Are There Some Verbal Expressions That You Find Confusing?
You may have heard someone say, “Oh, but that was just said tongue and cheek .” That is a perfect example of misuse of an idiom, a speech form with which many of us pepper our daily conversations. According to the MerriamWebster dictionary an idiom “is an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements or in its grammatically atypical use of words.” So, in the expression cited above it would properly read “Oh, but that was just said tongue-incheek ,” as the phrase is believed to have come into use during the 18th century when people would follow a comment intended to be humorous by placing their tongue against the inside of their cheek.
Another commonly misused phrase is I could care less said when one is trying to indicate they are totally disinterested in something; however, that doesn’t do the job as they are actually saying they do care some but there is still room to care less. The correct expression would be “ I couldn’t care less as that does actually say my interest just couldn’t get any lower. And then there is the occasion when one declares it will work for all intensive purposes – just what kind of purposes are intensive ones? They are really trying to say, “it should work, given your intentions and what you hope to accomplish.” The actual expression was first used more than 500 years ago when English King Henry VIII coined it in an Act of Parliament saying, “for all intents, constructions and purposes” (in every practical sense) but it was later shortened to for all intents and purposes .
While those of us who are native English speaking
individuals have some difficulty knowing which would be the proper form of the idiom to use, it is easy to imagine how difficult it must be for those who have learned, or are learning English as their second language. Not only do they have idioms they use in their own language but now they must learn those of our language, hopefully in their proper form.
In the situation where one uses materials they find around the area to temporarily fix a broken device or fixture so it will continue to work, is it considered to be jury-rigged, jerry-built , or jerry-rigged ? As the word Jory, during the 18th century meant makeshift and, when said sounds like jury, the use of jury-rigged began as a nautical term used to indicate that the repair, though successful, was just a makeshift solution to the problem. During the 19th century the term jerry-built was introduced meaning it was put together, too quickly and too cheaply to be considered anything but poorly built. But then, by the late 19th century the two mentioned expressions were combined to yield jerry-rigged which is similar in meaning and though both are currently used interchangeably with juryrigged , the latter is still the preferred form.
You might hear someone say, “I could see I was headed down the wrong path so I did a 360 and got going in the right direction. Since 360 o makes a full circle, they would have just ended up back in the same place, with nothing changed. The correct phrase would be, I did a 180 as that would definitely indicate a turnabout. And then there are the times when one decides they are going to resolve a problem with someone else face-to-face and say they are going mano a mano mistakenly thinking they are
saying man-to-man when it actually means hand-to-hand.
Often times it is just a matter of using one wrong word, probably because that was what they thought they had heard others use. One good example is when one wants to stop something before it gets any worse says, “I’m going to nip that in the butt. ” The correct idiom, nip in the bud comes from the gardening world and means to shut down the flowering part of a plant before it can develop any further. The expression in its current form was first used in a 1607 comedy, Woman Hater, by authors Beaumont and Fletcher. Also the word butt seems to be mistakenly heard in other contexts like being butt naked when the correct idiom is buck naked . Although the origin of this expression is rather obscure, there has been much speculation offered for the word buck which includes it referring to all male animals, specifically to male Indians or to any young male humans acting indecently.
Or perhaps one might say, “ It’s a doggy-dog world ,” instead of using the proper idiom, It’s a dog-eatdog world referring to fiercely competitive business situations in which one party is willing to harm another just to win the competition. This idiom is thought to reflect a reversal of an original 43 BC Latin proverb, “canis caninam non est” meaning a dog does not eat the flesh of a dog. And, when trying to say, “considering the fact that ….. it is not infrequent to hear someone say, ” irregardless of the fact that …..” instead of regardless of the fact that …… a phrase which originated during the Middle English period. While irregardless it is thought to have originated from a blend (portmanteau word) of the two words: irrespective and regardless, in the case of irregardless, the prefix ir means
not while the suffix less means without, thus creating a double negative which is the reason there is no such word.
