Although San Antonio doesn't have its own NFL team, the Cowboys are the city's adopted team, spending training camp here and doing everything possible to keep interest high in the southern half of the state. What the 'Boys have been doing recently is winning. They are among the hottest teams in the league, winning their first three games, and making new coach Wade Phillips feel right at home.

In their first game, the Cowboys took on Eli Manning and the New York Giants, and won a wild game, 45-35. Led by Tony Romo, who had a career game, throwing for 345 yards on just 15 completions and 4 TDs, plus one rushing, the Cowboys started off the season in style, at let the league know that they should be regarded as top contenders. One major concern in the game would have to be Big D's defense, which gave up 438 yards and 35 points. The next game, though, would be a different story.

Week 2 took the Cowboys to Miami, and while the offense efficiently scored 37 points, it was the defense that turned the game into a laugher. The Dallas secondary intercepted new Dolphins quarterback Trent Green four times, and recovered another fumble. Dallas RB, Marion Barber III, ran for two TDs and accounted for 89 yards rushing.

Having won a defensive struggle and an offensive shootout, both against mediocre teams, the first two weeks looked like things were going well for Dallas. Week 3 would be a real challenge against last year’s NFC Champion, Chicago Bears, and once again the Cowboys rose to the occasion, playing well on both sides of the ball, and turning a 3-3 ballgame at the half into a 34-10 rout. Romo again passed for over 300 yards with 2 TDs. Terrell Owens was on the receiving end of most of those, ending up with 145 yards and a score. The Cowboys defense also made its presence felt by scoring on an interception return, and picking off two other Rex Grossman passes.

With the next two matchups being against the Rams and Bills-who are a combined 0-6 to start the season-it looks like Dallas has a great shot of starting the season at 5-0 before the New England Patriots come to Dallas, Oct. 15. With many people picking the Pats as the AFC Champions this year, who knows, this game could be a preview of the Super Bowl.

Craig Beman: Inspiring Through Art and Ministry

 Craig Beman is not your typical artist. Most artists scrape and scrounge to make a buck, and when they do, it's usually a hard-won dollar. When Beman makes a buck, he immediately donates it! All of his proceeds from the sale of his art go to Healing Promises Ministries, an organization begun by Craig and his wife, Peggy, to motivate and help preachers fulfill their ministries. But his generosity with his earnings is not the only thing that sets Beman apart from other artists. What truly makes him unique is that he is just getting started in the art scene.

Yet with the success he has had so far, it seems that Craig Beman Artwork will be inspiring people for years to come. With a degree in Economics, Beman has never had any formal artistic training, but judging from the works he creates, one would certainly never know. He credits God with giving him the gift, and only began sketching, painting, and exploring his gift on the 40th day after he and his wife began ministering full-time in 1999 at the age of 46. In addition to developing his skills, Beman is also pushing the boundary between hand-made art and computer generated art, and blending the two through the Giclee archival print reproduction process.

This process uses multi-density pigments and dye-based inks to enhance the production of fine art prints, and makes an artist of the printer himself. Using the latest technology, color design, mathematics, and art work come together to create a unique, high-quality reproduction, that will last for years to come, and hold up to sunlight, fading, and the passage of time.

Beman’s paintings and sketches are based primarily on three themes: simplicity, inspiration, and motivation. From his landscapes of places which inspire through their majesty, such as his "Great Plains" series or through the peace and tranquility of his "Tropical" works, Beman understands that nature is a place of rejuvenation, rest, and spirituality. On the other end of the spectrum, sports are also important to Beman, and he seeks to show that today's football, basketball, racing, golf and baseball heroes inspire and motivate us in different ways—through their competitive spirit, leadership, and desire to be the best.

