RE Newsline March 2024

Page 2: What Do We Really Know About The Moon?

Page 6: How Many Spots on a Giraffe?

Page 8: Preser ving the Hear t of Texas Histor y: The Alamo Plan

Page 11: Not So Record-Breaking Weather

Page 13: Empower ing Women In Real Estate (WCR)

Page 15: Get In The Know About Legislation (NARPM)

Page 19:

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What Do We Really Know About The Moon?

Today we do know that a solar eclipse will be occurring on April 8th of this year and that the moon will have a starring role during that event. We also have been told that Texas seems to be a prime location from which to view the eclipse so we are preparing for this amazing 90 minute major event. Beyond that many sources agree that the moon is essential to life on earth as it regulates the seasons, the climate and the tides.

The prevailing scientific theory ( nebular hypothesis ) put forth by Emanuel Swedenborg, Immanuel Kant and Pierre-Simon Laplace in the 18th century about the presence of our solar system, of which the moon is an integral part, is that it began its formation about 4.6 billion years ago when a smaller section of a very large molecular cloud collapsed due to the influence of its own gravity. Part of the smaller collapsing portion then gathered in the center forming the sun while the planets with their moons, the asteroids and any other bodies known as smaller solar system bodies (SSSB) were formed from the remaining mass of the breakaway cloud. As subsequent observations have occurred, the original theory has been refined to include more information now available about exoplanets which are bodies outside of our solar system. According to a posting in J. Sneider’s “Interactive Extra-solar Planets Catalog” in The Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia , as of 1 March 2024, there are 5,606 confirmed exoplanets in 4,136 planetary systems with 889 systems having more than one planet.

Much of the foregoing information has been gleaned as a result of space age exploration and it is known that our solar system has evolved significantly since it first began to form. It is interesting though that the concept of the sun being the center of our world and the idea of the earth orbiting around it was offered by Greek astronomer and mathematician Aristarchus of Samos around 250 BC but the theory was not accepted until the late 17th century. Actually, according to “Solar System” in the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary 2008 the term solar system wasn’t recorded until 1704.

So we accept that the sun is the center of our universe and everything else revolves around it – but what about the moon, specifically Earth’s moon? It is known that many of the

moons associated with other planets were derived from circling discs of gas and dust that surrounded their parent planets while others formed independently and are later locked into orbit by their planet. But how did Earth get its moon? Aware that the solar system evolved to its present state as a result of continuous collisions between orbiting bodies, Canadian geologist Reginald Daly in 1946 proposed the giant impact hypothesis (also known as the Big Splash or the Theia Impact ) which suggests that approximately 4.5 billion years ago Earth collided with a dwarf planet similar in size to Mars that was in the same orbit and that the particles resulting from the impact formed together to create the moon –a process known as accretion and responsible for formation of most astronomical objects. A point of interest is that the dwarf planet involved in the collision is known as Theia named after a mythical Greek Titan and mother to Selene, the Greek goddess of the Moon.

Although currently less frequent, impacts are thought to have been a regular happening during the formation of the solar system. Evidence of early collision activity results is very apparent in the northern Arizona desert where one will find a meteorite crater that resulted from a collision occurring some 50,000 years ago. Mining engineer, Daniel Barringer, owner of the Standard Iron Company, purchased the crater site and surrounding land during the early 20th century and began a search for iron ore that he believed was left behind after impact. It was then known as the Barringer Crater but had several previous names given it when it was first discovered in the 19th century by American settlers. After spending his fortune in the search, Barringer found no iron but rare forms of silica (coesite and stishovite) were discovered at the crater site and a short distance away at Canyon Diablo. These findings were reported in Eugene Shoemaker’s 1974 book, Guidebook to the Geology of Meteor Crater, Arizona, adding to the evidence that the impact essentially vaporized the impactor meteorite which broke away from the main body both before and during impact.

Much has been learned about the moon, earth’s only natural satellite, since its accretion, both prior to and since the first hard landing of an

unmanned spacecraft (Luna 2) carried out by the Soviet Union in September 1959. Most of us at one time or another have heard of the dark or far side of the moon but it is the light side which always presents itself to Earth, and until recently was the only side where soft landings had occurred. A hard landing is when the craft intentionally crashes into the moon’s surface as did Luna 2 but a soft landing allows the crew to land, leave the craft, explore and then return the spacecraft safely to Earth. Since the historic July 1969 soft landing of Apollo 11, the first manned spacecraft accomplished by the United States, there have been five additional crew manned landings from the U.S., the last one departing the moon’s surface in December 1972. In January 2019 China carried out an unmanned soft landing on the moon’s dark side.

