san antonio man
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December/January 2012 issueTRANSCRIPT
DonaldBraswellGet ready for a class act.
PROSPECT HILLShaped the Lives ofSan Antonio Leaders
SPORTSCollege football in SA
GIFTS FOR THETECHNO-SAVVY
HEALTHA little-known sideeffect of diabetes
p.22Donald BraswellProfile
10 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
FEATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
One Square Mile — Success Stories from
Prospect Hill
MONEY & INVESTMENTS . . . . . . . . 26
SELF-MADE MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FAST TRACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
HEALTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
FITNESS TRAINER . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
PARENTING FOR DADS . . . . . . . . . 43
WHAT WOMEN WANT . . . . . . . . . . . 45
A shopping list that will save you from the
last-minute rush this Christmas!
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. . . . . . . . . 47
QUICK BITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
HAPPY HOUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
HANDYMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
THE DAYTRIPPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
RIDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
MEN ON THE MOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
BACK IN TIME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
p.51
The GadgetsLess SeenGreat gifts for thetechno-savvy
GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY
FITNESS
TheThrillof theHillp.41
Gun Maintenance Crucialp.58
HUNTING
12 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
MIKE GAFFNEYPublisher
President & Publisher | J. Michael Gaffney
Editor | Beverly Purcell-Guerra
Graphic Design | Maria Jenicek, Jonathan lee, eric Weidner
Contributing Writers | eric aBati, ernie altGelt, rudy ariSPe, Paul BaltutiS, tony cantÚ, Johnnie chouke, Jeff deGner, rachel elSBerry, chet Garner, kelly a. Goff, John GoodSPeed, diane GottSMan, randy lankford, MeGan l. MinuS, terry neGley, WilliaM Parker, Glenn roGerS, Whitney Solcher, JaniS turk
Copy Editor | kathryn cocke
Photography | BiBB Gault, John GoodSPeed, JaniS turk,liZ GarZa WilliaMS, oScar WilliaMS
Account Executives | Jen earhart, cedric fiSher, BarBara SaleMI
Administration | nancy a. Gaffney
Customer Service Manager | kyra BraGG
Printing | ShWeiki Media, San antonio, texaS
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012 Advertising and Subscription information:(210) 826-5375email: [email protected]
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Publisher’sletter How time does fly. It seems that the idea of a magazine for San An-
tonio Men was a spark of an idea and now we are already publishingour third issue. We continue to receive outstanding comments, sug-gestions and look forward to expanding in the new year.In this issue we highlight San Antonio's unique and rich heritage
through stories of some of SA's most successful and prolific men. Welearn that one square mile of the westside neighborhood of ProspectHill influenced and produced several of our city's most successful busi-nessmen and civic contributors, including Charles Barrett, Dr. FernandoGuerra and Lionel Sosa. All of these men must have more than 24hours in their day.Our profile story is about Donald Braswell, an extremely talented
tenor whom has been recognized nationally. I am sure that we will con-tinue to hear more about his incredible talent.Also in this issue, we feature Pat Sullivan, the leather furniture king
of San Antonio, and David Perez, SA's newest young sushi entrepre-neur. We also welcome Courtney Burkholder's new regular feature onparenting advice for dads and Whitney Solcher's articles on money andinvesting.As we enter another holiday season and look forward to the new
year, we reflect upon the challenges and opportunities that have beenafforded to us in 2011. I must end by saying this year has been amaz-ing and we have the readers, supporters and believers to thank for this.We accomplished a lot in 2011 and look forward to an even more suc-cessful new year of new possibilities in 2012. A special thank you toour advertising partners who share our vision of profiling our city from aman's perspective. Please say you saw their ad in San Antonio Man.Visit us on the web at www.SanAntonioMan.com or visit San Anto-
nio Man on Facebook.
sanantonioman.com
Photography ©Oscar Williams
14
SAN ANTONIOMAN
Chet Garner is the creator, producer, and host of The Daytripper on
PBS, a show about exploring everything from the well-known land-
marks to the obscure dives and hideaways across the Lone Star
State. He has written The Daytripper for SAN ANTONIO MAN since
the first issue. After practicing law for three years, Chet decided it
was time to follow his passions and share his genuine love for all
things Texas with viewers who often don't realize the beauty in their
own backyards. So, with a video camera in one hand and a plate of
BBQ in the other, Chet and a small crew set out to travel
Texas. What started as "The Austin Daytripper" has now grown to be
a statewide travel show and was the recipient of a 2010 Lone Star
Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in a Texas Heritage
Program. When not traveling Texas, Chet is at home with his wife
and two children — although he's usually got them on the road too.
CHET GARNER
A regular columnist for SAN ANTONIO WOMAN, writer Courtney Burk-
holder is thrilled for the opportunity to share her insight into parenting
with the readers of SAN ANTONIO MAN. “I’ve been giving my hus-
band advice for years," she says. "Now he will have to take me seri-
ously!” She also admits to learning a great deal from him. “The idea
for this month’s Feature story, about people who grew up in Prospect
Hill, came from my husband, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity
to interview these amazing men. Their stories are truly inspiring.”
When she isn’t stressing over deadlines, Ms. Burkholder spends her
time at The Little Gym, the grown-up gym, doing Science Fair proj-
ects, avoiding luncheons and making numerous trips to H-E-B. She
and her husband are the parents of three children.
COURTNEYBURKHOLDER
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
16 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN by COURTNEY BURKHOLDER Photography by OSCAR WILLIAMS
How one small West Side neighborhood shapedthe lives of many San Antonio leaders
nce upon a time, on the West Side of San Antonio, there was a small community known as ProspectHill. It was a neighborhood of working families, local businesses, clapboard homes, a church and aparish school. Bordered by Colorado Street on the east, Zarzamora Street on the west, Martin Streeton the north, and Guadalupe Street on the south, Prospect Hill was but one square mile in size. Every-
one knew everyone else, and all was within walking distance.Though no one knew it at the time, this modest and unassuming neighborhood would one day be known as the
birthplace of many great San Antonio leaders.Though its history reads like a fairy tale, Prospect Hill is very real, as are the amazing men and women who
have called it home (See sidebar). One of the first communities built west of downtown in the early 20th century,Prospect Hill originally provided housing for working families associated with the railroad as well as many immi-grant families from a variety of ethnic backgrounds who came to San Antonio in search of a safe and nurturingcommunity to raise their families.Throughout the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, this humble neighborhood provided the sound foundation its children re-
quired to grow, learn and succeed and thus produced a generation of businessmen, artisans, civic leaders, militaryheroes and doctors, successful beyond expectation and dedicated to bettering themselves, the lives of their fellowmen and women, and their community, as well as future generations.So what made this particular square mile so different from every other square mile across San Antonio? I
asked three men born and raised in this melting pot of acculturation and assimilation to share their memoriesof their beloved Prospect Hill. Through their wisdom and with their guidance, we will attempt to unearth thesecrets of this nurturing neighborhood in hopes of recreating the foundation where many successful men andwomen were born.
PROSPECT HILL:
ONESQUARE MILE
17SANANTONIOMAN.COM
CHARLES T. BARRETT, JR.For Charles T. Barrett, Jr., president and
CEO of Barrett Holdings, an asset manage-
ment company and authorized dealer for
Jaguar, Ferrari, Maserati, Saab and Fisker,
the road to success began at the front door
of the family home on 3021 West Travis
Street. His pride in his roots is evident, as
is his fondness for his old neighborhood: “I
am honored to be included in this group of
men who grew up in Prospect Hill.” Barrett
attributes much of his success to his loving
family and the values they instilled in him
as a child as well as the neighborhood en-
vironment that Prospect Hill provided.
Raised by his parents and a great aunt,
Barrett and his sister learned the impor-
tance of responsibility from an early age.
“In our home, accountability for your ac-
tions and respect for your peers, your sub-
ordinates, as well as respect for authority,
were the most important lessons taught,”
he recalls, “and treating others with dignity
and respect.” Sacred Heart, the Catholic
parish and parochial school attended by
Barrett and many local children, further re-
inforced the importance of responsibility
and respect. He recalls the significant role
the Benedictine Sisters, who ran the
school, played in his life. “At the time, they
seemed larger than life and meaner than
hell. They were very strict but very caring
and loving. They taught us to respect au-
thority, and I attribute much of our success
to them,” he says.
Growing up in, as he describes, a “mix-
ing bowl of ethnicities,” Barrett remembers
the emphasis placed on one’s family her-
itage: “In Prospect Hill, people knew who
they were and where they were from.
Everybody knew where their parents were
born, where their grandparents were born,
where they came from, and why they were
here. Pride in your heritage was very impor-
tant, no matter what it was.”
Barrett’s father, Charles, Sr., was born
in Monterrey, Mexico, to an American of
British descent who worked for the rail-
road. As with many of the families who
called Prospect Hill home, Barrett’s grand-
parents fled to San Antonio during the
Mexican Revolution when the Mexican
government expropriated the railroads and
foreigners were not in favor. Charles Sr.
was raised in San Antonio, graduated from
Main Avenue High School, married and
eventually moved his family to Prospect
Hill. Barrett knows the story well. “Every-
body knew and took pride in the sacrifices
made for them to give them the opportu-
nity to accomplish something,” he says.
“And you always knew that you had a re-
sponsibility to others to give them the
same chances that you had.”
According to Barrett, Prospect Hill was a
community of close-knit families who
looked out for each other’s kids. “Every-
thing was within walking distance,” he re-
calls. Walter’s Drugstore, DeWinne’s
Restaurant and the Malt House were a few
of his favorite haunts. “All my friends lived
close by, and we walked together to school
every day. I never had to report home. If I
misbehaved, I wasn’t sent home for pun-
ishment. Any one of the mothers in my
neighborhood would reprimand me. And
my mother did the same for my friends,” he
says. In today’s world, where parents fear
Charles T. Barrett, Jr.
Charles T. Barrett, Jr., an authorized dealer forJaguar, Ferrari, Maserati, Saab and Fisker, sits atthe wheel of the 2012 Fisker Karma, the firstelectric luxury vehicle, which can be plugged inor filled up. There are solar cells on the roof.
18 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
repercussions for punishing another’s child
and the school’s authority to discipline has
faded to near-nonexistent, this seems ar-
chaic and borderline risky behavior.
Yet Barrett attributes this co-parenting,
shared-authority mentality as one of the
major factors that set Prospect Hill apart.
He explains, “There was no ‘Sammy’s mom
says he can do this or that.’ Sammy’s mom
and my mom were always on the same
page. You never questioned whether some-
thing was right or wrong because all the
parents felt the same way and supported
one another’s decisions. There was no
question as to who had the authority. All
the parents had the authority to discipline.”
Though Barrett is now most often asso-
ciated with luxurious high-line car fran-
chises, including Jaguar and Ferrari, his
first job was not so glamorous. “The first
time I got paid for anything was when I got
a job working for a neighbor delivering tor-
tillas to little grocery stores around the
area,” he recalls. He was 10 years old.
Later jobs included sacking groceries at
H-E-B, sweeping the parking lot of the
local Handy Andy at the corner of Lexing-
ton and St. Mary’s and a variety of jobs at
Hendricks Tire Company.
Barrett graduated from St. Mary’s Uni-
versity in 1962. Following a stint in the
Coast Guard Reserves (he retired after 22
years as a commander), he went on to es-
tablish his own accounting firm before buy-
ing his first car dealership, a Jaguar and
Ferrari store, in 1993. From there, more
franchises were added, and his business
grew. Today Barrett is an authorized dealer
for Jaguar, Ferrari, Maserati, Saab and
Fisker, and one of the most respected
businessmen in San Antonio.
Throughout his life and career, Barrett
has drawn from early lessons learned and
looked for ways to give back to his com-
munity. “As a CPA, I served on six or seven
national committees that were either for the
benefit of small businessmen or for minor-
ity inclusion into the profession. I did a lot
to bring awareness to the profession being
more inviting to minorities,” he says. He
currently serves as vice regent for the non-
profit group Rey Feo Consejo Educational
Foundation and is a member of the St.
Mary’s University Board of Trustees as well
as chairman of the finance committee for
St. Mary’s University.
Formerly, he served as
president of the Fiesta
Commission and was de-
clared the 54th El Rey
Feo (the people’s king)
for collecting a record-
breaking amount of
money for the Rey Feo
Scholarship Committee.
He is also recognized by
the Texas House of Rep-
resentatives as an outstanding Texan for
significant and lifelong contributions to the
city of San Antonio.
One project Barrett is most proud of is
the St. Mary’s Bell Tower Project that he
initiated in 2006. “When I was able to finan-
cially do something for St. Mary’s, I wanted
to do something that would draw students
to the school by beautifying the campus,”
he says. “St. Mary’s school song is The
Bells of Saint Mary’s. Now, every day at 3
o’clock, the bell tower plays the school
song.” The bell tower also serves as a me-
morial to his mother and son and is a re-
minder to all that good things come to
those who give back. The bell tower was
dedicated in February 2007.
LIONEL SOSAAs Barrett previously pointed out, the
people of Prospect Hill knew their family
heritage by heart. Lionel Sosa is no excep-
tion. Born in 1939 in the small family rooms
off the back of his father’s dry cleaning
business, Sosa worked alongside his family
from a very early age. “My father learned
the dry cleaning business from his parents,
who had a home laundry service,” he says.
“By the time my father was 21, he was
ready to go out on his own. He chose
Prospect Hill because it was primarily
Anglo, and he knew that the Anglos had
the money to get their clothes cleaned and
laundered.”
Sosa remembers growing up in Prospect
Hill with great fondness and recalls much of
his life revolving around the family business.
“I worked in the cleaners from the time I
was 8 years old. All of us worked there. My
father did not call it Sosa Cleaners but
called it Prospect Hill Cleaners. I think that
was his way of blending in. My parents
were very proud of being Mexican, but they
didn’t wear it on their chest,” he explains.
Though many of the families of Prospect
Hill, including Sosa’s grandparents, had fled
Mexico during the Mexican Revolution,
Sosa remembers the neighborhood as an
ethnically mixed assortment of families.
“Many of these families had come from
Mexico, where they had worked on the rail-
road. There were lots of Germans, Belgians,
Chinese and Lebanese. Growing up, most
of my friends were Anglos,” he says.
According to Sosa, the ethnic diversity of
Prospect Hill was a key factor in the suc-
cess of the neighborhood: “I never consid-
ered myself different from anybody else. A
lot of folks who grew up in my age felt dis-
crimination, but mostly because they grew
up in a segregated part of town. I think
what set Prospect Hill apart was there was
absolutely no entitlement mentality. We
grew up in an ethnically diverse neighbor-
hood where there was no discrimination.
Everybody was everybody’s pal. And to my
family, they were all friends and customers.
Without a doubt, I think that growing up in
a mixed neighborhood made all the differ-
ence in my life. I never felt like a victim, and
I will never think of myself in that way. No-
body’s better than me, and I’m not better
than anyone else.”
From the time he went to work for the
family business, Sosa learned the impor-
tance of hard work and honesty. “In my
family, the most important thing was that
you worked for everything you had, and
Everybody knew and tookpride in the sacrifices madefor them to give them theopportunity to accomplishsomething.
Charles T. Barrett, Jr.
19SANANTONIOMAN.COM
you were always 100-percent honest in all
your dealings,” he says. By the age of 10,
Sosa worked every afternoon from 3 to 7
and from 7 to 3 on Saturdays at the dry
cleaners. “I was paid $1 per week,” he re-
calls. “My mother had a rule. Once you
started working, you had to give back 50
percent of everything you made to the
house. I had to pay her 50 cents per week!