The expression“ he’s in a pickle meaning he is in trouble or in a position that is not easily resolvable, actually derives from an early 1500s idiom, he’s sitting in a pickle , which refers to being drunk. The use of a pickle in the phrase is thought to come from the idea that pickles are made when being immersed in brine which is somehow analogous to being in trouble, similar to being in a jam. And how often have you said, or heard said, that “ I should of spoken more clearly,” instead of the correct form of I should have spoken more clearly? That could easily happen when mishearing I should’ve spoken more clearly and repeating the should’ve part as should of Using the incorrect words most likely results from poor hearing, poor enunciation, poor understanding of grammar, or a combination of all three.
Idioms, used in their proper form, can be a very useful way to get one’s point across effectively yet succinctly as the thought could come across to the other party in a more impactful way. Sometimes idioms can make one’s communication more understandable and perhaps more entertaining as they may help one present a situation in a lighter manner. From conversations in which I have participated over the years I would say the idiom is alive and well and by now everyone should have a goodly store of them ready when the occasion calls for them. So, are you a shrinking violet or have learned the ropes and are ready to get the show on the road ? Then, are you ready to tip the scales in your favor by getting into the mix and starting to join the crowd ?
Pat Farrell / Senior Contributing Writer
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PenFed Realty
Loretta Baeza Annette Slater, Broker
Jul 8 Brenda Escobedo Full Spectrum Realty
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Kevin Fenno Home Team of America
Judy Crawford Kuper Sotheby's International
Dorothy Ybarra Century 21 Scott Myers
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Debra Perez Levi Rodgers Real Estate Group
HERE'S TO ART! HERE'S TO LOVE
Karen Evans / Contributing Writer
Meet Luminaria's Executive Director: Q&A with Yadhira Lozano!
Please tell me about Yadhira Lozano! Your World!
I am a single mother who loves road trips, live music, good food, and good people. I am dedicated to honoring my family’s legacy on our ancestral homeland of South Texas and Northern Mexico. Growing up on both sides of the border enriched my life and informed the person I am today as an arts and culture producer and advocate. I stay humble and grateful while fighting to create a world where the arts are elevated and celebrated. My life has always revolved around art. My first love is music and my first instrument the violin. Growing up in San Antonio, the arts are deeply ingrained in all our celebrations and gatherings. We are put on stage at an early age and pass on these traditions to the next generation. I moved to Los Angeles in the early 90s to attend the University of Southern California. Next thing I knew 20 years passed and I was ready to return home. It was my museum work that brought me back to open the Briscoe Museum. I lived all my adult professional life in Los Angeles and now I was back in San Antonio starting from zero, making connections, and integrating into the local arts scene. I moved back into my southside neighborhood, wrangled three small dogs, one teenager, and an 83 year-old independent, car-driving mother.
Could you provide insights into the history and notable highlights of Luminaria? What is
Luminaria's Mission Statement?
Luminaria was created in 2008 by arts advocates to celebrate and provide access to the arts for residents and visitors. Luminaria is best known for its free Contemporary Arts Festival which draws thousands of people to the downtown area each year. Over the last 15 years, significantly more than one million people have attended the Festival, and our artistic and economic impacts now encompass diverse multi-arts programs throughout the year, a wide variety of public art projects and installations, a growing artist training and granting program, and an enhanced international contingent. Throughout its history, Luminaria has presented over 3,000 artists, 1,200 installations, and 900 performances. Luminaria activates downtown and inspires an enthusiastic audience from San Antonio and throughout Texas with performances and installations by regional, national, and international artists whose stories and styles transform streets, buildings, and theatres into a place of dreams and imagination for one festive night.
The goal is to place San Antonio as an international arts destination on par with cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Dubai, Berlin, and others.
Mission Statement: Luminaria is a dynamic nonprofit arts organization dedicated to producing and promoting the arts to the city of San Antonio by managing the annual iconic Contemporary Arts Festival, the Luminaria Artist Foundation
grants program, and culturally driven creative placemaking.
What inspired you to lead the nonprofit arts organization Luminaria?
It was the middle of the pandemic. Vaccines had not been distributed and Luminaria opened their call for an Executive Director. The opportunities for leadership positions in the arts in San Antonio are limited. Although the salary was low, I knew if given the opportunity, I would prove myself and raise my own salary. At the same time, I love producing events, working with artists, and bringing joy to the public. I was also a fan of Luminaria. During my time in Los Angeles, I came home every chance I had to visit my parents and Luminaria just so happened to be taking place on many of those trips. I was a fan and I knew I could do the work and be successful.
