RE Newsline June - 2023

SAN ANTONIO SAN ANTONIO RE RE N N EWSLIN EWSLIN E E

Have You Ever Heard Of The Knights Templar?

By definition

Knight and Knighthood referred to a professional cavalryman and to his chosen profession of arms, a service which started and evolved throughout various countries of Europe during the Medieval period. Since It was important that one was properly suited for such a position there was usually a very long journey before one could finally attain their prestigious knighthood, a process that usually began sometimes as early as age seven when a boy might start by working as a page for his father up until he was about 12 years of age. He would then begin an extended period of training and apprenticeship during which he would learn about the world around him and receive the required military training.

Knighthood was a profession for neither the faint of heart nor for the poor as it first of all required adhering to a code of chivalry which demanded bravery, loyalty, generosity, courtesy and devotion and was secondly also a very expensive proposition. During the period of apprenticeship, the trainee, who at that point was pledged to some lord or monarch for service, might be referred to as a damoiseau (lordling) or varlet or valet, etc. depending upon the country with which they were associated. After it was determined the trainee was ready for active service he would accompany his lord into battle as either the lord’s shield bearer (écuyer or esquire) or as the arms bearer (armitage). Once it was determined that the apprentice was sufficiently proficient in his duties and knowledge and, most of all, was able to come up with the funds necessary to purchase his knightly wardrobe, either on his own or from his family, he would then be ready for the next step: the “dubbing.”

Depending upon the circumstances, whether during warfare or before or after such events, the dubbing could be an elaborate affair with all the pomp and circumstances befitting the occasion or simply handled on the battlefield as the man’s bravery was being recognized at that time. For the most part the process of dubbing during those times was pretty similar among the European countries and essentially the process remains the same today, i.e. the tapping of the shoulder with the flat side of a sword’s blade.

Though there is no commonly accepted modern definition of feudalism, at least among scholars, the dictionary describes it as “the dominant social system in medieval Europe

between the 9th and the 15th centuries, in which the nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn tenants of the nobles, while the peasants (villeins or serfs) were obliged to live on their lord's land and give him homage, labor, and a share of the produce, primarily in exchange for military protection.”

In 1099 during the Crusades the Christians recaptured Jerusalem from Muslim control and once that happened groups of pilgrims from all over Western Europe started to come to visit the Holy Land, but many were robbed and some killed as they passed through territories that were still under Muslim control. To combat this problem, in 1119 Sir Hugh de Payens, a French knight, gathered a group of eight or nine of his fellow knights and created a small military order which he called Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ. Baldwin II, then king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem gave the knights his palace, which was a former mosque on the Temple Mount of Jerusalem, to use as their headquarters. Since that building had been commonly called the Temple of Solomon the order of knights soon became known as the Knights of the Temple or just the “Templars.”

Over the years the Knights Templar became a large organization of devout Christians whose mission, in addition to carrying out military operations, was to protect those European travelers who wished to visit sites in the Holy Land. By 1129 these knights were facing criticism from some religious leaders for being too warlike until they were formally endorsed by prominent French abbot Bernard of Clairvaux when his book, “In Praise of the New Knighthood,” extoling their virtues was published. This support was further solidified in 1139 when Pope Innocent II issued a Papal Bull giving the Knights Templar special rights to include exemption from taxes, the right to build their own oratories and declared them under no other authority than that of the Pope.

When formed, the order of the Knights Templar was to follow an austere code of conduct in accordance with rules found in “The Rule of the Templars” in which order members took an oath of poverty, chastity and obedience and were not allowed to drink, gamble, swear, wear pointy toed shoes or even kiss their mothers. On the other hand prayer was a daily essential and they expressed a particular adoration for the Virgin Mary,

mother of Jesus.

By the 1150s the Templar’s basic structure was in place and it was headed by a grand master, elected for life, who remained in Jerusalem and from there oversaw their territories and chapters. The order members (brothers) were divided into two classes: knights and sergeants. The knightbrothers were those who came from the military aristocracy, assumed elite leadership positions, served at courts, both royal and papal and wore the distinctive outfit of a white surcoat marked with a red cross. The servingbrothers (sergeants) were usually from the lower classes, served as both servants and warriors and wore black outfits. Years later a third class (chaplains) was added and they were responsible for administering the sacraments, holding religious services and helping with the spiritual needs of the members.

The vow of poverty seemed to have fallen by the wayside as the Templars established a prosperous and very profitable network of banks which gained for them enormous financial influence. Their unique for the times banking system allowed religious pilgrims to deposit assets in their home countries and withdraw their funds when they reached the Holy Land. At the height of their influence, the Templars boasted a sizable fleet of ships, owned the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and served as a primary bank and lending institution to European monarchs and nobles.

Tales of this mysterious order concerning their financial and banking acumen, their work on behalf of Christianity and especially their military prowess have fascinated historians for centuries. An example of their military might is evident when their highly disciplined cavalry group in tight formation, running straight at the middle of the enemy army’s line, would blast through the enemy creating havoc and disarray thus allowing their ancillary forces to follow up and defeat the remaining forces.