Moon exploration has given us an idea of its composition and appearance and we know that it orbits almost 239,000 miles away from Earth and its mass is about 1.2% of that of the Earth’s. The moon’s surface has mountains and craters and is covered with lunar soil which is the result of billions of years of bombardment of its surface rock by charged atomic particles, some originating from the sun. Mostly on the near side of the satellite they have found dark maria or seas made up of the cooled magma resulting from the molten lava that flowed through ancient impact areas. Moonlight is the result of illumination from the sun and the continuous shifting of its position during orbit coupled with its angular shape produces the various moon phases observed from Earth. And, in addition to the subject of spaceflight let us not forget how the moon as a subject of influence plays a big part in art, mythology, natural sciences, religion and time.

Over the years telescopes of many types have played a major part in exploration of the skies and visiting an observatory allows one to view the stars, planets and galaxies much better than could be seen from one’s backyard. Beginning in 1965 space telescopes, which are essentially astronomical space observatories, were launched, some designed specifically for frequency ranges with others designed to detect microwaves, radio waves, gamma rays, X-rays, etc. The space telescope, Hubble, since its launch in April of 1990 has, during its

more than thirty years of operation, delivered amazing images of astronomical objects including stars and galaxies. And recently the James Webb space telescope, developed in a partnership led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with the European (ESA) and Canadian (CSA) Space Agencies, was launched December 2021. The Webb is designed for observation and analysis of astronomical objects and can detect objects up to 100 times fainter and those considerably older in cosmic time than Hubble can. It is expected that the Webb will discover more about exoplanets to include their makeup, environmental conditions and potential for life.

Can you see where all this exploration is headed? It is estimated that in around 5 billion years the sun will grow outward many times over to become a red giant star that has exhausted its supply of hydrogen and begun thermonuclear fusion of the remaining hydrogen and will start to cast off its outer layers to become one of the eight currently existing in the solar system and 10 billion white dwarfs in the milky way galaxy. Following that it is expected the gravity of erratically orbiting stars will reduce the planets orbiting the sun with some being ejected into space while others will be entirely destroyed until there are no more planets orbiting.

That would mean that the estimated life span of the solar system and its sun, moon, planets, and other astrological bodies floating around in space is about 10 billion years from the beginning of its formation to its demise. Hopefully not happening today, tomorrow, next month or next year so we might as well plan on viewing the total eclipse of our sun. It is estimated that the eclipse should start in San Antonio at 1:34 pm when the upper edge of the moon touches the lower edge of the sun and is complete at 2:21 pm when the remaining lower edge of the moon departs from the upper edge of the sun. taking between 81 and 90 minutes total to complete. The temperature will cool somewhat as the heat from the sun will be totally blocked at full eclipse, This is the first time in many moons that the eclipse has been visible in this area so enjoy but follow directions and do not look at the sun at any time without the special glasses!

Pat Farrell / Senior Contributing Writer

Cheryl Ballard, Premier Lending and Sandi Peerman, JB Goodwin Realtors

Cindy Cantu Segovia, Realty Advantage with Annelise Gonzalez, SABOR

Michelle Lopez and Gabriel Herrera, both with TAP FCU

Chiaki Brown, Vortex Realty and Fran Valdez, Capital Title

THE WAY I SEE IT

Cathey Meyer / Contributing Writer

How Many Spots on a Giraffe?

Grandma Meyer was very clear: Always keep at least two bank accounts—you never know when one will lose all your money. Those words of wisdom were delivered with a very heavy German accent from a women who never had more than $500 in her savings account, $300 in her checking and only owned a Montgomery Wards and SEARS credit card. And I should mention, lived through a couple of world wars and the real Depression. Until several months ago, I continued the family tradition as the third-generation owner of a bank account at a local institution. The account was hers, then transferred to my Dad and then transferred to me. Unfortunately, a family dispute caused the closing of that account, but the bank was very gracious with me about relocating the funds, opening a new account, and making me feel like the most important customer in the city.

I also have accounts at another institution that claims to serve those in service, but in reality, they just annoy anyone who attempts to receive ser-

vice. Let’s refer to them as Bank U. Back in the day, Bank U was my primary bank of choice. They were warm and welcoming when you entered the lobby, friendly at the drive-thru and always a kind voice on the phone . . .until they went all internet only. Then they went ‘virtual assistant’. Then they just admitted they went Artificial Intelligence and laid-off all the nice real people. Now, not only is it tough to just get some money, you cannot alter any account in any way.

The same family dispute caused a need to close an account and open another account. Money all stayed the same, just different names on the accounts. The Bots did not care or help.

