SA Monthly Magazine

INSIDE: Food Fashion Travel Health & Fitness Art Music Cars Movie Reviews & Much More!

San Antonio’s Contemporary

Online Magazine

www.samonthlymag.com

---ON THE COVER:

San Antonio Power Couple Dr. Steven & LeAnn Cyr

INSID E: Food Fashion Travel Health & Fitne ss Art Music Cars Movie Re views & Much More!

John Paul Patton - Photographer (www.jpattonstudio.com) Alicia Guevara - Hair/Makeup (www.theprofessionalsdoitbetter.com) Location: The Dominion Country Club

Magazine Publisher: DM Rodriguez samonthly@gmail.com 210-215-3403 Editor: JR Fisher Business Editor: Steven James Features Editor: Dan Cooper Advertising Director: Crystal Holmes Graphic Designer: Lisa Marie Mendoza Social Media Editor: Susie LaFredo Charities Editor: Desiree H. Serna Public Relations: Willie Ng Jewelry Editor: Rhonda Gurinsky Fitness Editors: John Townes/Skie Molinar Food Editor: Belkis Lane Real Estate Editor: Cindy Bachicha Politics Editor: Daniel E. Serna Travel Editor: Steven Hathcock

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SA MUSIC ....................................4 SA FOOD ....................................12 SA HEALH & FITNESS ..............30 SA ART ......................................44 SA FASHION ..............................56 SA COVER STORY ................80-85 SA TRAVEL ................................86 SA BUSINESS ............................98 SA HOME..................................108 SA DRIVEN ..............................116 SA AFTER DARK ......................120 SA POLITICS ............................126 SA GREEN ROOM ....................128 SA FAITH & CHARITY..............130

Publishers Letter…

Welcome to SA Monthly Online! Our digital Magazine fills a void in San Antonio. It is a diverse contemporary magazine with a delightful mixture of sophistication and playfulness. The look, articles, and advertisements are modern and upscale.

Our flexible online format guarantees each issue will be fun and visually exciting. We cover the latest trends in fashion, art, music, film, health and fitness, design, and much more! SA Monthly will always strive to be imaginative, artistic, fresh, and energetic, and will continue to create an investment in the future of San Antonio.

There’s a lot to take in, and we may not be 100% green yet but we are doing our best to be eco-friendly and environmentally aware. Being in the publishing/advertising/publicity business for over 20 years, I’m truly proud of our accomplishments in creating a "conscious" publication in San Antonio. The future of magazine publishing is now…so please enjoy our Magazine and don't hesitate to email us any suggestions, ideas, feedback, or just to say hello.

Go Green San Antonio!

D.M.Rodriguez

333 W. Olmos Dr. Suite #117 San Antonio, TX 78212

Magazine e-mail: SAmonthly@gmail.com

www.samonthlymag.com

MUSIC

Noun The art of arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rythym and timbre.

4

JUNE EVENTS AT THE

Chef Robert Irvine Thursday June 18, 2015

Tickets still available for all shows at www.tobincenter.org via phone 210-223-8624 and at The Tobin Center Box Office: 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205 M-F 10am -6pm and Saturday’s 10am-2pm

Black Violin Friday June 19, 2015

Michael McDonald Thursday June 25, 2015

Tickets still available for all shows at www.tobincenter.org via phone 210-223-8624 and at The Tobin Center Box Office: 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205 M-F 10am -6pm and Saturday’s 10am-2pm

The Impractical Jokers featuring The Tenderloins Friday June 26, 2015

Pat Benatar H-E-B Performance Hall JULY 20 at 7:30 PM www.tobincenter.org/box-office/2015-07/pat-benatar-neil-giraldo Rock legends Pat Benatar & Neil “Spyder” Giraldo, the powerhouse behind one of the largest arsenals of rock hits, including “Love Is A Battlefield,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Heartbreaker,” “We Live For Love,” “Promises In the Dark,” “We Belong” and more will be headlining the stage at the Tobin Center for the first time!

Pat and Neil have forged one of the most successful partnerships in rock ‘n roll history. Since their first collaboration 35 years ago on the debut album In the Heat Of The Night, they have sold more than 26 million albums, and charted

TICKETS: $35 / $47.50 / $60 / $100 + applicable fees

www.benatargiraldo.com

SA’s Local Talent Elora & Gasoline Alley Written by: M. Thomas

She’s been fronting her own rock band, Elora & Gasoline Alley, since she was 10 and although audience’s first impression of her and her band was the “cuteness factor” of kids performing Classic Rock, after only listening to her sing for a sort time audiences quickly knew that there was something very special there.

The local media also took notice. The San Antonio ExpressNews noted her as an up and coming artist and The San Antonio Current, was quoted “Watching Elora Valdez sing Gun N’ Roses “Paradise City” is humbling beyond calculability…I’m impressed.”

Elora has appeared and been featured on many local media programs such KTSA’s Jack Riccardi Show; KENS-TV’s Great Day SA Extraordinary Kid’s; San Antonio Living; WOAI News, FOX News First; FOX San Antonio KABB’s Daytime@ Nine, KSAT 12, KERV Radio Kerrville; KUNO AM Corpus Christi; KSAB FM Corpus Christi; KZTV News Corpus Christi; KRIS News Corpus Christi; KBAY 92.7 Corpus Christi, Texas; and KZFM Hot Z 95 Corpus Christi to name a few.

Now 16, Elora is a seasoned musician who is considered one of South Texas’ rising stars in music. With over 350 performances, an EP, an album and a children’s book written about her and her band, she has developed a national and international following with music fans across the United States, Mexico, Canada, England, Spain, Germany, Japan, China, Australia, Serbia and Russia thanks to her social media.

In 2012, with release of her debut single: Dance the Night Away from her Rock the Cure EP she became the youngest artists to earn the #1 Ranking on ReverbNation’s Pop and Rock Chart for San Antonio, Texas.

In 2013, Elora was nominated Best Singer/Song Writer by the San Antonio Music Awards and a Children’s book was also published titled: Elora and Gasoline Alley: The Making of a Kid’s Band written by Dr. Marcella Villegas-Garcia to promote music and literacy in schools.

In 2014, she became the youngest honoree to be included in the Inaugural 2014 Who’s Who in San Antonio Women’s for accomplishments in her music, community services and her leadership as a role model to young girls.

In 2015, she was named “Artist of the Year by TMV Café Radio and most recently she and her band Elora and Gasoline Alley received “five” nominations for the 2015 San Antonio Music Awards which is scheduled to take place on June 28th.

The nominations include Elora and members of her band for: Best Female Vocalist: Elora; Best Guitarist: Nick Valdez; Best Drummer: Elise Garcia;

and Nick Williams; Best Bass Guitar.

When asked what the secret to her success is, she quickly points out support from her family, friends, fans and band members. Elora said: “I feel I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by such great people who support our music. I could not have asked for better musicians to perform with.

My brother Nick is an incredibly talented guitarist. He’s just 14 and can hold his own against guitarists twice his age.

Our drummer Elise Garcia is an awesome drummer and is like a sister to us. Nick and I asked her to join our band a little over three years ago and it’s all been great. We had a bass player who performed with us for a short time but lost interest so it was pretty much just the three of us performing for a little over a year.

We kept our eyes open for a new bass player but were not in any hurry and about six months ago we found Nick Williams.

Even though he’s only been with the band for six months it seems like he’s been with us for a long time. Our chemistry is great and I believe that is the key factor to our success”.

Elora has a full summer performance schedule with performances schedule in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Kerrville, Corpus Christi, Houston, and many other Texas Cities. You can visit her webpage: www.Elora.Rocks.com and Like her band’s Fan Page: Elora & Gasoline Alley on Facebook.

FOOD Noun Material, usually of plant or animal orgin, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals.

12

THe HoTTesT AND BesT BuRgeR of THe MoNTH

"The 4 Horsemen" MueY CALIeNTe!!!

Chunky's Burgers & More is known for the World Famous "4 Horsemen Challenge" and the BEST burgers in town!

The 4 Horsemen eat it if you DARe! HOURS: Mon: Closed Tue-Thurs: 11am-9pm Friday: 11am-10pm Saturday: 11:30am-10pm Sunday: 12pm-6pm

The 4 Horsemen Dubbed the "Hottest Burger on the Planet" by Travel Channel's Man V. Food. The "4 Horsemen" burgers contains fresh Jalapeno and Serrano peppers, a Habanero sauce, and the dreaded Ghost pepper.

The 4 Horsemen burger is not for the faint of heart, everyone is welcome to try it as long as you are 18 years of age or have a parent/guardian and are authorized to sign our "4 Horsemen Liability Waiver".

For those few who wish for bragging rights and a chance at lasting fame by having your picture up on our Wall of Flame, you must complete our "4 Horsemen Challenge".

4602 Callaghan Road San Antonio, TX 78228 www.mychunkysburgers.com/

The 4 Horsemen Challenge Rules • 25 Minutes to eat the burger • Allowed to eat/drink anything execpt for remedies • No restroom breaks, sharing, spitting or double tasting • If the burger is eaten within the 25 minutes, then a 5 minute waiting period begins.

Good Luck to any brave soul willing to take on the 4 Horsemen!!! ***Notice*** A chuck bucket is provided, but use of it is an automatic disqualification.

If the bucket is missed a $20 clean-up fee is added to the price of the burger.

SA CHEFS OF

Chef Ramie V. Ramirez of Chef’s Table Catering LinkedIn: ramievramirez Facebook: ramievramirez

My passion for cooking began when my brother taught me how to make a scrambled egg when I was 4 years old. Growing up in Port Arthur, Texas with a Puerto Rican mom, a Mexican dad along the Texas/ Louisiana border, I had no choice of knowing what flavor was about. In Port Arthur, my favorite place to eat was a Cajun restaurant called Esther’s. With crazy looks from the waitresses, I would always order the stuffed flounder and top it with crawfish etouffee.

After a four year stint in the U.S. Navy, I moved to Houston and earned my Associates in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Houston. In Houston, I worked at a fine dining French restaurant for four years called La Tour d’Argent. There, everything was made from scratch; sauces, desserts and even the pates. The chef was the toughest chef I ever worked for but we are still friends today. I then moved on to the hotel scene where I worked at the Four Seasons Hotel. There, I learned to cook in large quantities while still maintaining the techniques and disciplines that I obtained from La Tour. It also gave me the opportunity to cook for many world leaders, professional athletic teams and celebrities.

Years later and back in the Port Arthur/Beaumont area, I was able to do my own project. My menu was very small, 4-5 entrees, all fresh.

As the Chef & owner of Chef’s Table Catering of San Antonio, I am geared towards bringing a 5-Star restaurant dining experience to the home. From appetizers to wine pairings, I can cater parties of 2-20 or 400 people. With the support of my family, I am also months away from earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Food & Beverage Management from the Art Institute of San Antonio.

Photos courtesy of Derek Bell

THE MONTH Sassy Chef Heather

www.sassychefheather.com Facebook: Sassy-Chef-Heather

Filipinos celebrate life and family through eating. Most of my childhood memories consist of extended family conversing in Tagalog and exotic, aromatic dishes scattered throughout the kitchen. My parents cooked daily in our Chicago home: I remember hearing the sounds of knives hitting the cutting board, oil sizzling as it hit a hot pan, and garlic, onion, and ginger sautéing to sweat out their deliciousness. Since my parents were in the kitchen, I was there, too. I felt as comfortable and safe in it as I did in my bedroom. It was definitely my happy place.

I discovered my passion for cooking in my late teens. I made a mayonnaise sauce that my parents absolutely loved. Their enthusiasm for this sauce that I created triggered the thought that I might have a talent for the culinary arts.

In the winter of 1998, I enrolled in Le Cordon Bleu Chicago and graduated with an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Culinary Arts.

I moved to Nevada after graduating and worked in various kitchens doing prep work, line work, pantry service, everything. Like most new to a culinary career, I was learning the skills of the trade as well as what it takes to work in a busy kitchen, and I loved it. I thrived on the pressure and adrenaline rush of working fast and multitasking. It was thrilling.

