San Antonio Woman May/June 2016

San Antonio Mayor

IVY R. TAYLOR Family Pain Gives Rise to Greater Good SPECIAL SECTIONS:

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Alzheimer’s Association 2016 Medical Directory

San Antonio WOMAN

MAY/JUNE 2016

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Contributors Trending What’s New At Home Style Fashion Calendar Society Calendar Beauty Health According to Linda Business Woman Spotlight Boomers Role Model Guys to Know Mommy Matters Hill Country Guide Travel Artbeat CityScene Sustainable Gardening Dream Homes Entertainment Calendar Dining Women on the Move Weddings

54 SPECIAL SECTIONS 67 Alzheimer’s Association 123 The 2016 San Antonio Woman Medical Directory

108 18 UP FRONT The last thing any parent wants to hear is that there’s something wrong with their child. It’s heartbreaking and life changing. The three families profiled in this story have learned not only to live with it, but have been inspired by their family situations to reach out and help others.

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26 PROFILE Mayor Ivy Taylor shares stories with us about her youth, what inspires her as a leader today and how she did not plan to be the first African-American mayor in San Antonio’s history.

Inspired by urban revitalization and connecting people to opportunities, Taylor shares her vision for the future and prosperity of the Alamo City.

54 WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Learn how four young entrepreneurs have each delved into established industries inspired to be change agents. All have faced failure and rejection but also success. They are determined to carve a path for themselves and for the greater San Antonio community.

108 HILL COUNTRY GUIDE

It’s hot outside, and what tastes better than a cold beer?

Today’s small-batch craft breweries throughout the city and the Texas Hill Country depend on smart women working behind the scenes, keeping business flowing in brewpubs, breweries, tap rooms and beer halls across town.

San Antonio WOMAN Photgraphy by Marie Langmore

FROM THE EDITOR Nicole Greenberg, Editor San Antonio Woman

Welcome to the May-June issue of SAN ANTONIO WOMAN. Themes of transformational work happening in and around the city are featured throughout this issue.

Without a doubt, our city is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, and we spotlight women leading the new thinking and spirit behind these efforts.

Mayor Ivy R. Taylor is at the forefront of transformation in this city. Our associate editor, Jasmina Wellinghoff, caught up with the mayor to find out more about her years as a youth, her emergence into urban planning and what inspires her pragmatic approach to guiding our fair city’s progress. While Mayor Taylor never planned to be a politician, we come away from our visit convinced of her abilities to navigate San Antonio’s political waters, coupled with our downtown revitalization and the ramp-up to the Tricentennial, have made her a woman to watch.

Our Upfront feature story gives examples of three families who endured the struggles and eventual breakthroughs of having a child living with disease and using these experiences for a greater good. Their resolve to help others who are similarly afflicted has become transformational. Like the Hartman family who created the Morgan’s Wonderland theme park concept, or the Azar and Edlund families who support some of San Antonio’s top medical research facilities to forge new therapies, their efforts are having a positive impact on a global scale.

Women in Business writer Jennifer Bartlett introduces us to four young entrepreneurs in the businesses of residential construction, energy, catering and women’s apparel as they relay their anecdotal stories of innovation to elevate the long-established arenas in which they work.

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MAY/JUNE 2016 PUBLISHER J. Michael Gaffney EDITOR Nicole Greenberg ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jasmina Wellinghoff COPY EDITOR Kathryn Cocke STYLE EDITOR Camilla Basse CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Bartlett, Lauren Browning, Nicole Crawford, Keli Davidson, Linda Elliott, Pamela Lutrell, Kristin Mears, Josie Seeligson, Janis Turk PHOTOGRAPHY Jessica Giesey, Marie Langmore, Rachelle Palasota, Al Rendon, Janet Rogers, Elizabeth Warburton GRAPHIC DESIGN Tamara Hooks, Maria Jenicek BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Steven Cox, Cindy Jennings, Madeleine Justice ADMINISTRATION & CUSTOMER SERVICE Nancy A. Gaffney SOCIAL MEDIA Rachelle Palasoda PRINTING Shweiki Media, San Antonio, Texas EDITOR EMERITUS Beverly Purcell-Guerra FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION call (210) 826-5375 email: info@sawoman.com

PUBLISHED BY Of course, our stories of transformation would not be complete if we didn’t head out to the Texas Hill Country to visit with women who are paving new paths there. Our writer, Janis Turk, came away with the fun story, Beauty and the Brew, where she uncovers successful beer establishments led by women.

Rounding out this issue is our in-depth special section on Alzheimer’s, done in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Association San Antonio & South Texas. We encourage you to read about some local women who have helped others with this disease, how women and families are being impacted and the range of providers and support that exists right here in our own backyard.

We finish out this issue with our regular columns, spotlight on city happenings and our dining review for Myron’s Prime Steakhouse. We also provide you with our 2016 San Antonio Woman Medical Directory with listings for doctors from various health care specialties.

We invite you to continue to send us your ideas for stories and your feedback about the perspectives shared in this or any issue. And don’t forget to check out our Trending page.

And, as always, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posting daily.

Enjoy and transform,

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CONTRIBUTORS

JENNIFER BARTLETT Jennifer Bartlett moved to San Antonio in 2002 from Brooklyn, NY, where she worked as a book editor for W.W Norton and Company. Since moving to Texas, she has been a teacher both in secondary schools and at the university level at San Antonio College and Trinity University. Currently, she works as an independent educational consultant, essay coach and freelance writer. She lives in Monte Vista with her husband and her two children.

KELI DAVIDSON Keli Davidson is a native New Yorker, who is happily married to a sixthgeneration Texan. She has a degree in English literature from the University of Texas at Austin, and also earned an MBA in finance there. She has worked as an investment banker and venture capitalist, and recently served as the treasurer for the San Antonio Botanical Garden. She has previously published articles in The Handboook of Texas and loves all things Texas, particularly San Antonio. She lives in Olmos Park with her husband, three kids and an unruly dog.

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THIS ISSUE We visit with San Antonio Mayor Ivy R. Taylor as she remembers her days as a youth, her early days in urban development and what she envisions for the people of the Alamo City.

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ENTERTAINING

STYLE

INTERIOR DESIGN

Food writer Lauren Browning kicks off Memorial Day weekend and summertime with an upside down peach cake.

Highlighting our favorite local finds across the city with Style Editor Camilla Basse.

We love these gorgeous jewels from Dennis Jewelry.

Launching our new interior design blog with gorgeous contemporary, traditional and unique finds across the city.

Embracing daily inspirational quotes and sharing them via our social media.

ARTS

WEDDING SEASON

UPCOMING EVENTS

Signing up our kids for the Witte’s summer camps where they will meet Maya archaeologists and work with engineers to understand the master builders of long ago!

Celebrating the beautiful unions of family and friends as they walk down the aisle this season.

Check out our wedding announcements on page 145, and don’t forget to send us your photos.

Gearing up for Blue Star Contemporary Art Institute’s 26th annual Red Dot event on May 18th. This year’s fundraiser coincides with Blue Star’s 30th anniversary.

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DID YOU KNOW? We distribute 30,000 copies of SAN ANTONIO WOMAN to nearly 500 locations throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas and to subscribers in 244 cities throughout the U.S.

W WHAT’S NEW Mays Family Center Opens at the Witte Museum Celebrate the opening of a new cultural landmark in San Antonio, the Mays Family Center. Connecting the urban landscape of Broadway with the historic, natural landscape of the San Antonio River, the Mays Family Center is a place that reveals the beauty of the land, sky and water along the banks of the San Antonio River. The $15 million building is a center for unprecedented exhibitions, with a 19,000-square-foot museum-quality space for special events, including outside space on the uppermost bend of the San Antonio River, graced by giant cypress, oak and pecan trees.

PROMPTU Immediate Now Serves Hill Country CHRISTUS has rebranded its Urgent Care and Occupational Health Centers of Texas, P.A., as Promptu Immediate Care.

Promptu is a one-stop shop for all health care needs. Its knowledgeable physicians and providers are on-site to administer care for numerous health problems, including serious issues like mild concussions, fractures and lacerations. Each clinic is equipped with an on-site lab and X-ray services. Promtu Immediate Care treats people of all ages and offers a comfortable, safe environment with extended, convenient hours — weekdays 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. It is in network with most insurances, including Medicare and Tricare. Appointments can be made by calling one of its clinics, and all patient forms are available online at PromptuCare.com.

Saint Mary’s Hall Welcomes Actor and Activist RJ Mitte In early March, the Saint Mary’s Hall community welcomed actor and equality and diversity activist RJ Mitte to campus as part of the 2016 Betty and Bob Kelso Speaker Series. Mitte is best known for his breakout role as Walter White, Jr. on the AMC series Breaking Bad. Much like his character, Mitte has a mild form of cerebral palsy, which has given him the opportunity to raise awareness of equality and diversity. During his presentation, he was very candid with Upper School students about his childhood, how he overcame bullying and other challenges. He spoke about how many people think a disability is weakness, but that it is actually strength. The students found him to be honest, funny and refreshing, and many of them waited in line to speak to him, ask questions and take photos. The Betty and Bob Kelso Speaker Series, unique to Saint Mary’s Hall, creates tremendous learning opportunities for students year after year.

Actor RJ Mitte (left) speaks to senior Sam Hawkins after his Betty and Bob Kelso Speaker Series presentation about equality, diversity and bullying.

Memory Care Community, Poet’s Walk San Antonio Opening Soon Poet’s Walk San Antonio, a Spring Hills Memory Care Community, is dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The organization has created a proprietary memory care environment to provide an engaging atmosphere that encourages a compassionate, person-centered approach. Poet’s Walk San Antonio is committed to providing person-centered care and programs that engage the mind, body and spirit of the people under its care. Its Spring Cottage Memory Care Environment is distinctively designed to create a safe and warm living place to call home.

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W UP FRONT

Family Pain Gives Rise To A

GREATER GOOD

BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH WARBURTON

The last thing any parent wants to hear is that there’s something wrong with their child.

And yet, it happens, and the “wrong” is sometimes very serious. It’s heartbreaking and life changing. The three families profiled here have learned not only to live with it, but have been inspired by their family situations to reach out and help others.

These are stories of insight, generosity and vision for a better future.

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This Disease Does Not Run Us Kim Azar greets me warmly as I arrive at her house in a quiet residential mid-town neighborhood. She has just come back home herself after picking up her kids from school and is preparing a snack for her 11-year-old daughter, Ava. I am introduced to both Ava and her older brother, John Ben, who soon retreats into another room to focus on a video game.

“We had quite an exciting week last week,” says the mom almost light-heartedly; “we spent five days in the hospital.” Without telling her, John Ben had stopped taking his medications and became very ill.

He hates the side effects, she explains. “The meds make him throw up, and this one (she points to a bottle) has an odor that comes out through the skin. It smells like rotten eggs.” Though the hospital experience was unsettling, Azar believes that it scared her son enough to make him think twice before doing anything like that again.

Both children were born with a rare genetic condition called cystinosis — so rare, in fact, that only about 400 people in the U.S. have it and only about 2,000 worldwide. It’s caused by a small genetic mistake that impairs the body’s ability to produce cystinosin, an important enzyme that helps cells expel the amino acid cystine, which we all have in our bodies. Without this crucial enzyme, cystine crystallizes in the cells and slowly strangles the functioning of kidneys, eyes, muscles and other organs. It happens only when both parents are carriers of the genetic defect that causes the disease.

Azar and her former husband, John Shepperd, first noticed that something was wrong when their son was about 15 months old. He would wake up at night crying and thirsty. The pediatrician shrugged it off. Then the family took a skiing vacation together during which the baby got much worse. He went silent, his head became wobbly and he only wanted water that he would later vomit. “It was terrifying,” recalls

Kim Azar (pictured in back, second from left) along with children Ava and John Ben on a visit at Texas Biomedical Research Institute where Kim's family has helped generate funding for research for cystinosis.

They look on as Dr. Michael Proffitt, staff scientist shows an image from a project he and Dr. Katy Freed staff scientist, (pictured second from right) are working for the cystinosis disease the children have.

Azar. Back in San Antonio, they went straight to the hospital, where the child was stabilized, but the doctors could not figure out what he had. A nurse finally told the parents to take John Ben to Houston’s Texas Children’s Hospital, where the diagnosis was finally made. “She saved his life,” notes Azar gratefully.

To keep their kid alive, the parents had to administer the drug Cystagon every six hours through a tube inserted in his abdomen, plus a slew of other meds to help with nausea and prevent organ damage.

When Ava was born with the same condition a few years later, the treatment was started when she was just eight weeks old.

“I don’t know how I did it all,” admits Azar. “That was our life. You are a mom, you love them. You do what you have to do.” Though she has struggled emotionally, she now believes that God gave her “these children because I can do this. God doesn’t give us more than what we can handle.” may/june 2016 | 19

W UP FRONT

Stephanie Edlund was 4 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Now a teenager, she is pictured with her parents, Terri and Steve Edlund, and brother, David. The Edlunds actively support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Children’s Hospital Oncology Unit and Greehey Children’s Cancer Center Research Institute and have established an endowment in their daughter’s name for research in pediatric cancers.

While the family was coping with the situation, Azar’s father, Richard Azar, received a routine call one day from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute thanking him for his financial contribution. His wife, Dianne, had been a member of the institute’s support organization for years, and the couple had made regular donations. He engaged the caller in conversation, explained the health problems of his grandkids and asked if the genetics department at the research institution could help. Before long an unexpected partnership was born between the Texas Biomed scientists and the Azar family. A gift of $2.5 million from the elder Azars and their friends enabled geneticist John Blangero and his team to undertake a study of other genes that may influence the pathobiological pathway of the disease. The hope was to discover new ways to halt the progress of cystinosis. Though Azar admits that she doesn’t quite understand what the scientists have been doing, she admiringly reports that the success of the project has since generated $40 million in grants for studies all over the world. The Azar grandkids may not benefit from the research in the near future, but the long-term

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promise is far-reaching.

Today, both John Ben and Ava look healthy, yet the multiple-drug regimens continue. Azar puts a handful of pills on the table to show me what her children must take twice a day. Divorced and working as a Realtor, the brave mom strives to make life as normal as possible while teaching her kids to be independent. ”We run the cystinosis. This disease does not run us,” she says firmly.

Profoundly Grateful Stephanie Edlund was 4 years old in 2006 when she started complaining of leg pain. One day her mother, Terri Edlund, got a call from the Mother’s Day Out program that Stephanie was attending at the time. You have to pick her up, they said, something is wrong with Stephanie — she fell down out of the blue, without tripping or being pushed by anyone. Worried, the Edlunds took their little girl to Methodist Hospital for tests, including blood work and X-rays. That was at 3 p.m. on March 10. At 4:30, the hospital called, instructing

Gordon and Maggie Hartman’s daughter, Morgan was the inspiration for Morgan’s Wonderland, a theme park accessible to children and adults with special needs. The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation supports agencies providing services to the disabled and their caregivers.

the family to take their daughter immediately to the Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital ER, where she immediately received a blood transfusion.

This was the beginning of their painful two and a half-year ordeal that saw Stephanie diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and treated with repeated cycles of chemotherapy. Terri stayed with her daughter through all the hospitalizations that followed. Eventually, the little girl was put on maintenance therapy, which Terri describes as “a walk in the park compared to the first 10 months of harsh chemo.” Her daughter’s hair grew back, and she was well enough to go to school.

Still, the parents worried about infections that could lead to life-threatening sepsis, given that the girl’s immune system had been weakened by chemotherapy.

“It was very difficult,” says Terri now, her daughter sitting next to her on the couch in the family’s home. “We had a busy life, the calendar was packed, and then when this happened, you throw the calendar out of the window, and everything stops. It’s a humbling experience being in that hospital and watching all these kids with leukemia and having no control over anything. You are at the mercy of the medical personnel.”

That unsettling experience has instilled in both Terri and her husband, Steve, a profound appreciation of the medical profession and the desire to help all who work to improve the lives of patients. They actively support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Children’s Hospital Oncology Unit and the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI) at UTHSC. It was the doctors from the medical school who saved the life of their daughter at Christus Santa Rosa, now the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. (The hospital has a different care arrangement at present.) Since 2008, the spouses have co-chaired GCCRI’s Ambassadors’ Circle that raises funds for the institution, and in 2014 they established an endowment named for their daughter to support the appointment of a faculty member pursuing a career in pediatric cancers. In addition, Steve is a member of the UTHSC President’s Development Board, and Terri joined the Family Advisory Board at the Children’s Hospital.

“We feel obligated to them (the UTHSC doctors) and to the Children’s Hospital,” notes Terri. “When they ask us to do something, we always say ‘yes.’ We benefited from the knowledge and the established protocols of treatment. Our child survived! We are so profoundly grateful.” She leans forward for emphasis while saying this, her face lit up with emotion.

For Stephanie, the years of her illness are a blurred memory of spending time in the hospital. Despite dealing with some post-treatment side effects — “There are still things I can’t do,” she admits — she is today a pretty, active girl who plays soccer and basketball and hopes to “do something in the medical field” when she grows up.

As for Terri, she is a changed person. “Your perspective on life changes completely. Things that used to look big and important no longer matter. You learn what’s really important. Going to sleep at the end of the day knowing we are all here and all OK is awesome.”

What advice would she give a parent going through the agony that she and Steve endured?

“The main advice: Handle things one day at the time. Be there for your child today, then deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.”

A Theme Park for the Disabled and Everyone Else Located in Northeast San Antonio, Morgan’s Wonderland is a beautiful theme park that invites children of all ages and abilities to enjoy recreational activities, including rides, fishing, picnics and puppet shows, and in the near future, a splash water park. But there’s something unique about it. All equipment is designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind, and the entire complex is user-friendly for kids — and adults — with special needs. The first of its kind in the U.S., the park is the result of Gordon and Maggie Hartman’s desire to help the special needs community and facilitate interaction between that population and the general public.

The Hartmans’ only child, daughter Morgan, was born with both physical and cognitive special needs. Mom Maggie says they first began to worry when the little girl had not yet begun to speak by the age of 2. Tests, doctors’ visits and various therapies followed, and some of them helped, but Morgan never received an actual diagnosis. After the age of 10, the parents gave up seeking a definitive answer and accepted the general description of their child’s condition as a multi-system disorder.

“It’s not a big deal,” says Gordon today, as we sit in a meeting room on the park’s premises. “Morgan is Morgan. We know what her issues are. A label is immaterial, in fact, may be a disadvantage.”

Nevertheless, Maggie confesses to having had a hard time dealing with the situation while contemplating the challenges her daughter would have to face. “It hit me the hardest when Morgan was 12,” she says. “I had to grieve the loss of ‘my normal child’ before I could accept Morgan as she was. I cried for two weeks. This turned things around for me. I looked at Morgan and saw the amazing person that she really was.”

A successful homebuilder, Gordon Hartman sold his companies in 2005 to found the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, whose mission is to support agencies that provide services to the disabled and their caregivers. Most families do not have the resources that he and Maggie have, he points out, and that’s where the foundation comes in. But what spurred the idea of an outdoor recreational facility was a specific inci-

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W UP FRONT “ She is a blessing to us. Morgan puts her arm around me all the time.

How many 22-year-olds would put their arms around their dad?

Morgan still sees us as cool.

“

— Gordon Hartman

dent during a family vacation. The Hartmans were enjoying the hotel’s pool when Morgan tried to join three other kids playing ball in the water. She edged her way to where she could hit the ball, but the other children just grabbed their ball and left. “It seemed to us that there ought to be places for inclusive play where what we had experienced would not happen,” says Gordon.

The Hartmans soon learned that few recreational places offered any special-needs equipment, let alone areas for inclusive play. That’s when their novel idea was born: a playground not only to serve the disabled but to integrate the special needs kids with other youngsters within the community. “We wanted to take down those barriers,” notes Gordon. Being a man of action, he proceeded to create a separate nonprofit to raise funds for the project, donating $1 million himself. “There was such a desire for something like this to happen,” he recalls. “People come from all over the world to enjoy the park, and entrance is always free for all disabled individuals.”

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Today, at 22, Morgan lives semi-independently in a group home and attends the Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland, which opened in 2011 for special needs students like herself. In the years since its opening, the park has become the centerpiece of Wonderland, Texas, which, in addition to the school, includes the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute of TeletonUSA and STRAPS, a program for physically disabled athletes of all ages.

Before leaving Wonderland, I linger around a little longer to watch the Hartman family shoot a promotional video. Morgan is the star, shown fishing with her dad, while Mom delivers a friendly promotional pitch. There’s lot of happy laughter and easy affection between father and daughter as they catch and release the fish. And I am reminded of something Gordon said earlier during our conversation. “She is a blessing to us. Morgan puts her arm around me all the time. How many 22year-olds would put their arms around their dad? Morgan still sees us as cool.”

W PROFILE

opportunity to prosper.

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“

need to work as “ We one, where all have the

HER VISION A PROSPEROUS SAN ANTONIO

Mayor Ivy R. Taylor — Making History

n her second State-of-the-City address on March 22, Mayor Ivy R. Taylor started by firmly pronouncing “that the state of our city is strong,” Speaking before business and civic leaders in the packed Stars at Night Ballroom at the Convention Center, she then proceeded to enumerate all the good things that have recently happened in San Antonio and presented her goals for the future.

“There’s still work to be done,” she said. With poise and clear delivery, Taylor then outlined her vision for San Antonio as “a globally competitive city where each of us has the opportunity to prosper.”

To make this happen, she said, we must enhance our economic competitiveness, build infrastructure that “supports industry and improves quality of life,” and “work as one San Antonio where all have the opportunity to prosper.”

Mayor Taylor addressed some of these issues in an interview we had in her office at City Hall a week or so prior to her State-of-the-City address. One issue that will influence both economic competitiveness and quality of life is, of course, the availability of water. Appropriately, securing future water supplies for the city has been a top priority for her, made more urgent by the projected growth in population over the next 25 years. She worked hard to get City Council to unanimously approve the Vista Ridge project that will

BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA GIESEY

build a 142-mile pipeline to carry water from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in Burleson County to San Antonio at the cost of $3.4 billion. Things got a bit complicated more recently when the Spanishbased company, Abengoa, which was supposed to build the pipeline, developed severe financial problems, but the mayor did not appear too worried. “I believe we’ll be able to develop an alternate scenario with a different partner,” she noted. “I often say that the biggest risk for our community is to not secure our water future.” Sure enough, the new partner, Garney Corporation, has since taken over from Abengoa, though the complex deals are not expected to be finalized until June.

Among her other priorities are workforce development, transportation, international business connections, measured growth, enhancement of the urban environment and, again, ensuring that all residents have a shot at prosperity. In her State-of-the-City speech, she listed a number of programs and initiatives that she has already set up to address these goals, smartly enlisting businesses and a range of agencies to collaborate with the city. And she’s excited about the 2017 bond package that will permit the realization of a lot more as outlined in the SA Tomorrow plan.

Yet there is one problem that has proven a hard nut to crack, namely the ongoing stalemate between the city and the police and firefighter may/june 2016 | 27

W PROFILE

“

I have always been interested in urban revitalization and connecting people with opportunities

“

Mayor Ivy R. Taylor

unions over new contracts. At issue are the overly generous benefits

day. But it’s a big cloud over everything we try to do,” she admits.

union members enjoy that threaten to consume the lion’s share of

Taylor won the hearts and minds of most San Antonians when, as a

the municipal budget in the near future. “The rank and file (police

newly appointed interim mayor, she successfully put a stop to the

and firefighters) do a great job for the community, and we want them

ill-conceived VIA plan to build a streetcar system downtown. Like

to be well compensated, but I can’t allow that to break our commu-

most citizens, she’s not against rail transportation, but she under-

nity,” explains Taylor. “I could argue that the average citizen will

stood that the issue needed more consideration as to where these

probably never need police or fire services, but they want to have

tramways would be most useful. “It had become a distraction,” she

parks, trash collection and other services, and they all cost money.

says now. “I felt we needed to take it off the table so we could con-

If we spend all the money on public safety, we have to drastically re-

centrate on other things.”

duce services in all other areas.”

In all her dealings, the mayor tries to stay away from taking party-

Does this seemingly intractable impasse keep her up at night?