So here we have a major, influential group of men, superior in their fighting skills, dedicated to taking care of their responsibilities and extremely well off because of their management ability and business acumen and yet they just disappeared from sight and were none of those things during the 14th century – what happened? While some approved of the Templars others, especially rival orders of knights, were critical of them for too much power, too much money, no obligation to pay

tax and freedom from most all authority.

By the end of 12th century the Muslims had retaken Jerusalem and other Crusader posts forcing the Knights to keep moving to seek shelter in other of their locations. At this point the successes of the Crusades were crumbling and in 1291, when Acre, the last Christian held fortress in the Holy Land, fell to the Mamluks, a group of Egyptian slave-warriors of medieval Islam, it was one of the most devastating events in Western history. With the erosion of European support for military activity in the Holy Land and the criticism from religious leaders about the wealth and power of the order, the Templars established their last base in Paris, where King Phillip IV reigned . Either because he feared their power or because the Templars had denied King Phillip the additional loans requested, he planned their demise and on October 13, 1307 (Friday the 13th),ordered all Knights Templar in France arrested especially their grand master Jacques de Molay. Once in custody the knights were tortured until they falsely confessed to a bevy of crimes which included financial corruption and devil-worshipping, heresy, homosexuality and fraud along with other despicable things after which most, including De Molay, were then burned at the stake. Under threat of military action, King Phillip then convinced Pope Clement V in 1312 to disband the order throughout Europe, turning their assets over to the Knights Hospitaller, a rival order, although it is probable that the kept most for himself.

The tales concerning the Knights Templar persist today and there is much speculation as to what happened to those members of the order who had escaped capture. Many of their rules and symbols have been adopted by other orders that were established in later years. The Catholic Church has since publicly declared that the persecution of the Knights Templar was completely unjustified and although historians believe the order fully disbanded others believe the order went underground and may exist in some other form today. There is also some speculation that the Templars may have guarded the Shroud of Turin, the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. There is little doubt that the Knights Templar has been an intriguing and fascinating subject for so many over the years and that it, in addition to many wild speculations about them, will continue over the foreseeable future years.

Pat Farrell / Senior Contributing Writer

National Homeownership Month

There’s really no place like home – and there’s no better time to recognize that than now. Across the United States, June is Homeownership Month. It’s a great time to share our stories and create opportunities for future homeowners.

Back in 1995, President William Clinton’s administration began National Homeownership Week to promote homeownership across the United States. Fast forward to 2002, President George W. Bush expanded the observance to last the whole month of June. Today, we celebrate the value that owning a home brings to families and neighborhoods across the country, while also highlighting the efforts to help them achieve that dream.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) website, “a home is more than four walls and a roof.

It is our bedrock-a place that serves as a bridge to greater opportunity and a better life. A home can connect us to better jobs, more affordable transportation options, and communities with cleaner air and cleaner water. It is a place that can help build wealth that can be passed down to generations to come.” The website also states the dream of homeownership and the security that comes with it may be out of reach for too many people. For this reason, HUD is committed to supporting sustainable and affordable homeownership opportunities to help low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. They are constantly enhancing tools and resources to make mortgage financing more accessible. All their efforts also help you as a REALTOR® to better serve your clients as you help them on their journey of finding their perfect home.

Old Republic Title Rodeo Event

Brittany Coppage, Old Republic Title, and Hillary Moussali, Guaranteed Rate

Willy Peniche, ERA Troy and Paula Grigsby, TAP FCU

Jasmine Odie Moore, NRL Mortgage and Christine Denny, Elite Living Realty

Teresa Edmonson, Phyllis Williams , Stephanie Adkisson and Monica Middleton, all with Old Republic Title

Al Carrasco and Loralee Dear, both TAP FCU

Suzette Keller and Gwen Derry both Old Republic Title

Lauran Porter and Gwen Derry, both Old Republic Title

Melonie Sellege, Old Republic Title, Amy Kerekes, Jefferson Bank and Sue Stoller, Old Republic Title

Phyllis Ladonde, JB Goodwin, and Laura Blackburne, Keller Williams Heritage

Holly Hermes with baby & father Mike Hermes, both The Hermes Team @ PBC

Brad Dawson, Movement Mortgage, Annie McNiel , Gateway Mortgage, Jason Bass, Patriot Real Estate Services, Megan Whitmore, Movement Mortgage, Bill Lester, Capital Title, with Brianna Ross, and Allison Mason, Movement Mortgage.

Dede Jackson with Alamo Title at a recent Journey Homes event in Woodbridge Farms.

Carlos Rodo, Inspection Professional and Rebecca Southard, TC Austin

Karen Shaffer, Presidio Title and Anna Hammad, JPAR San Antonio

Kenny Cunningham, Click & Move Realty and Gwen Derry , Old Republic Title

Michelle Mendez, JPAR and Lanessa Smoot, eXp Realty with husband Scott

THE WAY I SEE IT

In the Pod

“Find us wherever you get your Podcasts: YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Good Luck Search, Pay Now Listen Later, Pay Now Never Listen, PodMe, Insta, Mix’n’More and more and more.” When did ‘Podcast’ become a thing? One day I am sitting around trying to decide if I will ever watch the old VCR tapes I have saved for that day when a pandemic might strike, when I will have unlimited time to watch all the things I have saved to see on the TV. As you might guess, VCRs were long dead before the unpredicted pandemic hit--as were my tapes. I finally threw them out. My DVR is full of exciting, intended viewing as well, but I am certain cable will dinosaur away before I catch up on those. Somewhere between dead VCRs, DVD disks, DVR’ing and streaming services, Podcasts showed up.