If I complained, she said, ‘These are the
rules in this house. If you don’t like them,
there’s the door.’”
At 13, Sosa rebelled, refusing to work
any longer at the dry cleaners. “My mother
said, ‘You don’t have to work here, but
you do have to work.’ Then she got me a
new job at Walter’s Drugstore. She could
always find me a new job.” (According to
Sosa, the 50-percent rule was still in ef-
fect.) This strong work ethic that he de-
scribes is consistent with many of the
hard-working families of Prospect Hill, and
is, it seems, a recurring factor in the suc-
cess of its offspring.
The emphasis on hard work continued
for Sosa throughout his years at Central
Catholic High School. “As a Mexican kid,
you were supposed to graduate from high
school, get a job, get married, have chil-
dren, work some more, then you die,” he
says. “That’s what everyone did, so that’s
what I did. College was never mentioned. In
fact, going to college meant you were lazy
and didn’t want to go to work!” It wasn’t
until Sosa was several years into his first
job, designing and painting signs for Texas
Neon Sign Company, that he considered
furthering his education. “I overheard a cus-
tomer talking about The School of Personal
Achievement. It was a 17-week course and
cost $250.” Sosa procured a loan to take
the course, then began working a second
job on the weekends to pay it back. “The
course said, ‘Whatever your mind can con-
ceive and believe, you can achieve.’ I be-
lieved what it said and set the course of my
life to those principles,” he says.
At age 26, with a wife and four children
to support, Sosa began setting goals and
working to achieve them: “I set my goals
high. I wanted to open my own graphic arts
studio, so I did it. I wanted to get into ad-
vertising, so I set a goal to be the largest ad
agency in Texas in five years. I did it in
three. And so on and so forth.” This strong
work ethic, the belief in himself and his
strong desire to succeed have served him
well throughout his life.
In 1972, Sosa founded Sosa, Bromley,
Aguilar & Associates (now Bromley Commu-
nications), the largest Hispanic advertising
agency in the United States. He is also a na-
tionally recognized portrait artist, author and
speaker. In 2005, Hispanic Business maga-
Lionel Sosa
‘Whatever your mind can conceive andbelieve, you can achieve.’ I believedwhat it said and set the course of mylife to those principals.
Lionel Sosa
Lionel Sosa founded the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the United States in 1972. Also recognized as an artist, author and speaker, he has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S. by Hispanic Business magazine.
20 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
zine named him one of the 100 Most Influ-
ential Hispanics in the United States. Sosa
has worked on numerous political cam-
paigns, including the presidential campaigns
of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush,
George W. Bush and John McCain. He is
currently the Hispanic media consultant for
Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign and
is recognized as an expert in Hispanic con-
sumer and voter behavior.
Sosa attributes much of his success to
the strong foundation for life he received
growing up in Prospect Hill. He explains,
“The neighborhood had the old values: Be
honest, work hard, be responsible, be kind.
Hard work alone won’t do it. You have to
have all the other qualities as well. And you
have to feel a sense of gratitude for what
life gives you.”
FERNANDO A. GUERRA, M.D., M.P.H.Dr. Fernando Guerra’s maternal ances-
tors settled in the Rio Grande Valley in the
1800s as one of the land grant families.
Like Barrett’s and Sosa’s ancestors, Dr.
Guerra’s paternal grandparents fled Mexico
when the danger and violence of the Mexi-
can Revolution forced many families to
seek asylum in the United States. Upon ar-
riving here, the family settled in a small
community in San Antonio that closely re-
sembled the barrios of Mexico, where par-
ents, grandparents, cousins and relatives
all lived close by, not unlike the family com-
pounds of Mexico.
“I was brought up in a very traditional
Mexican-American family and household.
Spanish was the first language. The family
values of respect for our parents, grandpar-
ents and teachers, the importance of a moral
value system, and also knowing that one has
an obligation to one’s family and one’s com-
munity, were always stressed,” he says. Un-
like many in Dr. Guerra’s generation, both of
his parents were college educated, his father
being the second Mexican-American to
graduate from the College of Pharmacy at
UT Austin. Following graduation, his father
opened a pharmacy on the fringes of
Prospect Hill and moved the family there
when Dr. Guerra was in pre-school.
Dr. Guerra has come to consider his early
introduction to Prospect Hill as an important
part in a series of moves that took place in
his family during his early years. “Prospect
Hill provided a sense of upward mobility and
also other opportunities in terms of commu-
nity for our family,” he recalls. “It was an es-
tablished neighborhood, it was settled. It
provided families and friendships for my par-
ents as well as for the children. I remember
there was a pre-school run by some nuns
that was very similar to the schools of Mex-
ico, and it gave my parents an opportunity to
stay connected with the Mexican culture and
language of their past.” Indeed, Prospect Hill
provided many families with the opportunity
to establish a presence, find gainful employ-
ment and educate their children.
“Prospect Hill had some very important
elements,” Dr. Guerra says. “It had a real
sense of community in terms of support pro-
vided by families. There were still a lot of
front porches where families gathered and
kids came over to play.” He is quick to point
out that it was the churches and the schools
in Prospect Hill that provided the glue that
held the community together: “In any com-
Fernando A. Guerra, M.D.
Pediatrician, Dr. Fernando Guerra,who retired last year after 23 years asdirector of the San Antonio Metropol-itan Health District, is pictured in frontof CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital.The mural is by Jesse Treviño, whoalso grew up in Prospect Hill.
munity, the truly important institutions that
provide a considerable presence in terms of
relationships that a community develops are
the churches and schools. When you have
those in place, as Prospect Hill did, and if
they are there to serve and support the
community, I think that one really then has
the opportunity to do good things.”
He also attributes much of Prospect Hill’s
sound foundation to Sacred Heart Parish.
“Prospect Hill was a real parish community.
The religious sisters and the parish priests
were very instrumental in creating a bond
across families,” he says. “We all felt a part
of the community; there were emotional
bonds and ties between families. The fami-
lies all wanted to see each other’s kids do
well and succeed, and they shared in that re-
sponsibility. I think that is what is missing in
today’s world. In my work, I see some very
adverse outcomes in the communities that
have lost that sense of a value system and
the relationships between families.”
Dr. Guerra’s early interest in medicine
stemmed in large part from time spent with
his father at his pharmacies and watching
him interact with patients. “My father’s
pharmacies were established in a very tra-
ditional barrio-type setting where people
would come to get advice or medicine. He
provided clinic space within the pharmacy
for physicians to serve patients on a walk-
in basis. I learned early on that it was pos-
sible, with training and experience, to serve
a community in a way that was beneficial,”
he says. He describes his father’s pharma-
cies as an early model for him in the work
that he did with community health centers.
Indeed, Dr. Guerra, as his father before him,
has been an advocate for the under-re-
sourced communities of San Antonio.
Dr. Guerra also recalls his mother being
hugely influential in steering his career
along the path of service. “My mother really
served as an important role model through
her activities as a volunteer,” he says. “Her
work gave me some terms of reference as
to what the needs were in the community.”
The importance of education was always
a large part of Dr. Guerra’s upbringing, rein-
forced by his parents, the Benedictine Sis-
ters of Sacred Heart and other teachers
along the way. He earned his medical de-
gree from the University of Texas Medical
Branch at Galveston and his Master of
Public Health degree from the Harvard Uni-
versity School of Public Health, where he
has received the Alumni Merit Award. Early
in his pediatric training, he was called to
active duty and served our country as a
battalion surgeon with the 10th Combat
Aviation Battalion in Vietnam. Among his
decorations was a Bronze Star. Though his
list of accomplishments is long and presti-
gious, he recalls with fondness the very
first community health center he set up
during his early years as a doctor, deep in
the heart of San Antonio’s West Side.
Dr. Guerra recently retired as director of
health for the San Antonio Metropolitan
Health District after 23 years of service.
During his tenure, he oversaw the operation
of 32 health care facilities across San Anto-
nio. He instituted improvements in the im-
munization program, expanded the WIC
program, established the Public Center for
Environmental Health and also Project
Worth. He was elected to the Institute of
Medicine and also to the Academy of Med-
icine, Science and Engineering of Texas.
Currently, Dr. Guerra serves as a consult-
ant to the City of San Antonio in public
health and health policy and also practices
pediatrics. He is a clinical professor of pe-
diatrics at the University of Texas Health
Science Center and serves as an adjunct
professor in public health at the Air Force
School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks
Air Force Base and the University of Texas
School of Public Health in Houston.
21SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
We all felt a part of the community;there were emotional bonds and tiesbetween families.
Fernando A. Guerra, M.D., M.P.H.
It is clear thatthe Prospect Hill of
old was a neighborhoodthat provided a sound foun-dation for hard-working fami-lies to raise their children.From these men, I havegleaned the importance of anengaged and supportive fam-ily, an emphasis on responsi-bility, accountability, hardwork and education, pride inone’s heritage, a strong anddedicated school system thatreinforces values instituted inthe home, the support of alocal church and a close-knitcommunity of families work-ing together for the better-ment of all. For it was theseelements that provided theright mix of circumstances inProspect Hill that encour-aged great things from somany of its children.
A PARTIAL LIST OF FORMERPROSPECT HILL RESIDENTSYOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE:
Hope Andrade— Commissioner forthe Texas Transportation Commission
Alex Briseno— Retired San Antoniocity manager and professor of publicservice at St. Mary’s University
Carol Burnett— Actress
Henry Cisneros— Former mayor ofSan Antonio, founder and chairman ofAmerican Sunrise
Ruben, George and David Cortez—Owners and managers of the familyrestaurant businesses, including MiTierra, Pico de Gallo and La Margarita
Tessa Martinez Pollack— Presidentof Our Lady of the Lake University
Dr. Ricardo Romo— President ofUTSA
Jesse Treviño— Nationally recog-nized artist
Maj. Gen. Alfred Valenzuela (Ret.) —Major General, U.S. Army, retired
Donald BraswellBy Ernie AltgeltPhotography by Oscar Williams
A life of music andperformance, rich inaccomplishment
To most, Donald Braswell II
would be considered exception-
ally blessed. The handsome
Boerne resident (although San
Antonio claims him as well) enjoys
a life rich in creative accomplish-
ment and recognition seemingly
made possible by God-given gifts
endowed at birth.
Currently, legions of fans, at home
and across the globe, eager to experi-
ence his extraordinary abilities within
the fields of music and the performing
arts, lavish accolades while attending
his numerous public appearances and
again through the purchase of his many
inspirational recordings. But while suc-
cess gauged by any measure has cer-
tainly been attained, it wasn’t an
unearned “given” based solely on ge-
netics. Years of hard work, before and
after an incredible, near-career-end-
ing misfortune, coupled with natural
talents, share responsibility for this
special individual’s admirable
achievements – on stage, in the
studio and beyond.
SAN ANTONIOMAN
Photographs taken on location at the Scottish Rite Temple.
23SANANTONIOMAN.COM
EARLY PROMISEDonald’s mother and father
both had flourishing East
Coast careers singing and per-
forming in notable Broadway
productions, but with the re-
sponsibilities of a growing
family in the early 1960s and a
need for a more sedate
lifestyle, South Texas and the
near proximity of Mrs.
Braswell’s extended and wel-
coming family ultimately beck-
oned. While this Lone Star
hiatus from performing and liv-
ing in New York was initially
envisioned as temporary, the
Braswells quickly found life in
the San Antonio area pleasant,
took up new occupations with-
out entirely giving up the old
and, ultimately, never left.
Donald, the baby of the family, was born in
1963 in San Antonio. Shortly thereafter, the
entire clan relocated northwest to Boerne,
where the future entertainer would spend
the remainder of his childhood.
Growing up among so much parental
show business history, it’s not surprising
that Donald, early on, exhibited a yearning
and knack for the theater arts. At age 7, he
tagged along with his mother to a sched-
uled rehearsal for a local production of the
play Mame. She was cast in the lead role.
Fascinated by it all, Donald discovered the
director needed someone to play a 9-year-
old boy. As he recalls, “I begged Mom to let
me audition, and she reluctantly agreed.
And even though I was only 7, I got the
part. This still remains in my heart as my
most important and memorable debut.”
During his involvement with the play, Don-
ald quickly realized entertaining was “what
I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
From that first taste of show business,
Donald went on to eagerly and successfully
participate in area theater groups through-
out his elementary and high school years.
One thing the avid young actor was discov-
ering during and after this period, however,
was the attention his singing voice was re-
ceiving. Acting is what Donald “wanted to
do,” but more and more, he was being cast
in roles that required singing. Although not
initially happy with this direction, Donald re-
alized his voice was an asset that could be
of help throughout his desired professional
life. At age 14, he took his first private
singing lessons, where his impressed in-
structor first intimated about the youth’s
potential as a classical, or operatic, singer.
IT DOESN’T COME EASYBeyond natural abilities (and perhaps a
little luck), Donald readily concedes that
success in any profession depends prima-
rily on hard work. To this end, he provides
excellent testimony. Beginning with those
first voice lessons and during those early
productions, Donald never stopped work-
ing, listening and, most importantly, learn-
ing all he could to improve upon his innate
talents. As he forthrightly volunteers, “Most
people who are not in the arts have the
broad view that to attain success in this
profession is nothing more than a dice roll.
But a career in this field is the same as any
other business. It’s developing skills that
will warrant guarantees, not just talent — or
luck! I really believe, no matter what path
you follow, that without education at the
highest level, combined with passion, you
can’t fully achieve.” Donald’s resulting life
story certainly lends credence to this per-
sonal belief.
After high school, a single-minded Don-
ald embarked on a rigorous journey of
knowledge acquisition pursuing the tools
he felt he needed to achieve his dreams.
His first stop was a two-semester stint at a
junior college in North Texas, where he
studied acting. Seeking additional learning,
he next attended the University of Texas at
San Antonio as a music major for another
fruitful year. Eager for more, however, the
bright lights of New York City proved irre-
sistible to the driven 20-something, who,
upon arrival, quickly enrolled in the re-
spected Lee Strasberg School, studying
acting while simultaneously taking private
voice lessons from Marni Nixon, a veteran
voice talent with many accomplishments to
her credit.
Eventually, personal issues, including a
happy marriage, brought Donald (with a
much broader perspective) back to Boerne,
where he worked at a variety of more tradi-
tional employments while contemplating
his next career-fulfilling move. It was his
new bride who provided the positive impe-
tus for the following life-changing event.
JULLIARD AND A CROSSROADA berth at the esteemed Julliard School in
New York City was something anyone desir-
ing success in the arts could only dream of.
Attainment was another matter entirely. With
unflagging encouragement from his wife,
Donald reluctantly agreed to apply, expect-
ing rejection. To his — but not necessarily
his wife’s — surprise, he was offered an au-
dition, which he would have to pass before
enrollment was possible. Not only did his
performance and his past accomplishments
ensure immediate placement, but he was
also offered, and gratefully accepted, a
SAN ANTONIOMAN
“
“
I REALLY BELIEVE,NO MATTERWHAT PATH YOUFOLLOW, THATWITHOUT EDUCATION ATTHE HIGHESTLEVEL, COMBINEDWITH PASSION,YOU CAN’T FULLYACHIEVE.
24 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
prestigious Enrico Caruso full four-year schol-
arship. It was at Julliard that Donald began
the rigorous professional training as an oper-
atic tenor that would eventually bring him so
much recognition.
As mentioned before, acting, not singing,
was Donald’s true ambition. During his years
at Julliard, to supplement his income, the full-
time student landed a “gig” on the long-lived
soap opera As the World Turns as a bartend-
ing, hamburger-cooking, sympathetic ear to
the more well-defined characters on the
show. This was fun work that paid well, didn’t
require much time and allowed Donald to act.