Later, I was hired as a sous chef for The Lifetime Fitness Café at The Rim. Health and fitness had always been a focus in my life so I was happy to be in an environment I enjoyed, plus it was in a kitchen. During that time I learned a lot about nutrition and clean eating, and met people who were interested in that lifestyle. Becoming a group fitness instructor and teaching classes introduced me to a larger community of health conscious people. I slowly began picking up catering jobs outside of work and cooked healthy meals for families throughout town.

A business idea was born. I created Sassy Chef Heather in 2010.

At first it was just a side gig because I worked 45 hours a week at Lifetime as a single mom. As business grew, I grew into my business.

I was able to quit the sous chef position and only maintained my fitness instructor job at the gym. I even created a signature healthy sweet treat: Muscle Truffles made of whey protein and healthy fats.

You’ve got to try it!

Sassy Chef Heather LLC is now a fully functional personal chef service. We focus on fresh, delicious, everyday clean eating meals for the busy and healthy/aspiring-healthy individual. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle mass, maintain a healthy lifestyle, or need to feed your family proper nutrition, we have you covered.

We offer meal delivery, in-home preparation, private catering, and cooking classes featuring our one-of-a-kind recipes. You can watch me on Fox News Daytime @ Nine dishing up my favorite clean eating recipes. We have a few projects in the works so keep an eye out because we are growing and expanding! Sassy Chef Heather thanks the people of San Antonio for their continuous love and support.

Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today!

DRINK OF THE MONTH

THE PEARL:

Created by head bartender Noah Masters, The Pearl is one of the more popular drinks of the new cocktail menu at Tribeca 212 in Olmos Park. It is made with Cinco vodka infused with orange peel and freshly sliced ginger, fresh lemon juice, agave nectar and sake. “I had discovered a drink called the Pearl Diver Martini which had vodka and sake,” he said. “I wanted to do something similar so I added more to it. It’s nicely balanced and tasty.”

The Restaurant Fanatic

FOOD REVIEWS Belkis Lane Mobile 210-815-0480 mail: belkislane@gmail.com

7911 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78251 Phone: (210) 973-7600

611 NW Loop 410, San Antonio,TX 78216 Phone: 1-855-271-3621 I got recently an invitation to see the new addition of the Hilton Hotel at the Airport, ASADO. Run by Chef McIntyre graduate from St Philipp’s Culinary School, you don’t know how happy I was to learn that this prestige Hotel selected a local Community college former graduate to run this show. And what a show!.

Not just great food and ambiance, great service 5 star!. The presentation of every dish, plus the phenomenal collection and selection of wines will make of ASADO the next stop before or after departure San Antonio, Texas. This new restaurant will be a great destination for business meetings and mixers.

The Pearl of the Pacific, run by Chef Gaspar. Who don’t know Chef Gaspar?, I believe he is been behind many kitchen in San Antonio. Now with his new Restaurant, and the hundreds of delightful dishes make of La Perla an unique, creative, interesting seafood spots, in the Westside of San Antonio, outside the loop in Culebra. Ceviches, aguachiles, tostadas, burritos, if you are not careful can find a shark too, lol just kidding. Very family orientated, fresh seafood, open every day.

700 E Sonterra Blvd San Antonio, TX 78258 Phone: (210) 474-0175 Bryan West, even has a cowboy name, is the genius behind the new concept SMOKE. First it was a food truck, now a restaurant, located on Sonterra Blvd where Chef Auden used to run Auden Kitchen. Picnic tables outside, yet sophisticated inside, this is not your typical Smoky BBQ place. Open Kitchen, full bar area, two event rooms, we just wish the best to this EPIC team.

Their menu will amaze you and will ask for more. Guava Glazed Crispy Pig Tail, Braised Pork Belly dressed, Frito Pie in the Bag, Acadian Dusted Fried Chicken Livers, Moonshine Pickled.

320 North Flores, San Antonio, TX 78205 Phone: (210) 281-4349 Eclectic, fascinating, Carmen de la Calle. When you think about flamenco, jazz, paella, great wine you must think about Carmen de la Calle. For years she was close to St Marys street, closed and now reopen in a new location. Not much different though yet bigger.

While you are sipping a great sangria or asking for great appetizers you can relax and listen a selected variety of music of the world, bossa nova, jazz, flamenco, new age. It’s like any other cozy and bohemian restaurant from SOHO district in New York. Next time you are in downtown with friend or significant other, stop by, It worth the try you would not regret it!. LIVE flamenco on Fridays, Thursdays Jazz. One more thing, I suggest come earlier or call and RSVP it can get jam.

Restaurant of the Month

Tribeca 212

Nestled in the quaint Olmos Park neighborhood, Tribeca 212 continues to attract a loyal following of foodies and regulars who frequent the New American restaurant and bar to enjoy a variety of Italian-Texan dishes, along with its charming outdoor patio and casual atmosphere.

Restaurateur Jean-Francois Poujol recently introduced an entirely new lunch and drink menu, as well as adding several new plates to the dinner menu. Lunch consists of starters, salads, and sandwiches, such as the Tribeca Wagyu Burger and 212 BLT, and main plates including Truffled Poached Shrimp Tagliatelle, Spaghetti Squash Pomodoro, Seared Salmon and Three Cheese Pizza.

For dinner, guests can choose from Artichoke Hearts Pizza, Spaghetti Carbonara, Seared Quail, Brussels Sprouts Salad, and Grilled Top Sirloin Steak. Sunday brunch offerings include Fried Quail and Waffles, Pulled Pork Omelet, Steak and Eggs, and Shrimp and Yellow Grits.

A French native, Poujol has a solid background in the food service industry including management at several Los Angeles restaurants. He launched his first venture, Soleil Bistro, in 2007. He later changed the name to Tost and sold it in 2012. Poujol opened Tribeca in May 2013.

Incidentally, the 4,900-square-foot Romantic-style structure is a replica of Rudolph Valentino’s home. “People might think Tribeca is a high-end, expensive restaurant, but we offer excellent food at affordable prices,” he said. “We know that people watch their budgets and keep that in mind.”

Tribeca, 4331 McCullough Ave. 78212, is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday through Friday; dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For information, call (210) 320-0698 or www.tribeca212.com.

DECO PIZZERIA 1815 Fredericksburg Rd. San Antonio, TX 78201 PIZZA • WINGS • PASTA SALADS • SANDWICHES BEER • WINE

210.732.DECO (3326)

www.decopizza.com

www.bluestarbrewing.com

-List A

RESTAURANTS of the

MONTH Acenar Alamo Café Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine Aldo’s Anaqua Grill Asado Seafood Grill Bambino Huey Café Barriba Cantina Barn Door Restaurant Biga on the Banks Blue Star Brewing Company Bohanan’s Boiler House TX Grill & Wine Garden Boudro’s – A Texas Bistro Bravo Cucina Italiana Broadway 50-50 Buckhorn Saloon Café Cadillac Bar & Restaurante Café Soleil Capparelli’s on Main Cappy’s Restaurant

Carmen’s de la Calle Casa Real Casa Rio Mexican Foods Restaurant Casey’s Barbecue Champion’s Chris Madrid’s Chunky’s Burgers & More Crumpets Restaurant & Bakery Deco Pizzaria Demo’s Greek Food Dick’s Last Resort Dolores Del Rio El Jarro De Arturo Eyes Over Texas at the Towers Ez’s Fig Tree Restaurant Gini’s Restaurant & Bakery Giuseppe’s Godai Sushi Bar Good Time Charlie’s Guenther House India Oven India Palace J. Alexander’s J. Prime Steakhouse Jacala Mexican Restaurant Josephine Street Café Kangaroo Court Karam’s Mexican Dining Room L Etoile

La Fogata La Fonda on Main La Madeleine La Margarita Mexican Restaurant La Posada del Rey Landry’s Seafood House Las Canarias Liberty Bar Little Italy Restaurant Little Rhein Steak House Los Barrios Restaurant & Catering Luciano Ristorante & Bar Madhatters Tea House & Café Mi Tierra Café And Bakery Morton’s of Chicago Steakhouse Nadler’s Bakery & Deli Old San Francisco Steak Original Mexican Restaurant Oro Restaurant & Bar Outback’s Steakhouse Paesano’s Paloma Blanca Mexican Cuisine Paloma Riverwalk Pat O’Brien’s Bar Piatti Italian Restaurant Pico de Gallo Restaurant Pico de Gallo Restaurant Presidio Razmiko’s Ristorante Italiano Rio Rio Cantina

Rita’s on the River Romano’s Macaroni Grill Rosario’s Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina Ruth’s Chris Steak House Shiraz Silo Elevated Cuisine Smoke BBQ Spaghetti Warehouse Stone Works Café And Bar Sushi Zushi Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse The County Line The Palm Restaurant The Pearl of the Pacific The Quarry Golf Club The Republic of Texas Restaurant Tomatillos Café y Cantina Tony Roma’s Famous for Ribs Tribeca 212 Twin Sisters Bakery & Café Water Street Oyster Bar Zuni Grill Presidio Razmiko’s Ristorante Italiano Rio Rio Cantina Rita’s on the River Romano’s Macaroni Grill Rosario’s Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina Ruth’s Chris Steak House Shiraz Silo Elevated Cuisine Spaghetti Warehouse Stone Works Café And Bar Sushi Zushi Texas Land & Cattle Steakhouse The County Line The Palm Restaurant The Quarry Golf Club The Republic of Texas Restaurant Tomatillos Café y Cantina Tony Roma’s Famous for Ribs Twin Sisters Bakery & Café Water Street Oyster Bar Zuni Grill

Did your favorite Restaurant Make the “A-List”?

VOTE for our “Golden FORK Award” Restaurant of the Month and be entered to WIN a…Free Dinner on Us!

Just choose from our A-List Restaurants!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Email your choice to: SAmonthlyWIN@gmail.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

Noun Soundness, especially of body or mind; freedom from disease or abnormally. A condition of optimal well-being.

Noun The state or condition of being physically fit, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition.

30

LY

JUNE-JU

Looking your best on that special day!

Your wedding day - the one day where you want to look as amazing on the outside as you feel on the inside. Knowing this will be one of the most special days of your life, you have carefully selected the perfect photographer to capture every enchanting moment. After all, these photos will be shared with kids and grandkids for generations to come.

After trying on dozens of dresses, you selected the one you “knew the moment you put it on.” Since every detail has to be accounted for, if you are planning your wedding and haven’t included “beauty prep” as a line item on your wedding budget sheet, now is the time!

Your smile will be the focal point of every photo. Shouldn’t it be as white and bright as possible?

Your makeup needs to look flawless. Shouldn’t you spend a little time prepping your skin to create a beautiful palette for makeup application? Your dress shows just the right amount of skin. Don’t you want smooth, hair-free skin void of acne scars or stretch marks?

At BodyBrite La Cantera, we are prepared to partner with you to ensure that you, your groom and your entire wedding party look your absolute best on your special day!

By Skincare Editor Crystal Holmes cnj.townes@gmail.com

Being healthy, we have to decide how badly we want it. In a world where excuses are as accessible as Netflix, it becomes very easy to come up with reasons why we "can't". If a fit body or a healthier lifestyle is a desire you've had for a while, simply make it happen. There isn't some complicated secret formula to living healthier, you don't have to be a culinary chef nor do you have to have lots of money to eat right. Most of it is common sense. If you eat poorly all the time and don't exercise, you're body and mind will feel it and show it. Don't complain about how you look or feel and then sit back and do nothing about it.

Study your grocery store and the nutrition on the items you buy. Kids in the family shouldn't be the excuse for the parents to buy so much junk food and desserts for the home. Eating right or "clean" takes only a little more prep than nuking a frozen pizza.

The word is discipline. Yes, it's quicker to throw something in the microwave or whip through McDonalds but ask yourself, how is that going to affect your body when you are done? When you have kids, it can be challenging, especially if they are in activities/ sports but remember you are not a kid anymore. And what THEY burn off, you may not. So make yourself something from home and throw it in a tupperware container

By Fitness Editor John Townes

and get going. The only way excuses can take you away from your desired healthy state is if you listen to them.

