San Antonio Woman March/April 2022

March/April 2022

BIANCA RHODE S

Building a Career Through Innovation, Leadership, and Faith

GIRL SCOUTS - BEYOND THE GYM RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE - WOMEN IN WHISKEY TEXAS STATE PARKS - COLORECTAL CANCER UPDATE

IN THIS ISSUE

MARCH/APRIL 2022

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16 Cover Story

A combination of hard work, talent, and grace led Bianca Rhodes to the C-Suite.

21 Feature Story

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Texas women are taking the whiskey industry by storm, and the results are delicious.

40 At Home

Stone Oak stunner becomes family’s oasis.

73 Women in Business

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Buyers and sellers get ready! The San Antonio residential real estate market will continue to climb in 2022.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Stories

16 Cover Story: Bianca Rhodes 2 1 F e a t u r e S t o r y : Wo m e n i n W h i s ke y 2 6 Role Model: Samantha Lopez 2 8 G u y t o K n o w : Te d d y L i a n g

Business

49 Spotlight: Cayce Kovacs, Hill Country Distillers 50 Nonprofit Spotlight: Philanthropitch 7 3 Wo m e n i n R e s i d e n t i a l R e a l E s t a t e 9 1 I n c o m e Ta x T i p s 9 2 Wo m e n o n t h e M o v e

Lifestyle

3 1 Fa s h i o n : B e y o n d T h e G y m 3 6 B e a u t y : Tr u S c u l p t I D 3 7 B e a u t y E x t ra : S h o w Yo u r s e l f !

4 0 At H o m e : S t o n e O a k S t u n n e r 4 6 At H o m e E x t ra : M i x i n g N a t u ra l E l e m e n t s

To Your Health

60 Colorectal Cancer Screening 6 2 We l l n e s s M a t t e r s : P h y s i c a l We l l n e s s 64 Fecal Incontinence 68 Urinary Incontinence 7 0 B e t t y ’s C o : I s t h i s N o r m a l ?

Food & Entertainment

9 4 D e s t i n a t i o n s : Te x a s S t a t e Pa r k s 9 6 H i l l C o u n t r y C u ra t e d : G l a m p i n g 98 Dining: Best Quality Daughter 100 Entertainment 1 0 2 S A C u ra t e d D i n i n g : F o o d Tr u c k s 1 0 3 A r t B e a t : K e l l y O ’C o n n o r 1 0 4 We d d i n g : M r. & M r s . H e b e r t

Special Sections

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5 1 G i r l S c o u t s o f S o u t h w e s t Te x a s

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CO N T R I BU TORS Brittany Paul, Photographer I love to capture beautiful women in our city. It was such a joy to create these fashion pages full of energy and colorfull outfits! I can’t wait to see them in print and I hope you like them as much as I do!

David Teran. Photographer There’s nothing new under the sun. One of my favorite compliments that I have received recently is when someone told me that the photo I made of her and her team for San Antonio Woman was reminiscent of a famous photographer, whom I looked up to for many years.

Steve Bennett, Writer Although kitchens and baths are Jana’s special passion, she covers the whole house for her clients. Jana has a distinctive sense of color and a unique design vocabulary. Like any designer, she wants to please her clients and goes to great lengths to understand what a client wants.

But she’s not afraid of throwing in a few creative surprises. Form and function unite in her design work.

Meredith Kay, Writer As a whiskey lover, I was so excited to meet the amazing Texas women making such a huge impact in the industry and changing the face of the game. It was an honor to tell their stories and translate their passions.

Dawn Robinette, Writer San Antonio is overflowing with smart, talented women, and I’m lucky enough to cross paths with so many of them through “San Antonio Woman.” Our subjects share life lessons I always take to heart. The opportunity to sit down and chat with each of them, then share those stories with our readers is something I treasure. I look forward to each issue because I know I’ll learn something, be inspired, or simply laugh at the humor, wisdom, grit, and grace these amazing women bring to our community.

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Janis Turk, Writer I enjoy places that surprise me a little and that are likely to thrill readers’ taste buds, too.

Best Quality Daughter brings out the best in casual AsianAmerican dining at the Pearl.

Chefts Quealy Watson and Jennifer Dobbertin’s dishes are packed with surpising flavor profiles foodies will love!

Paul J. Watkins, Writer Having the opportunity to research and write articles about health-related topics of interest to you is tremendously gratifying for me. I’ve written about health-related topics for nearly twenty-five years, and I have yet to get bored with it. Talking with healthcare providers allows me to hear firsthand the enthusiasm they have for the work they do and the tremendous care and compassion they provide to their patients – often when those people need it the most.

I hope you enjoy reading our health-related articles as much as I enjoy writing them.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

MARCH/APRIL 2022 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cathleen Lane cathleen@sawoman.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGN Miriam Jesaijes miriam@sawoman.com DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA Taylor Lane taylor@sawoman.com

Happy Spring!

Our cover woman this month is Bianca Rhodes, President & CEO of Knight Aerospace. Bianca has forged a successful career by following her passion and continuously seeking new opportunities. Not only is she leading a company with a global footprint, but she is making an impact on the growing San Antonio aviation landscape and STEM community.

ADVERTISING SALES Cindy Jennings cindy@sawoman.com Caitlin Heck caitlin@sawoman.com WRITERS Cover: Dawn Robinette Kim Ford, Alexis James, Jenny Webster Jurica, Meredith Kay, Jillian Lopiano MD MPH FACOG, Dawn Robinette, Angel Santiago, Lea Thompson, Janis Turk, Dora Vera, Paul J. Watkins, Blithe Wiley

If you’re considering buying or selling a home, you will want to read our update on the local real estate market with insights from Tracie Hasslocher, President of the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®. And if you’re looking for a top real estate professional to guide you through the process, you’ve come to the right place! The women profiled in our Women in Real Estate section share what makes them stand out from the crowd.

PHOTOGRAPHY Cover: David Teran Patricia Chang, Matthew Niemann, Brittany Paul, Siggi Ragnar, Buff Strickland, Natalie Sun, David Teran

Be sure to visit the To Your Health section for the latest news about colorectal cancer and incontinence issues. Our health care community is on the cutting edge of research and treatments - and we are working to bring valuable updates to keep you informed!

NOMINATIONS AND ADVERTISING INFORMATION Email: info@sawoman.com

This time of year is perfect for freshening up your living space, and we have beautiful design inspiration in this issue. It’s also the perfect time to get outdoors, and we share our favorite active-wear looks, food-truck parks, and Wimberley, Texas, “glamping” destinations. And if you want a little more of the outdoors, we bring you State Parks from all corners of the great state of Texas!

Cheers!

Cathleen Cathleen Lane Publisher and Editor-in-Chief 12

DIRECTOR OF SALES & PARTNERSHIPS Dale Lane dale@sawoman.com

sawoman.com

PRINTING Shweiki Media, San Antonio, Texas EDITOR EMERITUS Beverly Purcell-Guerra PUBLISHED BY Las Tres Muchachas, LLC.

A Las Tres Muchachas Production Cathleen & Dale Lane 1150 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 108-249 San Antonio, Texas 78248 (210) 236-5834 sawoman.com @sanantoniowoman

March/April 2022

BIANCA RHODE S

Building a Career Through Innovation, Leadership, and Faith

On the cover: Photography by David Teran @davidteranphotography Makeup by Dora Vera @thelookstudiohmu

GIRL SCOUTS - WOMEN IN WHISKEY RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE - BEYOND THE GYM TEXAS STATE PARKS - COLORECTAL CANCER UPDATE

San Antonio Woman is published bimonthly by Las Tres Muchachas Enterprises (Publisher). Reproduction in any manner in whole or part is prohibited without the express written consent of the Publisher. Material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or its staff. San Antonio Woman reserves the right to edit all materials for clarity and space and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. San Antonio Woman does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertisements or editorial, nor does the Publisher assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Articles and photographs are welcome and may be submitted to our offices to be used subject to the discretion and review of the Publisher. All real estate advertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Printed in the U.S.A.

SA CURATED

SA CURATED SA Curated brings you the best events, announcements, SA Woman staff favorites, things to know, and places to be in San Antonio!

Anyone else ready for summer?

Summer at Saint Mary’s is!

For more than 20 years, Summer at Saint Mary’s Hall has been a favorite destination for a safe, fun, educational, and enriching summer experience.

Beginning on May 31st, we will have eight weeks of academic, arts, athletics, and enrichment waiting for your students, ages 3-18.

Our campers come from all over San Antonio, the surrounding community, and beyond to explore new friendships, tackle new obstacles, and discover and enhance their individual talents and creative abilities. Each camper is known and nurtured as they develop their passions and learn to be leaders, problem solvers, and collaborators. We look forward to being your destination for summer fun and learning. Visit www.smhall.org to browse the full list of camps and courses. Registration is already open, and camps are filling fast!

Summer at Saint Mary’s Hall is a great place to spend the hot summer days because here, CAMP IS COOL!

Revolving Sushi Bar Now Open!

Kura Sushi, San Antonio’s first and only revolving sushi bar is now open! In the mood to try something new from the revolving bar? Or perhaps it’s straight to the touchpad to order five plates of your favorite sushi? No matter the appetite, everyone at the table can create their own distinctive dining experience.

For more, visit kurasushi.com.

2022 River Pa ra de A rt C ontes t Winner In partnership with Southwest School of Art, the Texas Cavaliers revealed the Finalists and Grand Prize Winner of the 2022 River Parade Art Contest on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Students in first through fifth grades from each city council district along with one non-city council district were encouraged to submit their interpretation of the 2022 River Parade theme, “Texas Al Fresco”, for an opportunity to win the Grand Prize Artist Award. The Grand Prize winner recipient won Whataburger for a year, $5,000 for their school’s art program, and a one-week scholarship to attend Southwest School of Art’s Summer Program!

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The San Antonio Woman team trusts our skin and beauty needs to Turquoise Springs Medical Spa & Dr. Bill Murphy. One of our favorite places to get pampered and receive customized treatments, Turquoise Springs is offering San Antonio Women readers 20% off any service when you mention code TSMS2020! Call today to schedule your appointment and consultation - (210) 253-3313.

Fiesta Commission President & First Lady Traditional Fiesta San Antonio in almost all its fun and frivolity is back for a 11-day run, March 31 through April 10. The president of the Fiesta Commission, which coordinates and oversees the festivities, couldn’t be happier because of Fiesta’s critical role in the community.

“Fiesta is all about supporting non-profits in our city,” says U. S. Army COL (Ret) Jon Fristoe. “It’s a party with a purpose – more than 100 events that promote the art, heritage, culture and spirit of San Antonio. Fiesta’s economic impact of almost $350 million supports over a hundred non-profits and helps fill a void that the city’s budget could not possibly achieve.”

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted that economic infusion to non-profits, so Fristoe – along with the president’s wife and “first lady,” Karrie – eagerly looks forward to Fiesta’s comeback for doing good in the community.

Aside from the dollars generated, he’s excited about the intangibles that Fiesta is famous for such as fun, inclusion and unity.

Mona Helmy’s Debut Art Show San Antonio Woman’s September/October 2021 cover woman, Mona Helmy, debuted her first art show on February 28th, 2022, at J Prime Steakhouse. Attended by friends, family, community members, and supporters, Mona’s show celebrated her works, and proceeds from the show benefitted NAWBO San Antonio’s High School Mentorship Program.

Hand & Stone Opens New Spa At The Quarry Luxury massage and facial spa brand Hand & Stone has opened its newest San Antonio location at The Quarry, located at 355 E. Basse Road, Suite 107. The new spa is owned and operated by Tim and Kimberly Polvado, who chose the Alamo Heights area as Greater San Antonio’s premier lifestyle destination. Prior to Hand & Stone, Tim had a longstanding career in banking and Kimberly has owned an interior design business for many years.

Hand & Stone at The Quarry offers high-quality professional massage services as well as best-in-class facial treatments tailored to everyone’s needs or skin concerns. The new location also offers advanced skincare and spa services including Decompression Therapy massage, Dermalinfusion facial, NuFACE microcurrent facial, Percussive Therapy massage and LED Phototherapy facial, as well as innovations such as CBD oil enhancements and partnerships with award-winning skincare lines Dermalogica® and ClarityRX. To schedule an appointment, call 210-372-8344 or visit handandstonethequarry.com.

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COVER STORY

Bianca Rhodes Talent, Hard Work and Passion Bring Success

By Dawn Robinette | Photography by David Teran

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Considering that she’s a CEO and has been chief financial officer for two public companies, it’s hard to believe that Bianca Rhodes had no idea what she wanted her career to be.

“I had no idea about different careers. I don’t remember ever having a career day at my high school. The only thing I knew about careers was a little bit about what my friends’ parents did for a living.”

Graduating from UT Austin, the Rio Grande Valley native wasn’t sure what industry was a fit. Commercial lending drew her in. “I thought it would be fun to be a banker and work with all kinds of companies. That’s what commercial lending was for me: exposure to a lot of different types of companies, manufacturers, leasing companies, and service companies. I had a little bit of everything, and I got to know a lot of different industries. I really liked manufacturing. I thought it was especially rewarding when you actually see something come out of a factory that you’ve built.”

That’s exactly what she gets to do now as President and CEO of Knight Aerospace, which specializes in rollon, roll-off medical aircraft modules for the medical evacuation of patients across the world, as well as rollon, roll-off palletized, and modular systems and ground support equipment to more than 35 countries.

“Our specialized roll-on units are loaded onto aircraft to help safely transport the military, humanitarian relief organizations, and private clients. It’s literally a room that rolls onto the back of cargo aircraft, and it locks in to go anywhere,” explains Rhodes. “The medical module is really a flying hospital room.”

With the ability to treat patients in the air, “You’re doing everything you would do in a hospital, but in the air. So you’re going to improve your medical outcomes because you’re treating them so much faster. And when you take it off the aircraft, you can operate it like an ICU or remote clinic. It gives people more flexibility. It’s an instant hospital you could have in a very remote area.”

But Knight Aerospace is far from the first San Antonio company to benefit from Rhodes’ talents. From her time in banking, she went in-house with a customer, ultimately positioning the company to be sold to Intelogic Trace (NYSE: IT), where she became the Chief Financial Officer.

She then joined another of her bank clients, Kinetic Concepts Inc. (NASDAQ: KNCI), and one she helped to take public a few years earlier. As its CFO, she engineered

a turnaround which more than quadrupled the company’s value and enabled its private offering just three years later, at a valuation of approximately $1 billion.

“That’s how I got to be the chief financial officer of two public companies before I was 35 years old,” she explains.

“I’d like to tell you that I knew what I was doing, but I was very fortunate. I had a lot of people who helped me along the way – great mentors and a lot of sounding boards.”

“It’s why I’m a super advocate for STEM education and spend a lot of my free time focused on that. I think it’s amazing what we do now and how we expose children to different careers. And I think the earlier, the better, because it is hard when you don’t have that in your natural surroundings.

It’s a long way from where she started. “We were very poor when I was growing up. My parents were not educated. We did not have “The Wall Street Journal” laying around the house,” she explains. “Everybody asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I said, “Not poor.” That’s what I wanted to be.

“It’s one of the biggest things that shaped me: being poor when I was young. I consider that a gift. It made me appreciate all the blessings that I have today. It made me aspire and be driven to be successful. It helped me value things, take care of things, take care of people and prioritize. I don’t think I’d be here if I hadn’t had that as an experience. It was a blessing, I didn’t think of it at the time, but it was. It builds your character. It makes you creative. It makes you independent.

“I was the first on either side of my family to go to college.