Since Bank U trained me years ago to FIRST go online for service, I ventured into cyberspace for a bit of a chat with their version of a person. Of course, they require several forms of cyber ID and a drop of cyber blood before they will continue with their lack of service. After the first inquiry, I was instructed my wait time would be

three to five minutes for a response. My complicated question was ‘How do I remove a name from an account?’ Ten minutes later, I was typed, ‘Thank you for your patience. I am researching a response.’ Five minutes later, I was told, ‘You cannot perform this transaction online. Please call for a representative.’ I was familiar with this ploy: You call, you spend 10 minutes proving you are who you are, you wait on the phone for 48 minutes and they hang up on you. This is an institution that should be working for me and making my life easier, after all, I have been a ‘loyal’ member since 1989. So, I called Bank U, AGAIN.

Bank U does not like speaking to humans. Again, you have to provide several forms of identification, answer a secret question, and provide an updated password. Once you are cleared as a genuine customer, a human-like voice begins the long process to eventually tell you your request cannot be accomplished, however, someone will call you back within 24 hours. What?! I just spent 24 hours trying to get an answer. Why don’t you just go into the Bank U, you ask? Because I have played that game before, and they make you wait in a line with other unserviced humans and then send you over to a phone bank to do the same game I just played.

No one returned my call in 24 hours. In 57 hours, I received a BOT

message apologizing for not returning my call and they hoped my issue had been resolved. What?! I was immediately back on the phone. When I once again was a verified non-imposter phone bank robber, the questions started again. ‘How can we help you?’

“How many spots on a giraffe?” I ask. There was a long silence, and the confused AI idiot asked me to hold for additional service. To my shock, what sounded like a real human was on the line. My turn to vet for answers: How do I know you are not a robot? She responded, ‘Ms. Meyer, what is this about giraffe’s you need know?’ HA! I told her while I was on hold FOREVER, I had already Googled my giraffe question and received a satisfactory answer, unlike my service with Bank U. She noted she is aware customers are not happy. We did our back and forth and she was not helpful at all. Seeing no solution, I asked what the minimum requirement was for funds at Bank U. She said they prefer $1000.00 minimum in each account, but there was no requirement. Good to know.

Grandma Meyer would be proud. I do have two different banks with accounts, but Bank U now has $25.00 in checking and $10.00 in savings and does not need to worry about me touching either one. They did call and asked if all my issues were solved, and I just told them they never told me how many spots are on a giraffe.

Preserving the Heart of Texas History: The Alamo Plan

In the heart of Texas, the Alamo stands as a symbol of resilience and history, drawing visitors from across the globe to San Antonio. The ongoing $550 million Alamo Plan represents a monumental effort to preserve, revitalize, and enhance this iconic landmark. This plan is not just about preserving stones and structures; it's about honoring the memory of those who lived, fought, and died here, ensuring

The Alamo Plan, structured around three central goals, is making significant strides towards transforming this historic site. Firstly, the preservation of the 300-year-old Church and Long Barrack is underway, addressing the challenges posed by time and nature.

their legacy endures for future generations.

Secondly, the plan aims to reclaim the original mission site and battlefield footprint, a task made challenging by urban growth. Initiatives like closing sections of Alamo Street to vehicular traffic not only enhance the visitor experience but also respect the historical significance of the site.

The establishment of a state-of-the-art Visitor Center and Museum, slated for completion in 2027, marks the third pillar of the Alamo Plan. This ambitious project will provide a comprehensive narrative of the Alamo's 300-year history through new exhibitions and educational programs, developed in collaboration with historians, archaeologists, and community stakeholders.

Recent developments have already enriched the visitor experience. The unveiling of the 18-Pounder Losoya House Exhibit and the Palisade Exhibit, along with the grand opening of The Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center, have provided new insights into the Alamo's past. The planned Mission Gate and Lunette interpretation and the vibrant Plaza de Valero, scheduled to open later this year, are set to further deepen our connection to history.

the support of individuals is equally crucial. By joining the Friends of the Alamo membership program, you can play a part in this historic endeavor. Members enjoy benefits such as free admission to the Alamo Exhibit, discounts on tours and at the gift shop, sneak previews of new exhibits, and exclusive event invitations, making membership an ideal gift for history enthusiasts.

Support from the State of Texas has been pivotal, ensuring the Alamo Plan's progress. Yet,

The Friends of the Alamo Membership program offers various levels of engagement, from individual to family memberships, each contributing to the preservation and remembrance of the Alamo's storied past. Your support becomes a cornerstone in the legacy of the Alamo, ensuring that future generations can learn from and be inspired by this symbol of courage and sacrifice.