Another strong inspiration, and one that is likely to keep Beman busy in the future, is his new home in Texas. One can see from his works on the various missions, landmarks, and historical buildings in San Antonio that Beman is just beginning to explore the beauty and uniqueness of his new home state of Texas and his soon to be new home of Stephenville, Texas, requiring a move from his current home in San Antonio's Promontory Point at Stone Oak. Beman has recently decided to open his own gallery, just off the town square in Stephenville. Although his works can be found in other galleries, the opening of his own gallery means that Beman is not only serious about his own art, but means to help other artists have an outlet for their own works.

Of course, for Beman, the art and business of selling it is secondary to what he feels is his true calling, that of helping pastors fulfill their ministries and be the best, most motivated, and inspirational they can be, through his work with Healing Promises Ministries. Most often, people come looking to preachers for guidance, but who is there to help guide the preachers? Healing Promises seeks to minister to the ministers through a series of retreats, exchanges, meetings, and seminars which seek to train and refocus leaders to help them relocate their inner strength and become even more motivated and inspirational.

All artists have muses. For Craig Beman, his spirituality and relationship with his faith are his muses, inspiring and motivating him through his art as well as his ministry. For more information about Craig Beman or to inquire about his art, visit his website at: www.craigbemanartwork.com

More High-Tech Jobs Coming to San Antonio

San Antonio’s high tech sector is rapidly growing.  So much so, that the demand for qualified employees is outstripping the supply.  It’s no secret that many high-tech companies are moving into the city, but some, such as Rackspace, who have plans for growth, are having a hard time competing with other companies for their workers.  This is certainly a good sign for area graduates or soon-to-be-graduates with computer science degrees, and for others as well.

Texas now ranks second only to California in high-tech workers, but still needs more.  Rackspace has started hiring liberal arts majors to train in technical matters.  Of course, the competition is difficult for smaller companies like Rackspace.  Dell, the National Security Agency, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Pratt and Whitney, Microsoft and many other cutting edge companies are based in or near San Antonio, and those named have budgets much larger than Rackspace.

It doesn’t matter to these companies whether the talent is in San Antonio or not.  Many of their employees simply commute from Austin or other nearby cities and towns.  For university students and recent graduates from San Antonio schools, though, the future looks great.  These lucky future employees have their pick of the litter for good, high paying jobs with some of the best companies in the nation.  The average high-tech worker in Texas earned over $68,000 last year.

Rackspace, with their "Fanatical Support", is a technology company that hosts Web sites and applications and anticipates being able to create between 4,000 to 5,000 jobs over the next five years. Rackspace has agreed to lease the Windor Park Mall property in the City of Windcrest near Northeast San Antonio's IH35 corridor and invest over $100 million for improvements. The company plans to re-locate its current headquarters in Northwest San Antonio and 1500 employees to the mall.

These new jobs will be in many different categories, not just high-tech.  Rackspace is looking to hire in marketing, sales, and professional services.

San Antonio’s high-tech industry is getting on track in a big way with the building of a massive data center for Microsoft.  The 470,000 square foot center broke ground in April, and is expected to open in Dec. 2008.  This giant project will contain thousands of servers for the company, and will be responsible for assisting with storing information and managing the accounts of Microsoft’s millions of customers.  The project, in which Microsoft has already invested over half a billion dollars, may only be the first chapter.  The company is looking at the possibility of opening another identical center as well, which would bring the investment to $1 billion.

Although the center will only employ about 75 full-time employees, the main benefit is certainly the name recognition of having Microsoft located San Antonio.  In fact, other companies have followed Microsoft’s lead, and have begun moving data centers in also.  Already this year, the National Security Agency, Christus Health, Lowe’s, and Stream Realty have all announced plans for opening data centers.  These companies should be only the beginning, as numerous others are working on deals as well.

Another real benefit for having these new centers will be the construction investments made in building them, and the support structure and upkeep that will need to keep them running.  Already CPS Energy has announced that it will have to build a substation to provide energy, and other deals will have to be made with other utilities.

Like many of the more modern office and business centers being built in San Antonio, this new project will use recycled water to cool the buildings, lowering costs, as well as helping protect the environment.