Neither of my parents even finished high school. When I announced I was going off to college, it did not go over well. That’s not what you were supposed to do. You were supposed to get a job, stay home, bring money to help the family. And I am doing it differently than that. That sense of independence is something that’s really hard to teach kids now.”

Rhodes, who has been married to her husband Jim for almost 35 years, decided to shift focus after KCI. With three young children at home, “I thought ‘I’ll stay home and raise them, and that’ll be fun.’ And so I retired. Except I didn’t like being retired. I found out that was a much harder job than what I had,” she laughs.

She began consulting for a number of private enterprises, specializing in financial and operating issues, always taking clients around her children’s schedule. “I have a March/April 2022 17

“You always want to do something that inspires you, that makes you passionate, that makes you excited about getting out of bed in the morning. If you don’t have all of those things, you need to be rethinking where you’re at.”

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Rhodes, who has been married to her husband Jim for almost 35 years, decided to shift focus after KCI. With three young children at home, “I thought ‘I’ll stay home and raise them, and that’ll be fun.’ And so I retired.

Except I didn’t like being retired. I found out that was a much harder job than what I had,” she laughs.

She began consulting for a number of private enterprises, specializing in financial and operating issues, always taking clients around her children’s schedule. “I have a very strong work ethic. I’ve been working since I was 13 years old. Maybe this is old school, but the more you put into anything, the more you invest in something, the more you’re going to get in return from it.”

“I’ve been learning how to work smarter as I get older, making sure that my time is well utilized. But I wake up every day, assess the gifts that God has given me, and wonder, ‘How do I deploy them to the best of my ability?’ I think if you do that, you’re going be successful no matter what you’re doing.”

I’ve had great mentors in my career, so many great people that paved the way, people that opened doors for me. That’s why I think it’s so important that we do the exact same.

“I feel very strongly that my purpose here is to advance God’s kingdom and to care for one another and to be of service to others,” explains Rhodes. She gives her time in two areas: education and programs impacting women. “Education because of the impact that it had for me, the life-altering experience it was for me.”

She also helped found Any Woman Can, a San Antonio ministry that provides a safe environment where people are empowered to make informed decisions on unplanned pregnancy, sexual health, and mental health concerns. “I realized as I was volunteering that most women needed counseling and free counseling is very hard to come by. We’ve changed a lot of young women’s and men’s lives because we counsel couples, too.”

She believes in giving grace, something she learned from one of her bosses. “I had loaned money to a company that was now having financial problems. I remember going in, talking to him, and being scared to death. I remember the grace that he showed me and him saying, just pay it forward. If you can always think, ‘That is someone’s son or daughter.’ Really care, give them every benefit of the doubt, and help them to know that it’s not the end of the world. We can solve this.

“The older I get, the more things just run off my back.

There’s always tomorrow; there’s always the next opportunity. You would think the older that I get, I would feel like there are less and less opportunities, but I don’t.

“I look back on the hard moments, and I think I was so upset or I was so distraught. And now I think that was nothing. God is good. He has a plan. It passes, and you move on to the next thing. You can’t let any one thing or experience dictate who you are and the trajectory of your life at that point. Stop, make an assessment, go a different direction. Learn from it and become better.”

“I’ve loved my career. I wouldn’t have traded it. I was just really fortunate that I landed in something that I was good at and was interesting to me. I think as long as you’re passionate about what you’re doing and it’s enjoyable to you, you’re on the right track.”

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FEATURE STORY

Women hiskey

Changing the Game

By Meredith Kay

Whiskey or Bourbon?

All bourbons are whiskey, but in order for a whiskey to be considered a true bourbon, the distilled spirit must adhere to three distinct rules: 1. The whiskey MUST be made in the United States.

2. The bourbon must be distilled from at least 51% corn. Other grains may be used to make up the additional 49%, but the recipe must be consistent.

3. The bourbon must be aged in NEW charred oak barrels and cannot include any colorings or additives.

Most little girls don’t grow up dreaming of becoming whiskey makers, but sometimes life takes us down a path we could have never imagined to amazing opportunities that change our lives forever. This holds true for three dynamic, ambitious, and passionate local ladies who seized an opportunity to do something different and, in turn, discovered a true calling that has led them on an adventurous journey down a whiskey river.

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Deb Pickell

Director of Production & Master Blender at Devils River Whiskey Photography by Brittany Paul

Born in a small farming community in Northern California, Deb Pickell was the youngest of seven and grew up helping around the farm and selling vegetables at her family’s roadside produce stand. She never dreamed that her life’s path would lead her to San Antonio, Texas, to become a Master Blender for one of the fastest-growing whiskey brands in the country.

Deb was working with her husband resurfacing commercial floors when she met Mike Cameron.

Cameron is the co-founder of Rebecca Creek Distillery, and in 2017 he struck out on his own to launch Devils River Whiskey. Deb began working for Cameron doing administrative work, and when Devils River went into production in Dallas, Pickell moved up there to get the business off the ground and worked hard to grow the business, doubling production year over year.

“We put out 15,000 cases the first year, 30,000 cases in the second year, and by year three, we were bottling and distributing 60,000 cases. The enterprise got so big that we had to split production and administration. So, I decided to head up the production team as we made the move to San Antonio,” Pickell explains.

The whiskey is distilled in the ground floor space of the historic Burns Building downtown San Antonio, but when it is ready to be casked, the sacred liquid is moved to the production facility just north on I-35. Here, Pickell and her team transfer the whiskey, and the soon-to-become bourbon, to their new barrel homes. The barrels are stacked in the rickhouse and left to rest, age, and mature.

It is here, among her “babies,” that Pickell feels the most peace. She even recalls breaking down during the height of the pandemic as she worried about her staff and the future of everything.

“We were all still here working together as the world stopped around us. I was so worried that one of my guys would catch COVID, and no matter how thoroughly we cleaned, there was no guarantee that we wouldn’t. One day, it all just hit me so hard. So, I climbed the barrels and sat there in the peace and quiet of the rickhouse and

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had a good, long cry. It was cathartic. I looked around at everything we had accomplished, and I knew that I was where I was meant to be.”

Pickell beams with pride when she describes her team.

“I get to set the culture here, and we’ve developed an environment that fosters learning. Nobody is perfect, and mistakes are a part of the learning process, but we pride ourselves on turning those mistakes into teaching moments, and that is reflected in our quality.”

Devils River Whiskey takes its name, and its water, from the Devils River, which runs through some of the roughest and most remote country in South Texas, near Del Rio. The distillery harvests the naturally filtered limestone spring water, considered to be the purest water source in Texas, for their small-batch whiskey and bourbons.

Currently, Devils River Whiskey can be found in 33 states, and Pickell has created several unique flavor profiles that allow her to play with the palate. Their Coffee Bourbon invokes the aroma of Vienna Roasted coffee, and their Agave Bourbon blends their signature bourbon with sweet Blue Agave nectar, creating a smooth finish reminiscent of the land where the Devils River crosses over into Mexico.

Heather Greene Master Distiller, CEO & Founder at Milam & Greene Whiskey Photo courtesy by Milam & Green Whiskey

When you first meet Heather Greene, you immediately know that this is a woman in charge. Her confidence is perfectly balanced with her warmth, and you can tell that she absolutely loves what she is doing. Heather is an accomplished author, and her book, Whiskey Distilled: A Populist Guide to the Water of Life, has helped her gain much recognition as a leader in the industry. Currently, Heather is the Master Blender and co-founder of Milam & Greene Whiskey in Blanco.

Greene began her career as a bartender in New York City in 2005. She quickly learned what consumers liked and which spirits they were drawn to, but it was during her years in Edinburgh, Scotland, that she truly began to fall in love with whiskey and dive deeper into the process of how it is made. In fact, she even earned recognition as the first American woman to serve on the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society Tasting Panel.

Upon returning to New York, she became the Director of Whiskey Education at The Flatiron Room, where she worked closely with spirits industry pioneer Tommy Tardie. Her whiskey classes sold out regularly, and she became an expert in whiskey consumer behavior. This led to Greene’s reputation as the “go-to” whiskey expert.

In fact, Anthony Bourdain, himself, was quoted saying, “If I had a question about whiskey, she’d be somebody I’d call.”

Greene became a consultant for small distilleries, helping them figure out everything from proper batching techniques, to flavor profiling, to marketing. This led her to Texas, where she met Marsha Milam and Marlene Holmes and saw an opportunity to create her own whiskey utilizing her years of experience to produce something truly special.

Milam & Greene produces several different bourbons, and they blur the lines of tradition without deviating from the strict rules of bourbon production. The distillery has become a pioneer in blending whiskeys that cross state lines, and this has allowed them to produce innovative and creative flavor profiles. Several times a year, Heather and Marlene will travel to Kentucky and Tennessee sourcing aged whiskeys to blend with their Hill Country cured whiskeys.

Greene states, “My goal is to make great whiskey, but it’s about being brave. Sometimes we cook in another kitchen, which allows us to get creative within the rules of bourbon. Hill Country weather seasons our whiskey, and when we blend that unique flavor with more traditional flavors found in Kentucky or Tennessee, the result is something truly innovative and interesting.”

Milam & Greene is now in 12 different states and recently took home the title of “Best in Show” out of 550 participants at The American Craft Spirits Association.

This amazing growth, and the impressive awards, can all be credited to Heather Greene and her amazing team of whiskey women who are blazing a trail for others to follow with their creativity and authenticity.

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Samantha Olvera Distiller at Garrison Brothers Photo courtesy by Garrison Brothers

It’s not easy to be the only girl on the team. Women often have to work harder, be smarter, and prove themselves in a unique and singular way that makes us stand out in a male-dominated arena. Samantha Olvera has learned to not only navigate the arena, but she is winning the game and earning the respect of those in the field as the only female distiller at the legendary Texas bourbon maker, Garrison Brothers.

Born in Corpus Christi, Samantha was attending Del Mar College, studying to become a respiratory therapist, when she moved north to San Antonio to help with her family. She worked as a bartender at Albert Icehouse & Dancehall in Stonewall, and she would often serve the employees from Garrison Brothers after their shifts at the distillery. She became intrigued with the stories about how their bourbon was made, and when she heard about an opening in hospitality at the distillery, she applied and was hired immediately.

Garrison Brothers, located in Hye, was the first distillery to acquire a license to make bourbon outside of Kentucky and Tennessee, and they are the oldest bourbon distillery in Texas. They offer several flavor profiles to please even the most discerning whiskey palate.

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“We don’t bank on making the exact same batch year after year. The heat and the cold really dictate the flavor profiles of each batch.”

From the beginning, Samantha knew that she wanted to become a part of the production team. Donnis Todd, Garrison Brothers’ Head Distiller, encouraged her and set out to teach her the bourbon-making process. She learned quickly, and seven years later, Samantha is proud to be the only female distiller on the team.

During milder seasons, the distillery may practice a method of “zapping” the barrels to intensify the barrel aging process. This entails loading the barrels into a shipping container to force the heat circulation, thus producing a deeper flavor profile. Samantha recalls, “I’ll never forget the first time I went into the shipping container where they were zapping the barrels. I could literally hear the barrels breathing.”

About her experience, Samantha is grateful to the team that has taught her well. She says, “I’ve learned so much over the years, and I’ve had to become mechanically inclined. I’ve learned how a valve works and how to replace one, and I’ve become pretty good at reversing a trailer.”

Currently, Garrison Brothers can be found in over 20 states and internationally, and their reputation is growing quickly. Samantha wakes up every day grateful for the opportunity that launched a career that she never expected, but loves dearly.

When asked what sets Garrison Brothers apart from other Texas whiskey distillers, Samantha will tell you that it’s actually the inconsistency based on the crazy weather here in South Texas.

She says, “I’m blessed to be able to earn a living doing something I love. You have to love what you do, and every day I remind myself where we started and how far we’ve come, and I can’t wait to see how far we will go in the future.”

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ROLE MODEL

Samantha Lopez Leading the Runway and Lifting Others Higher

By Alexis James | Photography by Brittany Paul

“I don’t ever want to be stagnant; I always want to continue to grow.

Every day I challenge myself to learn something new.”

- Samantha Lopez

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It takes only minutes into a conversation with Samantha Lopez before you understand that she’s an extraordinary one-of-a-kind woman and an inspiration to those who get the opportunity to be around her. As you walk into her executive office, she greets you with a smile, and you immediately feel welcomed. Looking around, you see several awards hanging on her walls, evidence of her hard work, and it appears that all her success has come effortlessly. With a chai latte (with soy) in hand, she begins to give insight into her remarkable story.

“I started working for UPS in 2005, while I was in college, as a seasonal employee, and I helped drivers deliver packages for the Holiday Season.” Samantha acknowledges that it was a highly male-dominated field, and at the time, it was the most demanding job that she had held in her life.

“There would be days where I would go home and cry. And I wanted to quit, but I continued to work hard and do my best. Thankfully my parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, and from them, I learned that it doesn’t matter what job you’re doing; you do your best and give 100 percent.” In fact, Samantha’s mom first told her to apply to UPS and encouraged her not to quit.

“And it’s true, you do the best job that you can, and eventually hard work and dedication will pay off. Over time, I built relationships with my peers and managers and gained their trust. And then I became the go-to person to handle day-to-day service and dispatch issues within the operation.”

her role, she smiles and says, “I’m the director of operations for UPS Airlines in South Texas, which means I manage the daily operations of an airline and supervise the logistics of packages.” An extremely modest answer to describe her prestigious role.

Samantha holds an executive position at UPS overseeing the South Texas UPS Air Operations. She runs the operations of six airport gateways in Texas: San Antonio, Austin, Houston, El Paso, McAllen, and Laredo; she’s responsible for over 500 employees and supervises the logistics of approximately 135 thousand domestic and international packages daily.

Samantha credits her success to the people who first believed in her and who wanted to see her succeed.

“Sometimes we think that we don’t have what it takes, so you need someone to believe in you. If I didn’t have anyone to believe in me, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

We have to lift each other up.” She also encourages women to believe in themselves, “I love inspiring women to go after what seems impossible for them.

Whatever you put your mind to, you can accomplish.

Once you take the first risk, the next one becomes easier, so don’t doubt yourself and trust that you have what it takes.”

After holding her position as a part-time Package Center Supervisor for seven years, Samantha knew it was time for a change and began to seek out new opportunities. Unexpectedly a job at the UPS Airport in McAllen, Texas, opened.

“My expertise was in dispatching drivers and managing customers. I didn’t know anything about our cargo airline operations, and I didn’t know if I should apply for the job.” Fortunately, she overcame her doubts and took a step that would “prepare her for takeoff!”

“After I applied for that first promotion and got the job, my career took off, and everything began to fall into place.”

Samantha is now an expert in airline operations and has continued to excel in her career. When asked to describe

Sitting confidently behind her desk, fully engaged in the conversation, Samantha reflects on the full circle of her career. “At nineteen, I wouldn’t believe where I’m at now, but I didn’t get here overnight. It took a lot of sweat, tears, and support.”

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GUY TO KNOW

Teddy Liang Humble Chef Finds the Recipe for Industry Success

By Lea Thompson | Photography by Natalie Sun

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Chef Teddy Liang doesn’t have a problem with the spotlight. But he feels most in his element when he’s in the kitchen, working his terms. “I’d rather be like MacGyver,” Liang says. “I always want to learn; I want to have a solution for any problem.”

Like the popular TV protagonist, Liang, 31, has solved many seemingly ‘impossible’ situations. Even as a 17-year-old dishwasher at a Genghis Grill in San Antonio, Liang was eager to learn every aspect of the restaurant business — cooking, serving, bartending, consulting, and even working as an assistant manager— before striking out on his own in 2015.

