RE Newsline April 2024

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What Do You Remember From Your Early Geography Classes?

According to National Geographic, geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. This science was first so named by Greek scholar Eratosthenes in the third century B.C. and the word was derived from the Greek geo (earth) and graphy (to write). In the United States young geography students from kindergarten through second grade may begin to learn about their immediate geographic area, first their city and then their state. Beyond that, during the third through the eighth grades that knowledge might expand to include their country, continent, hemisphere and the world, also referred to as the globe, the earth, the sphere or the planet.

The Greeks may have named the science; however, they were far from the first to recognize it was necessary knowledge as most people for thousands of years have sought to know more about their communities and those communities around them. Discovery of a Babylonian clay tablet known as the Imago Mundi placed the earliest known attempt at mapping to have occurred during the sixth century B.C. Early Mesopotamian maps marked landholdings while Marshall Island inhabitants made and used navigation charts made of natural materials (“stick charts”) to learn about wind patterns, water currents and various island locations. It was, however, the Greeks who created sophisticated maps with details of not only Greek cities but areas in Africa, Asia and Europe. Much of the Greek work and questioning led to the discovery that the earth was round and how its features came about.

Keeping the foregoing information in mind it is interesting to note that a report issued in October 2015 of the results of a study done by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated that almost 75% of eighth grade students tested below the proficiency level in geography. Some of the reasons for this deficiency include the pressure on educators to emphasize other subjects, that they may not appreciate the relevance of the subject or are themselves not well versed in the subject. In addition there may be a shortage of necessary resources such

as instructional information and technology to do the job properly. These are being addressed in school districts around the country and hopefully the testing outcome will improve.

I would venture to say that unless one has had an opportunity since their earlier education days to travel beyond the confines of their own areas or they consistently pay close attention to the news addressing happenings around the world and perhaps do further research for that with which they are not familiar, they do not remember many, if any, of those facts either. And now, that in older years, one may not need to keep track of where things are located on earth, they now need to be concerned with what planet we might be visiting next!

So let us backtrack to the basics of geography and remember that the globe is divided vertically by meridians and, so as to standardize mapmaking internationally, the Prime Meridian, an imaginary line on the globe , was established in 1884 to be located at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England at 0 o longitude, the result of an agreement between 25 countries. This meridian divides earth into the East and West Hemispheres. The globe is further divided horizontally (latitudinally) by the Equator (0 o latitude) into the North and South Hemispheres. On the Northern edge of the Tropics, located above the Equator at 23,5 o latitude is the Tropic of Cancer and below the Equator is the Tropic of Capricorn, the Southern edge of the Tropics and define the Tropics which is the only place on earth where the sun is sometimes directly overhead. The Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn have always been considered markers that serve to connect astronomy, geography and humankind on earth. But wait –there are two more notable lines better known as the Arctic circle located at a northmost position and the Antarctic circle in the far south.

Now that we have partitioned and circled the earth how many of its features can you recall? Well, there are the bodies of water called oceans and named Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, Pacific and Southern.

Regardless of these designations so named by cartographers for convenience, there is actually only one ocean (World Ocean) as there is no way to know where one “ocean” ends and another begins. And then, as we have often heard, many people will make mountains out of molehills. In reality both mountains and hills are defined as naturally forming elevations of the earth’s surface due to seismic activity. Mountains usually exceed 1,000 feet in height and, depending upon continued seismic activity, can continue over millions of years to grow taller or conversely can shrink from millions of years of erosion. Earth’s physical features are too numerous to include here but suffice it to say that this planet is the only known body in the universe that can support the life to which we have become accustomed.

But let us not forget the seven continents of the world: from largest to smallest in overall land mass are: ASIA, currently made up of 50 countries and noted for having 60% of the world’s population; AFRICA, which has 54 countries and 25% of the world’s population; NORTH AMERICA, with the world’s largest economy has 23 countries; SOUTH AMERICA, with 12 countries is noted for the Amazon rainforest which covers 30% oi its area; ANTARCTICA, since it is covered entirely by ice, only research scientists maintain stations there; EUROPE, with its European Union and 51 countries is the largest economic and political union on earth and finally there is AUSTRAILIA, which includes 21 countries with but 0.2% of the world’s population. This continent is also referred to as OCEANIA as it also includes the scattered islands around it including New Zealand, New Guinea and Fiji.

Over the years the world’s geography has been significantly affected by its history which would also impact what we remember about country names as they were at the time we learned about them. For example during the 1930s Persia’s name was changed to Iran, the Irish Free State became Ireland and Siam changed its name to Thailand. On November 11, 1965, Rhodesia unilaterally declared its independence from the United Kingdom and changed its name to Zimbabwe,

while in 1972 Ceylon changed to Sri Lanka. During 1989 the ruling Junta decided to rename Burma to Myranmar, Swaziland changed its name to Eswatini in 2018 and Holland became the Netherlands in 2020. Just last year Turkey officially became Turkiye so you had better watch your spelling for this country!