“No, this job is very demanding, and I am exhausted by the end of the

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line positions, maintaining a stance of political neutrality. She laughs at the Express-News report that Sen. Cornyn attempted to recruit her for the Republican Party. “You shouldn’t believe everything you read,” she quips. “The structure of our (municipal) gov-

At right: Mayor Ivy R. Taylor with her husband, Rodney Taylor, and daughter, Morgan.

ernment is nonpartisan. The City Council and the mayor do not run on a ticket. We are supposed to focus on local issues, not on political platforms.”

She didn’t plan to be a politician Taylor is the first African-American mayor in San Antonio’s history and only the second woman to hold that office. Yet she never set out to become a politician.

Growing up in a strict Pentecostal home in New York City’s Queens neighborhood, young Ivy attended public schools, where she was quickly recognized as gifted and given opportunities to develop her abilities. She later earned a degree in American studies from Yale University. The college years brought a sense of liberation, she says, from the church-centered life she had at home, but because she didn’t come from a privileged background like most of her classmates, she didn’t feel “100 percent comfortable” on campus. “I probably did not take as much advantage of my time at Yale as I could have,” she observes in her

she says, “It felt like a relief. The election was tense. I do not relish

usual calm way. “I was focused on my studies.” But she did start wear-

campaigning, and I first went through a period of uncertainty about

ing pants and listening to secular music for the first time in her life.

whether to run for mayor at all. Many people tried to persuade me to do it, but I had to be comfortable with the decision.”

Back in New York, the young woman “floundered for a while,” unsure of what kind of career to pursue. After a couple of depressing jobs in

Her days are filled to the brim with meetings, speeches, visits to com-

advertising, she realized she needed to find out what her passion was.

panies, schools and community events and travel. In fact, following

That eventually became clear when she discovered urban planning

our interview, she was planning to fly to Dallas to meet with mayors

and enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where

of all the major Texas cities. This past year, she led local delegations

she earned a master’s in city and regional planning.

that visited Germany and Mexico City to facilitate the development of business ties.”We signed an economic development agreement with

During our second interview in her home we spent some time talking

Mexico City, the first U.S. city to do that,” she says with just a tinge

about her life before and beyond the mayoral office. She and her fam-

of pride. And, of course, she is engaged with the plans for the cele-

ily – husband Rodney and daughter Morgan – live on the East Side,

bration of the city’s 300th anniversary. This month the mayor is going

where the spouses met and where Rodney grew up. In 1997, Taylor

to Spain to invite representatives of the Canary Islands and the king

was in San Antonio to take part in an internship with the San Antonio

and queen of Spain to honor us with their presence,

Affordable Housing Association when she met Rodney in church. He and a friend invited her to lunch after the service, and he later called her that same afternoon to see if she wanted to go to the movies. She did, and they have now been married for 17 years.

Before she ever ran for office, Taylor spent years working on affordable housing and neighborhood development, both as a city employee and at Merced Housing Texas, an agency with a similar focus. She eventually ran for City Council and was first elected in 2009. “I had always been interested in urban revitalization and connecting people with opportunities,” she says, explaining why she ran. “So what was the platform that would allow me to do even more? The answer was

So if she had a magic wand and could make one wish for San Antonio come true, what would it be?

“I would increase educational attainment levels by a substantial percentage,” she replies promptly. “That would have a great impact on so many other issues like jobs, family stability, crime reduction, the economy and overall prosperity.”

politics.” Asked how she felt after she was elected mayor last year,

may/june 2016 | 29

W AT HOME

Art-lover leaves New York for stress-free lifestyle

By KELI DAVIDSON Photography by AL RENDON

an Antonio’s art communities are helping fuel the city’s current decade of downtown revitalization, a decade witnessing the emergence of The Pearl and modern urban dwellings. These developments are attracting a wave of young, single executives who are choosing to make their home here. Three years ago, a 30-year-old San Antonio native did just that and relocated her cosmopolitan lifestyle from New York to the Alamo City, this time at The Broadway San Antonio, a high-rise condominium overlooking San Antonio Country Club’s golf course. “I enjoy the tranquil way of life here, where I don’t wake up with anxiety five out of seven days a week,” she says of her new home.

It is no surprise her home resembles an art gallery in some brilliant respects since the homeowner is also involved in the Blue Star Art Center and the San Antonio Mu-

30 | sawoman.com

seum of Art. While growing up here, her love and appreciation of art and collecting were inspired by her Mexican-born mother. “For me, I chose art that is familiar to me. It may remind me of a troublesome point in my life, or it may simply make me laugh through shared humor,” she says about her approach in appointing her stylish home.

In New York she had worked at her uncle’s high-end mid-century furniture gallery, located across the street from the world-famous Gagosian Gallery. It was here that she became a serious art collector. may/june 2016 | 31

W AT HOME

Hanging above the sofa is a painting by Cuban artist Alexi Torres commissioned by the homeowner. She says, “The piece is a self-portrait. It took months of sending personal mementos to the artist before it was completed and reflects things, at that time in my life, that had a deep personal meaning.�

On a wall nearby is a work by Rashaad Newsome of New York, a performance and collage artist. Sol y Luna, a silver and gold sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg, decorates the end table. The rug is Moroccan. At left, the dining room is furnished with table and chairs by Jean Prouve, a French engineer, metalsmith and self-taught arthitect and designer.

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W AT HOME

At top, a painting by Hope Gangloff, an American portrait artist, hangs above the bed in the master bedroom. Adorning another wall is a drawing, V-Day, by San Antonio’s Vincent Valdez, one of the homeowners’ favorite portrait artists. On the dresser is her collection of Spurs hats. Above, the powder room displays photographs

by Miles Aldridge the homeowner purchased at the Art Basel in Miami. “Each photograph reminds me of my life while living in New York City.” The painted frames match the main color of each photograph. At right, a painting by California artist James Wolanin hangs above the tub in the master bathroom.

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W STYLE

Summer Style

By CAMILLA BASSE, Style Editor

Poolside Cool

With summer soon to be in full swing, many of us hope to log in an abundance of hours lounging poolside. And who doesn’t want to look effortlessly chic while doing so? The key to playing it cool poolside is gathering the essentials. First up, is to choose the right bathing suit to fit your personality and body type. Is it a chic one-piece or a fashion forward bikini? Choosing the right bathing suit is often the most difficult task, so be sure to enlist a professional to assist in your search – many stores offer a personal shopper who will give you their honest opinion, which is what we ladies want and need. Next up is the fun stuff! A cover-up that can double as a dress when you head out for the evening, a straw hat, statement sunglasses, comfy sandals and a tote with a little personality. Voila! Now all that is missing is a cozy lounge chair and fruity drink!

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2 3

6 4 5

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1. Tommy Bahama Palms Scarf — Tommy Bahama store at Shops at La Cantera 2. Ray Ban Eyewear — Sunglass Hut, Quarry Village 3. Eric Javits Floppy Sunhat — Julian Gold 4. Tommy Bahama Parrot Tote — Tommy Bahama store at Shops at La Cantera 5. Echo Paradise Poncho — Julian Gold 6. Supergoop Endless Summer Pump — Julian Gold 7. Free People Wrap Sandal — Nordstrom

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FAB FINDS W

PEÑALOZA & SONS Just in time for Spring! Cabochon emeralds, diamonds and Simon G. Jewelry – the perfect combination. Detach the emerald dangles and now you have a diamond loop for everyday wear.

Available at Peñaloza & Sons.

2001 N.W. Military Hwy.

210.340.3536

penalozaandsons.com

TWIN LIQUORS Make a statement with the gift of wine. Choose from a variety of pre-made gift baskets and cocktail combo packs, or customize your own.

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MUSTARD SEED JEWELRY A jewelry romance began based on the simple and powerful story of the mustard seed. This collection was created to inspire, ignite and encourage. Regardless of the size, faith is powerful, mountains will move, and nothing will be impossible.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to purchase our limited edition pieces.

We post new lovely pieces daily.

mustardseedjewelry.com may/june 2016 | 37

W

FASHION CALENDAR May 5-7 Julian Gold Algo Trunk Show

May 19-20 Morris Kaye and Sons Restyle Clinic

May 5 Neiman Marcus Sisley Facial Event Cle de Peau Synactif Facial Event Guerlain Facial Event Jo Malone Pampering Event

May 21 Neiman Marcus ReVive Facial Event

May 6 Neiman Marcus Sisley Facial Event Jo Malone Pampering Event La Prairie Facial Event May 7 Camilla Crown Mother’s Day Shopping Party May 7 Neiman Marcus Konstantino Trunk Show Kevyn Aucoin Summer Color Event Chanel Color Event Le Metier de Beaute Lip Line Event May 10 Saks Fifth Avenue Akris Punto Trunk Show May 10-11 Julian Gold Carolina Herrera Trunk Show May 11 Neiman Marcus Akris Punto Clinic May 11-12 Saks Fifth Avenue Jared Lehr Trunk Show May 12-14 Julian Gold Lafayette 148 New York Trunk Show May 13 Neiman Marcus Cucinelli Men’s Trunk Show

May 24-25 Julian Gold Basler Trunk Show May 24-29 Andie and Barbara Sharon Young and AlaCarte Show May 25 Neiman Marcus Cle de Peau Facial Event May 25-26 Saks Fifth Avenue Piranesi Trunk Show May 26 Neiman Marcus Sisley Facial Event May 27 Neiman Marcus Armani Color Event with Armani Regional Artist Jeff Roose Chanel Summer Color Event May 28 Neiman Marcus Chanel Summer Color Event May 31 Neiman Marcus Guerlain National Makeup Artist Event with Marcus Monson June 2 Saks Fifth Avenue John Hardy Trunk Show June 2-3 Julian Gold Lian Carlo Trunk Show

May 14 La Cantera Hill Country Resort Rawaj Fashion Extravaganza 2016

June 4 Neiman Marcus Valentino Focus Day in Shoe Salon and Designer Handbags

May 15 Camilla Crown Sams Cover Charity Fashion Show

June 9 Neiman Marcus Kate Somerville Master Class

May 16 Neiman Marcus Dior Lash Event

June 11 Camilla Crown Summer Kick-Off Shopping Party

May 18 Neiman Marcus La Mer Facial Event

June 13 Morris Kaye and Sons Unclaimed Fur Sale

May 18-19 Julian Gold Naeem Khan Trunk Show

June 14-15 Saks Fifth Avenue Akris Trunk Show

May 19 Neiman Marcus David Webb Trunk Show

June 14-15 Julian Gold Talbot Runhof Trunk Show

May 19-20 Julian Gold Claudia Lobao Trunk Show and Designer Appearance

June 15 Neiman Marcus Ralph Lauren Trunk Show

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W SOCIETY CALENDAR SUPPORTIN G TH E C O MMUN IT Y May 10 Sara’s Heart Annual Fundraiser Paloma Blanca 210-885-1162 May 11 Splendor In the Garden Gala San Antonio Botanical Garden 210-536-1405 May 12 Good Samaritan Award Benefiting Good Samaritan Community Services San Antonio Country Club 210-424-2066 May 12 21st Annual Taste of the Dominion Benefiting San Antonio Food Bank The Dominion Country Club 210-431-8309 May 14 Tour de Cure Benefiting American Diabetes Association Texas A&M San Antonio Campus 210-829-1765 x 6124 May 17 United Way 27th Annual Volunteer of the Year Awards Santikos IMAX Palladium Theatre 210-352-7099 May 18 Viva Red Dot Celebrating 25 Years Honored Artist: Chuck Ramirez Honored Patron: Rick Liberto Blue Star Museum 210-227-6960 May 24 Motherhood: The Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon Honoring Judy Cavender Benefiting San Antonio Can High School San Antonio Country Club 210-607-9720 May 27 15th Annual Honoring Mothers Luncheon Benefiting San Antonio Women & Children’s Shelter San Antonio Marriott River Center 210-733-8810 June 3 Christus Santa Rosa Foundation 5th Annual Golf Tournament Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club 210-704-8808 June 3 8th Annual Spring Party: Coney Island at the McNay McNay Art Museum 210-805-1761 June 4 Gallery Affair at Brackenridge Benefiting JDRFJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Alamo City Golf Trail - Borglum Studio & Brackenridge Golf Course 210-323-8727 June 18 Mexican American Unity Council Spirit of Education Awards Luncheon Omni Colonnade 210-978-0510 June 18 Association for Women in Communication Annual Headliner Awards Gala Club at Sonterra 210-573-3922 may/june 2016 | 41

W BEAUTY

Tips for Keeping Them Youthful Looking

By KRISTIN MEARS

Do you look down at your hands and wonder, “Whose hands are these”? You aren’t alone.

We want to look as young as we feel, and we are willing to try any and every procedure to regain that youthful appearance — especially when it comes to our skin. We often keep our faces looking young with serums, peels, and invasive to extreme procedures, but we tend to neglect one of the most telling signs of our age — our hands.

Before you know what TLC to start right away, our expert, Dr. John C. Browning, MBA, FAAD, FAAP, of Texas Dermatology and Laser Specialists, shares his tips on ways to turn your “older” hands younger with fairly minimal action.

Research shows that most people can accurately guess how old a woman is just by looking at her hands.

There are two main signs of aging: a lack of elasticity and skin spots. Skin spots are caused by sun damage or too much sun exposure. As we age, we produce less collagen that is the key to keeping our skin young and plump.

Keeping our hands looking youthful is possible. It just takes commitment. During the summer, it is your hands that bear the brunt of all summer activities and receiving constant exposure to sun rays. “It’s very important to protect your hands from the sun,” says Dr. Browning, “Always wear gloves when working in the garden.”

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Sunscreen If you don’t already put sunscreen on, start today. Apply every day, several times, and especially if you are in the car.

The sun’s UV rays can be just as damaging during the winter months as they are during hotter weather, so it’s important to minimize your skin’s sun exposure. SPF 15 should be the minimum amount of sun protection you apply daily.

Kerstin Florian Sun Protection Nordstrom, $44

Drink More Water Drinking water helps keep hydration levels up. Without adequate water intake, your skin can appear dull, and wrinkles will become more prominent. Water also plumps up the skin and acts like collagen, which can cause wrinkles to get filled in.

Massage Massaging your hands allows smooth circulation of blood and muscle soothing. This makes your hands get all the nutrients that they need. Massaging the fingers will also alleviate any discomfort. Include coconut oil, honey, olive oil, lemon juice or even cucumber, then massage gently for 10 minutes to protect and nourish your hands.

Moisturize If you don’t already moisturize your skin, it may be the perfect time to start this routine. “When considering soaps and moisturizers, choose a gentle soap with a moisturizer in it,” says Dr. Browning. “It’s important to avoid sanitizers, and use a hand cream regularly, especially during colder months.” Buying retinoid creams and antioxidant lotions can help reduce brown spots and minor skin damage. Both products can be purchased over the counter. The antioxidants can aid in preserving the skin from further damage, and products with fading ingredients may help lighten spots. “Consider laser resurfacing or filler to help with aging hands,” advises Dr. Browning. “Our GentleMax laser can remove Handy Gurugu sun spots.”

LUSH, $19.95

may/june 2016 | 43

W HEALTH

EATING OUR WAY TO HEALTHY BRAIN FUNCTION

BY PAMELA LUTRELL

MOST RECENT STATISTICS FROM THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION REMAIN SOBERING: • Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.

• One in three seniors die of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

• Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.

(2015 Alzheimer’s Association statistics)

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Y

et while the disease remains a cause of death that cannot be prevented or cured, many professionals believe there are lifestyle choices people can make that will help. This is one of the reasons for the growing popularity of the Brain Diet, in addition to efforts to treat learning disabilities and focus issues.

Helen Horton, a San Antonio nutrition and wellness coach since 2008, completed her studies in the field of plant-based nutrition at T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University.

Though her accent reflects her origins in Oxford, England, Horton lives in Texas and is dedicated to holistic nutrition and fitness. “I became a nutritionist simply because I wanted a way to give back,” she explains.

She goes on to say, “As a military spouse, I had dedicated my life to my husband’s career, which meant that I often neglected to take care of myself. In 2005, after our son was born, I gained 70 pounds and never lost the weight. One day, I woke up and decided enough was enough, so I hired a personal trainer and nutritionist who helped me to shed 50 pounds over the course of the next 12 months.” Horton began to notice that many other military wives were in a similar position, so she dedicated herself to giving back to the military community by empowering women to take control over their lives and gain back their self-esteem.

“Body confidence is an important aspect of self-confidence and is an area in which diet plays an important role,” she says. “Over the years I’ve coached many military families to eat for ultimate health and wellness, and in 2011 I was presented the Commanders Award for Civilian Service (comparable to the Army Commendation Medal) for helping military families in the area of wellness and nutrition.”

may/june 2016 | 45

W HEALTH Horton is an advocate of healthy eating as a way to properly feed brain function.

Key points to remember:

Carbohydrates

Foods rich in vitamin D

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose,

Vitamin D is thought to increase levels of sero-

which is vital in order to supply the brain with

tonin in the brain. According to studies, sero-

fuel. Studies show that drops in glucose avail-

tonin is a chemical messenger that is thought

ability can negatively impact cognitive function,

to regulate mood, social behavior, libido,

including attention, memory and learning. Too

sleep, memory and learning. Foods which

little and an irregular intake of carbohydrate-

contain vitamin D include eggs, oily fish, yo-

rich foods can leave people feeling tired and

gurt and fortified cereals.

lacking concentration. Consuming plenty of unrefined carbohydrate foods — fruits, vegeta-

Foods rich in vitamin B

bles and whole grains — can help sustain brain

According to a study carried out by the Mayo

energy levels and focus longer.

Clinic, vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins play an important role in mood and other brain func-

Omega-3 fatty acids

tions. In addition, low levels of B-12 and other

Omega-3 fatty acids have a direct effect on the

B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 and folate may

neurotransmitter pathways in the brain. Over

be linked to depression. Foods such as spinach,

the last decade there have been studies that

broccoli, meat, dairy products and eggs are all

suggest omega-3 fatty acids can help to prevent

excellent sources of B vitamins.

low moods and depression and are important for brain memory and performance. Horton

Foods rich in selenium

recommends at least one portion of oily fish a

Studies have shown a link between low selenium

week (no more than two while pregnant or

levels and poor mood, so include foods like lean

breastfeeding) such as sardines, salmon, mack-

meat,

erel and trout.

beans/legumes, seafood, nuts and seeds in a

whole

grains,

Brazil

nuts,

oats,

brain-healthy diet.

There are other decisions that may hurt brain function, according to Horton. They are intakes of: Sugar

Caffeine

Alcohol

Although sugar may work in the short term to increase alertness, the spikes and falls in blood sugar levels will disrupt mood and cause lethargy in the long run. Replace sugary snacks such as donuts or candy with a piece of fruit, nuts or seeds.

Overconsumption of beverages such as coffee and caffeinated soft drinks such as colas can cause mild dehydration and may lead to withdrawal headaches. Too much caffeine can disrupt energy levels, cause mood swings and affect sleep patterns, especially if consumed later in the day. Reduce the amount of caffeine by replacing caffeinated drinks with caffeine-free herbal teas and plain water.

A couple of alcoholic beverages can trigger energy and jubilation. However, behavioral researchers have found that drinking too much alcohol can alter neuropsychological functioning, corresponding to a decrease in vigor and an increase in fatigue, relaxation, confusion and depression. Avoid drinking over the recommended guidelines and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.

Resources One recommended resource, by Alan Logan, is The Brain Diet: The Connection between Nutrition, Mental Health, and Intelligence.

It includes a nutritional plan. Helen Horton can be found working with Maurice Walton of Personalized Fitness Solutions.

“Our plan is to offer holistic nutrition and fitness coaching that is personal for every client’s needs and lifestyle.”

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W ACCORDING TO LINDA

What’s Relevant in San Antonio by LINDA ELLIOTT

A Smart Way to Start a Business

M

ost of you have likely heard about LiftFund, formerly known as Accion-Texas. I often wonder where my company would be today had I known about this organization and utilized the resources it offers. Who knows — perhaps I’d be rich and famous now!

I went about building my business the hard way — brick by brick, over a long and arduous period of time. Let’s focus on women starting or building their businesses the smart way. It’s all about finding the right investor who believes in you and your dream, who is willing to step up to the plate and risk investing money in you.

If you have no track record and no credit, you can forget about banks taking that risk. That’s what LiftFund does. It helps entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. LiftFund coaches and empowers dreamers to go for it and will provide the resources needed to turn dreams into reality. I’ll share two stories about women who will be forever grateful to LiftFund for believing in them.

Maria Magdalena Williams, Majestic Events by Maria, LLC — Local event planner who translates an event vision into an unforgettable experience.

After Maria Williams was laid off from her full-time job, she decided to go back to school and began exploring different career possibilities.

She enrolled at a local community college and soon discovered her passion for event planning.

Maria ambitiously opened Majestic Events by Maria, LLC in 2010.

She began seeking help to grow her business and discovered LiftFund on the Small Business Administration website. A loan officer referred her to the LiftFund Women’s Business Center, where a business adviser provided Maria the guidance she needed to create a financial business strategy for expansion.

Majestic Events received its second LiftFund business loan for $5,000 in July 2015 to open a “show room.” Maria has since successfully opened her new space and can now meet with clients in a professional setting to showcase her event services.

Majestic Events by Maria, LLC has become quite popular across San Antonio over the last five years.

Janie Romo, Ms. Chocolatier Local San Antonio chef creating gourmet chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Chef Janie Romo began her chocolate-making career after retiring from the City of San Antonio. She saved money to pay for her education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and start her business.

As a single mother, she sacrificed and worked hard to make her passion a reality and eventually a successful gourmet chocolate business.

After finding LiftFund online, Janie received a loan for working capital for her new business.

Today, you can find Janie working with her son at the local farmers market at the Pearl. Janie was recently offered the opportunity to showcase her delicious chocolates inside every room in the brand-new lux48 | sawoman.com

urious Hotel Emma located at the Pearl. She is currently working with the Westside Development Corporation to locate potential retail locations in San Antonio’s vibrant West Side.

All products are made in-house by hand in small batches.

LiftFund relies on investments and donations to make these loans. There are 30-plus women who have chosen to invest. For their investment they receive a 2 percent return. They feel strongly about helping women like Maria and Janie. I’ve selected three of the investors on the list to share their reasons for wanting to be a part of LiftFund.

Adriana Biggs: Donor, investor and employee. Her parents had a small business. Their little business paid for college and law school for Adriana. She believes in the transformative power of education and business ownership. Adriana has enjoyed a successful career as an attorney, but chose to follow her heart by joining LiftFund as its chief strategy officer.

Aissatou Sidime-Blanton: It is important to support individuals who want to empower families, especially micro-borrowers. During her journalistic career, Aissatou talked to lots of small business owners and learned it is not enough to have a great idea. You must also have capital. She decided to put her money — and time as a former Accion Texas Advisory Council member — into an entity that excels in what she values. The training and support that LiftFund provides to fledgling businesses rivals other micro-lenders.

Dr. Linda Foster: Linda recently retired as principal of Alamo Heights High School. She had known Janie Barrera, head of Accion and now Liftfund, for many years, but not until December 2015 did she really learn about LiftFund and its impact. Immediately, Linda was sold and jumped on board as a donor and investor. As a high school principal she constantly mentored people. LiftFund presents a different way to mentor people and help them achieve their dreams.

Every year girls work tirelessly to earn the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Their work helps lead them to college scholarships and higher military rankings and connects them to people throughout their community. But the impact of their hard work doesn’t stop there. Girl Scouts say that the lessons they learned in pursuing their Gold Award help them in their lives far beyond anything they could have imagined as teenagers.

Maria Ferris Greene Wallace, 28, is a doctoral candidate at Louisiana State University, but in 2004 she was a Girl Scout Ambassador working on her Gold Award. As a PhD candidate studying curriculum instruction with a minor in gender studies she credits her Girl Scout Gold Award for helping propel her to a career in education. Maria worked with different community organizations to collect money to provide school uniforms for students in SAISD. She also created a family resource booklet for parents at the schools.

“It meant a lot to me to be engaged in the community I grew up in and work with students in those schools,” Maria said. “The Gold Award set me up for the path I’m on and had a great impact on the work I’m doing today.”

Maria said that her project helped her hone many skills, everything from large scale project management to checking details on paperwork but also helped her to set big goals in life.