What role do you believe art plays in building San Antonio's community and social development?
San Antonio IS art! You cannot leave your house and traverse the city without music blaring from a house, car, or business. You drive around and there’s a mural or sculpture along your route. Check the events calendar and its live music, art exhibitions, parades, theatre productions, poetry night, good food, and good times. We love to celebrate and we celebrate with art! Art brings people together. At a good art exhibition, we are not looking at the art. We are busy hugging, laughing, toasting, and celebrating life. We come back another time to view the art and now we’ve been to the exhibition twice and told friends and family about it. Then they go and are inspired. Art makes for a good life and a healthy society.
How do you engage with local artists and the community to fulfill Luminaria's mission?
Who are some of your treasured artists?
We scout talent. I task my staff to go enjoy the arts evenings and weekends. They attend plays, concerts, poetry readings, visit other venues, festivals, and network. In 2023, we visited over 40 artist studios, galleries and museums. Afterhours, we somehow wind up at our favorite honkytonk, The Lonesome Rose. Garrett T. Capps, owner, has done an outstanding job of running this hardwood floor dance hall on the St. Mary’s Strip, where you can enjoy the exceptional live band inside or grab a picnic table outside, some Shiner or Bud Lights, and meet other artists and musicians. His band tours internationally and represents San Antonio wherever he goes.
Another true talent is Nicky Diamonds. An Afro-Indigenous country artist, Nick Long debuted “Nicky Diamonds” at the 2022 Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival. Best known, for his Hedrix-esque guitar playing in Lonely Horse, Nick wanted to produce an intimate performance on our stage. Since then, Nick has played on stage with Alicia Keys, Willie Nelson, was invited to record at Willie Nelson’s studio, and is now leaving our beautiful city for Nashville to further his career. There are so many artists to highlight: Marisela Barrera, theatre; Suzy Gonzalez, visual arts; Justin Rodriguez, film; Delenda, music; Patricia Vonne, music; Seme Jatib, dance; Ana Hernandez, fine art. There is so much talent in San Antonio!
2024 Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival! Give us the exclusive story! When? Where? What? October 19, 2024, 6:00pm-Midnight Location TBA!
Luninaria Contemporary Arts Festival Executive Director Yadhira Lozano 210-721-1670
Info@LuminariaSA.org
126 Gonzales @ St. Paul Square San Antonio, TX 78205
2024 Women’s Council San Antonio Installation
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Nikki Rosas, Treasurer, Ariana Pulido , Event Director and Tonya Stewart, Membership Director
Members enjoying the evening festivities.
Tonya Stewart, Membership Director, Cathy Heshmat , TX WCR President, Angelica Erosa , 2024 President and Elvia Williams, Your Time Inspections
Linda Ferguson TX WCR TDVP and Cathy Heshmat, TX WCR President
Marty Hutchison , Landlord Property Management Services with wife Linda Hutchison
Cindi Cox, Vortex Realty and Sheila Moran, RE/MAX Associates
Monica Yoas, Guest with Victor Maas, President SAREI
Kim Miller Perry, Keller Williams Heritage and Christina Grove, TDVP
Art Fernandez. Master of Ceremonies
Rebecca Walker, TriPoint Realty with Husband Dennis Walker
THE WAY I SEE IT
Cathey Meyer / Contributing Writer
Storage Wars
The Google has notified me that my storage is full on my email account, but for a mere $4.99 a month, I can add storage to my account until it is full and then the next storage charge is only $1.99 a month in perpetuity. My immediate first thought was how on Earth did I fill up a virtual storage system, what on Earth was I saving, and why on Earth would I pay to save stuff I have not looked at in who only knows how many years? The Google has been emailing me for a month that my storage is 100% full and I will NOT be able to send or receive emails. I sent them an email thanking them for their service and not to worry, none of the emails that are sent to this account are of any value to me, so I am OK with losing this email communication. This notification also prompted me to clean up my email act. While that particular email address was opened legitimately several years ago, I only had four critical contacts that communicated through it, so I promptly moved those to my very first AOL.com account. I am thinking
AOL is a safe destination and it is so retro in the cyber world, no legitimate hacker will be seeking and searching to hold hostage an AOL account. Not cool to have AOL on your hacker resume.