During the period between 500 and 1500 A. C. (Middle Ages) Europe seemed to lose interest in further geographic pursuits and much of the progress in that area was carried on by Muslim scientists. They introduced a rectangular map that was based on a grid system which is the forerunner of maps of today. They also studied terrains to determine which areas were most suitable for agriculture and to determine which animals would be most beneficial to the local population. Also during that period Chinese navigators were first to make use of the compass during their voyages, and Zheng, a Chinese explorer made several voyages establishing China’s influence in countries bordering the China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

During a period called the Age of Discovery the printing press was invented making maps available to anyone and with shipbuilding improving, safer ships were produced. Europeans again became interested in geography as they determined there were new places in which to establish colonies. Unfortunately the migration to Americas also brought death and destruction to the indigenous peoples who already inhabited the “newly discovered lands.” By the 1600s 90% of the indigenous population had been wiped out either by the diseases the explorers brought with them from Europe or by their violence in the land grab.

On a more positive note, most now realize that geography is a science that is intricately interwoven with many other disciplines and does not operate in a vacuum. When some of us studied geography in grade school the modern modes of transportation were still ideas rolling around in some inventor’s mind. Given the very brief refresher course put forth here, how do you think you would stack up taking the eighth graders exam?

Pat Farrell / Senior Contributing Writer

10-May

11-May

12-May

13-May

Management

14-May Latrice Martin Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

15-May

16-May

8-May

17-May Hagan Retzloff

18-May

19-May

Neelam Kinger Vortex Realty

20-May Sherri Hurley JB Goodwin Realtors

Andy Ruffo BHHS Prudential Don Johnson

Jim Dawson Found It

21-May Patricia Dehle RE/MAX North- San Antonio

Sonja LeJeune Vintage Key Realty

22-May Karen Fulghum Sterling Real Estate Services

Kim Paul Coldwell Banker Stagecoach Realty

Luke LeGrand Keller Williams Legacy

23-May Karen Roland Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors

24-May Cheri Morris All City Real Estate

25-May Jeremy Shaw Collective Realty

Gina Candelario Kuper Sotheby’s International

26-May David Flax Old Republic Title

27-May Courtney Pfeiffer Keller Williams Boerne

Robert Morales United Realty Group of Texas

Patrick King JPAR San Antonio

Paula Grigsby TAP-FCU

28-May Linda Dietz Century 21 The Hills Realty

29-May Tanya Power Power and Peel

30-May Lonnie Lynn The Lynn Group

31-May Jenny Bingham RE/MAX Associates Boerne

Ray Blankenberg Texas Premier Realty

Gloria Zarate Vortex Realty

Christine Denney eXp Realty

Carley Lister, Keller Williams Boerne

Demitrious Nanez, Gracie Patitucci, and Russel Carinus all with JB Goodwin

Karen Evans, RE Newsline, Henry Rosales, America’s Walking Club and Yulanee McKnight

Myrna Hernandez and Dave Wilcox both with Keller Williams Heritage

Juan Matos , Redbird Realty, Greg Sommer , Sitterle Homes, Samantha Zimmerle, Redbird Realty

Karen Barreto with BRAY Real Estate Group and Mariela Luna with Lugo Realty

Frankee Chapa, RE/MAX North, Tony Martinez , RE/MAX North, Gregory Walcoff, Barton Co., Carpets and Valerie Ceciliano, Sean Parker Realty Group

Ignacio Miranda with 3D Reatlty, David Canto with Meritage Homes, and Robert Salavar with LPT Realty

THE WAY I SEE IT

Cathey Meyer / Contributing Writer

Password Passing

April is everyone’s favorite deadline month—I speak of our trusting relationship with Internal Revenue Service. At least the IRS deadline occurs in the middle of the month giving us self-employed folks time to lick our wounds of the inevitable payment to Uncle Sam. I cannot remember the last year I received a rebate. My trusty CPA manages to allow me to keep money during the year and then apologetically sighs as he explains to me all the deductions that did not allow for a refund. Whether I give $3 to the presidential campaign or not, and I still am unclear what that is all about, I usually am good for a fourdigit donation to my favorite IRS office.

Back in the day when Mr. CPA used a number two pencil and a scratch pad, we sat through boxes of receipts and an hour or two of rejecting items I honestly thought would be an allowable deduction. He was diligent with his details and double verified my claims to be authentic and honest. I would then

leave his office and weeks and weeks and weeks later, just days before the filing deadline, he would call with good news/bad news. The good news was the tax return was done; the bad news was I owed monies. I would then write an oldfashion check, sign my return, lick a 20-cent stamp and the envelope, and send away a year’s worth of rectification of personal payment abuse.