After a year of appearances, however, a pro-
fessor at Julliard discovered Donald’s moon-
lighting and decided a heart-to-heart was in
order. The gist of that visit was to explain to
Donald that his opportunity at Julliard (and a
future operatic career) was contingent on
staying focused. Donald was at Julliard for
one thing — to become a world-class oper-
atic singing force, not a TV actor. Seeing the
well-meaning professor’s logic, Donald
agreed, resigned the show, and, while at Jul-
liard, shifted all of his efforts to opera. Acting
would continue to play a role after he left the
school, but a secondary one.
A WORLD TO EXPERIENCEBeing a Julliard graduate positioned Don-
ald as a somebody in the world’s profes-
sional opera market. He continued his
studies with such notables as Franco
Bertacci, artistic director of the Lyric Orches-
tra in Florida, and renowned Primo Tenore
Franco Corelli in New York City, and with the
assistance of high-powered management
companies handling bookings, his career
soared. Rapidly achieving the status of a
premier international operatic tenor, he
played many leading roles in Europe and the
United States, including that of Arturo in La
Straniera by Bellini; Rinuccio in Gianni Schic-
chi, Luigi in Il Tabarro, Pinkerton in Madame
Butterfly, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Rodolfo in
La Bohème, all by Puccini; Turiddu from Cav-
alleria Rusticana and Fritz in L’amico Fritz by
Mascagni; Romeo in Roméo et Juliette and
Faust in Faust by Gounod; Il Duca in Rigo-
letto and Alfredo in La Traviata by Verdi;
Edgardo in Lucia Di Lammermoor and
Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore by Donizetti;
Lancelot in Le Roi Arthus by Chauson; Don
José in Carmen by Bizet; Tamino in The
Magic Flute by Mozart; and Andrea Chénier
in Andrea Chénier by Giordano.
FROM DREAM TO NIGHTMAREBut life can be fickle. Donald’s operatic
career ended abruptly in the fall of 1995.
While performing with the Welsh National
Opera on their tour of Madame Butterfly in
Wales, the ascending tenor was struck by a
car while riding a bicycle. The accident re-
sulted in catastrophic injuries to the soft tis-
sues in his throat. Afterward, he was told by
medical professionals that he would never
sing again and possibly would have difficulty
even speaking normally. Devastated and de-
pressed, Donald returned to Boerne and an
injury-mandated new life.
Over time, he was able to make sounds
again. Painfully, he began revisiting the vocal
techniques and other training that he had
learned from his former teacher, Franco
Bertacci, diligently working to regain the use
of his speaking voice and, he hoped, his
singing voice as well. Supporting himself
and his growing family as a car salesman
and later as an insurance representative,
Donald, without self-pity, over the next 12
years proved to himself that he could still be
a productive and contributing individual, al-
beit using a different skill set. As his voice
strengthened, however, and with an undi-
minished passion for his former pursuits, he
gradually began singing in his church and
later even began testing himself in local
community productions.
By 2000, a more confident and seemingly
recovered Donald boldly took to the larger
stage when he performed the lead role of
Lancelot in Camelot presented by the San An-
tonio Symphony. Succeeding there, the next
year he landed the lead in Kismet, again with
the Symphony. Further broadening his expo-
sure, he also began performing with the pop-
ular group San Antonio Three Tenors in small
shows in shopping malls and elsewhere,
when they needed a replacement singer. (FYI,
today Donald is a permanent member of the
trio). As Donald remembers, “Though no
longer on the world stage, I was singing again
— and it felt really good.” And while he often
recorded in the past, in 2007, at the urging of
a fan, Donald produced an album covering a
broad spectrum of music genres. Titled New
Chapter, it contained a pleasing mix of pop
classics and classical offerings that enjoyed a
respectable degree of acceptance. Coinci-
dentally, this initial collection would also prove
to be the springboard that would help re-
launch Donald’s musical career.
ENTER NATIONAL TELEVISION’SAMERICA’S GOT TALENTIn September of 2007, Donald’s wife (with-
out consultation) secretly submitted a tape
featuring some of the songs off the recently
released New Chapter album to the produc-
ers of NBC’s popular America’s Got Talent
show. Taken with Donald’s singing voice and
his compelling story, the producers soon
scheduled an audition that ultimately re-
sulted in an invitation to compete against
other top-tier performers. Over the course of
the next 12 months, the former world-class
operatic tenor wowed, again and again, mil-
lions of television viewers and the show’s
judges with his poise, delivery, inspiring life
story and, above all, his amazing voice.
Even though Donald failed to win the hotly
contested competition, he finished in the top
five, and the national and international expo-
sure propelled the one-time star back into
the limelight. Physically, emotionally and
passionately, Donald now felt ready for a re-
turn engagement with the life he knew and
loved before the debilitating accident. As he
joyously recalls, “It was a second chance
that I never expected to get. I felt reborn.”
A CAREER REBORNToday feeling truly blessed about every-
thing, Donald has become a well-rounded
entertainer regularly performing (full time, no
more car sales) to delighted audiences in
live, often sold-out concerts (including a
stop at New York’s Carnegie Hall this Dec. 2)
25SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
and on television and radio programs airing
throughout Texas and North America. He is
currently the focus of attention for several
devoted fan clubs here and abroad. Most of
his current engagements feature an enter-
taining mix of comedy, dance moves and, of
course, superlative, interpretive music, all of
which enjoy a wide appreciation.
He continues to act as well. His first
album soon went international after release
when it was discovered by executives at
Canoe FM radio, based in Haliburton,
Canada. Shortly thereafter, he began dusting
off compositions he had been writing while
still impaired and combined them with new
compositions co-written with partner/com-
poser Anthony Bazzani, in a second original
album appropriately titled We Fall and We
Rise Again. And, in October 2011, a third
album, Unchained, hit the marketplace,
again developed in partnership with Bazzani.
Each album (available at www.donald-
braswell.com and locally through Barnes
and Noble) has justifiably garnered praise far
and afield, reflecting the diversity, range and
extraordinary mass appeal of Donald’s won-
derfully restored talents.
GIVING VOICE TOSAN ANTONIOAND BEYONDAfter the emotional turmoil he experi-
enced, Donald understandably feels com-
pelled to commit a significant portion of
his time, energies and gifts to helping oth-
ers as he was helped during his needful
period. To this end, he willingly performs
at multiple charity events and has even
staged his own concerts with the sole
purpose of raising funds for worthy
causes. Examples include his four earlier
concerts benefiting the San Antonio Met-
ropolitan Ministries (SAMMinistries),
where all proceeds went to assist the
area’s homeless. Haven for Hope is an-
other local charity that Donald supports
extensively and, in response, has sched-
uled a pro bono performance for Jan. 7,
2012, at Trinity University’s Laurie Audito-
rium. And a natural target of his benefi-
cence will always be raising funds and
“cheerleading” for his beloved San Anto-
nio Symphony and the San Antonio Opera
— two organizations that, as the devoted
operatic tenor freely admits, “are like
treasured members of my family.”
Bravo, Mr. Braswell! Your life, your reaction toadversity, continue to be a song well sung!
SAN ANTONIOMAN by WHITNEY SOLCHER
But does it belong in your portfolio?
The Glitter Is Back
As we approach the holiday season, expecta-
tions are always shiny and bright. Lights twinkle, tin-
sel sparkles, and the spouse begins hinting about a
special something that generally includes a little yel-
low metal called gold.
That’s right, it seems like everywhere you turn
these days, people are talking about gold. Whether
they are offering to sell you gold or buy your gold,
the message is inescapable. It reminds me of the
folks that hang around athletic stadiums with one
side of their sign saying “I need tickets” and the
other side saying “I have tickets.” Whom are you
supposed to believe?
Bah Hum (Gold) Bug!
SAN ANTONIOMAN
These days, investors are having a hard time knowing which
way to turn, or run, for that matter. In a period of unsettling head-
lines and market volatility, it’s difficult to understand which invest-
ments are still safe. Which ones are headed for a bubble?
Traditionally, investors achieved safe, secure returns in their
portfolios by purchasing United States Treasury bonds, the per-
ceived global “risk-free asset.” We have also experienced a 30-year
bond bull market, as interest rates (prices move in the opposite di-
rection of interest rates) have steadily fallen over this time period. In
1983, the average interest rate on a 10-year Treasury note was 13.9
percent. As we stand today, the 10-year rate is below 2 percent,
making the next 30 years very uncertain for this asset class.
When you add in the fact that ratings agencies are challenging
the United States’ AAA status, the failure of the Super Committee in
Washington, and let’s not forget inflation, one is left with little to
look forward to in return. Despite the fact that U.S. Treasuries are
seen to be a “safe haven,” the long-term outlook is not good, and
that’s exactly what the Federal Reserve is trying to tell you.
By now, almost everyone has heard of QE I and QE II (and now
“operation twist”), and unless you spend most of your time at sea,
you know this is the Federal Reserve’s attempt to purchase large
quantities of Treasuries and other debt instruments to push down
interest rates in an effort to stimulate the economy. The Fed is
worried about deflation caused by the overwhelming effects of the
housing crisis and massive unemployment overhang. By reducing
rates, they are trying to force investors out of zero yielding money
market accounts and into riskier assets. In addition, they are trying
to make credit more accessible to consumers and businesses alike.
So what does this have to do with gold, and why is everyone
talking about it? In short, through quantitative easing, the United
States is effectively defaulting on its debt obligations by debasing
the dollar. In effect, they are repaying debts with cheaper dollars.
As the value of the dollar goes down, gold tends to go up. And it’s
not just the U.S. dollar, but our entire modern-day system of paper
“fiat” currencies. For hundreds of years, gold has served as a form
of money and/or paper currencies were valued at a fixed ratio to
gold, as in the Bretton Woods system. When Bretton Woods was
effectively abolished in 1971, the dollar was no longer backed by
gold, and the price of gold was allowed to float freely. Gold prices
then soared in the turbulent 1970s, only to crater in the 1980s and
27SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
28
1990s during the “great moderation.”
But over the last decade, as the United States suffered through
two recessions, gold prices have increased nearly five-fold. One
reason for the price increase is the printing of money done by the
Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank and
China. There is a nearly identical relationship over the last decade
between the growth in global currency reserves and the price of
gold. As more currency floods the global economy, the value of
each unit of currency drops, and global purchasing power is di-
minished. Gold provides a hedge against this cycle, as it is one of
the few forms of currency that simply cannot be printed.
While gold has increased in value every year over the last
decade, we do not feel that it has reached bubble territory for sev-
eral reasons. Demand is still strong, as global central banks are
net buyers of gold, with Russia and Mexico leading the way. Fur-
thermore, global gold production is actually down 1 percent per
year over the last decade. In addition, because of the United
States’ $14 trillion deficit and expansion of the Federal Reserve’s
balance sheet, there has been much talk among central bankers
and economists about the U.S. dollar losing its reserve currency
status. With the Eurozone in distress, and the Chinese yuan lim-
ited in its use beyond Chinese borders, the problem is that there is
no global currency of significant size to take the dollar’s place.
Recently, Robert Zoellick, president of the World Bank, has
proposed a new monetary system utilizing several of the world’s
major currencies, but also including gold. While it may be unlikely
that the world will return to the Bretton Woods system whereby
the dollar is fully backed by gold, if that were to actually happen,
the inflation-adjusted price of gold would be roughly $6,300 per
ounce in order for it to back all of the dollars in circulation.
In summary, a confluence of factors is driving the price of
gold higher and hence causing people to talk about it. Within
our portfolios, we view the asset as portfolio insurance against a
falling dollar and expanding federal balance sheets, as well as a
currency diversification tool. And even if we are wrong, and gold
prices fall from their recent highs, it will likely mean that equity
markets are doing better and balance sheets are looking
stronger, serving to preserve our clients’ purchasing power
across their broad holdings.
So rest assured, you don’t need to stock up on gold bricks or
bullion, but having a little exposure to gold through an exchange-
traded fund, such as GLD, can help diversify your portfolio. Or
better yet, if you’re feeling in the holiday spirit, a fine piece of jew-
elry under the tree might be just the ticket to wealth preservation!
Whitney Solcher is president of San Antonio Capital & Trust, LLC.
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
You don’t need to stock up on gold bricks or bullion, but
having a little exposure to gold through an exchange-traded
fund, such as GLD, can help diversify your portfolio.
SAN ANTONIOMAN
29SANANTONIOMAN.COM
For some of us the end of 2011 cannot get here fast enough. For
me, the end of the year represents a significant opportunity to gen-
erate and implement tax-planning ideas for 2011 and 2012.
TAX PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS
Estate PlanningLifetime exemption. The 2010 Tax Relief Act brought the estate tax
back for 2011 and 2012, creating planning opportunities for taxpayers.
For 2011, the exemption amount is $5 million per individual. Under the
new law, the estate and gift tax exemptions will be reunified starting in
2011, which means that the $5 million estate tax exemption will also be
available for gifts. From a planning standpoint, a nice feature of the new
law is that it makes it easier to transfer the $5 million exemption to a sur-
viving spouse so married couples can potentially shield $10 million of
their assets from taxes. The new law also presents a tremendous oppor-
tunity to restructure your estate and minimize the impact of taxes on the
future growth of your estate.
Annual exclusion gifting. The annual exclusion for 2011 gifts is
$13,000 per person. This is a very useful tool in succession, estate and
insurance planning. Do not let the relatively small amount of the exclu-
sion deter you from using it. When coupled with long-term planning, pos-
sible valuation discounts and other factors, the annual exclusion is an
excellent tool for moving assets out of your estate.
Charitable GivingAppreciated assets. The end of the year is a great time to be charita-
ble, and there are no shortages of organizations requesting your dona-
tions. An effective strategy for maintaining cash, reducing tax liabilities and
being charitable can be accomplished through the donation of appreciated
assets such as stock or securities. The IRS allows taxpayers to deduct the
full fair market value of the appreciated stock, but does not require the tax-
payer to include the appreciation (gain) in taxable income. This is a much
more effective method of being charitable for both the taxpayer and the
charity.
Nontaxable transfers of IRAs. Individuals age 701/2 and older can
distribute otherwise taxable traditional and Roth IRA amounts directly to
certain tax-exempt charities. These distributions are called qualified charita-
ble distributions. If you are not near the age requirement for this planning
point to impact you, keep it in mind as you work through estate issues with
parents or grandparents.
Every individual, family, business and taxpayer is unique, and as
such, each requires a unique plan to create the most comprehensive so-
lution to their set of circumstances. The information contained in this arti-
cle is only the tip of the iceberg, and many other opportunities exist,
thanks to the ever-changing tax laws. Consult with your own tax ad-
viser before the end of the year to verify how the tax rules affect you
and to make sure your plan is in place.
Eric Abati, CPA, is a partner at ATKG, LLP. He provides businessand tax-planning strategies for clients in the real estate, construction,restaurant, retail and not-for-profit industries.
Flat Tax? Not Yet.Ideas to reduce your tax burden
If a cozy recliner or plush chair with ot-
toman is a man’s throne, so to speak,
then Pat Sullivan can have his pick of the
inventory where he can sit down and kick
his feet up any day of the week — and
Choice Leather Furniture is his domain.
Still, Sullivan would much prefer that you
come in and test one of his custom-made
leather chairs, recliners, sofas and section-
als for yourself. You might just find one —
or two — that will fit snug as a rug in your
living room, den or any other area of your
home that you see fit.