Like the evolution of Netflicks, no one really paid attention and then suddenly everyone was paying for it. Many Podcasts are free and much like Netflicks, if you can lift someone’s

access, your paid Podcasts can be free too. I may be the only person I know who does not yet have a Podcast. I may be the only person I know who has yet to tune into a Podcast. I am still not sure what I am missing other than the lost time searching for, connecting to, and falling down the rabbit hole of Podcast wonderland. The best I can tell, Podcasts are like talk radio but without the radio station. Much like streaming is like going to the movies without the movie theater experience. Discussion with friends, (you may know them as humans you can interact with in person without texting, facebooking, or instagraming), has informed me of the joy of listening to a Podcast. Everything is out there: true crime, untrue crime, best real estate deals, educational information, medical information, self-help information, fashion, gossip and bite-size information, fiction and nonfiction and it goes on and on and on—much like a Podcast. Just like attempting to catchup on my over-stored DVR shows or attempting to binge watch a streaming

series, I just have no time in a fixed spot to pay much attention to good intentions.

I have been a fan of talk radio for decades. It started with the AM radio stations of mostly white guys spouting the end of the world at any moment if the government did not step up and control the UFO’s circling the Earth. Next came national radio syndication where more white guys were spouting the end of the world because women could vote. If you were patient, the beloved Dr. Ruth showed up to explain sex to anyone listening to AM radio in the PM. Then the self-help gurus filtered in to tell me how to feel good in my own skin. Finally, I discovered my sports hero, Jim Rome, and the litany of sports talk radio nut cases yelling at me about the latest contract of the poor millionaire baseball players. I still treasure my AM car moments with my sports broadcast dudes.

The best I can determine, Podcasts are mostly the same element of information, the only difference is anyone can host a Podcast. Now that I am more familiar with The Google, I did a quick search on how many podcast exist. That was not my initial question, but The Google clarified what I was searching and provided me the statistic that there are around 150 million podcast episodes, averaging 50 episodes per podcast. On a more realistic note, The Google shared that half

of all Podcasts are downloaded less than 29 times in the first week after publishing. Like I am ever going to download a Podcast. I cannot even get the HULU to connect to the whatever gets the steaming going on my television.

My cousin wanted to bring me into the 21st Century and attempted to educate me the old fashion way: she bought me a book called, “So You Want to be a Podcaster”. First, good for her bringing me an actual book to read instead of telling me to visit The Google again. Second, I fear the antique book defeats the purpose of Podcasts, but I appreciate how well she understands me. No, I do not want to be a Podcaster. I am still not sure I want to dive into the Podcast vortex. I have seen news clips on the old fashion television with my antiquated cable connection about every celebrity, sports junky, news personality, entrepreneur, social media guru, fitness instructor, animal trainer, mommy and me expert, pole dancer, furniture finders, bargain shopper/coupon clipper, travel mentor, pill popper, wine whiner, well, you get the pod invasion.

I am sure I will stumble upon my first full Podcast soon enough. It will not be intentional, but maybe the right connection will hit where I must sit and listen to the jabberings of folks that are not content enough to just Pod in the privacy of their own friendships.

Cathey Meyer / Contributing Writer

Karen Evans, RE Newsline, Bobby Bacon and Sherie Johnson Jordan and Kaitlynn Phillips both with Phillips and Associates Realty

Megan Williams, Directions Home Loan with Ashley Fenter and Randi McCrary both with Journey Homes.

Diane Craig and Jan Hicinbothom , both RE/MAX Associates, Mary Ann Jeffers, CBDHR and Bob Leonard, RE/MAX Associates.

Dianne Ayala Steffey, Guaranteed Rate Mortgage and Bill Shaddock, Capital Title

Bill Noble, Landlord Property Management and Michelle Noble, Certainty Mortgage Ruben Pena, TC Austin and Judy Goldick, Regal Realty

Annette Slater, Landlord Property Management and Linda Heisler, TAP FCU

Phillips & Associates Realty’s Do Good Committee volunteer event at the FVPS (Family Violence Prevention Services) Donation Center. The Do Good team organized and cleared space to make way for additional donations for their residents.

Allan Anders and Duncan Elliott

Scott Cummins, Duncan Elliott and Jordan Phillips

Tom Phillips, Duncan Elliott, Eddie Espinoza, Allan Anders and Jason Ybarra

Back Row, L-R: Jordan Phillips, Allan Anders, Jason Ybarra, Traci Garvens, Eddie Espinoza, Tom Phillips and Misty Rodriguez

Front Row, L-R: Priscilla (FVPS), Duncan Elliott, Kaitlynn Phillips, Stacy Barton, Samantha Pearson, Elizabeth Blue and Brandy Tavernier

Ana Salazar, Traci Garvens, Kaitlynn Phillips, Brandy Tavernier, Hailey Keller, Misty Rodriguez, Macy Portillo and Dagny McCracken

GUEST COLUMN

Aly Crawford / Contributing Writer

Investing Time

We each have the same number of hours in our day. So, how then do some people seem to get so much done?