“The Gold Award definitely helps with the logistical side of helping girls make their dream happen but also sets them up for future possibilities that they may not know about yet,” she said. “I don’t think I realized it when I was working on my project. I saw it as a lot of work and struggle but I knew my work was having an impact on the community but also on my sense of self and my purpose. It helps position girls to be their own visionaries and to make their dreams come true.”

While the Gold Award has changed in name over the course of 100 years Maria notes that the impact has always been the same. “Girls were changing the world even 100 years ago and girls today are still changing the world.”

Rachel Diggs, 33, said that her Girl Scout Gold Award project had an impact on her the minute she began work.

“Imagine being a senior in high school and having to sell your idea to an adult who is in charge of an entire organization,” Rachel said. “From the moment I started my project I was learning how to be confident in my own abilities and how to speak as a leader. Those are things that have carried me throughout my career, those are life-long skills.”

Rachel’s project explored cultural diversity and awareness through a program teaching children at the East Side Boys and Girls Club about Kwanza. Rachel worked with students to help create goals centered around each day’s focus, such as selfdetermination.

“This allowed people to be comfortable learning about different cultures and different facets of people’s lives,” she said. “And not just learning on a higher level but drawing comparisons to their own life. It’s as relevant today as it was then.”

After completing her Gold Award Rachel went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Sociology from Texas State University and a master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in Leadership Studies. She works as an analyst for USAA. may/june 2016 | 49

W BUSINESS WOMAN SPOTLIGHT

Photography by JANET ROGERS

What do you do? Oversee all aspects of the business.

Length of time at this job: Ten years owning and operating Harbour Hospice, 15 years working as a hospice nurse.

What is it that you like best about your job? I have always wanted to be a nurse. I love the professional and caring attitudes of the people I work with. I am blessed with a wonderful staff.

Education/Major: Nurse-RN (graduated in 1974 from San Antonio College). Prior to hospice, I was an ICU/ER nurse.

What career path led you to where you are today? I have been in nursing for over 40 years and began hospice work 15 years ago. It was a natural evolution for me to open a hospice service and offer compassionate care and commitment from highly trained professionals.

Who were your mentors? My mentors were family members in the medical profession and family business owners.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? A nurse.

What person do you most admire? My husband, Col. (ret.) John J. Garcia, M.D. He is a wonderful physician and has served his country and been awarded many service medals.

What do you enjoy doing on a day off? Gardening at home, cooking.

What is your favorite thing to do in San Antonio? Fiesta events and river parades.

How would you describe your personal style? Compassionate, easygoing, with a sense of humor.

How would you describe your leadership style? Hands on – mentorship with staff – lead by example.

Favorite vacation: The Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island, Michigan.

What do you do in your spare time? Travel, spend time with family, swim, ride my tricycle with my dog Rascal.

What are your favorite books? Romance novels with history and mystery.

Favorite movie in the last year? The Woman in Gold.

Best all-time favorite movie? Remake of Sabrina with Harrison Ford.

What type of music do you like? Classic, rock, romance, jazz.

Favorite restaurant? Bohanan’s.

Anna Gorchow, RN CEO/Administrator Harbour Hospice of Bexar County, LLC

Best advice you ever received? The best advice I ever received was from my father, who said, “if you want something, go after it – never, ever give up.”

Groups or associations: San Antonio Alzheimer Association, National Institute Jewish Hospice.

How do you find balance? Keep a good sense of humor and remember to laugh often.

What are your goals? Continue to offer quality, professional and compassionate care to those we serve.

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may/june 2016 | 51

W

There is no place like our home.

orking as a hospice chaplain for nearly 25 years, Edwin Sasek frequently met people nearing the end of life who faced dying without an adequate home or available caregivers. He wanted to do something to help. And so, along with his wife Patsy, Sasek founded ABODE Contemplative Care for the Dying.

A student in the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Hospice Institute in the early 1990s, he studied care for dying people in the middle ages provided by monks and sisters in monasteries and convents in Europe. They provided the best beds, linens, food, and compassion out of hearts to serve God. Sasek wanted to create an interfaith community to care for dying people. So, a vision was born.

In 2010, after discovering a model, he gathered a group to co-create a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, raise funds, design, and ultimately build a 3 bedroom home in San Antonio near Northeast Baptist Hospital.

Carolyn, one of the first guests at the ABODE Home, which opened in December 2014, loved her time being wheeled on the pathways, or sitting in the warm sun with her husband and volunteers on the patio outside the French doors leading to her room. She found peace beneath the massive live oaks and listening to the birds.

Patients who receive medical care from a hospice agency and don’t have adequate housing or caregiving, live at the ABODE Home with staff and well-trained volunteers, they trust will provide compassionate attention, meals, and personal care around the clock at no cost to the guest.

“I have gone One guest, Dan, a veteran who was a patient in Brooke Army Medical Center, did not my whole life respond to treatment for cancer. He came from another part of the country, and couldn’t to come to return home. He lived at ABODE the last several weeks of his life. His daughters, Army ofsuch a ficers, visited frequently, where they saw his room was filled with mementos, photographs beautiful and records, including his own paintings. place."

Jose, a homeless man, came to ABODE from the hospital, living the last week of his life with staff and volunteers sharing a compassionate love. ABODE extends care to those with family or no family.

It is important to know that the Medicare Hospice benefit doesn’t pay for room and board in a nursing home or personal care home. ABODE, funded entirely through individuals, businesses and grants, receives no government funding.

The ABODE Home is the only home of its kind in Central Texas. Homes similar to ABODE are planned in other parts of Texas and throughout the country. There is growing recognition of how important it is for the community to find a way to care for its dying friends and neighbors when resources are few.

Dan, a Vietnam and Korean veteran, with his During her time as President of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Scrogdaughters who both serve in the military. gins met Patsy and was touched deeply by the ABODE story. She has always possessed a heart for community service, and joining ABODE’s Board of Directors as the Treasurer in January 2016 is a natural fit. Scroggins is honored to come alongside ABODE’S mission to serve the community, and ABODE is so proud to welcome her aboard.

You’re invited to come to tour the ABODE Home, so full of love and life…at end of life!

8619 Post Oak Lane San Antonio, Texas 78217

(210) 967-9891 www.abodehome.org

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may/june 2016 | 53

W WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Women

BY JENNIFER BARTLETT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH WARBURTON

The four extraordinary women featured in this article are forward-looking entrepreneurs who embrace risk and welcome new challenges. They have faced failures and rejections and have used those experiences to create new opportunities. They range from a high-tech startup mogul looking to change the residential landscape in San Antonio to a young retail entrepreneur redefining our concept of beauty, one woman at a time. All of these women are change agents and powerful leaders. All are determined to carve out a path for themselves and for the greater San Antonio community. They dare to be different, to be pioneers and to traverse new ground.

And they are more than willing to take all of us along with them.

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Pegy Brimhall Rising Barn Unlocking Land

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead Frank Lloyd Wright, whose mid-century prairie style homes were among the first to advocate for streamlined, uncluttered living, once said, “The architect must be a prophet... a prophet in the true sense of the term... if he can’t see at least 10 years ahead, don’t call him an architect.” Pegy Brimhall of Rising Barn, a San Antonio-based startup dedicated to creating DIY, prefabricated homes that are both functional and beautiful, is just such a prophet. Her vision for living space extends beyond the physical structures themselves. She and her partners aim to redefine how we construct space, live in it and connect space within our communities. Their big idea is to re-imagine custom home building as something that combines prefabricated homes and DIY custom home building with small space living and thus change the residential landscape in San Antonio.

Brimhall has an architecture degree from the University of Texas and an MBA in finance from Cornell. After graduating from UT, she and a friend moved to New York City with $3,000 from her father and a list of UT alumni she thought might help her get a job. She found a sofa she could stay on for free, courtesy of an engineering alumnus who lived on the Lower East Side. Brimhall says, “We had S3,000 and five bags of dumplings from Chinatown to live on.” She spent six weeks knocking on every door of every lead and came away with a job. Soon she knew she would not be content to stay in her workaday job in New York and applied to Cornell, eager to get her MBA in finance and to move on to bigger and better things. She recalls, “I was thinking, I’ll work for a real estate developer who has global projects.” The market was at a low point at the time, and so when she graduated, she got what she called “courtesy job offers” from Cornell alumni who offered her half pay to just sit and wait until the market came back. Brimhall, who had never been one to sit around, started thinking about what was next.

She knew early on that she was bound to do something bigger and bolder. “Wanting to win is definitely in my DNA,” says Brimhall. Wanting to win, as she put it, led her to the startup culture taking root across the country in the mid-2000s. Her first foray into startups was in the fashion industry. She had learned that operations costs in fashion were so high that lots of regional markets had trouble maintaining office space. She proposed a digital trade platform that allowed merchandisers to trade from their home offices and gain a fee off of transactions. This freed designers and buyers from having to deal with rent, gasoline and the costs of infrastructure.

Though she got seed money to pursue the idea, the deal fell through. Brimhall was devastated. She recalls, “I thought everything was going to be so fantastic, that the universe was aligning, and then it all came crashing down. I was heartbroken.”

Brimhall moved to San Antonio to lick her wounds in the company of family and friends. Her parents had retired here, and she had a sister

with whom she was very close. San Antonio seemed like a good place to heal, but also a good place to start anew. “San Antonio was supposed to be a temporary thing, a three-month thing. But even though I thought it would be temporary, I was also well aware of the potential here. I knew what a strong economy San Antonio had, and I also knew that for a person with my skill set, there would be many opportunities for reinvention in this city,” she says.

She started to learn about the market needs in San Antonio and returned to her roots in architecture and finance. “I started working on a construction method that focused on panel systems. You put it up a wall at a time,” she says.

A year and a half after devising her original concept, Brimhall graduated from Texas Venture Labs. She was convinced that small structures were what people here needed. In 2015, she found a creative partnership with Bret Elmendorf and Peter French. “The three of us had drastically different life trajectories. Bret came from the tech world at Rackspace. Peter is a real estate developer and former president of Café Commerce who knows about real estate policy and regulation.” The creative triangle focused on developing a semi-industrial, automated approach to housing: “to build thousands and ultimately tens of thousands of houses at a price that people can afford.”

Rising Barn, at its core, is really a hybrid of tech and real estate in the best sense. “The yield we can provide on investors’ money is comparable to what a tech company can provide. But because we are a may/june 2016 | 55

W WOMEN IN BUSINESS real estate company, with products that are real and physical, we mitigate against risk,” explains Brimhall. Their idea, which focuses on prefabricated homes, exquisite materials and small, doit-yourself structures, brings the cost of design down to nothing. The software that Rising Barn has developed automates the production of building materials and puts the power of constructing a home in the hands of the homeowner.

“Our goal is to make it easy for you to build your house as you want it,” says Brimhall. “You can apply the precut flooring and put up the panels. We can reduce construction time by more than 50 percent.

In addition, we use materials that are semi-assembled in a factory. It is a clean environment, protected from things like rain and hailstorms.

Therefore our building materials can be precise and accurate.”

The larger goals of Rising Barn are focused on the social good. In addition to advocating for a simpler way of living, Rising Barn also asks us to imagine how other people are living. From that, the more important questions emerge about what we as a society can do about making sure that all of us have a space in which to live.

“We are going to mobilize to create teams of builders in neighborhoods that can bring the cost of building down so that people who have heretofore been unable to afford homes can move in and become a part of a neighborhood,” says Brimhall.

She is very clear about how Rising Barn will achieve its lofty goals.

As with traditional custom homebuilding models, buyers will secure a site or tract of land, and then select the type of home they want to build. That’s where the traditional piece of the puzzle ends. Rising Barn’s floor plans range between 200 and 800 square feet. It offers turnkey developments whose price point includes the cost of material and labor and also an option for the DIY customer. Its homebuilding kits significantly reduce building costs. In either case, the price points are more manageable and the construction efforts much less compli56 | sawoman.com

cated and pricey than in traditional custom homebuilding.

Brimhall and her partners are committed to San Antonio, to the resurgence of downtown residential and to being real live change agents who might help us see the residential landscape a bit differently. We cannot wait to see what’s on the horizon.

PAULA WAGGONERAGUiLAR The Energy CFO Solution

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”

—Eleanor Roosevelt Paula Waggoner-Aguilar‘s biography is as impressive as they come. A senior finance and accounting executive with more than 15 years’ experience working for Fortune 100 and 500 companies in the energy industry, WaggonerAguilar exudes the competence of someone who has earned her place atop the corporate ladder.

She confesses that before she left the world of the big corporation to venture out on her own, she asked herself, “Am I happy? Am I thriving?” When the answers to those questions were “no,” she was more than willing to give up the corner office to try something new. It is this formula of forging her own path that has served her well her whole life.

Raised by a family of entrepreneurs, Waggoner-Aguilar was the oldest girl in her family. During the summe, her mother sent her to work on her grandfather’s ranch in the Panhandle. At the age of 14, she worked for her uncle, who owned a commercial real estate business.

He had a female CFO who took Paula under her wing, and got her interested in finance. This was the first of many mentors WaggonerAguilar had who nurtured her talents. As an undergraduate at UT Arlington, she thought she would major in music but eventually decided on something she considered more pragmatic and switched her major to accounting. She then pursued her master’s in accounting at the University of North Texas.

Never content with the linear path, Waggoner-Aguilar was looking to do something different after graduation. She wanted to work in Latin America. Her mother had taught English in Mexico in the 1960s, and Waggoner-Aguilar decided to enter an executive program in Mexico

City to help hone her business Spanish. This was in the early ‘90s, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was still in its infancy, seemed to offer many opportunities for a young accountant who had fluency in Spanish. She returned from Mexico City to work at Ernst and Young for a year in tax compliance, but working in Latin America was still a dream of hers.

She started banging on doors and asking for positions that would get her to Latin America. “I was rejected over 100 times,” she says.

The rejections were painful, Waggoner-Aguilar admits, as she reflects on it. “Sometimes I still start crying.” But, she says, “Scars are a great source of inspiration.” She used those scars and those rejections to push herself forward: “Those scars taught me a lesson about believing in myself and about not giving up.”

After a series of rejections, she finally got two bites. She was retrained as an auditor for Halliburton and traveled 11 months out of the year to Latin American countries, including Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru. She continued to climb the corporate ladder and worked on mergers and acquisitions and in technical accounting for Duke Energy in Latin America. In 2006, BHP Billiton recruited her to help build an integrated gas business. When the company changed leadership, they asked her to learn the offshore petroleum business. She had a strong financial mind, but her bosses wanted to see how she would do in the commercial side, working with a negotiating team. “I had mixed emotions,” Waggoner-Aguilar says, but she did it. A year later, BHP moved her into the planning group. She was the first planner appointed without an engineering degree. She attributes that role to exposing her to a range of operational and resource planning aspects and to new business models.

“Chaos is my friend,” Waggoner-Aguilar says with a smile. “When a new opportunity arises, there is fear. There is the chance of failure, but there are also opportunities to change and to grow.” This attitude is one she held onto as she decided, in 2010, to venture out on her own.

Waggoner-Aguilar had gotten to a point where she says she was fortunate to have a wonderful career, but she knew she wasn’t really happy. She liked startups, liked helping them grow from their nascent stages or interceding during a period of strife. “I like the early life cycle of business and going in and cleaning up a business that is facing challenges.” Knowing that she wanted to do something different, she started talking to private companies. “It didn’t go well,” she says. Finally she found a business owner in Houston with his own unique CFO shop. She asked him to teach her how to be a consultant. She helped him build his energy practice, and he helped her market her skills to private companies and learn how to go out on her own. She worked for him for a year before being recruited to San Antonio by a private energy company. She worked for that company for 13 months before she transitioned to running her own business.

She noticed there was a gap in financial leadership in private companies. And she felt pulled to help private firms because of her own family background. “Family-owned businesses and private businesses are rare. I enjoy seeing how we can help them get the right type of financial leadership,” she says.

In April of 2013, Waggoner-Aguilar started her own company. Her goal was to establish a niche firm that provided consulting, interim and fractional financial leadership to private energy and technology

companies. She spent the first six to eight months meeting people and building institutional knowledge.

“When I first started making the transition, people kept asking me, ‘why are you doing this?’” They had a hard time understanding her willingness to give up the comfort of the predictable for the challenge of something new. Waggoner-Aguilar smiles as she notes, “My business is celebrating its third-year anniversary!” Once again, she has forged her own path successfully.

Waggoner-Aguilar is particularly interested in supporting female entrepreneurs in the energy and technology sectors. Three years ago, she helped found the South Texas chapter of the Women’s Energy Network, which helps women get the support they need to pull them forward and to help them recognize and seize opportunities.

She has this advice for women: “The one thing that holds women back is confidence. It isn’t skills or education. It is confidence and the fear of failure.” She advises those who might follow in her footsteps to embrace the failure: “Failing is the easy part. The hard part is hanging in there day after day, every day.”

That’s exactly what she is doing.

TIM MCDIARMID

Tim the Girl — A Multi-Disciplinary Culinary Company “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.”

— Katharine Hepburn Tim McDiarmid’s culinary business is a multifaceted, expansive enterprise that takes on the audacious challenge of getting her clientele to rethink everything they think they know about food and food culture.

This audacious concept of thinking about food as a relational, interactive, performative and aesthetic experience is the brainchild of a bright, introspective woman who has never, ever been content to lead the cookie-cutter sort of life.

Born on the western coast of Canada in an alternative community of draft dodgers and hippies, she knew she was never going be part of the mainstream. “I grew up in a dome!” she confesses. “All of the culinary trends that are happening now, including locally sourced food and pulling from your own garden, were sort of normal to me,” says McDiarmid, whose childhood on a farm, with parents who had chosen to move away from a comfortable, suburban lifestyle, informed her ideas about food and life. “My mom grew our food. We lived a good solid 45 minutes away from any sort of big grocery store. This was a lifestyle choice, so much so that we even had no indoor plumbing for a while,” she recalls.

To counter that “off the grid” home life, McDiarmid attended a mainstream small town public school. There her counterculture upbringing came to the fore and began to inform her identity politics. Her clothes were different, her ideas about the world were different, and even her lunches were different. While the other kids had standard Americana sandwiches made of processed lunch meats and cheeses, she says, “I had bee pollen and lentils.” Though she embraced her against-the-grain sort of life, she was restless by nature, and her goal after high school was “to get away as quickly as possible.” She said that although she was a typical antsy teenager, the seedlings of the may/june 2016 | 57

W WOMEN IN BUSINESS TIM MCDIARMID

startup magnate she has become were taking root in high school. “I was one of the underground leaders. I wasn’t the prom queen. But I was a leader,” she recalls.

She matriculated at the University of Victoria and earned a degree in creative writing, Plagued by a restlessness that would be both her burden and her engine for the remainder of her young life, she was looking for adventure wherever she could find it: “I thought I might be a journalist in a war-torn country. I thought that might keep my mind occupied enough that I wouldn’t go crazy.”

In 1993 she moved to New York, which allowed her to experience a world totally different from her small town childhood. She worked in fancy restaurants, took a break to help a friend run an organic farm and then came back to New York to find inspiration in and around the artistic scene there. Her friends were all craftsmen, artists, artisans and entrepreneurs. Everyone collaborated on expansive, dreamy projects that allowed her to grease her creative wheels and hone her leadership abilities. She did some interior decorating work and saw the 58 | sawoman.com

value in deep, connected collaborations with others who shared her creative spirit and innovative mind.

McDiarmid moved to San Antonio in 2010. By that time she had a child and a marriage that was in the process of dissolution. The realities of life had forced her to be more pragmatic, and she was looking for new challenges. “I hadn’t written a résumé in my life, and I was 39 years old. The first time I tried to write one, I ended up writing a résumé for someone else, someone I didn’t know. It certainly wasn’t me,” she says.

Finally she started asking herself the kinds of difficult, soul-searching questions that would lead her to invent a unique culinary space in San Antonio, this new town she had adopted. She started asking herself, “Who do I want to be?”

“Where do I want to eat here in San Antonio?” and “What do I want to feed my kid?” It sounds cliché, she notes, but necessity truly is the mother of invention. “I had a young kid. I was a single mother. I was working out of my house and trying to start a business.”

The business started as a catering company that would defy all of the tacit rules of catering. She wouldn’t have servers in dark pants and white shirts. She wouldn’t have clients choose between fish and fowl. Instead, she would create a unique artistic culinary experience for her clients that focused on every detail, from the eating space to the design of the plate on which the food was served. Each plate would be handcrafted and made to order. And here’s the clincher: It would all be a surprise. The client wouldn’t necessarily have a huge hand in the menu. McDiarmid thought of her work the way a true visual artist does.

A great artist doesn’t produce a work of art to match your sofa, and great food shouldn’t be churned out in a homogenous, cookie-cutter way, either. This was not only a big concept, one she’d have to teach to her clients and her community, but it was a hard one to execute on her own. She remembers, “I was so weak and vulnerable. It was a pivotal moment. You have to trust yourself and look at your experiences. Hone your ideas a little bit to where they make sense.”

McDiarmid focused on what she loved: family-style eating, inclusivity, beautiful, unpretentious foods.. She created surprise pop-up restaurants all around the city. She had conceptual parties for groups of people where she’d teach her customers what it meant to eat in a way that was big and bold and far from the mainstream. It was a huge risk, but people started gravitating toward her ideas, and, most importantly, toward her food. She would feature a different artist for each party. She never told her guests what they were eating or even where they were going. The whole thing was a big, beautiful, unpredictable and slightly chaotic adventure. It was a genius idea that took off immediately. Her tickets became the hottest ones in town.

Finally she moved away from pop-ups. She had been doing them every six weeks. They were expensive, and the pace was grueling. She had to think of another innovative way to bring her culinary concepts to a bigger audience. She had proven herself in San Antonio, but it was time to take an even bigger risk.

Three years ago, in 2012, McDiarmid hired a sous chef. Next came an assistant. She realized that if she was truly going to make

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W WOMEN IN BUSINESS a go of her business, she needed help. Now she has expanded from catering, to food delivery services, to cooking classes, to event planning and to consulting. Her business sees it as a mission to “help others realize their food-related dreams.”

Her next concept is a brick-and-mortar “grab and go” shop with prepackaged foods for food-conscientious consumers. She is excited about the future. “I fully believe in this new concept. The market is there,” she says. She recognizes that in moving ahead with a brick-and-mortar shop, she throws off her own self-imposed shackles — ones that have guided her through her whole life: “Stay restless, don’t commit, go where the wind blows you.” But she knows it is time to plant her flag. She says, “I really know what I want, and I guess I am going to have to go get it.”

ELSA FERNANDEZ

Eye Candy Boutique “Capturing Eyes at Every Size”

“Be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a secondrate version of someone else.”

— Judy Garland Elsa Fernandez knows a couple of key things about San Antonio women: “They are willing to take risks, and they aren’t afraid of a little color.” Fernandez is thrilled with this knowledge because taking risks and showing your true colors is exactly what she has in mind for her clients at her new plus-size fashion boutique for women. Fernandez’s Eye Candy Boutique, located in the Houston Street Garage’s first floor at 531 Navarro St., is an oasis for women looking to add flair and style to their wardrobe, to find just the right outfit for a special occasion or to consult with Elsa, who knows that true beauty comes from the inside out. Her job is help her customers find the beauty within themselves.

Fernandez herself is the best advertisement for her business. She is a fashion-forward 32-year-old drop-dead-gorgeous business pro with an infectious smile and a passion for her work. For her, it is all about making her customers feel good about themselves.

She is a one-woman operation. She chooses all of the great fabrics, innovative looks and fun accessories for the 700-square-foot shop she now calls her own.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Fernandez spent her formative years centered around her mother, whom she describes as “the strongest woman I know. For a long time, it was just me and my mom,” Elsa recalls. Her mom constantly told her, “Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

Fernandez attended Incarnate Word High School and graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s in fashion merchandising and from the University of North Texas with a master’s in merchandising. She started at Forever 21 as a visual merchandiser and credits the company with being a valuable training ground. “I learned so much because I was able to put what I was learning in my courses about consumer behavior into real life practice,” she says.

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After almost 10 years of retail experience as a store manager and a visual merchandising manager, she was ready to open her own business. She saw a need for the kind of store she runs today—a place where women who have trouble finding clothing in mainstream department stores can come and find real fashion.

Fernandez is a risk taker as much as any other business leader you’ll meet, but as a child she was always very risk averse. “I always played by the rules and tried to be an easy, carefree child,” she recalls.