GRI November 2023

Tania Clark and Amanda Ramos, both Security Service FCU, Sponsor

Sheba Chambers-Ramos , Keller Williams Legacy and Diane Gonzales, Premiere Realty Group

Jessica Gaitan and Angela Sanchez, both JB Goodwin

Tonya Stuart Nichols Flooring Over Texas, Annette Slater, Landlord Property Mgmt. and Clara Gilroy, Mitchell Realty

Jeffrey Shaffer, All City Real Estate and Ojas Tasker, Tasker Properties

Mary Ann Jeffers, Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper and Jan Hicinbothom, RE/MAX Associates

Crystal Green, RE/MAX North S.A. and Sheba Chambers-Ramos, Keller Williams Legacy

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

Ginger Unger, Ginger Unger, Broker and Cathy Heshmat, Keller Williams Heritage

Around San Antonio

Not So Record-Breaking Weather

The weather in San Antonio can feel extreme sometimes. But we are nowhere close to the most extreme weather compared to other cities in the US. We’re not anywhere close to the hottest, most humid, warmest, or even least cold in winter. In fact San Antonio holds practically zero national extreme weather records. But, the lack of extreme weather is what makes San Antonio, and really the entire central Texas region, a surprising location for a great combination of seasonal weather.

San Antonio doesn’t hold the record for the most sunny days in a year (that’s Phoenix). We do get a lot of sunshine though and a lot of sunshine means a lot of heat. Though 2023 was a record-breaking year for summer temperatures here with over 100 days over 100 degrees, Phoenix regularly sees more than a hundred 100-degree days and saw over 130 days with scorching temperatures in that same year. When

you think about our weather here in San Antonio it’s easy to get caught up on how hot it gets here in summer. It is undeniably hot here in the summer. Still, when you compare our year-round temperatures and weather patterns with other parts of the country, San Antonio has mild weather all year round.

San Antonio has over 220 sunny days per year (the national average is over 2 weeks lower at 205 days). Summer days here get a whopping 14 hours of sunshine. So even during the hot season from June to mid-September, where daily highs are regularly over 90 degrees, you can get your daily dose of vitamin D in the mornings before the heat of the day sets in.

Though we don’t officially have the highest number of sunny days, more than half of the days throughout the year are recorded as partially cloudy. This means we often have a little bit of cloud cover

on hot days and we rarely see a truly cloudy day. What the weatherman calls partially cloudy makes for some great Texas sunsets.

San Antonio doesn’t hold the record for the warmest winter weather either that’s all the major cities in southern California and Hawaii. But we are one of the warmest and driest during the winter months. That combination is key. What it means for us here in the Alamo City is that we very rarely have to drive in snowy or icy conditions. Temperatures also rarely dip below freezing. Our winter days are actually some of the most lovely with more than 40 days in winter when the temperature climbs to at least 70 or 80 °F. Depending on their metrics for measuring, San Antonio does sometimes manage to finally top the charts on national weather records for Cities With Ideal Fall Weather, specifically in November. That’s likely because most other parts of the US are already used to seeing freezing temperatures by Thanksgiving when us here in central Texas still haven’t seen a freeze.

More great news, San Antonio also doesn’t even come close to holding the record for cities with the highest relative humidity, or hottest days, even in Texas. While there’s no doubt we see some hot weather during the peak of summer, there are many cities that see much

greater extremes. The title for the hottest city in Texas goes to Laredo with average summertime high temperatures of over 100 °F. Brownsville has the highest humidity in Texas with a sweltering average annual relative humidity of 90%.

We’ve really got the perfect mix. It’s just that our weather patterns may mean that our time spent outdoors is a bit off-season. We’ve learned to beat the heat with pools and rivers to keep us cool in July and August. That makes September through December and March through April the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the great mild weather. Our coldest and cloudiest days are in January and February so grab a blanket and cozy up by the fire for a few days of winter weather. The month with the most wet days is March, but with only about 9 days getting rainfall and only accumulating a total of about 3 inches of rain. October can see a decent amount of rain as well. But keep in mind that only 82 days of the year get enough rain to measure in San Antonio. Most other places in the US see more than 100 days of precipitation or more.

Chances are it going to be a beautiful day tomorrow, so get out and enjoy San Antonio. If not, just wait a few days, the weather is bound to change.

Aly Crawford / Contributing Writer

Tammy Cooper with

Antonio and Charlie Ruffo with Realty Executives of SA

SABOR New Home Tour

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

Alma Noriega-Sotirhos, with Stepstone Realty and Shelly Proctor with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors

Monica Cortes and Charles Elizondo with Keller WIlliams Heritage

Pat Busley and Lisa Vaughn with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors

Patricia Botello with SABOR, Rosie Barrera with Coronado Realty, and Fred Holliday with Lux Agency

Gary Scott with Home Team of America and Melisa Fitchett with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors

Shelly Proctor, Keller Williams Heritage, Dina Murphy, Brian Murphy, and Jeff Porter with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors, and Henrietta Sanchez with Highland Homes

Zoe Shaw with JB Goodwin and Destiny Washington with Priority Title

Melisa Fitchett with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors and Martha Sarwar with Mitchell Realty

The first of our quarterly orientations, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for its newest members was held in early February. As the event unfolded, it became evident that this orientation was not merely a gathering but a catalyst for personal growth, leadership development, and community engagement within the real estate industry.