We each have the same amount of time in a week, month, and year but, we do not have the same access to resources, skills, determination, or drive. The same aspects that have led to our individuality and unique lives are the same differences that lead to our productiveness, or lack of. Generally, as sentient creatures we have power over our choices. We spend time. We never seem to find it - though I’ve certainly tried. We have found ways to waste it, we can certainly see when we’ve run out of it, but even with our best intentions we rarely locate the time we search for. The choice we have lies in the small moments of our day, and ultimately, choosing how to spend our time.

So how can we navigate our days so that we are taking advan -

tage of our time? How do we reorganize, restructure, and maximize our time so that we are not controlled by the clock but are using time as a resource? I am certainly no expert and make no promises of the answers to these deep questions, but there are principles that can guide us in evaluating our daily systems.

Step out of your flow and evaluate how your time is currently being spent and what exactly it is being spent on. Within the twenty four hours of your day, how much time is spent on work, self-care, maintenance, or growth? Are the things you are spending your time on producing the results you are looking for? Are your daily choices aligned with your long-term goals? Use your photos, past calendars, even your google timeline to observe how you have been using your time. This act alone can lead to changes that can significantly impact the choices in your day. But just as looking at

your bank statement is not the full process of managing a budget, reflecting on your time does not lead to a functional schedule. This process, however, can give you a better understanding of some of the opportunities and challenges that are interwoven with our lives.

Start with the beginning of the day and evaluate your routines. Strive to find the balance of being efficient and not wasting time but also allow for creative time use and the ability to respond to the challenges and changes around you. Establish routines that ultimately fill your needs and are sustainable. Beginning with your morning routine, create a structured series of events that over time forms good habits.

Build time for rest and recharge. Not find or set aside, but build. A system built for efficiency and production alone is not sustainable. Maybe this means intentionally taking time from another activity for rest, scheduling a time in your day for a soothing activity, or saving days off and planning for a vacation. I often find that this is a difficult step in the process because too much rest can quickly crumble effective routines. I find that intentionally scheduling time for an activity I choose, like a walk in the park, leads to more enjoyment and is ultimately more

fulfilling because I awaited and anticipated the walk, enjoyed myself and felt present in the moment, but didn’t regret the time spent disconnected.

What I’ve learned though is that we have a great overarching choice of spending time or money. Think, for example, of a new fence. You could absolutely pay a company to get it done quickly or you could buy the materials and build the fence yourself for less money. The second option would involve a higher investment of time but you may find that the exchange of your time for your hard earned money is worth it. Find the value exchange for your own time and money. How many hours of your time is that purchase costing you? How much money could you save if you spend your time on a project? For me, investing my time and learning new skills often go hand-inhand. When I use my time to save money I often learn something new in the process of completing the task. Which definitely leaves me feeling like I’ve gained in the exchange.

Each hour of your day is full of potential. Each choice you make determines the course of the day. With the opportunity to shape a year and even a lifetime, choose to invest your time.

Have You Ever Attended A Women’s Council Of Realtors® San Antonio

Talk about Networking! One of the pillars of Women’s Council Membership is networking; and this time, we took it to the next level at our Membership Mixer “Spring Bling” April 13 at The Cottage Irish Pub.

We welcomed members, strategic partners, future members and future business partners to participate in a speed networking activity (similar to speed dating but the business version). This activity allowed all to interact with one another to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

After getting to know each other a little more; we had our strategic partner Elvia Williams from Your Time Home Inspections do a round table activity called “Celebrity Heads”.

In this activity the guests were put into groups and given an index card with the name of a celebrity and

then given 5 mins to come up with the following: 1. The name of their band 2. What celebrity each person was 3. Which celebrity in the group just made the news and why? 4. The name of their HOT #1 single and

event “Make it Rain in Real Estate” which took place this last May the 4th at San Antonio Board of Realtors and was such an empowering event where we had a panel of all female entrepreneurs/investors that vary from many years of experience to some who just started. This event was ideal for everyone who is thinking about investing in real estate but isn’t sure where to start and/or wants to learn how to work with investors in Real Estate. The panel demonstrated how to build multiple streams of revenue by flipping homes, short term rentals (Air B&B), wholesaling, private lending and the importance of running a successful business.

This year, our membership is growing faster than anticipated and in this volatile industry we find ourselves having to make changes in our business models and when working within the network women are finding all sorts of ways to make additional income, to be involved in various roles of leadership and to become successful entrepreneurs.

If you are already a member, we invite you to stay connected and get involved so that we can all grow together in this industry and in our leadership journey.