Single mom or dad?

Yes it's extremely hard no doubt, you are tired and time is limited. Carve out small segments of time each day and workout with your kids or get that early morning walk/ run around the neighborhood before they wake up.

The idea is to be active!

Those small increments will add up and move you closer to your goals.

Set small goals, achieve them, then set more small goals. It's raining?

Run in the rain if the temperature permits.

Don't wait for those perfect conditions or you maybe waiting a long time and that only stops your drive.Remember, even professional athletes had to start from the beginning too.

The key though is to start.

We all get tired on busy/ long days.

But you'll build up energy by doing something active each day. Someone who works a job the same amount each week with no physical active will have less energy than someone who works the same yet exercises daily. You think it should be the other way around but your body doesn't work that way.

Drag your tired body to the gym and be amazed at how you feel at the end of a cardio session.

Can't afford a gym? Push-ups, sit-ups, walks, runs, lunges are free. Buy a cheap aerobics DVD from Wal-Mart, there are thousands out there and exercise in the privacy of your home. Get creative and get motivated.

You can achieve almost anything by getting rid of the excuses. That is, if you want it bad enough.

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Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fats

By Fitness Editor Skie Molinar

There continues to be confusion in foods that are Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Fats. There is also confusion in the role they play in energy, body fat, muscle building, losing weight etc.

PROTEINS are one of the most important elements in the body.

It’s important for growth and development. The major source of building muscles. We have protein in our skin, nails, hair, blood, and internal organs. Getting too much protein can be converted into fat and stored in the fat cell, if not used.

You will find protein in the following foods: nuts, eggs, dairy products, bacon, bologna, franks, potted meat, beef jerky, pork chops, fish, chicken, turkey, beef, beans, tofu, milk, almond milk and soy products.

Proteins are used for muscle building and tissue repair. Best choices of protein to eat are; fish, nuts, 99% extra lean ground turkey or skinless turkey breast, skinless chicken breast, sugar free yogurt, soymilk, almond milk, soy nuts, tofu, and 95-98% extra lean ground beef or lean sirloin.

CARBOHYDRATES are the best source of energy found in the muscle cell, brain, and nervous system.

All sugars and starches are carbohydrates. Examples: white/brown rice, cereal, pasta, breads, candy, fruits, and vegetables. Best choices are; brown rice, gluten free products, low glycemic fruits, vegetables. Always choosing the most colorful of fruits & vegetables.

The more colorful the fruits and vegetables, the more antioxidants and enzymes they contain, which helps fight free radicals that cause cancer.

FATS are the most concentrated source of energy.

There is fat in pork skins, bacon, pork chops, beef jerky, nuts, dairy products, avocados, olives, sugars, carbs, etc. Best sources of good fat are; Olive oil, nuts, avocados, olives.

We need all three (Proteins – Carbohydrates – Fats) of these in our diet. It is learning to balance these elements and using up that energy with exercise that keeps you from storing too much fat. The more you deplete energy in the muscle cell through weight training and cardiovascular exercise, the more the energy it will take from the foods we eat and began to steal it from the fat cell to replenish the muscle cell with energy.

The more muscle you have the less body fat you will have. It takes much more for the muscle cell to survive than it does for the fat cell to survive. If you eat too much protein in one sitting, your body will store the rest in the fat cell. Carbohydrates turn into sugar and stored in the fat cell and muscle cell for energy. Bad Fats are any partially hydrogenated oils, Tran’s fats, or hydrogenated fats. In other words if it helps the product get crispy or hard, then it’s the bad kind. Examples; fried chicken, french fries, cookies etc., are you getting it?

Our bodies need good sources of fat for our hormones, organs, and brain to function properly. We have an incredible machine (our body). We need to take care of it through proper balanced nutrition and exercise.

Remember that without our machines, we can’t continue to work, handle stress properly, or enjoy retirement. We will spend our retirement in the hospital with medical bills and pills, along with hiring a Physical Therapist or Professional trainer to help strengthen your musculoskeletal system to protect your joints and maintain active range of motion.

SKIE MOLINAR www.skiesfitness.com SA Monthly Fitness Editor Contributing writer for Angel Rising Magazine A4M Anti - Aging & Sports Medicine Certified Master of Fitness Sciences Associate Applied Sciences – Physical Therapy Professional Pilates Instructor for Health Care Professionals Empire Who’s Who

www.projectmichelangelo.org

We are committed to quality product at a reasonable price.

We are dedicated to minimizing our environmental impact.

We reuse and recycle our glass bottles, and donate our pulp to local farmers.

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17803 LaCantera Terrace, Ste. 8119 • San Antonio, TX 78256 • (210) 474-6564

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SKIES THE LIMIT “Empowering Lives”

An Awesome Approach to Anti-Aging, Wellness & Fitness SKIE MOLINAR Certified Anti Aging & Sports Medicine ISSA Master of Fitness Sciences Associate Applied Sciences - Physical Therapy Professional Pilates Instructor for Health Care Professionals A4M member & Certified in Anti Aging & Sports Medicine Empire Who’s Who honored Member Fitness Editor for SA Monthly Online Magazine Contributing writer for Angel Rising Magazine www.projectmichaelangelo.org

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good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs

By Fitness Editor Skie Molinar

There is so much confusion on which carbohydrates to eat and what time of day to eat them. People that come to me for advice are usually extremely confused because of all the literature they read on different diets, etc. As a Fitness Professional and Former Professional Bodybuilding competitor, and current Figure competitor, I’ve had to manipulate my metabolism and try different ways to get my physique as lean as possible to get in competition form. From all my years of experience, I can only share what’s worked for me & my former and current clients. It also depends on client’s age, specific goals and lifestyle?

The difference between good carbohydrates (Carbs) bad carbohydrates is the Glycemic Index. The Glycemic Index (GI) is the rate in which carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels. The Glycemic Index number runs from 0-100. Low (GI) foods will be below 55 and high (GI) foods will be over 70. You may want to get a book on information that has a list of Glycemic numbers in foods that are high GI and low GI.

Examples: LOW GI Oatmeal Apple Grapefruit Strawberries Brown rice Sweet potato

49 36 25 32 50 54

HIGH GI Rice cakes Cornflakes Baked potato Carrots Instant rice Watermelon

82 84 85 71 87 59-85

What I’ve learned throughout the years, is the best time to eat your low GI foods are in the morning hours with the last carb meal no later than 3-4 p.m. You need to have the slower burning carbs for energy through the day instead of eating them at night before your bed time. As for competitive bodybuilders, etc., depending on their goals, they may want to eat high GI carbs after their workouts to replace depleted glycogen stores, with GI numbers of 75-100.

Vegetables and fruits are good carbs. Most vegetables have a low GI. You can load up on vegetables and not get fat. Limit your fruits to 2-3 a day and choose low GI fruits. Unless you choose a high GI fruit post workout.

Enhancing Your Body

Enhancing Your Life

Dr. Robert Lemke

For a Personal Consultation Call:

210-491-0015 14500 San Pedro, Ste. 102 www.SanPedroFacial.com

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ART Noun Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature, the conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements; sense of beauty.

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Artist of the

Month

David Anthony Garcia www.davidanthonygarcia.org artistic14uuu@yahoo.com

David Garcia, born on Torrejon Air Base in Spain, considers himself a native of San Antonio and aside from his careers as a well-known professional artist and an art teacher, he is very involved in our community. He has been a teacher with the San Antonio Museum of Art and the McNay and several other San Antonio institutions for years. He does family days and outreach programs for kids.

David knew that art was his passion but set his mind on a business degree early on. One day at UTSA he was sitting in his Accounting class and realized he needed a change. He followed his heart and made the switch to majoring in Art. As an undergrad, one of his professors saw something special in David and gave him his own studio, which is very rare. This allowed him to explore and try all different mediums. It was at this time that he started getting noticed.

Parchman Stremmel Galleries came out to see his work and before he knew it his work was being featured in some very big shows.

David’s work reveals his tenacity for meticulous detail and spontaneity in color and design. He is focused on the idea of integration, both in art and society. By merging various elements of art, David works to stress the eminence of unity.

One of his big pieces gaining quite a bit of attention at this time is called Unification. It features 50 ceramic faces of different people from San Antonio who visited his studio where he cast their face. He then manipulated them and put them together in one unified piece. When asked to explain his vision, he said “I think as a society we need to integrate. I think in order to get over prejudice and things that have been a mainstay in our society for so long we need to unite in many different ways.

The idea behind the faces is that I have people coming in from all different walks of life, putting aside their fears, laying down and putting all their trust in me to not njure them or pull their hair out. They’re giving themselves to me and then allowing me to use their face into a large combined piece with other people of different cultures and backgrounds. I had 50 [faces] on one wall titled Unification, but they were all different.

Everybody is an individual but we’re all connected by this certain energy and we’re all reflections of one another.”

David’s techniques have been published and are used nationally in a McGraw Hill college textbook, Criticizing Art: Understanding the Contemporary 3rd Edition by Terry Barrett. He has also been published in two books Chicano Art for Our Millennium, Triumph of our Communities: Four Decades of Mexican American Art. David is proud to inspire students of art and is honored to have his artwork hanging on the walls within the UTSA campus and Arizona State. He was also recently one of the six featured artists chosen to show at the McNay for their 60th Anniversary Gala. Currently David’s work is being featured at Highwire Arts and Bar Du Mon Ami.

"Sol" (the big sun) 2015

Artist of the Month Rex Hausmann Fireworks Exhibit - Photos courtesy of Al Rendon

“Fireworks” will set the Musical Bridges Around the World Gallery Ablaze During Exhibit of Works by Rex Hausmann Rex Hausmann was a toddler when his mother, who was a docent for the McNay Art Museum, used to take him in a stroller to see the exhibits there. “I grew up with Rodin's ‘Burghers of Calais,’ Gauguin's self portrait and Carl Rice Embrey's visions of Hamilton, (Texas) -and I took my first art lessons at the McNay,” he said So imagine the artist’s excitement when he was invited last year to display several of his prominent works for a special exhibit celebrating the McNay’s 60th anniversary. Now Musical Bridges Around the World will host an opening reception for “Fireworks,” 20 paintings, drawings and projects by Hausmann that were part of the 2014 McNay showing, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 26 at the MBAW Gallery, 23705 IH-10 West, Suite 101. The exhibit continues through Aug. 31.

Hausmann said he draws inspiration for his works from the simple things in life: a morning cup of coffee, sharing a meal with a friend and a lot from his worldly travels. “I hope to show people that the world is a fascinating place,” he said. “Everything is linked. We’re a global culture.” The artist graduated from the Savannah College of Art & Design and has shown and lectured nationally and internationally, appearing in many speaking functions including TEDx, Trinity University, San Antonio Museum of Art and University of Texas at San Antonio.

He has shown work at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the Institute of Texan Cultures, Neiman Marcus San Antonio, Lawrence Art Center and in several private and public galleries. The mission of MBAW is to unite people through musical performances and art that highlight cultural diversity. Cornerstones of its programs include providing free admission to the public, making art accessible to all; targeting at-risk youth to develop audiences of tomorrow; and partnering with the city and other organizations to foster San Antonio’s reputation as a cosmopolitan

"Fountain Head" (the diptych) 2015

"Duomo Sunrise" (duomo in red, blue and yellow) 2014

“Fireworks” exhibit by Rex Hausmann opening June 26 at the MBAW Gallery

"Erik's Notes From Florance" (duomo in white) 2014

Flash Card Duomo with Sun 2014

-List A

GALLERIES/ STUDIOS Anne Zanikos Art Conservation Art Incorporated Artistic Endeavors Gallery Artpace Art360 Arts San Antonio Artworks Blue Star Art Space Cam San Antonio

Carver Culture Center Centro Cultural Aztlan Finesilver Gallery Gallery Nord Galleries 2u Gallista Studio Gallery Garcia Art Glass Inc. Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Hildebrand Art Hunt Gallery Hirsch Glass Institute of Texan Cultures Kelleys Art Gallery La Vida Gallery Lawrence Markey Incorporated Mcnay Art Museum

Metalmorphosis Mexican Cultural Institute Mooney JR Galleries of Fine Art Nanette Richardson Fine Art National Assoc. of Latino Arts Culture Nueva Saint Gallery REM Gallery River Art Group Gallery San Angelo Folk Art San Antonio Art League Museum San Antonio Cultural Arts Inc. San Antonio Museum of Art Southwest School of Art and Craft Stonemetal Press Urban Fifteen Group Wade Monte Fine Arts Wired Designs

Did your favorite gallery/studio make our “A-List”?