“If you go to a furniture store looking for
leather, make sure it’s leather,” he warns.
“There’s bonded leather, blended leather
and bicast leather. If you’re sitting on one
of those, it’s vinyl. Real leather comes from
an animal.”
Sullivan, 60, who founded Choice
Leather Furniture in 2004, has spent over
three decades in the furniture business, so
rest assured he knows furniture. In fact, his
articles and manuals about buying furni-
ture, the quality of leather and what to
know before buying leather furniture have
been published in several leading industry
periodicals, including Furniture Today, the
industry’s premier publication.
However, the Fort Worth native never in-
tended to go into the business in the first
place, after graduating from the University of
Texas at Austin in 1972 with a degree in
physical education. His love of sports since
childhood led him to want to pursue his life-
long dream — that of a major league base-
ball player. When that didn’t pan out, he
settled on becoming a professional umpire.
So off he went to the Al Somers Umpire
School (now named Harry Wendelstedt
Umpire School) in Daytona, Florida.
“About 200 people showed up,” Sullivan
recalled, “but in the first weekend, 60 went
home. They found out they weren’t there
just to have fun. They took us out and ran
us for three days straight, and there were
long lines at the airport.”
Sullivan was in it for the long haul, and
after two months of umpire school, he was
sent to be an umpire in the Florida state
league, considered the bottom rung of
minor league baseball, where he would use
his skills of calling balls and strikes — while
equipped with a face mask and chest
protector — as fast balls and curve balls
flew straight toward him.
But after one season, the disillusioned
Sullivan began to have his doubts. “I realized
being yelled at was not for me,” he says.
Sullivan returned to UT Austin to get a
degree in journalism, which he did in 1974,
with a concentration in public relations.
Instead of a job with a PR firm, he began
SAN ANTONIOMAN by RUDY ARISPE Photography by BIBB GAULT
30 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
Make Mine LeatherPat Sullivan can relax on the job in his domainat Choice Leather Furniture
SAN ANTONIOMAN
31SANANTONIOMAN.COM
selling business forms for a Chicago-based
company in Houston. After growing tired of
the corporate world, he approached his
father-in-law, who owned a small furniture
store, and asked if he was hiring.
Eventually, Sullivan went into business
for himself and opened Stafford Furniture
Mart in 1979. Later, he partnered with an
associate, and the two became owners of a
chain of six stores called The Furniture
Idea. In ’89, he founded the Institute for
Professional Achievement Training, where
he wrote and recorded training seminars.
Then in the early ‘90s, Kim Kennedy of
Dianne Flack Furniture approached him
and convinced Sullivan to relocate to San
Antonio, where Flack Interiors was experi-
encing a growth surge in the Alamo City.
For 10 years, Sullivan was chief operating
officer for Dianne Flack Furniture, and when
Flack Interiors decided not to renew the
lease on their leather store, Sullivan advised
them it would be a mistake, and with the
blessing of the company he left and opened
Choice Leather Furniture in that location,
1027 NE Loop 410. Today, it employs six
loyal individuals who Sullivan says helped
him get to where he is today.
SAN ANTONIO MAN spoke to Sullivan
about what to keep in mind before buying
leather furniture and the what was best part
of his job.
Why do so many peopleprefer leather? “It’s the fastest-growing segment of the
American furniture industry. It’s such a
value. Nothing outlasts leather. There’s a
certain prestige that leather brings. Many
manufacturers are offering hybrids of
leather that essentially are fake leather. It
doesn’t last as long or sit as well. Nothing
is a better covering for value than leather
that comes from a cow. Besides, nothing
smells better than leather.”
Tell me about ChoiceLeather Furniture. “Eighty percent of our sales are custom
orders. You come in and tell us what leather
you want, what color you want the leather to
be and the quality of the leather. We carry
close to a dozen manufacturers. We carry a
better quality of furniture than most stores.
I’ve never had any desire to battle it out it
with any of the big national stores. I prefer to
cater to a higher-end customer. That’s not to
say we don’t have excellent values in here
once you consider what you’re actually buy-
ing and what you’re paying for it.”
What should everyoneknow about buying leatherfurniture? “That every price has two reasons for why
it’s priced that way — what you see that’s
on the furniture and what you don’t see.
What you see on the furniture is the cover.
There’s a tremendous variation in the price
of the leather and a tremendous variation in
the price of the fabric. But more important is
what you don’t see, or how it’s built under-
neath. Today, a majority of furniture is built
with a webbing system that’s nylon bands
interwoven like the seat of a lawn chair.
That’s your support system.
“Ninety-nine percent of the furniture in
this store is built with tempered steel
springs. It’s the old-fashioned way of doing
it. The springs look like an hourglass about
12 inches big, and the unit looks like a
snow cone. Both are vastly superior to the
webbing system.”
Whochooses allthe furniturefor thestore? “My wife, Candy,
selects the furniture
and does the display
in the store. I think
anyone would agree
this is one of the most
beautiful furniture
stores in the state,
thanks to Candy.”
I understandyou werequite thehigh school athlete. “I was inducted
into the Fort Worth
Brewer High Athletic
Hall of Fame in Sep-
tember for football.
At age 16, I won the
Fort Worth Regional
Golden Glove Cham-
pionship. I’ve always
been a sports addict.
At UT Austin, I was one of the drum wran-
glers for the Longhorn band’s ‘Big Bertha,’
the world’s largest drum, and performed at
Super Bowl VIII.
So what’s the best part ofowning your business? “It’s not terribly stressful. We spend our
time around things most people would love
to have in their home, and there’s plenty of
comfortable sofas and chairs to sit down
on when you want to. After all, we do have
to test every new chair that comes in.”
“To knock somebody out in front of10,000 fans at Will Rogers Coliseum isquite a thrill. But to run out of the shootat the north end of Memorial Stadium inAustin in front of 80,000 screamingLonghorn fans is quite a thrill, too.”
32 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
Photographer ROBIN JERSTAD
SAN ANTONIOMAN by TONY CANTÚ Photography by BIBB GAULT
hile still in high school, David Se-
bastian Perez displayed a raw talent for
business, launching a successful land-
scaping enterprise catering to his neigh-
borhood. Now a full-fledged businessman
at 28, he’s traded raw talent for raw fish —
launching the bustling How Do You Roll
sushi restaurant in Stone Oak with plans
for future expansion.
“I never got a spring break or summer
vacation, but it really paid off,” Perez, a
Clark High School graduate, said in recall-
ing his salad days as a landscaper. “I
started off trimming trees, cutting grass
and mending fences around the Tangle-
wood and DeZavala Oaks areas, but by my
senior year I hired some of the football
players from school, and I began directing
rather than doing the actual work.”
For David Perez,make-your-ownsushi is a winning formula
This IsNoFishySuccessStory
W
One of his clients, an executive at locally
based financial services firm SWBC, noted
the young man’s work ethic and set up an
interview for him. Perez ended up with a
job as a business analyst at the company,
where he spent five years.
The experience was invaluable, helping
him develop the financial acumen that
now informs his business plan. Based on
the success of his 1,800-square-foot
Stone Oak restaurant, plans call for a sec-
ond location to be opened by February at
Loop 1604 and Babcock. Future expan-
sion plans anticipate launching one new
restaurant each year.
How Do You Roll is not your typical sushi
place. As the name implies, the restaurant
offers customers the experience of creating
their own unique sushi rolls, picking from
among a variety of ingredients that include
grilled chicken, avocado, teriyaki, mango
and cucumber. A spicy, three-alarm sushi
roll is not for the faint of heart, but for the
less adventurous there are traditional pre-
pared rolls as well.
“We’ve been compared to Chipotle or
Subway because of our assembly and
choicing,” Perez says about the build-your-
own concept. “Customers get to create
their own rolls priced from $3.95 to $9, and
we provide meals with 10 rolls, where most
places offer six to eight.”
Having crunched the numbers, he says
the restaurant is able to keep prices low
given the level of business without having
to compromise the quality of its ingredi-
ents. Further attention to customer service
comes in the form of nutritional data related
to each ingredient so diners are aware of
their calorie intake. Employees sample
each ingredient as it arrives in order to be
able to advise clients on optimal ingredient
combinations, he adds.
“Our tuna is super-premium, and our
salmon is triple-A Scottish salmon,” Perez
says proudly. “We use high-quality products,
and because of the number of people com-
ing in, we are able to offer good pricing.”
Given the sushi craze and renewed focus
on healthful eating, Perez is not necessarily
surprised by his success. But one thing
that did raise his eyebrows was the abun-
dance of children enjoying offerings not
necessarily for the squeamish diner.
“One of my regular customers is a 7-
year-old who
comes in with
his mom and al-
ways orders the
escolar — a
snake mackerel,
white fish sushi
roll. I’d say 60
percent of my
customers are
women and up
to 15 percent
are children. I’m
very impressed
and surprised
because I didn’t
expect to have
such a high percentage of children ordering
meals,” he says.
That juvenile client segment prompted
Perez to offer kids’ meals combining five
sushi pieces with side dish options of a
fruit cup, edamame or miso soup.
Perez points to his father as a role
model. Emigrating from Monterrey, Mexico,
in 1982, Andres Perez runs a successful
computer consulting business, advising
corporate clients on data warehouse and
architecture. His father-in-law happens to
own several restaurant franchises of his
own, providing Perez with valuable industry
insight. But Perez reserves special praise
for his wife, Avery Riley Perez, whom he
views as an equal partner in the enterprise.
“Avery is fantastic. I focus mostly on
operations, marketing and sales, but she
designed the store and bought all the
equipment while focusing on project man-
agement and construction coordinating,”
he says.
The childhood sweethearts attended the
University of Texas at San Antonio together
— he focused on business studies while
she received a liberal arts education. All
told, they’ve known each other 15 years,
dated for seven and have now been mar-
ried three years. “We were actually best
friends in high school,” he notes.
The best evidence of Perez’s success can
be evidenced by the brisk business seen at
his unique restaurant at 20079 Stone Oak
Parkway at any given lunchtime. Clearly, this
success story is no tall fish tale.
33SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
SAN ANTONIOMANby KELLY A. GOFF
35SANANTONIOMAN.COM
What is diabetes?
Diabetes affects the way your body uses carbohydrates
(starches, fruit and milk), protein and fat. Diabetes occurs when
the pancreas either does not make insulin at all (Type 1 diabetes)
or when the body cannot properly use the insulin that the pan-
creas does create (Type 2 diabetes). If either of these should
occur, sugar (the body's main energy source) builds up in the
blood, starving the cells for energy. In time, this can damage the
eyes, kidney, nerves or heart, producing a life-threatening situa-
tion. A steady, lifelong control of sugars can prevent or minimize
irreversible damage.
Miller went to his family doctor, and all three diagnoses were
confirmed. His doctor referred him to the Texas Diabetes Insti-
tute, one the nation's largest and most comprehensive centers,
entirely dedicated to diabetes prevention, treatment and educa-
tion. “They didn’t just give me a prescription and shove me out
the door,” he says. ”They have a whole team who worked with
me to help me understand how to control my sugars, eat better,
lose weight and reduce my stress.” Two years later, Miller has
lost 40 pounds, feels like he did in high school and is enjoying a
much more lusty and fulfilling relationship with his wife.
“I just remember feeling crappy all the time,” says Bart
Miller, a general contractor and father of two who was di-
agnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago. “I was al-
ways stressed about work, felt tired all the time and was
crabby to everyone around me. Worst of all, I just wasn’t
interested in sex anymore — a total 360 for me. Let’s just
say things were not good at home either.”
At age 42 and 50 pounds overweight, Miller just fig-
ured he was on the downward hillside of life. It wasn’t until
he applied for additional life insurance and received an
outrageous premium quote that he started examining his
health and well-being. “The results from the physical said I
had high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes,”
recalls Miller. “I was shocked, thought they had made a
mistake. I knew I had packed on a few pounds, but all of
that sounded like stuff my dad was dealing with, not me!”
Have y ou l o s t thatl ov in ’ f e el ing? An expanding waistline and diabetesmay be to blame
SAN ANTONIOMAN
36 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
• Get screened— If you have any of the risk factors, getscreened. Free screenings can be found throughout San Antonio,or ask your doctor. The test is a simple and almost painless fingerprick to measure your blood glucose levels. Maintain a scheduleof being tested every three years after age 45. Ask your doctor toexplain the test results.
• Don’t ignore symptoms— Recent studies indicate earlydetection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease thechance of developing serious diabetes complications.
• Eat healthy— There is no one perfect food, so includinga variety of different foods and watching portion sizes is key to ahealthy diet. Also, make sure your choices from each food groupprovide the highest-quality nutrients you can find. In otherwords, pick foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber overprocessed foods.
• Exercise— Studies show just 30 minutes a day of moderatephysical activity can significantly reduce your risk. Can’t seem tomake time for exercise? Build it into your daily activities by takingthe stairs instead of the elevator, parking far away from the doorand walking to your desk and standing while you work or makephone calls.
Check yourself beforeyou wreck yourself
Sexual function linked to weight
and diabetes control
Researchers have long known men with diabetes are at
risk for sexual problems and bladder issues because of
nerve damage or reduced blood flow caused by the disease.
As many as 75 percent of men with diabetes have some
degree of erectile dysfunction, although the problem often
goes undiagnosed. Although many men experience a de-
cline in erectile function as they age, men with diabetes
typically develop the problem 10 to 15 years sooner than
healthy men, according to the National Diabetes Informa-
tion Clearinghouse.
New research recently published in The Journal of Sexual
Medicine shows that losing as little as 5 percent of body
weight can lead to improvements in erectile function and de-
sire and can also reduce bladder problems in obese men with
Type 2 diabetes.
The findings are the latest to show significant health ben-
efits from even a small amount of weight loss. In men, losing
weight can reduce inflammation, raise testosterone levels
and increase blood flow, leading to increased desire, better
erections and fewer urinary symptoms.
Learn more
You can get more information about diabetes prevention,
pre-diabetes and the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
at the American Diabetes Association’s website,
diabetes.org, or call 1-888-DIABETES.
Research shows losing as little as 5 percent of body weight can improve erectile function and desire in men.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes*
People with diabetes are at higher risk for heart
disease, blindness, kidney failure, extremity
amputations and other chronic conditions.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010
Diabetes is the 7th leadingcause of death in the U.S.
* Often people with Type 2 diabetes have no symptoms.
• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Extreme fatigue and irritability
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
• Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections
Examine your risk factors:
• Family history of Type 2 diabetes?
• Of African-American, Native American,Latino or Pacific Islander descent?
• Overweight or obese, especially around the abdomen?
• Have high cholesterol, high triglycerides,low good 'HDL' cholesterol and a high bad 'LDL' cholesterol?
• Inactive (aka couch potato)?
• Older than 45?
If you’ve experienced the symptoms of diabetes and/or
have one or more of the risk factors above, talk to your
doctor or take the diabetes risk test at diabetes.org.
38 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN by WILLIAM PARKER
If you’re reading this magazine, chances are fairly high that you
don’t fit into the demographic that wants to jump into a caged fight-
ing contest, which seems ever present on television these days. If
I’m wrong, you probably are going through a serious midlife crisis.
As we look towards the new year of 2012, many of us make res-
olutions to improve our fitness regiments. We often join health
clubs, go on crash diets, hire a personal trainer or lift more weights.
Another alternative is to enroll in a self-defense program.