Now, as an entrepreneur, she knows that the recipe for success depends upon a willingness to be brave.

The biggest risk Fernandez took was to leave her job at Forever 21 and go out on her own. But she thought about it this way: “If I am going to be working so hard for someone else, I can be working twice as hard for myself.” In 2014 she dedicated three months to writing her business plan. She went to her adviser at Texas State, who said it was one of the best business plans she had ever read. Fernandez remembers, “ I walked out of that meeting with a feeling of such contentment because I knew my business plan had legs.” Eager to get

going, she set up meetings in Austin and in San Antonio, but nobody would give her a loan. “I remember distinctly I had a meeting on a Monday with a gentleman in San Antonio, and he said he was dreading the meeting all week. He said he knew I could do well, but he just couldn’t give me the money.”

Fernandez recalls, “I sat in my car for an hour and realized that I had invested six months of my life, and so much of my savings. I was in too deep to go back to a retail job. I had to keep going. I knew I either had to really go after my dream of opening my own plus-size boutique or give up on it completely. I chose the former and went all in!”

She opened an online store last April, participated in the OPEN Downtown popups last May for nine days, did Current Couture last June and set up at a couple of First Fridays over the summer. There she was able to hone her business acumen, test her business model in real time and gain a following. After all that hard work, she was finally ready to open up the brick-and-mortar boutique that has become Eye Candy.

Fernandez underscores her philosophy this way: “Whether you are a size 20 or a size 4, size should not dictate fashion or how you feel in your clothing.

Fashion rules are meant to be broken, regardless of your size. You need to feel comfortable. You need to be able to put your outfit together with intention.”

Dressing with intention means loving who you are on the inside and letting that show in the clothes that you wear. Her ability to help her clients see the beauty within is her super power.

She emphasizes, “You need to dress for who you are now. Not the past you, not the future you, but who you are now. That means that you don’t buy a pair of jeans for what you aspire to look like after a diet or an exercise regimen.” Not that Fernandez has anything against healthy living.

She says. “Some people are never going to be a size 0, and that should not necessarily be your aspiration. People should be the best version of themselves now. There is no time to wait. “ Elsa Fernandez isn’t waiting.

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W BOOMERS

This sandwich generation is striving for more out of life

BY PAMELA LUTRELL

“The baby boomers annoy me. They think they are so special. I just don’t get it,” said a millennial female to another while walking along at the Shops at La Cantera.

Basically, she is right. The generation born 1946-1964 does have a high opinion of itself, but it is that confidence in abilities and proper health practices that have kept them current and living longer.

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Nancy Gilbert says, “The best part of being a boomer was being the first baby born in 1957 in a small West Texas town. I loved watching shows like Andy Griffith, Leave it to Beaver, the Carol Burnett Show, and Dick Van Dyke.” She also loved the freedom of playing softball until her parents called her to come in for supper.

“However, the worst part of this journey is now dealing with my own mortality, saying goodbye to family and friends, and witnessing what I believe is a deterioration of values and morals in American society,” says Gilbert. She spoke with lament after sighing over the loss of her original Barbie doll.

While baby boomers confront their own mortality, they are not ready to sit idly and watch life march by. Perhaps some millennials are annoyed boomers want to remain in the job market. In a 2015 survey of the boomer generation by Gallup, the results included: “From a broader perspective, Americans have been retiring at an older age than they did years or generations ago. And when asked in previous research about their retirement intentions, large numbers of working baby boomers have indicated that they are going to retire after age 65 or not retire at all.” (TIME magazine, May 11, 2015) AARP understands many are leaving long-time positions to follow their dreams. “Reinvention” is a big word for baby boomers, and the new AARP program called Life Reimagined taps into the idea that success is derived from good relationships and achieving personal goals and not solely from financial freedom. The AARP program encourages boomers to pursue their dream jobs and believe they will obtain the goal. This program is based on the fact that boomers want to be defined by who they are and their talents and not their ages.

Fellow baby boomer and author Valerie Albarda says, “I feel more focused in my wants and desires; more confident in the decisions I make.” She is pursuing her dreams and is among many women who desire to be taken seriously at this stage of life. “I am at home with myself now and able to embrace my own gifts and feeling much more confident, assertive and mindful,” said Judy Griffin, born in 1963. Communication consultant Judy Freedman said, “The best part of being a 66 | sawoman.com

boomer is feeling more confident and being open to risk taking.”

AARP was part of a Boomer Business Summit held in Washington, D.C., this past March. Keynote speaker was Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP and author of the new book, Disrupt Aging: a Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age. The summit focused on networking opportunities, deal making and the exploration of the multigenerational effect that shapes boomer priorities for a generation that will not quietly bow out or simply play golf.

While boomer women strive to make a difference through careers and service work, they also struggle with residing in the sandwich generation and dealing with care of family members on all sides. According to Rena McDaniel, “The worst part is being caught in the sandwich generation and trying to juggle life in the middle.” McDaniel lives with a mother suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Boomer women also grieve over the empty nest and their aging bodies.

While gymnasiums are full of baby boomers working out to lengthen their lives, the Gallup Poll also revealed “adults ages 55-64 are taking more drugs than ever before, with a 29 percent spike in the use of anti-diabetic pills and a 54 percent increase in cholesterol-lowering drugs.” (TIME, May 11, 2015). The boomer generation has presented a whole new challenge to America’s health care system and Social Security.

But they are optimistic … ready to embrace new opportunities later in life and believing they are still relevant. They are tech-savvy, full of experience, wise, still learning, fun-loving, yet realistic.

Lee Gaitan said, “Being a baby boomer has given me a balanced perspective. I’m optimistic enough to see the glass as still half full, yet realistic enough to know it won’t be long before my teeth are floating in it.”

Yes, this is a complex generation.

Letter from the Executive Director MARGARET J. BARRON

Dear Friends: In my capacity of Executive Director for the Alzheimer’s Association®, San Antonio and South Texas Chapter, I am privileged to come into contact with countless numbers of families struggling to care for a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. I am always amazed at how courageous they are and the level of commitment they show.

It is for this very purpose that the Alzheimer’s Association celebrates Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June each year. Across the globe, the Alzheimer’s Association is asking citizens to participate in its June Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness activities. In San Antonio, the Tower of Americas will be lit purple throughout the month of June, along with many other activities — all listed on page 24.

I would like you to know that nationally the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing — and growing fast. Today, over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. By 2050, up to 16 million will have the disease. Nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease — 3.2 million — are women. Someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds. In 2050, someone in the United States will develop the disease every 33 seconds according to the 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. There are more than 350,000 people in Texas who have Alzheimer’s disease.

To me these statistics are shocking. While meeting with members of our community, I often remind people that since all humans have brains, it is very likely that each of us will eventually be touched by the disease. For that reason, we must all work together to END ALZHEIMER’S. Sincerely,

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Special Section for San Antonio Woman

Special Section for San Antonio Woman

Women and Alzheimer’s Disease Women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis. Almost two-thirds of American seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease are women.

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An estimated 3.2 million woman aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s.

Two-thirds of the 5.1 million seniors with Alzheimer’s disease are women.

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Among those aged 71 and older, 16 percent of women have Alzheimer’s and other dementias, compared with 11 percent of men.

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At age 65, women without Alzheimer’s have more than a one in six chance of developing Alzheimer’s during the remainder of their lives, compared with a one in 11 chance for men.

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3.2 million

Women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease over the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.

Not only are women more likely to have Alzheimer’s, they are more likely to be caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s.

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The most recent data show that of all unpaid Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers, 63 percent are women.

Studies have consistently shown that women make up 60 percent to 70 percent of Alzheimer’s caregivers.

This means that about 10 million women are currently providing unpaid care to someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

Caregiving responsibilities take a toll on women’s health and well-being.

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Almost half of all women Alzheimer’s caregivers say that their caregiving responsibilities are physically stressful. This is twice the rate as male Alzheimer’s caregivers.

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While about one-third of both men and women Alzheimer’s caregivers feel isolated as a result of their caregiving duties, for women, this feeling is much more commonly linked to depression.

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Nearly three-quarters of women caregivers express concern about the ability to maintain their own health since becoming a caregiver.

Because of caregiving duties, women are likely to experience adverse consequences in the workplace.

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Percentage of working Alzheimer’s caregivers who have gone from full-time to part-time work

Nearly 19 percent of women Alzheimer’s caregivers had to quit work either to become a caregiver in the first place or because their caregiving duties became too burdensome.

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Among working women caregivers, 20 percent have gone from working full time to part time, compared with only 3 percent of working male caregivers.

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Other effects include: 18 percent have taken a leave of absence from work, 10 percent have lost job benefits, 17 percent felt they had been penalized at work because of their caregiving duties.

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20%

3% Women

Men

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Garden of

Hope

Promise Garden Alzheimer’s not only affects the person with the disease, but the lives of entire families are altered with a diagnosis. Each person connected to someone with Alzheimer’s has his or her own personal story.

Through color, Promise Flowers represent the diverse reasons we want to see an end to Alzheimer's disease. The Promise Flowers create a dynamic, colorful and meaningful garden. The Alzheimer's Association® is asking everyone to make a commitment to fulfill their promise to remember, to honor, to care and to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Below is the meaning of each Promise Garden color: BluE I have Alzheimer’s

YEllOW I am supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s

PuRPlE I have lost someone to Alzheimer’s

ORANGE I support the cause and a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s

Special Section for San Antonio Woman

ClAuDIA ZAPATA EllIOTT Alzheimer’s disease can’t take away a mother’s love

Garden of Hope — I’m caring for someone with Alzheimer’s

Like many women of her generation, Claudia Zapata Elliott, 45, is caring for a mother with Alzheimer’s disease.

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“I have two good girl friends who are going through the same situation,” said Zapata. “Though you don’t want to admit your loved one has the disease, it’s less of a stigma when you realize that so many families are in the same situation.”

Her mother, Beatriz Zapata, 75, was raised on the border in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and attended schools in the U.S. She was valedictorian of her high school class and studied in Paris during her junior year in college, eventually learning five languages. After marrying her husband, Renato Jr., she became an English and French teacher in Laredo and spent 30 years as a court interpreter for the U.S. federal courts. She also earned her master’s degree while working fulltime and raising four children. The couple have been married for 53 years.

“Mami, as we lovingly call her, was a great role model,” said Claudia. “She was equally as caring and loving and devoted to her family as she was brilliant and successful.”

Mrs. Zapata started showing the signs of Alzheimer’s four or five years ago. She began repeating herself and confusing facts. The family first thought she was being overmedicated for arthritis. Testing revealed her condition, and she began taking medications to slow the disease progression.

Since Claudia lives in San Antonio, her sister, Judge Monica Zapata Notzon, has worked with her to spearhead their mother’s care. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are women. Claudia contacted the Alzheimer’s Association here for help, and her dad is attending an Alzheimer’s support group in Laredo.

A columnist for the San Antonio Express-News for 12 years, Claudia is a registered dietitian who now writes a health blog at claudiazapata.com. Last May, as Mother’s Day approached, she shared details of her mother’s disease with her readers. “The amount of feedback that I received was a huge help,” she said.

As she wrote in her blog—“I can never live up to the woman my mother was and still is, but I am so grateful that the most generous, selfless, hardest-working, affectionate and loving woman I have ever known is my Mami. I won’t let Alzheimer’s take that away.”

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CARYN HASSlOCHER Alzheimer’s disease — Coming out of the shadows

Garden of Hope — I lost someone to Alzheimer’s

Veva Hasslocher had been leading a very full life.

In addition to raising five children, she was helping her husband, Jim, build a legendary San Antonio restaurant business.

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“After the children were grown, mother’s work in the business increased,” said daughter Caryn Hasslocher. “I always remember her office being full of carpet, tile and paint swatches.

She also was involved with menu development in all of our restaurants. We used her recipes for the Roman Orgy and the pecan cheesecake at The Magic Time Machine restaurant.”

The San Antonio Restaurant Association Women’s Auxiliary honored Mrs. Hasslocher with its first “Lifetime Achievement Award,” recognizing her impact on the industry.

In late 1999, the family began noticing changes. Mrs. Hasslocher stopped going to the office daily, and she was having trouble getting dressed. Her personality changed. She had bouts of anger and became very opinionated. She also was having trouble communicating and losing the cognitive abilities needed for decision-making.

“As I look back, there were early signs that she was changing, but we were not educated enough to recognize them,” she said. “I wish we had been more knowledgeable about the Alzheimer’s journey.”

As the disease progressed, the family turned to the Alzheimer’s Association for resources and Caryn’s sister, Susan, participated in a local support group.

Caryn believes that the increased prevalence of the disease is helping bring it out of the shadows, and she looks forward to a day when testing for Alzheimer’s disease will be included routinely in annual physical exams.

Until then, families like the Hasslochers will accept the challenges of caregiving that come with the disease. “My family was able to care for mother at home until just weeks before her death in 2009. To my dad’s credit, he was there for my mother throughout her Alzheimer’s journey, even though it was debilitating for him,” said Caryn. “When my father passed away earlier this year, my family was so touched by the outpouring of support for the Alzheimer’s Association in my mother’s memory.”

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Special Section for San Antonio Woman

KAREN FlINT Changing the face of Alzheimer’s disease

Garden of Hope — I have Alzheimer’s

Karen Flint is showing the public that Alzheimer’s disease is not just a disease of the elderly — she was diagnosed nine years ago at 50.

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“Alzheimer’s disease began to take my mother away from me just as I was becoming a mother myself at age 26,” said Clarisa Flint, who now has sons ages 7 and 9.

Mrs. Flint met her husband on a blind date and married him just five days after graduating from high school. Clarisa remembers her mom as a giving and thoughtful woman, who was active in her church and had a passion for crocheting.

“As she reached age 50, we saw changes in her temperament and severe mood swings, from angry to apathetic,” said Clarisa. After almost a year of testing, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mrs. Flint began living in a memory care community one and a half years ago and is bed-bound.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, an uncommon form of dementia, attacks people in the prime of their lives. Some patients may still have children at home. Many patients are too young for Medicare or Social Security, and if they have to quit work, loss of income is a serious concern.

Though Mrs. Flint worked as a special ed teaching assistant, she was told she had not worked enough years to receive Social Security benefits. When applying for government support, the Flints were told that they would need to divorce for her to qualify for assistance due to Mr. Flint’s military retirement benefits. “The government requirements for support, especially for chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s, need to change,” said Clarisa.

Clarisa sees the need for education for medical professionals about how to communicate with patients with cognitive impairment. When her mother had to go to the Emergency Room, the staff had difficulty understanding her situation. “A wristband that identifies the patient’s cognitive impairment and training for health care professionals is essential,” she said.

Clarisa serves on the board of directors of the local Alzheimer’s Association, where she chairs RIVALZ, a flag football game involving young professional women that brings awareness of the disease to a younger generation. Through her involvement she has highlighted early onset and its impact on caregivers.

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SuSAN FRANKlIN Breaking new ground in memory care

Garden of Hope — I support the cause

For Susan Franklin, seniors are her passion.

Through her company, Franklin Park Senior Living, she is reshaping the perception of residential options for older individuals, including acknowledging and responding to the needs of residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and their families, as well as advocating for programs to help them.

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Susan and her husband, Aubra, founded Franklin Park Senior Living and have found a calling as they work to change the conversation about senior living, particularly for seniors with memory care needs.

“My husband’s grandmother had Alzheimer’s, so we have experienced its effect on our family, and we see it every day in our communities,” said Susan. “I have a vision for a richer quality of life for our aging loved ones.

An important part of this vision is developing more options for seniors with Alzheimer’s and their families.”

Susan is advocating for residents in ways that reflect her commitment to real solutions and true innovation. The vision she has brought to the senior living industry already has been recognized. Susan and Aubra were awarded the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Central Texas, recognizing entrepreneurs who have a proven track record of innovation that has resulted in exceptional success in their industries. Franklin Park Senior Living includes two communities in the Stone Oak area with a third to open in Alamo Heights early this summer.

Her approach to working with residents with Alzheimer’s disease includes meeting the needs of residents and their families in innovative ways. “Our mission is to establish an environment that empowers and validates residents as their life story continues,” said Susan. “We feel a true calling to serve residents with Alzheimer’s in a way that celebrates and honors them as individuals. Integral to this is looking at the person first, before the disease.”

The person-centered approach is seen in the Franklin Park trademarked program, “Refreshing Waters.”

This individualized approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care provides a comprehensive life enrichment program with 21 daily activities for both residents and their families in a supportive environment.

“We don’t take a standardized, corporate approach to care,” said Susan. “I am an advocate of personalized care that meets each resident and family at their point of need.”

Supporting Alzheimer’s research is an important aspect of advocacy, and research is the key to the next chapter of innovation at Franklin Park. The Franklins recently established a relationship with Dr. Jeffrey Cummings, a world-renowned leader in clinical care and clinical trials for Alzheimer’s that will catapult continued on page 16

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continued from page 14

Garden of Hope — I support the cause

Franklin Park’s memory care services into a new class of care.

Dr. Cummings is the Director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. He specializes in the care of patients with neurocognitive deficits and in the development of new therapies of neurodegenerative disorders. “He has toured our communities and has reviewed our current memory care programs to maximize the efficacy of our efforts,” said Susan. “He also has reviewed architectural drawings for our memory care areas so that we ensure a safe but independent living environment. Our work with Dr. Cummings will break new ground in residential memory care solutions, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

A devoted patron of the arts, Susan is a member of the Building Committee for the Bexar County Performing Arts Center Foundation, the nonprofit organization that supports the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, and as a co-chair for the Founders’ Network. In addition, she recently was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame for her achievements in the creative arts.

Importantly, she has combined her passion for the arts with her advocacy for Alzheimer’s. Susan and her staff have realized the power of music to shift moods and manage stress-induced agitation through their Music and Memory program. Families provide staff with lists of their loved ones’ favorite songs, which are then downloaded onto an iPod. When residents become agitated or anxious, staff members encourage them to sit down and listen to their personalized music. “Residents forget what has upset them, and anxiety and frustration disappear,” said Susan. “Our team has gotten a great deal of joy seeing the positive effect this program has for our residents.

“Caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s demands a lot from all of us,” said Susan. “We are challenging industry norms to ensure that life for these seniors during their golden years is a sweet and precious story.

These years are not pages to be left blank, but rather full chapters of worth and joy, and I am proud that Franklin Park is seeding changes that offer all of us so much hope for the future.”

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MEMORIES IN THE MAKING Even after people with dementia have lost the ability to use words, they are often able to express thoughts and emotions and to share memories through painting and drawing. Realizing the importance of art in communicating with residents with dementia, Franklin Park Senior Living brought Memories in the Making® to San Antonio in 2011.

In one-hour sessions twice a week, residents at Franklin Park TPC Parkway are led by a local artist in using watercolors to create personal works of art. The community each year auctions off the artwork, donating funds raised to the Alzheimer’s Association.

“This program provides residents with Alzheimer’s disease with a forum to express themselves when words have failed them,” said Beth Nixon, chairman of Memories in the Making® for the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and director of sales and marketing at Franklin Park Sonterra. “Often residents create beautiful and meaningful artwork that provides a unique glimpse into their past, recalling a memory on canvas that their family believed was gone forever.”

Two residents at Franklin Park TPC Parkway who participate in the program have had their artwork featured on the Christmas card for the local Alzheimer’s Association. A drawing by Micheline “Mickey” Ohlenforst was featured in 2013, and artwork by resident Robert Toth was chosen for the 2014 card.

Memories in the Making was developed 25 years ago by two artists working with the Orange County, California Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Locally, the Alzheimer’s Association helps care staff bring the program to their communities by offering periodic training workshops featuring national trainers.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS: Micheline Ohlenforst “Mickey” was born and raised in Paris, France, growing up during the German occupation of World War II. She met and married her husband in Paris, where he was part of the American forces that liberated the city. They lived in Louisiana, where her husband was from, and in El Paso before retiring in San Antonio. They had four children, two boys and two girls. Mickey was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2009.

Robert (Bob) Toth was born and raised in New Milford, New Jersey. He served in the military in Vietnam. After retiring from the service, he graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a master’s degree in education. He became an elementary school principal in Pflugerville, Texas. Bob has one daughter, Heather, and two grandchildren, Shawn and Hailey. Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010.

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SAVE THE DATE Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday – September 17, 2016 AT&T Center Register at Alz.org/walk Contact: Michelle – mserna@alz.org

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Special Section for San Antonio Woman

In 2015, over 4,100 participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and raised $375,783!

800.272.3900

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WHY I AM PARTICIPATING IN THE lONGEST DAY Shortly after my mother's 61st birthday, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

My mom was a great woman, mother, homemaker, cook, and artist. Our friends would come over just because they always knew that they were welcome, there was always a place at our dinner table for them, and they loved the fact that there were always homemade cookies.

As the disease started to take hold, she began to forget things, lose her place, but she continued to try everyday to be the best she could be.

Throughout the span of her disease she continued to go to church, bible study and her AA meetings. She continued to be kind, thoughtful and grateful everyday until the end of her life; and through this my mother taught me to be the same way, no matter what life handed me.

The staff at the Alzheimer’s Association shared with me the resources that were available to my family and what they were working for. I was blown away and so grateful there was a group out there to help. A few days after my mother’s funeral, I found myself in the San Antonio office of the Alzheimer’s Association, crying my heart out — the staff made me feel understood and cared for. I reached out for a hand, and there they were to help, thus leading me to be compelled to join this organization and give back and inspiring me to help spread the word and help find a cure.

I am so excited to be a team captain this year for The Longest Day and am so blessed that Sam Ash Music is giving us such a great venue for our event. Music is now being recognized as a great help to people with Alzheimer's and dementia, and if we can bring people together, share some music and love, raise awareness about the disease as well as raise money for a cure; let's do it!

Alzheimer's kills, but if we all work together to help those affected by the disease and find a cure, we CAN make a difference in countless lives.

ANGELA PEREZ

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alz.org

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800.272.3900

Special Section for San Antonio Woman

GET INVOlVED! The Alzheimer’s Association works to address the global Alzheimer’s disease epidemic by providing education and support to the millions who face dementia every day, while advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.

Here are a few events you may participate in to help fight Alzheimer’s disease in San Antonio.

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Special Section for San Antonio Woman

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WAYS TO HElP A FAMIlY lIVING WITH AlZHEIMER’S

1

Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s disease.

Learn about its effects and how to respond.

2

Stay in touch. A card, a call or a visit means a lot and shows you care.

3

Be patient. Adjusting to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is an ongoing process, and each person reacts differently.

4

Offer a shoulder to lean on. The disease can create stress for the entire family.

Simply offering your support and friendship is helpful.

5

Engage the person with dementia in conversation. It’s important to involve the person in conversation even when his or her ability to participate becomes more limited.

6

Offer to help the family with its to-do list. Prepare a meal, run an errand or provide a ride.

7

Engage family members in activities. Invite them to go on a walk or participate in other activities.

8

Offer family members a reprieve. Spend time with the person with dementia so family members can go out alone or visit with friends.

9

Be flexible. Don’t get frustrated if your offer for support is not accepted immediately.

The family may need time to assess its needs.

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Get involved with the Alzheimer’s Association. Show your support by becoming an advocate or participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s® and The Longest Day®.

uNDERSTANDING IS THE FIRST STEP TO HElPING. People with mild (early-stage) Alzheimer’s would like you to know: • • • • • • •

I’m still the same person I was before my diagnosis.

My independence is important to me; ask me what I’m still comfortable doing and what I may need help with.

It’s important that I stay engaged. Invite me to do activities that we both enjoy.

Don’t make assumptions about me because of my diagnosis. Alzheimer’s affects each person differently.

Take time to ask me how I’m doing. I’m living with a disease, just like cancer or heart disease.

I can still engage in meaningful conversation. Talk directly to me if you want to know how I am.

Don’t pull away. It’s OK if you don’t know what to do or say. Your friendship and support are important to me.

Family members would like you to know: • • • •

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We need time to adjust to the diagnosis.

We want to remain connected with others.

We need time for ourselves.

We appreciate the small gestures.

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ALZHEIMER’S STATISTICS

TEXAS U.S. STATISTICS Over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and as many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050.

The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $236 billion in 2016, increasing to $1.1 trillion (in today’s dollars) by mid-century.

Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

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alz.org

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You are not alone We’re nearby – alz.org/findus In communities nationwide, we offer programs and services, including information and referrals, support groups, care consultation, education and safety services.