In retirement, I accidentally over volunteered for a few things and as a result have ended up managing seven email accounts. This has gotten annoying trying to manage what goes where and how to keep my personal email secrets in my secret personal account. To date, none of the other accounts to include other Gmails, Yahoo and AOL have threatened me with a cease-anddesist action. For the record, the current Gmail account under threat still allows for sending and receiving emails. I am most curious how long that will continue and what happens when the now junk email account is frozen.
I do ponder how cyber storage works. I recall when ‘the cloud’ suddenly appeared in daily jargon like we all were supposed to understand cloud storage. I do not have anything
in the cloud that originated from me, but I am told I have access to cloud storage for reference in several volunteer need to know events. I have yet to participate because you have to create yet another password AND you now have to be authenticated before gaining access which means your phone has to be charged and near by to receive the secret passcode. Too much trouble for information I can just call someone to get.
The shut down threat did get me to scroll through the account in question and I was astonished at all the worthless information that was squirreled away in various folders. At the time of ‘saving’ I must have thought the information to be of critical importance but looking back I do not recall any of the names, phone numbers or action items carefully hidden the cyber world, which begs the question, is everyone saving/storing information that no longer has value? Is there room for all those useless details to just sit in the cloud and wait for a rainy day to release? Is it possible to totally fill the cloud and then where does all the new need for storage go?
While in a purging mood, I did scroll through my phone photo collection. Turns out, that system of saving had photos of things no one would ever care to review. As I inch closer to the big cloud storage in the sky, I am thinking about those left behind who will scroll through my ‘treasured collection of photos’ and delete, delete,
delete while asking who and what is this?! In a creepier moment, I am now receiving emails from the Google sharing with me photos from years gone by that I assumed I had deleted. ‘Six years ago on this date you took a hazy photo of a butterfly on a solo cup,’ Did I? And why does the Google have that and my phone does not? Are they cluttering my storage with items I no long want, but they think I still need and want to charge me for it?
In all the times I have moved, I have never paid for physical storage of my personal treasures. If I could not cram it into a closet, drawer, attic or garage, I could not keep. During the once every few years of clearing out crap, I always am amazed at why I thought I needed to hang on to way too many items. The truth is if you have not needed something in a year, you will rarely miss it when it’s gone. I am still guilty of hanging on to ridiculous items of emotional memories, but aging is taking care of that habit. No one wants my old junk and I really want more free space, so I am in the process of decluttering my life. I must thank the Google for reminding me, you do not have to touch it to forget about it and/or need it for decades. Watching what happens to my 100% full account will be entertaining. I just hope the other emails allow me some time before they too discover I am occupying valuable cloud space with useless information before I can clear the air.
A few examples of the many happy Hollywood Crawford clients
Before ...
After... Wayne-Dalton 8850 Aluminum Full View
Clopay Modern Steel Cypress Medium Oak with Vertical Windows Martin Steel Pinnacle Horizontal SP – Ash
Clopay Avante Full -View
Clopay Gallery GD1LP Walnut Ultra-Grain
Clopay Planks Coastal Gray with a Vertical Column of Slim-Line Windows Modern Steel-Solid Walnut Vertical LP
Texas Premier Realty Awards Ceremony
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Shane and Samantha Krantz with Texas Premier Realty
Adam Odewumi and John Solis with Texas Premier Realty
Jill & Isabel Heiman both with Texas Premier Realty
Sergio and Ingrida Dickerson with Texas Premier Realty
Bubba Louis with Texas Premier Realty, Kim Pampell with Pilgrim Mortgage, Kieu Huynh with Texas Premier Realty, and David Nguyen with 1st Choice Collision Center
Justin Mahaffey with The Mahaffey Group, Jenny Lynn with The Home Team and Ray Mahaffey with The Mahaffey Group
Alissa Blakenship with Texas Premier Realty and Lance Blakenship Attorney
Rebecca Manz with Texas Premier Realty, Gil Flores with Goodman and Mae Parrish with Moving with Mae
Gowdhaman Rajan with Texas Premier Realty and daughter Isha Gowdham
Roland and Brenda Flores with Texas Premier Real Estate
Carlos and Emirza Gradiz with The Gradiz Group
In and Around San Antonio
Aly Crawford / Contributing Writer
Rediscovering San Antonio: Parks That Piqued Our Curiosity
Recently I’ve been on a mission to rediscover San Antonio. Our original goal was simply to go do something as a family and try to pay as little money as possible to make it fun. What an unexpected treasure trove San Antonio has been! We’ve scoped out the best fishing spots in fall and the best neighborhoods for Christmas lights in the winter. We’ve rekindled child-like curiosity and amazement at museums and experienced the diversity of markets around town. We’ve tried to wander as aimlessly as possible to discover the gems around us and be intentional about seeking out the history at our backdoor. We’ve done so much already and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. The beautiful weather this spring has encouraged us to focus our exploration of the city outside.
