South Texas Parks

Written by Randy Watson

 San Antonio is home to some of the best weather in the country, and since spring is in full bloom, now is the best time of the year to get outside and enjoy the sun!  In and around the city, there are numerous parks where one can enjoy him or herself for a day, a weekend, or even longer.

Texas Hill Country offers many prime locations for camping, hiking, rafting, biking, or just lazing about outside the hustle and bustle of the city.  The following parks are just some of areas that can be easily accessed for a day trip outside of San Antonio and can provide a welcome reprieve from the atmosphere of the city.

· Eisenhower Park—Just a few minutes north of San Antonio, this big space is maintained in its impeccable condition by the Harmony Hills Optimist Club.  Offering visitors six different hiking trails totaling three miles, the park also offers an observation tower with a breathtaking 360 degree view of the city and surrounding land.  Picnic facilities, camping sites, and educational programs are also available.

Address: 19399 NW Military Hwy
Phone: 210.698.1057
Hours: 6 AM-Dark

· Freidrich Wilderness Park—Also north of the city lies this well-named park.  Although only a short drive out of San Antonio, upon entering this park one feels transported worlds away from anything resembling the city.  Although there is no camping allowed, there are many trails varying from the wheelchair accessible Grade 1s to the Vista Loop Trail, which leads into the forested hills and provides quite a endurance challenge, as well as a great view.

Address: 21395 Milsa St
Phone:  210.698.1057
Hours:  Summer 8AM-5PM, Winter 8AM-8PM

· Hill Country State Natural Area—Located in Bandera, about an hour’s drive from San Antonio, this monster of a park offers 36 miles of trails that are open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, and a vast and varied terrain.  The park used to be a ranch, but now the bubbling springs, canyons, and 1,900 foot elevations are open to the public.  Also offered are equestrian camping sites, primitive camping sites, lodges, and swimming and fishing in the West Verde Creek.

Address: RR 1 Box 601, Bandera, TX
Phone: 830.796.4413

· Lost Maples Natural Area—Covering 2,000 acres and located less than two hours from San Antonio, Lost Maples invites guests to hike along its 11 miles of trails and take in the surrounding maple forest.  Also available are picnic facilities, primitive and RV camping, fishing, swimming, and educational programs.  Although the best time of the year is in the fall when the maples are changing, the park is a wonder any time of the year.

Address:  37221 FM 187, Vanderpool, TX
Phone:  830.966.3413
Hours:  8AM-10PM

· Seminole Canyon State Historical Park—Located 4 ½ hours away, just north of the Mexican border lies this precious historic area.  Native Americans used this land for hunting, and left behind many beautiful and breathtaking wall paintings behind.  The park contains an interpretive center, historical exhibits, and educational programs.  Although hiking in the canyon is dangerous (and not allowed), there are picnic areas, campsites, and RV camping.  Animals abound here, so don’t be surprised to see deer, armadillos, raccoons, and many species of birds.

Address: Comstock, TX
Phone: 915.292.4464

Texas is full of outdoors activities, and the season for enjoying nature is here!

Spurs hit a Snag in Game Two

Written by Randy Watson

 One thing that is certain about the Spurs: Tim Duncan will come to play every night.  The problem in Game Two was that no one else for San Antonio did, and Phoenix was able to cruise to a confortable 101-81 win, and tie the series up at a game apiece.  The Suns added some height to their starting line-up, starting Kurt Thomas alongside Amare Stoudamire, in hopes of slowing down Duncan.  Results were mixed, as Duncan scored 29 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and had two blocks, but he did find himself in foul trouble in much of the second half.

San Antonio had won five playoff games in a row before this set back, but that streak came to a crashing halt with this 20 point blow out.  Now the Spurs have to hold at home to win the series.