At the heart of the orientation was the mission to onboard new members effectively. Through interactive sessions and informative presentations, attendees were introduced to the core values, resources, and the myriad of opportunities available through the Women's Council of REALTORS® San Antonio, including the utilization of Radius, a platform designed to facilitate seamless referrals and collaboration among

members.

The success of the orientation can be attributed, in part, to the exposure garnered by the San Antonio network and the active support shown by members at other realtor events across the city. This interconnectedness underscores the strength and vibrancy of the Women's Council of REALTOR’S® community, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and mutual support in driving positive change and fostering professional excellence.

Moreover, the orientation provided a comprehensive overview of the upcoming events, leadership training initiatives, and committee opportunities slated for the year ahead. From educational seminars to networking mixers, members were primed to immerse themselves in a spectrum of activ -

ities aimed at enhancing their skills, expanding their knowledge base, and fostering meaningful connections within the industry.

Central to the Women's Council of REALTOR’S® mission is the cultivation of leadership potential among its members. Statistics reveal the profound impact of the organization's initiatives on leadership development, with 70% of members acknowledging that their involvement has led to enhanced leadership skills across various facets of their lives. This statistic speaks to the efficacy of the Women's Council of REALTOR’S® programs and resources in equipping members with the tools and confidence needed to excel as leaders in their businesses, communities, and personal endeavors.

The Women's Council of REALTORS® serves as a springboard for members to assume leadership roles within their local communities, with 65% of members actively engaged in leadership positions beyond the realm of real estate. This level of civic engagement underscores the organization's commitment to fostering social responsibility and community leadership among its members, empowering them to effect positive change and drive impact in their respective commu -

nities.

The influence of the Women's Council of REALTORS® extends far beyond the local level, with a significant presence within the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Remarkably, 19% of NAR Board of Directors are Women's Council of REALTORS® members, while 11% of NAR Committee slots are held by Women's Council of REALTORS® members. These statistics underscore the organization's prominence and influence within the broader real estate landscape, highlighting its role in shaping industry policies, driving strategic initiatives, and advocating for the interests of REALTORS® at the national level.

In conclusion, the New Member Orientation exemplified the council's unwavering commitment to empowering its members, fostering collaboration, and driving positive change within the real estate community. We want to thank our amazing membership team and their hard work and collaboration to make this event a success. As the journey unfolds, the Women's Council of REALTORS® San Antonio remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting, inspiring, and empowering women in real estate, one connection at a time.

Angelica Erosa / President San Antonio Women’s Council Network

IREP and SABOR Realtor Safety Programs

Alma Simon , Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors and Andrea Chamberlain, UOwnIt Realty

Emily Flores, Sensei Scottie Jackson and Christian Siglor, all with PKI MMA

Keith Jones, SABOR VP Technology and Sopfiela Grannum, Click & Move Realty

Ronnah Stabenow and Joey Pesina, SABOR

Mark Lujan, Speaker, SABOR Cyber Security

Gwen Derry, Old Republic Title and Alishia Alonso, Mitchell Realty. LLC

Alfred Vela, SABOR and Sandra Lagos, JPAR

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

Rose Marie Garcia, Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors and Laksmi Taylor, RE/MAX Alamo Realty

NARPM

Brenda Davila / SAMAC, NARPM Past President

Get In The Know About Legislation

Get in the know about legislation and do it as soon as you can! Whether you’re a newbie or already a legislative nerd, this is a prominent component of our industry. Our industry is forever changing, however, since covid it seems change is at light speed and coming from all directions. Property managers have had to deal with legislation and procedures for running their businesses from the local, state and federal levels. If you don’t have all the information, this is where your involvement in an organization will be your resource and can help you make good business decisions. These changes effect everyone involved and it is better to be informed than to get caught in a costly issue that could've been avoided.

Although many of us may not like the current situation, for now it is reality, and we need to learn to adapt until change can come. If change isn’t fast enough for you, did you know that You Can Make a Difference?

There are many ways to get involved and here’s a few suggestions: Join your

industry organization, serve on a task force, increase your political awareness, learn who your local legislators are, vote and read industry news. It may sound tedious, but it’s a small price to pay in an industry that continuously has to fight big political entities to keep your rights as a private business owner. These issues can lead to either a thriving business or a failing business. Which do you prefer?