Liang continued to cook for diverse projects, but he landed on San Antonio’s restaurant radar when he became the Chef de Cuisine at Hanzo Gastropub in 2017. Liang has since forged a unique path working as a private chef for high-profile clients (including several NBA players), an unofficial industry guidance counselor, and a world-traveling chef. Even those unfamiliar with Liang’s reputation can find his impact across San Antonio’s dining scene. His restaurant consulting work has helped revitalize and launch some of San Antonio’s most beloved restaurants like Sari-Sari Filipino Restaurant, The Hayden, and Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar. After years of working behind the scenes, Liang has earned his reputation as a culinary MacGyver.

You seem always to be working. When do you take a break?

There are no days off when it comes to supporting others. I took off seven days total in 2021. Restaurants needed more help in 2020 and 2021. I figure I have the time and the energy now, so I should do it now. And this work doesn’t feel like work. It’s fun. My goal is to take on one less project this year.

How do you define or measure success?

I ask myself this often. I measure [success] by the number of people I’ve impacted. There have been people who reach out over the years and say, ‘you have no idea what you did for me; you changed my life.’ I do what I can to connect people with opportunities and partners. I’ve gotten to a point in my career as a chef, and I’ve had so many experiences that I never even dreamed possible when I started working in kitchens 12 years ago.

I know so many incredible people will ultimately succeed with or without me. So, why not do what I can to help?

Why not do more? Why not do better?

Who would you say has been the biggest mentor in your career?

There are so many, but I would say my biggest mentor is my father, Alan Liang. [He often says], “In every person’s life you need to write your book, your story; each journey leads to the next chapter. Who will see that story, and what will you do about it?”

Where can we see you at work in 2022?

I hope to travel more this year and make time for more food adventures, and I’m still working with the local Chef Cooperatives. This spring, I’m helping Jeff Banks and his partners open Conversa —a new upscale lounge bar with a dining experience upstairs and a bar upstairs.

It’s going to be Caribbean-style cooking in an elegant yet accessible setting.

I also just sat down with the IDEA school district to set up a cooking demo event with San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson to help raise funds for his scholarship program in May. Oh, is that all?

No. [laughs] And I still get calls from chefs or restaurants I’ve worked with over the years, asking me to stop by or help. Right now, for me, my work is purely understanding and supporting our city. But it’s also so much fun.

March/April 2022 29

Style Of..

In The

1.

2.

Caitlin Heck,

Advertising Sales Executive, San Antonio Woman

3.

4.

5.

1. Dark green wool hat $39.90 Zara

2. Satin blouse $45.90 Zara 3. Skinny cropped jeans $98 Levi’s 4. Shape tape $30 Tarte 5. Suede cowboy boots $185 Cavender’s Boot City

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FASHION

Beyond The Gym

What better way to stay motivated and accountable than with the support of your squad? However you choose to get moving, it also helps to have an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Fabletics has evolved activewear beyond the gym into every walk of life, guided by its foundational belief that everyone and every body deserves to look and feel their best. Visit the new Fabletics store located in La Cantera mall!

Photography by Brittany Paul

March/April 2022 31

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Opposite page From left to right: Justice is wearing a Go-To Half Zip Crewneck in Sand, and the Ultra High-Waisted Iridescent Luxe 7/8 in Iridescent Desert, and The Essential Yoga Mat in Leopard Abbie is wearing a live-in Racerback Bralette in Vintage Yellow, and the Raegan Performance Panel Jumpsuit in Raincloud Multi, and The Active Hat in Fresh Apricot Chelsea is wearing the Oasis Twist Front Sports Bra in Faded Denim, and the Oasis High-Waisted Twist 7/8 in Seafoam Tori is wearing the Oasis Twist Back Built In Bra Tank in Pewter, and the On-The-Go High-Waisted Legging in Pewter Ruby is wearing the Inspire Seamless Panel Sports Bra in Soft Heather Grey Multi, and the Ultra High-Waisted Seamless Panel Legging in Soft Heather Grey Multi and mini gymbag

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Chelsea is wearing the Oasis Twist Back Built In Bra Tank in Pewte, and the On-The-Go High-Waisted Legging in Pewter Ariella is wearing the Mira Pullover in Latte, and the Ultra High-Waisted Pure luxe 7/8 in Latte

Tori is wearing the Yasmin Long-Sleeve Crop Top in Classic Blue, and the Oasis High-Waisted Legging in Classic Blue Ariella is wearing the Mira Pullover in Latte, and the Ultra High-Waisted Pure luxe 7/8 in Latte

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Styling: Taylor Lane & Miriam Jesaijes. Clothes & Accessories: Fabletics, fabletics.com. Models : Tori Estrada, Ariella Almendariz, Abbie Lane, Chelsea Long, Ruby Sanchez, Justice Leonard

Abbie is wearing the Live-in Racerback Bralette in Vintage Yellow and the Raegan Performance Panel Jumpsuit in Raincloud Multi and the Alayia Color Block Track Jacket in Storm Cloud Multi March/April 2022 35

BEAUTY

Curious about

TruSculpt ID? If you’re frustrated with stubborn fat, and despite your efforts of healthy eating & exercise, TruSculpt iD can be your answer to getting the body you’ve always wanted!

We sat down with Dr. Bill Murphy, owner and Medical Director of Turquoise Springs Medical Spa, to discuss the HOTTEST trend in non-surgical fat reduction!

What is TruSculpt iD? Dr. Murphy: TruSculpt iD is my favorite non-surgical body sculpting solution that is clinically proven to permanently eliminate fat cells in stubborn areas like the abdomen, flanks, arms, and thighs. This treatment is perfect for those who don’t want to go under the knife and get invasive plastic surgery. TruSculpt iD utilizes safe and effective monopolar radiofrequency to target and destroy fat cells resulting in an average of 24% fat reduction of the treated area. I love this revolutionary device because it melts fat AND tightens skin simultaneously in as little as 15 minutes.

How many treatments are needed?

Dr. Murphy: It really varies based on your desired results. Typically, we recommend a series of 1-4 treatments. However, results are visible after just ONE treatment, with maximum results seen after 12 weeks. Additional treatments may be required to achieve your personalized aesthetic goals.

Is there any downtime?

Dr. Murphy: No! That’s what is so great about this technology. There is no anesthesia, no needles, and NO downtime. Many of our clients say the actual treatment feels like a warm stone massage. Post-procedure, the treatment area will be warm and slightly flushed for a few minutes, but there is no discomfort or pain. You’ll be able to return to normal activities and exercise immediately.

Turquoise Springs Medical Spa is one of the only full-service medical spas in south Texas that offers TruSculpt iD and other cosmetic and aesthetic treatments, including overall health, wellness, and weight loss solutions. If you would like to try this revolutionary body contouring solution for yourself, mention code: TSMS 2022 and receive 20% off your first TruSculpt iD treatment! And to further sculpt your body, be sure and ask about their TruSculpt Flex treatments for muscle stimulation to tone muscles of the abdomen, arms, legs, and buttocks.

Schedule a free consultation or book an appointment today!

(210) 253-3313 | TurquoiseSprings.com 36

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BEAUTY EXTRA

Show Yourself!

I hope the first two months of the year have been good for you. In the last column, I spoke about three simple steps to taking care of your skin, which will help prep for your foundation! When it comes to foundation, a little goes a long way. I’ve found that complexions change the most over the decades. I want to encourage you to stop pointing out the flaws in your skin. We are human. We have pores, texture, and the W-word, wrinkles. These are all signs of life, and we should celebrate that. Focus on the beauty that you have. Every single person has something beautiful about them.

If you are someone who has done your makeup the same for the last decade or more, let me give you a few pointers on creating a no-makeup foundation look.

First: Brushes. Try using a smaller synthetic brush for wet products like a liquid foundation or concealer. Put a little product on the back of your clean hand and tap into your hand with your brush. Rather than covering up your skin, let’s take a look at it. See exactly where you need coverage. If it’s under the eyes, start there. Rosy cheeks, begin with them! Whatever you feel you don’t want to be visible is where you start. In a dabbing motion, once you have saturated the area, begin to pull the foundation outward, so you have a nice gradient fade. If you need more coverage, dip back into the product on the back of your hand and repeat.

Second: Cream blush. I love a good cream blush because I can use them on my cheeks and my lips! We can get a nice, uniform look and use one product for two things.

To create symmetry in our blush application, look straight into your eyes and note where your iris is. Align that to your cheek, and place your blush. Blend, with a small synthetic brush, along your cheekbone. If you apply too much, grab your foundation brush and dab around the edges where you want to push back the intensity.

These simple tips will help you achieve a no-makeup look that is truly effortless! Stay tuned to unlock the secrets of highlighting, and be well.

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DAN RUGELEY PRICE MEMORIAL AWARD TEXAS BAR FOUNDATION

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FOR AUTHORING THE BEST CLE ARTICLE - TWICE 2009 - 2013

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STATE BAR OF TEXAS FAMILY LAW SECTION 2021 Board Certified in both Family Law and Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Dora Vera

Owner, The Look | Makeup & Hair Studio @thelookstudiohmu Dora is a San Antonio native with 10+ years in the hair & makeup application industry.

Specializing in the “no makeup, makeup look” and one-on-one makeup lessons for women of all ages.

26th Floor, Tower Life Bldg, | San Antonio, Texas 210 225 5567 | www.orsinger.com

AT HOME

S

tone Oak tunner

By Steve Bennett Photography: Matthew Niemann Photography

Transitional Style Home Remodeld in 2021.

San Antonio Woman spoke with Jana Valdez, principal designer and kitchen and bath specialist for Haven Design and Construction Jana, you are passionate about kitchen and bath design.

Why are those two room so important to you -- and should be to homeowners?

Our company started out doing kitchens and baths, although our business has evolved to a lot more over the years. But kitchens and baths are important because those are the two rooms, besides maybe the bedroom, that people use the most. From a design standpoint, they are complex because you have to make things like appliances fit, and it takes a lot of thought. It’s almost like a puzzle that you have to make functional, but also beautiful at the same time.

What are some of the most important factors or trends in kitchen and bath design today?

For kitchens, I usually start the process with an appliance appointment, where I take the client to look at appliances to see what their tastes and needs are. Do they want gas or electric?

What size do they need? How are they going to use the kitchen?

Do they want a built-in wine fridge or coffeemaker? Maybe they want a pizza oven. Some people love to cook, while others want a show kitchen. Do they entertain a lot? Or is it a family that the mom wants seating for all the kids around an island while she cooks? You have to design the kitchen around the client’s lifestyle.

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Do more people want a spa in their master bath these days?

People are more likely to want that the more hectic their lives become.

And as the technology has advanced, people want to incorporate things like rain shower heads into their bathrooms. I think people see bathrooms more as an oasis, so we are using many more luxury materials in bathroom design now. And during COVID, our business didn’t slack off at all. People were spending more time in their houses and looking at things they wanted to change. Many of them realized that they need that haven in their home where they could pamper themselves a little.

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come see us in person, to view our courtyard filled with sample walls

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AT HOME EXTRA

Ideas For Mixing Natural Elements When handled well, individual elements of metal and marble deliver an added sense of excitement and style to modern interior spaces. When the two are mixed, an almost endless realm of design possibilities opens. It is important, however, to understand each material and how it fits within the history of design.

That said, it is often best to select one primary metal to use as the dominate element and choosing other colors and materials to accent the primary color. A reserved approach is key, as mixing too many colors and textures can look disjointed, but don’t forget to have fun and match your own style.

Working with Metals It can be tempting to use only one type or color of metal, but there is nothing wrong with mixing metals in the design to create contrast and visual interest.

Metal And Marble Marble holds a revered position throughout history—be it of art, architecture, or design. Michelangelo used white Italian marble to carve the statue of David; the ancient Greeks used white marble for many temples and places of worship; Danby marble from Vermont graces many historically significant American buildings.

Neutral metals work well to add variety in any situation, and by bringing in cool metal and warm metal options, the different metals create an eclectic design. Combining pieces of matte, polished, and hammered metals provides interest in the room.

As for metals, bronze doesn’t take a back seat in terms of historical significance. Well beyond the tools and weapons of the Bronze Age, early artists and designers were quick to adopt elements of metal into their designs, both for its durability and beauty.

Today, marble continues to be the star of many contemporary spaces, evoking feelings of refinement and timelessness, and many architects and designers are breaking up traditional uses of marbles with elements of metal to create a sense of gravitas. Pairing the rugged aspect of stone with a smooth, metallic design focal point is definitely a growing design trend.

If you want to pair metal with stone in a way that stands out, look for contrasting tones. The dark honey color of bronze creates a striking contrast with iridescent white marble or grey stone blocks like Carrara Marble or Argento Marble.

Materials Marketing can help match the perfect natural stones for any metal—be it a stainless-steel appliance, rose gold drawer pulls, or brushed nickel hardware.

Their expert sales and design associates can even help you explore mosaics that mix natural stone and metallic elements directly within the patterns. Visit their new showroom in Alamo Heights to learn more!

Visit Materials-Marketing.com or stop by our San Antonio showroom to learn more.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Hill Country Distillers

Cayce Kovacs Owner

products and their surprise at how they are made.

When we go to an event in another city and people tell us our cocktails are their favorite, well, that just doesn’t get old to hear.

What career path led you to where you are today?

I can’t say one, in particular; however, I have always been in male-dominated fields such as telecommunications and construction. My parents raised me to not be intimidated easily. So being in a male-dominated industry like distilling hasn’t bothered me at all in that aspect.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Hard work pays off.

Photography by Sarah Brooke Lyons

What do you do to relax outside of work?

I enjoy spending time with family, trying new cocktails and restaurants, reading and quiet time. I get addicted to online jigsaw puzzles!!!

What sets your business apart from your competitors?

We do not use typical ingredients to make our distilled spirits. Most of our alcohol is made from prickly pear cactus, the green pads, so the basic flavor profile is between a tequila and a vodka. The other ingredient we ferment into alcohol is jalapeno peppers. It makes a very unique spirit of jalapeno flavor but without the spice or heat. Both of these spirits fall into the category of “Specialty Distilled Spirit.” We also make a gin and several flavors of liqueurs from the prickly pear cactus spirit. We currently create ten different products.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

It is great to see the reaction when people enjoy our

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I am an introvert. I am comfortable in small groups, but I tend to blend into the woodwork in larger groups. I do, however, make my voice heard when it is important such as on legislative issues that directly affect my business and life. I have spent lots of time over the past 30 years in both Washington DC and Austin on a variety of issues.

What is the most inspirational book you have read this year?

I can’t think of any one book in particular. I read lots of mystery and thrillers. I definitely enjoy books with people that defeat the odds.

Who has influenced you the most in your life or career?

I have been blessed to have several great role models, both male and female, from my parents, who always told us we could do anything we set out mind to, and several bosses that were supportive and provided great opportunities to grow.

723 Front St., Comfort, Texas 78013 (830) 995-2924 (Distillery) | (830) 329-3976 (Cell phone) hillcountryTXdistillers.com

March/April 2022 49

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

In the Spotlight:

Philanthropitch Philanthropitch’s vision is to ensure that nonprofits have the same access to opportunity as for-profit businesses, supplying capital, knowledge, collaboration and exposure for innovative nonprofits to scale their impact in their communities.

Each year, the Philanthropitch finalists represent a wide variety of important work being done in the community.

We are proud to serve alongside the San Antonio community & invite you to join us for this year’s event on May 17th! More information can be found at philanthropitch.org/san-antonio.