Nothing went right for San Antonio for much of the game.  Besides Duncan, there were few of his teammates that stepped up to help.  Tony Parker, who torched the Suns in Game 1, only managed 13 points on 5-14 shooting.  Micheal Finley, who had been very hot of late, accounted for 11, and Manu Ginobili, who has been almost non-existent in the playoffs, had another sub par game, only scoring 6 points.  Tim Duncan can do lots of things--play defense, score lots of points, pull down insane numbers of rebounds—but he can’t win a playoff game by himself.

For the Suns, Steve Nash returned from an ugly cut on his nose late in Game 1, to score 20 points, and dish out 16 assists.  With Thomas starting for Phoenix, Stoudamire was able to relax a bit on defense and concentrate more on scoring.  As such, he scored 27 points, and pulled down 9 rebounds.  Even the more defensive-minded Raja Bell got into the act, scoring 18 points.

But for San Antonio, what’s done is done.  In the big picture, they have stolen home court advantage, and return this weekend to San Antonio with a chance to take a 3-1 lead in the series, if they can take the next two games.  Players like Finley and Horry have stepped up in the past to give the Spurs a boost when they needed it, but Manu Ginobili has to do more than score 6 points.

Tim Duncan will always be Tim Duncan, but for San Antonio to keep rolling in the playoffs, his teammates must come stronger than they did in Game 2.

New High-Tech Center to Open in San Antonio

Written by Randy Watson

 After researching 10 cities, CGI Group, Inc. has named San Antonio as the recipient of a new IT customer service center which will be hiring over 100 new employees in the coming months.  The company has leased office space in the North Point Atrium, and has plans for expansion.  San Antonio was chosen over cities in Alabama and Utah, and the Canadian-based company already has Texas\' offices in Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

San Antonio has been growing rapidly in the IT sector recently and boasts a highly skilled labor force.  CGI also added that it chose San Antonio over the competitors because of a low cost of doing business and a cooperative government and business community.

CGI is a global company offering systems integration, consulting, outsourcing services, application management, technology management, and business processing services to a wide range of industries including, banking, health care, oil and gas, retail, telecommunications, securities, and utilities to its worldwide client base.

CGI was founded in 1976 in Quebec City, Canada, and since then has expanded rapidly.  CGI Group, Conseillers en Gestion et Informatique or as translated, Advisers in Management and Data Processing.  In the company’s first year, it posted a revenue of $138,000 (Canadian dollars).  Over the years, the company has grown by acquiring smaller IT companies in Canada, France, and the United States, and also by continually updating its technology services and employee roster through the acquisitions. Today, CGI Group, Inc. is a 3.25 billion dollar company, with offices in Canada, India, Australia, and Europe. It employs 24,500 full-time employees worldwide.

For San Antonio, this shows once again that the city and its workforce can compete and win contracts, jobs, and that growth—especially in the fast-growing IT sector--is here in south Texas to stay.

Tim and Tony Torch the Suns

Written by Randy Watson

 San Antonio drew first blood in their second round match-up against the Phoenix Suns; literally.  With just under 3:00 left in a tight game, Tony Parker and Steve Nash collided violently, with Nash receiving the most damage.  With his nose requiring six stitches after the game, the Suns top player was relegated to the sidelines for much of the last few minutes, and the Spurs took advantage.  In a game that both teams likened to a boxing match, San Antonio was the last team standing at the end, holding on for a 111-106 victory.

The Spurs were led by outstanding efforts by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, who had 33 and 32 points, respectively.  Duncan also corralled 16 rebounds and had three blocks, while Parker added 8 assists.  Michael Finley, who was the undisputed star of Game 5 against the Nuggets, also added 19 points.  Still, San Antonio had their hands full.

The whole contest was a supercharged event, and emotions were high.  So high, in fact, that a technical foul was called on Phoenix’s bench during halftime.  The Spurs’ Finley led off the second half shooting free throws for the technical foul.  That gave San Antonio a boost that they used to go on a 16-5 run to start the half.