We’re available to talk 24/7 – 800.272.3900 Care consultants are available via our 24/7 Helpline to provide reliable information, referrals and support in more than 170 languages and dialects.

We’re online – alz.org/IHaveAlz Our website includes a section specifically for people living with Alzheimer's disease that offers information and access to tools like ALZConnected® (alzconnected.org), our online community.

You can make a difference Find volunteer opportunities near you – alz.org/findus Sign up for our signature events: Walk To End Alzheimer's (alz.org/walk) and The Longest Day (alz.org/thelongestday) Advocate for more research funding – alz.org/advocate Stay informed. Subscribe to our free e-newsletter – alz.org/enews Participate in clinical studies – alz.org/trialmatch

This is an official publication of the Alzheimer’s Association but may be distributed by unaffiliated organizations and individuals. Such distribution does not constitute an endorsement of these parties or their activities by the Alzheimer’s Association®.

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AROUND TOWN

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The National Association of Women Business Owners held their annual Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards on April 2 at the Eilan Hotel & Spa. NAWBO created the prestigious awards to publicly recognize the valuable contributions women business owners make to the San Antonio economy.

Clockwise from top left: (1) Sam and Debra Mills with Heather and Kevin Tessmer; (2)Melanie Kirk, Giselle Rosique, Dina Petrutsas; (3) Christina Morales Heaney, Shirley Crandall and Diana Barrios Trevino; (4) Meghan Rowntree, Bill Cox, Elise Cox and Marlise Rodriguez.

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HOME HEALTH CARE

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W ROLE MODEL

Role Model

Alissa Lockett Engineering Manager and Interim Director of Distribution and Collection at SAWS

BY KRISTIN MEARS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH WARBURTON

W

hile many San Antonians pour themselves a glass of cold water on a blistering Texas day, engineering manager and interim director of distribution and collection Alissa Lockett is part of the hard-working team at San Antonio Water System who keep the water flowing safely and clean for our fast-growing city. “I love my profession because I can say every day that I was part of protecting the public health and making life better,” she says.

Lockett’s parents were San Antonio natives. “My mother, Rita Raye Riley, and father, Charles Louis Lockett, met at Alamo Heights High School and married right after college,” says Lockett. “My mother obtained a degree in elementary education from Southwest Texas State,

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and my father earned a degree in zoology from the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to obtain his master’s in biochemistry while my mother was already teaching.” Almost nine years after her parents were married, Alissa came along, and her brother entered the family three years later. “We grew up on the northeast side of town, and I attended MacArthur High School, where I participated in debate and science fair competitions,” she explains.

After high school, Lockett attended Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where she obtained a degree in civil engineering with a specialty in water resources in 2002. “I chose Cornell without making any college visits outside of Texas,” says Lockett. “I learned the hard way what

winter felt like in the Snow Belt. I was too stubborn to transfer, despite my misery!” After graduating, she immediately kick-started her career as a consulting engineer on water/ wastewater projects, back in her hometown.

Missing the classroom and searching for opportunities to meet new people, Lockett began her master’s degree in business administration in 2003 and graduated in 2006.

She started the next phase in her career at the San Antonio Water System in 2009, where she initially worked in engineering and later moved to operations as soon as the right position became available. “My father inspired my interest in the water/wastewater industry, when I was very young,” explains Lockett. “He would take me to visit his workplace in the laboratory at San Antonio’s largest water recycling center. I was in awe of the delicate microorganisms that he showed me through his microscope that were essential in making the wastewater treatment process effective.”

On a daily basis, Lockett is surrounded by the hardworking men and women that help keep the water flowing safely and clean in San Antonio. She is honored not only to be a part of this team, but of a major foundation of modern society, as well as trying to knock down any barriers of being a female engineer in this field. “As a female engineer working in utility operations, I think the fact that I am an anomaly gives other women hope that there are not insurmountable barriers in their career path after all,” she says. “I also try to be honest, fair, and compassionate in my actions, while maintaining a sense of humor to keep it real. Working in operations has heightened my passion for my job because it is fast-paced, and problems often have to be resolved in hours, not years, like many engineering projects.”

When Lockett isn’t busy with her engineering/distribution and collection duties, most of her volunteer hours are devoted to the professional association she belongs to — the American Water Works Association (AWWA). “I have served on the board at the local, state, and national levels, and spent many years coordinating activities for young professionals,” she says.. “Our local chapter participates in Basura Bash to clean up the San Antonio waterways and also raise money for ‘Water for People’ — a charity that provides safe drinking water in developing countries.” Lockett may have a busy schedule helping shape and guide water policy and education efforts throughout Texas, but she also plans to participate in her neighborhood association. “I am very interested in the betterment of the historic Monticello area that I live in,” she explains.

Alissa Lockett Age: 36 Why she is a role model: Alissa Lockett faced many bumps and adversities in her life, as well as her career path, but it was her endurance that led her to where she is today — making a difference by protecting the public health as engineering manager and interim director of distribution and collection at San Antonio Water System (SAWS).

Her role models: “When I was younger, I looked up to heroes like Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela. While I still admire them greatly, my role models now are closer to home — my mother, father, grandmother, aunts and uncles. These are the people that made me who I am and have always supported me.”

Words or phrases she lives by: “Never end your day without learning anything.” Aminoto Kosin; “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer; “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.“ Albert Einstein.

Last book read or favorite book: “I am in a book club with some of my high school friends, but I do not always read the book because I feel like email burns me out on reading. My favorite book that I read because I wanted to was probably Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.”

Favorite band: Duran Duran Favorite movie: Gone with the Wind Favorite pastime in San Antonio: “Walking along the River Walk or eating tacos…tough choice!”

Where she grew up: “The northeast side of San Antonio.”

Most memorable moment as a youth: “Since my mother was a teacher, and my father was an aquatic biology aficionado, there was no shortage of learning experiences growing up — visiting the McNay, the Witte, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the San Antonio Zoo and SeaWorld. Riding the skyride at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos with my brother is probably my most memorable experience.

That place was magical to me, due to my love for water and the fact that my mom had worked there when she was attending Southwest (Texas State). I still love riding the glass-bottom boats to this day.”

Describe a personal goal: “I hope to help my team win the national championship for pipe tapping, which is a timed competition where men’s and women’s teams from utilities across the nation drill into a cement-lined ductile iron pipe and install a tap for water service. It’s like CrossFit for utility workers. A good time for the women’s team is around two minutes. My role on the team has changed from coach to setter this year, so I have to improve my upper body strength so that we can defeat 10 or more other teams.”

Describe a professional goal: “Looking toward the future, I hope to earn a position in executive management at a water/wastewater utility. Ideally, it would be in San Antonio because I love this city and cannot handle the traffic in Austin, Dallas or Houston.”

What struggles, obstacles or triumphs have shaped you? “Between the ages of 25 and 31, I lost both my parents and my brother. While I have experienced immense loss for someone my age, I do not dwell on the sadness of it, but rather focus on the many wonderful memories. Losing my immediate family has made living life fully even more important to me because I am still here, and I feel an obligation to appreciate, experience and enjoy life to the extreme.”

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W GUYS TO KNOW

MICHAEL BAUMHOLTZ, MD

BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET ROGERS

Michael Baumholtz is a boardcertified plastic surgeon whose practice encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Originally from Philadelphia, where he earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, he chose a career in surgery that required years of additional training. Following a residency in general surgery at York Hospital and a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Dr. Baumholtz completed a second residency in his current specialty at UTHSC in San Antonio.

Though he returned to Philadelphia for a while, the doctor and his family ultimately decided to return to San Antonio, where he joined San Antonio Cosmetic Surgery, PA. He’s currently affiliated with several local hospitals, including Methodist, the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital and Christus Santa Rosa Westover Hills, where he also serves as chief of staff-elect.

In addition, Dr. Baumholtz teaches aspiring plastic surgeons at UTHSC.

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So what appealed to you about San Antonio?

Are there newer, easier facelift procedures?

It’s just a beautiful place. I grew up on the East Coast, and if you know anything about the East Coast, you’ll know that there’s a certain hardness to the East Coast. There’s a softness here, a warmth. People are open and friendly… San Antonio is also the land of opportunity. People are pouring into the city, and it’s really a special thing to be a surgeon here at this time. I was also very fortunate to be able to join my dear friend Dr. Delio Ortegon in this practice, and we’ve been off to the races ever since.

Patients have an overwhelming choice of fountain-of-youth options and quick fixes. For me, facial rejuvenation includes a couple of different components. There’s the pre-operative preparation, which involves skin care or skin healing; there is the surgery itself, and then the after-care. For the surgery, the honest answer is that the old techniques are often the best techniques. There’s a push for newer, faster, shorter, but at the end of the day, if you want a durable result, there’s nothing that will take the place of a standard facelift. Fat grafting, which is a relatively new technique, is a fantastic way to augment the facelift and really smooth out some of the finer details, but the basic surgery is still the same.

Why did you choose to specialize in plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery was my first rotation as a general surgery intern, and it’s the most wonderful discipline. Plastic surgeons are generally regarded as surgeons’ surgeons. When other disciplines need help, plastic surgeons are called upon to provide it, and that appealed to me. It has the broadest field of application, from burns to hand injuries to facial or breast reconstruction, cosmetic procedures, etc. It allows me to look after a wide variety of patients, both children and adults.

Though you perform a wide range of cosmetic operations, which ones do you consider your sub-specialty?

There are four hallmark surgeries that I perform for patients: rhinoplasty (nose job), facelift, breast augmentation and tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty. Rhinoplasty is a technically challenging operation because you have to master both form and function. A nose that looks good — but the person cannot breathe well through it — is no good. A facelift is also a technically complex operation — balancing form, function, and the need to retain recognizable features of the patient.

I must admit that I find facelift scary.

You are at more risk driving to come see me than you are in having surgery in a modern hospital. Getting back to the foundation of my training, I trained for nine years in a variety of different disciplines, all of which come to bear on the operations that I do. In my reconstructive days, a lot of time was spent reconstructing faces after large facial cancers, facial trauma or defects. All of those skills come into play in a facelift surgery. All surgeries have some risk, but I do everything possible to mitigate that risk for my patients. If something does come up, my patients know I’m completely available to them.

How popular is facelift?

Extremely popular! Many women — and men — feel young and vigorous, but they don’t like what they see in the mirror. The person looking back at them is not the youthful person that they see in their mind, so facelift is becoming more popular. The stigma of plastic surgery is fading away. People come in today for things that 10 or 20 years ago would not have even been discussed.

Like what?

For women — procedures such as vaginal tightening and labiaplasty, for instance. For men, all aspects of plastic surgery, including liposuction, facelifts, rhinoplasty, and hair removal procedures, continue to rise.

I understand that breast augmentation is also in demand.

With most of my breast augmentation patients, the conversation begins with the desire to have more confidence either in clothing or in a bathing suit. We are fortunate to have some very sophisticated tools here to show the woman what she would look like after the operation. With a machine called Vectra 3D Imaging System we can take a 3D picture of the woman and then show her how she will look with the implants in place. The operation itself takes a little less than an hour, and they go home the same day.

What’s the difference between a tummy tuck and abdominal liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure where fat can be removed from the body through small incisions. It can be applied to most

parts of the body and can be a marvelous tool for body contouring as long as skin quality remains good. If that’s not the case, removing fat may cause the skin to sag. Though liposuction is often part of a tummy tuck, this operation involves two other main components — removing excess skin and tightening the muscles underneath. The result is a flat belly and an improved waistline.

How about nonsurgical options for rejuvenation?

There are some very exciting nonsurgical treatments, the latest of which is an injectable medicine called Kybella. It’s a variation of a naturally occurring substance in the body that dissolves fat. It’s used to dissolve the stubborn fat under some people’s chins. With two or three five-minute sessions in the office I have the ability to melt that fat away and tighten up some of the skin. Another exciting procedure is ThermiTight, which uses thermal energy under the skin to cause the skin to shrink from the inside.

Our practice also offers the full range of other non-surgical options, from hair removal and chemical peels to facial fillers and

Cool Sculpting, which is another way to melt fat. In CoolSculpting we can freeze a stubborn area of body fat, and over the next six to 12 weeks your body will clear away the dead fat cells.

What are your interests outside of work?

We (his family) are involved in our synagogue, Temple Beth-El, and I am also involved with my children’s school. As an aside, I am studying to be a mohel. Do you know what that is? It’s the person who performs circumcision of Jewish boys. Currently there are no mohels in San Antonio, so circumcision is usually performed by either the obstetrician or the pediatrician. The mohel, however, provides the ritualistic aspects of circumcision in a traditional way that spans back thousands of years. (Being one) allows me to give back to my religious community in a unique way.

You obviously have a very full schedule.

How do you recharge your personal batteries?

I enjoy reading, writing, spending time with my family and walking my German shepherd.

Dr. Baumholtz’s comments have been edited for publication.

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W MOMMY MATTERS

Skin Care

Helping Your Teen Get Smart about

BY NICOLE CRAWFORD

W

hen I think back to my high school years, I’m pretty sure my main source of insecurity was my skin. I remember being at a choir concert and feeling absolutely certain that everyone in the audience was surely staring at the giant pimple on my nose. And I almost skipped prom altogether after an untimely breakout that couldn’t even be concealed by stage makeup.

I don’t think I was (or am) alone in my teenage skin woes. As a teen, nothing can wreak havoc on your life like a breakout. We reached out to Brenda Hughes, patient consultant with Skin By Design Dermatology & Laser Center, P.A., and Joey Dixon-Julian, a physician assistant in dermatology, to get their advice on helping teens cope with skin issues. I wish I had had their advice when I was a teen!

“When it comes to acne, teens must not feel they are suffering alone because they aren’t. As a matter of fact, about 80 percent of the planet’s population will suffer from one stage of acne or another at some point in their lives,” Brenda Hughes states. “Teens are going through a lot with their body changes developmentally, and it is frustrating and can even be frightening for them. They tend to be very selfconscious about acne issues. Acne can quickly advance to the next stage if measures are not taken to get it under control,” she explains.

Although Dixon-Julian treats many skin issues in teenagers, including keratosis pilaris, atopic dermatitis and folliculitis, acne is the most common skin issue she sees in her practice. This is due to the hormonal changes that take place during the teenage years and cause an increase in oil production. She explains, “This increase stimulates an overgrowth of bacteria within the oil gland and triggers an inflammatory response in genetically predisposed individuals. The resulting inflammatory response is what causes the pink bump on the skin, often referred to as a pimple, and what we call inflammatory acne. Increased oil production also contributes to follicular plugging, causing blackheads and whiteheads to appear. This type of acne is referred to as non-inflammatory acne, and is typically the earliest form of acne I see in pre-teen patients.”

Lifestyle Strategies to Prevent Breakouts “I find it helpful to paint a picture for teens about what is happening to their skin and what happens when they don’t take care of it. Establishing great habits starts young,” says Hughes.

Manage stress Looking back at my own teenage skin troubles, one trend is blindingly obvious in hindsight — breakouts always happened during stress-

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ful times. Dixon-Julian explained how mitigating stress can help prevent acne: “When humans are under a great deal of chronic psychological or physical stress, the adrenal glands secrete adrenal androgens. Adding these hormones to an already hormonal mediated acne pattern can worsen the acne picture and make it much tougher to treat.” She recommends helping your teen manage stress through regular exercise, adequate sleep and open communication.

Eat well And then there are the culprits your teen might be less likely to identify – sweets. Dixon-Julian noted the role of diet in preventing breakouts. “Help your teen minimize dietary sugar and high-glycemic carbohydrates like cookies, cakes, bread, donuts, bagels and crackers.

Foods like these cause an immediate spike in blood sugar and set off a cascade of hormonal events that lead to increased insulin production, increased oil production and inflammation in general. Adopt a lowglycemic diet along with them to show your support.” She also recommends adding a fish oil supplement or eating fatty fish a few times a week in order to reduce inflammation.

Establish good hygiene habits As with all good habits, the key to good hygiene is consistency.

Teens will be more likely to make hygiene a habit if they are given simple, effective tools to do so.

As Dixon-Julian recommends, “Encourage good hygiene and make it practical. Teens are not always motivated to go to the sink and wash their face with soap and water twice a day, but it is truly one of the most important steps in their acne regimen. Make it easy by supplying them with disposable cleansing cloths like ones made by Neutrogena or Cetaphil. Not only are they super practical, but they can enhance compliance. It’s not a perfect substitute for soap and water, but it’s better than nothing.”

Hughes explains ways to approach face cleansing. “If short on time, use cleansing pads or tissues. Ask a dermatologist for cleansing pads that have glycolic and salicylic acid together or use a purifying toner.

With time, teens should wash their face, apply medications and sunscreen. An effective sunscreen that addresses acne issues is UltaMD UV Clear.” Hughes adds, “When applying medication, apply the recommended amount — too much can cause major irritation without added benefits. Teens may need to use something to hydrate skin since some acne medications can be really drying. There are products that won’t add oils but provide the hydration that they need.”

What about skin care products?

As a teen, I probably tried a new product every week to help me treat breakouts. When asked about product use, Hughes explains, “We have a very large teenage patient base and find the biggest problem is their compliance with product use. We also find many teens will take skin advice from a doctor or consultant more easily than from their parents.” Hughes goes on to state that parents can call to schedule a complimentary consultation. “I can go through their makeup and skin care products and address which products are good and which are not good for them. We can also talk about new products and trends.”

Dixon-Julian talked about how teens can navigate the shopping aisles and choose the best products. She emphasized the importance of first identifying the problem and symptoms. If your teen is primarily dealing with blackheads and whiteheads, she advises products that contain an acid, such as Oxy wipes, and foaming cleansers such as Aveeno Clear Complexion.

If your teen is dealing with pink pimples, Dixon-Julian recommends starting with a benzoyl peroxide product. “Keep in mind the higher the percentage of benzoyl peroxide, the more drying it is likely to be. So make the selection based on the body area you desire to treat and whether or not the skin is dry, oily or somewhere in between.” For example, a 3 to 5 percent formula is best for acne on the face.

For teens who are dealing with both types of acne, she recommends combining the two products: “You can do this by purchasing a benzoyl peroxide-based cleanser and then following with a salicylic acid-containing wipe or lotion. This combination offers coverage for blackheads, whiteheads and inflammatory acne. Just know your teen may experience a little more drying and irritation with the two ingredients combined. It is best to go slowly and introduce one product for a few weeks, then add the other and gradually work up to twice-a-day applications of both products.” Remember that although these products usually work, it might take a long time to see noticeable effects.

Dixon-Julian advises parents and teens to allow at least eight weeks before they consider contacting a dermatologist.

She also stressed the importance of convenience. If products aren’t easy to use, your teen will have a hard time being consistent, and consistency is the key to a long-term resolution. “Teens are often not very consistent. This is where the vehicle becomes vitally important. It has to be easy to use and feel good on their skin. If not, chances are your teen won’t be super compliant, no matter how much he or she wants their acne gone,” she says.

QUICK TIPS for teens with acne: 1.

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ACNE TREATMENTS

When to seek help If your teen is struggling with acne, try this combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatment. Help your teen establish consistent stress management, diet, hygiene and skin care habits, and be patient.

If your teen’s symptoms have not improved, Dixon-Julian advises seeking help from a dermatologist. “If you are not seeing a response within eight to 12 weeks, it may be necessary to see a dermatologist for either a more aggressive treatment or multimodal approach. As good as some of the over-the-counter products may be, some patients still require a more customized approach.”

And Hughes reminds us, “Teens must understand perfection cannot be the goal. Almost everything they see in magazines and media is enhanced or retouched in some way – an unrealistic standard to try to reach.”

Keep general skin cleaning regimen simple.

Wash face morning and night.

Apply medications.

Put on sunscreen in the morning.

Change pillowcases twice a week.

Pull and secure hair back when sleeping.

Don’t ever sleep in makeup, as it clogs pores.

Clean helmets and pads because they are teeming with bacteria. Many teenage boys have acne on their forehead and back.

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The Acne Blu-U light treatment to destroy P Acnes bacteria on the skin.

A series of medical chemical peels. There are many options for chemical peels to address the many stages of acne, scarring and pigmentation issues.

SilkPeel MD Clarity, version for acne.

Acne facials and extractions.

Microneedling, laser skin resurfacing, subcision for scars.

Source: Brenda Hughes, patient consultant, Skin by Design Dermatology and Laser Center, P.A, may/june 2016 | 107

W HILL COUNTRY GUIDE

BEAUT Y and

THE BR EW W

Alamo City and Hill Country Breweries with Women Behind the Beer

BY JANIS TURK

ine is for women, and beer is for the boys — that’s a stereotype that simply doesn’t hold true anymore. Today, many men are serious oenophiles (connoisseurs of wine), and women, who hold their hops well, are becoming beer lovers, too. With so many serious-minded brewers, both male and female, producing exceptional small-batch beers in microbreweries all across the state, San Antonio women have cultivated a taste for the area’s best locally crafted suds. From bocks to Pilsners, pale ales to barleywine, cold-filtered brown ales to caramel malt brews, craft beers are garnering a cult following across South Texas.

Since so many women love beer, it’s not surprising that so many are now brewery owners. Today’s smallbatch craft breweries depend on smart women working behind the scenes, too, keeping business flowing in brewpubs, breweries, tap rooms and beer halls across town.

So where to go in the San Antonio area for the best house-made beer?

Here are five fine little local-area breweries and some of the special women behind the best Texas brews.

Alamo Beer Company and Alamo Beer Hall Sometimes when Alamo Beer Company co-owner Neriza Simor drops by the Alamo Beer Hall to see her husband, Eugene, and visit with manager Susanna Wilson and assistant manager Emily Knife, she takes time to enjoy one of her favorite brews, the ALAMO Amber Lager. Eugene is the beer expert behind the family business, but Neriza has learned a lot about beer, too, having developed a discriminating palate for it while living for a year in Belgium. “People think women like only wine and sweet drinks, but that’s not always true,” says Simor. “Europe has a lot of great beer, including stronger brews than the lighter ones we drink where I’m from in Mexico, and European women like beer, too. So I tried different beers there, and over time I developed ‘un gusto’ for them. I always encourage women to try different styles of beer and find one they like best,” says Simor. “When I’m cooking, I like to sip an ALAMO Amber, but when it’s hot outside and we bring the kids to play in the beer garden on the weekends, I enjoy our ALAMO Golden Ale because it’s so refreshing.”

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The Alamo Beer Company just celebrated its first anniversary on the 180th anniversary of the battle of the Alamo, March 6. The $8 million 18,000-square-foot brewery and beer hall stand a few blocks east of downtown under the Hays Street Bridge, just 15 minutes walking time from the Alamo. For their grand opening, San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor attended. When Eugene first got started making beer, he delivered it in Neriza’s minivan. “He calls it his beer wagon because it sounds cooler,” says Neriza. Eugene, who has been brewing beer since 2003, was the first person Neriza met when she came to Texas 12 years ago. Today the happy couple boast four young children and a popular family business.

“Bring your kids, your friends and your pets, and sit outside and enjoy a pint at a picnic table at Alamo,” says Simor. You can pitch washers, hear live music, nosh on food truck fare and sample their local brews “We are even expanding our family-friendly beer garden this summer with more games and picnic areas,” adds Eugene. Free tours are offered Saturdays at noon-1pm, and the Beer Hall is open on Thursdays from 3-9 p.m., Fridays 3 p.m. until midnight, Saturdays noon to midnight, and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m. 202 Lamar St. 210-872-5589.

Blue Star Brewing Company This summer, Blue Star Brewing Company will celebrate its 20th anniversary, and owners Magdalena and Joey Villarreal couldn’t be happier about the big success their little Southtown brewery has become. Magdalena (“Maggie” to friends) and her husband, Joey, have enjoyed watching the Southtown scene change over the past two decades and are proud that Blue Star Brewing, and the Blue Star Bike Shop they also opened in 2005, have become a staple in Southtown, one of the city’s hottest art, food and entertainment districts. Their popular microbrew makes only 100-percent organic beer and currently offers 10 craft brews. With an atmosphere more like that of a friendly Texas sports bar than a traditional taproom, fun is always flowing at Blue Star, and that’s the way Magdalena likes it. “We’ve made such good friends here of customers and employees, and it’s been wonderful. Though my husband did, I didn’t know a lot about beer when we started because back then I wasn’t a beer drinker, but I loved its smell while it was brewing and when it was poured out,” says Villarreal, who now is a loyal beer lover. “It’s been so interesting to learn all about how beer is made and the different kinds of beer, and today I actually prefer a beer over a cocktail or a glass of wine. Beer is not just for men anymore: There is a beer for everyone and for every meal and every occasion, and now that we’re moving into warmer weather, a cold beer is just so refreshing. I enjoy it so much, and I’m not alone: We have lots of female customers who love our beer at Blue Star, and we’ve even had female brewers. Women are learning more and more about beer and enjoying it just as much as the men these days,” she says. 1414 South Alamo, Suite 105. 210-212-5506.