Ah, the good old days. In today’s high-tech world of ‘convenience’ and paperless filing, all one needs to satisfy the IRS is a series of passwords that are then double authenticated and then vanish into the Mission Impossible world of no return. The first set of passwords comes from my trusty accountant who emailed me a note that all my files are now in The Cloud (still unclear about that element of storage) and I needed to use this special passcode to set up an account with a new password. The password must be 27 ½ characters long with no repeated usage of previous pass-

words, but two unrelated non-number symbols. Easy enough?

I logged on to my trusty 2004 HP computer which suddenly informed me my access password had expired and it was time to create a new one. The computer actually gave me the rules for my new password to include NOT using any password from prior registrations. I cannot remember my current password. How do I recall passwords from yore?! I do keep things written down with my old fangled number 2 pencil and found my password file under the ‘P’ in my old fangled file cabinet. Also in that file cabinet are tax returns from the past decade, but that is another tale. I recovered my old password, verified I was not a robot, identified all the street signs and allowed some entity to text me a secret code so I could log on to my own computer to create a password.

My cloudy files were finally available to me. In front of me was my 2023 tax return filled out in an orderly fashion that noted I made more money than I paid taxes for in 2023. Once I again, Uncle Sam wanted a sizable donation. Mr. CPA recommended I file electronically. He knows me well enough that giving Uncle Sam permission to ‘withdraw funds’ from my personal bank account was not going to happen, so he demonstrated how my bank could pay electronically with a virtual check. UGH. We now had to log

into my bank account. You know the drill: My bank kindly let me know my password had expired and it was time to establish a new password, but first they had to text me a secret passcode to verify me. Passwords are very unforgiving. Miss one letter/number/symbol/space or accidently hit a CAPS button or wait too long between key compression and the gremlin computer gods shut you down. Mistype that password three time in a row and just forget any access to whatever you are attempting to open. Not to mention once you access whatever you need to access, you only have so much time to do your business before the little screen pops up to say you will be shut down in 30 seconds for inactivity. In activity?! Dude, I am trying to read the fine print about what happens if I AGREE to the terms of service. For the record, I have yet to disagree to service terms, but sometimes I take time to pretend I am reading them. I just assume some little gremlin nerd is watching me through that little lens and documenting I am not circumventing other passwords. . .but I digress.

Miraculously, 2023 taxes were filed, monies were paid and I am no wiser on which password operates which account. Pardon me while I attempt to access my email which was just hacked by a better password maker than me.

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GUEST COLUMN

Virginia Van Cleave / President

The Woman’s Club Of San Antonio

In 1898, Marin Fenwick and Eleanor Brackenridge attended the General Federation of Women's Clubs National Convention in Denver. They returned with enough "bricks and beams" from the platform on Women's Sufferage to begin building a vital Woman's Club of San Antonio on October first. We had a one-year celebration of our 125th anniversary last year, which culminated in a huge event at the San Antonio Country Club on October 1, 2023. Eleanor Brackenridge, a local philanthropist, served as the first president. In 1904, the WCSA helped organize the San Antonio Women's Federation and joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs, the largest Women's Organization in the world, with affiliates in many foreign countries. The organization had many meeting places until the WCSA purchased the Woodward House from Mrs. David Woodward on July 8, 1926.

Around the time that the WCSA was founded, David Woodward came to San Antonio, the largest city in the state, to seek his fortune. In 1899, David Woodward married May Bok in San Marcos, Texas, her hometown. He attended Alamo Business College and began a prolific homebuilding business. In 1904, he began construction on the Woodward House on her birthday. Atlee Ayers designed it, and it became the place where the local elite were entertained. David Woodward was crowned King Selamat (tamales spelled back -

ward) and reigned at the Annual Spring Fiesta Festivities with Miss Clara Driscoll as his queen. In 1906, David Woodward owned the first automobile in the city. The Woodward House was the twentythird home David Woodward built for his family, but it was the last. Mrs. Woodward sold the Woodward house to WCSA in 1926.

The WCSA has indeed made significant contributions to shaping the greatness of our beloved city:

1898- Publicly endorsed Women's Suffrage, which led Governor Hobby to enact this Texas law in 1918. Eleanor Brackenridge was the first woman to vote in Bexar County

Before 1906, WCSA organized Mother's Clubs in public schools, which led to the PTA. WCSA collected the first funds to establish a Chest Hospital to treat tuberculosis. WCSA established the Volunteer Service Council of the San Antonio State Hospital. WCSA paid the first year's salary ($55 per month) for San Antonio's first Cooking Teacher and caused Homemaking to be included in the Public School District's curriculum.