Shawn Marion, Phoenix’s athletic swingman, had been in a slump coming into the game, but broke out of his funk by scoring 7 points in 82 seconds to start the 4th quarter, and give Phoenix the lead.  For the remainder of the period, there were three ties, and seven lead changes.

Of all the Spurs, perhaps it is Tony Parker who raises his game to the highest degree against the rival Suns.  Parker makes no bones about the fact that he loves to play against Phoenix, and during the season, averaged 28 points against them.  His performance in this game was one point shy of matching his career playoff high.

With this win, the Spurs have gained home-court advantage, and sent a message to Phoenix.  It’s no secret that San Antonio prefers a game in the 80s or 90s, but they played the Suns’ fast-paced game, and came out ahead, showing that they aren’t a one dimensional team, and that they can score with anyone.

Spurs Bury the Nuggets

Written by Randy Watson

 Michael Finley set a franchise playoff record by hitting 8 three-pointers and sending the Nuggets into the offseason.  Unlike the other games in the series which were mostly decided in the later moments, this one wasn\'t quite as dramatic.  Although Denver led by 4 points at halftime, the Spurs\' defense held the Nuggets to a franchise playoff low 30 points in the second half, and Allen Iverson, while scoring 21 points in the contest, went 6-22 doing so.

For San Antonio, Finley hit most of the big shots including a three pointer at the beginning of the third period to kick start the Spurs\' run, but Tim Duncan was again his efficient self on both ends of the court.  For the game he scored 23 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and had one steal and one block.  Tony Parker was again the catalyst for the team, amassing 10 assists and scoring 16 points of his own.  As a team, San Antonio shot 47% from both the field, and from behind the three-point line. 

Up next for the Spurs are the Phoenix Suns, and their fast-paced, run-and-gun offense, led by Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire.  The Spurs’ won two of the three regular season meetings between the two teams, and in the 2005 playoffs, dispatched the Suns 4-1.  Phoenix is coming off a series against the Lakers, where they won 4-1, and were only mildly challenged.  Against San Antonio should be different.

Although the Spurs are typically though of as a defense-first team, in their first meeting of the year, San Antonio played Phoenix’s game, and won 111-106.  The head-to-head advantage in the playoffs is held by San Antonio, 17-15.  In order for the Spurs to advance to the Western Conference Finals, they will have to limit Phoenix’s transition scoring, rebound well, slow the game down, and make smart baskets.

San Antonio should be full of confidence after the intense defense it played against Iverson/Anthony, and will look to do the same against Nash, Stoudamire, and Marion.  Also, the Spurs have a significant advantage, as they have gone 14-4 against the Suns since coach Mike D’Antonio took over.

Phoenix has home court advantage for this series, and Game 1 is Sunday @ Phoenix at 2:30 PM.

Mister Big Shot Rob

Written by Randy Watson

 Stop if you've read this before, Robert Horry's three-pointer with 30 seconds left, sealed the game for the Spurs\"  He's done it so many times in the past, these days a shot like this barely registers with the 36 year-old veteran.  It doesn't even make the top five or top ten," Horry said. There was too much time on the clock.  There was too much time on the clock in Game 3 also, but that didn\'t stop Horry from igniting the Spurs to the lead late in the 3rd period of the previous game that they would never relinquish.  This time, his three with his team leading by just a point late in the game, was the dagger that sealed the game, and perhaps the series.  Now, with San Antonio up 3-1 and heading back home, they must only win one of the next 3 games to advance to round two.

San Antonio’s main scorers led the team, as Duncan accounted for 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.  Tony Parker was again efficient, scoring 15 points on 7-11 shooting, and Manu Ginobili scored 18, pulled down 6 rebounds, and had 4 assists.

For the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 29 points, but was frustrated into picking up 4 offensive fouls in the game.  Allen Iverson accounted for 22 of Denver’s points, but also was the recipient of the Spurs’ strong defense, only shooting 9-25 from the field, and going 0-3 from behind the three-point arc.  As a team, Denver was only able to shoot 12.5% from three-point range for the game.