JUNE EVENTS:

June 8, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Bridge the Gap Appraisal Class (Members Only) Brought to all Women’s Council of REALTORS® by Legacy Mutual Mortgage (2023 Strategic Partner) 17802 W I-10 #203 San Antonio, Tx 78257 - For Info and Registration call 830-264-2140

June 29, 2023 from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

The 3 “Unspoken Truths” Presented by Kimberlie Barrett Grow your business up to 150% in less than 90 days Brought to you by your Women’s Council friends from District Area 2. This event will take place in Austin TX at The Peached Social House 6500 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78752 *Lunch Provided with ticket purchase* Members $25 Future Members $35

finally 5. Their #1 Band Pose! This activity brought so much fun and connection within the attendees that it prompted 3 NEW MEMBERS to sign up on the spot! Talk about Empowering and getting Educated! Education is the key to any successful business and we provide that at every industry event we put together. Our last industry

If you have never attended a Women’s Council of REAL TORS® San Antonio event, let me share with you our upcoming events so you too may come see what we have to offer and hopefully you too will join this powerful group of women who share this leadership journey together!

Adriana Rodriguez / President San Antonio Women’s Council Network

GUEST COLUMN

Karen Evans / Contributing Writer

The Hotel King William

We recently sat down with Randy Dalton of The Hotel King William and he gives us the insider look.

RE Newsline: Greetings, Randy! What is your history with San Antonio and Hotel King William? Can you share your background with us?

Randy Dalton: I have proudly called San Antonio home for nearly two decades, having relocated from Dallas in the early 2000s.

I am a Film, Television, and Advertising executive, and I have always been blessed professionally. I started my career in Los Angeles doing finance and production work for CBS Entertainment, and my involvement in the production of Walker Texas Ranger brought me to Texas. While working in Dallas, I had the good fortune of meeting the dynamic family behind some of the most iconic Children's Television ever conceived, produced, or distributed.

The Leach family holds the

distinct honor of creating, producing, and distributing "Barney and Wishbone." The small group of us that started that important work in Allen, Texas, eventually saw the company become a global leader in Children's Entertainment headquartered in London. I proudly served as the Executive Producer and Managing Director of "Barney and Friends" for over a decade. That experience forever changed and shaped me by demonstrating how three-year-old children WILL change the world when empowered by love and simple lessons of Kindness, Caring, and Sharing. I Love You; You Love Me...

across four distinct structures with combined square footage + 15,000 Square Feet.

The main structure at 1037 S. Alamo sits prominently on the corner of South Alamo and Sheridan Streets. Its imposing white columns speak to the building's grander, strength and resiliency; it was built in the 1890s and has served many purposes and owners through the years. Initially a family home, later housing for nursing staff at St. Benedicts, multiple Bed & Breakfast concepts, a bookstore, and various professional offices. Today it serves as Reception, Lobby, Conference Space, and Business office for Hotel King William.

desire to lift and promote the creative talents of our friends and neighbors. The artwork hanging in the rooms is original, local, and available for purchase. The hand-forged lighting fixtures are all sourced from the hands and hearts of individual craftspeople; the jewelry in the boutique is designed and manufactured by artists sourced from estate professionals. We are particularly proud of a recent garden installation by a local artist, and bartender, Steven Gonzales. He designs and builds garden planters, water features, and birdbaths from organic or repurposed material. The texture and shape will stop you in your tracks.

RE Newsline: Thank you, Randy, for all the excellent information about your Hotel King William, the grounds, and all the history. You are a genuine diamond in this SouthTown Community.

I have lived in the King William Neighborhood since 2016 and have been an advocate for even longer. I am driven by the excitement of visitors to the neighborhood and bought this property to be an active contributor to the growth and success of the business district. I firmly believe that local ownership of these shops, restaurants, boutiques, bars, and art galleries is the key to longevity. The neighborhood feels alive, and welcoming-You can't fake an authentic experience.

RE Newsline : Please tell our readers about Hotel King William and its beautiful grounds and purpose.

Randy Dalton : The South Alamo property is comprised of 3 individual parcels with a combined size of +/- 1

The Guest House sits next to the main building and was built in the 1920s specifically for individual accommodations, so each room has an onsite bath, larger closet space, and generous proportions. The twostory structure also houses a Library, Business Center, Terrace with downtown views, and Laundry and housekeeping facilities.

The Casita, situated behind the main structure, has access to Sheridan Street and the shared gardens. It is distinctly Southern and has generous space, a full kitchen, and easily accommodates extended stay guests, guests with pets, or a small family.

The fourth and final structure in the complex is a three-bedroom two, bath house with a large open kitchen and living space, full laundry, and direct access to the pool. It is ideal for family reunions or an extended stay base camp.

RE Newsline : Tell us about the beautiful gift shop and the artisans.