There are literally hundreds
of places to get outside for free here - over 200 public city parks in San Antonio. That’s not counting all the suburbs and surrounding areas! There are also numerous state natural areas, wilderness parks, and nature preserves too! We definitely have not been to them all, but our total is slowly growing. Our quest has been mainly fueled by my child’s insatiable desire to find the best slide and swings in town and my own to find a wildlife-filled nature trail. We began by trying out the different parks around our house; come to find out, there were way more parks than I expected within reasonable driving distance. They range a great deal in size, amenities, and features. Some are simply a parking lot, a playground, and workout equipment while others have miles and miles of trails and unique features. But, so far there’s been something enjoy -
able at all of them. Here’s a few of our recommendations that you should experience if you’ve never been.
I Want a Nature Experience in the City - Hardberger Park At first the trails and entrances can get twisty and confusing but, as we did, you will quickly figure it out. At the western entrance off NW Military there is a fantastic play area for a range of ages with a huge field, basketball courts, a tiny-tot friendly playground and a natural play area. At the other entrance off Blanco there are even more playscapes, many miles of trails, and beautiful natural areas to explore.
Parks that are Worth a Day Trip - Yanaguana Garden/Hemisphere Park Best enjoyed on a hot summer day, this park is picture perfect. Under the shadow of the Tower of the Americas, there are many areas to explore in this seemingly small space. There’s a splash pad with great spots for parents to sit, and a unique play scape under a beautiful shade structure. Right next to the Majik Theatre, The Tower of the Americas and several other iconic San Antonio destinations, you can easily fill the day with little plans ahead of time.
Just
a Casual Family
Friendly Neighborhood ParkBlossom Park This little park next to a middle school is our favorite hidden gem. It has tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, a walking trail and a multipurpose field on a tiny footprint. This little park is a great example of the great neighborhood parks found around the city. This one is our favorite picnic spot because it’s so close. Check the map because the best park is often the one closest to you.
Looking for More than a Park? - Government Canyon State Natural Area. Definitely worth a full day trip but, it does require some preparation like water, sunscreen and snacks. You can’t miss the opportunity to check out the beautiful nature trails and dinosaur footprints at Government Canyon. One of the numerous trails you can hike there leads to a seasonally dry river bed where you you have the opportunity to see dinosaur footprints that dried there long before! A magical experience.
We have loved the variety of parks we’ve found here in San Antonio so far. Great news - no matter your fitness level, skill level or location across town, just because you live in San Antonio you are already pretty dang close to a perfect day at the park.
Tim Malcolm with Success Partners Mortgage and Gil Armendariz with New American Funding. Success Partners Mortgage
Tarek and Mariam Boulbol with Texas Premier Realty and Derik and Toni Zipp Owner/Broker Texas Premier Realty
Latrisa Wyatt with REAL and Denice Brown with Independence Title
Amy Kerekes, Jefferson Bank and Sara Hildebrand, Keller Willaims Heritage
Exciting Plans Ahead for the San Antonio Women's Council of Realtors The San Antonio network of the Women's Council of Realtors (WCR) is gearing up for an eventful and engaging year in 2024. With a series of dynamic events and a call for new leaders, the council aims to empower its members and enhance their professional growth.
Upcoming Events The San Antonio WCR has an impressive lineup of events planned for the year, aimed at fostering community, celebrating achievements, and promoting professional development.