Granary ‘Cue & Brew Granary ‘Cue & Brew is the pride of Pearl, San Antonio’s hottest culinary, mixology, retail compound set in the shadow of the old Pearl Brewery brew house, which now houses Hotel Emma. Set in the early 1900s

house of the former brewery’s chief cooper, the Granary is a seven-barrel brewery, producing about 200 barrels of beer each year. It has an outdoor deck, as well as a casual inside dining area and a menu filled with Texas barbecue, house-made pickles, sandwiches and more.

Tiffany Ruiz, a beer-loving, loyal Granary server, says, “Our Brown Ale served along with Brisket Ramen is one of my favorite pairings at The Granary.

We have a great dinner menu that shows elements of smoke and live fire and boasts flavors of uniquely combined farm-to-fork products.” Besides beer, The Granary also makes its own house-brewed sodas. Brewer Alex Rattray also is proud of the Granary’s classic English beer/hand-pull engines, where the beer is pumped out of the cask. “I love sour brews and cask-conditioned beer,” says Ruiz. “There are so many flavors and styles that are showcased with both those styles of beer, like my favorite brew, Jester Kings Black Metal, which has a roasted savory beginning and yet finishes slightly sour. It’s awesome what great beer our brewers can produce! For instance, Alex makes a fabulous coffee IPA that was our third-year anniversary brew, and the newest beer we will be tapping will be a Funky Tangerine Saison, which will be a bit tart. It’s so exciting that women like me, who drink craft beer, are just as curious and excited about new aromas, flavors and brewing techniques as the guys are, and we’re definitely venturing out more, sampling, savoring and enjoying all kinds of brews.” 602 Avenue A, at Pearl, San Antonio. 210-228-0124.

Real Ale Brewing Company Gabriel Gregerman and her husband, Brad Farbstein, own and operate Real Ale Brewing Co. in Blanco, just up Highway 281 from San Antonio, a place that is possibly the best-loved brewery in the Texas Hill Country. Gregerman, who works mainly behind the scenes in human resources and customer service, loves it when she steps into the Real Ale tap room and sees a group of women show up for a tour and a taste of her company’s brews. “When we started in this business 20 years ago, craft beers weren’t as popular with women, and not as many women worked in breweries, but that’s certainly changed. Today, 20 to 25 percent of our employees are women, which I think is great.” Gregerman, who first began doing some home brewing with her husband after college, recalls their early days in the business: “We were both early experimenters, and back then there weren’t many craft breweries in Texas.” Now, after wearing many hats in the brewery business, Gabriel says may/june 2016 | 109

W HILL COUNTRY GUIDE she’s learned a lot over the past two decades at Real Ale. “All this began with Brad’s home brewing, and initially I was just along for the ride, but now I’m a real beer enthusiast. It was easy to get excited about it.” The couple bought the Real Ale business from its founders after they had been in business for a year and a half, brewing in a basement in downtown Blanco. “We built our new facility just north of town in 2007 and opened the tap room in 2015. One of the fun things about the industry is that there are so many young people starting breweries— and we’re one of the older breweries now,” she says. What are some of Gregerman’s favorite beers? “Real Ale’s ‘Devil’s Backbone’ Belgian-style tripel is wildly popular, with its palegolden color, spicy hops and Belgian yeast. Other favorites include the Firemans #4 blonde ale, Full Moon Rye IPA and our German-style Pilsner, which we named Han’s Pils, after our dog.” Real Ale’s Tap Room is open on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., with tours typically on Friday and Saturday afternoons. 231 San Saba Court, Blanco, TX. 830-8332534. www.realalebrewing.com.

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery Last spring this 15-barrel microbrewery, featuring six serving tanks and a Firkin barrel aging program, opened adjacent to the space that is now the new Hotel Emma in the original brew house of San Antonio’s iconic Pearl Brewery, first established in 1883 as the San Antonio Brewing Company.

Now offering 15 house beers on tap, head brewer Les Locke has enjoyed a fruitful first year together with Southerleigh restaurant’s chef Jeff Balfour, who brings to the table his modern take on Texas’ crosscultural coastal cuisine.

Even though Southerleigh is owned and run by men alone, the space it calls home still stands largely due to the perseverance of one strong woman, Emma Koehler, widow of brewery owner Otto Koehler. After Otto’s death, Emma vowed not to let the brewery fail.

She became CEO and modernized the original brew house, and by 1916, beer production capacity increased so much that the Pearl had become Texas’ largest brewery. One might assume that the handsome new Hotel Emma is named for Emma Koehler, and it was, but two other Emmas also hold an important place in the Pearl story, as well. In fact, Otto Koehler had two mistresses and a wife, each named Emma, until one of the Emmas shot and killed him. After his death, all three Emmas lived happily ever, two of them living in houses that Otto had given them. The Emma that killed him even married a juror from the murder trial! 136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120. 210-455-5701.

Other local breweries worth checking out: Freetail Brewing Company Busted Sandal Brewing Company

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W TRAVEL

Plan a West Texas Road Trip the Family Will Love

Today, speed limits on the tumbleweedlined highways of West Texas hover around 80-85 miles per hour, so even though some of the region’s best-loved destinations are a long drive from the Alamo City, it doesn’t take long to get there. Besides, the landscape out west has its own wild, raw, stark beauty that drivers will want to slow down to see.

West Texas has much more to offer than mere tumbleweed and cactus; in fact, there are many delightful towns, parks and natural attractions scattered throughout the area’s

remote and rugged landscape. For an authentic West Texas getaway, travelers don’t necessarily head to El Paso, the region’s largest city, or make a beeline for the Mexican border. Instead, they tend to turn to Big Bend National Park, where the air is cool and clear and mountains edge the Rio Grande. They also enjoy visiting quaint towns like Alpine, Marathon, Marfa and more.

Edged by the Rio Grande and the Franklin and Davis Mountains, these pretty little cowboy-centric spots have a yesteryear sort of charm, tipping a nostalgic hat to the era of

BY JANIS TURK

old-time saloons and wooden hotels with wagon-wheel lamps.

Still, these little communities are not locked in the past; they are also home to new, modern-day attractions, along with artists, craftsmen and merchants inviting interest in the area on a national scale. With some of Texas’ most spectacular natural attractions ahead and some funky places to find along the way, you’ll want to hop in the car this weekend, set the cruise control on 80, put on Bob Wills’ music, and start your West Texas road trip.

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W TRAVEL

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK Standing tall in the saddle along the “big bend” of the Rio Grande River, this is one of the state’s largest outdoor recreation areas and a wildly popular hiking, camping, fishing, birding, rafting, mountain biking destination. Home to diverse types of gorgeous wildlife, including mountain lions, some black bears and more, the 1,252-square-mile national park is one of Texas’ most scenic areas. With hiking and walking trails, campgrounds and hotels for guests and five visitor centers, Big Bend is the perfect place for a family vacation. At the edge of the park, don’t forget to visit the ghost town of Terlingua, made famous by Texas singer Jerry Jeff Walker’s Viva Terlingua album cover in the 1970s. Home to the Starlight Theatre bar, a general store, a couple of restaurants and more, Terlingua is the site of the Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cook-Off, held annually in the fall.

THE GAGE HOTEL, MARATHON Built in 1927 by acclaimed architect Henry Trost, the charming Gage Hotel, which stands about 80 miles from Big Bend National Park, offers authentic laid-back luxury with premier accommodations, top-notch service and a firstclass dining experience. With patios and fire pits to sit around at night under starry black skies, the Gage offers a full-service spa, a heated swimming pool, a 27-acre landscaped garden of native plants and even a fitness center. The alluring little hotel has been named the #1 Small Hotel in Texas by Texas Highways Magazine, has been included in National Geographic Traveler‘s “Stay List,” and was voted the #1 Hotel in Texas and #17 in the United States by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, and its White Buffalo Bar was selected by Texas Monthly as “Best Hotel Bar” in Texas. The impeccably restored mission-style Gage also offers larger suites, stand-alone houses and “casitas” around the historic main building.

ALPINE Standing between the towering Davis Mountains and the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert, the town of Alpine (population circa 5,000), is also home to almost 2,000 students enrolled at Sul Ross University, known for its Museum of the Big Bend. Most of downtown Alpine has been named a Designated Cultural Art District by the Texas Commission on the Arts, making it a good place to visit boutique shops, bookstores, art galleries and cafes during your next West Texas road trip.

BALMORHEA STATE PARK If the West Texas summer heat is too much to take, a real-life oasis awaits at Balmorhea, where visitors can dive into the crystal-clear water of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Swim, scuba dive, or just relax under the trees in this historic park, where 15-million gallons of water flow through the pool each day fed by the San Solomon Springs. The pool, which is up to 25 feet deep in some places, covers 1.75 acres and holds 3.5 million gallons of cool (72-76 degrees F.) water year-round. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Balmorhea State Park has picnic sites, an outdoor sports area and a playground. Guests can even stay at one of its 34 campsites or at the classic San Solomon Springs Courts motel. The park is located 4 miles southwest of Balmorhea on State Highway 17, in Toyahvale.

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Teepee at El Cosmico, Emma Backer/Shutterstock

MCDONALD OBSERVATORY Part of the University of Texas’ astronomical research program, the McDonald Observatory is located just outside of Fort Davis on Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains, with additional facilities on Mount Fowlkes. The Observatory’s Frank N. Bash Visitors Center is open daily except on certain holidays. The Observatory features several powerful telescopes, including the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, which is one of the world’s largest optical telescopes, and offers educational programs, a theater, cafe, gift shop and more.

MARFA, TEXAS, AND THE MARFA LIGHTS Some say they don’t exist, but many have seen some ghostly lights in the dark night near the town of Marfa. The legendary, explanation-defying Marfa Lights were first sighted in 1883 and have appeared almost every night since, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Still, no one is able to explain exactly what they are. Driving toward Alpine, stop by the Marfa Lights Viewing Area, located 9 miles east of Marfa on Highway 90, to look for the lights, and on Labor Day weekend, attend the annual “Marfa Lights Festival.”

Set on the high plains of the Chihuahua Desert, Marfa boasts a population of just 1,765, but during the past 20 years it has somehow become a popular destination with Hollywood types, artisans, art lovers, millionaires, musicians and more. With vegan restaurants, eclectic art galleries and artists’ studios, a bookstore and a 400-acre abandoned Army base-turned-art-center established in the ‘70s by the late New York artist Donald Judd (today run by the DIA Foundation), Marfa is a small marvel. Where to stay? Somewhere funky, of course, like El Cosmico, an 18-acre trailer, tent and teepee hotel and campground created by West Texas native and Austin hotelier Liz Lambert, or stay at her retro-style motor court motel, The Thunderbird, which has been restored and completely re-imagined for modern-day Marfa guests.

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W ARTBEAT

Dancing on

Air

BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET ROGERS

Visitors to SeaWorld San Antonio may remember Julia Langenberg as the girl who danced on and around a hoop suspended above a whale pool.

Or maybe they saw her with parrots flying around her while she engaged in an aerial ballet, supported only by silk panels hanging from a top rig.

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t was like being in a dream, quite surreal,” recalls Langenberg, who did six shows a day six days a week for three years.

Today, Langenberg is the founder and artistic director of Aerial Horizon, a performing company that has dazzled audiences at the Alamodome, the McNay Art Museum, the Luminaria annual fest, the zoo, the convention center, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and at many corporate events. The group has also presented a few shows at its own former space in the Blue Star Arts Complex.

It can be said that Langenberg has singlehandedly introduced aerial dance to San Antonio. Since there were hardly any other aerialists in town, she started teaching aspiring high flyers while still with SeaWorld because she “wanted to have buddies.” Then, upon leaving the marine park in 2012, the Austin native decided to stay here to build an aerialist hub. “I felt there was a need. I felt obligated to my students, and I wanted to contribute positively to the San Antonio arts scene,” explains the slim brunette, who had studied both ballet and modern dance prior to choosing aerial art. “Now we have this amazing school, with 100 students a week.”

“I

At first sight, aerial dancing may remind you of circus acts, but it’s more akin to what the Cirque du Soleil does than the traditional circus. The best known form of the art is done with the help of silk panels attached to a ceiling rig that the artist uses to lift herself up, wrap herself in, and then execute a graceful acrobatic performance, punctuated by sudden body inversions and dramatic drops that invariably make the audience gasp. Langenberg choreographs her routines to express a theme, while basing her mind-boggling moves on fabric theory (knowledge of how the fabric can sustain certain positions). She has also brought to town colleagues who specialize in other disciplines of aerial art that use different apparatuses/devices, such as a lyra (hoop), moon (a heavy metal crescent) and halo (a double hoop.)

What she loves about dancing in the air is the sheer challenge of it. “I am attracted to extremes, and this art is all about how far you can push your body,” she notes. “You have to be extremely focused, and that excites me.” She trains three to four hours a day to maintain the strength needed to do what she does. Being high in the air also gives her a sense of freedom that “feels completely natural.”

A couple of years ago, Langenberg received an Artist Foundation of San Antonio grant to develop an original theatrical show, which premiered in 2014 under the title of Echo. Featuring multiple artists and devices, with original music by Jaime Ramirez, the work was designed around the theme implied in the title. The most attentive viewers probably detected echoes of all kinds — in the music, in the movements and in costuming. “The idea was to show how we echo each other and how our actions reverberate through other people’s lives,” explains the artistic director. The more casual audience members, however, might have missed some of those reverberating bits, but the show was engrossing nevertheless due to the artists’ astounding physical prowess and intensity. One theme they “echoed” very powerfully was the dedication to their difficult craft.

Collaboration with AtticRep It so happened that Echo was seen by Roberto Prestigiacomo, producing artistic director of AtticRep theater company, now one of the resident groups at the Tobin Center of the Performing Arts. He was impressed. “She has brought something new to San Antonio,” said the director, who has long been interested in multidisciplinary productions. “It’s unique here, though I see it in Europe all the time.

It’s really great that she is here.” Always on the lookout for potential collaborators, Prestigiacomo approached Langenberg to suggest working together. The piece he developed, 14, is premiering June 919 at the Tobin’s Roger Alvarez Theater. Dedicated to young people like his daughter, who were born in the uncertain post-9/11 world, the work draws inspiration from classical myths of heroes who leave home to explore the unknown, encounter obstacles and wise men, and finally return home to share what they learned with their community. The hero in 14 is Maia, a 14-year-old, whose stage journey will be told through a combination of spoken word, contemporary dance and aerial art. From the description of scenes I was allowed to see, it sounds like an adventure on which audiences will definitely want to accompany Maia.

For Langenberg, who is choreographing the aerial parts, this is the first collaboration with an established, real theater company.

Her aerialists will actually be portraying characters, mythological and stylized as they may be. “I thrive on creating new material, and to do it in a new context is really exciting,” she says.

Dancing on Buildings; Waving with Whales Growing up in Austin, young Julia took ballet lessons and eventually trained in several dance disciplines with Ballet Austin from 1989 to 2002 while also pursuing other training opportunities. She always knew she wanted to live life as a freelance artist, but in college she turned from dance to music by getting a degree in vocal performance from St. Olaf College. Dance ultimately won the day, however. After working as a modern dancer for a few years, in 2006, she auditioned for Blue Lapis Light, a site-specific aerial troupe that, according to its website, “seeks to transform urban environments into inspired works of art.” Langenberg puts it this way: “I auditioned, got in and started dancing on buildings.”

Just like that! Photos of the dancers hanging off the sides of various edifices, sometime 75 feet above ground, floating on or around various architectural elements, take your breath away. Yes, they are attached to and supported by harnesses, but still! It looks beautiful but dangerous. “I didn’t even know that such a thing (aerial dance) existed when I was in school. Then it became my passion,” says the now seasoned aerialist. She had no fear of falling because she took the time to learn all there was to know about the equipment that made her work possible. Though now she and fellow company members hover only 5 to 15 feet above the stage, the equipment remains extremely important since keeping dancers and students safe is her top priority.

The challenges at SeaWorld were of a different kind. Falling into water may not be so bad, yet she was “terrified” of diving into it as one routine required. Getting used to her “partners,” the whales and dolphins, was also a new experience. “I became friends with the Beluga whales,” she recalls, smiling. “They had their own personalities, like dogs. At the end of the show we would wave together. You build a relationship with these animals. It was sad to part with them.”

To further refine her airborne skills, the artist took classes at the New England Center for Circus Arts, where she mastered additional disciplines, such as trapeze, halo, acrobatics, Chinese pole and others. Today, her confidence is at an all-time high as she is competing in the U.S. Aerial Championship in New York City. She is one of the finalists who will compete for the top title May 13-15 at the Rose Nagelberg Theater. The competition shows will be live-streamed, so you can watch them, too (usaerial.org).

The national and international exposure for the finalists, not to mention the category winners, will be huge. But Langenberg promises to stay in San Antonio no matter what happens: “The exposure will help us bring more artists to San Antonio to show San Antonio and America what contemporary circus can be.” may/june 2016 | 115

W CITYSCENE

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF

Milestone Events at the Guadalupe I greatly enjoy folkloric dances of many

BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF countries. They tend to be ebullient, colorful and happy, as most were traditionally danced at festive occasions. Performed by professional dancers and tweaked a bit by a savvy choreographer, they easily become great stage entertainment. Thus it’s hardly surprising that, living here in San Antonio, I’ve become a fan of Mexican folklore, as well as the traditional Andalusian Gypsy genre known as flamenco.

One company that consistently brings both genres to audiences in San Antonio and beyond is the Guadalupe Dance Company (GDC) based at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center (GCAC). Led by two capable women, Belinda Menchaca and Jeannette Chavez, the company will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer.

“I am incredibly proud that we are celebrating 25 years of existence,” said Menchaca, who’s been with GCAC for 24 of those years and who founded the Guadalupe Dance Academy. “I feel proud of the impact we have had on dancers, students, the dance community and the city as a whole.”

From its inception, the company established a practice of bringing to town both flamenco and Mexican folkloric experts to help the dancers improve their skills and enrich their repertoire, and, as a dance reviewer of many years, I have seen the results of those collaborations. The flamenco shows in particular became more varied, more sophisticated and more polished. Though it stages only two theatrical productions a year, the ensemble performs all the time at various conventions and special events, as well as out in the community as it recently did at the Pearl — under the auspices of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — and at La Cantera. It also has a standing date with the San Antonio Symphony for the annual Fiesta Pops concert. In addition, through its Viva Mi Cultura program, the group visits schools throughout the year.

If you’ve never seen the ensemble in action, the anniversary shows are a great opportunity to treat yourself to a dance spectacular, which, I promise, will have you walking out of the theater with a smile. Flamenco selections from the GDC repertoire will be showcased in three Friday night shows — June 3, 10 and 17 — at the Guadalupe Theater, while the big folklorico event is scheduled for August 26 at the Lila Cockrell. Since flamenco is as much canto as baile, Spanish-born guitarist Luisma Ramos and San Antonio 116 | sawoman.com

songstress Chayito Champion, both outstanding flamenco musicians, will be part of all three shows. (For details go to www.guadalupeculturalarts.org).

Another milestone celebration at GCAC is the 35th anniversary of the Tejano Conjunto Festival founded by Juan Tejeda, former music program director at the center and still the curator of the popular fest. The first thing he mentioned when I asked about new things this year was the San Antonio premiere of Conjunto Blues, a theatrical musical/multimedia piece created by GCAC’s alumnus Nicolas Valdez (May 12). Through music, poetry, video clips and character sketches, the show tells the story of the rise of conjunto music, which first appeared in South Texas in the late 19th century.

The music continues May 13-15, mostly in Rosedale Park.

Some 20 bands are scheduled to perform, including conjunto Hall-of-Famers Eva Ybarra and Flaco Jimenez, and other beloved artists such as Los Garcia Bros., Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers, Los Monarcas de Pete y Mario Diaz, Roberto Pulido y Los Clasicos and others.

If you are a jazz lover, you may want to check out the Summer Art & Jazz Festival scheduled for June 3-5 at Crockett Park (www.sanantoniosummerartjazzfestival.com). And don’t forget the Texas Folklife Festival (June 10-12), the venerable get-together where you may be lucky to see some fine amateur dancers as they celebrate their Polish, Greek, Czech, Korean or Lebanese heritage (www.texancultures.com/festival).

Summer with the Maya

The folks at the Witte Museum couldn’t be more excited about their summer blockbuster exhibition, Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, which is the inaugural show at the new 19,000-square-foot Mays Family Center. “We are all about Maya this summer,” said president and CEO Marise McDermott. She explained that scholars acquired a great deal of new information about the old Mesoamerican civilization in recent years, thanks to breakthroughs in the decipherment of the Mayan script. The exhibition covers multiple aspects of the remarkable Maya culture by combining authentic artifacts — some never seen in this country before — with multimedia and interactive hands-on activities.

You and your kids can be part of the excitement. Not surprisingly, all the educational programs offered this summer are related to the exhibit. The Maya built impressive cities, studied the sky, the sun and the stars to devise a calendar and developed a system of mathematics, as well as their own religion, crafts and way of life.

As VP of public programs Sarita Rodriguez pointed out, the exhibition offered an ideal framework for designing STEM-based camp programs that encompass history, natural history and several scientific disciplines. Altogether, there are six one-week sessions for ages 7 to 12 that will be taught by the Witte team and Maya scholars.

Each day will be a new adventure. On Mondays, kids get to play archaeologist by digging and uncovering artifacts and puzzling over their meaning. On Tuesdays, they’ll learn to decode the Maya glyphs and stories, and on Wednesdays they’ll explore astronomy. Then comes the hands-on construction of pyramids, chambers and arches, using the type of tools the Maya people used. And finally, on Fridays, they’ll look at daily life — at the food people ate, games they played, clothes and crafts. And here’s the best part: no classroom work! Almost everything happens in the exhibition space. “A lot of learning takes place but in a freer environment than in school,” explained Rodriguez. “Our job is to make each session age appropriate and make sure everyone has a good time.”

Don’t you wish you were a kid? But here’s good news: There’s an educational program for adults, too, though I don’t think you get a chance to play in the dirt. The Mind of the Maya Series, which started in April, is a series of presentations by world-renowned scholars who will discuss various aspects of the Maya civilization. The May 18 speaker is Dr. David Stuart, director of the Mesoamerica Institute at UT Austin and the man who made a groundbreaking contribution to the deciphering of Maya symbols and glyphs. His work was the subject of the 2008 film, Breaking the Maya Code. Other illustrious speakers are Dr. Norman Hammond, professor emeritus of archaeology at Boston University; Arlen Chase, Edward Burian and Leah McCurdy, who will appear together July 20 to talk about the Maya master builders; and Dr. Jennifer Mathews of Trinity University and Dr. Bryan Bayles, the Witte curator of anthropology and health. (Check www.wittemuseum.org for more information. For camp registration, Mind of Maya tickets and exhibition tickets call 210-357-1910.)

WITTE MUSEUM CAMPS:

SUMMER WITH MAYA Ages 7 and 8: June 13-17 and July 11-15 Ages 9 and 10: June 20-24 and July 18-22 Ages 11 and 12: June 27-July 1 and July 25-29 Monday: Dig, Find and Uncover: Be an Archaeologist Tuesday: Symbols, Glyphs, Words and Stories Wednesday: Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets Thursday: Pyramids, Chambers and Arches Friday: Live, Work and Play the Maya Way Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cost $230 for members and $280 for nonmembers.

Call 210-357-1910 for registration.

AROUND TOWN

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Symphony League proudly presented young ladies, the symphony belles, at a formal symphony ball on February 13 at The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort. The Belles are presented during their senior year of high school. The ball, begun in 1972 by Margaret King Stanley, is one of the city’s most anticipated events, and has brought prestige and a way to build long-lasting support for the orchestra. At the same time, it has served to introduce the daughters of many San Antonio families.