The topic of conversation right now is what the White House considers “Junk/ Convenience Fees”. There was a briefing room statement released on July 19, 2023, and title reads: Biden- Harris Administration takes on Junk Fees in Rental Housing to Lower Costs for Renters. For entire article, please visit:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/ briefing-room/statementsreleases/2023/07/19/fact-sheetbiden-harrisadministration-takes-onjunk-fees-in-rental-housing-to-lowercosts-for-renters/?utm_source=link

This is the type of information

we need to be atop of and have the ability to come forward and voice our opinion. Don’t get intimidated, take baby steps if needed and start with reading the monthly NARPM article in the Real Estate Newsline and you definitely won’t want to miss our March 20th Chapter Meeting titled: The Lowdown on Junk Fees. To register for this event or other upcoming events, please visit: https://sanarpm.org/

Lastly, in the spirit of speaking on the importance of legislation and its impact on your business' future, I’m proud to mention that we had a few NARPM members that made the trip to Washington, D.C., for 2024 NARPM Winter Summit on February 13-15th.

They were there to network, advocate, cover new and existing topics coming down the pipeline, speak to and listen to political influencers and what better place to do it than in our nation's capital. This is how serious it gets, and I can’t wait for their return to tell us all about it.

Calendar of events:

March 6- Executive Board Meeting

March 20- Chapter Meeting- The Lowdown on Junk Fees

March 20- Virtual Class- Risk Awareness – Owners & Tenants

March 21- Virtual Class- The Art of Acquiring More Doors

March 28- Virtual Class- How to Successfully Market Your Company

Charles Elizondo with Keller Williams Heritage and Fred Holliday with Lux Agency

Justin Cantu and Chad Cook with Beazer Homes

Scott Myers, Century 21 Scott Myers, Realtors and Gwen Derry, Old Republic Title

Cathy Cole, Paul Cole, and Michele Moore with RE/MAX North-San Antonio Marisa Cortez, RE/MAX North San Antonio

Sabrina Guerra, Credit Human, Maritza Venzor, Home Loan of America and Kimberly Rios, Credit Human

George Sanchez, Simple Real Estate SA

Jimmy Salas, VIP Mortgage, William Holloway, Holloway Inspections, Dustinn Merritt, VIP Mortgage, Tony Cloud, VIP Mortgage, Duy Le, Legends Financial

r1-Apr Corrine Lorenzana BHHS Don Johnson

2-Apr Willie Mason Lifetime Real Estate Services

Michelle Yates Old Republic Title

Tommy Adkisson Real Estate Attorney

3-Apr Al Chapman Home Team of America

Mark Thomas Hansen Art Professor

4-Apr Stephen Johnson Preferred Partners Realty

Sonia del Rosario SABOR

Doug Curtis Keller Williams Heritage

Jackie Gobrial Kimberly Howell Properties

5-Apr Mary Eddy Global Realty Group

Michael Berryman Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

6-Apr Albert Alvarado Keller Williams Heritage

Barbara Finch Kuper Sotheby's International

Susan Landry SABOR

7-Apr Patti Nelson SA Portfolio KW RE

Marty Hutchison PMS of TX`

9-Apr Tiffany Stevens Forward Real Estate

Rocky Lopez Lopez Salas Architects

10-Apr Robert Salazar LPT Realty

11-Apr Steve Silver Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Tracy Epps Bryan Bjerke

12-Apr Becky Day Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Frank LeBlanc Engel & Volkers SA

Sue Baillio JB Goodwin Realtors

Judy Hickman Sterling Group Real Estate

15-Apr Cathy O'Connor Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harpe

16-Apr Stephanie Fikes Global Realty Group

18-Apr Pam Maxwell Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Danette Wagnon eXp Realty

19-Apr Hector Mendes San Antonio Elite Realty

20-Apr Brenda Hoke Hoke Properties

Silvana Velasco Century21

21-Apr

22-Apr

24-Apr

Xu Joins Exit Premier Realty

XU

EXIT Premier Realty welcomes Mrs. Yao Xu as another new addition to their brokerage

She is very excited to be part of EXIT Premier Realty and working with Cher Miculka who has over 30 years experience as a broker, certified real estate instructor and Realtor.

As a mother of two wonderful children, she understands the importance of finding the perfect home for your family. A home is more than just a house. Within the walls of this house, a haven is designed for both peace of mind and physical well-being

for your family.

With her passion for real estate and her deep appreciation for the needs of families, she is here to guide you through the exciting journey of finding your dream home!"

Welcome to our EXIT family

Yao...as our Regional Owners, Stacy and Ken would say: "We're Number One Baby!!"