Let us know your favorite.

E-mail us:

SAmonthlysubmit@gmail.com Text us: 210-215-3403

FASHION Noun The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior, something such as a garment, that is in the current mode: The style characteristic of the social elite.

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SA MONTHLY’S FASHION PHOTO SHOOT OF THE MONTH Estefany Ariza wearing designs by Fashion Diva Couture / Grecia Dilley, shot at the Fairmount Hotel. Makeup and assistance by Amy Lynn Stafford.

Liliana Salas

Female Model of the Month

Photo Credits: Sal Robles Photography www.facebook.com/SalRoblesPhotography and Tim Cadena Photography www.timcadena.com Ismael Gomez - Photography assistant Sofia Luque - Makeup Artist Sarah Simmons - Hair Stylist

Born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Liliana had an early desire to see more of the world and as result, has had many great experiences in her life. As a certified Esthetician and an advocate of health and wellness, this twenty-six year old woman spends her downtime seeking to inspire others to increase their spiritual beauty and live a more natural lifestyle with her concept ISORROPIA. Liliana calls herself an art lover '' I do modeling because I love art and it is always a challenge to express yourself in front of the camera; photography allows you the ability to play with lights and colors to create a nice ambiance, so in the end, a picture can capture that moment for life! '' Our model of the month has a beautiful outlook on life and is pleased when that comes across through her pictures.

John Townes

Male Model of the Month

Growing up a Navy Brat then becoming a Naval Officer himself, John never lived in one place for long. Still, this Baylor grad considers Texas his home and never misses an opportunity to ride his cafe racer around the scenic curves of the hill country or go for a run outside. "Sports have always been a great outlet for me and I try not to go a day without doing something active. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle by working out, participating in outdoor activities and eating clean. I think that is a discipline we must structure in our busy lives and pass on to our kids. Too often we fall into the lazy trap.

If you are physically capable, there should be NO excuse not to treat your body right. Think about the positive example you can be towards your family, friends and peers, not to mention your healthcare savings down the road. Set a goal that drives you, even if its just walking a mile. Then go for it. Your body and mind will thank you as you get older." John has extensive experience in mortgage and finance and currently holds a leadership position with a popular home builder. He is also the co-owner of BodyBrite San Antonio, a non-medical spa at The Shops at La Cantera specializing in IPL hair removal, skin rejuvenation, DermaOxy Facials, mcrodermabrasion and teeth whitening.

Photo Credits: Sal Robles Photography www.facebook.com/SalRoblesPhotography and M Andrews Sartorial Luxury Suits www.sartorialluxury.com Aquila Mendez-Valdez - stylist www.hauteintexas.com

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GOLD TODAY AND THEN…..

For over 5000 years gold and other metals have been considered a method of currency of exchange. However in Ancient History gold coins were not yet widely used in economic transactions. In fact in 560 BC, Lydian King Croesus was the first to produce standardized gold coins that were the same size and value. The minted coins guaranteed the value of precious metal. In the 1300’s a system to check and guarantee the quality of gold was established in London creating a common standard for gold purity. This is mostly the same testing system that is used today when buying and selling gold.

In the early 1700’s, Sir Isaac Newton of the United Kingdom and Warden of the Royal Mint determined the conversion rate of gold and silver. This help stabilized the fluctuations of gold coins. The British Parliament in 1774 introduced the gold standard, which is where the strength of the currency is determined by the national gold reserves.

In 1944 in a New Hampshire in the Bretton Woods hotel a conference for commercial and financial relations was held. This is where the monetary order was established and the rules for global commercial and financial relations, being named the Bretton Woods. The Bretton Woods promoted the US dollar to the reserve currency with a fixed exchange rate of US$35 for a one ounce of gold. The currencies of participating countries were tied to the US dollar. Foreign currencies were pegged to the dollar so the gold rate could be set for a long time in advance. The Bretton Woods System also bound the United States to redeem the participating countries foreign dollar reserves for gold. Today gold fluctuates at $1200.

Everyday we are asked if Gold is a good investment. Our answer: “buy low and sell high”. If you own broken gold, have pieces that our broken are you are not wearing them then by all means sell them.

Shop around for the best price and experts will tell you to opt for the reputable neighborhood jewelry store over a company that advertises late at night.

The BBB also offers these tips on its site for those ready to cash in: • Know the weight. If you measure your jewelry yourself, keep in mind that jewelers use a different measurement standard called a Troy ounce. A common U.S. scale will measure 28 grams per ounce, while gold is measured at 31.1 grams per Troy ounce. To add to the confusion, some dealers will also use a system of weights called pennyweight to measure a Troy ounce while others will use grams. A pennyweight is the equivalent of 1.555 grams, so consumers should also be aware of how their jewelry is being measured to determine if the price is fair.

• Know the karat. The Federal Trade Commission requires that all jewelry sold in the U.S. describe a karat fineness.

Fourteen karats means jewelry is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals, or about 58% gold. Most jewelry ranges between 10 and 18 karats and jewelry of different karats should be weighed separately. Sometimes dealers will weigh all the jewelry together and give you the lowest karat value - another pitfall to avoid.

• Know the current price of gold. Always check the fair market value at www.kitco.com first to be sure you are getting a good deal

Rhonda Gurinsky, co-owner of Gurinskys Jewelry in North Star Mall has more than thirty years of experience in the Jewelry Business. She started learning the way beginning in high school working for a close family friend who owned a jewelry store, in her hometown of Morgan City, Louisiana.

After college she meet and married Charlie Gurinsky who had several jewelry stores in Austin and San Antonio. Together they have owned and operated over nine stores through south Texas. In the late nineties Rhonda and Charlie decided to focus on their 4 children and began the downsize process after a near tragedy of one of their children. They have recently opened a beautiful 1500 sqft store in North Star were they are able to showcase their love for diamonds, watches, pearls, estate jewelry and semi-precious pieces.

Rhonda is very passionate about volunteering and believes in putting back into her community. She has been President of several organizations and PTA’s where her children attended school. She is the immediate Past President of CTRC Council (formerly Cancer Center Council) and continues to be involved in several organizations.

Rhonda & Charlie have been awarded multiple community awards but their proudest achievement are their 4 beautiful children. They raised their children, Jennifer, Nathan, Rachel and Sylvan in the business, who are all working toward their own purpose and passions.

Rhonda J. Gurinsky Owner, Gurinsky's Fine Jewelry Immediate Past President CTRC Council Vice President Fundraising CAA Project Graduation Chair 2016 WCHS

“I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.�

MAE WEST

7400 San Pedro Ave, Ste 1435 210-308-7118

Locally owned and operated since 1976

NORTH STAR MALL Near Dillard’s r IWTKPUM[U EQO

Charlie and Rhonda Gurinsky

S A M O N T H LY M A G A Z I N E

Dr. Steven and Le Ann Cyr POWER COUPLE

Photo Shoot by John Patton

Theirs is a storybook romance. It all began when Steven was 13 years old and Le Ann was 12 years old growing up as military kids on Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Believe it or not, Le Ann’s crush on Steven began as she watched him perform as the youngest of a group of break-dancers at their school dances.

In the Philippines in the 80’s, breakdancing was huge and Steven’s group won every competition. It gave them local notoriety and one special adoring fan. At that age, however, Steven wasn’t aware of the amazing woman Le Ann would one day become. So they knew each other but the crush was never fully reciprocated.

Ultimately, Le Ann’s family relocated back to America in Northern Virginia, near Washington DC where she would remain through high school, college, and graduate school.

Le Ann attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia for her undergraduate

and graduate degrees in education (M. Ed). While working as a career counselor at Strayer University, a manager at a corporate recruiting firm suggested she consider a career in corporate recruiting. Looking for a change, she took him up on the offer and relocated to Ft. Lauderdale where she attained remarkable success in her new career.

Steven’s family, on the other hand, stayed in the Philippines until the middle of his senior year in high school. His father retired from the Air Force so his family returned to San Antonio. After graduating from East Central High School, Steven attended Texas State University where he was valedictorian of his graduating class. After only 3 years in college, he was accepted to medical school at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. He attended medical school on an Air Force scholarship. After earning his medical degree, Steven began his active duty service in the United States Air Force.

He served as a flight surgeon for two years before entering his residency in orthopedic surgery at Wilford Hall.

As Steven was about to enter his residency, Le Ann had transitioned into a substantial role as a corporate recruiter.

Both were very successful in their own right and content

with their positions in life, but destiny had an unforeseen plan for them.

13 years after their last meeting in the Philippines, Le Ann’s friend called Steven looking for his brother. That connection sparked conversation between Steven’s brother and the friend about how both Steven and Le Ann had grown to become very successful young adults.

They agreed that Steven and Le Ann were a match made in heaven and conspired to set them up. However, Steven had been in a long-time relationship and wasn’t interested in hearing it at that time. Fast forward a year later, when that seven-year relationship finally ended, Steven’s brother persisted about his need to contact Le Ann. Steven took a chance and made the most important call of his life. Their conversations eventually turned into a long distance romance, then engagement, followed by marriage a little more than a year after their meeting. During the month leading up to their meeting both agreed to keep their phone relationship pure by not exchanging photos.

As fortune would have it, their emotional bond became even stronger whe they finally met a month after speaking for 2 hours every night.

Steven says he was already in love on the phone but seeing Le Ann sealed the deal. They discussed marriage on day 3 of meeting in person. Steven met Le Ann’s parents 3 months later in Virginia where he asked her father for permission to marry her and also chose a ring.

He proposed the following April and they were married in December of 1999.

In July of 2002, Steven and LeAnn had their first child, Alexa, in 2005 they were blessed with their first son, Caden, and five years later they had their second son, Colton. Although Steven and Le Ann had three healthy, sweet, beautiful children, Le Ann always felt in her heart the drive to adopt as well.

While serving his military commitment and preparing for his future of civilian life, Steven found off duty part time work, however, the local community didn’t have a practice with the perspective that Steven derived from the Mayo clinic where medicine and complicated spine surgery procedures were the norm. He also found that his patient-care philosophy was very different from any of the surgeons he had met. He realized that his only hope for providing the level of care he was used to was to start a practice.

It soon became a trying period for the Cyr’s, as Le Ann and Steven simultaneously started their orthopaedic and spine practice while Steven was still in the military and the pair was raising 3 young children. Steven opened a group practice with a couple of friends. The group they started was formed for the sole purpose of providing the gold standard of care for patients with spine conditions, treating patients like family and focusing on conservative efforts before offering surgical alternatives.

In January of 2006, Orthopaedic and Spine Institute Medical Centers (OSI) opened their doors. Le Ann, a nurse practitioner, and a pain specialist made Steven’s vision a reality. Since then, Steven has added former Chiefs of their departments in the military from several different disciplines. The surgeons at OSI are all fellowship trained sub-specialists from the nation’s top institutions.

After several successful years as the Orthopaedic and Spine Institute, Steven and LeAnn developed a “wellness division” of the practice dubbed “HealthCrave”. The practice grew exponentially with a total of 22 providers and nearly 100 employees. This division of the practice emphasized the “whole patient” approach that included primary care,

weight loss, physical and massage therapy, pain management, primary care, dermatology, plastic surgery, and vascular surgery.

In late 2013, LeAnn decided to dedicate quality time with her faith, family and philanthropic organizations. As she stepped down, she hired a Chief Executive Officer to replace her. Additionally, in order to focus on what they knew best, the practice was right-sized with respect to HealthCrave while expanding orthopaedic and spine care with the opening of a new satellite clinic in Boerne. This clinic was opened in July of 2014 to reach out to the population of the

Texas Hill Country in addition to those they already served in San Antonio.