1911-WCSA established the first Travelers Aid Societies, in cooperation with the YMCA, to help women traveling alone.

1912-WCSA caused sewing

classes to be incorporated into the 6th-grade curriculum in 10 public schools

.

1926-WCSA collected the first funds to establish the San Antonio Art League and the Witte.

WCSA spearheaded a drive to clean up the streets to help curb the polio epidemic in the late 1940s

In 2023, the WCSA awarded 30 scholarships to the Empowerment Center students at SAC.

We currently have 11 round tables organized for study and closer fellowship among the members. The Noontide RT was the first one and was organized in 1909. Their theme is "World News and Current Events." Books and Letters RT was founded in 1922 and 1929, reading in the pursuit of culture and diversion. The Modernist RT was founded in 1923; its theme is "As Traditional as Yesterday and Modern as Tomorrow." Fine Arts RT celebrates all aspects of Fine Arts and was organized in the 1920's. The American Home and Garden Round Table was organized in 1945, and meeting programs were centered around our

home and the beauty of nature. The Carousel RT was organized in 1947, and its theme is "Fun, Fellowship, and Food." The Friendship RT was organized in 1973, and they concur that friends are treasures. Fiesta RT was organized in 1986, and it was suggested that we bring Fiesta into our friendships. Our Ingenue RT is for our younger members ages 12 to their high school graduations. It was organized in 1998 to develop Fine Aspects of Femininity." The Bridge RT was founded in 2004, and they happily play bridge all year. The Soiree RT meets in the evenings, allowing working women to meet with fellow members and catch up on our WCSA activities. These 11 Round Tables are a fine example of the varied interests of our members.

The WCSA is a charter member of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. Our Teen Queen is one of the seven official Queens of Fiesta. We have three official Fiesta Events: The Coronation of our Fiesta Queen will be held at the Public Theatre, San Pedro Playhouse, on Sunday, March 24th at 3 pm, followed by a reception at the Woman's Club; 108th annual Flower Show at the WC on Friday, April 19th, opening at 2 pm and again on April 20th from 10 am to 4 pm; and our annual Fiesta Hat Contest and Luncheon at the Westin North on Wednesday April 24th at 11 am.

We bond in our love for the house and make friendships that last for years. I appreciate the remarkable diversity within our membership. We have individuals ranging from their 20s to their 90s. It's heartwarming to see women joining after retirement. The wide spectrum of ages and talents is truly awe-inspiring!

210-7324811

Lea

In and Around San Antonio

Aly Crawford / Contributing Writer

Row, Row, Row Your Kayak

Do you have a kayak? Do you know someone who does? You should see if you can find one because it may come in handy. After all, San Antonio has miles and miles of kayak trails right here inside the city. And paddling is a great way to get outside and experience San Antonio.

San Antonio sits on a beautiful spot at the start of the 240-mile San Antonio River. This slow-flowing waterway cuts through the middle of our city as it makes its way down to the Texas Coast ultimately connecting with the Guadalupe River and emptying into the San Antonio Bay near Refugio.

As you meander through the city’s waterways, you’ll enjoy seeing turtles, wading birds, birds of prey, songbirds, lizards, and all kinds of aquatic wildlife. Depending on where you decide to start your adventure, you’ll also see a mix of new and historic architec -

ture and some pretty unique views of the city.

There are several places to kayak within the city, and the access and planning put in place make kayaking here easy to enjoy. There are some things you should know before you go and it is important to be prepared. Always check weather conditions before heading out. Pack wisely, making sure to bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Don’t forget the bug spray. It’s not required by law, but should be during summer. Never paddle alone, make sure to bring a fully charged phone, and that someone knows of your paddling plan in case of emergency. There are some rules you’ll need to follow as well. Though the water is objectively quite shallow where you’ll be paddling, and were you to fall in, you could simply stand up; it is required that a personal flotation device (a life-jacket) must be kept on the watercraft at all times for all

riders. Make sure to stay within the designated boundaries and obey all posted signage instructions. But don’t stress, the signs and information are easy to find and are actually helpful. When you go to do your research you may see the rule “wilful body contact with water is prohibited” - sounds intimidating but, that’s simply our city’s eloquent way of reminding us that this part of the river isn’t a good spot for swimming. This is, after all, the same water that flows through the Riverwalk.