We celebrate all of the work of our San Antonio finalists and are pleased to spotlight a few of those past finalists below: Alumni Feature: Culturingua - Nadia Mavrakis(Chief Executive Office), Finalist 2021 $62,262 Awarded Culturingua’s Mission: To increase intercultural understanding, promote economic empowerment, and help people better understand others from different cultural backgrounds — both their neighbors and people from the other side of the world.

What did the Philanthropitch & community support do for your organization?

Philanthropitch and San Antonio community support has helped us expand our Nourish to Flourish Culinary Entrepreneurship Accelerator and help it get on the path towards self-sustainability by providing funding and community momentum for an immigrant-operated food truck where aspiring entrepreneurs in our entrepreneurship accelerator gain hands on experience in a commercial kitchen environment and interacting with San Antonio customers.

aspiring entrepreneurs in our Nourish to Flourish Culinary Entrepreneurship Accelerator (see: culturingua.com/ support/volunteer).

Alumni Feature: Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative Talli Dolge (Chief Executive Officer) Finalist 2020 $29,372 Awarded Describe your organization’s mission in your own words.

The Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative is a group of nonprofits who come together in the schools to provide no-cost mental wellness services for not only students, but also their families, teachers and school district staff. These services include individual and group counseling, grief support, substance use intervention, psychiatry, wellness education, wraparound services and more.

What did the Philanthropitch & community support do for your organization?

The framework of Philanthropitch has propelled us forward and set our program up for success: the storytelling and messaging from our pitch in countless meetings with funders and community supporters, the event connected us with funders who wanted to partner with us to increase the reach of our mental wellness program, and those connections led to more connections.

From the very beginning, the Philanthropitch team was invested in helping our program succeed, and we are very grateful for that support.

What is an upcoming way to get involved with your organization?

There are several ways the community can get involved with our program.

The first is to help us spread the message that mental health is just as important as physical health. It is What is an upcoming way to get okay to say that you are not okay. We involved with your organization? invite everyone to interact with us on People can volunteer to be mentors to Facebook and Instagram to continue 50

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the conversation. The more people talk about mental health, the more others will be comfortable seeking help. Speaking of seeking help, if you or someone you know is part of a school district our program serves, please reach out to us. You can find out more about the programming, including which school districts we currently serve, by visiting mentalwellnesscollaborative.org.

And finally, as our program expands, the organization is looking to bring on new service providers so we can serve more people. If there are any mental health nonprofits who are interested in joining the Collaborative, please reach out to us so that we can discuss this further.

Alumni Feature: Maestro Entrepreneurship - Mariangela Zavala de Lopez (Executive Director) Finalist 2021 $27,679 Awarded Describe your organization’s mission in your own words.

To address inequity, the Maestro Entrepreneur seeks to empower underserved businesses. Through acceleration, incubation, and connection, provide every business the opportunity to grow beyond the $1 million threshold. Maestro serves as a steward for true economic impact to empower and encourage small businesses that are the heart of the greater San Antonio area.

What did the Philanthropitch & community support do for your organization?

Helped us tremendously through funding but most importantly, helped us build invaluable connections for future growth of the organization.

What is an upcoming way to get involved with your organization?

Register through our Buy Local Grow SA page to stay connected and find the latest resources to grow your business! Register through this link: maestrocenter.org/buy-local-grow-sasign-up/

A New Decade of Girls’ Leadership Young girls and women are ready for change — and Girl Scouts is ready to help them achieve it

March/April 2022 51

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A New Decade of Girls’ Leadership Young girls and women are ready for change—and Girl Scouts is ready to help them achieve it The Girl Scout Research Institute in May 2020 conducted a national research study of 3,000 girls and 1,000 boys ages 8 - 21 to better understand how young people define, experience, and aspire toward leadership now and in the future.

The findings in the report focus on gender, politics, and civic engagement—and the results are clear: Members of Generation Z are ready for change.

Here’s a rundown of the study’s findings: More than seven in 10 young people believe women and men make equally good political leaders.

• Three in four young women (ages 11–21) know the U.S. Congress consists of more men than women and want to increase the number of women elected.

Women make up only 27 percent of all members in the 117th Congress, and that is the highest it has ever been.

• Today’s young people also want to see a woman in the Oval Office. Nearly nine in 10 girls/young women and six in 10 boys/ young men would feel positive about a woman being elected as president of the United States.

Photos courtesy of Girl Scouts of the United States of America

Did you know?

Fifty-six percent of women in the 117th Congress are Girl Scout alums: 71 percent of female senators, and 53 percent of female delegates and representatives.

Girls and young women are finding ways to civically engage and take action.

• Sixty-two percent of young women ages 18–21 intended to vote in the November 2020 election, including 82 percent of those who are already registered.

• Girl Scouts’ 2021 report on Girl Scout alumni showed that 86 percent are registered to vote and 73 percent vote always or nearly always.

• Among girls who aren’t old enough to vote, nearly two in three (65 percent) have engaged in civic or political activities—getting involved in causes they care about, supporting their local

communities through volunteer work, and/or reaching out to their elected officials.

Looking into the future, girls want to take the lead in public service and advocacy.

• Eighty-two percent want to make a positive impact on society through their work and nearly all want a future workplace where employees are treated fairly and paid equally, regardless of gender.

• Nearly six in 10 (59 percent) are interested in being a future leader in advocacy or public service, or in having a career as an elected official.

• Girls care most about the environment, girls’ and women’s issues, LGBTQ and racial equity, and disability rights.

Regardless of the careers they choose, girls want to make a difference.

• Eighty-seven percent of girls are concerned about gender parity and think it is important that employees are paid equally, regardless of gender. This is particularly important, given research that shows women make between 81 and 92 cents for every dollar that men make, and this gap widens for Black, Latina, and Indigenous women.

• Eighty-six percent think it is important that in their future workplace, everyone is treated equally.

• Eighty-two percent want to make a positive impact on society through their future work.

Girls who express an interest in public service, advocacy, or politics are our future change makers—they are more likely to agree that in the future, they’ll have the power or ability to influence or change things in their community than those who are not interested in these careers.

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The Girl Scout Leadership Experience As you can see by the study results, girls are ready to tackle big problems and dream big dreams. That’s what Girl Scouts do: They look at our world and take action to change it for the better. They make friends, challenge themselves with new experiences, write their own stories, and develop the skills and confidence to say, “I know I can do this!”

So how do we do it? It’s all part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and it’s what makes Girl Scouting a unique experience for girls.

Photos courtesy of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas

A Girl Scout enjoys the ropes course during her stay at GSSWT’s Camp La Jita, a beautiful 236-acre camp situated along the Sabinal River near Utopia, in summer 2021.

Girl Scouts from Troop 893 helped clean the Olmos Basin area as part of earning their Girl Scout Way badge in 2021.

Photo courtesy of Vincent Yang

Girl-led Girl Scouts follow their own lead, no matter their age. From selecting the badges they’ll pursue to how they’ll organize an activity, Girl Scouts have the chance to follow their dreams and grow their skills—and the confidence that comes with that.

Learning by Doing Hands-on activities are fun for Girl Scouts of any age, but they also help them feel empowered to shape their own experience. Girl Scouts unlock their “I got this” attitude as they discover they can always dust themselves off and try again when things don’t go according to plan.

Cooperative Learning There’s power in having a tight-knit group of friends who will learn with you, grow with you, and always cheer you on. Girl Scouts see firsthand that teamwork, respect, and collaboration can fuel them through any challenge that comes their way.

With the help of supportive adults and troop leaders who help bring these three unique processes to life, girls try new things, share their full selves, and see how good it feels to lead from the heart.

Brownies (and twin sisters) Chatlyn and Paisley prepare to sell Girl Scout Cookies this spring in San Antonio.

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GSSWT has countless stories of area Girl Scouts taking such action and making a difference in their communities by advocating for others. Many earn Gold Awards—the most prestigious award in Girl Scouts—for their efforts.

Photo courtesy of Laura Hill

Alexandra Snow received her Gold Award in 2020 for her project “Clark High School Food Pantry,” in which she addressed the need for food assistance for students at Clark High School and creating suitable storage for the food. By ensuring families and students have food on the table, she found a way to help reduce family stress and allow students to concentrate on their studies rather than their family’s nutritional needs. Alexandra was a Girl Scout throughout grade school and graduated from Clark High School in 2020. She currently attends the University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in geology.

in International Affairs.

Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. Salinas was named CEO of GSSWT in 2015.

About Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT) was founded in 1924 and serves nearly 12,000 Girl Scouts in 21 counties.

Like all councils, we are diverse and inclusive. Fifty percent of girls in the GSSWT council live in marginalized communities, allowing Girl Scouts to serve as a pathway to reach their goals and achieve success.

Our chief executive officer is Major General Angela Salinas, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret). A Girl Scout alum herself, Salinas served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 39 years. She was the first Latina selected and promoted to the general officer ranks in the U.S. Marine Corps. At the time of her retirement in September 2013, she was the senior ranking woman and Hispanic person in the Corps.

GSSWT is known for our signature in-person programs, based at our West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center or on campuses Major General Angela Salinas, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) in partnering school districts. These have been adjusted and are offered as synchronous and asynchronous virtual programming to accommodate additional school breaks and necessary safety measures brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about our events, including our summer camp sessions at Camp Ja Lita in the Texas Hill Country along the beautiful Sabinal River near Utopia, at girlscouts-swtx.org.

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Photo courtesy of Laura Hill

Girl Scout alum Emma Ramos received her Gold Award in 2020 for her project “Helping Families at the Southern Border,” in which she addressed issues that migrant families face at the Southern TexasMexico border. She provided informational resources and directed migrant families to organizations that can provide donations or other financial assistance. She wanted to inspire others to advocate for children and migrant families, whether it is donating to existing organizations or churches, writing to politicians, or educating further on the issue. Emma graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 2020 and attends George Washington University, majoring

March/April 2022 57

Y We Are Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world.

Girl Scouts is the first and largest girl-led organization in the world, and for 110 years has been preparing girls in grades K–12 for everyday leadership, with programs focusing on four key areas STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship. Girls of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends.

Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.

In a world of problems, Girl Scouts see possibility.

We’re a champion for girls because we know their style of leadership is needed now more than ever.

How to Become a Girl Scout • Be a girl in grades K-12 • Accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law • Pay $25 for your one-year membership (financial assistance is available) Q: Are uniforms required in Girl Scouting?

A: A girl is always welcome to participate in Girl Scouting whether she chooses to have a uniform. Girls are encouraged to purchase a sash or vest on which to display earned awards and other official insignia.

Financial assistance is available.

Q: Is financial assistance available?

A: Yes. GSSWT believes no girl should ever be denied the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts because of financial need. Funds are available to assist girls with council activities, membership dues, books, etc.

Q: Who can be a Girl Scout volunteer?

A: Anyone age 18 and older is welcome. GSSWT offers adult learning opportunities online and in person to provide volunteers with a solid foundation for guiding the leadership development of girls.

Q: Who do I contact for information or help?

A: Visit us online at girlscouts-swtx.org to learn more, or you can reach us at 210-349-2404 (toll-free 800-580-7247).

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas

Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center 811 N Coker Loop | San Antonio, TX 78216 Phone: 210-349-2404 (toll-free: 800-580-7247) | Fax: 210-349-2666 West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center 5622 W. César E. Chávez Blvd. | San Antonio, TX 78237 Phone 210-349-2404 Please see girlscouts-swtx.org for hours of operation, which have changed because of COVID-19.

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To Your Health connects you with experts and resources in medical care, mental health, nutrition, fitness, and wellness, providing insight into all aspects of a woman’s health.

Empowering you to advocate for yourself - mind, body and soul.

Salud!

TO YOUR HEALTH

What Younger Adults Need to Know About Colorectal Cancer Screening According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancers accounted for an estimated 149,500 new cancer cases in the U.S. in 2021. Colorectal cancer is associated with older adults; however, younger adults can develop it as well. It’s been an ongoing challenge for healthcare providers to raise awareness among this population, whose members often believe they’re too young to be at risk.

By Paul J. Watkins

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“When we say ‘younger adults,’ we’re referring to patients from age eighteen to forty-nine,” explains Shruti Pandita, MD, an assistant professor specializing in gastrointestinal oncology at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. “Previously, the first colorectal cancer screening was recommended at age fifty for people with an average risk of developing it. Recently, the American Cancer Society lowered that age to forty-five.”

If a younger adult has one or more first-degree family members – birth parents, siblings, children – who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the recommendation is different, informs Dr. Pandita. That individual should have their first colorectal cancer screening ten years earlier than the age at which their youngest first-degree relative was diagnosed. For example, if that relative was diagnosed at age fifty, the younger adult should be screened at age forty.

Dr. Pandita adds that if there’s a concern of an underlying genetic predisposition based on a family history, a patient may choose to undergo genetic testing, which is typically done with a blood test or cheek swab. If the results show a genetic predisposition to developing colorectal cancer or other cancers, the patient should be screened earlier than an average-risk patient. Also, the results may encourage the patient’s other family members to get screened earlier as well.

for other abnormalities. If any are found, the patient will have a traditional colonoscopy to remove them.

“There’s the fecal immunochemical test, which is done by the patient collecting a stool sample at home and sending it to a lab for testing. If there’s blood detected in the sample, the patient will have a colonoscopy.

“The final screening for colorectal cancer is Cologuard®.

It uses a patient’s stool sample to test for abnormal DNA and blood. The benefits of these previous two methods are that they’re non-invasive and can be done at home.”

If colorectal cancer is diagnosed, it’ll be treated – usually with surgery and sometimes chemotherapy and/or radiation. “After surgery is done with curative intent, with the goal of removing all cancer, a followup colonoscopy is recommended six to twelve months later. Depending on the results, the patient may have a repeat colonoscopy every three to five years.”

Dr. Pandita highly recommends patients make their primary care physician the first point of contact for colorectal cancer screening. They can discuss the ideal time to perform a test or colonoscopy based on the patient’s age and family history.

“Colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening,” says Dr. Pandita. “We not only look for colon cancer and diagnose it but also screen for precancers, like polyps or abnormal growths. These haven’t become cancer yet, and we can remove them before they do.

Another reason people should contact their primary care physician – and do so immediately – is if they notice any symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer.

These include unintentional weight loss, new fatigue or reduced exercise stamina; changes in bowel habits, including new diarrhea or constipation, or changes in stool size; a feeling of bloating, cramping, or pain; needing to strain to evacuate stool, and having a very dark-colored or bloody stool.

“Other screenings include flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is like a colonoscopy, but it looks at the lower portion of the colon and rectum only. CT colonography, often called ‘virtual colonoscopy,’ allows us to find certain growths or polyps, and it can be used to screen

“Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, especially in younger adults,” Dr. Pandita concludes. “Take ownership of your health and use preventive measures such as screening to keep problems from developing and growing.”

Please call (210) 450-1000 to make an appointment at Mays Cancer Center. Learn more at MaysCancerCenter.org. Find additional information about colorectal cancer screening at http://cancer.uthscsa.edu/patients-and-families/services-during-cancer-care/colorectal-cancer-screening.

March/April 2022 61

TO YOUR HEALTH

WELLNESS MATTERS:

A Beginner’s Mind “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.“ - Shunryu Suzuki

The process of using your mind to create a greater understanding and appreciation of yourself and the world around you is not dependent on intelligence or ability.

Rather, it involves openness and a continued expansion of knowledge. This process encourages active participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities and engagement in new, mentally stimulating and creative tasks. This process requires a beginner’s mind.

Having a beginner’s mind means having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and freedom from preconceptions when approaching anything in life. A beginner’s mind is a place of uncertainty. A place where the mind does not know what to do. It is that sweet spot when you’re completely present in the moment, curious, and absorbing all new information.

