patrol agent. What do you feel after having served your country? I feel I could have done more. Because I was injured while in Iraq, my time of service was cut short. I wanted to stay in the U.S. Army for my full eight years, and either make it a career or serve as a reservist and become a law enforcement agent/officer.
Fidel A. Rijos veteran of
u.s. air force
What was the thing that inspired you to become a part of the armed forces? Since I was a little kid all of what I have seen in my whole family was U.S. Military uniform. Why? Because everybody in my family was part of it. I am a third generation soldier/ airmen who serve my country. The fact that my family was from Puerto Rico --- almost every young guy joins the military in PR --- where a lack of jobs exists was also a determining factor, but I honestly joined because I always wanted to serve and help others. I saw that opportunity in the Air Force and I went for it. What do you feel after having served your country? A sense of satisfaction, a sense of doing was right and returning to my country. That’s what I feel. I’m extremely proud of the United States. I’m extremely proud of the Armed Forces that protect this country, and I’m proud of the baseline that the military created for me. Currently, I continue to serve my country as a Border Patrol Agent. God Bless America!
Gabriel RodrĂguez veteran of
u.s. army 1996-2017
What was the thing that inspired you to become a part of the armed forces? As a little boy I always wanted to be part of the greatest army in the world and serve my country. What do you feel after having served your country? Pride and honor to have fought the freedom that the greatest country in the world enjoys. Having served in two different deployments in Iraq in 2006 and 2010, and multiple humanitarian missions in Central America, South America and around the world.
Catarino Lรณpez Jr. veteran of
u.s. marine corps 1967-1970
What was the thing that inspired you to become a part of the armed forces? As a very young boy I always aspired to serve my country and become a member of the armed forces. I thought of traveling while in the military and seeing other countries. What do you feel after having served your country? Pride. In serving our great country, it has helped me to become the person I am today.
About the Artist: My name is Vasty Patterson. I am a native Laredoan, born to a Panamanian father and a Mexican mother. I mention that only because everything about me, my love for plants and why I have chosen them as my art medium stems from that detail. My green thumb and the unexplainable pleasure I feel when I’m with my plants comes from my cultural heritage. .
featured artist // vasty patterson
R
ecently, a friend reminded me of a Plato and Art lecture hosted by the TAMIU Philosophy Society. She was passionately relating it to Beach Goth, her recent zine release and the photo shoots our friends were planning. I clearly recall her quoting W. E.B. Du Bois from that lecture. In a stern yet vulnerable voice she said, “All art is propaganda and ever must be.” In that moment I created my own intimate vision about the way I’d like things to look; I had to get out of my head and make a contribution to the space around me. I cannot alter the architecture around me, but I can encourage a sensitivity to beauty. Laredo is eager to expand and I hope my work is a reminder to design this city carefully, intelligently and hopefully aesthetically pleasing; not just in a superficial manner, but to design objects and places so well that it lifts the spirits of the city’s inhabitants. Vasty Patterson
TITLE OF YOUR ART WORK: WE DIG IT Plants (Succulents and Tropicals), pots, clay, glass, and strictly black or white paint.
Gear up for Fall Just like that, in a blink of an eye, fall is upon us. Wardrobes
change
like
the turning leaves, leaving us on the lookout for the next big fashion statement and trends. Those trends, summarized in a few are sheers, plaid prints that echoes your mom’s vintage treasures and a not-so-new denim jean cut everyone is wearing right now. Check out what I put together and gear up for the season by taking these next pointers.
First look: Who doesn't love to get glittery/ muddy in the crowd jumping up and down to your favorite band? This look is inspired by the music festival wave. A black romper with sheers or the naked trend - a not so in-your-face bra. Added a little west Texas flair with a ethnic oversized coat and of course, rain boots. ACL ready!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMARA RENTING/VIC HERNANDEZ
Old school Ralph Lauren plaid. Taking
it back to the All-American plaids and in true Ralph Lauren fashion, a mens’ wear inspired style combined with the naked trend for this next look. I’m wearing a black bra with black blazer over vintage inspired high-waist, wideleg plaid trousers.
Move over slouchy, overworn boyfriend jeans!
There’s a new cut making the cut. (Ha! See what I did there?) In between the old and new, here’s a more straight-leg version with a lighter particular wash I can not get over. The lace up ribbon is because we like to be extra. I paired it with a burnt orange backless top with self tie bow in the back.
All these outfits taken from the latest fashion trends of the current fashion week. As always I praise streetwear and those who take risks, mixing new trends with old ones. If you need the inspo, tune into the streets —this fall is going be a good one for fashion.