For more information about EXIT Premier Realty, please call 210-394-1376. or visit EXITPremierRealty.com

Roast Chicken with Butter & Herbs

Ingredients:

1 4 Pound Natural Air Chilled Whole Organic Chicken

2 tbsp butter, softened 6-8 sage leaves, stems removed

3 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary chopped

1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped

Instructions:

1 teaspoon fresh marjoram chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon + as-needed olive oil

twigs parsley

whole onion quartered

lemon halved 1/2 cup white wine

1 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 375. Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and pat dry. Be sure and keep your counters clean of chicken blood etc.

2. Loosen the skin from the meat of the chicken gently with your fingers. Be careful not to tear the skin. Once you have loosened the skin insert the butter and sage between the skin and the meat. Use your fingers to spread the butter and add a sage leaf under the skin of the thighs, legs, and breasts.

3. Once you have added the butter and sage. set the chicken aside.

4. In a processor add the garlic, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, salt, pepper, and olive oil and mix to a paste. Rub the herb paste all over the outside of the chicken. Set the chicken on a rack. Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the onion, parsley, and lemon. Set the chicken in a roasting pan (approximately 12 x 14 pan) breast side up. Pour in 1/2 cup of wine and 2 cups of water. Set in oven breast side up for 20 minutes. Turn the chicken over and roast the breast side down for 20 minutes. Turn it over again and roast for 25-35 minutes longer. Check. Remove the chicken from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes. Collect the juices from the roasting pan, skim off the fat, and make into a light gravy. Pour some over the chicken and enjoy!!!! Serve with mashed potatoes and love.

Karen Evans!

Curator,

Connector, Cook

Karenevans@email.com

210-529-2931

The Cloud Team Welcomes Jung

JUNG

Eileen Jung has joined The Cloud Team as their Business Development and Director of Marketing. With a robust background in Real Estate Marketing helping 100's of Real Estate agents boost their branding, marketing and advertising with one-on-one training and classes,

Friends of the Alamo

The Friends of the Alamo program is a membership initiative aimed at preserving and promoting the Alamo, a historic and iconic site, ensuring its accessibility and educational outreach to future generations. By joining, members contribute to the site's upkeep and its ability to offer free admission and educational programs to over 1.6 million visitors and students annually, encompassing the Alamo's 300-year history.

Membership is available on an annual basis and offers a range of benefits, including free admission to the new Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center, a 10% discount on daily tours, experiences, and purchases at the Alamo Gift Shop, a digital membership card, exclusive invitations to membersonly events such as the Travis Letter Preview, advance notice of special events, and a subscription to The Alamo Messenger e-newslet-

she brings a wealth of expertise.

As they continue to revolutionize the mortgage industry, we welcome Eileen to join our mission to provide exemplary client services as well as engage and connect with the community.

Let's extend a warm welcome and show our support as she embarks on this exciting journey with them.

She can be reached at ejung@vipmtginc.com or www.cloudteamhomeloans.com

ter. New members also receive an Official Friends of the Alamo car decal as a token of appreciation.

This program not only provides a way for individuals to directly support the preservation and educational mission of the Alamo but also offers a unique opportunity for members to engage more deeply with Texas history. Memberships also serve as thoughtful gifts, extending the benefits and satisfaction of supporting this historic site to others.

For more information visit www.thealamo.org/membership

HomeLending Financial Offers New Loan Programs

Carlos Verduzco, Loan Originator with HomeLending Financial is offering a new Loan Program to Real Estate Professionals and their borrowers with low-to-moderate incomes. The FHA 100% CLTV Combo Loan Program is available! This program offers 100% financing in the form of an FHA first lien at 96.5% LTV and a senond lien of up to

3.5% LTV to cover down payment and closing costs. Additional program highlights include: FHA first lien PLUS concurrent second lien for 100% CLTV; Minimum 600 FICO; No first time buyer requirement; No income limits and easy underwrite! Increase home ownership opportunities today. Contact Carlos to learn more! 210-325-7631

Phillips & Associates Realty’s Do-Good Committee

Phillips

sions, sponsor donations, and company matches.

Pictured- Front Row, Left-Right: Oana Vlad, Elizabeth Blue, Tom Phillips, FVPS, Hailey Keller. Back Row, Left-Right: Felicia Clark, Michael Ramsey, Stacy Barton, Kaitlynn Phillips, Brandy Tavernier

Karen Evans / Contributing Writer

Rising Star Artist- Kaldric Deshon

Art is essential to the human spirit. Art is vital to the quality of life in a community. Art increases employee and client performance, is good for business, and builds employee and client relationships. Art is essential for children because it stimulates both sides of the brain. Art lasts longer than most things.