The Cyr’s are known for their substantial philanthropic efforts. Steven and Le Ann have established the Steven and Le Ann Cyr Family Charitable Fund, which was born from their desire to continue to give consistently with a plan that supports their Christian values. The fund has organized financial support for more than 25 organizations that support Christian-based charities, youth sports, education, hunger and medical and military needs in the community and worldwide. Some of the many organizations they support include Family Endeavors, MedSend, Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries, Wounded Warriors, Kinetic Kids, Teed off at Cancer, Hill Country Preganancy Care Center, Families Especial, and World Vision.

Throughout their careers, they have always felt the desire to help others including patients, friends, and family. They have always felt the hand of God was guiding them and they were called to bring attention to Christian and other worthy causes by bringing others alongside them. Le Ann says “The reason we started the family foundation – and the biggest point I want to get across is that we have been tremendously blessed.” “I think it is important that we understand that everything we have is because God gave it to us.” They truly believe that God gives us all gifts, whether it is the gift of healing, persuasion, influence, or leadership. HE sits back to see how we will use those gifts to further His kingdom. Will we horde or squander those gifts or use them for the benefit of others?

As an act of obedience, Le Ann felt God had put them in a position to make a difference and impact people's lives; so she questioned herself, “What will we do now and what do we have to say? What are the underpinnings of who we are in relation to this world and in relation to God? What are our beliefs and should we go public with them? “ Ultimately, they decided to go public and have a simple message to share. "Use the gifts you have that God has given you to serve one a other. We all have the ability to serve and to give, in different way. Find your gifts and use them for HIS purpose.

We can and should make a positive difference in the world. - To horde our gifts or financial wealth is pointless because they aren't really ours to begin with. They are on loan from God.” After 1-½ years of having their profile listed with a prominent adoption agency and 800 viewings by birth mothers without being selected, the Cyrs began to question their desire to adopt. After all, they had busy lives with 3 children who were getting more involved with activities. They chose to remove their profile from the agency’s website and focus on their 3 children. However, the desire to adopt kept nagging at Le Ann. Her heart couldn’t let go of the desire to give a loving home to a child in need. So Le Ann prayed about it. She describes asking God to make it clear to her whether or not she should continue to pursue adoption. Two weeks later, He would answer.

While helping Dr Cyr build a haunted house for their daughter, Alexa’s, 7th grade class over Halloween, the Cyr's nanny became aware of a young lady willing to allow Steven and Le Ann the possibility of adopting her baby from her unplanned pregnancy. She agreed to carry the baby to term and to allow the Cyrs to adopt her upon delivering.

On April 6th 2015, precious Ava Marie Cyr was born weighing 7lbs / 2 oz. and 20 inches long. This dimpled-faced blessing is currently in her new home being smothered with love and attention from her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sister and friends!

The Cyrs have made a life out of taking care of others and paying it forward. Dr Cyr has become known for his dedication to healing patients suffering from complex spine disorders. Mrs. Cyr has become known for her devotion to supporting worthy organizations. As a couple, they have become known for their love of others and their love for each other. For them, God and family come first, and with that, everything else falls in its right place. Devotion on this scale can be stressful, but the Cyrs move as a clan and lead with God in mind. As Le Ann says, “If your heart is in the right place, I can almost guarantee that the majority of your decisions will come from a place of love.”

This power couple gives the glory to God for their blessings. They are driven by their love of God, each other, their children, family, friends, and people, in general. They walk the walk. Their passion and goals are as clear as their blessings.

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: For more information visit www.cyrcharitablefund.com and www.saspine.com.

TRAVEL Verb To go from one place to another, as on a a trip; journey. To be transmitted, move or pass.

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Finding The Real Treasures of South Padre Island

By Steve Hathcock

Both my locksmith business and my bookstore/ coffee shop were incredibly busy during the summer of 1997. As a result, I had little time for my real loves; treasure hunting and beachcombing. My metal detecting experience, to date, had been old battlefields, fairgrounds and abandoned drive-in movie theaters. Of course, I hunted the beaches on the island too, but the detector I was using at the time was only good on dry land. Unable to venture into the water, my hunting was greatly limited.

In July, Jimmie Dawson, his wife Kathy and son Nick set up housekeeping in an old RV at Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island. I had seen them hunting the beaches in town and at Isla Blanca several times but didn’t meet them until late August. “People lose all kinds of things,” Jimmie said, as I pawed through his bag full of various rings. “Look at this,” he said, handing me a flashy gold ring with three green stones. “Lots of it is just costume jewelry, but you never know what it may have meant to the person who lost it.”

Examining the 14k mark on the inside of a ring, I smiled, remembering my first girlfriend when I was 14 years old and how impressed she had been when I gave her a silver friendship ring. For some reason, she was insulted at my explanation of how the green ring left around her finger matched her eyes so nicely. “Bracelets and anklets are very common, too,” he added handing me a bag of silver and brass body jewelry. A necklace of tiny bronze bells made a jingling sound as I held it up for closer inspection.

Another find was a man’s gold watch. “Somebody was real sorry to lose this,” Jimmie opined as I examined a smaller bag that included 18k gold rings, a dive watch and other finer pieces. “Most of this stuff was found in the last couple of weeks. If someone describes a loss to us and we believe it is theirs, we will happily return it to them.”

“It’s all technique,” Jimmie replied when I asked how he and his family were so successful in their hunts. “Let’s go to the beach and I will show you how we do it.” The tide was high as we reached our destination near the P.J. Pavilion in Isla Blanca Park.

“I start at the water’s edge,” Jimmie said. “You get to carry the important tool,” he added handing me a long

Sample of "treasure" found by metal detectorists on the beaches of Padre Island

Rings found at South Padre Island

handled metal contraption. “Kinda heavy,” I complained looking down at the mesh bucket. “Yep,” was all Jimmie said as he strapped a webbed belt, which held the electronics to the detector, around his waist. Next he adjusted the earphones and fiddled with the dials for a moment.

“When I hear a signal, I scoop the sand into the mesh bucket. The holes allow the water and mud to drain,” he explained, “ but coins and jewelry are trapped in the wire mesh.” “Let’s go!” he said, beginning a southern trek along the high tide mark. I noticed Jimmie established a search pattern that he did not deviate from as we drifted down the beach, always moving the coil back and forth, systematically searching every section of the quadrant before moving on.

“Some days I find a lot and other days I come away empty handed. The important thing to remember,” he said, “is that the coil has to pass over something before it will signal.”

A group of kids began to gather, curious about what we were doing. “Have you always hunted the beach?” I asked, watching a freighter in the distance, moving on an easterly course along the Brownsville Ship Channel. “I really got my start a few years back in Tyler, Texas,” said Jimmie. There is an old railroad depot downtown, now owned by Southern Pacific. It’s located at the end of a nineteen-mile section of narrow gauge track that was laid down in 1871.

The railroad was doing some major construction and a lot of dirt was being removed. The contractor had arranged to dump the dirt on private property near the edge of town. I got permission to hunt the area from the landowner.”

Jimmie paused. Then moving the coil in concentric circles, he finally centered over one spot. Following our every movement, one of the kids squealed, “He found something!” My own pulse quickened, remembering rumors of a Spanish Galleon having been located in this area after Hurricane Beulah struck here in 1967. Had we found a gold cross, crafted for the Bishop of Seville? “Sounds like a coin,” Jimmie said, removing his earphones. Okay, I would settle for a gold doubloon of the quality that Mel Fischer found off the wreck of the Atocha in the Florida Keys.

Jimmie took the scoop and dug in the sand near his foot. Handing me the mud filled scoop he passed the coil over the spot he had just dug. “It’s still there,” he said. “Dump the scoop.”

Whatever had given him a signal was not in the first load. Once again, he dug the scoop into the sand. An old lady in a faded sundress joined us in the ankle deep water. Again, I held the sand filled scoop as he passed the coil over the spot we had gotten the signal from. “Ha, we have it!” he exclaimed. “We could let the sand wash out here,” he said, walking away from the surf, “but I like to dump it where I can search out the smaller stuff.”

Our entourage quickly crowded around us in a semi-circle. We were all going to be rich! Jimmie spread the sand in a line on the beach and again passes the coil over the spill. We all saw the golden glint at the same time but Jimmie reached the fastest. A moment later and he held our trophy high for all to see. “A penny?” The kids moaned in disappointment. “Not even enough to pay for putting in your two cents worth.” Jimmie said, laughing as we returned to the waters edge Muttering in broken English, the old lady shooed the kids back down the Un peso 1971 beach. Non-plussed, Jimmie continued telling me about his first hunting experience. “We found 31 old brass baggage tags and numerous 19th and 20th century coins. I continued returning to that area for several years and seldom came away empty handed.”

The waves were coming in at a steady pace now, as I braced against an especially big one. It’s not all glory,” Jimmie said continuing to swing his detector along his chosen route. “By the time you get done playing out there, you get real wore out. The detector can get heavy and sometimes the waves are so big they can knock you down. The real pleasure though, is putting on those earphones and just wandering along the beach, enjoying the outdoors.”

I reflected on those words as I watched the freighter gather speed before it entered the Gulf at the mouth of the south jetties. Overhead, begging gulls screamed and laughed at the tourists. It was a LONG day. We found numerous beer tabs, which Jimmie put in a sack he carried for trash, a one peso coin circa 1971 and 87 cents in change. It was worth it, though. To this day, it is days like that; beautiful sunshine, clear blue water and an unbelievable array of fantastic wildlife (tourists included), which still remind me what the REAL TREASURES of South Padre Island are.

Author’s Note: It is extremely important to get permission from landowners BEFORE hunting a site. The State of Texas has very stringent rules on ownership of lost items found on private property and the landowner has clear title to anything found unless you have made prior arrangements.

And Then There Were Two. How North and South Padre Island got their names

By Steve Hathcock Arlis Kivistad emailed to ask, “Can you tell me a little bit of the history of the Mansfield Channel?”

In 1930, Port Mansfield, or Redfish Landing, as it was once called was an isolated fishing camp located on the sandy shores of the Laguna Madre. Newspaper reports from the time refer to giant redfish over 4 feet long and trout so numerous that a fisherman could walk from his boat to the shore without getting his feet wet. I don’t know about the size of the fish, but it was possible at that time to wade across the shallow nine-mile-wide Laguna Madre to the mudflats situated along the western shores of Padre Island. A short jaunt over the dunes and one could find some of the best surf fishing in the world.

In September of 1933 an unnamed hurricane hit near the mouth of the Rio Grande. The Island was inundated with a twenty-five foot tidal surge and the storm, which lasted for over thirty hours, dumped thirteen inches of rain over a wide part of South Texas. Eighteen people were killed and an estimated five-hundred were injured.

Fifteen to twenty foot waves crashed ashore at Redfish Landing. Eleven people rode out the storm in several crudely built fishing shacks – only one person drowned. The road to the fishing camp was washed out and for a short while the camp was once again isolated from the outside world.

In late 1933, the Civil Works Administration or C.W.A was established. In addition to building bridges, schools, hospitals, airports, parks and playgrounds, C.W.A. funds also went toward the repair and construction of highways and roads. Soon after, in 1934, Congress allocated $7,000 for construction of a new all-weather road to Redfish Landing.

Redfish Bay remained fairly isolated during the war years, while the Army Air Corps used a good sized section of the Laguna Madre as a practice range by pilots training at the air gunnery school in Harlingen.

About four miles south in the back bay, large round pilings were placed in the shape of an aircraft carrier with canvas stretched between the posts.

The Air Corps pilots used these targets for bombing and machine gun practice. One can only imagine how many shells and bombs litter the laguna here but oldtimers will recall that for years when wade fishing, one had to beware of holes, up to ten feet deep, left by those exploding bombs. Hurricane Allen struck south of here in 1980 filling in the holes and washing away what pilings were left, but that area is still called “the targets.”