Randy Dalton: The decor and retail experience here expresses a

HOTEL KING WILLIAM

1037 S. Alamo San Antonio, Texas 78210 Phone: 210 668-3936 HotelKingWilliam.com

Management: Randy Dalton - Owner/Operator Randy@hotelkw.com (210) 315-9333 mobile

Mary Dee Martinez: General Manager Mary@hotelkw.com (210) 510-8208

Business Hours: Lobby Open to Visitors Daily 9 AM - 6 PM Retail Shop open Wednesday thru Sunday 9 AM - 6 PM

NARPM

Entering The Six Month Mark - Not The Six Month Snooze

Can you believe June is upon us? It’s going by so fast as we enter the six-month mark to 2023. I hope currently you are doing what you wanted to be doing or getting closer to a milestone. If not, it’s okay as there’s still time yet may I suggest don’t wait too long to get started on planning towards 2024. Before you know it, it’ll be the last quarter. NARPM’s year so far has been going great, as we continue to bring in new members, property management friends and new affiliates to network with every month. In fact, our venue recently stated we may need to upgrade to a larger room. This is one problem we love to have because it shows the needs of an organization such as NARPM and that we give value to our members and affiliates. You are the motivation for our success in every article and newsletter that is written, every

social and charity event that is planned and executed, in every policy that is reviewed, given feedback on, changed and or supported and in choosing the right speakers for our chapter meetings and educational events. Where we stand today is all because of YOU! Thank you for your support and involvement. We are currently working on our calendar as far as July. One of our upcoming and important deadlines for June is completing the steps to achieving the “Chapter Excellence Award” for our Chapter. Achieving this status is imperative to us as it’s National recognition in front our peers far and near on the stage of our next annual convention. This process takes time, effort and is a bit intimidating as the point system is based on items that we provided and delivered in the form of community and industry involvement, effort, and partici -

pation from the prior year. The great news is that our Board of Directors work well together and we have those members with so much knowledge gained from previous years' experience and know what is expected. Although it’s challenging, it’s exciting to know that your team’s hard work and dedication were able to bring your chapter to the ultimate status. Another upcoming event we will be hosting is our July chapter meeting and educational event with well-known Real Estate Community influencer, Steve Rozenberg. This is another class you won’t want to miss. I had the privilege of hearing Steve speak at last year's annual convention and the room radiated with excitement and motivation for property management. When I heard him speak, I just knew we needed to get him in front of our chapter. The class, Don’t Be a Boss; Be a Business Owner will be held on July 19, 2023. If interested in joining us, please visit our website for more information as seating will be limited. Don’t be left behind and remember your first visit is free.

Keep in mind, this is just a preview of what we have in store for the next two months. Our calendar speaks volumes and as always, if you are looking to be a part of a property management

organization to gain industry knowledge, then it’s time to join NARPM to gain the proper tools and expertise required.

June & July calendar of events:

Jun 14 SAMAC Executive Board Meeting-Virtual

Jun 22 SABOR Leasing and Property Management Committee Meeting

Jun 24 Sleep in Heavenly Peace- San Antonio Build Day

Jun 26 Legislative and Educational Conference

Jul 12 SAMAC Executive Board Meeting

Jul 19 Chapter Meeting & Educational Event w/Steve Rozenberg: Don't Be a Boss; Be a Business Owner Jul 20 SABOR Leasing and Property Management Committee Meeting

*2023 will be filled with new educational classes, speakers, and more opportunities for charitable events. Do not miss your opportunity to serve, gain industry knowledge, and make new friendships. If you are interested in joining or would like to discuss; do not hesitate to reach out to us. For membership information or our calendar of events please visit: http://www.sanarpm.wildapricot.org

Brenda Davila / SAMAC, NARPM President

GUEST COLUMN

Samantha Nguyen/

Asian Real Estate Association Of America (AREAA)

Founded in 2003, AREAA is a national nonprofit trade organization dedicated to improving the lives of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community through homeownership. Now, celebrating its 20th anniversary, it is the largest Asian American trade organization in the country with 17,000 members and 43 chapters. I am excited to have been elected as the 2023 President of the AREAA San Antonio Chapter. Our local chapter is now in its sixth year and I am proud to be asked to continue the work that was started in 2018 and continued by so many.

We have had many successful events so far this year and look forward to a great year ahead. We started the year with a fun Asian American Heritage night at the Spurs game in January. The Installation of Officers and Gala was held at the JW Marriott in March and in April, we had a solar tax credit program at Dashi.

In addition, I, along with board members Yen Yan and Ojas Tasker, were able to respond to SB 147 on KSAT News. And May was a very busy month for us as it was Asian American Heritage Month. We joined our sister Texas chapters at the Capitol in Austin to speak to our legislators regarding issues affecting our communities and to celebrate our cultures. The crawfish mixer to raise awareness about the needs of the homeless was also held in May at Tandem and was a great success and then we moved on to attend our annual Diversity and Fair Housing Summit in DC. This month we will hold our Member Appreciation Event followed in July by a Commercial Update and 1031 class. In August we have scheduled a commercial tour and will hold our Annual Dodgeball Tournament in October. In November we work on our food drive and will finish the year with a toy drive for Christmas. Stay

tuned for dates, time and locations for these events.

Some of AREAA to date include successfully persuading the US Census Bureau to track and include Asian housing data as a standalone category in its quarterly reports on homeownership by race and ethnicity; collaborating with the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) to create translated resources in Chinese for Limited English Proficiency(LEP) borrowers. Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog are set to launch this year; working with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to include a Preferred Language Field on the 2020 redesigned Loan Application in order to better capture the needs of LEP borrowers.