On the San Antonio River, inside the city limits, there are 3 paddling zones open to the public. You can find downloadable maps and helpful know-before-you-go videos on the San Antonio River Authority’s website. The King William Zone is about a mile and a half and travels through parts of downtown where you get views of old historic homes as well as the Tower of the Americas. This section of the kayak trail is best suited for paddleboarding. In the Eagleland zone, you find great opportunities to spot wildlife and have some fun riding down riffles. Riffles are rock structures designed to help with the flow of the river, support aquatic life, as well as aerate the water. They are also quite fun! You get to stay in your kayak and ride down the chutes, or slides, to bypass obstacles that you would

otherwise have to take your kayak out to walk around. The only downside to this path is that there’s a moderate 200-yard walk from the parking lot to the boat ramp where you’ll be getting in. Mission Reach down to Espada Park is by far the longest and most advanced path you can choose at over 8 miles long. This one also requires a bit more upfront planning as it will require a car at the start and one at the finish as well since you won’t be able to paddle back to your starting location. This is the longest path within the city and has the longest riffle ride.

Once you catch the kayaking bug you’ll soon start looking for other waterways to explore, great news: you won’t have to go far. There are plenty of great places to paddle very close to home. Check out local lakes like Elmendorf Lake Park, the Medina River Natural Area, Miller’s Pond Park, South Side Lion’s Park, Woodlawn Lake Park, Calaveras Lake, Medina Lake, Brauning Lake, or Boerne Lake. If you want to explore more rivers try going a little further south to the Goliad paddling trails or consider the San Marcos River, the Colorado River that flows through Austin, or the Guadalupe River outside New Braunfels. The paddling possibilities around San Antonio are endless - so get out and try this great way to enjoy nature inside the city.

Beazer Homes Grand Opening Morgan Meadows

Scan to see and download more pictures from this event and others.

Benjamin Godina and Amanda Casanova with G Partners & Realty

Sue Gugala, George Romers, and Liz Waggle with Beazer Homes

Pam Maxwell with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors and Judy Mitchell with Vortex Realty

Ignacio Miranda with 3D Realty and Property Management

Connie Hentosh, and Justin Cantu, with Beazer Homes

Catrina Lindow with Beazer Homes, Mariela Luna with Lugo Realty, Karen Barrets with BRAY Real Estate Group, and Liz Waggle, Beazer Homes

Chad Cook, Connie Hentosh, and John Friesenhahn with Beazer Homes

Michael Lee-Kapsalis with Beazer Homes and Paul Patino with EXP Realty

Womens Council

Of REALTORS®

Appreciates Their Stratigic Partners

For 2024, the Women's Council of REALTORS® San Antonio proudly welcomes two dynamic strategic partners: Meritage Homes and Independence Title, two of our Platinum Partners!

First let's talk about Meritage Homes – where dreams of homeownership come to life! With their commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge design, Meritage Homes isn't just building houses; they're crafting havens. From cozy starter homes to luxurious estates, their dedication to quality ensures that every family finds their perfect fit. We're thrilled to collaborate with Meritage Homes to empower more individuals to achieve their homeownership dreams!

Meritage Homes is excited to announce its strategic partnership with the San Antonio chapter of

the Women's Council of REALTORS® in 2024. At Meritage, we value the relationships we have with the real estate community, as each agent plays a crucial role in helping us achieve our goal of making the American dream of homeownership a reality for more people. Meritage Homes is the fifth-largest public homebuilder in the United States, based on homes closed in 2023. The Company offers affordable, energy-efficient entrylevel and first move-up homes. Its operations span across ten states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Meritage Homes has delivered over 175,000 homes in its 38year history and is known for its unique style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. The Company is an industry leader in energy-efficient

homebuilding, having received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ("EPA") ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence Award and ENERGY STAR® Residential New Construction Market Leader Award ten times. It has also received the EPA's 2023 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award three times.

Next, say hello to Independence Title – the guardians of your property journey! With their expertise and dedication, navigating the intricacies of real estate transactions becomes a breeze. They're not just a title company; they're your trusted allies, ensuring smooth closings and peace of mind for buyers and sellers alike. With Independence Title by our side, we're ready to conquer any challenge and elevate the real estate experience for all.

Hey there, fellow Texan! At Independence Title, we're not just about business; we're about building relationships that last a lifetime. With 19 years in business proudly serving our local community, we're committed to keeping it Texan! �� Whether you're in the heart of Central Texas or out yonder in the Lone Star State, we've got over 70 branches ready to assist you with your property needs.

And let's talk San Antonio –y'all have 7 locations right in your backyard, eager to lend a helping hand! Our team is all about bringing the fun to real estate, while still keeping it professional. From our CE education and creative solutions to our stellar customer service, we're here to make your experience as smooth as a Texas twostep.

But hey, it's not just about us – it's about you, our fantastic customers! That's why we're dedicated to providing top-notch resources for our REALTORS® and lenders, along with our legendary closing services. Want to learn more? Reach out to one of our friendly Business Development Representatives or swing by our website at www.independencetitle.com.

Oh, and did we mention? We're proud supporters of WCR –because we believe in lifting up our community every step of the way!