We live in a society that craves instant gratification, but that’s not how the learning process works. Every time you learn something new, you are in a “beginners’ mode” and must understand that it’s not going to happen in an instant. At the start, the learning curve goes up, and your curiosity will lead you to experience progress; but eventually, you will experience a challenge.

Eventually, you will get to a point where things are not working out quite the way you envisioned them. What will you do in that moment? Will you quit? Unfortunately, some people do, while others tend to get overly stressed and frustrated and go into a panic mode that prevents

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them from moving forward. This makes it difficult to have a breakthrough.

What I suggest is that you first accept and understand that experiencing a challenge during the learning process is not only normal, it’s expected. So, when you get to that first challenge, find someone who has been there before. Speak to a trusted coach or a mentor to gain some perspective on your situation.

Once you have found your go-to source, be open to their feedback. They will likely ask questions to gain a clear picture of this particular area of your life in order to provide appropriate advice. They will give you suggestions, tools, and resources that will help you. They will likely advise you on a strategy for tackling your challenge. But here’s the kicker: the knowledge your source is providing you with is completely new information. This means that you will experience a dip in the learning curve and go into a “beginners’ mode” again, this time, with new knowledge.

You must continue to trust the process.

Here, you will once again find yourself at another pivotal point; a second time you feel challenged. Again, you have a choice to feel frustrated, get upset, and use the consultation you had with your trusted source as a justification for having earned the right to quit. But you choose to defy those feelings. You choose not to quit. You stick it out, and you face the challenge head-on because you knew it was coming. It was part of the process. So,

you continue to apply yourself and have the discipline to practice those newly learned suggestions and tools. Then suddenly, it will all make sense, and everything will click.

You progress, you improve, and you experience massive growth. Then, another challenge comes along, and once again, you reach out to a trusted source, and the cycle continues. The process repeats itself time and time again and skips no one.

You must remove the expectation that you should know better and that you must “get it right” from the start.

Remove any doubt that you aren’t good at something and that this new goal or opportunity you’re trying isn’t for you. Instead, take the “GPS approach.” This approach suggests that you will find a way to get to where you are going regardless of how long it takes and even if your navigation app freezes up or takes you off course. When your navigation app fails you, you don’t quit driving; you troubleshoot. You restart the app; you call a lifeline; you use a different tool; you somehow figure out a way to get to where you are going.

We are very resourceful when we are trying to physically get somewhere we really want to go, but when it comes to our goals, we are quick to give up. Be resourceful, figure

it out, and have faith that you are going to get there. Of course, you must know where you are headed. You must be clear and definite about your destination. Your goal must be tied to something meaningful, deep, and bigger than you. Your goal must be in alignment with your vision.

So, what is your destination? Where are you going? If you don’t know the answer to that, then how could you possibly get help with directions? If you do know where you’re going, if it’s deep, meaningful, and compelling enough for you, you will be willing to go through the inevitable ups and downs of your journey. I hope this helps you along your personal journey towards growth and inspires you to embrace and enjoy the learning process.

Blessings, Angel Santiago

My name is Angel Santiago, and I’m a Transformational Coach. Feel free to connect with me via social media under the hashtag #LifeCoachAngel.

March/April 2022 63

TO YOUR HEALTH

Sacral Stimulation Restores Freedom to Those Living with Fecal Incontinence

By Paul J. Watkins

Fecal incontinence, the accidental passing of bowel movements, is one of the most difficult-to-discuss health issues. People experiencing incontinence feel embarrassed, isolated, frustrated, and controlled by it. Often, they see no options but to wear adult diapers, withdraw from social activities, and avoid leaving their homes.

“The most common cause of fecal incontinence for women in the U.S. is childbirth injury,” explains Mario Alcantara, MD, a board-certified general and colorectal surgeon at South Texas Colorectal Center in San Antonio. “This is followed by diabetes; increasing comorbidities, such as vascular disease; and dementia and other mental health issues.

“When a patient complains of diarrhea or incontinence, the first thing we do, in addition to a complete workup, is rule out cancer. Next, we look at surgical history.

Women who’ve had rectal cancer or cervical cancer and were treated with surgery and/or radiation are definitely at increased risk for fecal incontinence.

“Treatment starts by dealing with the diarrhea. I’ll review any antidiarrheal medications the patient may be taking and put them on the proper ones. If there’s good improvement, we continue with the medication.

If it fails, and other medications aren’t effective, we discuss the next step, which might be a sacral stimulator. Most patients who fail other treatments are candidates for it.”

The device delivers miniscule electrical impulses to the nerves that regulate bowel movements, restoring the patient’s control. Use of the device for treating fecal incontinence received FDA approval in 2011. Dr. Alcantara and one of his practice partners were among the first in San Antonio to use it for that purpose.

Evaluating the stimulator’s effectiveness is simple, says Dr. Alcantara. “I put the patient under very mild anesthesia – sometimes in our office – and place a tiny needle, about the width of a human hair, into the foramen, which is a natural opening in the tailbone. A wire connects the needle to the stimulator, which is about the size of a thumbnail. I turn on the stimulator, bring the patient out of anesthesia, and the patient goes home, wearing the device on a belt.”

After the needle has been in place for two or three days, the patient returns to the office for follow-up.

Dr. Alcantara says the vast majority of his patients rave about the device’s benefits and ask to have it implanted. It’s placed under the skin of the upper buttock. “When the patient wakes up, the sacral stimulator is in place,” states the surgeon.

Many physicians tell patients that fecal incontinence is just part of aging. Dr. Alcantara strongly disagrees, adding: “In my experience, it’s a result of disease, dysfunction, or a medication side effect. All of these can be addressed.

“People suffering from fecal incontinence shouldn’t be ashamed,” he concludes. “Tell your doctor you have a problem. If the doctor says nothing can be done, find another doctor. There are options to treat this condition.”

Mario Alcantara, MD, FACS, FASCRS

For more information or to make an appointment, please visit www.SouthTexasColorectal.com.

You can also call (210) 212-6202 for one of our six clinics in San Antonio and Schertz; and (830) 217-9794 for our New Braunfels clinic.

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TO YOUR HEALTH

Sylvia Botros-Brey, MD, MSCI Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Department of Urology - UT Health San Antonio

Stephen R. Kraus MD, MBA, FACS Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Department of Urology - UT Health San Antonio

Causes and Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

By Paul J. Watkins

Defined as the involuntary loss of urine, urinary incontinence causes embarrassment and frustration for those individuals suffering from it, often leading them to avoid social situations and going out in public.

“Many people are reluctant to ask for help, even from their doctors,” informs Stephen Kraus, MD, a boardcertified urologic surgeon at UT Health San Antonio.

“Often, they believe incontinence is an inevitable part of aging and nothing can be done about it. They simply suffer in silence.”

Stress incontinence – one of the two main types – occurs when a person coughs, sneezes, laughs, or lifts something heavy, and urine comes out. There’s pressure exerted on the bladder and if the urinary sphincter has been weakened, it can’t hold back the urine.

Risk factors for developing stress urinary incontinence include age, obesity, and smoking. For women, an additional risk factor is having had multiple pregnancies. Each of these risk factors can contribute to a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and urethra.

Urge incontinence – the other main type – occurs when a person has a sudden need to urinate, but the urine comes out before they can reach the bathroom.

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A common cause is overactive bladder, in which the bladder muscles involuntarily contract to empty the bladder, even when it’s only partially full. Risk factors for urge incontinence include obesity, smoking, and childbirth, as well as urinary tract infections and neurological disorders.

“If someone is bothered by leaking, that person should consult a doctor to learn the many surgical and nonsurgical treatments available,” says Dr. Kraus.

“A primary care provider can manage many of the conservative measures. However, they may not have all of the resources to offer more advanced options.

If that’s a concern for the patient, finding a provider who can offer the full range of treatments might be a better choice. Those providers include urologists and gynecologists, some of whom have completed extra training in what is known as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS).”

For stress incontinence, noninvasive treatments include pelvic floor therapy, which improves support of the bladder and urethra. A minimally invasive, office-based procedure involves injecting a bulking material into the urethra to help seal it.

Dr. Kraus stresses that a patient doesn’t have to try conservative measures first; they can go straight to

surgery if they desire. “The most common surgical treatment is the sling. I lay material underneath the urethra to give it support.”

muscles, and neurostimulation, which can regulate nerve activity in the bladder. Many of these can be done in the office setting.

Urge incontinence treatments include first-line therapies consisting of behavioral therapies, such as educating patients on improving their diet and controlling fluid intake, and pelvic floor therapy can be added as well. Second-line therapy includes oral medications and can be used alone or combined with first-line therapies. Third-line therapies, which are reserved for when the patient does not achieve satisfactory results with the earlier options, include Botox® injections, which help relax the bladder

“Not every treatment option works for everyone,” states Dr. Kraus, “but for every type of treatment, there are patients who are very happy with the results they’ve achieved.

“There’s no need to suffer in silence with urinary incontinence,” Dr. Kraus concludes. “Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider about the available options for treating it. You can reclaim your freedom and quality of life.”

For more information or to make an appointment, please call (210) 450-9600 or visit Urology | UT Health San Antonio - uthealthcare.org.

Dr. Angela Martin Liberty Rehabilitation Specialists, Inc. is excited to announce a new wellness program for individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis starting April 4. An estimated 54 million Americans have osteoporosis or low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for fractures. The most common fractures occur in the hip, spine, and wrist.

The most serious being hip fractures which can lead to permanent use of a walker or cane.

The Osteoporosis program director Dr. Angela Martin designed the program to empower individuals to holistically manage their bone health. This program focuses on screening participants for potential compression fractures, maximizing their postural alignment, and participating in weight bearing exercise proving to promote bone growth to reduce fracture risk.

Please visit website liberty-rehab.com or call NE office at (210) 656-5848 March/April 2022 69

TO YOUR HEALTH between the hip bones and incorporate structures in the pelvis. These muscles work in a variety of motions, from continence to sex. Now back to Kegels. Kegels are exercises specifically designed to work the pelvic floor muscles, especially those surrounding the urethra, vagina, and rectum.

Is

this

Normal?

Betty’s Co. is the next generation of integrative healthcare – providing gynecology, mental health, and healthy living care for the period-havers up to pregnancy-planners.

Women’s health is surrounded by stigmas and taboo topics, often preventing them from accessing the care they need. “Is This Normal” is an ongoing Q&A series we host to give our “Betties” the space to ask the awkward questions, develop body literacy and ultimately, normalize women’s health.

Is it normal if my bladder leaks?!

About 1 in 4 women report leaking, whether that’s a few droplets or complete emptying of the bladder. Rather than label urinary incontinence “normal” or “abnormal,” let’s acknowledge this is a common experience and you’re not alone!

Urinary incontinence has different types with many different causes, but they all have one thing in common: they can disrupt your schedule, activity levels, relationships, and health. Here’s the good news: urinary incontinence is relatively easy to diagnose with many noninvasive treatment options, plus new products to manage leakage when it does happen. Urinary incontinence affects so many women of all ages, so let’s destigmatize the shame and own the solutions available by talking to your healthcare provider about how leakage is affecting your life.

What’s the point of Kegels?

First, let’s back up and cover the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor refers to the set of muscles that sit like a bowl

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Here are the basics: first, squeeze the muscles you use to stop the flow of urine or to hold in a tampon. Hold this squeeze for 3-5 seconds, and then relax. Try repeating this set 10 times in a row, three times a day. As you build up pelvic floor strength, try working your way up to 3 sets of 10-second holds. Kegels can be part of treatment plans for sexual health, urinary incontinence, or pelvic floor relaxation disorders. Once you learn how, you can exercise these pelvic floor-friendly movements anywhere at any time! (Raise your hand if you’re doing one now!)

Is it normal to have pain during sex?

Sex in pop culture really leans on the ooh-la-las to cover up the ouch’s commonly experienced by women. The truth is, an estimated 43% of women report some type of sexual dysfunction, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). One of these dysfunctions is tied to the pelvic floor and its muscles, where tightness and tension can cause pain during sex.

Often this creates a cycle of fear and avoidance, which can intensify the pain.

We’re all about creating positive sexual experiences here at Betty’s, and that starts by normalizing the conversation around pelvic floors, so more women are educated in understanding and improving intercourse discomfort. If you’re experiencing more pain than pleasure, it’s time to hit up your provider to help. They can help evaluate any conditions and recommend exercises for strength and prevention so you can get back to enjoying sexual experiences!

To learn more about Betty’s Co. visit bettysco.com or call (210) 572-4931. Follow us on Instagram @bettysco

Jillian Lopiano, MD, MPH, FACOG, Betty’s co. Medical Director

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Women in

Res i dential Real Estate

March/April 2022 73

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

San Antonio RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Outlook

By Blithe Wiley In 2021, San Antonio’s residential real estate market continued to climb, with tight inventory, rising demand, low interest rates, and increasing numbers of people shifting to a work-from-home lifestyle. The pandemic did not slow down the local market as home sales continued at a brisk pace all year, and demand continued to outpace supply. The San Antonio real estate market is predicted to outperform other Texas cities in 2022, with home prices predicted to rise by 3.5% this year.

This is more than both Austin (3 percent) and Houston (2.4 percent).

Hasslocher noted that the home-buying environment will most likely stay the same until home builders are able to catch up with the current demand for homes.

With interest rates expected to rise somewhat in 2022, some buyers may find they have a little less buying power.

“For example, someone’s purchasing budget may go from $300,000 to $290,000. It may make a slight difference for them.”

The Outlook for San Antonio Residential Sellers

The Outlook for San Antonio Residential Buyers According to Tracie Hasslocher, current president of the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® and owner of Hasslocher Boutique Realty, LLC, current residential real estate housing forecasts indicate the market will continue to stay competitive.

“San Antonio home buyers need to be prepared to make an offer quickly,” she said. “It’s important to know what you want and have preapproval from your lender or have cash. You also need to be prepared to compete with other buyers and stay in constant communication with your REALTOR®.”

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“If sellers get their home move-in ready, with all necessary repairs done and have their house properly staged, they can expect multiple offers, with some even over asking price,” said Hasslocher. “In this environment, sellers need to be able to determine which offer is best for their specific situation. For example, for some sellers, a cash offer may be a better choice, even though it’s $10,000 less than the highest offer.”

Last December, Realtor.com released its annual residential forecast report, which offers a snapshot of housing markets in the 100 biggest cities in the U.S. Along with providing homebuying trends, it ranks the

metros according to three key criteria (combined yearto-year sales and price change and standalone yearto-year sales change and year-to-year price change).

For 2022 the website ranked the San Antonio-New Braunfels area at No. 66 among the top 100, ranking it above both Austin-Round Rock (No. 72) and HoustonThe Woodlands-Sugar Land (No. 80).

Heading into 2022, Realtor.com predicts the Alamo City will see an 8.6 percent increase in both combined growth in home sales and listing prices. In 2021, a total of 340,858 residential properties sold in San Antonio, with a median price of $286,200.

“San Antonio will continue to be one of the most desirable places in the country to live,” said Hasslocher.

“We have so much to offer culturally and economically.

We will continue to see population growth here as we attract new residents from different parts of the county.

selling a home is such an emotional process, and it’s one of the biggest, if not the biggest, transactions you will make. You have to feel good about the person guiding you through the process.” She noted that good sources for REALTOR® recommendations are people that you trust, REALTOR® website reviews, and even your lender.

Hasslocher recommends that San Antonio buyers and sellers consider working with a REALTOR®, as opposed to working with a real estate agent. This is because all REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®.

They must adhere to a specific code of ethics and have sworn to uphold certain professional standards.