Women's Empowerment Panel in July: This event will feature industry leaders who will share their insights and experiences to inspire and empower female realtors. It promises to be a valuable opportunity for learning and networking.
White Out Mixer in August: The second annual White Out Mixer invites members to don their best white attire
for an evening of fun and networking. This event aims to strengthen bonds within the community in a vibrant and cohesive atmosphere.
Member Appreciation Event in September: Realtor members will be treated like VIPs at this special event designed to honor and thank them for their dedication and contributions to the WCR. It’s a moment to celebrate their hard work and commitment.
Realtor Olympics in October: Back by popular demand, the Realtor Olympics will be bigger and better this year. Members can look forward to friendly competitions and activities that promote teamwork and camaraderie.
Strategic Partner Appreciation Event in November: This event will recognize and honor the strategic partners who have supported the WCR. It’s an opportunity to celebrate these crucial relationships and express gratitude for their contributions.
Leadership Team Transition in Mid-November: The new 2025 leader-
ship team will officially take office, marking the beginning of a new chapter with fresh goals and initiatives.
Call for New Leaders
The WCR is also seeking dedicated and passionate members to join the leadership team for 2025. The positions open for application include: •
President Elect • First Vice President • Membership Director • Events Director • Treasurer
Application Process To be eligible, applicants must be current realtor members of the WCR, preferably with at least one year of membership. Ideal candidates are those who are committed to leadership development, enjoy collaboration, are open to travel, excel at networking, and have a vision and passion for the San Antonio real estate community.
Key Dates to Remember: May 31st: Applications will be sent out
to members.
July 1st: Deadline for application submissions.
July 31st: Elections will be held, with positions and duties announced thereafter. If you are interested in joining the leadership team, stay tuned for more details via our Facebook, Instagram, and email updates.
The San Antonio WCR is excited for what 2025 holds and looks forward to the continued support and participation of its members. Together, we can make the upcoming year an exceptional one for the real estate community in San Antonio.
For more information, follow us on: Facebook; www.facebook.com/WomensCouncilS anAntonio - Instagram; @WCRSANANTONIO - Email: wcr.communications@gmail.com
Angelica Erosa / Vice-President San Antonio Women’s Council Network
Kellie Daniels and Jeff Porter with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtor
Tammy Cooper with RE/MAX North-San Antonio, Charlie Ruffo with Realty Executives of SA, and Gwen Derry with Old Republic Title
Gregory Walcoff, Barton Carpets, Karen Evans, RE Newsline and Robert Guerra, Barton Carpets
Juan Rangel with Legendary Realty and Alex Davalos, Real Broker, LLC
Diane Gonzales with Premier Realty Group
NARPM
Brenda Davila / SAMAC, NARPM Past President
Is It Time To Call It Quits?
Now that I have your attention. The question “Is it time to call it quits?” I’m sure it is a common one in the real estate world. I’ve heard it several times on the property management side and it’s a question that poses many more questions. Such as, “Why do you want to quit?”, “What happened to make you feel this way?”, “Is there anything you could do to change the outcome?” And one that I’ve asked myself at times is “How did I get here?”. Well, I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. Our industry is fast paced and at times feels like there’s no time to bring an idea to fruition, resolve an issue in its entirety or even to take time off to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Hey, I’m guilty and human, however, I don’t think it’s a reason to quit. At least not yet. Give yourself grace to correct the situation, analyze your business, implement and follow policy and procedures, and give it another try. You just might need small tweaks. In fact, that's what I love about this business. Think of yourself as Madonna, she always rein-
vents herself and is versatile to meet the demands of the ever-changing music industry.