In March of 1950 the Navigation District petitioned the court to condemn the 1,760 acres of land immediately surrounding the port facilities of “Red Fish The Port Mansfield “Cut” is not visible on this map produced and distributed by The State of Texas.

Landing”. Siding with the plaintiff, the court ordered the District pay the American Legion three dollars an acre for the land it owned.

The site was renamed Port Mansfield in honor of State Senator Mansfield from Columbus, Texas, who headed the commission that moved legislation through the U.S. Congress to have the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway extended from Corpus Christi south to Port Isabel. The new harbor at Port Mansfield was completed by 1956.

All that remained now was to open a jetties-protected channel across Padre Island to the Gulf of Mexico. This would provide the new port with recreational opportunities and enhance its commercial uses.

The initial operation proceeded smoothly until the day the dredge ran its hoses right through an old Spanish galleon, the Santa Maria de Yicar, that had lain hidden under the mud since 1554. Suddenly there was a rumbling and the pumps seemed to hesitate for a moment. Then a twinkling of silver flashed in the afternoon sun as the hoses spewed a fortune in old Spanish coins into special holding areas built to contain the spoil banks. Work was briefly stopped as workers scrambled through the cloying mud gathering as many of the shiny orbs as possible but after a short time the hoses were once again lowered and the men resumed their task.

The first cut through Padre Island was completed by September of 1957. Going against the advice from the Army Corps, local engineers constructed their jetty with oddly shaped concrete blocks called tetra pods that resembled toy jacks used in sidewalk games. 50 caliber bullets found by Steve Hathcock while using a The blocks were placed with three legs touching the sandy bottom Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector near the “targets” and the fourth leg sticking straight up. The rocks of the north jetty were placed atop the shattered remains of the Spanish galleon.

However, no other base was laid down that would provide a proper footing to support the weight of the massive stones. Several storms hit along the Texas Coast in November of that year and the erosive power of the waves washed around and beneath the three legged stones and with nothing below but Padre Island sand, the jetties soon sank completely out of sight. The channel itself was almost completely filled in. The Island might have healed itself if it were not for the intervention of the Army Corps of Engineers, which in July of 1962, re-dredged the channel and built a new stone jetty of granite boulders to protect the channel through Padre Island.

The government assumed maintenance of the jetties, channel, harbor, and navigational aids. Today, the Port Mansfield Gulf Channel, now known as the East Cut, serves as the dividing line between North and South Padre Island.

Steve Hathcock serves as chairman of the City of South Padre Island’s Historical and Preservation Committee, vice president of the South Padre Island Historical Foundation and past vice chairman of the Cameron County Historical Commision. In addition, Steve Hathcock is a member of the Military Writers Society of America and has self-published several books about Local and Natural History of Padre Island and the rest of the world. His weekly column can be found in the Coastal Current Weekly http://www.valleymorningstar.com/coastal_current/ Email steve@southpadretv.tv or visit our website http://southpadretv.tv/ http://southpadretv.tv/and-then-there-were-two-how-north-and-south-padreisland-got-their-names-1857/

4 Reale Spanish coin (Carlos and Johanna) found near Padre Island Shipwrecks of 1554

At South Padre Island Travelodge, you and your family will find plenty to do and see. Have fun in our lovely outdoor pool, relax in our heated spa, or stroll down our private walkway to the sandy beach. Many activities are within walking distance of the hotel, including parasailing and Jet Ski rental. There are also several restaurants nearby. This stucco Spanish-style hotel, with direct beach access, is located on South Padre Island one mile from the entertainment district and a quarter-mile from the convention center. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and spa tub, guest laundry facilities, and complimentary hotel-wide wireless Internet access. Complimentary newspapers can be found in the lobby, along with a 24-hour front desk. For the international traveler, have the best of both worlds: South Padre Island Beach, and great shopping and dining on the Mexico border are a short 25 miles away. There are 149 guestrooms and one suite, all of which include complimentary wireless Internet access and local calls, premium cable channels, microwaves, refrigerators, and complimentary weekday newspapers. A complimentary Continental breakfast is offered each morning with cereal, pastries, oatmeal, juice, coffee, and tea.

South Padre Island Travelodge 6200 South Padre Blvd • 956-761-4744 Toll-Free: 1-866-601-6200 • Reservations: 1-800-578-7878

www.southpadretravelodge.com

Recipient of the 2013 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award Close to Gulf of Mexico, Laguna Madre Bay, Sailing and Fishing Make a day, or enjoy an extended stay, at our Super 8 South Padre Island hotel near Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. Located just blocks from white-sand beaches on Padre Boulevard, our pet-friendly hotel offers comfortable accommodations at an affordable rate. Each of our recently-remodeled 66 rooms feature handy amenities in South Padre Island, including 32-inch flat-screen TVs, microwaves, refrigerators, and free high-speed Internet access allowing you to post vacation photos online. Book a standard king or queen bedroom with kitchenette, or king bed with Jacuzzi, for added comfort. Take a swim by the outdoor pool, soak in the outdoor hot tub and grill dinner at the on-site and barbecue area before heading to bed for the night. Awake energized and enjoy free 8-item SuperStart breakfast bonanza with Belgian waffles before spending a day at the beaches or many attractions nearby. Handicappedaccessible rooms are available and kids 17 and under stay free with an adult at our non-smoking hotel.

4205 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX.

Call: 956-761-6300 Make Your Reservations Today

www.super8padre.com

Welcome to Beautiful South Padre Island, Texas Padre South Hotel sits right on the Gulf of Mexico, taking its place on the twenty six miles of south "Texas" seashore and offering eight stories of well appointed rooms for your comfort. Lounge at poolside or walk straight out to the beach, the choice is yours. Perhaps nowhere in North America is easy living better exemplified than on South Padre Island. With pristine beaches, sweeping dunes, historic landmarks, shops and restaurants, this unique area is the perfect place for an island vacation. All Padre South efficiencies and two bedroom suites offer a wonderful panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico. Rooms have fully equipped kitchens for your convenience. Our secluded pool area offers a beautiful ocean view and is only a few steps from the Gulf of Mexico. 24 hour Front desk service, Cable TV, WI-FI, USA Today and coffee are complimentary in the lobby. All rooms have a balcony with a view of the Ocean , daily housekeeping , laundry facilities on site, Group meeting area in our spacious lobby with a view of the Gulf of Mexico, Large pool area and courtyard with Jacuzzi, Large parking areas, and handicap accessible.

Enjoy Oceanview Dining at The Chef House Restaurant & Padre Bar next door.

For Reservations CALL: 1-800-313-4626 / 956-761-4951

www.padresouth.com

Welcome to Bridgepoint Condominiums

Bridgepoint Condominiums are the most exclusive condos and suites on South Padre Island. You’ve never experienced South Padre Island quite like this. The 28-story Bridgepoint tower is reserved for those with uncompromising taste and expectations. Comfort, luxury and first class amenities come together with perfect sophistication and style to offer the ultimate oceanfront condos on South Padre Island.Enjoy breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico from your private balcony; relax at our private pool, Jacuzzi and open Palapa bar or sunbathe at our private access on the beaches of South Padre Island. South Padre Island is rated one of the top beaches in the world – experience its radiance and serenity like nowhere else at Bridgepoint Condominiums.

Please contact us for booking information at (956) 761-7969 or (800) 221-1402 334 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island TX

www.bridgepointresort.com

White Sands Motel, Marina & Restaurant

In the Port Isabel, Texas area; White Sands Motel, Marina, & Restaurant has a unique combination that offers a place to stay fish and dine. If you are a traveling tourist, winter visitor, fisherman, birdwatcher or local customer, you will find us to be friendly, affordable and competitive. If you are not staying at our motel, stop by and eat at our famous seafood restaurant.

Motel: Best Accommodation Value in the Area. Motel Units, Kitchen Units, Two Bedroom Apartment. A/C Heat, Telephone, Color Cable TV, Refrigerator, Swimming Pool, Guest Laundry.

Restaurant: Specializing in fresh seafood using original Marchan family recipes. Waterfront, casual family atmosphere, overlooking the marina and Port Isabel Side Channel. Coastal Living, "Best Seafood Dives".

Marina: Full Service Marina. Boat Slip Rentals. Gas & Oil. Snacks, Beer, Ice. Live & Frozen Bait. Boat & Motor Rentals. Fish Cleaning Table. Lighted Fishing Dock. Rod & Reel Rental. Freezer for Fish Storage. Tackle. Guide Service for Gulf & Bay. Self Service Auto Fuel. Private boat ramp for our guests. We are a pet friendly facility, some restrictions apply.

White Sands Motel, Marina & Restaurant Reservations Call: 956.943.2414 418 W. Highway 100 • Port Isabel, Texas 78578 • www.whitesandstexas.com

WELCOME TO LOUIE’S BACKYARD

What are you waiting for?

Your table’s ready for you at

LOUIE’S BACKYARD 2305 Laguna Boulevard South Padre Island, Texas Phone: 956-761-6406

http://lbyspi.com

A South Padre Island legend for decades.

Louie’s Backyard, situated in the entertainment district overlooking the waters of the beautiful Laguna Madre, offers a variety of dining and entertainment options to satisfy the mood of any visitor to our tropical paradise. A visit to Louie’s Backyard is a must for any traveler. Whether you’re in the mood to feast on Louie’s famous all-you-can-eat Seafood Buffet, featuring our slow roasted prime rib, succulent Crab Legs and Louie’s, fresh from the Gulf hand breaded fried or boiled shrimp, Baby Back Ribs, Scallops and fresh fish of the day or your mood takes you to our dinner menu featuring Louie’s hand-cut steaks or fresh caught snapper you will be able to enjoy your meal while taking in Louie’s breathtaking “Million Dollar View”.

For lighter fare visit Louie’s famous Sports Bar where you can enjoy a varied selection of steaks, fish and sandwiches while watching your favorite teams on one of our 60 television sets! Be sure to visit our upstairs lookout deck to watch the beautiful sunsetas you sip on Louie’s Signature drink “The Cherry”. RCA recording artist Toby Beau’s family friendly music adds that perfect touch to the magical sunset experience. And to top off the tropical evening hit Louie’s high energy nightclub where our dj’s will spin your favorite dance hits as the moon shimmers on the waters of the Laguna Madre.

Make Some South Padre Island Summer Memories

BUSINESS Noun The occupation, work, or trade in which a person is engaged: A specific occupation or pursuit: Commercial, industrial or professional dealings.

98

SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES Jeremy McGilvrey

Successful people do – what unsuccessful people won’t do. That’s just a fact of life!

George Washington Carver observed: “When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you’ll command the attention of the world.” Pat Riley, one of the few coaches who’s won NBA titles as a player and a coach said it another way. Riley stated: “Do the ordinary things extraordinarily well.”

Something I’ve learned is: Success will not lower its standards to us. We must raise our standards to success.

You’re probably well aware of who Napoleon Hill is, the author of the highly influential book: Think and Grow Rich. Napoleon Hill spent his life studying, and observing the determinants of success. And in an interesting survey Dr. Hill conducted – he talked with people who had earned over 1 million dollars a year for three consecutive years (in the early nineteen hundreds). Napoleon Hill found these people all had five things in common: No. 1: Every one of them knew exactly where they wanted to go in life. They knew what they wanted to accomplish.

Each of them had goals they wanted to achieve, and they wrote their goals down and referred to them daily.

No. 2: They were all keen in understanding human behavior. They each knew that you get out of people what you sow into them.

No. 3: They were able to ask the right questions, and probably most importantly, listen very carefully to the answers. These people were acutely aware that listening was an art form.

No. 4: They all had commitment and focus. Nothing was going to stop these people from reaching their goals. These highly successful individuals removed all the noise and clutter and only focused on the major things in life.

(That’s were a lot of people go wrong, they major in minor things.)

No. 5: They all had superior work ethics.

You can become a millionaire just like these people by emulating what they did. You see, success leaves clues. And what Napoleon Hill did for us was uncover what those clues were. So figure out right now exactly what it is you want in life. Write out a plan to achieve it. Do some brainstorming about the people and resources you’re going to need to help you. And never ever, ever, ever, let anyone out work you!