In 2019, the FHFA removed the question. AREAA continues to advocate for the reversal of its decision; and finally helping to change underwriting standards to more fairly account for student loans that were in deferment when calculating a borrower’s debt-toincome ratio.

Our goals for the rest of the year include: working closely through our board to continue brainstorming so we may implement innovative strategies that add value to our members’ experiences which would mean creating meaningful networking opportunities, offering professional development resources, and facilitating

access to cutting-edge industry knowledge and technology to provide that value to our members.

We will continue to expand our reach through the power of collaboration which works to foster relationships with affiliate organizations and key stakeholders in the real estate industry which allows us to co-host events, share resources, and increase our visibility in the community as we are committed to giving back to those communities we serve. To this end we organize fundraisers and community service events throughout the year which provides us the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of those around us and demonstrates our commitment to social responsibility.

Continuing to build a cohesive team within our board of directors continues to be my goal as the board of directors is the backbone of the chapter and I recognize the importance of having a strong and cohesive team. I will continue to help organize teambuilding events and facilitate an open communication system to ensure that we are aligned in our vision of AREAA's true mission. Please consider joining us as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary and complete another successful year. There is no time like the present to experience our diverse cultures.

Jul 1 Patricia Israe Kimberly Howell Properties

Jul 2 Marcus Jones RE/MAX Corridor

Brenda Malcolm Fathom Realty

R.J. Reyes Keller Williams Heritage

Nikki Diamond-Jones Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper

Carolyn Hernandez BHHS Pen Fed Realty

Steve Bennet BHGRE Homecity

Jul 3 Misty Wood Keller Williams City View

Yvonne Kal RE/MAX Preferred

Jul 4 Wiley Cloud Texas Hill Country Realty

Jakey Weilbacher Kuper Sotheby's International

Jul 5 Janie Thelen RE/MAX Associates

Robert Collins GSG Property Management

Jim Concannon ERA Troy Realtors

Art Martinez Texas Land 4 You

Rose Garcia Home Team of America

Jul 6 Ted York Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper

Jul 7 Jason Johnson RE/MAX Preferred

Bertha Soraiz Truman & Saenz Realty

Lea Rongey JB Goodwin Realtors

Mini Varghese BHHS PenFed Realty

Loretta Baeza Annette Slater, Broker

Jul 8 Charles Jeffers III DH Realty Partners

Brenda Escobedo Full Spectrum Realty

Kevin Fenno Home Team of America

Jul 9 Barbara Ayala Texas Listing Agents

Judy Crawford Kuper Sotheby's International

Dorothy Ybarra Century 21 Scott Myers

Dave Munro RE/MAX Preferred

April Frazee Keller Williams Legacy

Jul 10 Bruce Osborne JB Goodwin Realtors

Bil Trodlier Keller Williams City View

Phyllis Teer Home Team of America

Sara McCaffrey Southern Style Hospitality

Denver Lambuth Home Team of America

Jul 11 George Julian RE/MAX Preferred

Jul 12 Susan Gross Phyllis Browning Company

Monette Kroeger Phyllis Browning Company

Steve Short Alamo Top Realty

Andrew Morin eXp Realty

Jul 13 Rick Acosta RE/MAX Associates Boerne

Michelle Perez Realty Executives of S.A.