Spring and summer are harvest times for delicious peaches to ripen, and taking a tour through Texas peach growing country is always a good way to get out of town and enjoy the Hill Country and the beautiful Texas summers. Fredericksburg and Gillespie county are the one of the major peach growing areas Texas, and account for 40% of all peaches grown in the state. In fact, there is even a name for the area, The Peach Blossom Trail. To get to the trail from Fredericksburg, take Hwy 290 east to Gellerman lane, then turn left at Vogel’s peach stand. Gellerman lane is absolutely full of peaches. Stands line the road for miles, and on either side are rows and rows of ripening orchards. With summer coming to a close, and with it another peach season soon ending, now is the last chance to enjoy this nearby part of the state. Following are some of the best places to spend a day enjoying fresh fruit in a beautiful setting.

• Stonewall, Texas—Located along the banks of the Pedernales River, just a few miles east of Fredericksburg is this small town in the heart of Texas peach-growing country. In addition to some of the juciest, sweetest Texas peaches you’ll find, the area is also home to the Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park and numerous vineyards and breweries. This is the birthplace of President Johnson, and the LBJ Ranch, located in the Historical Park, contains interesting facts and memorabilia from the former president. His boyhood home is also located in the park. Be sure to check out Burg’s Corner-Hill Country Harvest Inc., and Gold’s Orchards, both located on Hwy 290. Vogel Orchard is another local landmark located on Gellerman lane. Burg’s offers their special peach salsa, peach cider, and peach preserves.

• In Fredericksburg, George Pehl Orchard is located on RR 1376, just south of the KOA. In addition to getting some great peaches, this orchard also has fresh and juicy tomatoes, vegetables, pecans, pumpkins, and homemade jam and honey.

• Just outside of Fredericksburg on US 87 is Donald Eckhardt Orchard, which has been producing top quality fruits for 71 years. Along with their great peaches, they offer retail and wholesale plums and tomatoes.

•  Also, for those who want great Texas peaches, but don’t feel like driving out of San Antonio or other Texas town to get them, ePeach.com offers 48 hour in-state shipping during harvest season.

Although peach season is ending, there is still time to enjoy the Jersey Queens, the last to ripen. These are freestone peaches, meaning that the flesh easily separates from the pit, or stone, making these juicy and perfect for eating fresh off the tree! Also through October, tomatoes and apples are coming into season, so if you do miss the peaches, in Hill Country there’s always something delicious growing on the branch!

San Antonio Parks Department Sponsors Summer Events

 San Antonio residents looking for something new and interesting to do, may not be aware that the city’s Parks and Recreation Department plays host to many different events and functions throughout the year.  The department does much more than just maintains the swimming pools, gyms, sports parks and recreation centers.  It is also in charge of the Botanical Garden and Conservatory, where many of these great cultural and social events are staged.  With summer in full swing, it’s worth having a look at their line-up for the rest of July and early August!

Ø July 25-26: BRAVO!  The Parks and Recreation Department put on a song and dance show featuring their own dance troupes at the Arneson River Theater, La Villita.  The admission charge of $5 goes to support the participants.

Ø July 28: VIVA VOLUNTARIOS!—If you care about keeping San Antonio beautiful, and want to do your part along with some other helpful folks, you are more than welcome to participate and volunteer some time planting native plants, removing non-native ones, picking up garbage, and helping keep San Antonio green and alive!  This event will take place at the Medina Natural Area from 8 AM-12 PM, and there is one of these on the last Saturday of each month until December.

Ø Aug. 4: OUR PART OF TOWN TALENT SHOW AUDITION—If you think you have a special talent that just waiting to be discovered by the world, then this is the place for you!  Categories are based on age, and all are welcome to try to win the $1000 prize.  This is the date for District 7, and winners will move on to the next round, held in late August, and then to the finals in Oct.  District 7 auditions will be held in the Cuellar Community Center, 5626 San Fernando, from 10 AM-12 PM.