Wow, I just gave you a license to become a superstar in your own right. Take the challenge and see what improvements you can implement in one to three months. In case you didn’t know, I’m passionate about motivating people to become the best they can be, especially when I just left another exciting SAMAC Lunch and Learn where I acquire so many tools to make my job easier. Our speaker for today was Pete Neubig. He’s a successful property manager, podcast host and Co-Founder, CEO of VPM Solutions, which is a staffing platform for the property management industry. He’s motivated me to step outside my comfort zone by introducing a new way of doing business. If you could find a solution that gives you more time for yourself or to work on money making tasks, have qualified people handling specific parts of your workload and help increase your profitability, would
it sound like something in which you would be interested? We're talking Virtual Assistants. I know this may be something new to some of us PMs with the hands-on approach or smaller companies that feel they can’t afford to put someone on payroll at the time, or for someone who isn’t keeping up with technology. Either way, the industry evolves, as we should our mindset in order to avoid asking ourselves “Should I call it quits?”. I’m sure you worked really hard to get to where you are. Don’t let this be the reason you’ll forget about all the hard work you put into this business. We all hit stumbling blocks and get stressed out. Be open to finding solutions and making your life better. We don’t want to see you go. There is help out there and all you need to do is stay informed
by taking a class, joining an organization, network and above all believe in yourself. Solutions are out there, so get yourself out there. Set a goal, allot time to work on your goals, learn from your mistakes and celebrate your wins. We all want you to win. You never know, one day you might be up at the podium sharing your business success story with us.
Stay in the know about our upcoming classes, charity opportunities and social activities.
Check out our calendar of events:
June 11 – Renters Rights & Responsibilities Information Session
June 13- Executive Meeting (Virtual)
Recent VAREP Meeting
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Judy Godlick, Regal Realty and Josh Boggs, Exposed Homes
Scott Cummins, Cornerstone Home Lending
Norma Boggs, Josh Boggs and Stephanie Wright, all with Exposed Homes
Jules Fenner, Vortex Realty and Stephanie Wright, Exposed Homes
Johnny Valadez with Capital Title and Elizabeth Blue, with Phillips and Associates
Steven May, Canyon Creek Home Inspections and Judy Godlick, Regal Realty
Tom Phillips, Phillips & Associates Realty
Sabrina Guerra, Credit Human and Anthony Cardenas, Capital Title
Dana Taylor with Independence Title and Scott Small with Keller Williams Legacy
Jenny Gonzalez and Michelle Lopez, both TAP FCU
Christine Jacques , Jacques Investment Resource and Jared Marhofer, JFT Fine Homes
NEWSNOTES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Flavor Explosion For Your Summer Gathering!
Texas Twinkies reign supreme among smokey jalapeno poppers. They offer a delightful warmth and a smokey flavor, complemented by the savory richness of the cheese stuffing. These treats are irresistible!
Ingredients:
2 cups of your leftover smoked brisket
8 Ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese
6 large jalapenos
1/4 cup favorite Dry Rub. Reach out if you would like my recipe!
6 strips of Pepper Bacon
1 cup of your favorite BBQ Sauce. Central Market sells some delish sauces, or I have a recipe!
Instructions:
1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2: Combine the Cream Cheese, finely chopped Brisket & dryrub into a mixing bowl with your gloved hands. Set aside.
3: Wash & prepare the jalapenos for stuffing. Cut a wide opening into each pepper and remove the seeds and white membranes.
4: Stuff 2 tablespoons of your filling inside your cored jalapeno. Pack it in and replace the jalapeno lid tight.
5: Wrap each jalapeno pepper in a spiral fashion with the bacon.
6: Place your Twinkies on a baking sheet 2 inches apart.
7: Bake for 15 minutes and remove from the oven.
8: Glaze or mop the jalapenos with BBQ sauce.
9: Place them back in the oven and cook for another 15 minute ßor until the bacon is golden brown.
Happy Eating!
Olsen Joins EXIT Realty
OLSEN
Petra Olsen is an individual with a rich and diverse background. Three years ago, Petra and her family made the move to San Antonio, where they currently reside in Spring Branch.
Petra graduated from the University of Washington with a major in Chinese. She is not only fluent in eight languages, including German, Russian, French, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, English, and Spanish, but also possesses a deep understanding of the cultures associated with each language.
Professionally, Petra has an impressive track record in federal
government market accounts and business development. Additionally, she has gained valuable experience as the Asia Pacific Sales and Marketing Director for an IT and social marketing firm.
Petra Olsen's journey is one of curiosity and constant growth. Her diverse experiences, linguistic prowess, and entrepreneurial spirit should serve her well as she embarks on her next great adventure with EXIT Premier Realty. Welcome, Petra! We at EXIT Premier Realty are thrilled to have her join our brokerage! Contact Broker: Cher Miculka 210-3941376 or TEXT CherEXIT to 85377!