Jul 14 Hank Macias Old Republic Title

Jul 15 Edward Greene BHHS Don Johnson Realtors

Jul 16 Michael King Realty Executives of S.A

Marlene Gray Century 21 The Hills Realty

Jul 17 Dianne Garibay Keller Williams City View

Jesse Fuller Sterling Group Real Estate

Kathy Ripps Kuper Sotheby's International

Pepa Thomas RE/MAX North-San Antonio

Pat Busby Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper

Parisa Sanchez BHGRE Homecity

Jane Baker Premier Realty Group

Laura Wing RE/MAX Associates

Andre Dade Central Metro Realty

Jul 18 Joel "Jerry" Porras eXp Realty

Shelly Jeffries Phyllis Browning Company

Kate Crone Phyllis Browning Company

Jul19 Colleen Sherwood REAL Broker, LLC

Lynnette Boyd Prime Realty

Jul 20 Sheryl Sepulveda Brigette Neal

Rene Cervantez Century 21 The Hills Realty

Jul 21 Lisa Bates REAL Broker, LLC

Jeselle Garza Century 21 The Hills Realty

Debra Perez Levi Rodgers Real Estate Group

Lauren Denman DosLunas Realty

Donna Fremin Century 21 Scott Myers

Jul 22 Michael Daniels King Realtors

Rita Stanley Premier Town & Country Realty

Mike Daniel Century 21 Scott Myers

J.C. Rubiola Rubiola Realty

Jul 23 Toni Smart Smart Group Realtors

Rick Jorgensen Alamo Top Realty

Claudia Escobedo Vortex Realty

Jul 24 Judy Dunlap Phyllis Browning Company

Frank Bailey Keller Williams Heritage

Janet Heydenreich Phyllis Browning Company

Cathy Cole RE/MAX North-San Antonio

Jul 25 Lindsay Blodgett Inspire TX Realty

Jul 26 Matt Troy ERA Troy Realtors

Carol Levandoski SABOR

Pat Howell Phyllis Browning Company

Cheryl Julian RE/MAX Preferred

Jene Rand Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper

Laura Whitehead Delise Realty

Delaine Gaston EXIT Premier Realty

Linda Steven Linda Stevens

Jul 27 Mary Ann Sisneros Home Team of America

Jeffrey Bradley Patriot Realty

Barbara Kressin Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper

Jul 28 David Sawyer Century 21 The Hills Realty

Arnold Rodriguez Premier Properties

Jul 29 Jacque Klatt Jacque Klatt, Broker

Alison Heft Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper

Jul 30 Fran Stankovich Century 21 Scott Myers

Adrian Moreno All City Real Estate

Jul 31 Becky Hicks Old Republic Title

Jeff Pozzi Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper

HAPPY CRITIC

Karen Evans / Contributing Writer

The Dinner Party

Welcome to "The Happy Critic" Column I created for folks who love extraordinary experiences. I use uplifting words to draw attention to remarkable people and their stories about preparing, serving, eating, and savoring food. I share only the best!

This story is about me and my favorite life adventure, "The Dinner Party." It came about unexpectedly because of a sad breakup with my husband. Not one to spend much time alone and an avid cook since childhood, I invited my girlfriends Sherry, Diane, Katie, and Olga for Tuesday night Dinner Parties thirty-two years ago! After a year of girls and girl talk, I encouraged everyone to invite handsome, engaging men; the rest is history.

Ever since, "The Dinner Party" has been a monthly social affair with food, wine, and the creme de la creme of handpicked guests. All of my guests have a unique flair about them. I arrange the seating perfectly to match folks I think should meet each other, write the seasonal menus, and prepare and serve the best food I know. Guests have fallen in love at my table! I am known as The Connector, Curator & Cook.

My dinner table seats fourteen guests. It is very special to me as Heads of State and prominent people in business, including my father, have sat at this table. The table was a surprise gift from the General Manager of The Plaza Club while I was the Membership Director. It was built in 1972, and I can feel the history. I search estate sales for old antique place settings so there is an old-fashioned, elegant feel.

Last night's dinner party was extra special, with Bobby Bacon being my guest of honor. Since his precious lover, Natalia Sun, passed recently, we wanted to surround him with support, encouragement, and friendship. He brought with him some delicious selections of Champagne. Some I had never tasted before! It was a beautiful evening, and all had a grand time.

I always ask everyone to come hungry because I usually prepare 6-7 courses. The Menu last night included: Stuffed & roasted jalapenos, Avacado Soup, Watermelon Salad, Salmon Carpaccio, Scotch Eggs, Angel Hair Pasta with Fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, Whipped Cream with strawberries, mint, and short-

bread cookies served with a side shot of Lemoncello. I get so much joy when the delicious food on my plates is licked clean. Food is my art most of the time.

Some recipes I love to share! I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy cooking and serving them. A bit of advice: Shop at Central Market! They sell the best products in San Antonio. The quality of the ingredients is crucial to the outcome of an outstanding plate of divine food! It is also critical to make homemade broths...chicken, vegetable, beef, and seafood. And believe me, there is nothing more heavenly than homemade Whipped Cream!

CHILLED AVACADO SOUP

3 Giant Avocados, just ripe! Cut in half, DeSeeded, and Scooped into the Blender

Homemade

Chicken Broth (contact me for the Recipe)

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1 Cup Buttermilk

Cilantro

lime juice

Maggi Liquid Seasoning

Cayenne pepper Dashes

Minced Garlic Cloves

Salt to Taste

Mix Everything in a Food Processor Until Velvet in Texture.

Pour Into Pretty Bowls.

Garnish Each Serving with a Half Slice of Thick Cut Bacon with Jalapeno

1 Firm Green Grape- cut in half

1 Cherry Tomato- cut in half

Tsp Minced Chives

Salt and Cracked Pepper to Taste

WATERMELON SALAD

1 Small Watermelon

Chopped into Chunks

1 Cucumber Peeled, Cut in Half, Deseeded, and Sliced

1 Small Red Onion Sliced Very Thin

Fresh Basil Leaves from Your Garden Pots

1 Cup Roasted Pistachios with Butter, Salt, and Brown Sugar

Add All Ingredients to a Large Bowl. Squeeze Honey on the Salad

Good Olive Oil Shaken-on Salad

Toss and Top with Basil Leaves

Refrigerate Until Ready to Serve

For Garnish: Add a few dollops of Vermont Honey Goat Cheese from a 4 ounce package

"The Dinner Party" has enhanced and strengthened my life beyond measure. Except for the dishes, these Fantastic Evenings have given me incredible memories, rewarding relationships, powerful cooking experiences, and the opportunity to share what is important! People, Food & Art, are my Passions.

For more information or recipes, call me!

Karen Evans! RE Newsline \ 210-526-1420 \ karen@renewsline.com

Century 21 Scott Myers Awards Celebration At The Barn Door