Still, for many of you, the question of whether you can adequately
handle yourself in any number of unpleasant physical altercations may
loom large. Whether it be male-ritual combat or outright assault, the
need to protect and defend oneself is an absolute fact, regardless of
age. It is equally true that we sadly live in a very predatory environment,
and the older and softer we get, the more likely it is we can be selected
as a target.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way, and there are
schools and programs that cater exclusively to the self-defense needs of
adults. When making considerations, you must realize that there is a vast
difference between sporting martial arts and those that are pure self-de-
fense. While I will not deny some overlap in many curriculums, I personally
find it difficult to be all things to all people. An endless buffet of choices
and the one-stop-fits-all mentality may seem initially attractive but may
also mean a division of focus and results: “You have a thousand knives,
but none of them are sharp!”
There is also the question of practicality. What may work fine for a
200-pound 19-year-old in perfect shape may not be an effective choice
for a slightly overweight 50-year-old man whose main source of recre-
ation is a round of golf on the weekend. Still, there is always a way to
bring the giant down, and I can say with total certainty that if the chosen
method works well for the 50-year-old, it will work wonders for the
younger man as well.
Can I learn these skills quickly?
It does not take years to protect yourself on the street. Within the
first month, you can learn to protect your upper body using simultane-
ous offense and defense methods.
Does one need to be fit in order to take a self-defense class
such as Wing Tsun?
This isn’t a breaking boards and screaming at each other kind of
thing. It’s basically about programming your body to react in a natural,
logical and efficient manner according to visual and tactile cues. Using a
logical approach in responding to an attack, Wing Tsun teaches that de-
fense is all about an “economy of motion,” which requires more training
than toning, and brains over brawn.
Are there prerequisites prior to taking a self-defense class such
as Wing Tsun?
“Well, it’s good if you can dribble a basketball with a bowl of fruit on
your head and not drop anything; but, seriously, if you can fall out of bed
without hurting yourself, then you qualify!”
In short, if you’ve considered a self-defense program to be beyond
your age or physical abilities, you are very much mistaken. It doesn’t
have to dominate your weekly schedule — twice a week is enough, and
you don’t have to give up the things you already enjoy doing. Do your
research and find what works for you.
Si-Fu William Parker is Chief Instructor and a 6th Level Master Practician of Wing Tsun Kung Fu. For more informationvisit the website at www.sawingtsun.com.
Self-Defensefor You
Let’s ski
41SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
by PAUL BALTUTIS
The Thrillof the Hill
WHY DO IT?
Ski season is here, and local skiers are getting restless to hit the
slopes. “I get antsy if I don’t go at least once during the ski season,” says
avid skier Myke Kendall. “I grew up in El Paso, and my dad frequently
took us skiing when we were kids. We skied pretty regularly, and I really
got into skiing to the point where it is in my blood.”
The allure of skiing becomes mesmeric to those who want to experi-
ence the surge of adrenaline the sport is known for. Kendall sums up the
sensation: “The attractiveness of skiing and the feeling of speeding
down a mountain have a lot to do with your sense of living on the edge.
There is an element of adventure and, to a certain extent, machismo
about the sport.” Skiers tend to be nature enthusiasts as well. “It’s great
to check out the mountains and scenery while you ski. Skiing really of-
fers you a complete outdoor experience,” says Kendall.
People ski to feel the exhilaration of controlled chaos, and like-
minded people are drawn to it. “Skiing is a culture,” says Avril Julander,
who grew up in the ski-happy culture of Albuquerque, N.M. “We would
go out with friends and drive early in the mornings to get to the ski re-
sorts when they first opened. We would attend ski swaps and basically
live and breathe skiing. It is so much fun,” adds Julander.
WHO CAN DO IT?
What skill level do you need to become a skier? Skiing is actually
pretty easy for anyone to pick up. “You don’t have to be overly athletic to
ski,” states Kendall. “It does help to have some coordination, and with a
little patience you’ll be able to handle it.” Lessons would come in handy,
especially if you are just getting started. “Newcomers to the sport should
plan to get lessons from a professional,” advises Kendall. “Many resorts
have beginner courses to teach both basic skills and ski etiquette.”
Skiing is a sport for all ages, and people have literally skied for a life-
time. The fun gets proportionally better as your skill level increases. Bear
in mind, skiing is a technical skill that takes time and experience to mas-
ter. The ongoing thrill it produces makes you want to pursue advanced
skills so that your experience on the mountainside can be even richer.
WHERE CAN YOU DO IT?
For Texans, finding the edge and your machismo will require you to
take a ski vacation or extended ski weekend to a nearby state. No prob-
lem — the slopes are closer than you think. One of the closest ski areas
to San Antonio is New Mexico. “The area around Albuquerque offers
plenty of good resorts,” says Julander. “There are slopes within the San-
dia Peak range that overlooks Albuquerque.” Other New Mexico resorts
like Angel Fire, Taos Ski Valley and Red River offer great skiing. The offi-
cial website for New Mexico resorts and skiing is
www.skinewmexico.com.
A little farther north and offering even more skiing opportunities is
Colorado. The website www.coloradoski.com is a great place to start
planning a Colorado ski trip.
ARE THERE ANY LOCAL SKI CLUBS?
Many of your questions about skiing can be answered by Texas Ski
Council (TSC), www.texas-ski.org. The TSC does a great job of provid-
ing detailed information on a variety of topics about the sport of skiing.
Two local ski clubs in San Antonio will put you in touch with what’s
happening right here. Los Amigos is a ski club whose 300 members hail
from San Antonio and the surrounding area. The club was formed to en-
courage interest in snow skiing and promote social and recreational ac-
tivities within the sport. The group includes singles, couples and
families, and the only criteria for entering is the desire to have fun and
meet new friends. Los Amigos offers domestic and international ski trips
and posts its upcoming events on www.losamigos.org.
Club St. Bernard is based in San Antonio and offers a welcoming at-
mosphere consistent with a small ski club. Its membership averages
around 100 members. The club attracts singles and families for ski trips,
fun and festivities. All ages and abilities are welcome. Club St. Bernard
participates in the Texas Youth Foundation, which promotes skiing for
youngsters. Go to www.clubsaintbernardski.com for more information.
WHY DO SKI LODGES HAVE NICE FIREPLACES?
Après-ski is a French expression about going out, having drinks,
dancing and generally hanging out by the cozy fireplace after skiing. It
is also a great place to wear a fake cast and tell stories about your 100-
mph crash on your last downhill run. The social scene and hobnobbing
are a big part of the ski experience, similar to the 19th hole in golf. So
throw another log on the fire; the party and the stories will continue well
into the night.
43SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMANby COURTNEY BURKHOLDER
Building a lifelong relationship
She may have silky blonde curls or big brown eyes.
She loves kittens, stuffed unicorns, glitter, expensive
jeans, sprinkles, scented lotion, shopping malls and
hair contraptions you can't possibly figure out.
She spends hours on the phone giggling with
friends but has no time to sit down and discuss a
budget with you. She's moody and temperamental; a
phone call from the right boy causes days of elation,
yet the slightest constructive criticism from you can
make her sullen for weeks. She is a myriad of contra-
dictions, the epitome of perfection, all rolled up in a
little bundle of joy and delivered directly to you from
God: your little girl.
There is just something about a daughter that brings
out every conflicting emotion in a father: protector,
possessor and provider. You want to give her the world;
be her own personal Superman. Still, many fathers find
themselves stepping back, unsure how to deal with this
mysterious creature and her tears, her flights of fancy,
her vacillating emotions, her fierce independence. Bet-
ter to let her mother deal with those “girl things” that
can be so completely unnerving to you.
The role of a father in a young girl’s life has never
been more important than it is today.
Research shows that daughters with strong,healthy relationships with their fathers
1. have more self-confidence,
2. are more assertive without being aggressive,
3. feel more confident in relationships with men ingeneral, and
4. make better grades in school.
A meaningful relationship between father and daugh-
ter isn’t a birthright or a gift you receive on the day she
is born. A relationship with your daughter will require a
lot of work, and I don’t mean paying her bills, providing
food, clothing and shelter, or even buying her a car. All
the traditional “dad” duties will not create a lasting
bond. Building a strong and lifelong relationship with
your daughter requires one simple thing: time.
My father is what you might call a “man’s man,” and I
am, admittedly, a girly-girl. We couldn’t be more differ-
ent. When I was growing up, my dad owned a meat-
packing business and raised cattle to support our family.
He loves hunting and fishing and being outdoors. He
loves all sports, and never misses a Longhorn, Cow-
boys, Mavericks or Ranger game. My father’s motto is
“if you can’t buy it at Cabella’s, you probably don’t need
it anyway.” As a kid, I spent hours with my father sitting
in a frigid deer blind during hunting season. He took a
thermos of coffee, and I took a romance novel. I learned
to drive his old truck in the pastures while he fed the
cows during the cold winter months.
He never missed a single football game when I was
cheering and often drove groups of giggling girls to
our out-of-town games. He taught me to water-ski on
Lake Texhoma, to bait a hook and to catch crawdads
in the creek with raw bacon tied to a string. He taught
me how to mow the lawn, recognize poison ivy and
cure a canker sore with battery acid taken right off an
old battery. My dad gave me his time. And because
of that, we have a close, loving relationship that tran-
scends the years, our differences and the miles be-
Dads &
44 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
tween us. Today, there is still nothing we love more than a day of
fishing for Reds on the bay together. I can still bait a minnow and
drive a stick shift. I still love the Dallas Cowboys. I’ll pass on the
Mavericks and a frigid deer blind.
Tips for building a strong, lasting relationship with your daughter:
1. Start early! Take an active role in caring for yourchild: Change diapers, feed her, sit on the floor andhave a tea party. If she is past the baby stage, it’snever too late to jump in. The earlier you begin tak-ing an active role in her life, the more of a positiveinfluence you will have.
2. Plan fun one-on-one time together. It’s not all aboutyou or your daughter. If you love to fish, then planan afternoon together at your favorite fishing spot.Teach her to love the things that you love. Likewise,let her sometimes choose the activity, even if itmeans an afternoon at Madame Makeup and theHannah Montana movie.
3. Listen. Spend less time talking and teaching andmore time listening. Let her know you are alwaysthere, and don’t judge her. Never break a confi-dence or violate her trust.
4. Build her confidence. Tell her she’s beautiful andsmart. Then tell her again. Tell her how proud youare of her. Emphasize how beautiful she is on theinside, too, where it counts.
5.Write notes and letters. Leave them on her mirror ortucked in a book she is reading for her to find dur-ing the day. Sometimes it’s easier to express your-self in a note, and it shows you care.
6. Teach her by example to be a person of faith. MakeGod and your faith a priority. Emphasize morality,and create in her a heart for giving. She will followthe example you set for her at home.
7. Apologize.We all make mistakes. When you messup, say so. Teach her the importance of accounta-bility and forgiveness.
8. Be an example of manhood. The man she sees you tobe — chivalrous, kind, loving, dependable, forth-right, honest, loyal, ethical, strong in faith — is theman she will look for in choosing a mate. Be theexample she needs you to be.
9. Say I love you. Again and again and again.
45SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMANby RACHEL ELSBERRY
1. Initially Speaking ($155 asshown): This necklace byTexas designer Tracy Tenpenny
is exclusive to San Antonio’s
Penny Lane Boutique and can
be customized with your gal’s
initials on stamped gold-
brushed discs along with her
birthstone. To order, call (210)
826-9007. Penny Lane is lo-
cated at 5928 Broadway.
www.pennylaneonline.com.
2. New York Amber (100 ml,$310; 50 ml, $180): The lat-est scent from Bond No. 9
glows just as warm as your
love for her. With spicy notes
of saffron, nutmeg and white
peppercorns and lighter notes
like bergamot, this scent will
keep her warm this winter and
carry her into the New Year.
Available at Saks Fifth Avenue
and at www.bondno9.com.
Avoid Christmas Eve Meltdown
Gifts to BuyNow
I worked at a women’s clothing store in the mall for a few years when I was
in college. It was the early 1990s. Every year, in that final push before Christ-
mas, we received a shipment of sweaters, which were always prominently dis-
played on a large table at the front of the store. We called it the “last-minute
sweater table.”
The sweaters sold for $20 each. (Remember, it was the early 1990s.) We
sold the majority of those sweaters every year in the hours before closing on
Christmas Eve, and we sold them mostly to men in a mad rush to get all their
gifts bought before the mall closed.
Men would come into the store looking stressed, loaded down with bags
from all of their other purchases, wearing an expression of utter fear in their
eyes. Time was running out. Soon, the mall would close and it would be
Christmas. Then, out of nowhere, the last-minute sweater table would appear.
They’d see the table. Sweaters in every color! A $20 price tag! Angels from
on high would begin to sing. The last-minute sweater table was a Christmas
shopping oasis in a desert of decisions, price tags and Christmas carols.
They’d walk up to the counter, proud with their finds. Some men even
splurged and bought a few of them. Last-minute sweaters for everyone!
Little did these men, who thought they’d found the Holy Grail of Christmas
gifts, know that we shop girls were secretly making fun of each of them. We
also felt really sorry for the women on the receiving end of those $20 sweaters.
Fellas, don’t be a last-minute sweater dude.
HERE’S A LIST OF GIFTS FOR THE GALS IN YOUR LIFE, AND IF YOU SHOPNOW, THEY’LL KEEP YOU OUT OF THE MALL ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
46 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
3. EOS Holiday Lip Balm Trio ($8.99): Stuff her stocking withthis adorable little lip trio from EOS that looks like a box of
yummy candy. Each box comes with three flavors: Strawberry
Sorbet, Sweet Mint and Passion Fruit. The smooth sphere ap-
plies directly to lips, so it’s more hygienic than potted lip
balms. This trio is a great gift for your child’s teacher, a female
co-worker, your special lady or even your mom. Available at
Target, Walgreen’s and Ulta.
4. A Spa Experience: For the woman who has everything, giveher something spa-tacular with a day of relaxation and rejuve-
nation at one of San Antonio’s spas. A package may include a
massage, a facial, a manicure and pedicure, as well as lunch.
There are spas and salons located all over the city. Google it.
5. Acqua Di Parma GelsominoNobile Spray and BodyCream ($170, 100-ml spray;$80, body cream): This newfragrance from the exclusive
Le Nobile Collection is cen-
tered on a very special
species of jasmine grown in
Calabria, Italy. The green and
fresh aspect of this particular type of jasmine gives a light and
airy effect. The spray, layered over the body cream, will leave
your gal smelling irresistible. The Acqua di Parma brand is
available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue
and Sephora.
6. Oscar de la Renta Perfume Ring ($60): If you like it, put aring on it like no other this holiday season. Give your gal a ring
that not only looks great but smells like heaven. The ring has a
little pot of perfume she can put on her pulse points to smell
lovely all day long. Each ring comes with one perfume refill.
This ring is sold exclusively on the Oscar de la Renta Face-
book page at www.facebook.com/oscardelarenta. A great way
to also show her your social media savvy and give her a gift
that'll get her noticed.
7. 2012 San Antonio Rodeo Tickets: Cowboy-up and schedule anight out with your little cowgirl for the 2012 San Antonio
Rodeo. (Throw in a pair of boots from Lucchese, a pair of
turquoise earrings from Angelita, or an
outfit from D&D Farm and Ranch, and
your rodeo package will keep you from
being all hat and no cattle on Christmas
morning.) The San Antonio Stock Show
& Rodeo runs Feb. 9-26 at the AT&T
Center Southwest. Tickets are available
through www.ticketmaster.com.