(1) Elizabeth Long, Christian Olson, Patricia Long, McKenzie Schultz (2) Annabelle Spezia-Lindner and Jeremy Wilson (3) Molly Strange and Matt Strange (4) McKenzie Schultz and Hudson Basso (5) Sophie Aliece Hollis and Henry Shackelford (6) Fathers of Belles – Rob Bentley, Chris Schultz, Andrew Stell, Tylden Shaeffer, Dr. Michael Lindner, Triple Fuhrmann (7) Jordyn Caruso and Drew Iverson (8) Taylor Nugent and Lyndon Nugent (9) Arianna Davidson and Alejandra Serna (10) The 2018 Belles - Izzy Preston, Analiese Wagner, Faith Flume, Elise Rubiola, Lilly O’Neill, Gates Register, Auburn Lucas, Peyton Hardy 118 | sawoman.com

W SUSTAINABLE GARDENING

HYDROPONICS FLOWING INTO OUR RIVER CITY

BY JOSIE SEELIGSON

Mother Nature devised her growing patterns to utilize basic elements of sunlight, water, soil and nutrients. However, with increasing human populations and decreasing fertile farmlands, botanists look to synthesize these growing elements more efficiently.

The resulting urban farming, called hydroponics, is like in-vitro for veggies, test-tube parenting for Mother Earth, whose ticking clock is long overtaxed.

H

ydroponics, Greek for “working water,” is basically growing plants without traditional soil or sunlight and has seeped into

San Antonio commerce. Growers cultivate plants indoors, often in condensed vertical spaces, in containers of porous material such as peat, sand, gravel or a synthetic. The material supports and aerates the roots as it channels nutrient-rich water solutions to them. Growers also control light waves to steadily maximize plant growth.

One San Antonio hydroponics grower is Mitch Hagney, a Trinity University environmental science and communications graduate and owner of Local Sprout hydroponics. Hagney houses his urban farming business in a 40-by-8-by-9-foot shipping container lined with vertical sleeves of plants growing by red and blue light waves (best for photosynthesis), timed on 18-hour “day” cycles and six-hour “night” cycles. Within this small space, Local Sprout grows an average of 2,440 plants, including lettuce, bok choy, Swiss chard, basil, epistoe, zataar and prise, a French endive.

The shipping container sits inside a downtown warehouse Hagney also manages, called the Local Sprout Food Hub, which houses other food-related, symbiotic businesses that buy from or service one another: a coffee roaster, a honey

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company, a healthy snack vending company, a garlic slow-roaster, a jelly maker, vegetable delivery trucks and food trucks. Local Sprout hydroponics has a second location at the San Antonio Food Bank, which is income-generating rather than food-supplying for the Food Bank. Local Sprout sells its vegetables at the Pearl’s farmer’s market and to several farm-to-table restaurants, such as 5 points local, PharmTable, Esquire and Rebelle.

Hydroponic gardening may not be the same spiritual journey nature lovers gravitate to, but it does yield reliable results. Because of controlled variables, the hydroponic growth rate can be 20 to 50 percent faster than traditional plants’ growth rate, and plants grow larger.

Extra oxygen in hydroponic growing mediums stimulates root growth and encourages nutrient absorption. These nutrient water solutions deploy to root systems several times daily, so plants don’t have to search soil for nutrients and break down food. Instead, plant energy goes straight to growth and fruit production, like pizza being delivered to a couch potato, but with more productive results. Hydroponic plants also experience fewer problems with bug infestations, fungi and disease.

Sustainability is a top priority for Hagney, more so than remaining purely organic or purely synthetic, which he doesn’t think is optimally sustainable if strictly adhered to. For pest control, he uses a combination of resources; Terminix treats the warehouse space so there aren’t many insects even reaching the shipping container, coated inside with a closed-cell spray foam insulation. But for pests that do succeed, he uses beneficial insects and soaps that cover the gills of insects like aphids. The Food Hub’s garlic roaster happens to occupy warehouse space immediately next to Local Sprout, emitting rich garlic fumes that Hagney surmises might also deter pests, just as garlic can on garlic-eaters’ skin.

Nature can simply be inconsistent and unpredictable. Hagney notes, “A landscape is not an intrinsically unique entity,” but all entities

Hagney is a soil gardener also and acknowledges that not all dirt-

can be harnessed in hydroponics. Hydroponic growers can replicate

diggers gravitate to hydroponic’s clinical setting. Perhaps a hippie

flavors that occur in nature by controlling unpredictable variables,

at heart, Hagney keeps a clear vision of bottom-line resourcefulness,

like fertilizer’s macro and micro elements, structures plants hold onto, permeability, air and water temperatures, light intensity and

“What I love about hydroponics is I don’t waste anything,” he says. Unused nutrients cycle back in closed circuits of water and work again for the next crop of vegetables.

When water gets low, he incorporates what’s left into new mixes of fertilizer and supplements of microrizal fungi. Local Sprout’s shipping container is repurposed, and the vertical sleeves the vegetables grow in are constructed from recycled plastic.

wave lengths, spacing, water pH, microorganisms, even the angle of land. Hagney mixes his own nutrients from an online hydroponics supplier. “In a controlled environment, you can increase CO2 by two to three times and increase the yield substantially,” he says.

Hagney adds, “The reason I do hydroponics is not to make a quick buck. This version of agriculture will be what cultures rely on in the future.” may/june 2016 | 121

W SUSTAINABLE GARDENING This much is true: Hydroponics definitely appeals to rocket scientists. NASA has experimented with it for years and now fully embraces hydroponic gardening for its space programs. In August 2015, International Space Station astronauts finally sampled space roughage they’d been growing hydroponically for years. Astronaut Scott Kelly might not have gotten to famously muse, “One small step for mankind…” but he did get to quip, “Tastes like arugula!”

For future long-duration missions, life support will prove more efficient with plants grown on site rather than via resupply. And not only does space farming supplement a healthy diet, but plants remove toxic carbon dioxide from spacecraft air and produce oxygen.

And just in case this seems too out-of-this-world, remember your elementary school science project, with the pinto bean wedged in a wet paper towel growing roots and shoots? Or that potato suspended on toothpicks in a glass of water on the kitchen table?

Hydroponics.

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2016 SAN ANTONIO WOMAN MEDICAL DIRECTORY

INTERNAL MEDICINE AND ENDOCRINOLOGY Dr. Laura Akright has been a practicing Endocrinologist in San Antonio since 1985, and was fortunate to have been the first Endocrinology fellow at the UTHSCSA. She and her husband, Bruce Akright MD (OB/GYN), originally came to San Antonio after graduating from medical school. Together they have raised three sons, acquired numerous pets, have been able to follow patients in their respective practices for many years, and both truly enjoy their careers.

Dr. Laura Akright • Board certified Internal Medicine and Endocrinology • Member of American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist, • Texas Medical Assoc. and Bexar County Medical Society.

Dr. Akright feels fortunate to have incorporated into her Endocrinology practice clinical research trials with NE Clinical Research. This furthers her medical knowledge, but also allows patients to get treatments they may not be able to afford, and gives access to health care by another means. She also has a Wellness Program, Ideal Protein, which can focus attention specifically on the importance of diet and weight loss on overall health.

Education: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX Medicine: Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO Internship and Residency: UT Health Science Center Years of practice: 32 Contact: Northeast Endocrinology Associates, P.A. 5000 Schertz Parkway, Suite 200, Schertz, TX 78154 www.neendocrinology.com (210) 650-3360

PLASTIC SURGERY Dr. Jessica Belz is a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon in San Antonio and South Texas. She is committed to helping her patients achieve their personal aesthetic goals and enhance their self-confidence, in the safest manner possible. Her caring and compassionate approach, along with her feminine perspective and attention to detail, provide her patients with individualized care and a fresh outlook on life.

Jessica Belz, MD

Education: Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Washington University in St. Louis Languages: English, Spanish and German.

Contact: Jessica Belz, MD 255 E. Sonterra Boulevard Suite 201 San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 529-8994 www.drjessicabelz.com

• Plastic Surgery • Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation • Breast Reduction • Body Contouring • Mommy Makeover

RADIATION ONCOLOGY Dr. Jui-Lien “Lillian” Chou is a board-certified radiation oncologist who is also a breast cancer survivor. Her passion is in providing comprehensive, compassionate and excellent health care.

She is a breast care specialist and has dedicated herself to the development of state-ofthe-art breast care centers for the benefit of her patients. She founded Aurora Breast Center San Antonio in September of 2009.

Jui-Lien Chou, MD

Aurora Breast Center is the only comprehensive breast care center in San Antonio featuring a breast care clinic with cutting-edge breast imaging, biopsy and cancer treatment technology and a compassionate team.

• Breast Care Specialist • Radiation Oncologist • Breast Cancer Survivor

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Education: • Medical College: National Taiwan University, in 1980 with honors • Residency: Radiation Oncology, Cancer Therapy and Research Center/University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Years in San Antonio: 11 Contact: Aurora Breast Center Aurora Cancer Center 9102 Floyd Curl Drive San Antonio, TX 78240 (210) 247-0888 www.aurorabreastcenter.com

2016 SAN ANTONIO WOMAN MEDICAL DIRECTORY

GASTROENTEROLOGY Dr. Dar is a Board Certified Gastroenterologist. She completed her fellowship training at UTHSC at San Antonio. Dr. Dar began her Private Practice in 1997. She is very passionate about her patients. She believes early detection of Colon Cancer is critical. Dr. Dar once participated in clinical trials for Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis, exposing her to many IBD patients. With that exposure, she was able to increase her knowledge on how to treat, control and manage these life debilitating diseases, returning quality of life to the patient.

Seema A. Dar, MD, FACG • Colon Cancer Screenings • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases • Liver Disease/Hepatology • Virtual Capsule Endoscopy • Board Certified Gastroenterologist

Dr. Dar is married to Urfan Dar, MD and they have two daughters. When not working she enjoys horseback riding, reading and gardening.

Education: Medical Degree: University of Kashmir, India Residency: Texas Tech University Fellowship: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Years of practice: 19 Contact: Stone Oak Gastroenterology 19284 Stone Oak Pkwy #102 San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 268-0124 www.sagidoc.com

ALLERGY, ASTHMA, IMMUNOLOGY Dr. Patricia Gomez Dinger leads her field in the areas of mountain cedar desensitization with sublingual immunotherapy, and, in August 2015, became the first Allergist in San Antonio to conduct Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) to treat those with peanut allergy.

Patricia Gomez Dinger, DO • Pediatric and Adult • Board Certified in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology * Oral Immunotherapy for Peanut

Dr. Gomez Dinger is passionate about informing the community about the latest advancements in allergy, asthma, and immunology and speaks locally and nationally to further education. She's a Super Doctors 2015 recipient, past President of the San Antonio Allergy Society and continuously works hard to grow awareness to allergy and asthma related campaigns.

"The is no greater reward than having a patient return for a follow up visit to tell me they are feeling the best they have ever felt in their life!" ~ Dr. Dinger

Education: University of Texas, Austin, TX New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Long Island, NY Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX Fellowship: Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA Years in Practice in Texas: 15 Contact: Advanced Allergy Asthma and Immunology 540 Madison Oak, Suite 210 San Antonio, TX 78258 5000 Schertz Parkway, Suite 400 Schertz, TX 78154 www.mysaallergist.com (210) 499-ITCH email: info@mysaallergist.com

CLINICAL AUDIOLOGIST

Dr. Phallon Doss Clinical Audiologist • Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aids • Tinnitus Assessment and Treatment • Custom Hearing Protection

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Dr. Phallon Doss is steadily becoming a leader in the field of audiology. She graduated summa cum laude from Texas Woman’s University, and received her doctorate in audiology from the University of North Texas.

She has extensive experience in a wide range of audiologic procedures, including diagnostic hearing examinations, hearing aid selection and fitting, electrophysiology, and cochlear implant programming. In addition to owning a successful private practice, she teaches distance learning diagnostic and pediatric audiology for the University of Guyana in South America and is a guest lecturer for the University of North Texas. Dr. Doss maintains her clinical certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

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Education: Bachelor of Science Summa Cum Laude Texas Woman’s University Doctorate in Audiology University of North Texas

Contact: Doss Audiology & Hearing Center 5000 Schertz Parkway, Suite 300 Schertz, TX 78254 Office: (210) 819-5002 Fax: (210) 819-5003 www.dossaudiology.com

2016 SAN ANTONIO WOMAN MEDICAL DIRECTORY

ENDOCRINOLOGY Kathleen Hands, M.D., is board-certified in both internal medicine and Endocrinology with sub-specialty training in thyroid disorders. Dr. Hands is the first ultrasound certified endocrinologist from AIUM and trains other endocrinologists in thyroid ultrasound guided biopsy techniques.

Kathleen Hands, MD FACE, ECNU • Thyroid nodules & Thyroid cancer • Parathyroid disease • Pregnancy-related thyroid disease • Autoimmune thyroid diseases • Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism

Recognized nationally for her expertise in lymph node assessment in patients with thyroid nodules to determine risks for cancer, she is one of few physicians who perform molecular studies on thyroid nodule biopsies, increasing accuracy in assessing cancer risks and avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Dr. Hands has received “Compassionate Doctor Award” from independent patient review groups.

Education: Fellowship: UTHSC, San Antonio • Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine • Diplomat of the American Board of Endocrinology and Metabolism • Asst. Professor, Univ. of Texas Health Science Center SA, Dept. of Medicine Years in San Antonio: 12 Contact: Thyroid & Endocrine Center of South Texas 540 Madison Oak Dr., Suite 270 San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 491-9494 www.thyroid-center.com DrHands@thyroid-center.com

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Donna McMyler, MD • Board certified gastroenterologist • Colon cancer screening • Inflammatory bowel disease • Celiac disease • Acid reflux/heartburn

Dr. Donna McMyler uses her background in nutrition to treat patients with gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux, celiac disease, IBS and gastroparesis. Her father-in-law was diagnosed with colon cancer at an early age, and she has made it her mission to ensure both men and women are screened for this highly preventable disease. Dr. McMyler attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for medical school and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for residency and fellowship. Dr. McMyler grew up in a small town in Texas and when not helping her patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

A lot of women will take care of their family first — their kids, their husband — women need to take care of themselves.

Education: B.S. Degree: Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX M.D. Degree: University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX Internal Medicine Residency: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Gastroenterology Fellowship: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Years in practice: 8 Contact: Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio 855 Proton Road San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 614-1234 www.gastroconsa.com

VASCULAR SURGERY

Lori L. Pounds, MD • Treatment of varicose veins • Treatment of acute and chronic Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) • Therapies for venous ulcerations • Dialysis access creation

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Dr. Pounds grew up in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. She went to the University of Pittsburgh for undergraduate school and attended Temple University School of Medicine. She did her general surgical residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and then went back to Temple for a Vascular Surgery Fellowship. Dr. Pounds returned to UTMB in Galveston and was an assistant professor for 6 years. She relocated to San Antonio in 2007 and had a successful private practice, leaving for the opportunity to teach and work with the veterans in a dual appointment in the School of Medicine Division of Vascular/Endovascular Surgery at the UT School of Medicine in San Antonio.

Dr. Pounds is committed to providing excellent care for vascular disorders and has a particular interest in acute and chronic venous disease.

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Education: Medical School: Temple University School of Medicine Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Fellowship: Temple University School of Medicine Years of practice: 15 Contact: UT Medicine Vascular Surgery Medical Arts & Research Center - MARC 8300 Floyd Curl Drive, 3rd Floor - 3B San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 450-9888 www.UTMedicine.org Vascular.UTHSCSA.edu SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

2016 SAN ANTONIO WOMAN MEDICAL DIRECTORY

VASCULAR SURGERY Dr. Sheehan graduated from medical school in 1998, and completed her general surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center in 2003. She then completed a two-year fellowship in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at University of Pittsburgh in 2005.

She has also completed her Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation. She currently serves on several national committees in vascular surgery.

Maureen K. Sheehan, MD • Treatment of varicose veins • Treatment of acute and chronic Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) • Sclerotherapy for spider veins

Her current clinical and research interests include endovascular treatment of perifpheral arterial disease, critical limb ischemia, carotid disease, and venous disease. She also has expertise in immediate, patient-centered care for venous and arterial disease.

Education: Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Strich School of Medicine Residency: Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood Fellowship: Vascular Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Other: Masters in Health Administration (MHA), Trinity University Contact: UT Medicine Vascular Surgery Medical Arts & Research Center - MARC 8300 Floyd Curl Drive, 3rd Floor - 3B San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 450-9888 www.UTMedicine.org Vascular.UTHSCSA.edu SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

GASTROENTEROLOGY

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Zarema Singson, MD • Board certified gastroenterologist • Colon cancer screening • Inflammatory bowel disease • Women’s GI Health • Liver disease

Dr. Singson earned her medical degree from the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio and went on to complete her residency and fellowship training at the University of California Irvine, where she served as Chief Resident and received an award for her research on innovative methods in polyp detection and analysis. She is skilled in all areas of gastroenterology with a special interest in inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer prevention, women’s GI health, hepatology, and obesity as it relates to GI disorders.

When she is not practicing medicine, she enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her family.

I believe in the patient/physician relationship and enjoy building a relationship with my patients and working together on their health goals.

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Education: B.A. Degree: Biology: Rice University, Houston, TX M.D. Degree: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Internal Medicine Residency: University of California Irvine, Orange, CA Gastroenterology Fellowship: University of California Irvine, Orange, CA Years of practice: 3 Contact: Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio 8214 Wurzbach San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 614-1234 www.gastroconsa.com

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DREAM HOME Guide

Luxury homes available for purchase in San Antonio and the Surrounding Texas Hill Country Area SanAntonioDreamHomes.com

Calendar

W

ART // MUSIC // FILM // THEATER // DANCE // CHARITY // OUTDOORS May 6

his new studio album, This Path Tonight, which was released worldwide on April 15. As a former member of Crosby, Stills Nash & Young, he is best known for his contribution to hits like Marrakesh Express, Our House and Teach Your Children. www.majesticempire.com

A CHORUS LINE OPENING NIGHT The San Pedro Playhouse, 8pm The beloved musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch will be performed. www.theplayhousesa.org

May 3 - 8

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL The Majestic Theatre, Times vary Motown the Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Featuring classic songs such as My Girl and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,experience the story behind the music in this record-breaking smash hit. www.majesticempire.com

May 7

SPRING PLANT SHOW AND SALE San Antonio Botanical Garden, 10am - 2pm Shop for San Antonio-friendly plants grown by volunteers at the Botanical Garden at this annual spring plant sale. Make selections for your landscape that save you time, money and water! One-gallon size plants.

Garden admission required. www.sabot.org

May 11 SPLENDOR IN THE GARDEN GALA San Antonio Botanical Garden May 8

THE SAN ANTONIO CHILDREN’S CHOIR MOTHERS DAY The Tobin Center, 3pm Music by, about and for mothers is the centerpiece for our Spring concert, which will feature the debut of our new Prelude Choir composed of singers ages 5-7. Come see our combined choruses performing to honor mothers everywhere for Mother’s Day in the H-E-B Performance Hall in the Tobin Center for Performing Arts. www.tobincenter.org

May 9

GRAHAM NASH The Majestic Theatre, 8pm Legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash has announced that he has added additional United States tour dates, due to the success of

May 3-8 MOTOWN THE MUSICAL The Majestic Theatre

May 31 - June 5 THE WIZARD OF OZ The Majestic Theatre

May 9

THE GIPSY KINGS The Majestic Theatre, 7:30pm The Gipsy Kings meld flamenco, rumba, salsa and pop. They have sold over 20 million albums, They are the Grammy Award-winning hit-makers behind the song Bamboléo. Celebrate with them as they take audiences back to the south of France with flamenco guitars and booming Spanish vocals. www.majesticempire.com

May 10

JOHN FOGERTY The Majestic Theatre, 8pm American singer-songwriter John Fogerty, lead singer and guitarist of Creedance Clearwater Revival, visits San Antonio for one night only.

Fogerty penned some of the most memorable songs in rock and roll, including Proud Mary, Bad Moon Rising and Fortunate Son. www.majesticempire.com

May 10

CELTIC WOMAN DESTINY WORLD TOUR The Majestic Theatre, 7pm A multiplatinum Irish music sensation, Celtic Woman presents Destiny, an enchanting new show and world concert tour. www.majesticempire.com

May 11

This parade is dedicated to the men and women of the Armed Forces, past and present. Enjoy watching patriotically decorated floats carrying all 5 branches of military personnel drift down the river. www.sanantonioriverwalk.com

May 21

BREWS AND BLOOMS The San Antonio Botanical Garden, 6:30-9:30pm Enjoy craft brew samples food booths, and music, all set in the gorgeous, flowering Botanical Garden. A casual evening for adults 21 and older (no children allowed).

Working closely with San Antonio Cerveceros, Brews and Blooms provides a venue for new and seasoned local craft breweries to showcase their beer selections, from Blonde Ales and Wits to Pale Ales and IPA’s, including limited releases from local breweries. Due to construction, on-site parking is limited Tickets: $25 (Members/$22).

Designated driver tickets: $15. www.sabot.org.

SPLENDOR IN THE GARDEN GALA San Antonio Botanical Garden, 6:30pm Enjoy an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing under the stars.

This annual fundraiser supports family programming at the Garden. www.sabot.org

May 21

ARMED FORCES RIVER PARADE

( EDITOR’S PICK ) Exhibit opens May 14

MAYA - HIDDEN WORLDS REVEALED Presented at the new Mays Family Center at the Witte This is the largest traveling exhibition about the Maya ever to tour the United States, and this is the Texas premiere of the exhibition. The exhibit uses a combination of authentic artifacts along with multimedia and interactive, hands-on activities to reveal our deep ties to this astonishing civilization. Experience the way Mayans lived, learn their calendars, mathematics, and cosmology through interactive opportunities.

Please note: The exhibit is massive, the largest ever at the Witte, so we recommend scheduling a longer than average time to enjoy the exhibition, and its demonstrations and programs. www.wittemuseum.org

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The River Walk, 6 - 7pm

May 23

PETER FRAMPTON The Tobin Center, 8pm Singer, songwriter and guitarist Peter Frampton was a musical prodigy, teaching himself to play the guitar at age 7. Within the next few years, he mastered complex jazz, blues and rock riffs. Listen as he performs favorites like Baby I Love Your Way, Do You Feel Like I Do? and Show Me the Way. www.tobincenter.org

May 27

MEMORIAL DAY ARTISAN RIVER WALK BOUTIQUE The River Walk, 11am - 8pm Some of the most novel handmade merchandise available anywhere.

Whether it’s jewelry, pottery or fine art you are interested in, you are sure to find what you’re looking for. www.sanantonioriverwalk.com

May 28

CHICAGO

May 21 BREWS & BLOOMS The San Antonio Botanical Garden

The Majestic Theatre, 8pm Hailed as one of the most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era.

This legendary rock and roll band, known for their great horns, is the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades. Enjoy fan favorite hits like Saturday in the Park, If You Leave Me Now, Hard Habit To Break and more. www.majesticempire.com

MAY/JUNE

2016 ART // MUSIC // FILM // THEATER // DANCE // CHARITY // OUTDOORS May 29

THE RIVER CITY ROCKFEST The AT&T Center, 8pm Grammy Award-nominated rock band Disturbed and German rock legend Scorpions will co-headline the fourth annual Bud Light River City Rockfest. This year’s Memorial Day weekend outdoor rock festival will feature more than 20 bands live on three stages. Lineup also includes Megadeth, Bullet For My Valentine, Hellyeah, Sixx AM, Pop Evil, Sevendust, P.O.D., The Sword, Texas Hippie Coalition, Hatebreed, Devil Driver, Red Sun Rising, Avatar and Wild Throne. Additional bands will be announced at a later date. www.attcenter.com

May 31 - June 5

THE WIZARD OF OZ The Majestic Theatre, times vary This new production is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this production contains the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. www.majesticempire.com

June 3

THE MCNAY SPRING PARTY: CONEY ISLAND AT THE MCNAY The McNay, 7pm - Midnight Join us for the 8th Annual Spring Party as we head to Coney Island!