So, join us in celebrating the arrival of these fantastic partners! Together, with Meritage Homes and Independence Title, we're set to embark on an exciting journey filled with growth, success, and endless possibilities in the realm of real estate. Let's make 2024 the year of remarkable achievements and unforgettable partnerships!

Carri Amescua / Vice-President San Antonio Women’s Council Network

Gary Scott with Home Team of America, Patricia Botello with SABOR, Fred Holliday with Lux Agency, Rosie Barrera with Coronado Realty, and Melisa Fitchett with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors

Jaqueline Garza and Maria Villarreal, both Credit Human

Tristin Crawford, Southern Sprinklers, Candy Carver, guest of the RE Newsline publisher and Trevor Crawford, RE Newsline

Tamika Cunningham, Fairhaven Mortgage and Kenny Cunningham, Click & Move Realty

Shawn Groff with Groff Properties and Gwen Derry with Old Republic Title

Sabrina Guerra, Credit Human Home Loans and Anna Hernandez, Keller Williams City View

Duy Le, Legends Financial, Nicola Kneale and Kristine Abellera both with Comparion Insurance Agency

David Cantu with Meritage Homes, Diane Gonzales with Premier Realty Group, and Jessica Goldberg with Meritage Homes

Lorena Alonso, Vortex Realty and Maria Alonso with Guzman Realty

Annette Slater, Landlord Property Management and Michelle Noble, Certainty Home Lending

NARPM

Brenda Davila / SAMAC, NARPM Past President

Be Part Of The Solution!

As I sat in our monthly executive meeting, I looked around and took in the fact that we have a great group of people that keep everything together. Life is moving parts, at all speeds and coming from every direction and such as life, so is the organization. NARPM has lived through generations of leaders that I have admired, who became my mentors and who are now my friends. It is a great feeling to be a part of something that continues to change people's lives and businesses. Who you surround yourself with matters and I have always been an advocate for being a team player.

Recently in the news, we are seeing major issues arise in our industry that could certainly be detrimental to our livelihood if we are not prepared or skilled within our profession. So, always keep the passion for learning and perhaps for some, you could start teaching. With that being said, we woke up on March 15th to the news of the National Association of REALTORS® agreeing to settle for

$418 million in response to the multiple lawsuits filed over our commission structure. This is but one more example of how and why our business changes and why we could see a drop in membership as some may choose to transition into other industries. We need to stay strong and be part of the solution. Ask yourself, what can you do to make things better in our chosen profession? What can you do to empower yourself and stay totally committed to a business that is constantly changing? There may not be easy answers or quick solutions; however, you owe it to your family, business and community to become the leader they see in you.

Keep a positive mind set, stay focused, learn by reading about the issue and advocate for what is right. Always uphold your ethics and remember the reason you became a REALTOR®. This doesn’t need to be a negative experience, it is a learning curve. As NARPM promises, we will always focus on keeping you up to date as soon as the information is

received. Whether by email, Facebook or our chapter meetings. the information brought forth is relevant to all known current industry trends and news, so you should not miss our calendar of events. March was jammed packed with learning opportunities and April will be hosting the Broker/ Owner Convention in Amelia Island, Florida.

Other exciting news is that NARPM has changed their chapter meeting hours from 10am-1pm to 11am- 1pm. It will be in the same place but with a better time slot, so you can get some work done before coming in and leave early enough to complete your workday and feel you

have accomplished something towards attaining your goal.

Like our Facebook page, San Antonio Metropolitan Chapter of NARPM, to stay in the know about our upcoming classes, charity opportunities and social activities.

Check out our calendar of events:

April 4 - Executive Board Meeting

April 16-18 - Broker/Owner Convention, Amelia Island, FL

April 24 - Virtual Class- Introduction to Houses (Maintenance Class)

April 25 - Virtual Class- Maintenance Basics

Grant Lopez and Jeff Porter with Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper Realtors.

Scan to see and download more pictures from this event and others.

Gil Armendariz, Success Partners Mortgage and Charissa Mickles, Wealth Partners Realty Group

Janice Jones, Keller Williams Frisco Stars and Noble Cooper, Home Team of America

Sheba Chambers-Ramos, Keller WIlliams Legacy and Krystina Campbell, Wealth Partners Realty Group

Bre'ella Shaw-Broadnax, Wealth Partners Realty Group and Maudel Hardie, Hardie & Associates, Realtors

Quincy Todd and Tasha Todd, Brown Realty –Todd & Todd Investments

Tye Washington, The Water Man and Gwen Derry, Old Republic Title

Monique Slater, Keller Williams Heritage and Kenny Cunningham, Click & Move Realty

John Rodriguez, New York Life Insurance

IREP

Reporting A Great Start To The Year

As the first quarter of 2024 draws to a close, we, the Independent Real Estate Professionals (IREP), are thrilled to report an exceptional start to the year. With a series of engaging speakers and an influx of new members, IREP is poised for continued growth and success throughout the year.