47SANANTONIOMAN.COM
�
SAN ANTONIOMAN
HolidaysTIPS FOR SURVIVING THE
Ah, the holiday season ... a time full of joy, good cheer and holiday pitfalls that can send a guy into hiding until St. Patrick's Day. But with a little thoughtful planning, you can shine like a Christmas ornament rather than looking like a reject from the Island of Misfit Toys.
by DIANE GOTTSMAN
Here are a few etiquette tips to rev up thehappy in your holidays:
Photography ©Liz Garza Williams
• Buy your gifts before Christmas Eve. HEADS UP: Christmas will be on Dec. 25 this year.
That still gives you plenty of time to get your shopping done. Don't be the guy picking out
last-minute gifts at the 24-hour mega store or the neighborhood convenience store on
Christmas Eve.
• Gift wisely at work. Gifts for the boss are best done as a group; remember that if you give
a gift on your own (especially an expensive one!), you may come across as the office
brownnose. If you give a gift to your assistant, make it small, impersonal and gender neu-
tral. Steer clear of cologne, champagne or anything that could send the wrong message.
Gifts for a few colleagues are best done outside of the office unless you intend to give a
gift to everyone in your office. If the office does a Secret Santa gift exchange, adhere to
the agreed-upon spending limit, or you will make everyone feel uncomfortable.
• Deck the halls. If you're married, your wife probably has the interior holiday decorations
thoroughly mapped out by the time you are reading this article. Your job may be a minor
role, like pounding nails into the front doorway, or a major one, like moving the furniture
around to make room for the new artificial tree. Whatever you do, big or small, put some
love into it and act like you are enjoying it. Careful on that ladder.
• If you take your girlfriend home for the holidays, you better mean business. Taking a mate
home for the holidays usually means that you are somewhat serious, or you wouldn't be
introducing her to your family. Right? Not really! If you are merely "dating" with no strings
attached, go ahead and take her, but don't send mixed messages. Get her a gift that says
"I'm in like with you" rather than "I love you." And if you plan to keep seeing her, be sure to
ask her out for New Year's Eve.
• Skip the heinous holiday sweater. FACT: The only people who can get away with wearing
Santa on their sweater are kids under 5 and great-great-grandmothers. If you are an adult
male in a sweater that lights up, jingles or has Rudolph on it, you are wearing a major red
flag. Instead, consider a fun tie to express your holiday merriment and leave the itchy
sweater at home.
• Brush up on your moves. Be the guy who is self-confident when he hits the dance floor at
the big holiday party. At the same time, don't let your over confidence lead you into dis-
plays more garish than the neighbor's 500,000-watt yard display. HINT: If the crowd has
formed a circle around you on the dance floor and your name is not John Travolta, you
should probably tone it down.
• Dress to impress. Check yourself out before you leave the house. Follow the adjacent attire
format, and you will be well on your way to being the best-dressed man this holiday 2011.
Got a question on social protocol?Diane Gottsman is a nationally recognized etiquette expert and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a companyspecializing in corporate etiquette training. She is also the author of Pearls of Polish, an etiquette guide for today’sbusy woman. Learn more at www.protocolschooloftexas.com. Contact her at [email protected].
SPIFFING UP FORTHE HOLIDAYS
BUSINESS CASUAL: This type of dressing can doubleas daywear for a holiday luncheon. Sport coat,khakis or navy slacks, open-collar shirt and a nicepair of leather shoes.
SEMI-FORMAL: A good-quality, 100-percent darkworsted wool suit, worn with a tie.
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL: You may choose between atuxedo or a dressy dark suit and tie.
BLACK TIE: Black tuxedo, black bow tie and matchingcummerbund, black socks and patent leather shoes.This is not the time to get creative.
BLACK TIE “FESTIVE”: Go ahead, put on those Santasocks you've been dying to wear. Colored bow tiesand festive cummerbunds work here too.
WHITE TIE: This is the most formal evening attire, in-volving bow ties, gloves and vests. You probablydon't need to know more unless the Queen invitesyou to her Christmas party.
And don't think that just because it's the holidays,you can get away with:• Anything linen. You are totally out of season.• Clothing that jingles, sings or blinks.• Short socks and exposed calf hair.• Heavy cologne. No one will tell you, but they'llavoid you like the plague.
• Chunky, thick, rubber-soled shoes with your tux.
Best wishes for a polishedand well-dressed holidayand New Year!
SAN ANTONIOMAN by JANIS TURK
Our Pick for this Month’s Best Bites in the Alamo City
Chris Madrid’s1900 Blanco Road (210) 735-3552chrismadrids.comOpen Mon – Sat 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sun-days
Anybody can make a hamburger, but it takes a special San Antonio
family to make one like this. Chris Madrid and his family have been
serving up San Antonio-style burgers and more since 1977, with im-
pressive takes on old favorites like their signature “macho-sized”
Tostada Burger, complete with mom’s refried beans, crispy corn tor-
tilla chips, oozy hot cheddar cheese and a dollop of fresh homemade
salsa on the side. Pair that with a basket of home-cut fries and a
chilly mug of Mango margarita, and you’ve got a fiesta for the
senses. It’s great to find a family-friendly place like Chris Madrid’s
with fab burgers, chalupas, nachos, sandwiches and more. A full bar
and cold longnecks? All the better.
El Jarro De Arturo 13421 San Pedro Ave. (210) 494-5084eljarro.comOpen Sun – Thurs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri and Sat 11a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (band and bar until 12:30 a.m.)
This delightful old-school restaurant is a timeless San Antonio tradition,
with the kind of steadily good Tex-Mex fare you’d expect from a family-
owned and -run restaurant in business since 1975. But what you might not
expect on the menu are their many delicious vegetarian offerings and the
fact that they use low-cholesterol canola and olive oils and only the fresh-
est ingredients. You might be surprised, too, that El Jarro has even been
lauded by Bon Appetit. Try the sizzling portobello fajitas sauteed on an iron
skillet and served with pesto dipping sauce and crusty warm bread. Ask for
flour tortillas, and make the best-tasting mushroom fajitas — rivaling those
made with beef or chicken. Your diet will thank you.
Two Bros. BBQ Market12656 West Ave.(210) 496-0222twobrosbbqmarket.comOpen Mon – Sat 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
I used to think I had to drive to Lockhart to get barbecue this good,
but now I know where to find great brisket and ribs San Antonio style.
At Two Bros. BBQ Market, you’ll feel like you’re out in the country, but
you’re really just a short drive from anywhere in town. The cherrywood
smoked baby back ribs are outstanding and the brisket is a thing of
beauty. Don’t forget their superb sides: the secret ingredient in the
beans? Peaches! What makes the corn so creamy? Cream cheese and
jalapeño juice. Pit boss Emilio “Emo” Soliz welcomes you to bring the
kids. There’s a playground out back and music on the patio for mom
and dad. Biggest surprise of all? This is a Jason Dady restaurant. Even
great chefs crave down-home barbecue and fabulous fixin’s.
48 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
49SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
WHAT TO DRINK
The holiday season is great for those who love to indulge
in the feasts and parties that have become part of our tra-
ditions. Houses are filled with families and smells of slowly
cooked meats and warm pies. Gravy boats and serving
trays are removed from their bubble wrapping, and the
good plates and wine glasses are carefully set on perfectly
ironed tablecloths.
This is the time of year when counting calories and avoiding
butter can be brushed aside as you reach across the table for a
second helping of your aunt's stuffing. For wine lovers, this is a
great time of year to dust off our favorite bottles that we have
been storing and share them with our closest friends. For others,
this can be a challenging time of year when they stand in front of
a giant wall of wine at the local wine shop and try to find that per-
fect bottle.
When pairing wine with food, you want to consider the whole
plate, not just the protein, but when most people pour gravy over 75
percent of the plate, then the problem becomes more challenging.
To help simplify your search I am suggesting a few grapes that are
ideal for the holidays plus recommending a few of my favorite wines
that are not only reasonably priced but are also great examples of
their grape varietal or region. These should go well with almost
everything that will be served over the holidays.
RIESLINGUnfortunately, Riesling wines get a bad rap sometimes. A lot of
people think of Riesling as a sweet white wine when in reality there
is a wide range of styles from dry to very sweet. While some of the
greatest Rieslings in the world come from Germany, I am going to
recommend one of my favorites from Washington. Over the years
Chateau Ste. Michelle has been consistently producing some fan-
tastic wines that are getting a lot of recognition. Their 2010 Eroica
Riesling is a collaboration with German wine legend Ernst Loosen.
The result is a wine that has New World flavors with Old World
craftsmanship. They were able to skillfully balance fruit flavors of
nectarine and apricot with a limestone minerality that will not only
pair beautifully
with your roasted
ham but should also com-
plement most of the dishes that
are traditionally served.
GRÜNER VETLINERThis grape from Austria had some controversy in
the 1980s that caused most wine lovers to forget about this
wonderful little gem. Austrian winemakers have spent the last 25
years tightening the laws and making a world-class product. Re-
cently it has become a sommelier’s favorite and has begun its re-
emergence onto wine lists across the country. You will typically
get a white peach flavor with a touch of white pepper on the
palate that will make that turkey and stuffing seem like they were
a match made in heaven. I recommend the 2009 Laurenz V
Singing Grüner Veltliner. This will take some searching around,
but is well worth the effort.
GAMAYThe major production area for this grape is the southern tip of
Burgundy in the Beaujolais region. They produce a light-bodied red
wine that has a bit of a peppery finish. The fruit flavors of cranberry
and bright red cherries make it perfect for cranberries and roasted
turkey breast. A crowd favorite is the 2010 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-
Villages. This should be very easy to find, at a price that makes
Over the Holidays
The right wines will complement
festive mealsBy Jeff Degner
50 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
grabbing two bottles a wise choice since there are bound to be
cold turkey sandwiches the next night.
PINOT NOIRI am a huge fan of Pinot Noir. I love the flavors, aromas and col-
ors that it can produce, but I especially love the earthier robust
styles from the Pacific Northwest. I was able to visit some of Ore-
gon's finest wineries this summer, and there was one wine that re-
ally stood out. Benton Lane's 2009 Estate Pinot Noir had a
pronounced black cherry and cinnamon flavor when I first drank it,
but it was the earthy mushroom flavor that sealed the deal for me.
This is a great medium-bodied wine that will complement darker
poultry like duck or a turkey leg without overpowering your taste
buds. This is a stellar wine from a first-class winery!
CABERNET SAUVIGNONWith the weather finally cooling down and hints of fall in the air,
everyone starts to turn on their ovens again. This is such a great
time of year when slow cooking a beef roast or brisket for a large
group of family and friends gathering around your dinner table can
make the holidays special. This is when it's nice to open a bottle of
California Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance those big meaty dishes.
The 2008 Franciscan Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has those
classic dark fruit flavors of blackberries with hints of toasty vanilla
that will ensure that everyone will be back for a second pour.
MADEIRAThe wines mentioned above are all grapes, while Madeira is a
type of wine as well as an island to the southwest of Portugal
where the wine is made. Madeira is a fortified wine similar to ports
and sherries. Before the dessert course starts, be sure to pour
yourself a small glass of Sandeman's Fine Rich Madeira. This is
great for holiday desserts since the wine has hints of autumn nuts
and caramel, which will enhance all the flavors of traditional pies
and cakes. Since this is a fortified wine, it will last for six to eight
weeks after it is opened, giving you a chance to try it with different
desserts.
I hope that you get a chance to try some of these fantastic wines
with friends and family. Have a safe and fun holiday season.
Jeff Degner is a certified sommelier from the Court of Master
Sommeliers and a certified specialist of wine from the Society of
Wine Educators.
The GadgetsLess Seen
“Not to be nosy and staring over your shoulder, but are those the SonyDEV-5 binoculars?” This is what every lady will be asking as you stare intenselyinto these HD digital recording binoculars with up to a 20x zoom. All you need todo is press record to capture 3D or 2D full HD videos. The Optical SteadyShot™reduces blur for perfect video and sharp still photos. Sony also includes its CMOSsensor, depleting any fear of low-light conditions. A built-in GPS allows you toview your current location on the LCD map display and even tag your photo andvideo shooting locations. This is great for the ultimate hunter or sky gazer.
Sony DEV-5
It takes about 10 minutes for me to finally turn on the televisionin order to catch a 27-minute television show. I blame this on my fi-ancé’s obsession with technology necessary for a “home theater.” Ihave to be in possession of at least three remotes. But I may havefound the solution to all of this, and I think it makes him happier andmore entertained than it does me.
The RedEye is an accessory developed for smartphones thatacts as a universal remote. A small box sits in the TV room and al-lows you to use a downloadable free app on your smartphone to runeverything in that room — from the sound system to the tube toyour lighting. You can connect to any appliance with infrared re-ceivers. And at less than $200 on www.thinkflood.com, it’s worth theprice for the amount of batteries you’d have to constantly be replac-ing in those dust-collecting remotes that sit on the coffee table.(Also, check on the RedEye Pro that connects to your house alarm,HVAC, sprinklers etc. Or the RedEye mini for just $50.)
RedEye
No matter what your age, background, religiousbeliefs, team affiliations or which part of the world youlive in, if you are a male, you love things that fly. Youmade paper airplanes in school, you flew your remotecontrol airplane over the neighbors’ fence, and youtoyed with the idea of a pilot’s license as you got older.Parrot has manufactured the best toy for every guyfrom the age of 6 to 96.
The Parrot AR.Drone is a quadricopter controlledby your smartphone (iPhone or Android, also iPad).The AR.Drone creates a Wi-Fi link on your phone thatsets up everything needed to fly the airborne vehicle. Italso includes a camera to show you every angle ofyour flight. The camera view is sent directly to yourphone so you know exactly where you are flying it. Themanufacturers have thought of everything and includeboth an indoor hull and outdoor hull to experience themost fun ride of your life. Thanks to its many sensors,it can remain at 20-foot flight height but can reach upto 160 feet at 11 miles an hour. Check them out atardrone.parrot.com, where they sell for under $200.
Parrot AR.Drone
They’ll make great gifts for the techno-savvy
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51SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMANby MEGAN L. MINUS
Wacom Inkling Scribble4 Are you a genius and capable of being strong in both sides of your brain?You’re a regular Steve Jobs with a Monet sense of art? With Wacom’s Inkling Scrib-ble-Capture System, you can combine your two passions for an incredible technologythat finally has captured artsy and translated it to technology. Attach a sensor to thetop of your paper/journal, and as you draw with the specific pen, sonar-like pulsesare picked up by the sensor. The sensor’s technology continuously processes thepen’s location on the page and then transmits the information drawn onto a com-puter. The simple USB connection allows you to import your doodles to the computerand make them into JPEGs or PDFs or editable files for Adobe Illustrator. At $200,this is a great stocking stuffer that you can pick up at www.wacom.com.
Meta Watch5 This watch is so much cooler than those calculator watches from the ‘80s. The Meta Watch usesBluetooth technology to connect your mobile devices to your wrist. Texas Instruments has developed twodifferent styles of this incredible technology. Prefer a digital display? Go for the sleek, water-resistant sys-tem with stainless steel front and black leather strap. Prefer analog design? You’re set with a stainlesssteel case, black-plated accents, classic two-analog hands, black leather strap and dual-OLED displays.
The watches can display multiple notifications, including CallerID, SMS messages, alarms, calendarevents, music control, email and IM. So, stand up to snobbery. Blow off those overpriced watches fromOmega and Rolex. Stick with Texas technology for under $200 at www.metawatch.org.
52 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
54 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMANby JOHNNIE CHOUKE
IN ONE HOUR:
1. Quick Shine your floors. You can put down two coats with dry time and your laminate, wood,tile, cork floor will shine like never before. Quick Shine cost less than $10 and is made by Holloway House. They
also make a mop that comes with two fiber micro mop pads that can be washed 500 times and sells for under $15.