For more tips on success visit: www.TheSecretToSuccess.com

Rudy Arispe has always believed he has the best of both worlds. Long before he started his career in public relations 18 years ago, the Schertz native was pursuing his goal as a reporter beginning in 1986 with the former San Antonio Light newspaper.

“I started out as an editorial assistant, which was one of the best learning experiences that prepared me for a career in journalism,” Arispe said. “I was fortunate to have worked with some top-notch editors who took me under their wings. There is one in particular, who was quite hard on me in those early days, but in retrospect she did me a huge favor.”

Today, Arispe is the principal of Arispe PR, which he launched in February 2008 after being a staff writer for the San Antonio Express-News. The boutique public relations and communications firm offers media relations, marketing, advertising, social media, and, of course, writing services.

“I consider myself a PR strategist because public relations is all about strategy,” he said. “You have to formulate a plan when creating a PR and marketing campaign. You assist clients with story development, for instance, so that they effectively let the public know who they are and what they do.”

His roster of clients includes a number of nonprofit and business clients, including TETCO, Culligan Southwest, One Source Medical Group, Tribeca, Musical Bridges Around the World and the San Antonio Independent School District. He produces two department newsletters for the latter.

“Once a reporter, always a reporter,” he said with a chuckle. “Seriously, though, having worked in a newsroom before has benefited my PR clients because I know what an editor or reporter is looking for and how to deliver it.”

For more information, email rudy@arispepr.com or visit www.arispepr.com.

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Social Media Marketing is Important for EVERY Business By: Susie LaFredo, Social Media Director/Editor Contact: susie@internetworkingedge.com

Should your business be on Social Media?

Absolutely. Should you have an account on every platform?

Not necessarily. Your social success depends largely on the type of business you run and how much time and effort you intend to put into your strategy.

While it does takes a bigger investment to succeed online, the benefits outweigh any excuses to not do it. Recently, Forbes stated that – 94% of corporate businesses are extensively using social media. Plus, 85% of companies have expressed their satisfaction at using social media because it has increased the exposure of their business. So here are some helpful tips to get you started.

1. Get Active! This means that you are regularly updating and refreshing content on your website and in Social Media channels. Not only will this help your Search Engine Optimization, but your customers will notice that you are actively communicating and that you care. By taking this step it shows your customer that you are a legitimate business and relevant.

2. Get Visual. Getting your content noticed in the noisy world of social media requires eye-catching subject matter. That means photos and video. Grabbing the attention of your target audience is made all the more easier when you attach images to your updates, regardless of the platform. Just scan your own news feed on Facebook to see which posts make you stop and take notice. Odds are that more often than not, it's an image or video thumbnail that caught the eye.

3. Engagement and Action. Getting the right mix of engagement and action is critical. Engagement posts can be just because – a funny or topical post, just to provoke thought or to get a positive reaction. Although it is important, however, to add in some business mix. A perfect example would be to add a link to an article on your own blog – something to get prospects off of the social profiles and onto your website. There’s no magic ratio, just try mixing it up and seeing what kind of reaction you get from your unique audience.

4. Give Back. It's a bit too much to expect that others will like and share your content, if you're not doing the same.

Better than expecting engagement, consider sharing and liking the content of others, free from the expectation of anything in return. If you promote a culture of engagement, then others will surely find their way to doing the same for you.

Happy Social Marketing! Need Help Getting Social? Contact Susie at susie@internetworkingedge.com

News Anchor of the Month

Myra Arthur

How did you get started in your career?

I've always loved to write, so I knew I wanted to incorporate that in my career. I studied journalism at Southern Methodist University. During college, I interned at a local television station to find out what it was really like in newsroom (trust me, you've got to see it for yourself!) and make sure that's where I wanted to be. (DING DING DING- it was!) My first job in local news was at KZTV in Corpus Christi where I anchored the weekday morning show and reported on "news of the day" and investigative stories. From there, I landed a job at KCEN in the Waco/Temple/Killeen market as the weekday evening anchor of the 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00newscasts. Three years in Central Texas brought me back to South Texas. Thrilled to be at KSAT and back home!

Do you have a career plan?

At the risk of doing what every reporter hates, I'm going to give you an indirect answer: yes and no. I don't have a certain position, title or salary that I want to achieve by a certain age or year. What I do have is the desire to keep advancing. I never want my career to become stagnant. I'm always looking for the next challenge. I've never left behind a job feeling like I could've done more and I want to keep that going throughout my career.

What three pieces of advice would you give other women in YOUR business today?

1) Develop a thick skin. In my line of work, social media is a necessity and a valuable resource. But its also a way for anyone to share their opinions. Unfortunately, sometimes people choose to pay more attention to a woman's appearance than her skill set. Learn to focus on what really matters- not what a stranger thinks about your hair. (If it's truly a bad hair day, my mother will tell me.)

2) Expect more from yourself so others never have to. Women can be horribly self-critical, so its a balancing act. While I'm my own worst critic, I think its helped me succeed.

3) Don't think you have to fit a certain mold. I used to think I had to "act like an anchor"- whatever that means- when I started out in this business. Years later, I've found the best interviews, newscasts and interactions I've had with coworkers and the community are when I've been 100% myself.

What is the most satisfying quality about your job?

I never know what each day will hold, where I will go or who I will meet. That's what makes every day exciting! Its one of the best things about the job.

What would you say are your greatest challenges in your job?

Time. There's never enough of it. Whether its a tight deadline or holidays and weekends with family that are cut short. That's another big challenge: working "abnormal" hours. Reporters and anchors are essentially always on call. If big news breaks, we have to leave the dinner table. Or maybe we can't make it at all because we work nights, weekends or early mornings. But surrounding yourself with an understanding support group makes this challenge much easier!

What would you say are the top three skills anyone should have in YOUR business?

1) The ability to adapt- fast. News breaks and changes all day every day. Plans change very quickly!

2) Be able to talk to anyone. I could interview a Senator one day and a butterfly rescuer the next (its happened, I swear).

3) Never burn a bridge. You never know when someone from your past could help influence your future.

In your line of business, what motivates you?

The tremendous responsibility of the job. People place an incredible amount of trust in anchors and reporters. I remind myself to live up to that every day.

How do you define success?

If at the end of the worst day, I still want to get up and go another round tomorrow- that's success.

Who has been your greatest inspiration?

My parents, hands down. There has never been a time when they weren't encouraging me. From the days when my bedtime was 7:00pm to wake up for the morning show when all my friends were still at happy hours... to the times when I oh-so-dramatically believed I had made a career-ending mistake... my parents have always been in my corner. They're the most supportive duo I know. They know little about how "my business" works, but they're always eager to learn, listen and give advice. They gave me my tough backbone, independence and sense of compassion. It's a combo that's served me well on air and off.

What has been your most satisfying moment in your business career?

This is always such a tough question to answer because I have so many to choose from! My most satisfying moments are when I know my work has made a difference. For example, seeing a lawmaker take action in Austin because of my reporting or seeing a community rally around someone in need after they trusted me to share their story. That's what makes me proud and humbled at the end of the day.

Myra Arthur - KSAT 12 News - Anchor/Reporter - (210)- 351-1287

HOME Noun A residence. The physical structure within which one lives; an environment offering security and happiness.

A valued place of orgin.

108

The Greening of Your Home's HVAC System

By Dan Cooper dancooper09@gmail.com Did you know that up to half your home's energy consumption is accounted for by your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system? With that much at stake a wise homeowner spends a little extra time and effort making sure the home's system is operating smoothly and efficiently.

Your home is your castle, but it shouldn't be a drafty and uncomfortable one. If you take care of your HVAC system and monitor your energy usage you can save on operating costs as well as contribute in a meaningful way toward energy conservation and Green accountability.

There are things a homeowner can do to keep a system running smoothly for years of worry-free heating and cooling. And then there are things that require the help of a qualified technician. That is why an annual inspection by trained technicians is a great idea for long-term reliability.

Coming into the peak cooling season in San Antonio, certified professionals will inspect your system for secure electrical connections and cleanliness of ductwork, evaporator, condenser coils, blower motor, and condensate drainage.

Eight Things You Can Do Yourself: 1. Set a timetable for all maintenance, especially for filter inspection and changes. Check the filter monthly and clean or change it at least every three months.

2. Clean vents regularly during peak usage seasons.

3. Monitor your thermostat for economical use, or install a programmable thermostat that automatically reduces consumption during hours of sleep or away-time.

4. Check and replace worn or damaged weather stripping around doors and windows.

5. Check ductwork for effective sealing and insulation.

6. Invest in energy efficient appliances to cut expenses and improve environmental impact over the long haul.

Highly efficient EnergyStar equipment is available for HVAC systems as well as water heaters and all major appliances.

7. Educate your family about the environmental and cost-saving benefits of Green-conscious living.

8. Set up a regular inspection date by your favorite technicians, usually at the beginning of a peak season.

With a plan of action and a conscious effort to save money as well as conserving energy, you can contribute to the Greening of San Antonio, America, and our one and only planet.

Rain, rain go away...

I have a house to sell!

Simple tasks you can do now to be ready to list your home during the busiest buying and selling season of the year.

Curb appeal – April showers bring May flowers so a fresh landscaping, a freshly mowed lawn, a power-washed driveway and some tree trimming can do a yard good!

Many years ago, I learned the art of having a "sense of arrival" This is what curb appeal means- it's the first impression of your home and likely a lasting one. Make sure you have done all of the necessary homework to showcase your home in the best light possible.

Clean – I know, it sounds simple, but a clean and organized home can be a missed opportunity. Coming from a mother of three with a very busy family, I understand the challenge in keeping a home in pristine show ready condition. If you plan to move, box up as much as possible ahead of time. This way, all you have left to pick up are small things around the house. Remember less is more!

Cindy Bachicha, REALTOR®, ABR, MRP Realty Executives of San Antonio 210.218.7681

Declutter – pack it up, or give it up! If you are now in the warmer months, why keep all of those bulky sweaters in your closet? Certainly, we live in Texas and you can never predict the weather, but I'm pretty sure summer conditions call for only one or two light jackets. Organize and declutter so potential buyers can imagine their belongings in your space. Some of us have a more difficult time envisioning what our furniture and our personal things will look like in a different space. Know that most buyers will look in your cabinets and closets so invest in some organizational bins from the local dollar store (doesn't have to be expensive) and show how to best utilize the storage. If you can help take the guesswork out of it, you are farther ahead than some of your competition.

Take inventory – do a top to bottom wall to wall inspection of your home. Are there things you have neglected or know have needed to be done. Doing these things ahead of time will potentially save you on lofty repairs later, weather you decide to stay or go.

Tip’s to Improve Your Home security Authored by: Susie LaFredo

Remember, knowledge is power especially when it comes to your security!

Call Blue Armor Security Services, Inc. at (210)495-4610 to learn about our many security solutions!

Willie Ng Blue Armor Security Services, Inc.

Protecting yourself and your family starts at home with your home security practices. For this reason we have compiled some top security tips to help.

• LIGHT THE ENTRANCE TO YOUR HOME. Burglars do not want to be in easy view. Lighting with infrared detector automatically turns on when it senses movement.

• INSTALL AN ALARM SYSTEM. Alarm systems are one of the best forms of home protection. Home alarm systems with 24/7 monitoring immediately informs emergency authorities and warn homeowners of any potential dangers. Seeing that a home has an alarm system often prevents an intruder from even attempting a burglary. Hearing an alarm go off usually sends a burglar running.

• CHANGE THE LOCKS IF MOVING INTO A NEW HOME. There’s no way to know who all has had access to the keys before you moved in. Also, if you lose your keys, you should replace all of the locks.

• IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE AWAY FROM HOME, GIVE THE APPEARANCE THAT YOUR HOUSE IS OCCUPIED. There are burglars who scour neighborhoods looking for homes that look unoccupied. Automatic timers are a great way to turn lights on and off while you’re away.

• PROTECT YOUR WINDOWS – Burglars often gain entry into homes through windows. Protect these vulnerable areas with window locks and/or burglar-resistant glass. Burglar bars are also an option many people choose. Installing many small panes of glass instead of one large pain of glass is a good option as well.