At our monthly meetings, held on the 3rd Thursday of every month, real estate professionals from diverse backgrounds come together to network, learn, and discuss the latest trends and developments in the industry. This year, we've had the privilege of hosting some truly outstanding speakers who have enriched our gatherings with their expertise and insights.

In January, Justin Grant from Perry Homes graced our meeting with his presence, offering valuable insights into the offerings and incentives available through Perry Homes. His presentation shed light on the

latest trends in homebuilding and provided our members with valuable information to better serve their clients.

February brought Katie Edge from Renovation Sells to our forum, and her presentation was nothing short of inspiring. Katie enlightened us on the transformative power of cosmetic renovations in boosting a property's value and facilitating quicker sales. Her tips and strategies were met with enthusiasm from our members, eager to implement them

in their own practices.

March saw Daniella Smith from Armadillo Rentals take the stage, delving into the dynamic world of short-term rentals.

Daniella's expertise provided valuable insights for members interested in diversifying their portfolios or exploring new avenues within the

real estate market.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the year thus far has been the influx of new faces at our meetings. We welcome and embrace the diversity of perspectives and experiences that each new member brings to the table. As President of IREP, it is immensely gratifying to witness our community expand and evolve with each passing month.

Looking ahead, we are committed to fostering an environment of growth, learning, and collaboration within IREP. We invite all independent real estate professionals to join us for our upcoming meetings, where they can enjoy networking opportunities, engaging discussions, and valuable insights from industry experts.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out in the real estate industry, IREP offers something for everyone. Come join us on the 3rd Thursday of every month, share a meal with fellow professionals, and embark on a journey of professional development and success with IREP. Together, let's continue to elevate the standards of excellence in independent real estate practice.

Michelle Noble / 2024 President

Justin Grant, Perry Homes

Daniella Smith , Armadillo Rentals

Katie Edge, Renovation Sells

Exit Premier Realty Welcomes Gianna Rojas

ROJAS

EXIT

Premier

Realty wish to announce their newest Realtor, Gianna Rojas to their brokerage!

Growing up in a large family in an urban city, she was taught how to work hard and do well with little. She learned how to see the value of everyone in the community, as we all worked together and struggled towards a common goal – striving for the survival of the family.

She has a strong work ethic and is a diligent person in whatever work task she takes on. She and her family moved to Texas in 2016.

She believes in investing for the

future – economically and spiritually. She is most productive when helping others and she is honest and direct in that effort, even when it’s not what others want to hear at times. Overall, helping others is what she does.

Going forward, she can’t wait to see what is on the horizon in the new world of real estate. For her, a new frontier. She doesn’t discourage easily. Give her a try."

For more information about EXIT Premier Realty, please call 210-394-1376.

EXIT Premier Realty is located at 16170 Jones Maltsberger, San Antonio, TX . Or Text CherEXIT to 85377!!

The Magical Scotch Egg

Ingredients:

6 eggs at room temperature

1/4 cup flour

1 pound all-natural ground pork sausage

16 oz Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup Sweet Dry Rub; recipe fol-

lows:

Instructions:

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

2 teaspoons cracked black pepper

2 teaspoons smoked paprika (spicy or mild, your choice)

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all of the ingredients in a processor and pulse until mixed and fine. Store in a glass airtight container in the refrigerator.

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Ladle the eggs into the saucepan and boil for four minutes and 30 seconds exactly. Remove from heat and run cold water from the sink into the saucepan of eggs. Add the eggs to a bowl of iced water and sit for 10 minutes. Carefully peel the eggshells under the running fawcett water. Set aside.

In a bowl, mix the sausages and maple syrup. Divide into six even portions and roll into balls. Flatten each ball into a roughly 5-inch circle and 1/4-inch thick pattie onto parchment paper. Dredge each egg in flour. Place an egg in the center of the circle and mold the sausage around the egg with your hands. Pour enough of the Sweet Dry Rub onto a plate and roll the sausage balls in it until coated. Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes turning every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. When ready to serve, cut in half and garnish with pickled jalapenos or minced green onions. If you are a toast person; your scotch egg is magical on top of Avacado Toast!

Karen Evans!

Curator, Connector, Cook

Karenevans@email.com

210-529-2931

REED

Reed Joins Century 21 Scott Myers Realtors

Century 21 Scott

Myers, Realtors is happy to announce that Victoria Reed has joined the firm as a sales associate.

Victoria has a

strong business background and a strong understanding of customer service which stems from her many years in the financial services business. These factors should help her immensely in her pursuit of success in real estate.