2. Put Super Deck Stain on a clean deck. You can apply this long-lasting stain on your deck with a pump-up sprayer (garden variety)and make your deck look brand-new. There is nothing more beautiful than a well-maintained deck — and nothing looks worse than a dried
out deck. Hey, you spent a lot of money putting that deck down — take 1 hour each summer and make it look like you just had it built. Super
Deck costs less than $25, and if you are not in San Antonio, go to their website, www.superdeck.com, and put in your zip code — it will give
you the closest dealer.
3. Seal the grout on your tile countertop. Stone Tech product makes a grout sealer that will keep your grout the color it was when it wasgrouted. Just apply with a brush or spray it on, and then wipe it off the tile — it will adhere to the grout. And now you have sealed clean grout
lines that will stay that way.
For 50 years, Johnnie Chouke has beenproviding do-it-yourselfers tips and advice on homeimprovement and repairs. He owns Johnnie Chouke'sHome & Hardware and can be found online at happy-handyman.com and on the radio Saturday morningson KKYX from 11 to 12.
Sound Advice, ideAS, TipS, ToolS & More
Dare to RepairI understand when people tell me that they don’t have time to “Do It Yourself.” But there is nothing like finishing a proj-
ect, looking back and admiring a job well done. And it doesn’t have to take your whole weekend. So say this weekend, or
when you get off work, or when the kids finally go to sleep and you have 1 hour: what can you do?
IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS
1. Clean your dishwasher or washing machine. Is your dishwasher not getting thedishes clean? Well, next time run your dishwasher empty except for Dishwasher Magic. It will
clean out all the little sprayer arm jets so that your dishwasher cleans all the way around now. Just put in
the Dishwasher Magic and put the dishwasher on the longest cycle. There’s also a Washing Machine
Magic that works the same way and will clean out the rust in your machine. Each costs less than $6.
2. Change out the A/C filters and put in a clean Merv 8 filter. Most sizes cost three for $7.95. Filters should be changed every month tokeep your AC running clean, and that’s what will do the most damage to your unit — dirt!
3. Clean the sliding glass door. Does your sliding glass door give you fits? Does it take more muscles than you have to get it to open? Mostof the time the culprit is dirt. Vacuum out the loose dirt and dust and then wipe down the track with paint thinner to remove any old grease. Then
spray with Tri-Flow, a Teflon-based spray that is the best lubricant I know of. It is not like WD-40 in that it won’t attract dirt. Then be prepared to
open your door with your fingertips. This also works on closet mirror doors that are so heavy. You can find Tri-Flow at any hardware store, and a
3-ounce spray costs less than $4.
IN 30 MINUTES
1. Etch the concrete patio. Does your patio get slick when wet? Well, Safe Solutionsmade by Mason’s Select will make that patio safe for you and your family members. It’s not an acid, it’s
a salt product, so it’s super safe to use. It costs less than $16.
2. Make your natural wood cabinets glow. Apply Feed and Wax with a soft cloth and act like you are dusting. It doesn’t take a lot ofelbow grease. Your cabinets will look better than new, and your room will have a great orange fragrance. Feed and Wax can be found at Acme
Lumber, or if in Houston, at most antique malls. It costs less than $10.
3. Install the 911 emergency switch. If you had an emergency, would they be able to find your house in a hurry? Well, they would withthe 911 emergency switch. It works just like a regular household switch up and down — but in the middle it blinks. So if you have an emer-
gency, or if they are delivering pizza, your front porch light can now blink! The 911 emergency switch costs less than $12.
55SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
This was a one-horse town just a few
years ago — at least when it came to college
football. The Trinity Tigers ruled, a Division III
school that offers no scholarships, a true stu-
dent-athlete corral.
But times they are a-changing. The Uni-
versity of the Incarnate Word and the Univer-
sity of Texas San Antonio have galloped into
town and stirred up regular collegiate football
dustups at Benson Field and the Alamodome.
The Tiger football team arrived from Waxa-
hachie in 1942 and moved to its current loca-
tion on the hill in 1952. It plays in the NCAA's
Division III Southern Collegiate Athletic Con-
ference, a group that includes Centre, Mill-
saps, Birmingham-Southern, Rhodes,
Sewanee and Austin.
It may be Division III, but Incarnate Word
and UTSA will be challenged to equal the
Tigers' storied history. Trinity boasts the unique
tradition of once allowing a live Bengal tiger to
attend games. The tiger, named LeeRoy, was a
royal Bengal tiger, purchased by local builder
and developer LeeRoy Pletz in 1953. Housed in
the San Antonio Zoo, Lee Roy appeared at the
games in a portable cage escorted by the Ben-
gal Lancers social club and taken around the
track after every Trinity touchdown. Today, laws
prohibit such animal antics, and LeeRoy is a
student dressed in a tiger suit.
Many in San Antonio remember the famous
lateral play that landed the school atop TIME
magazine's top sports moments of the year. In
the Oct. 27, 2007, game, Trinity trailed Millsaps
by two points with 2 seconds left. The Tigers
used 15 laterals to cover 60 yards for a touch-
down as time expired.
“UTSA has the community excited, and
that's a good thing,” says Trinity coach Steve
Mohr, a man who boasted a 164-65 record
coming into this season. “That lends a benefit
to all of us. We have our fan base, so I don't
think that will affect us.
“We've gone head-to-head in some re-
cruiting with Incarnate Word, but I think we
really don't have too many recruits in com-
mon. They can offer scholarships,” he says.
UIW Cardinals enter the scene
Incarnate Word leaped into the fray, landed
in the Division II Lone Star State Conference
and played its first game in history on Aug. 29,
2009. The Cardinals defeated Mexico's Mon-
terrey Tech 42-39 before a standing-room-only
crowd of 6,235 fans in the new Benson Sta-
dium, named for team benefactor and New Or-
leans Saints owner Tom Benson.
“This is the first game in the 128-year his-
tory of the university, and the level of interest
and enthusiasm has been off the charts,” Vin-
cent Rodriguez, assistant to the president for
communications at UIW, said at the time. “Our
team allows local players to play at the schol-
arship level and stay near their hometown.
Launching a football program has other ancil-
lary effects. For example, we've added a band,
which will help our music department grow.”
The Catholic university has an enrollment of
6,703 students. The team's 2011 schedule in-
cludes matches against Eastern New Mexico,
Midwestern State, Texas A&M (Commerce),
Texas A&M (Kingsville), Tarleton State, Angelo
State and Abilene Christian. The Cardinals
may not roost long in Division II. There are
plans to join Division I's (Football Champi-
onship Subdivision) Southland Conference.
Still, it is not a foregone conclusion. Ath-
letic director Mark Papich says the school
...The football field, that is
The Field IsGetting Crowded
by GLENN ROGERS
56 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
will have a referendum for the students to vote whether or not the
school should move up a division. “If they don't OK it, we will probably
stay in Division II. If they OK it, we will go ahead with plans to grow the
program,” he says.
Regardless, moving up a division normally takes a few seasons. The
Cardinals’ records in their first two years were 5-5 in 2009 and 3-7 in
2010, and they are struggling some this season. Head coach Mike San-
tiago left the program, and defensive coordinator Todd Ivicic was
named interim head coach. “I don't think that will harm us,” Papich
says. “The staff is in place, and Mike's system is in place.”
UIW was first to deny Trinity a lone local presence on San Antonio's
college football fields. UTSA quickly followed.
UTSA Roadrunners set a record
The Roadrunners splashed headlines across the sports pages by
immediately joining Division I (as an independent) and preparing to play
FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) schools. They hired famed
coach Larry Coker — he brought a national title to the University of
Miami in 2001 after it finished the season undefeated and knocked off
Nebraska in the Rose Bowl.
Following two seasons of recruiting, the Roadrunners opened Sept.
3 with a 31-3 walloping of Northeastern State before 56,743 fans at the
Alamodome. The crowd set a world record for most attendance at an in-
augural game in college history.
The size of the crowds, averaging around 40,000, continued and
impressed and surprised Coker. “Absolutely, shocked really. I was
thinking we would attract nice crowds, but I certainly didn't expect
that (many). It says a lot about San Antonio and about the feelings for
our school,” he says.
The Roadies’ inaugural schedule includes Northeastern State, Mc-
Murry, Southern Utah, Bacone, Sam Houston State, South Alabama, UC
Davis, Georgia State, McNeese State and Minot State. They were 2-5 in
the early going.
UTSA wasn’t quite satisfied with the Football Championship Subdivi-
sion. So the school will join the Western Athletic Conference next season.
Are the Roadrunners ready? “No, frankly enough, the team is not ready. But
this will help us get better, we have to get better,” Coker says. “This was an
opportunity we couldn't turn down. It’s not every day a team gets invited to
join a conference like WAC. We feel proud we were asked.”
The Roadies will play in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) as an in-
dependent until the opening of the 2014 season, when they will become a
full-fledged WAC member.
The size of the crowds,
averaging around 40,000,
continued and impressed
and surprised Coker. “Ab-
solutely, shocked really. I
was thinking we would at-
tract nice crowds, but I cer-
tainly didn't expect that
(many). It says a lot about
San Antonio and about the
feelings for our school.”
SAN ANTONIOMAN
SAN ANTONIOMAN
As the hunting season winds down, it’s easy to overlook an im-
portant detail between trips to the deer processor and taxidermist
and storing gear for next year — your firearm.
Sure, you might wipe off fingerprints and give metal parts a
light coating of oil before stashing your gun in the safe or behind
the camo in the closet. But there is more to it than that if you
want Old Betsy to be as raring to go as you are when the next
season rolls around.
Lack of proper maintenance is the bread and
butter of gunsmiths, who get an annual pre-season rush of
sticky triggers, stuck firing pins and unaddressed issues that went
into storage along with the firearms.
They advise a careful cleaning of guns before they are set
aside for the next nine months or so, which is plenty of time for
oil, grease and grime to get gummy and cause problems. They
also warn against over-oiling when you’re done — it can create
just as many headaches as no maintenance at all and damage
the fine wood on stocks.
There are many ways to clean a firearm. With the myriad of prod-
ucts and kits on the market, it’s a matter of finding what works for
you — and using it. Don’t forget the scope, either, or that dust on
the lens will still be there come fall.
It’s also easy to put off issues with a firearm when it’s stored and
forgotten, only to be remembered when preparing for the next season
— or during the first hunt, when it’s too late. Doing such modifications
as adding a new scope, bedding or a trigger job at the end of the sea-
son will beat next year’s rush at the gunsmith’s.
Here is a quick rundown of the basics for rifles, scopes and shot-
guns compiled from authorities and experience.
SAN ANTONIOMAN
58 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
By JOHN GOODSPEED
Post-SeasonMaintenance of Guns
is Crucial
BOLT: Clean the bolt head withsolvent and a brush. It is best todisassemble the bolt to clean theejector, firing pin and spring.
PATCH: After running a patch withsolvent through the bore, followdry patches until they come outclean and not fouled like this one.
DON’T FORGET THE FIRST RULE OF MAINTENANCE: Make sure the firearm is unloaded before doing anything.
SAN ANTONIOMANBy JOHN GOODSPEED
59SANANTONIOMAN.COM
RIFLES• To clean chamber, use solvent and patch or a brush designed for
chambers.
• Clean bore from chamber to prevent rod from damaging the muzzle
and affecting accuracy. Use a bore guide to prevent rod from gouging
chamber or throat.
• Push patch with solvent through bore. Wait as per instructions. Scrub
with brush on cleaning rod.
• Run fresh patches through bore until they come out clean.
• Lightly oil a final patch and run through bore.
• Jags work easier than slotted tips, and the patch falls out the muzzle,
preventing debris from being pulled back through.
• Clean bolt, firing pin and spring. Lubricate very lightly. Refer to instruc-
tions for disassembly if you don’t know how.
• Store muzzle down to allow any extra oil to drain to prevent damage to
stock and recoil pad.
• Cigarette lighter fluid or brake cleaner on brushes or cloth do a good
job on trigger mechanisms and do not leave a residue. Do not get fluid
on stock.
• Do not over-oil trigger components once they are clean. Just a drop at
points of movement will do. Wipe off excess.
• Look down the barrel to ensure a cleaning patch was not left behind.
• Make sure the screws holding the stock to the action are tight.
• A muzzle brake can loosen. If equipped, make sure it is tight.
• To prevent rust, do not store guns in a gun case.
SCOPES• Modern multicoated riflescopes are sophisticated and can deliver in-
credible detail, but not if the lenses are dirty and smudged, especially in
low light.
• Lightly brush away loose dust with a soft brush designed for optics or a
blower brush that photographers use. Make sure the brush is clean so
it does not scratch the lens.
• Use a lens-cleaning solution and a soft cloth or tissues made for optics.
Clean with a circular motion. Use a dry portion of the cloth or tissue to
remove streaks before the lens dries.
• Turn the power setting to make sure the knob is not stuck.
SHOTGUNS• Follow the same guidelines as rifles. Wads can cause plastic fouling, so
use a solvent that cleans plastic.
• For automatics, clean gas ports in the barrel and the gas system. Do
not oil the gas system.
• Apply an anti-seize compound to the threads on the choke tube to pre-
vent it from getting stuck or rusted. Rusting threads can bulge and
cause the barrel to rupture when fired.
• Check the choke tube’s skirt to ensure it is not bent and causing an ob-
struction.
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60 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN The Daytripper by CHET GARNER
As recently as the late ‘90s, South Con-
gress was not the kind of place you wanted
to take your kids, especially after dark. That
is, unless you were trying some homemade
variation of Scared Straight!
With a few exceptions, South Congress
was just a collection of abandoned store-
fronts, vagabonds and seedy activities.
However, a handful of optimistic entrepre-
neurs saw hope in the historic storefronts,
and South Congress is now one of Austin’s
most vibrant shopping and entertainment
districts — well worth a day trip.
THE HISTORYStretching from the Congress Avenue
Bridge over Lady Bird Lake all the way to
roughly Oltorf Street, this area boomed in
the 1930s to 1950s as roads were paved
and businesses spread south of downtown
along Congress Avenue, which was the
major north-south thoroughfare in Austin at
that time. The constant movement of peo-
ple brought businesses, shopping centers,
hotels and tremendous success.
However, the con-
struction of Interstate
35 moved all that
traffic east, and the
area slowly fell into
its own micro-de-
pression. It became a
haven for artists and
musicians, but also a
favorite for drug
dealers and drifters.
Businesses closed
their doors, and ho-
tels started charging
by the hour (if you
know what I mean).
There are legends of scandalous state legis-
lators caught visiting these wayward busi-
nesses, and even tales of a phone line that
ran directly from the Senate to the front
desk of the Hotel San José just in case they
needed to recruit more bodies for a quorum
on the Senate floor. Needless to say, these
were not the best years for South Congress.
However, in the mid-‘90s the tide slowly
began to turn as cheap rent drew funky en-
trepreneurs into the area. Each business
generated more business, and the area has
now gone through a complete renaissance,
yet it still retains some of its gritty vibe from
back in the day.
THE SHOPPINGAs with any energetic district, one of the
main attractions on South Congress is shop-
ping. But don’t expect any big chain retailers
or any stores that you’ve ever heard of.
South Congress is a hodgepodge of high-
end boutiques, hipster vintage clothing
stores, art galleries and just plain wacky
shops selling everything from antiques to
chocolate-covered bacon.
To view one of the strangest collections of
stuff you’ve ever seen, step into Uncom-
mon Objects to browse its cluttered
aisles of antiques collected from all over
the country. It’s the kind of place you
could walk through a hundred times
and still not see everything.