The late, great Artist Gilbert Duran was a breathing art machine, and he told me when we met...."I am not a man; I am an Artist." I was blessed to be his partner in love and business. I dedicate this column to the brilliant Artist for all the beauty, knowledge, and opinions he gave me

Artist thought Kaldric Dow was an exceptional talent...primarily his portrait work.

How did you choose your career path, and who was your greatest role model?

A painting heavily influenced me during a middle school field trip to a Houston museum, where I saw a massive portrait of a stylish

ing made me want to represent dignified African Americans in my work. The most significant role models were the art teachers who gave me supplies and encouraged me to keep creating and bettering my art. Other role models were the African American painters Kehinde Wiley and Kerry James Marshall.

What are your success habits?

I paint every day to hone my craft. If I tire of painting on canvas, I'll switch to fabric. If I'm tired of fabric, I'll switch to collage. If I'm tired of collage, I'll switch to charcoal. Switching it up keeps your artistic mind sharp. With people, I am sure to inform them about how art works and what it does, having a conversation about how they view art and my perspective. Another successful habit is doing a lot of research on the history of art and how it got to where it is now, who the key players were, and what achievements made them key players so that I can duplicate those steps in my career.

In your opinion, what are the Top Three skills every young Business Leader or executive needs to succeed today?

Consistency. Patience (considering long-term) and Networking.

How are you contributing to your community and helping people?

I'm contributing to my community by informing the art world about how images of black people are shown in the media. I paint us as beautiful, authentic, strong, emotional human beings. I aim to show us this way in art history books because representation matters. I

show my work at many community events so that people who don't have access to downtown galleries and museums can experience my art and see themselves represented in an arena where we are rarely represented.

Who is your mentor, and how did you choose them?

I didn't have a mentor per se. I researched many successful artists I learned about while diving more into art history and developing myself as an artist. I do extensive research on them, including where they grew up, where they got their education, the history of their past shows and recent exhibitions, and any videos of lectures or interviews they have had. As far as mentors from my life, I often go to shows of artists I admire to pick their brains on technique. I converse with them on their journey and how it was similar or different from my experience.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the next five years, I see myself setting up museum exhibitions with large-scale artwork. I also see myself giving lectures at universities and colleges, speaking on my work and its relevance to art history and today's art world, and comparing and contrasting how my techniques differ and are similar to other historical painters. I also see myself sharing and exhibiting my art with a broader audience outside the United States, like France and Africa, and seeing how they absorb and understand what I am doing.

What are your proudest accomplishments ?

My biggest accomplishment to this date would be the contract with the city of San Antonio's public art department to design a 15-foot sculpture at Martin Luther King Park. The idea was to design a sculpture that represented Dr. King's ideology. Working with them and the fabricators, it was great to see the sculpture manifest. Another significant accomplishment is showing eight fabric paintings at the San Antonio International Airport. That

show earned the attention of many people around the globe and made such an impact that they would message me to say so. Also, I was selected for Luminaria, one of the largest art exhibitions in which I participate.

Your thoughts?

The arena of visual arts is an exciting and interesting field with multiple aspects and makes a considerable contribution to and impact on the general culture of the world. I recommend that basic art history classes be taught in every high school. Art history classes that teach the stories of the most well-known artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, Rene Magritte, Frida Kahlo, and Jean Michel Basquiat. Popular c u lture has many art history references: Halloween costumes, products, poster shops, and TV shows. Another thought is that my main

goal in creating visuals is to change what people receive as beauty. Show that black people have a range of emotions besides being "just angry." There are thoughtful, pensive, curious, proud, appreciated, and grateful emotions in our community. I like to show we feel and express many emotions like every other human being. Another thought: my goal is all about representation. What steps do I take to get portraits of African Americans shown, appreciated, and respected like the other great portraits in the museums? How can I make a portrait that has the power and influence that matches the same power and influence of the "Mona Lisa" or the "American Gothic"?

Kaldric Deshon Dow, Visual Artist dowkaldric@yahoo.com

www.kaldricdow.com

African American man. This paint -

Beazer Homes Parkland Estates

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

Bessie Parker with Sterling Group Real Estate and Liz Waggle with Beazer Homes

Ellen Schuler with Cornerstone Mortgage and Caterina Lindoq with Beazer Homes

Odette Vasquez with Our Texas Real Estate and Johannie Quintero with First Title and Escrow

Colleen Taylor with Beazer Homes

Liz Waggle with Beazer Homes, Sophia James with Levi Rodgers Real Estate Group, and Zach Rogers with Beazer Homes

Amber Ramirez and Andrea Barrientes with LPT Realty

Gauge Reed with Beazer Homes, Hunter Nevotti with Benchmark Mortgage, and Shawn Penn with Beazer Homes