San Antonio has certainly stepped up its defensive play as of late, and before the game, Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan were both named to the NBA’s All Defensive Team.  Both have been named to the team every year that they have been teammates.  For Duncan, the award is his 10th in a row, and the seventh straight for Bowen.  The pair were the main leaders of a defense that held opponents to a league-low 90.1 points per game, and .433 field goal percentage, which ranked third in the league.  With these two leading the charge, it’s hardly a surprise that Iverson and the Nuggets have been struggling to find the basket in this series.

The Spurs trailed early in the second half of Game 4, with the Nuggets pulling out to a 10 point lead in the third period.  But the Spurs are a veteran team, and never allowed themselves to be put away.

Game 5 is set for Wednesday night at 8:00 P.M., as the Spurs look to send Denver home, and themselves into Round 2 of the playoffs.

San Antonio goes Pop ...

Factory Work is an exploration into the collaborations between Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jamie Wyeth during the late 70s and early 80s.  Warhol was already known as a master/genius/celebrity, and Basquiat and Wyeth were also established artists when Warhol invited them to his Factory and they subsequently began working together. The partnerships and collaborative efforts changed all three and affected each of their respective careers.

Basquiat, the son of Puerto Rican and Haitian parents, was known as the person who brought street art and graffiti to the galleries.  His work is known for its confrontational nature and its nervous, fierce energy.  It has been said that Basquiat was more interested in learning about how to become a celebrity from Warhol, than about art.

Wyeth, was born into the art world, as the son of Andrew Wyeth, the realist painter, and grandson of N.C. Wyeth, the illustrator.  Although coming from different schools of thought regarding art, Warhol and Wyeth proved to be good friends, and positively affected each other’s work.  They frequently did portraits of each other, and often painted the same object, each in his own style, and discussed the results.

Factory Work examines these relationships through 75 paintings, drawings, photographs, and odds and ends collected from this time period—the time period when artists became superstars and celebrities.  The exhibition is ending April, 8, so those interested should hurry down.

The McNay is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, and on Thursdays from 10:00 AM until 9:00PM.  Saturday 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and Sundays from Noon until 5:00 PM.  Admission is free, but a $5 donation is suggested for adults.

Retama Ups States Monies for Quarter Horse Meeting

Purses for eight quarter horse stakes scheduled during the 21-evening Retama Park meeting that begins May 4 have been increased by a total of $30,000.

The first to benefit from the Cross Species Fund, distributed by the Texas Quarter Horse Association, is the Ben E. Keith Stakes that was boosted $2,500 to $17,500 on opening night.

\"No quarter horse stakes will be less than $17,500,\" said James Leatherman, Retama\'s racing secretary. A dozen stakes will be worth more than $350,000, including three on the June 15-17 closing weekend.

Promotional events such as 50-Cent Nights, the brainstorm of publicity-marketing director Doug Vair launched in 1997, keep patrons coming back to the track in Selma, a short gallop from the northeast San Antonio city limits.

There will be four such Friday nights: May 11 and 25, June 1 and 15. Admission is free. Soda and programs are 50 cents while hotdogs and draft beer cost $1. Free activities for kids include pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and clowns.

Retama officials have their fingers crossed that on-track business will improve over last year when total money bet was down 1 percent for 24-days compared to ’05. On-track simulcast wagering, which comprises 80 percent of the track’s annual business, was up 5 percent.

However, wagering at off-site locations in Texas and out of state plummeted 37 percent last year compared to ’05.

“This shows what we are up against,” Retama CEO Bryan Brown said. “All surrounding states -- Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico -- have alternative gaming which enhances purse money. Those states offer much higher purses, some almost 300 per cent greater than Retama Park.”

Those neighbors have casino-type gambling, including video slots, that attracts many fans and racing interests from their respective regions, including Texas. That increases business, propelling higher purses for stakes as well as lesser races.