BY MICHELLE COOK FOLLOW HER LOOKS AND READ MORE AT www.shopchictique.com/blog
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Steffi Ramos
S
teffi is studying arts and entertainment management with a focus on music management at Pace University in New York City. She has a passion for all things pop culture, fashion and MUSIC! Here, she tells us about how living in the Big Apple has only added to her love for music and how it’s shaping her future.
What is the most challenging part of having a college life? The most challenging part would have to be trying to stay focused on my studies and grades while living in such a busy and eventful city! Is attending school in a different city something distressing or exciting? Attending school in NYC is definitely exciting, there is always something happening and there’s no way to ever be bored. I can be in class one minute and then a concert or social event the next. How do you feel about the changes that can happen during college? I embrace change, I think the biggest change for me was becoming independent and making my own mistakes and learning from them. Do you feel like these coming years will impact your life goals? 100%. Every day the city teaches me something new about myself and I learn new things about the industry I’ll be going into that excites me! I’m more motivated than I’ve ever been! Have you made any serious decisions already? Anything that made you feel like this was a different stage in your life? I think moving into my first apartment last summer while interning full time was a huge step for me. Also, accepting the right internship this fall to prepare me for adult life has also been a big decision. Between new and old responsibilities, how do these new college experiences affect you? Living in NYC, a high stress and fast paced city, the responsibilities are pretty high. You have to be aware of so many things and know how to deal with them. I think all my experiences have allowed for me to grow and become a better me! Anything else you want to share with us? This past summer I was enrolled in summer courses and in between breaks I decided to take my dog out for a walk. While on our walk we ran into Liam Payne strolling around our neighborhood, it was so cool because he’s someone I’ve supported for years and NYC allows random encounters like these to happen! He was so sweet and talked to us for 20 minutes and even took pictures with my dog!
ASTRID AGUILERA & PACO
W
WHAT TYPE OF PET DO YOU OWN?
I own a Shitzu. WHAT’S THE NAME Paco. He's 4 months old, and I've had him since he was born. WHEN OF YOUR PET?
AND HOW DID YOUR INTEREST IN THIS SPECIES
AND RACE SPARK YOUR INTEREST? Ever since I was little I've been in love with dogs. Any breed is my favorite. I love all animals. DO YOU OWN ANY OTHER PETS? IF YES, WHAT ARE
THEY? I own 6 dogs, 1 turtle, 1 hedgehog and 5 Guinea pigs. WHAT DOES YOUR PET MEAN TO YOU? My pets mean everything to me, they are family. WHAT TYPE OF SPECIAL CARE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR PET? We take good care of them; taking them to the vet is very important, and making them comfortable at home is very important as well. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY WITH YOUR PET? Lately, we take them to the park to walk, so they get to interact with other dogs as well as other people. Walking with them in the morning is very relaxing. IS YOUR PET TRAINED? HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT TO TRAIN THEM? Yes, all of my pets are trained. They go outside whenever they need to. Training your pet is not that easy but patience is very important. TELL US YOUR FAVORITE ANECDOTE WITH YOUR PET. For our dogs' birthday we threw them a party, we had balloons, cake (made specially for dogs) and lots of fun. COULD YOU GIVE US SOME TIPS FOR WHEN CHOOSING A PET? First, make sure you are financially stable owning a pet comes with a lot of responsibility. Second you need information depending on what pet you'd like. Always research so you have an idea of what you need. Lastly, patience. If you don't have patience you will have a hard time owning a pet. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO MISTREAT ANIMALS? People who mistreat animals have no heart. Animals were made so we could find happiness and love. If you mistreat animals or see anyone mistreat, animals call for help! We need more laws that protect pets. IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHICH WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? I've never really thought about it but I would probably like to be a dog.
creamout&about
¡viva mexico! The Mexican Consulate, along with the City of Laredo, hosted the annual “El Grito” celebration at San Agustin Plaza on Sept. 15. Attendees from both sides of the border came together to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and their shared heritage through music, food and fun.
creamout&about
runway kids opening Runway Kids boutique celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 22 with a ribbon cutting and a runway show where children hit the catwalk in some of the store’s stylish apparel.
creamout&about
one more for el taco tote Cream was invited to attend the grand opening of the new Taco Tote location on Zapata Highway! The event was packed with distinguished guests from the City of Laredo and the Chamber of Commerce. We congratulate Taco Tote on their huge success and for making, without a doubt, the best tacos in the city!