For clothing, head to Stag,
the manly alternative to the
lady’s fashion boutique, sell-
ing “Provisions for Men” like shirts,
sunglasses and books about
Muhammad Ali. Or stop by New
Bohemia because every daytripper needs a
pair of vintage cowboy boots and a leather
jacket that smells like a 1975 Camaro. Of
course, there are plenty of stores for your
lady friend to visit, but enough about her —
this is SAN ANTONIO MAN!
I also recommend popping in to Lucy in
Disguise with Diamonds and Electric Lady-
land, if not just to visit the store with the
longest name in Austin. This local costume
shop can help you dress like anything from
Chewbacca to Dorothy from The Wizard of
Oz. It’s definitely worth a look, even if you
aren’t in the market for a secret identity.
THE FOODOf course, all the shopping and walking
around will work up your appetite, but fear
not. You will never starve on South Con-
gress. This avenue is a melting pot of mobile
feasts (aka food trailers) and B&M restaurants
(aka brick and mortar). Eat at one type or eat
at both because you’ll definitely want to sam-
ple everything.
If your day is just getting started, grab a
South Congress, Austin, TX
61SANANTONIOMAN.COM
coffee and breakfast taco at Jo’s Coffee.
But if you’re already in full swing, Homeslice
Pizza makes one incredible New York-style
pie, my favorite being the No. 6 with
sausage, ricotta cheese and roasted red
peppers. For burgers, you can go classic at
Fran’s Hamburgers or updated and trendy
with a “Magic Shroom” burger at Hopdoddy
Burger Bar. Neither will disappoint.
When it comes to the mobile food truck
scene on South Congress, the options are
diverse and ever-changing, everything from
Moroccan at The Flying Carpet to hot dogs
and sausage at Wurst Tex. For something
different I highly recommend a Hot and
Crunchy Chicken-Avocado Cone from The
Mighty Cone, owned by one of the fanciest
restaurants in Austin, which decided to get
into the trailer business. This particular
cone is a tortilla filled with fried chicken, av-
ocado, slaw and a delicious spicy cream
sauce and stuffed into one flimsy paper
sno-cone shell. It’s so good you might ac-
cidentally eat the paper as you devour it.
After filling your stomach with some of
the best food in Austin, the next issue is, of
course … dessert. The shiny Airstream sta-
ple Hey Cupcake! is an Austin favorite and
will undoubtedly have a line of folks eager
to get their hands on one of its delectable
cupcakes. But if you have a sweet tooth
that just can’t wait, I recommend stopping
by the Big Top Candy Shop, selling all the
vintage candies you remember from your
childhood alongside some with a modern
twist. How about chocolate-covered
bacon? Or perhaps a wasabi milkshake?
Surprisingly, the bacon is very tasty, but I’ve
always been too chicken to try the milk-
shake. Let me know how it goes for you.
AFTER DARKWhen the sun goes down on South
Congress, that’s when things really get
interesting, starting with the dispersing of
America’s largest urban bat colony living
underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge.
As the sun goes down, this group of
Mexican free tail bats takes to the sky in
one giant black cloud stretching all the
way past the horizon. It is an incredible
sight to see.
And as you may know, Austin is the
“Live Music Capital of the World.” Music
venues lie all over town, and South Con-
gress is no exception. For some gritty
blues and rockabilly, look no further than
The Continental Club, which has been
cranking the volume on South Congress
since 1957. Or on the perfect Texas
night, grab a margarita and sit under-
neath the giant oaks of Guero’s Taco Bar
and listen to the mellow tunes of a local
guitar man.
GET GOINGThe beauty of South Congress is that
there really is something for everyone.
And whether you’re a crazy shopper with
credit card in hand, or an avid foodie look-
ing to indulge your taste buds, South Con-
gress is Austin’s go-to place. Just bring a
full bank account and an empty stomach.
Tune into The Daytripper on
your local PBS station, or visit
www.thedaytripper.com.
TIPS:Don’t Make a Plan:Just let your eyes andnose lead you.
First Thursday: Visit the first Thursday ofany month for an even crazier scene.
62 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN by Terry Negley
Lincoln has been around since 1917, when
it was founded by Henry Leland. The first car
was the L series, introduced in 1920. At the
urging of Edsel Ford, the Ford Motor Com-
pany acquired Lincoln in 1922. The Town Car
was introduced in 1981 and has been the
mainstay of the Lincoln line until now. It’s a fa-
vorite of the car services in large cities like
New York and is quite often stretched to
amazing lengths as limos. It will be interesting
to see what the services adapt to using.
The 2012 MKS comes in two trim levels
and EcoBoost, which is what I had the pleasure
of testing. Front-wheel drive is standard, but
the EcoBoost automatically includes all-wheel
drive. The EcoBoost engine is one of the best
innovations from Ford in recent memory. It is a
V6 that is smaller than the standard V6 — 3.5-
liter compared to 3.7-liter — but produces 355
horsepower and 350 foot pounds of torque
compared to 274 horsepower and 270 foot
pounds of torque. All three are connected to a
smooth six-speed automatic transmission.
The EcoBoost also has its own appearance
package that is both stylish and functional. The
exterior has front lip spoiler, unique grille, side
rockers and door cladding, chrome insert on a
decklid lip spoiler, lower rear fascia, a darkened
headlamp design and a red S on a decklid
badge. Interior upgrades are just as nice, with
premium perforated leather in two-tone combi-
nations and special stitching, upgraded floor
mats with the Lincoln Star on the mats and the
head restraints, a leather-wrapped steering
wheel, illuminated sill plates and a metallic
MKS badge on the instrument panel.
A unique feature on the new MKS is called
MyKey, which is an innovative system that can
help young drivers drive more responsibly and
safely. It can be set to place limits on speed
2012 Lincoln MKS – EcoBoost
If you’re a fan of the Lincoln Town Car, you’ll be disappointed to know the
2011 model was the last of the breed. Taking its place is the MKS, a large lux-
ury car with great exterior styling, a low base price and a long list of standard
features. It’s one of the most comfortable sedans on the market, with loads of
leg and head room in all seating positions. With its front-wheel drive it will feel
a little sportier than the Town Car, and with the EcoBoost option you’ll get
sportier performance. The split wing grille, use of chrome and fluid lines will re-
mind you it’s a Lincoln.
SuccessorTown Carto the
SuccessorTown Carto the
The 2012 Lincoln MKSEcoBoost is a lot of luxuryand performance for theprice. Most other cars inthis segment are more expensive and might havesome better features, butLincoln has been in theluxury car business for almost 100 years and dollar-for-dollar is hard to beat.
63SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMAN
(to 80 mph) and audio volume (to 45 percent of maximum). The low-
fuel-light comes on sooner (75 miles to empty instead of 50). Addition-
ally, radio volume drops to 50 percent when safety belt alert is active.
Programming takes a few short moments and brings hours of additional
peace of mind.
Another great feature is SYNC, which is an easy-to-use in-car con-
nectivity system that allows you to stay connected to your world if that
is something you want to do. This system makes hands-free calls, con-
trols your music, gets traffic information and can connect you directly to
911 when an airbag has been deployed. The available navigation sys-
tem will give you turn-by-turn directions, traffic alerts, weather and a
myriad of other information. This definitely requires reading the owner’s
manual, something most people cringe at the thought of doing. The Sir-
ius XM Satellite Radio has 130 channels, and the navigation system has
a 10GB hard drive that will store 2,400 songs.
A luxury car requires leather upholstery, and the MKS has excelled
with The Bridge of Weir leather-trimmed seats that are 100-percent un-
embossed, highlighting the leather’s natural beauty. This makes each
seating surface unique. The chromium-free, organic tanning method
produces environmentally sustainable byproducts and creates a fine
leather that’s recyclable at the end of its life. To shed light on this
sumptuous interior there’s a dual panel moon roof. It has a forward
panel that opens for ventilation and a fixed rear panel. There’s also a
power rear sunshade that keeps the interior comfortable.
Active Park Assist is a feature that really gets your WOW factor.
You pull up to a parallel parking spot, and it will measure the space for
you, then automatically, hands-off, steer you into the spot — no
guessing required. A really strange feeling the first time you try it. The
MKS also has available adaptive cruise control with collision warning.
Unlike traditional systems, adaptive cruise can sense traffic flow and
react accordingly. When traffic slows, your vehicle adjusts its speed to
maintain your preferred preset distance to the vehicle in front of you.
There are also adaptive HID headlights that turn with the steering
wheel angle and vehicle speed to allow a greater field of vision around
the darkest curves.
All of you Town Car fans, try it, you’ll like it!
64 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMANSAN ANTONIOMAN
1. JAIME GARZA, MD, a special-
ist in plastic surgery, was elected presi-
dent of the Texas Society of Plastic
Surgeons. Garza is a clinical professor of
surgery, clinical professor of otolaryngol-
ogy, assistant dean of the School of
Medicine at the University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio
and president and CEO of Texas Plastic
Surgery and Renew Associates, P.A.
2. ERIC ABATI, CPA, has been
named partner at the public accounting
firm of ATKG, LLP. Abati joined ATKG in
2010 as a senior manager. He provides
business and tax-planning strategies for
clients in the real estate, construction,
restaurant, retail and not-for-profit in-
dustries.
3. BRIAN SABOWITZ, MD,
MS, FACP was recently elected to
the board of trustees of the American
Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP).
Formed in 1950, the ASBP is the primary
source for clinical education and training
for the nonsurgical medical management
of obesity. Board certified in internal
medicine, Dr. Sabowitz is the director of
metabolic and bariatric medicine at New
Dimensions Weight Loss.
4. MATT PROFITT has recently
joined First American Title — National
Commercial Services Division as vice
president/senior escrow officer. Proffitt
will be responsible for providing local
commercial real estate professionals a
single source contact for all local, na-
tional and international title insurance
needs. He has nearly 15 years of expe-
rience in the title industry.
5. MARIO A. VAZQUEZ. KLRN-
TV announced Mario A. Vazquez as ex-
ecutive vice-president/ station manager.
Vazquez brings experience, commit-
ment to the arts, fundraising expertise
and widely respected recognition as a
community leader. For the past three
years, he has served as a member of
the board of directors of the Alamo
Public Telecommunications Council.
6. BOB BORREGO. Lee Michaels
Fine Jewelry has promoted Bob Borrego
to store manager. With over 28 years’ ex-
perience in the jewelry business — eight
years as a jeweler, six years as manager
and 16 years as regional manager —
Borrego leads the Lee Michaels team. He
leads with a complete focus on creating
the ultimate shopping experience and
developing special relationships with
every guest at the La Cantera location.
7. JUAN D. NAVA. Morningside
Ministries welcomes Juan D. Nava as
creative manager. Nava comes from San
Antonio Military Medical Center, where
he served as graphic designer and med-
ical Illustrator since 2006. He has spent
the last 25 years practicing graphic de-
sign in the health care, digital print, tele-
vision and advertising industries.
8. J. DARRYL BYRD has been
named chief executive officer of
SA2020, San Antonio’s effort to chart a
bold course and transform itself over
the next 10 years into one of the na-
tion’s great cities. Previously, Byrd
served as CEO and managing director
for Pearl Brewery, where he transformed
the historic Pearl Brewery into a
groundbreaking culinary and cultural
gathering place.
9. LARRY PLAISANCE has been
named general manager of Wildfish. Plai-
sance has been in the restaurant industry
for 17 years with 12 of those years as a
general manager. He started as a chef
with Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in New Or-
leans and has worked all over the United
States in such cities as Las Vegas, Dallas
and Kansas City.
10. CHRIS KUNZ. The CPA & Ad-
visory firm of BKD, LLP, announced the
promotion of San Antonio tax director
Chris Kunz to regional tax director.
Kunz will oversee BKD’s tax practice in
the South Region, which includes 12 of-
fices in Arkansas, Mississippi, Okla-
homa and Texas.
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MEN ON THE MOVE
Send your Men on the Move information [email protected].
65SANANTONIOMAN.COM
SAN ANTONIOMANby RANDY LANKFORD
I don’t like to brag, but I’ve had a man
cave for years. It’s an intimate little space I
like to refer to as “the garage.” It’s decorated in
a palette of earth tones from the “grime” collec-
tion with an orangey-cratey furniture style. The
smoking lounge, where I can indulge in a cigar
and something from the iced tea line of bever-
ages, features a panoramic view of the recy-
cling bin, with just a hint of gasoline and weed
killer for that rustic ambiance.
A generous floor area creates a natural
conversation space where I can engage in one
of my favorite pastimes, swearing at the car. A
16-foot-wide door gives the area a sense of
arrival. Golf clubs, a gas grill and a vintage
stereo from the ’80s (complete with an im-
pressive layer of dust, also from the ’80s) ac-
cessorize. Ample storage comes in the form of
a series of bins crafted from all-natural card-
board. I recently improved the space’s feng
shui by something in the order of 2.172 per-
cent, according to my Ronco Pocket Feng
Shui-omatic, just by moving the ladder from
one wall to another.
All that is to dispel the common misper-
ception that men don’t know how to decorate.
There’s a difference between knowing how to
do something and being willing to do it. Take
running, for example. I know how to do it. I
just don’t want to.
The best way to engage a man’s decorat-
ing mojo is to remember our three most primal
needs: Food, shelter and hitting things. It’s not
about hanging lights on the house. It’s about
driving the nails on which to hang the lights.
Mindless hammering? It’s not only the key to
holiday decorating but also the answer to al-
most any question regarding overpopulation.
Some men, obviously insecure about their
hammering skills, tend to overcompensate by
adding more and more lights to their holiday
displays until their homes are eventually visible
from space.
Clearly, holiday decorating is a competitive
event. That’s why men tend to do theirs on the
outside of the house, so the neighbors, even
the ones who don’t care, can see it and imme-
diately comment, “Oh, what a good provider
he must be to spend the gross national prod-
uct of Bhutan on lights and animatronic rein-
deer. Is that a sleigh on the roof? What a man.
I’m sure his pickup truck doesn’t get more
than 9 miles to the gallon.”
Of course, the only thing men like more than
hitting things, is hitting things with something
sharp. Hence: Christmas trees. What else could
lead to a decision along the lines of, “You know
what else this warm and nostalgic scene of
family togetherness needs? A dying tree.”
The whole purpose of the tree is so gifts
will have something to sit under and the cat
will have something to turn over. And real men
have real trees. How else are the neighbors
going to see it if you don’t strap it to the top of
the car and drive it around for a couple of
days? Then, there’s always the safety factor
as well. What’s the point of putting up a fire-
proof, non-allergen-bearing artificial tree you
can’t even put out an eye trying to water in
mid-November? Are you really willing to deny
the city the holiday joy of hauling it away from
the curb come February?
Again, bigger is always better. Put it in the
front window, pummel it with ornaments until
there’s nothing green visible, top it with an
angel wearing a T-shirt with any sort of
NASCAR logo and turn on the game — your
work here is done. Where’s that turkey?
But far and away, the best part of living in
San Antonio is its tradition of putting flaming
candles in paper bags during the holidays.
San Antonio, where it hasn’t rained in 41
years; San Antonio, where the grass is so dry
you can ignite it with a magnifying glass by
the light of the moon. Set several small fires
using materials almost certain to grow into
one big fire? How fun is that? And what a
great way to meet the neighbors, all gathered
in the flickering lights of the fire trucks. Lumi-
narias for everyone. Police Navidad!
Manly decorating tips for Christmas
Police Navidad
66 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
SAN ANTONIOMAN
1913Two bits for a shave, haircut and your choice of chairs.