Don your Boardwalk Best Attire as you stroll the McNay’s grounds partaking in games, fabulous sideshow acts, and amazing musical entertainment. All your favorite Coney Island delicacies and cocktails will be served. This is a “can’t miss” evening. To make it more exciting, our fabulous silent auction is back, with items from some of

June 6 WHITESNAKE The Majestic Theatre

the city’s best restaurants, boutiques, sports, and entertainment businesses. www.mcnayart.org

June 3 THE SPRING PARTY AT THE MCNAY The McNay

June 6

WHITESNAKE GREATEST HITS TOUR The Majestic Theatre, 8pm The band is blowing audiences away with this stunning, energetic live performance. The band is on tour promoting their most recent studio offering,The Purple Album. www.majesticempire.com

June 12

JANE LYNCH SEE JANE SING The Majestic Theatre, 8pm Fresh from her iconic portrayal of Sue Sylvester on Glee and her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in Annie, Jane will bring her comic skills and musical prowess to the theater stage.

Audiences should prepare for a side-splitting evening of musical comedy, with more than a dash of

June 25 CHUBBY CHECKER The Tobin CEnter

wit as Jane explores her love of the beauty and absurdity of the American standard and show tune. www.majesticempire.com

June 24

WHOOPI GOLDBERG The Tobin Center, 8pm Returning to the stage to share her unique observations on current events and anything else on her mind, Whoopi Goldberg performs at the Majestic Theatre.

She is known throughout the world for her accomplishments as a performer, best-selling author, producer and humanitarian. She is one of an elite group of artists who have won a Grammy, Academy, Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony awards. www.tobincenter.org

He is widely known for popularizing the twist dance style, with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard's R&B hit The Twist. www.tobincenter.org

July 10

JIM GAFFIGAN FULLY DRESSED TOUR The Majestic Theatre, 7pm Jim Gaffigan is a Grammy nominated comedian, New York Times best-selling author, top touring performer, and multi-platinum-

selling father of five. He recently wrapped the first season of his semi-fictitious television show, The Jim Gaffigan Show, which TV Land picked up for a second season and premieres this summer.

Join him for his stand-up act for one night only at the Majestic Theatre. www.majesticempire.com

June 25

CHUBBY CHECKER The Tobin Center, 7:30pm Let's twist again! It's the one and only, legendary, great Chubby Checker — the limbo,the twist, the man of a thousand dances...

July 10 JIM GAFFIGAN The Majestic Theater

June 24 WHOOPI GOLDBERG The Tobin Center

may/june 2016 | 139

W DINING

Myron’s Prime Steakhouse In 2011,

Myron “Bill” Been and his wife, Jo Anna, opened the sleek and contemporary Myron’s Prime Steakhouse in the shiny Alon Town Centre. With many exciting features such as an extensive bar (service begins at 3:30 p.m.), outside dining, winepairing and spirit-pairing dinners — both created monthly by chef Jared Heilman — it is a culinary treasure of elegance, comfort, and sublime specialties. Having received many recent awards of distinction, it has quickly become a savory destination on the San Antonio dining map.

Been knows steak and has for decades. Before opening the original and very successful Myron’s Prime Steakhouse in New Braunfels in 2003, Been’s goal was always to build a long-standing family business centered on warm hospitality and high-end beef. He realized early on how critical a team approach with his wife would be. Thankfully, his native San Antonio bride was willing, and together, they sought to gain valuable experience in order to prepare themselves. Been explains, “I first spent many years managing the renowned Old San Francisco Steakhouse in Dallas and then opened and managed the one in San Antonio. Meanwhile, Jo Anna honed her skills, but on the finance side of the restaurant.” Other restaurant management opportunities followed, and eventually they realized their dreams.

Reflecting on how their journey began, Been says, “It all happened when I dined at an upscale steakhouse in Dallas during my pre-med studies at Texas Tech in the ‘70s. I was so transformed by the experience,” he exclaims, “I returned to Lubbock and promptly changed my major to business and haven’t veered off the steak path since. Now, daughter Jenny and her husband, Steve Franckowiak, work with us; she is the administrator for the entire operation, and he is the general manager of the New Braunfels location. Our success is in this family,” attests Been.

After a bit of research, it is apparent how stringent Myron’s standards are in serving the highest-quality beef available — Chicago USDA Prime beef, inspected as the most tender and flavorful beef with the finest texture. The higher fat marbling ratio combined with the lower beef maturity constitute a Prime grading. The aging process follows, and Myron’s ensures their beef is dry-aged for a minimum of 14 days and then is wet-aged between 28 and 35 days. I ordered the 8-ounce filet topped with their signature “Shrimp Myron” (plump shrimp with white wine and garlic butter sauce) draped over the top. Each blissful, buttery bite melted into the next. The bone-in rib-eye landed on the table next to us, and it was such a sight, I made a mental note to come even hungrier next time in order to try this 22-ounce Prime ribeye, a carnivore’s delight.

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A Savory Destination of Distinction Shaped by a Family’s Love

BY LAUREN BROWNING PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET ROGERS

While pork is not graded in the same way as beef in the United States, Myron’s manages to source the best pork I have ever tasted at a steakhouse — I know this because I sawed off a juicy morsel from my husband’s plate. Curious, I asked Been to elaborate on their perfectly executed pork, and he boasted, “It doesn’t even come with a sauce, per se, because we are confident it is so moist and delicious it just doesn’t need it.” His pork theory reminds me of Texas barbecue enthusiasts who feel it is blasphemous to slather sauce on their prized meat. I have come around in my thinking since moving to the Lone Star State and now can fully appreciate Been’s passion behind serving two 8ounce, 1-inch-thick single bone-in pork chops piled up high and sauceless. The glistening pork stands alone at Myron’s, but any of their delicious house-made sauces are available — with no scorn.

Coming from a long line of steak connoisseurs, I also find genuine pleasure in appreciating the sides — an art form for sure. There are many noteworthy sides at Myron’s, but the most popular is probably the jalapeño mac and cheese. I marveled at the creamy, cheesy sauce with tangy notes from the sharp aged cheddar, but the delayed pulse of jalapeño heat after every spoonful is why I suspect the fans are endeared. There are other cheesy delights at Myron’s like the au gratin broccoli, au gratin potatoes, au gratin cauliflower and the au gratin spinach, leading me to believe they take their “au gratin” formula very seriously — pure decadence.

There is something special for everyone at Myron’s Prime Steakhouse, including live Maine lobster, king crab legs, the daily “fresh catch,” rack of lamb and other celebrated appetizer and entree fare from the earth, sky and sea. But what’s a memorable steakhouse experience without finishing with a lavish dessert — or two? The classic chocolate cake was superior, arriving warm with rich chocolate ganache sauce dripping every which way. The classic bread pudding was exquisite, ushering me to happy nostalgia of the finest bread puddings while growing up in Louisiana. Other desserts caught our eye as well, but we were just too full.

In addition to a glorious menu and attentive service, Myron’s also offers three private rooms ranging from an intimate gathering of 12 to a larger meeting room for up to 60 seats, all outfitted with AV capabilities.

Overall, after this spectacular meal and personable conversation with Bill Been, it is clear why Myron’s Prime Steakhouse in the Alon Town Centre is a compelling restaurant for all occasions. Been summarizes it best, saying, “Above all, it is the love of family that shines through and sets us apart.” And so it is.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The elegant interior of Myron’s Prime Steakhouse, Seared Tuna Appetizer, Creme Brulee with Fresh Berries, Scallops, Jalapeño Mac and Cheese, Rib-eye with Shrimp Myron Topping.

may/june 2016 | 141

TIME EAT to

RESTAURANT GUIDE SUSHI ZUSHI

AMERICAN

Silo

1133 Austin Highway (210) 824-8686 434 N. Loop 1604 (210) 493-8989

BIGA ON THE BANKS BIRD BAKERY BLISS BOUDRO’S CAPPY’S CAPPYCCINO’S BISTRO CYPRESS GRILL ANNE MARIES’S BISTRO SAN ANTONIO CAFÉ CHEESECAKE FACTORY FEAST THE GRILL AT LEON SPRINGS GUENTHER HOUSE HOULIHAN'S J. ALEXANDER’S JOSEPHINE STREET KONA GRILL LIBERTY BAR MADRID ROOM MAGIC TIME MACHINE MAMA'S CAFE RAINFOREST CAFÉ RESTAURANT GWENDOLYN SCENIC LOOP CAFE SILO ELEVATED CUISINE STONE WERKS VINEYARD ZEDRIC’S

TAIPEI

203 S. St. Mary’s 225-0722 5912 Broadway 804-2473 926 S. Presa 225-2547 314 E. Commerce 224-1313 5011 Broadway 828-9669 5003 Broadway 828-6860 170 S. Main St., #A, Boerne (830) 248-1353 555 Funston Place 826-5800 1150 S. Alamo 271-7791 7400 San Pedro 798-0769 1024 S. Alamo 354-1024 24116 IH-10 W. 698-8797 205 E. Guenther 227-1061 14601 IH-35 N. 651-4744 385 N. Loop 1604 W. 494-3371 555 E. Basse 824-0275 400 E. Josephine 224-6169 15900 La Cantera Pkwy.

877-5355 1111 S. Alamo 227-1187 300 E. Travis 227-4392 902 N.E. Loop 410 828-1470 2442 Nacogdoches 826-8303 7929 Pat Booker Rd. 653-2002 517 N. Presa 223-3297 152 E. Pecan #100 222-1849 25615 Boerne Stage Rd. 687-1818 1133 Austin Highway 824-8686 434 N. Loop 1604 483-8989 Broadway at Basse 823-3508 27315 FM 3009 (830) 980-8033 5231 Broadway 824-6000

ASIAN Hsiu Yu 8338 Broadway St San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 828-2273

BIG KAHUNAS CHINA BISTRO DING HOW FORMOSA GARDENS FUJIYA GOLDEN WOK

ILSONG GARDEN INDIA OVEN INDIA PALACE KOI KAWA MANOLA’S THAI MENCIUS’S GOURMET MON THAI BISTRO P. F. CHANG’S SAWASDEE SUSHIHANA SUSHI ZUSHI

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203 S. St. Mary’s 999 E. Basse 18720 Stone Oak 2211 N.W. Military 18802 Stone Oak 300 W. Bitters 126 W. Rector 9405 San Pedro 1146 Austin Highway

741 W. Ashby Pl. 10103 Huebner Road 4531 N.W. Loop 410 1011 N. E. Loop 410 9030 Wurzbach 8822 Wurzbach 8230 Marbach 6905 Blanco Rd. 1031 Patricia 8440 Fredericksburg 4051 Broadway 7212 Blanco Rd. 7959 Fredericksburg 4901 Broadway 255 E. Basse 15900 La Cantera Pkwy 6407 Blanco Road 1810 N.W. Military IH-10 W. and Wurzbach

733-8473 340-7944 340-7944 828-9988 615-7553 615-8282 674-2577 366-4508 366-1033 692-5262 805-8111 348-9071 615-1288 822-3253 507-1000 507-6500 979-9110 340-7808 691-3332

TASTE OF ASIA THAI LAO RESTAURANT TOKYO STEAK HOUSE TONG’S THAI

472-2900 826-8500 545-6100 366-3012 403-3316 496-6266 524-9908 341-4461 829-7345

BARBECUE BUN ‘N’ BARREL THE BARBEQUE STATION CHIT CHAT BBQ THE COUNTY LINE RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE THE BIG BIB TWO BROTHERS BBQ

1150 Austin Hwy. 610 N.E. Loop 410 218 N. Cherry 111 W. Crockett 10101 I-10 W. 24152 IH-10 W. 15560 I-35 N. 10623 Westover Hills 104 Lanark Dr. 12656 West Ave.

828-2829 691-3332 271-2888 229-1491 641-1998 698-2141 653-7839 520-5552 654-8400 496-0222

CAJUN/CREOLE ACADIANA BIG EASY CAFE BOURBON STREET SEAFOOD THE COOKHOUSE PAT O’BRIEN’S

1289 S.W. Loop 410 4822 Walzem Road 2815 N. Loop 1604 720 E. Mistletoe 121 Alamo Plaza

674-0019 653-5688 545-0666 320-8211 212-8698

EUROPEAN ANAQUA GRILL CITRUS CRUMPETS FIG TREE FOLC FREDERICK’S FREDERICK’S BISTRO THE GAZEBO AT LOS PATIOS HOUSTON STREET BISTRO LAS CANARIAS LA FRITE BELGIAN BISTRO LION & ROSE ENGLISH PUB LÜKE NOSH SAVEURS 209 WAXY O’CONNOR’S

555 S. Alamo 150 E. Houston 3920 Harry Wurzbach 515 Villita 226 E. Olmos 7701 Broadway 14439 N.W. Military #100 2015 N.E. Loop 410 204 E. Houston 112 College 728 S. Alamo 5148 Broadway 842 N.W. Loop 410 700 E. Sonterra Blvd.

125 E. Houston 1133 Austin Highway 209 Broadway 234 River Walk

229-1000 227-9700 821-5454 224-1976 822-0100 828-9050 888-1500 655-6171 476-8600 518-1000 224-7555 822-7673 798-4154 798-5466 227-5853 824-8686 639-3165 229-9299

HAMBURGERS BIG’Z BURGER JOINT BOBBY J’S BUCKHORN SALOON BURGER BOY CHRIS MADRID’S CHEESY JANE’S CHESTER’S HAMBURGERS

FATTY’S FUDDRUCKERS

2303 N. Loop 1604 W. 13247 Bandera Rd. 318 E. Houston St. 2323 N. St. Mary’s 1900 Blanco 4200 Broadway 1006 N.E. Loop 410 9980 IH-10 W. 16609 San Pedro 621 Pat Booker 1624 E.Commerce 115 Alamo Plaza 8602 Botts Ln.

408-2029 695-4941 247-4000 735-1955 735-3552 826-0800 805-8600 699-1222 494-3333 658-3000 299-8110 223-9944 824-6703

GOURMET BURGER GRILL LONGHORN CAFE MO MAK’S SAM’S BURGER JOINT TEXAS HAMBURGER CO TIMBO’S

18414 Hwy. 281 N. 17625 Blanco Rd. 13838 Jones Maltsberger 330 E. Grayson St. 9010 Huebner Rd. 1639 Broadway

545-3800 492-0301 481-3600 223-2830 699-1189 223-1028

ITALIAN 1203 N. Loop 1604 W. ALDINO AT THE VINEYARD 8539 Fredericksburg ALDO'S RISTORANTE BRAVO CUCINA ITALIANA 15900 La Cantera Pkwy.

CAPPARELLI’S ON MAIN 2524 N. Main CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL 12507 IH-10 W. CERRONI’S PURPLE GARLIC 1017 Austin Hwy. DOUGH PIZZERIA 6989 Blanco 200 E. Grayson, #100 IL SOGNO OSTERIA LORENZO’S 8032 Fredericksburg Rd. LA FOCACCIA ITALIAN GRILL 800 S. Alamo 824 Afterglow LITTLE ITALY LUCE RISTORANTE E ENOTECA11255 Huebner LUCIANO’S 849 E. Commerce 401 South Alamo 521 River Walk MICHELINO’S MILANO RISTORANTE 11802 Wurzbach PAESANOS 555 E. Basse 111 W. Crockett Loop 1604 at N.W. Military 255 E. Basse PIATTI PIATTI EILAN 1701 La Cantera Pkwy., #7 PICCOLO’S 5703 Evers Rd. 16019 Nacogdoches POMPEII ITALIAN GRILL TRE TRATTORIA 4003 Broadway

340-0000 696-2536 877-9300 735-5757 694-4191 822-2300 979-6363 223-3900 692-9900 223-5353 349-2060 561-9700 223-0500 888-7030 223-2939 493-3611 828-5191 227-2782 493-1604 832-0300 251-3542 647-5524 946-5518 805-0333

MEDITERRANEAN DEMO’S COPA WINE BAR GREEK TO ME JERUSALEM GRILL JOHN THE GREEK MIMI & DIMI’S PAPOULI’S GRILL

7115 Blanco 2501 N. St. Mary’s 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy.

5440 Babcock Rd. 3259 Wurzbach Rd. 16602 San Pedro 7159 W US Hiwy 90 8250 Agora Pkwy., #120 255 E. Basse, #384 11224 Huebner, #201

342-2772 732-7777 495-2672 699-6688 680-8400 403-0565 674-3464 659-2244 804-1118 641-1313

MEXICAN/LATIN El Jarro 13421 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 494-5084 ÁCENAR MODERN TEX-MEX 146 E. Houston AJUÚA! CUISINE DE MEXICO 11703 Huebner ALAMO CAFÉ 10060 IH-10 W. 14250 San Pedro ALDACO'S 100 Hoefgen 20079 Stone Oak Pkwy.

AZUCA NUEVO LATINO 713 S. Alamo CASA RIO 430 E. Commerce BETO’S 8421 Broadway CIELITO LINDO 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy.

EL CHAPARRAL 15103 Bandera 2838 N. Loop 1604 EL MIRADOR 722 S. St. Mary’s EL MIRASOL ALTA COCINA 13489 Blanco IRON CACTUS MEXICAN GRILL200 River Walk LA FOGATA 2427 Vance Jackson LA FONDA ALAMO HEIGHTS 1633 Crownhill LA FONDA ON MAIN 2415 N. Main LA FONDA OAK HILLS 350 Northaven LA HACIENDA DE LOS BARRIOS 18747 Redland Rd. LA MARGARITA 120 Produce Row LOS BARRIOS 4223 Blanco MAMACITA’S 8030 IH-10 W. MI TIERRA CAFE AND BAKERY 218 Produce Row

ORIGINAL MEXICAN PALOMA BLANCA PALOMA RIVER WALK PAPPASITO’S CANTINA PERICO’S BAR AND GRILL PICANTE GRILL PICO DE GALLO RIO RIO CANTINA ROSARIO’S ROSARIO’S NORTH SALSALITO’S SAZO’S LATIN GRILL SOLUNA COCINA MEXICANA TACO TACO TOMATILLOS CANTINA URBAN TACO

528 River Walk 5800 Broadway 215 Losoya 10501 IH-10 W. 10820 Bandera 1439 E. Sonterra Blvd.

3810 Broadway 111 S. Leona 421 E. Commerce 910 S. Alamo 7915 San Pedro 14535 Nacogdoches 11523 Bandera 101 Bowie 7959 Broadway 145 E. Hildebrand 3210 Broadway 290 E. Basse, #105

224-9951 822-6151 212-0566 691-8974 684-5376 402-6006 822-3797 225-6060 226-8462 223-1806 481-4100 646-8088 558-6788 223-1000 930-8070 822-9522 824-3005 332-5149

PIZZA 2920 McCullough BARBARO 7959 Broadway BRAZA BRAVA PIZZERIA CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN 11745 IH-10 W. 255 E. Basse Rd. 7701 Broadway FLORIO’S PIZZA GRIMALDI’S PIZZA 330 E. Basse, #101 618 McCullough GUILLERMO’S MISS ELLIE’S 903 E. Bitters Rd SORRENTO 5146 Broadway 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy.

TRILOGY PIZZA BISTRO VOLARE GOURMET PIZZA 5054 Broadway

320-2261 320-2100 699-4275 424-2014 805-8646 832-8288 223-5587 499-1258 824-0055 404-1818 828-3354

SEAFOOD FISH CITY GRILL FUSION SEAFOOD, STEAK LANDRY’S SEAFOOD PAPPADEAUX SEAFOOD OSTRA ON THE RIVER THE SANDBAR SILO TERRACE OYSTER BAR STARFISH WILDFISH SEAFOOD GRILLE

18130 Hwy. 281 N. 11703 Huebner Road 517 N. Presa 76 N.E. Loop 410 212 W. Crockett 200 E. Grayson 22211 IH-10 West 709 S. Alamo 1834 N.W. Loop 1604

495-3474 694-4201 527-1845 340-7143 396-5817 212-2221 698-2002 375-4423 493-1600

SOUTHWESTERN CALIZA GRILL CANYON CAFE FRANCESCA’S AT SUNSET ORO RESTAURANT AND BAR

420 W. Market 225 E. Basse 16641 La Cantera Pkwy.

705 E. Houston

224-6500 225-0722 558-6500 225-5100

STEAKS 222-2362 877-0600 691-8827 495-2233 222-0561 494-0561 225-5550 225-6718 930-9393 545-6965 695-8302 490-8302 225-9444 479-8765 224-9835 340-1337 824-4231 733-0621 342-8981 497-8000 227-7140 732-6017 341-5424 225-1262

Chama Gaucha 18318 Sonterra Place San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 564-9400 ANTLERS LODGE THE BARN DOOR BOLO’S ROTISSERIE GRILLE FLEMING’S GREY MOSS INN KIRBY’S STEAKHOUSE LITTLE RHEIN STEAKHOUSE MORTON’S STEAKHOUSE MYRON’S STEAKHOUSE J. PRIME STEAKHOUSE THE PALM PERRY’S STEAKHOUSE RUTH'S CHRIS

9800 Hyatt Resort Dr. 8400 N. New Braunfels 9821 Colonnade 255 E. Basse Rd. 10901 Scenic Loop 123 N. Loop 1604 E. 231 S. Alamo 849 E. Commerce 10003 N.W. Military 1401 N. Loop 1604 W. 233 E. Houston 15900 La Cantera Pkwy.

7720 Jones Maltsberger 600 E. Market Street

520-4001 824-0116 691-8888 824-9463 695-8301 404-2221 225-1212 228-0700 493-3031 764-1604 226-7256 558-6161 821-5051 227-8847

Call (210) 826-5375 for more information.

ENHANCE YOUR LISTING!

may/june 2016 | 143

W WOMEN ON THE MOVE Chrissy Bruggeman Chrissy Bruggeman has been named marketing manager at Saks Fifth Avenue, responsible for creating and executing strategic marketing plans, maximizing exposure in the local marketplace and developing top customer programs.

She previously worked as the Fifth Avenue Club director for four years and was in charge of building sales volume, maintaining customer relationships and building a team to drive company and store initiatives. She directed the organization of special events and public relations from 2003-2007.

Lynne Martensen Lynne Martensen/KUPER Realty has joined Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty as a Realtor. Her strength lies in her dedication and talent for managing the details, no matter how complicated a transaction may become. With a rich resume made up of years of real estate experience, she has successfully navigated Texas Hill Country real estate, providing extraordinary service to her clients along the way.

Dolores Wheless Dolores Wheless, CPA/PFS, has earned the designation of a BEI-certified exit planner (CExP™) — the standard for exit planning certification.

She is senior vice president and wealth management strategist at Broadway Bank’s Family Business Resource Center. With more than 22 years of experience in the financial services arena, she is also a member of the BEI Network of Exit Planning Professionals™.

Lt. Gen. Nadja West The Army’s 44th Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Nadja West, was promoted to commander of the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) at Ft. Sam Houston in February. As the new Army Surgeon General, she is also the commanding general of MEDCOM, with more than 48 medical treatment facilities providing care to nearly 4 million beneficiaries worldwide. West is the Army’s first black female with the rank of lieutenant general and the highest-ranking female of any race to graduate from West Point.

Angela White Angela White has become CEO of Alpha Home.

She has been actively involved with various nonprofits, always focusing on working with women and children. She has experience as a life coach as well as corporate expertise covering finance, IT, training, program, operational and change management, working with teams across the globe.

Elizabeth Zeno Elizabeth Zeno has been promoted to principalvice president, architecture of RVK Architects.

She graduated cum laude, receiving her bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington. Zeno originally joined RVK in 1996. In 2005, she became a registered architect in the state of Texas.

144 | sawoman.com

Weddings W

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Douglas Crow (Katherine Nicole Lochte) January 30, 2016

Jenna-Beth Lyde/Parish Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Richard Lomax (Lindsey Kincaid Dutton) February 27, 2016

Jenna-Beth Lyde/Parish Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Luke Huffstutter (Natasha Strength) February 16, 2016

David Sixt Photography

David Sixt Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Brandon James Behrens (Caroline Suzanne Gaines) February 27, 2016

David Sixt Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Wright Vollmer (Sarah Louise Hoffman) February 6, 2016

David Sixt Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Ashby Tew (Lauren Auray Guido) December 31, 2015

may/june 2016 | 145

W LOOKING BACK

1931 The elaborate Queen's float of 1931 riden by Miss Dorothy Thompson in the Battle of Flowers Parade in downtown San Antonio.

146 | sawoman.com