• USE INTERIOR DOOR HINGES – If your door has hinges on the outside of your house, an intruder can easily remove the hinge pin to gain entry. For optimal home security, remove the door and reset the hinges so that they are on the inside of the house.

• USE METAL BARS ON SLIDING DOORS – Sliding glass doors, patio doors, and sliding windows should have a metal bar that is placed along the bottom track of the door or window. The metal bar will prevent a burglar from forcing the door or window open. Remember, knowledge is power especially when it comes to your security! Call (210)495-4610 or e-mail Blue Armor Security Services Today to learn about our many security solutions!

Blue Armor Security Services, Inc., locally owned and operated, is one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America.

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DRIVEN Verb Transporting or being transported by vehicle; Adjective Having a compulsive nature.

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c i s s a l C

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

By Dan Cooper dancooper09@gmail.com

Make no mistake, this is an SUV. But you will have to keep reminding yourself of that fact. The car is an incredible blending of the sportiness of a coupe and the practical performance of an SUV. Of course, Mercedes quality engineering and detail refinement are in evidence, as expected. And this remarkable combination is enhanced by all the modern bells and whistles you have now come to expect from the cutting-edge technology found in today’s Mercedes vehicles.

The infotainment system display is partially integrated with the instrument panel. Through the intuitive touch-screen display the car offers a range of standard and optional features such as Steering Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, autonomous braking, automatic braking with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Assist, a parking-assist package with 360-degree camera viewing, and Cross-Traffic Assist. Yes, the car will actually take precautions against perceived threats from cross traffic.

The company’s promotional literature brags that the brand has always exhibited two polar opposites in combination— sensuality and clarity. While I might take exception to that depiction for some of their models, this one seems to hit the mark rather solidly.

The GLE Coupe designation combines the G-series moniker for SUVs with the coupe label and brings these different worlds together in a way that makes the driver think he has two different cars. And that’s not a bad way to think about it, either. The sensuality is clearly there in both styling touches and performance characteristics. And the clarity of purpose, while seemingly in schizoid combination, could never be more distinct. While the driver can select the car’s performance characteristics, the most dynamic and sporty of them are always available at a single touch.

The turbo-charged V-6 engine is coupled to a nine-speed transmission. Yes, you read that right. It has a nine-speed transmission. But that’s not all. The transmission has five different modes of operation which are actively selected through driver preference at any time. This Dynamic Select handling control system changes the handling and auditory characteristics of the vehicle among several choices: Comfort; Sport; Sport+; Slippery; and Individual. Sport and Sport+ are pretty self-explanatory, and Comfort is the mode for luxurious, quiet, secure transportation in style.

Slippery mode is for wet or icy pavement conditions. (My, aren’t those clever Germans always thinking of some new twist!)

And the Individual mode offers the widest customization of the driving experience for an entirely personal-preference-based package. A rear-biased power distribution offers a high-performance feel that masks the usual characteristics of the car’s constant four-wheel drive, delivering 360 h.p. in a way that makes it feel like rear-wheel drive.

Another clever touch: The infinitely adaptive damping of the air suspension package also has an automatic lowering feature so the added air turbulence beneath a taller-sitting SUV is eliminated at higher speeds.

As one who has owned and driven Mercedes cars for many years, I can vouch for the sense of inherent control a driver experiences behind the wheel of one of these automobiles. The feeling is unmistakable. I strongly suggest you give it a try. This car is coming this summer. Sign up for a test drive. You won’t regret it.

AFTER DARK Adjective Reflecting only a small fraction of incadecent light. A place having little or no light, Night; nightfall.

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BEST NEW COMEDY CLUB OF THE MONTH

Southtown Comedy Club brings it's brand of professional comedy performance to the Blue Star Brewery, located in the Blue Star Arts Complex in the King William Distrct, San Antonio, Texas.

The troupe welcomes nationally touring talent who have appeared at various venues or have appeared on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Center and other syndicated shows.

Our professionalism and quality of performance is our mantra to provide you, our audience, the highest level of entertainment value you expect. Click the Ticket Link for the latest comedy show coming to Blue Star Brewery.

April 4, 2015, Saturday Dinner Time: 7:30 PM Show Time: 8:30 PM Blue Star Arts Complex Blue Star Brewery 1414 S. Alamo St. San Antonio, TX, 78210

BEST NIGHT CLUB OF THE MONTH

CLUB SIRIUS 228 Losoya St. San Antonio, Texas 78205 Hours: Mon - Sun 12:00 pm - 2:00 am

(210) 643-6650 Email: Lesa@DrinkSirius.com www.DrinkSirius.com

Nightly Specials featuring DJ NAAWZ and DJ SLIC RIC seven nights a week!

BEST NEW DOWNTOWN HIPPEST BAR OF THE MONTH There is a sense of exhilaration when you go off the grid to a nondescript, old-timey, speakeasy with tinkling ice cubes and proper cocktail crafting.

The Bar, by Don Marsh, is a collaboration of San Antonio’s wellreviewed Bar 1919, tailored to provide the hotel guests & locals with a unique take on classic and craft cocktails; some dating back to pre-prohibition era. Don Marsh is the city’s pioneer for the speakeasy cocktail scene.

The Bar is the perfect marriage of local atmosphere without the anxiety of rolling the dice hopping to find your watering hole. With over 250 different bottles, it’s sure to provide a stiff yet refreshing drink, whatever your taste may be.

Start your evening with a Fernet Branca, and progress in to a adventurous night of absinthe drinking.

Sit at our bar and rub elbows with industry locals while they have a post shift drink and some late night snacks from De Novo's kitchen.

Everyday: 3 pm to 2 am • Monday to Friday Happy Hour: 3 pm to 7 pm

“You know what I LOVE about this place?

Its like CARY GRANT meets MEGAN FOX.”

-List A

The Davenport The V Fifth Lounge Ojos Sports Bar Nektar Lounge The Falls Swig Martini Bar The Brooklynite The Last Word Rebar LongBar Blue Box Bar Pulse B&N Acenar Josabi’s The Lion&Rose The Stetson Bar Sam’s Burger Joint Atomar Bar Azuca Gruene Hall Hard Rock Café Max’s Wine Dive Grand Agave Pat O”Brien’s

NIGHT / DANCE / ROCK CLUBS

Skydome

Sunset Station

Zinc Bistro & Wine Bar SoHo Crabby Jacks Tabu Lounge Chris Madrids Ivory Lounge Bar America Luna Broadway 5050 J.T. Floore Countrystore Hooligans The Falls The Mix Graham Central Station Cowboys Dancehall Midnight Rodeo Jack’s Bar Blue Star Brewing Co. Swig Martini Bar Tycoon Flats The Pointe Martini Lounge Fox and Hound Ice Lounge

Liberty Bar The Lava Lounge Republic of Texas Howl at the Moon Cappyccino’s Bombay Bicycle Club Chicago Bar Limelight Coyote Ugly Naked Iguana Lounge Mad Dogs British Pub Amore CML

Did your favorite Dance Club make the “A-List”?

Vote for your favorite A-list Club of the month to be entered to WIN an “After Dark Night” on Us!

SAmonthlyWIN@gmail.com

(LIMIT to only 2 photos - First names only and name of Club)

Been to any of our A-List Clubs, Email us your photos:

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POLITICS Noun The work or job of people such as elected officials who are part of government.

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Commitment to Community By: Daniel E. Serna, SA Politics Editor

When Leticia Van de Putte was in the eighth grade, attending Horace Mann Junior High, she announced her interest to run for student council president. She was told by a male classmate she could not because she was a girl.

“It was a different time back then,” says Van de Putte. Ultimately, Van de Putte won her first office in San Antonio as eighth grade student council president. Van de Putte proceeded to achieve an impressive political tenure in the Texas Congress, including serving as Senate pro tempore, a day as Governor of Texas and authoring an important bill, The Better Jobs Act. According to Van de Putte, the call to come home to local government and run for San Antonio Mayor was spurred by an outcry and outpouring from the community. After prayerful consideration Van de Putte felt the capacity and leadership to run as a Mayoral candidate.

Van de Putte believes that the way to a better future is to invest in human capital, including starting with early childhood development. “The data is solid that quality early childhood education works, has a better outcome on students,” said Van de Putte. In 2011 The State did horrendous budget cuts including two-hundred million dollars from the Pre-K program,” said Van de Putte.

She believes that San Antonio needs to maximize tax dollars by using existing childhood programs more productively. A focus on quality education may be the path to address poverty and to revitalizing the urban core of San Antonio.

If elected Mayor of San Antonio, Van de Putte said, first she would thank God. Next, is the diligent task of building the trust and respect of the citizens of San Antonio and City Council toward making San Antonio a “smart city.” She wants to make sure that San Antonio has a bright future and continue to make San Antonio “A great American city.”

Despite having the higher percentage of votes in the mayoral elections held May 9, 2015, receiving thirty percent, she did not get the required fifty-percent of the vote. Run-off with interim mayor, Ivy Taylor, whom received twenty-eight percent, will be determined on June 13, 2015.

THE

GREEN ROOM Adjective covered with grass, trees, or other plants.

Tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable, or nonpolluting).

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FAITH,HOPE & CHARITY "Matter is the vehicle for the manifestation of Soul on this plane of existence, and Soul is the vehicle on a higher plane for the manifestation of spirit, and these three (or a trinity) are synthesized by life which pervades them all."

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Mr. Hidalgo 2015 By: Desiree H. Serna, C.N.P., M.P.A.

The Bexar County Commissioners Court on April 11, 2015 honored business and social entrepreneur, John Hartsfield, with the Hidalgo Award, the highest honor in Bexar County.

Historically, the title of Hidalgo was conferred by decree of the king of Spain on settlers from the Canary Islands who responded to the crown’s appeal for people to come to the Province of the New Philippines (Texas) in 1718. Today it is conferred by Bexar County Commissioners Court on citizens who are deemed worthy of the historic and exalted title for their achievements or community service.

The commissioners honored Hartsfield for his overall leadership and prominence as a Bexar County citizen, as well as for his involvement with many youth advocate nonprofits. Hartsfield was nominated for this honor by Precinct 4 Commissioner, Tommy Calvert.

Hartsfield’s leadership in San Antonio is impressive and includes a variety of expertise. Hartsfield is a business entrepreneur and CEO of Nationwide Merchants, sits as an Officer and Director on the Board for Breaking Down Walls a 501(c)3 nonprofit and is also known as the "Go To Guy" for putting together high-profile celebrity events in support of both non and for profit organizations that benefit the youth. He not only gives back to the youth by volunteering within the community but he also is a very powerful motivational speaker and speaks to the youth about overcoming obstacles/ challenges they may face in their life. He is also a devoted family man and father to his 2 year old son Preston Hartsfield.

“In life we get caught up in SELF…self-gratification, self-fulfillment and self-achievement. However, I believe that the true mark of a person is how many people and lives you can impact and help achieve their goals,” Hartsfield remarked.

Goodwill SA VP, Lifetime Public Servant

By: Desiree H. Serna, CNP, MPA Photo courtesy of Melendrez Entertainment

Long-time community leader, Christopher Herring, has led a life rooted in public service. As a retired US Air Force officer, he solves complex problems with creative solutions based on experiences serving as an executive in the for-profit, non-profit, academia and government sectors of America's economy. Herring is regarded as a national leader with expertise in small business, community and economic development, workforce development, diversity, inclusion and entrepreneurship.

Herring recently joined Goodwill Industries of San Antonio as Vice President of Workforce Services. At Goodwill SA, Herring helps change the lives of people through the power of work with emphasis on transitioning US active duty military and Veterans. Herring’s role as VP provides business leadership, strategic planning, support and consultation in the area of workforce services and programs. Herring’s responsibility includes bridging business relationships that produce meaningful job opportunities and entrepreneurship options for veterans, people with disabilities and life challenges, and non-violent ex-offenders.

For more information on Herring’s work with Goodwill Industries of San Antonio, please visit:

www.goodwillsa.org

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