Tasty Neighborhood Bites HAPPY CRITIC
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.
I concocted this fun menu of the tastiest and most entertaining venues I have visited so far this year. I hope you will pop in these establishments with enthusiasm and let them know the Happy Critic sent you! Then let me know what you think!
Azuca Nuevo Latino's walls are adorned with fantastic art pieces by the talented Maestro's Abraham Mojica, Hank Arriazola, and Curtis Wade. It's like dining in an enchanting gallery. Gather your friends, raise your spoons and indulge in Chef Rene Fernandez's sweet masterpiece: Azuca’s Creme Brulee! A delicate layer of creamy goodness spread thinly on a platter with fresh fruits scattered across, torched to perfection until it crackles. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to lick the platter clean-it's that divine!
Cappy's menu boasts excellence in every dish. For an extra burst of flavor, pair your meal with their lemon pepper chips! Enjoy the cozy atmosphere surrounded by fantastic art and drink their delicious wines. Enjoy the outstanding servers; they are impeccably groomed and always smiling. With a commitment to excellence spanning over 45 years, Cappy's aims to be San Antonio's premier restaurant, and they consistently deliver on that promise!
Hold onto your sombrero, because at Cuishe Cocina Mexicana in
Batallion is a delightful Italianstyle restaurant located in the historic Southtown area of San Antonio. Situated in the beautifully restored Firehouse #7 with a cool modern vibe, it offers a charming ambiance with views of the downtown cityscape and the quintessential Tower of the Americas. Probably the best pasta outside of Italy! Don't skip the Italian Bread; Batallion has magical butter! Owner Andrew Goodman serves the best bubbly in the most elegant flutes. EAT! DRINK! VISIT!
St. Paul Square, the pulpo is a flavor winner! Tender octopus, kissed by the grill until it's perfectly smoky and charred. The Chefs at Cuishe know how to work their culinary magic. They take the pulpo, drizzle it with olive oil, sprinkle it with paprika and salt and cover it in a thick, runny, sweet and tangy sauce! This dish will have you doing a dance. Never forget! Life is too short for bland food. Buen provecho!
Joining The Beethoven Mannachor was a great decision on my part. This historic gem celebrates German heritage, culture and camaraderie. Their menu showcases sizzling bratwurst perfectly paired with a cold brew. Their melt in your mouth Ruben is like a savory symphony. Grab your favorite beer stein, don your dirndl or lederhosen, and immerse yourself in a mini Octoberfest year round. The Beethoven is a haven of warmth. You'll meet the nicest people-kindred spirits who share your love of good food and music,good company and gemütlichkeit!
"Get Your Munch On!" Benjie's Munch knows how to create a burger
masterpiece. The Candied Jalapeno Bacon Cheeseburger is just that. A juicy patty topped with candied jalapenos that bring a sweet heat to every bite. Chef Benjie crafts his menu from scratch and his secret ingredient is love. He makes a beautiful burger! Chef Benjie also serves a Keto-menu. Plus, they've got a food truck that roams the street, spreading munch-worthy joy!
Bohanan's Prime Steaks and Seafood is hands down the best steakhouse in San Antonio! It is a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Downtown San Antonio on historic Houston Street. Bohanan's take their steaks seriously with custom-cut prime aged beef, flown in fresh seafood daily, servers
pamper guests, has classic steakhouse vibes, and live jazz every Friday and
Saturday. Chef/Owner Mark Bohanan is a culinary rockstar. So next time you visit, raise your glass to the maestro himself!
Tributary @ The Rivercenter Hotel has brought life and vitality to the hotel, boasting a Texas menu! Chef Joseph T. Martinez shared that he sources the freshest ingredients and spices from their farming partners. "We order our beef from Dan & Peelers Meatworks, a working cattle operation in the heart of South Texas. Our briskets and ribs are smoked in house, and our 16 oz ribeye is perfectly mar-
bled and tender, seared with garlic and herb butter.The restaurant menu also serves some mighty good King Salmon and Seared Wild Gulf Red Snapper. We purchase our fresh oysters and seafood from Groomers right here in San Antonio." Their food is good stuff!