Overall in 2022, Hasslocher predicts the San Antonio real estate market will remain steady. “As families continue to move here from more expensive parts of the country, they think this is an affordable city in which to buy a home.”

She noted that San Antonio has multiple thriving sectors of its economy, including the military, the medical community, and all of the educational opportunities for university students.

“San Antonio has been called the hidden gem, but now people are discovering it, and it’s not so hidden,” Hasslocher said.

Hasslocher has specific advice for anyone who is looking to buy or sell a home. “You need to find the right REALTOR® for you. Outline your priorities and conduct interviews with multiple REALTORS® to find someone who is a good fit with your style and personality, and who communicates the same way you like to communicate, whether it’s by phone or text,” she explained. “Buying or

Tracie Hasslocher, Licensed Real Estate Broker

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BUSINESS WOMAN SHOWCASE

Co-Owner Yvette Boatwright & San Antonio Agent Success Manager Marisa Jackson REALTY SAN ANTONIO

By Blithe Wiley | Photography by David Teran 78

sawoman.com

For San Antonio native Yvette Boatwright the expansion of Realty Austin into San Antonio was the culmination of a long-term vision for the company. Realty San Antonio opened its spacious La Cantera Parkway offices in October of 2021. Today, the San Antonio operation is comprised of 56 full-time REALTORS® and is poised for additional growth.

Boatwright moved to Austin after graduating from the University of Texas at San Antonio and soon began her career as a real estate agent. She then fast-tracked to become a licensed real estate broker and co-founded Realty Austin in 2004. Today, the Austin real estate company is made up of 577 agents.

Collectively, the San Antonio and Austin operations achieved $6.1 billion in sales and sold 10,500 homes in 2021. Today, Realty Austin and Realty San Antonio are the #1 independent brokerage firm in Central Texas.

“Establishing a presence in San Antonio always was a goal for us,” Boatwright says. “I see San Antonio as being where Austin was 10 years ago in terms of being an affordable and thriving city. We are excited to make an impact on the tremendous growth San Antonio is about to experience.”

According to the company’s website, “Realty San Antonio breaks the mold of the traditional brokerage by providing world-class technology, an innovative and collaborative office space, and a vibrant company culture with a focus on giving back to the community.”

Boatwright notes that, since the company’s inception in 2004, developing the best technology tools available has been a central business focus for Realty Austin.

These tools include a proprietary website, robust client management systems, and a modern and automated technology platform. Applying these technical systems to the San Antonio operations allowed the new office to hit the ground running last year, achieving $100 million in sales.

Boatwright says that what is key to the company’s success is the company culture. “We truly care about each and every agent as an individual. We strive to help them achieve life balance for themselves and for their families,” says Boatwright. “We check in on each other.”

Boatwright notes that Realty San Antonio and Realty Austin are both deeply committed to giving back to the

San Antonio community. “We have been a supporter of Habitat for Humanity for the past 10 years,” she says.

“Today, we support six organizations in the affordable housing space, plus we also support Operation Homefront in San Antonio. We ask each of our agents to donate $50 per commission into our company’s charitable fund.” In 2021, the brokerage firm gave $616,000 to their affordable housing charitable partners.

Yvette’s sister, Marisa Jackson, joined the brokerage firm as San Antonio Agent Success Manager when the San Antonio office opened. “My role allows me to focus on working with our agents to help them with their sales skills. We focus a great deal on training agents to be their best,” Jackson says.

Jackson worked as a school psychologist before becoming a real estate agent. When she joined Realty San Antonio, she traded her role as an agent for that of a manager.

“None of our company’s managers sell real estate,” she says. “All of us are completely focused on training and developing our team.”

Realty San Antonio only hires full-time agents, and the company seeks out individuals who share their commitment to striving for excellence in their work and possess a collaborative spirit. “When our agents join our brokerage, they become part of a like-minded organization,” said Boatwright.

“Our company mantra is ‘Work Hard, Play Hard and Give Back,’” Jackson says. “When we give back to the community, we don’t just write a check. We also volunteer our time. For our company, volunteering together on community projects is team-building at its finest. We work together to give back to the city that we all love.”

In terms of plans for the future of Realty San Antonio, Boatwright says they intend to bring the same spirit, passion, and energy that has fueled the growth of Realty Austin into Realty San Antonio. “In Austin, we are known as the brokerage where serious real estate agents go to grow their careers. We look forward to establishing the same reputation here in San Antonio.”

Boatwright notes that part of Realty Austin and Realty San Antonio’s success is a result of being, as she likes to call it, “The Nordstrom of Real Estate.” “Whether you are a firsttime buyer or a high-end client, we will treat you exactly the same with exceptional customer service.”

17346 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 101 San Antonio, Texas, 78256 (210) 361-6000 | realtysanantonio.com March/April 2022 79

BUSINESS WOMAN SHOWCASE

Encore Bank Opening Doors for a Variety of Mortgage Customers

By Jenny Webster Jurica | Photography by David Teran

From left to right:

Carol Hunt Alyssa Tamez Lopez Erin Clementson

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The wide variety of mortgage solutions available for customers is one of Alyssa Tamez Lopez’s favorite things about working for Encore Bank. Operating under the umbrella of Encore Bank’s home loan division, and by utilizing a little creativity and a lot of expertise, Lopez and her team assist customers with their goals of becoming homeowners on a daily basis.

Lopez, who is Senior Vice President Mortgage Banker at Encore Bank, explains that buying a home is likely one of the most costly, emotional, and impactful decisions that a person makes and can often be very stressful.

“There’s a lot of emotion involved in home buying, and if you don’t have the right lender, that can make the experience unenjoyable and more stressful,” says Lopez.

“We {at Encore Bank} can’t take all of the stress out, but we try to make the lending experience a positive one.

We’ve been doing this long enough that we’ve seen a lot of what not to do. As a result, we’ve crafted specific processes and priorities to help with the operation,” says Lopez.

Lopez, born and raised in San Antonio, began her career practicing law in New York but recognized early on that real estate was her true calling. The daughter of a real estate agent, she returned home to San Antonio and found her niche in the field when she discovered the mortgage banking side of the industry.

“When I started as a young mortgage banker, I was a trained attorney learning an entirely new industry.

There is no manual or book that teaches you how to do this job. It took a couple of years to get really good at originating loans, but I was determined and just kept at it.“ remembers Lopez.

Encore Bank, which she lovingly refers to as “The Dream Team,” is well-rounded and brings skill sets and expertise to every transaction that you don’t typically find with other lenders.

“When someone has a good mortgage lending experience, it’s a result of, not just the loan officer but ALL the people that work on the loan from start to finish. That’s a huge reason why our process is so smooth and also why we have repeat customers,” says Lopez.

“It takes a cohesive team with a mission to serve to create an excellent lending experience, which is what we strive for with every customer we serve,” she added.

Lopez was drawn to Encore Bank, in large part, due to their modern-day approach to banking. While Encore offers the full range of conventional loan products, the bank has also created an extensive line of portfolio loans for those who might not fit into the traditional box when it comes to lending. These products serve a wide range of clients, from those who are self-employed; to physicians, veterinarians and chiropractors who are starting their own practice; as well as special programs for first responders and educators. This wide array of programs are part of the reason Lopez is able to help a variety of clients find the right loan product for them.

The success of Encore Bank can also be attributed to how its employees are treated. Carol Hunt, Mortgage Production Officer at Encore Bank, appreciates the investment that Encore makes in not only its customers but also its employees.

“We are not just employees; we are also owners. All of us are shareholders in the bank, and that inspires us to do our best for each and every customer,” says Hunt.

That determination has guided Lopez through the past 10 years of her career in mortgage lending and inspires her to help her clients to realize the full potential of their financial situation.

Erin Clementson, Vice President Business Development Officer for Encore Bank, feels as though Encore Bank is paving the way in so many unique ways that are truly client-centric.

“Different” is the word that best describes Encore Bank and, more specifically, its personal mortgage lending team. This different approach to banking is also one of the paramount reasons that Lopez recently made the transition to this (relatively) young bank that is making waves across the country for its unconventional yet pragmatic approach to lending.

“It’s a breath of fresh air to work in such a motivating environment where the expectation is exceptional customer service, and therefore, our team does what it takes to get deals done and works together to do so,” says Clementson.

Amassing a wealth of expertise in finance, lending, and real estate, the team at Encore Bank has unique knowledge and experience advising clients on their finances from a different point of view. Lopez’s team at

“I have never had so much pride, confidence, and enthusiasm about a workplace and what we have to offer our business partners and clients than I do here.

These parameters, matched with two experienced and professional mortgage lenders, make our service unparalleled.”

Encore Bank 711 Broadway Suite 350, San Antonio, TX 78215 bankencore.com March/April 2022 81

Jessica is a bilingual (Español) San Antonio Realtor with an engineering background, a proud military wife, and a mom of two sweet toddlers!

“How did you get into real estate?”

I have always had an appreciation for interior design and interest in complex problem solving. As a firsttime home-buyer years ago, I hopped on Google and researched the best buyer’s agents in San Antonio.

My online search led me to an agent who I quickly ended up firing because all he cared about was making a sale and not protecting our best interests.

I learned so much during the process. I knew it was something I could do, and HAD to do better, for other people.

“What makes you different from the thousands of other agents in San Antonio?”

I genuinely care about people and am empathetic to my core. I genuinely love meeting new people and forming friendships - most of my clients become close friends of mine. I am not a sales-y person and absolutely disagree with and hate sales tactics. I am committed to keeping their best interest at heart, educating them on the process, and making friends along the way! I am a helper at heart.

The Hill Country Group at Compass

Aside from my personal core beliefs and values, I have a Dual Engineering Degree from the South Dakota School of Mines and 5 years of experience in the construction industry. That knowledge and experience has been monumental for me and has been an incredible resource for my clients.

O (210) 598-7211 Ext. 2

“What advice would you give to readers when looking for an agent to represent them?”

Jessica Gergen

REAL ESTATE ADVISOR

C (210) 842-6215 HCGCompass.com Jessica@HCGCompass.com @JessicaGergenRealtor

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My advice would be to make sure that you have a great negotiator on your side - someone who really looks out for you, listens to you, and is intentional with your wishes.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Leesa Harper Rispoli has been known to exhibit incomparable work ethic and grit — a testament to her iconic mother, D’Ann Harper, who was hard at work building a premier real estate brokerage, while simultaneously running the family’s cattle ranch. The lessons and skills Leesa learned over those formative years can be seen in action today as she has since taken D’Ann’s place as broker and president of the brokerage, while continuing to champion the Harper legacy of exceptional service.

Since Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® (CBDHR) first opened their doors in 1986, they have been assisting hardworking Texans in accomplishing their real estate dreams. With over 470 REALTORS®, the company’s mission never strayed from guiding people home. CBDHR has accepted the coveted Coldwell Banker Chairman’s Award for over 35 years consecutively — the most prestigious designation to receive from Coldwell Banker National. Additionally, Leesa sits on The Realty Alliance Board (a network of North America’s elite real estate firms) and was presented with the Inaugural Coldwell Banker Women on the Move Award in 2021.

Leesa Harper Rispoli President, Broker/Owner

Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® 18756 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 102 San Antonio, TX 78258 (210) 483-7070 www.cbharper.com

Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS® has expanded to include multiple specialized divisions. The Global Luxury program has established a legacy of luxury, while the dedicated, full-service Commercial division specializes in investments of all asset classes. The expert Farm and Ranch team is devoted to providing unmatched service to the buyers and sellers of Texas’ hunting, equestrian, and cattle ranches. The award-winning Relocation Department assists clients moving throughout the world, and a first-class Property Management Department provides top-notch professional services for single-family residential properties.

Having generated over a billion dollars in sales annually for eight consecutive years, CBDHR has built an expectation for itself to reach new heights and break old records year over year. CBDHR stands as a beacon amongst many brokerages as a brand built on integrity, impeccable work ethic, and grit — at every level.

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Designations: Historic House Specialist, Graduate Real Estate Institute, Pricing Strategy Advisor, Military Relocation

Professional,

Seller’s

Representative

Specialist, Accredited Buyer’s Representative.

Cory Flores, fondly known as The Styled Realtor 365, is a wife, mom of twin girls, realtor, and influencer. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, her parents instilled hard work and dedication at a young age.

Before her career in real estate, Cory obtained a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Cory worked as a speech therapist for several years and although she enjoyed her role in that profession, she found her true passion in serving her clients with one of their most important decisions, the sale or purchase of real estate.

Photography by Robert Shaw

Cory chose to partner with Keller Williams Heritage, because of their commitment to seeing their agents succeed in the industry. Cory brings a strong level of dedication to her clients as well as a tailored approach by recognizing that real estate transactions are uniquely different for each person. Her ability to create a

Cory Flores REALTOR®

Keller Williams Heritage

connection of trust and listen to the specific needs of her clients, allows her to assist them in accomplishing their objectives.

This fashionista offers her followers on social media, everything from lifestyle tips to real estate advice. Cory

1717 N Loop 1604 E.

aspires to inspire not only her daughters but other

San Antonio, TX 78232

women to define their own success. A quote Cory lives

O (210) 493-3030

by You can only become truly accomplished at something

C (210) 870-3909

you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue

info@coryflores.com

the things you love doing, and then do them so well that

IG: @thestyledrealtor365 84

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people can’t take their eyes off you. - Maya Angelo

Natalee Newell, a San Antonio native, has been matching people with their dream properties since 1999. In 2000, she was named Rookie of the Year and has kept up the pace ever since. She combines her experience and expertise with her creative, out-of-the-box thinking to work for her clients, often producing results that exceed all their expectations. Natalee is a Luxury Home Specialist and has been listed frequently as a Platinum Top 50 REALTOR® finalist and winner. The San Antonio Business Journal placed her in the top 1% of Luxury Real Estate Agents in 2019 and 2020. She consistently closes over $15 million in real estate per year.

With over two decades in her illustrious career, Natalee has not only had the privilege of working with some extraordinary clients, but has even helped multiple generations for many families. She often sees the same home change hands multiple times and enjoys seeing the personal touches each client adds to its history.

A natural linguist and avid traveler, Natalee speaks Spanish, along with some French from her time in Paris at La Varenne Culinary School, and a little Italian. She is

Natalee Newell REALTOR®

Phyllis Browning Company 6061 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209 O (210) 824-7878 C (210) 215-1212 www.phyllisbrowning.com nnewell@phyllisbrowning.com

extensively involved in the community, her church, the Laurel Heights Garden Club and the Gardenia Musical Society. She is also active with the San Antonio Botanical Garden and Impact San Antonio.

Natalee considers referrals to be the ultimate compliment. When clients give her a referral, they not only trust her with their real estate goals, but also the real estate goals of their friends and family. Find out why Natalee has earned the trust of so many people, contact her today!

March/April 2022 85

Embrey Realty is a premier, woman-owned and operated residential real estate firm with a team of savvy, smart and talented women realtors.

Serving the most desirable neighborhoods in San Antonio since 2019, Embrey Realty’s agents have experience in a number of industries. From the title industry to interior design and fine jewelry to financial services and the fine art industry, the collective experience and talents provides Embrey’s clients with the optimal selling and buying experience.

“With our combined experience, we can go into clients’ homes and organize stage prepare for market,” Jennie Embrey, Embrey Realty founder and owner, said. “We work together as a team bringing our unique capabilities to each sale. Our team work allows for a more seamless experience.”