AVA-America's Walking Club

National Walking Week is April 1-7 and the Total Solar Eclipse is on Monday, April 8. Come walk with us! The Texas Hill Country will be one of the few places in North America with the complete totality of the solar eclipse. Observers will see about 4 minutes and 29 seconds of totality starting at 13:32. The Texas Volksport Association is planning 5 & 10 km walks in the Texas Hill Country.

Monday, April 8: The Walks Sponsor: Randolph Roadrunners will start at 10:30 to

1:30. The Roadrunners will host a traditional walk event on Eclipse day, starting at the Marquis Trail Head. Eclipse glasses will be available for purchase at the walk as supplies last. Contact Club President Ellen Ott, 210-7328574 RandolphRoadrunners@yahoo.com

COME WALK WITH US!

Karen Evans / Contributing Writer

Shining Star Marcie Anguiano Make Your Own Candle "Bar' HAPPY CRITIC

After graduating from UTSA in 2011, I fell into the field of nonprofit development, which at the time wasn't something you could learn in higher education. My first post-graduation job was as a Development Associate with Meals on Wheels. It was Meals on Wheels where I "cut my teeth" in grant writing, which, unbeknownst to me then, would play the most significant role in my success while working over a decade in nonprofit development. From Meals on Wheels, I grew into development roles with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center to take a position as the Development Director of Dress for Success San Antonio. During my time at Dress for Success, an extraordinary opportunity fell into my hands: to manage the community and associate relations for a Fortune 100 company, T.J.Maxx, which was constructing a distribution center on the city's southside.

From my development career to my corporate job, each experience was invaluable and built me in a way where I have sharper knowledge in interpersonal relationship building, emotional intelli-

gence, and a stronger desire to deliver my best every single time I get up, show up, and "conquer" mentality. Each position gave me a great gift: the grit I needed to take a leap of faith into entrepreneurialism and build my own company from the bottom up.

How I came into reviving an old iconic brand like Mission Crafts (which was the third business venture of Ethel Harris, an extremely influential businesswoman circa 1930-1970s San Antonio) is quite a serendipitous journey as I reflect on it. It was over nine years ago when the seed of Mission Crafts was first planted in my head, and I always remember the exact moment when the transaction between the universe and my creativity occurred. I had initially started the Mission District-SATX Facebook page as I had a newfound appreciation for taking pictures of these historical beauties, and this Facebook page was my way of sharing them with the world (pre-world heritage designation). It was also a bonus that the person I was dating (now my husband) was a part of one of San Antonio's

legacy families- the 5th family from the Canary Islands- to settle the historic missions. I learned so much about the missions but found myself low-spirited because there needed to be a more authentic, artistic representation of them that was shareable amongst family and friends alike. If I loved the missions, then others must be just as inspired by them as I am. The desire to fulfill this need became vital from that point forward.

During my professional career, I never gave up on my dream of building Mission Crafts; the brand went through many sketch stages where collections were developed on pen and paper only under the first business name, Mission Shoppe. I firmly believe in God's timing, and I trusted that every year that passed by without making my dream tangible was a reminder to receive God's blessing. While working with T.J. Maxx, my dream finally came to fruition. It was January 2019, and in a very spiritual way, my inner voice told me, "Now is the time for your dream."

Although Mission Crafts Chandlery is predominantly a missioninspired home decor and gift shop, the brand is known for being San Antonio's ONLY make-your-own candle "bar" with its aromatic candles and scented gifts. Fragrance has always been a big part of my life as my mother was a horticulturist and had extensive knowledge of how essential oils and plant derivatives complement each other. I learned from the best and utilized her teachings, which became my hobby, designing fragrance profiles, eventually leading to the development of

Mission Craft's iconic and exclusive candle collections. Although my mother has since passed, she continues to be my biggest role model and is my motivator for getting out of bed every day, even when sometimes it feels impossible to do so. My mother was a brilliant woman, a beyondthis-world creative, ahead of her time in her business ventures, and one of the most giving individuals you would ever meet. Mission Crafts Chandlery is my monument to her and my way of sharing a piece of her with the world, which makes her very much alive in spirit.

The GREATEST accomplishment of my life thus far was moving my business from pop-up markets to online stores to a brick and mortar is the greatest accomplishment of my life. Turning your dream into a tangible reality is the most gratifying feeling in the world. Mission Crafts Chandlery's goal is to share the story and legacy of San Antonio's arts and crafts movement while providing customers with exceptional fragrance products and immersive activities through our candle "bar" experiences, our classes, and private events. Our mission is to create a hands-on fragrance experience for individuals, friends, and families who appreciate quality scented products, such as candles and other smell-good gifts. We believe in the power of fragrance to evoke emotions and memories, transforming any space into a haven for friends and family. For us, every fragrance tells a story, and every candle lights up a moment that becomes a cherished memory.

missionchandlery.com