Meanwhile, the Texas Legislature has failed to even approve a referendum that would allow voters to decide whether video slots should be installed at Retama, Sam Houston Race Park and Lone Star Park.

So Retama, hoping to increase its thoroughbred business, wanted to move its traditional fall meeting to winter dates in ’08, skipping this year. And track brass thought such a deal was a sure thing.

“Back in the fall of 2006, all of the different groups, horsemen, breeders, racetracks and the Texas Racing Commission, worked toward moving Retama Park to those dates,” Vair said. “We all believed we had an agreement.”

Those dates would have covered January through March. That would have meant Sam Houston shifting some dates to the fall. “Sam Houston received and accepted purse money ($500,000) for 12 fall dates in ’07 that would have been staged at Retama as part of the agreement.”

Then Sam Houston in a letter from president-general manager Robert L. Bork four days before the Racing Commission meeting on March 20 made its intentions clear:
“Our best months are December, February and March. Replacing these months with fall dates would create a financial loss, a decrease in purses and ultimately the failure of a successful racing program.”

The bottom line: “Sam Houston claimed there was nothing in writing and protested,” Vair said.

After the lengthy session, the Racing Commission turned down Retama’s request, 5-3.

Now track executives will resubmit fall thoroughbred dates, Vair said, that will be slashed from last year’s 51 days.

Brown will request a 32-day meeting from Sept. 7 through Nov. 17 at the commission’s May 14 meeting.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing from the opening season in  ’95 when the track cancelled the last two weeks of the quarter horse meeting because operating funds evaporated. “Wagering was way less than projections,” general manager Bob Pollock explained.

Retama filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy on March 20, 1996. On Feb. 13, 1997, a judge approved the track’s reorganization and funding plan, and six weeks later it emerged from bankruptcy.

The track has had ups and downs, but manages to survive. There’s no reason to think otherwise.

Retama Park is located in Selma off Interstate 35. General admission is $2.50 and $1.50 for senior citizens 62 and older, $1 more for the clubhouse; kids 15 and younger or active or retired military are admitted free. Post times are 6:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays except Saturday afternoons on Triple Crown race days and Sundays, 5:30 p.m.

About the author: Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns on a variety subjects appear globally in print and on the Internet. Greg, a retired newspaperman, spent more than four decades as an editor and writer. He became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown champ Citation whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park. His website is www.horsingaround.info and he can be contacted at gmelikov@satx.rr.com.

Newest Public Park in San Antonio

Written by Randy Watson

Inaugurated on October 15, 2005, the Government State Canyon Natural Area, is an 8,622 acre area located just a few minutes drive outside of San Antonio, but once you\'ve arrived, you\'ll feel like you\'re in a different world altogether.

For those who feel at home amid the song of wild birds, the bubble of the brooks and streams, and the whistling of the wind through the Mesquite, Juniper, and Wild Oak trees of South Texas, the GSCNA is a wonderful new park to escape the traffic and travails of the city, and to relax in peace.

Although the area is still being developed, and can still be considered a work in progress, the park has been hosting visitors for a year and a half, and has many more improvements slated for future completion.  Currently, there the Natural Area Headquarters building is open, featuring an exhibit hall and the Texas State Park Store.  The group picnic pavilion is open and ready to host, and also many other picnic areas, bathrooms, and classrooms nearby.  Government Canyon also features WIFI (wireless internet), which patrons are able to use.  A nature trail is planned for the future.

The natural beauty, and the diversity of foliage and wildlife in the park are surely enough to justify a visit, but the park gets its name from the delicately crafted canyons that carry cool, clear water through south Texas’ rolling hills and grasslands.

The park is also home to two endangered species of bird: the Golden-Cheeked warbler, and the Black-Capped Vireo.  But the canyon also protects another endangered species: water.  The Edwards Aquifer recharge is the only water supply for San Antonio, and the majority of the park covers this zone.  In helping to keep San Antonio’s water supply clean and available, the park is insuring that the city will continue to thrive.