Ø Aug, 4-5: DOG DAYS OF SUMMER—Bring your pooch to the Botanical Garden from 8 AM-5 PM to have him microchipped ($25), or enter him in a contest!  All proceeds benefit the Humane Society, Botanical Garden, and Animal Defense League.  If you don’t have a dog, you can get the process underway of adopting one here too!

The Parks and Recreation Department does so much more than just keep the parks and fitness areas working properly; they also offer San Antonio a diverse series of events and activities for the whole family.  You can help out by attending an event, or by volunteering some of your time and will help to make sure that San Antonio is active, clean, and enjoyable for years to come.

The San Antonio Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have moved south for the summer, and are holding their pre-season camp in the Alamodome this year.  America’s Team, though boasting enough talent to make a deep playoff run, is in a state of flux.  Gone is the Big Tuna, Bill Parcells, and in is new head coach Wade Phillips.  Phillips was last seen as the defensive coordinator for San Diego, but has been the head man before.  To many, Phillips was a curious choice.  Certainly known as a top-notch defensive mind, Phillips’ time as head coach has not been particularly successful.  His record as head coach is just over .500 (48-42), and he is 0-3 in the playoffs.  Parcells was 34-30 in his time in Dallas, but did boast two Super Bowl rings before arriving.

Aside from the new man in charge, Dallas boasts plenty of talent: Terrell Owens is coming off a sub-par year and should become his explosive old self, and young QB, Tony Romo had a great season after winning the starting job midway through the season.  The Cowboys defense should be one of the best in the league with Phillips at the helm.

Last year, the team was 9-7 and a mishandled hold on a chip shot field goal away from advancing out of the wild-card round of the playoffs.  Many writers and pundits are picking them to win their division this year.

Practice Underway

Wednesday marked the first of many practices the Cowboys will hold in San Antonio. After spending the last few pre-season camps in California, the Cowboys have decided to stay in their home state, and may even be putting down some roots in San Antonio.  With the city offering the use of the Alamodome for free, and the team accepting a deal to come back for the next 5 years (with an additional option to extend by another 5) it looks like the Cowboys are certainly playing to the home state fans.

After Wednesday’s first practice, fans were invited to the Dallas Cowboys 2007 Kick-Off Spectacular, a free pep rally which featured Grammy-winning artists, Los Lonely Boys, and appearances by players, coaches, and cheerleaders.

Although the city is not receiving any rent for the use of the dome, officials believe that a small profit will be made from concessions and parking, but the main benefit should be the entertainment value, and the chance for the hordes of San Antonio’s Cowboys fans to get a chance to see the team in (limited) action.

Practice is free to the public, although parking is not.  The team will hold practices through August 8, with times varying.

The basketball tournament was played for the first time in 1939 after it was thought of by Phog Allen, the basketball coach of the University of Kansas. There were only eight teams that played in the first few years of the tournament. Since 2001, there are sixty-five teams that compete.

There has been a bit of controversy surrounding the origin of the term “Final Four”. The NCAA has stated that the term was coined by Ed Chay, a sportswriter, in 1975 in an article he had written. The NCAA started using that term from 1978 onwards and even has a trademark on it.

The NCAA basketball tournament gained more popularity after it started being telecast nationally in 1954. Since then it has also been shown on NBC, CBs and ESPN thus expanding its popularity all over the country.

The tournament has a number of rules, including one which prohibits teams from playing in their home courts. Some teams have been lucky at times to play games in cities close to their home towns. The Final Four usually play in the third weekend of the tournament. On Saturday they play the semifinals and Monday is the day of the Championship game.

The Final Four in 2008 is slated to be held in San Antonio. The first time San Antonio had hosted the Final Four was in 1998 at the Alamodome. It had the honor again in 2004. It has been awarded the same honor for the third time for 2008. Tickets for this event are already being sold and there is a huge demand for them. You can buy tickets for the championship game only or for all the games. Either way you need to be prepared for an exciting showdown in San Antonio in 2008.