Embrey Realty’s agents have a collective 30 years experience in the real estate industry and have a deep understanding of the San Antonio market and its unique neighborhoods. Embrey’s

Jennie Embrey

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understanding of the market combined with the outside

BROKER - OWNER

knowledge of a variety of other industries allows its agents to

Embrey Realty

buy and sell. Embrey Realty provides a high level of service clients

7801 Broadway suite 210, San Antonio, TX 78209 O (210) 999-0797 Jembrey@embreyrealty.com | embreyrealty.com

Visit Embrey Realty’s website to see a list of current and recently

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effectively and creatively market each property to help clients to have come to expect from its professional team of realtors.

sold properties.

CORIE PROPERTIES Group Partners with Compass to Continue Founder’s Legacy CORIE PROPERTIES, founded by the late Corie Boldt, is celebrating its one-year anniversary of joining Compass.

Corie Fuhrmann Boldt was known throughout her community as a high-energy power agent with an abundance of knowledge on the San Antonio real estate market, a penchant for giving back to the community she served, and a loving mother to Hunter and Samantha.

Corie passed away in August 2020.

Now led by her husband Fred Hutt, the team will continue to honor Corie’s legacy with its partnership with Compass.

“Through the strength of Corie’s spirit, we have chosen to carry on her legacy through a strategic partnership with Compass,” says Fred Hutt. “By joining Compass, we can empower our CORIE PROPERTIES family and continue to provide exceptional service to our clients in a way that I know would make Corie proud.”

CORIE PROPERTIES Group 4901 Broadway, Suite 132 San Antonio, Texas 78209 O (210) 824-1115 www.corieproperties.com

Corie Properties Group is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

Mission Haus Group Danielle Voigt Kruciak REALTOR - Team Lead “Changing Lives one Haus at a Time” – Mission Haus Group was founded by REALTOR® Danielle (Voigt) Kruciak, in 2019. Kruciak’s vision was to start a team that was ministry-minded, serving not only their clients in real estate, but also their community. Our team has grown since 2019 & now consist of team members: Danielle Kruciak, Claire Neutze, Angela Brooks, and Vyanka Rojas.

Collectively our team has 19+ years of experience in our industry. Specializing in areas to include but not limited to San Antonio, New Braunfels, Uvalde, and the Texas coastline. Although each agent specializes in their respective areas, there isn’t an area in Texas they won’t go for their clients. With every closed transaction, MHG tithes a percentage from their proceeds to a ministry called Mission Haus Foundation, which is a non-profit ministry, that helps under-served individuals within the community that are in transitional situations.

MHG is brokered by Greater San Antonio Real Estate.

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Mission Haus Group 252 Horse Hill , Boerne TX 78006 O (210) 837-2091 missionhaus.home.blog | Danielle.kruciak@yahoo.com

Leslie Reyes Idais REALTOR®

Phyllis Browning Company 4372 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite 102 San Antonio, TX 78249 O (210) 408-2500 C (210) 548-6929

A San Antonio native with years of experience in military relocation, she knows how important it is for families to find homes that provide them with comfort and familiarity while they transition into their new environment. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT FINDING THE RIGHT HOME it is understanding the situation and help navigate through the process of buying or selling as smoothly as possible. “My goal is to provide as much support as possible so that my clients can focus on their family and new community.”

Photography by Nina A. Padilla

phyllisbrowning.com lidais@phyllisbrowning.com

Amy Kolb

Realtor, CLHMS, ABR Amy Kolb Real Estate Co.

3922 Morgans Creek San Antonio, TX 78230 O (210) 860-0668

amy@amykolb.net www.amykolb.net Amy Kolb is widely known for her energy, professionalism and knowledge of the San Antonio and Hill Country real estate market, licensed since 2002. Amy loves this city and knows it like the back of her hand. When you start working with Amy, you’d better be ready, because her energy and enthusiasm will draw you in, and when looking for your new place to call home, she won’t stop until you do. She has an uncanny ability to make the process, whether buying or selling, very low stress and enjoyable. Her goal and focus are on her clients’ complete satisfaction. More than 99% of her business comes from repeat business and referrals. In 2020 she ranked # 3 individual agent in San Antonio Business Journal.

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Josie Rees

ABR®, GRI, REALTOR® Certified Success Coach eXp Realty 17806 W IH 10 Ste 300 San Antonio, TX 78257 C (210) 392-0738

josierees.com josie.rees@exprealty.com

Photography by Brittany Paul

As a sixth-generation Texan, Josie Rees loves helping people plant roots in the great Lone Star State. She prides herself on a “no-pressure” approach to real estate, helping clients buy or sell on their own timelines as she expertly guides them throughout the process.

With a career background in Human Resources, Josie is no stranger to walking alongside others through life’s biggest transitions. With a heart for people and a head for business, she is a strong advocate for her clients throughout the complex processes of a real estate transaction.

Josie loves to educate homebuyers and sellers, expose outdated and misinformation by contributing to nationwide real estate articles seen on Business Insider, Fox News, Realtor.com and more.

Carmen Bean

REALTOR®

O (210) 876-4120 C (830) 391-3967 Carmen.Bean@eXpRealty.com CarmenSellsTexas.com

Carmen Bean epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work and creative service in every detail of real estate transactions. She consistently ranks #1 and #2 Residential Real Estate Agent in San Antonio

by San Antonio Business Journal since 2017 and a Platinum TOP 50 - Winner & Finalist from 2014 - 2020. Her dedication to success in real estate speaks volumes of her commitment to her clients.

Carmen has built her real estate business based on strong client relationships, her business comes mostly from referrals she receives from her legion of satisfied customers, raving fans, and involvement in the community.

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Income Tax Tips for a Smooth Tax Return Filing

By Kim Ford

COVID and SNOWVID and Taxes, oh my! Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, we’ve all been through a swirling tornado of new tax laws and rules during these last two years. Here’s a quick rundown of where we’ve been and some tips on how to make this filing season as smooth as possible.

Important Dates Due to COVID, the due date for 2019 personal income taxes to be filed was July 15, 2020. After SNOWVID in Texas, we got a reprieve until June 15, 2021 to file our taxes for 2020. As of this writing, we are still on for the April 18, 2022 deadline for 2021 taxes, so what should we do to make this filing season as stress-free as possible?

Organization is Key Put time on your calendar to gather all your documents.

Look back at your 2020 return to jog your memory concerning your various sources of income and deductions.

Government Payments If you received a COVID-19 relief Economic Impact Payment or an advance Child Tax Credit payment, make sure to report the correct amount to avoid processing delays. The IRS sent letters to recipients of the Impact payments and the advance Child Tax Credit payments. If you are unsure about how much was received, you can check for the amount on the website IRS.gov.

Charitable Contributions If you don’t itemize your deductions, you can still get some benefit for charitable contributions of up to $600 for joint filers and $300 for single filers. That’s up from $300 for all filers in 2020, so find those receipts for donations to charitable organizations. For 2020 and 2021, the charitable contribution limit for itemizers is 100% of Adjusted Gross Income – up from 60% in 2019 Unemployment Benefits Many people received unemployment benefits in 2021, and they are taxable this year. In 2020 some of the payments were not taxable, so make sure you have the information regarding amounts received and include them in your return.

Cryptocurrency There is a revised question on the 1040 that needs to be answered regarding cryptocurrency. It reads, “At any time during 2021, did you receive, sell, exchange, or otherwise

dispose of any financial interest in any virtual currency?”.

This must be answered yes or no. If you deal in this area, read the instructions closely for more explanation.

Meals & Entertainment In the past, business meals were only 50% deductible, but for 2021 and 2022, that has changed. Those expenditures are 100% deductible for these years, as long as the meal is provided by a restaurant. Entertainment expenses are still not deductible, but if meals are paid separately from the entertainment, those expenses can be deductible.

IRS Delays from 2020 Nearly 24 million taxpayers are still waiting for the Internal Revenue Service to process their tax returns from last year, with many refunds being held up for 10 months or more. The backlog will probably further slow service in the 2022 filing season. If you are one of those taxpayers that is waiting on a refund from 2020, know that if it has not been at least 10 months since the return was filed, it’s probably still in the queue unopened. The IRS should pay interest on those late payments once they are processed. To find out the status of your refund, the IRS suggests you go to IRS.gov and click on “Where’s My Refund?”.

Best Ways to File Your 2021 Return Due to the backlog with IRS from the 2020 returns that have not been processed, there are some lessons to learn to keep out of the IRS backlog for 2021.

- Be as accurate as possible, especially regarding items that are reported to the IRS like W-2’s, 1099’s, Government Payments, etc. This will speed up the process.

- File electronically by using IRS authorized software or a professional who has access to software and systems to ensure your return is filed properly with the IRS so that no human has to process it.

- Ask for all overpayments to be either applied to the following year’s taxes or directly deposited into your bank account so that the IRS doesn’t have to send you a physical check.

Remember at the end of the Wizard of Oz movie when Dorothy woke up in her own bed, surrounded by the people who loved her, and she was ok? By following these tips, you too can make it through the tornado of income tax filing season and live happily ever after!

theKFORDgroup, 8620 N. New Braunfels, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78217 O (210) 393-4784 | F (210) 340-8359 | kford@theKFORDgroup.com | theKFORDgroup.com

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WOMEN ON THE MOVE

Shannon Sedgwick Davis

International Citizen of the Year honoree The World Affairs Council has named Shannon Sedgwick Davis International Citizen of the Year! Shannon is the author of To Stop a Warlord and CEO of the Bridgeway Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to ending and preventing mass atrocities around the world. She and Bridgeway have been credited for their pivotal role in mobilizing awareness, civilian protection, and recovery efforts against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and its leader, Joseph Kony, the first-ever indictee of the International Criminal Court. Congratulations, Shannon!

Melissa Turi

Client Manager, James Family Tax James Family Tax is proud to welcome Melissa Turi to their team! Melissa’s proficiency in helping and making connections with people stems from her experience in early childhood education, a passion close to her heart. As the Client Manager, Melissa oversees client communications and relationships.

After a career break to care for her three kids, Melissa is excited about her new role. “There’s no disputing each position I’ve held during my career was a stepping-stone leading to the next, now I’m blessed to walk alongside our community on their business and tax journey.”

Jennifer Othman

Director of Marketing & Development, Ronald McDonald House Charities The Ronald McDonald House Charities® of San Antonio welcomes Jennifer Othman as the Director of Marketing and Development. Jennifer is a graduate of The Ohio State University and brings with her over 10 years of healthcare experience. Her passion for children and serving our community brings an enthusiastic energy to the mission of RMHC®, fundraising, and volunteer activities. She states, “Being in a role that allows me to help our community make a difference in the lives of families with sick children is truly an incredible blessing.”

Alexis James

Digital Project Manager, San Antonio Woman magazine As the new Digital Project Manager for San Antonio Women Magazine, Alexis will be overseeing digital content management and assisting with the digital marketing strategy. She brings over seven years of experience in online content creation & management, online business marketing, and storytelling.

She loves the San Antonio community and, together with her husband, owns James Family Tax. She’s a mom of four, a proud graduate of Texas Tech University, and is excited to be a part of the San Antonio Woman Magazine Team.

Taylor Pritchard

Owner, Tans by Taylor LLC Tans by Taylor is excited to announce the launch of their new line of self-tan and skincare products. Taylor Pritchard launched Tans by Taylor in 2019 and has provided clients with customized and natural spray tan services with a wide range of colors and products ever since. Their new product lines mark a stepping stone for the company, offering clients a new way to maximize their treatments.

Taylor is an entrepreneur at heart and passionate about helping her clients feel comfortable and confident for any occasion.

Congratulations to these amazing women making moves in their industries!

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DESTINATIONS

Park or Play for A Week or A Day at Texas’ Great National & State Parks I saw miles and miles of Texas, as the old cowboy song goes, and many of the loveliest parts I’ve seen rest in Texas’ picturesque national and state parks. Scattered like bluebonnet seeds along the highways, Texas’ 16 National Parks and 51 State Parks offer family camping adventures, RV stays, family hikes, and starry nights. So which to see first? Depends on what part of Texas appeals to you.

By Janis Turk

WEST TEXAS Big Bend National Park One of the most beautiful places in the Lone Star State and one of the nation’s largest state parks is Big Bend National Park, home to the entire Chisos Mountains range. The park comprises 801,163 acres (that’s 1,251.8 square miles). For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande/Río Bravo edges the park as a boundary of the United States-Mexico border. The largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert in the U.S., the park was named after a bend in the Rio Grande. Home to scenic camping spots, rustic cabins, RV hookups, and lots of hiking trails, Big Bend is one of the largest, most remote of all national parks. Be sure to book lodging in advance if you’re interested in camping in what may be Texas’ best-loved park.

While there, stop for lunch in the historic “ghost town” of Terlingua, check out the Starlight Theatre Restaurant & Saloon, visit the Cottonwood General Store, and check out Terlingua Trading Company. There’s even a quilt shop, Quilts

by Marguerite, as you drive into town.

Davis Mountains State Park Another glorious place to stay when traveling through the high mountains of West Texas is Davis Mountains State Park, a remote destination for hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. There, guests can camp, enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains, stargaze, and study nature. Stay at its campsites or at Indian Lodge, a historic 39-room motel with a restaurant and swimming pool. Nearby visit Fort Davis National Historic Site: one of the best-surviving examples of an Indian Wars’ frontier military post. Star lovers should visit the McDonald Observatory, open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon until 5 p.m., and closed Sundays and Mondays. Check in at the Frank N Bash Visitor Center.

THE HIGH PLAINS Palo Duro Canyon Just southeast of Amarillo by Canyon, Texas, visit the Lone Star State’s own version of the Grand Canyon, albeit on a smaller scale. Palo Duro Canyon is a stunning place to camp, picnic, and hike. It’s also home each summer to a grand musical theater production, TEXAS! Kids and adults alike will love this enchanting show beneath the stars produced by the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation at the outdoor Pioneer Amphitheater. Deep in the Canyon, its rock walls serve as a dramatic backdrop used in the show. Performed Tuesdays through Sundays, June through August, it’s a family-friendly “musical romance of Texas panhandle history” with patriotic-themed fireworks ending. A barbecue chuck wagon dinner is offered, as is a souvenir shop.

Paint Rock Pictographs While driving back from Palo Duro Canyon toward San Antonio on State Highway 83, you may pass the tiny hamlet 94

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of Paint Rock, Texas, home to the historic Paint Rock Pictographs. As the site rests on private land, you’ll need to call ahead to reserve a visit. There you’ll see nearly 1,000-year-old pictographs on a limestone cliff towering 70-feet high along the Concho River. Hundreds portray animal and human figures, curious geometric shapes, and ancient handprints. The kids will be fascinated, and so will you.

THE HILL COUNTRY Pedernales Falls State Park is a picturesque Hill Country site along the river at Pedernales River, set about 10 miles east of Johnson City. A fun place for swimming, tubing, wading, and fishing, the park also features picnic areas and campsites, plus nearly 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, 10 miles of equestrian trails, and 14 miles of backpacking trails. There’s even a park store with camping staples, souvenirs, and ice.

Enchanted Rock State Park is another Hill Country treasure. This enormous 425-foot high batholith is a pink granite mountain regally standing amid gently sloping hills outside Fredericksburg. Stay at the nearby Trois Estate inn and wedding venue, with spectacular views of Enchanted Rock, where guests can view starry night skies from a rooftop patio and then climb Enchanted Rock the next day.

Lost Maples State Natural Area A favorite drive is through Lost Maples State Park, where Texans flock each fall to see our finest autumn colors.

There, leaves of Uvalde Bigtooth Maple trees dazzle, set against blue skies with a spectacular show of red, orange, and yellow leaves. With more than 10 miles of trails, including a loop along the top of a 2,200-foot cliff, this is a lovely place for hiking or staying in one of 30 camping spots with water and electric hookups. Walk, take photos, fish, go birding, stargaze, and enjoy nature at its colorful best. However, Lost Maples is lovely year-round.