Since Government Canyon is such a precious and delicate area, rules are in place to insure that the region remains unspoiled, clean, and that the animals are able to thrive.  Visitors of all types are welcome, and the trails are frequented by hikers, mountain bikers, horse riders, and families just out for an afternoon picnic or stroll.  All visitors are asked to participate in the “Leave No Trace” maintenance program, and carry out all trash and help to reduce the impact of humans on nature.

Government Canyon is currently open for day use only, and no camping is allowed.  The park is OPEN Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 8 AM-6 PM, and is CLOSED Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Visitors should call the park before heading out to make sure that inclement weather hasn’t closed a road, or that repairs aren’t underway.

Rainwater Harvesting

Written by Randy Watson

 In a moderately dry region of the United States, the collection and storage of water can be a wise precaution for all Texans to undertake. A very cheap, effective form of doing so is rainwater harvesting. While the term practically explains itself, rainwater harvesting is simply the act of collecting and storing rainwater off of a roof or any other surface catchment, storing it for later use. This method, which is widely used in countries such as China and India, can be used to supply water for both human and material consumption.

Since rainwater harvesting can be used for a wide array of purposes, overpopulated places that suffer from poverty find this method a crucial part of their daily lives, having it become the very backbone of their existence. This liquid harvesting helps stabilize and maintain their economies, as many third world countries rely on farming as their chief export. Merely by acting out its role as the chief supply of water for drinking, domestic, livestock, and irrigation purposes, this simple and concise procedure is beneficial to any one who tangles with it. On top of this, it helps to reduce water bills and storing the water elsewhere can easily replace the use of expensive, hard-to-manage reservoirs.

Urban communities and cities can benefit just as much through the practice of rainwater harvesting. To name a few, this naturally harvested water can help meet city requirements of water levels, increase soil moisture for urban gardening, and help to control and mitigate urban flooding. In all scenarios, the water can be used for flushing toilets and washing laundry.

As with many things, the systems used for this harvesting can either be simple or complex. Simple setups such as a roof, a gutter and a small holding area directly beneath the gutter is a simple yet effective way of storing rainwater. Downspouts and French drains may be used if you do not wish to construct a small holding area. The best catchments, or the surface used to trap the water, have hard, smooth surfaces. Concrete or metal roofing material will serve just fine.

After the water is trapped, a distribution system can be set into place to transfer the water from the catchment to the holding area. Distribution systems can be as simple as a hill or sloped ditch, but the system used by the majority of rain harvesters is the gutter and downspout method.

For the holding area, any depression in the ground will suffice. Preferably covering the concave with grass or plants will help store the water for irrigation uses. If using the water for these purposes, be aware of the fact that the digger you deep, poorer quality soils begin to appear. These poorer quality soils are often unsuitable for most plants used in Texas landscaping. As your ideas and expertise grow, more complex systems can be established. You can add pipes or a drip distribution system to maximize the amount of harvested water.

Once the water is harvested and placed into your holding area properly, treatment of the water must take place before any drinking of the water may occur. Rain water is contaminated with things such as bird feces, dust, and pesticides. Low-cost methods are available to help you decontaminate the water. Your options include solar water disinfection or boiling.

Common maintenance must be applied to your system to maintain maximum efficiency. Tasks that need to be completed include keeping debris out, cleaning and repairing the channels,
keeping up with fresh filters, and, if using the water for irrigation purposes, remember to expand your water basins as the plants grow.

This way of conserving natural water has both an easy-to-understand premise and equally easy-to-build ways for constructing one of your own. Despite any amount of annual rainfall, it is very hard to dispute any aspect of water conservation. It is even harder to argue against a water conservation method that also saves money. In any scenario, rainwater harvesting is a beneficial tactic that will surely survive the ages.