EAST TEXAS Caddo Lake State Park Caddo Lake somehow seems more like it’s part of Louisiana than Texas. This gorgeous park offers a serene place to canoe or kayak in the shade of Bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss. The lake features a maze of bayous, sloughs, and ponds and is home to alligators— so read alligator safety tips on the park website before going. Stay in one of 46 campsites, in a screened shelter, or in a historic cabin (several are ADA accessible). Paddle the park’s waterways or go fishing. This park is popular with birdwatchers, too. See the cypress trees rising from beneath bayou waters. What a place for photographers to capture its beauty with their cameras.

Big Bend National Park

Davis Mountains State Park

Caddo Lake State Park

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Palo Duro Canyon, Musical Production TEXAS!

Enchanted Rock State Park

Photography Big Bend National Park, Enchanted Rock State Park by Siggi Ragnar

Pedernales Falls State Park

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HILL COUNTRY CURATED

Hill Country Curated brings you the best events, SA Woman staff favorites, things to know, and places to be in the Hill Country!

The Lazy lavender Unique stays created with the guest experience in mind. Each house is different and combines new luxury elements with second-hand finds. Always unexpected and fun elements, and each house offers a different ambience including a treehouse with a jungle theme, a pink house and an artsy cabin, and two homes with a more traditional hill country feel.

Wimberly, TX @thelazylavender | thelazylavender.com

Spoon Mountain Glamping Tucked into the Cedars on our little hilltop, Spoon Mountain Glamping provides total comfort, relaxation and romance. Each professionally-decorated tent has hardwood floors, gorgeous rugs, custom light fixtures, stylish seating, and glamourous details for a true glamping experience. On the front porch, you’ll want to sit and toast the setting sun as it goes down over the hill country. As night falls, head down to the community fire pit to enjoy the starry Wimberley skies.

Wimberly, TX @spoonmountainglamping | spoonmountainglamping.com

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Glamping in Wimberly

Yurtopia An adults-only experience of rest and relaxation tucked into the hills, amongst the cedars & oaks with rooftop decks and spectacular views. Climate-controlled Yurts with a king-size bed, luxury linens, private bathroom, hot tubs, plunge pools, and sunset viewing from your own little rooftop deck! Our RiverBluff Yurts are perched on a ridge above the quiet waters of the Blanco River.

Wimberly, TX 78676 @yurtopiawimberley | yurtopiawimberley.com

Collective Retreats This sprawling retreat is set on a ridgeline overlooking the scenic Montesino Ranch in the heart of Texas Hill Country, providing modern comforts rooted in authentic Texas taste. In addition to horseback riding and outdoor adventures, there is ample space to spread out and enjoy the epic views from your private deck. Being immersed in nature has never tasted so good. Guests will enjoy day-to-night culinary offerings inspired by our breathtaking Hill Country locale.

Wimberly, TX @collectiveretreats | collectiveretreats.com

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DINING

Best Quality Daughter A San Antonio Surprise and Delight Drawing from the Rich Contribution of Strong Women and Creative Cultures

By Janis Turk Photography by Patricia Chang

It had been a while since a new Chinese restaurant surprised me.

But when Pearl’s new ChineseAmerican restaurant Best Quality Daughter debuted in November 2020, I was pleased that local chefs Quealy Watson and Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin were at the helm. And when I recently enjoyed lunch there, was not only surprised but actually astonished.

Set in an original 1904 house on Pearl property, once the home of The Granary ‘Cue and Brew, the setting was chic and inviting. Delighted by the décor, wowed by the wallpaper, and thrilled it wasn’t a typical Chinese take-out spot, I loved how the building had been stripped to its bare lovely bones and reimagined. Bright and open, the inviting space looks nothing like The Granary.

“We wanted it to feel like you were having dinner at your rich, chic grandmother’s house. Most restaurant aesthetics are masculine and handsome; we wanted ours to be feminine and beautiful. It’s maximal and immersive, from the colors, food, music, and original art,” says Dobbertin.

The small reception area is lit by an oversized chandelier.

From there, peek into different dining rooms: one with teal floral wallpaper and curved booths, and another with pink wallcoverings and banquette seating along the walls. Beyond, a bright sunporch and an outdoor patio are sure to please sun lovers. The bar area, glowing with neon, is clad in custom wallpaper depicting local landmarks. The well-curated design scheme is dynamic.

“Lunch Specials,” “Smallish” plates, and “Noodles and Rice” dishes filled the menu, along with an enticing array 98

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of wine, beer, cocktails, and “Boozy Boba” choices along with alcoholfree options. The dinner menu offers family-style platters.

Simple but special, the dishes were pleasing: cashew chicken, salt and pepper shrimp, roasted pork shoulder, fried rice dishes, and a wok-charred green bean vegan option. Recently the red-cooked beef rib even received raves from a New York Times critic. With twists on the classics, the chefs had clearly created distinctive dishes, including some fab vegan and vegetarian options, like Kung Pao cauliflower with peanuts, dried chilies, green onion, and steamed rice; rice chips with Mapo hummus; fantastic little dense cheesy Moshi cheddar hushpuppies (like delicious tiny cheddar/ parmesan biscuits) with a side of Thai chili sauce; and “impossible meat” potstickers (that taste like pork) with shitake mushrooms.

“Smallish” dishes weren’t small at all. I ordered crispy Brussels sprouts with a peanut tamarind sauce, crispy rice, and seasoned peanuts that were sublime. Next came the hearty hushpuppies (order these). Super Garlicky Noodles topped with Salt and Pepper Shrimp are breaded with whispery light Taiwanese sweet potato flour.

“We love the airy texture, reminiscent of traditional Taiwanese fried street foods,” says Dobbertin, whose mother’s family had fled mainland China to Taiwan in 1949 during the horrors of a civil war before her mother married Dobbertin’s American father. The family ran an American restaurant in San Antonio, but Dobbertin’s mom cooked Chinese and Taiwanese dishes at home.

Watson and Dobbertin met while working at the popular former gastropub, The Monterey in Southtown; Watson was chef and she a line cook. Dobbertin later helped launch Hot Joy, where Watson was executive chef.

The two then opened Tenko Ramen in Pearl’s Bottling Department Food Hall. Best Quality Daughter’s concept was conceived by Dobbertin, chef Anne Ng, and ceramic artist Jennifer Ling Datchuk, who connected over their shared cultural identity as Asian women in Texas who’d grown up in Asian-American households. After hosting successful pop-up dinners, the ladies invited Watson to join them, bringing his kitchen expertise.

“Growing up as a third-culture kid, you’re always in this search for where you belong,” says Dobbertin. “So in a quest to claim my identity, I moved to Asia and discovered that what connects most of us is sharing food and experiences.”

Dobbertin compliments Watson calling him “an incredibly gifted chef,” and while she mainly runs business operations, she also works in the kitchen: “We develop our menus together; then he brilliantly executes them.” Their recipes draw on different pages of the partners’ culinary passports in Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, Texan, Cajun, and all kinds of Southern and American cuisine. Dobbertin also enjoys naming cocktails, including “Nightshades,” “Are You There, God? It’s me Margarita,” and “My Husband at the Time.” Each has a story behind it.

The name Best Quality Daughter was inspired by Amy Tan’s, The Joy Luck Club, a novel about mothers and daughters navigating challenging cultural differences.

However, this restaurant seems to have no difficulty comingling cultures in its menu or ambiance, creating a distinctive and dynamic dining experience.

Best Quality Daughter 602 Avenue A, at Pearl, San Antonio bestqualitydaughter.com March/April 2022 99

ENTERTAINMENT

When Women Ruled the World Dr. Kara Cooney, professor of Egyptology, explores the reigns of powerful ancient queens to illuminate a time when women ruled the world. Often neglected in the history books, these strong female leaders were considered exceptions to the rule, but their power and influence is undeniable.

March 27 | 4:00 pm Tobin Center tobincenter.org

Disney On Ice Courage leads the way for Disney’s most adventurous heroes when Disney On Ice presents Dream Big skates into San Antonio in April, playing seven fun-filled performances at the Alamodome.

April 28 - May 1 Alamodome alamodome.com

The Look Studio Hair & Makeup

Specializing in

Fiesta San Antonio

makeup for the female entrepeneur.

Makeup to get your camera but still feel like yourself.

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Fiesta® has grown into a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures and today is one of this nation’s premier festivals with an economic impact of more than $340 million. View the calendar of events online!

March 31 - April 10 fiestasanantonio.org

Party in the Park Join the Brackenridge Park Conservancy and Mays Family Foundation at this year’s Party in the Park to honor Nelson and Tracy Wolff for their dedication to our community and their vision to lift up Brackenridge Park. The evening will include special entertainment, fireworks, cocktails, and a seated dinner catered by the RK Group. Advanced registration is required.

March 23 | 6 - 9 pm Brackenridge Park brackenridgepark.org

Taste of the Southside An opportunity to experience the culture, food, art and music of San Antonio’s vibrant South Side, while benefiting the students and campus of Por Vida Academy. Music, Food, Games, and more!

March 26 & 27 1135 Mission Road tasteofthesouthside.org

Ballet Folklorico de Mexico Amalia Hernandez and Ballet Folklorico de Mexico are coming to the Tobin Center. The music, technical rigor, elaborate costuming and Amalia’s choreography have helped the Ballet and its followers disseminate the zest for rich Mexican tradition and folklore throughout the world.

April 10 | 7 pm Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

SA CURATED: DINING

Eating Local with

T Lane aylor

Hey, San Antonio Woman! I’m Taylor, and I love finding the best spots to eat locally. Food truck parks give you a taste of the many flavors of San Antonio in one place. Explore some of my favorites below!

In the food truck business? Visit our friends at the Food Hub at LocalSprout for your commissary needs. Visit localsprout.com to learn about their urban gardens, farms, and downtown food hub connecting consumers to sustainable food. @_tay_lane

El Camino 1009 Avenue B @elcaminosa elcaminosa.com

A beacon for the downtown community to join and enjoy selections from their guest gourmet food trucks. The perfect spot to bring together friends, family, and furry companions under covered seating with a fully stocked bar that includes frozen drinks, craft brews, and top-shelf cocktails.

The Block 14530 Roadrunner Way @theblocksa theblocksa.com

A unique family gathering spot located in northwest San Antonio. A venue for food, games, and more created to support local small businesses. Keep an Area 51 Food Park 12275 Potranco Rd @areafoodpark facebook.com/ area51foodpark 102

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eye on their social media for live music and event dates! Open Thursday Sunday at 5:00 pm.

StreetFare SA 1916 Austin Hwy @streetfaresa facebook.com/ streetfaresa

Located near UTSA, The Block features Golden Street Tacos, Zulia’s Kitchen, Go Vegan San Antonio, and Bull Gogi Boys food trucks, and a covered outdoor bar with craft brews, beer on tap, and Mimosas on Sunday’s!

All ages and dog friendly! ​

A family-friendly food truck park complete with a playground and covered seating. Enjoy cold beer at the Airstream bar, tasty trucks in the park, playground for the kiddos, designated dog area PLUS a bouncy house on select weekends!

ART BEAT

Kelly O’Connor Photography by Buff Strickland

Kelly O’Connor is a contemporary artist who works in collage and installation-based works. She studied at San Antonio College (2000-2002), abroad at Santa Chiara in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy (2003), and collections care at Mount Carroll Historic Preservation Center (2010-2012). O’Connor completed an internship at the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, TX, specializing in art conservation. She received a BFA in Studio Art in 2005 at the University of Texas at Austin and an Executive MBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2020.

O’Connor has exhibited at the San Antonio Museum of Art, The McNay in San Antonio, Women and Their Work in Austin, and the Blaffer Museum in Houston. She has been included in juried exhibitions such as the Texas Biennial (2007 & 2013) and New American Paintings (2013). Her work is part of the following permanent collections: Ford Foundation NY, The McNay, and the City of San Antonio.

Kelly O’Connor has been a long-time figure at the Linda Pace Foundation. She began her career with the Foundation in 2006 as an artist and philanthropist and was Linda Pace’s Studio Assistant and the Registrar of her permanent art collection. Currently, she is the Head of Collections and Communications for the Foundation’s new identity, Ruby City, a contemporary art center designed by Sir David Adjaye. @kellyoconnor_art | oconnor.kelly@gmail.com

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WEDDING

Mr. & Mrs.

Hebert

December 11th, 2021 What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?

The most memorable moment of the day was the first look. I was nervous to truly get the wedding started but my husband made me feel like the most beautiful person in the world.

What was the most stressful part of your wedding day?

It was a little windy and chilly so I was worried during our outdoor pictures, but they came out amazing. Our photographer did a great job making sure we got all the pictures we wanted while making it as quick as possible so we could get back to the heaters and our guests.

What are your Honeymoon plans?

We did a mini moon the weekend after the wedding to Charleston, South Carolina. We are waiting to do our traditional Honeymoon until later in the year because we are wanting to buy a house first.

Do you have any words of advice for brides-to-be?

Remember to make this celebration for you and your spouse and enjoy all the work and planning that goes into it – dance, drink, laugh, cry, breathe…knowing this is the start of a brand-new chapter in your life together.

Did you have “His & Hers” Cocktails? If so, what were they, and is there a story behind them?

We did – Basil Hayden’s on the rocks (His) and Lavender Whiskey Sour (Hers). There isn’t a story behind them – just very tasty. Even the guys loved the Hers drink.

What was your first dance song, and why is it significant?

Our first song was ‘If We Were Vampires’ Cover by the Running Mates Written by Jason Isbell.

My husband and I heard this song coming home from a hiking trip one night and instantly fell in love with it. It touches beautifully on the fragility of life and how much each moment means because our time is limited and “maybe we’ll get forty years together.” I also had a custom cowboy hat made for the wedding with the quote “It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever” branded on the bottom.

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Bride: Kaitlyn Stanford Groom: Dustin Hebert Wedding date: December 11th, 2021 Photographer/Videographer: Daniel Grove Photography Venue: Rockin’ B Ranch Wedding Dress: Fiancée Bridal Boutique Grooms Tuxedo: Ralph Lauren Engagement Ring: Americus Diamond Wedding Bands: Diamonds Direct (Bride) David Yurman (Groom) Hair and Makeup: Southern Tease Hair & Makeup Boutique Planner: Debra Reece Events Bar & Catering: Bartenders and Dreams, Compadres Hill Country Cocina Cake: Thin Blue Line Bakery Florist: Dixie Luxe (Wood Flowers) Rentals: Cru Rentals DJ/Band: Toast Entertainment & John Christopher Way March/April 2022 105

FINAL THOUGHTS

Artwork by:

Kelly O’Connor “Spray (2016)” Medium - Mixed Media Collage Size 72” x 72”, Private Collection

My work combines memory, fantasy, and fiction, often drawing from Western folklore and the use of iconic characters and stereotypes. These sources of inspiration often focus on the female role throughout modernism. I like playing with the juxtaposition of candy-colored surfaces that are almost sickly sweet along with weathered papers sampled from vintage media from the 1950s and 1960s, a period rich in American idealism. Much of my work is about exposing the realities behind the public façades of these icons as well as the society that they represent.

Kelly O’Connor is a contemporary artist who works in collage and installation-based works. She has been included in the Texas Biennial and New American Painting. Her work is part of the Ford Foundation’s Collection in New York, The McNay’s collection in San Antonio, and City of San Antonio’s permanent collections, which is currently on view.

Work available for purchase in San Antonio at Feliz Modern, represented by David Shelton Gallery, Houston, TX

Represented by David Shelton Gallery, Houston, TX

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