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315 315 315 E.E.Commerce E.Commerce Commerce St., St., St., Suite Suite Suite 301 301 301 | San | | San San Antonio, Antonio, Antonio, TXTX TX 78205 78205 78205 Tel: Tel: Tel: (210) (210) (210) 226-1463 226-1463 226-1463 | Fax: | | Fax: Fax: (210) (210) (210) 226-8367 226-8367 226-8367

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f Issue No. 222

SUMMER 2026 San Antonio’s Original Locally Owned and Grown City Magazine – Est. 1999 William Ziller Publisher

Ayesha M. Malik, JD Editor-in-Chief

William Ziller | Publisher

Nick Blevins

Managing Editor

Kaylin Ledford

Associate Publisher

Berit Mason Hella V. Scheuerman ABOUT OUR COVER A surrealist rendering of Victor "Wemby" Wembanyama dunking on the Torch of Friendship downtown near Commerce Street, a well-known site of the city's honking celebrations after NBA Playoffs wins by the San Antonio Spurs. The cover was created by local artist Ray "Tattooed Boy" Scarborough, Jr. (@tattooedboy123), who superimposed his comic book-style drawing over one of his photographs. Tattooed Boy recently designed one of the first-ever tifos – a global sports tradition of unfurling a large flag or banner before a game – to appear in basketball history in collaboration with Ledger, the Spurs, and the Spurs' Jackals, a band of superfans hand-picked by Wemby himself. Magazine layout and design by Ayesha M. Malik and Nick Blevins Custom ad designs provided by Carrie Rodriguez

Leslie Foley Social Editor

Bethany Castro Social Media

For editorial comments, questions, and submissions: editorial@sceneinsa.com or call (210) 828-4209 For questions on advertising, advertorial, or directory listings: advertising@sceneinsa.com or call (210) 828-4209 P.O. Box: 13423 Blanco Road #290, San Antonio, Texas 78216 SUBSCRIBE www.sceneinsa.com/subscribe, or call 210-828-4209 Scene In SA Magazine (ISSN 1942-6852) is published four times per year by Scene Monthly, LLC. Copyright © 2026 by Scene Monthly, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Printed locally in San Antonio, Texas by Shweiki Media. This magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or any means without written permission from the publisher.

Gabriella Sanchez Advertising Sales Director

Luna Infante

Assistant Editor

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Subscribers: If the postal service advises us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Please allow four weeks for change of address or new orders. Send address or subscription changes to: subscriptions@sceneinsa.com. Subscribe today at www.sceneinsa.com

CONTENTS SILVER & BLACK REFLECTIONS Cover Story by Aaron Peña

10 18

Women Making Waves

2026 Outstanding Women in Medicine

Women in Business: Professional Services in the Spotlight

Featured Doctor Proﬁles

Living Donor Liver Transplants with Dr. Tarunjeet Klair

By Leslie Foley

Paid Advertising Section

2026 Outstanding Women in Law

Old Fashioned Eats: Serving San Antonio History

Featured Attorney Proﬁles

As voted by their peers

Paid Advertising Section

By Nick Blevins

By Gabriella & Lou Sanchez Paid Advertising Section

Your Trust & Estate Questions Answered By Hella V. Scheuerman

SCENE EVENTS Otherwild Botanical Exhibit ................................................ 6 Briscoe's 25th Night of Artists .............................................. 8 Military History at All American Canteen........................20

EUROPE, TEXAS

DoSeum's World of Wonder ................................................ 21

by Berit Mason

Sunshine Cottage's Noche Del Sol .................................... 37 Winston School's 40th Anniversary ................................. 64

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2026 Joci Awards Performances ........................................66 Daisy Cares & Dress for Success Fashion Show ............. 67 Bloom for Good Scholarship Awards................................70 Kinetic Kids' Bingo, Bags & Bubbly ................................... 71 SUMMER 2026 |

Otherwild Flora Borealis, this custom skynet installation was created by the San Antonio Botanical Garden 8-Bit Aspen welcomes guests to the gardens

By Leslie Foley

he large-scale immersive exhibition at the San Antonio Botanical Garden invites visitors into a whimsical world where shapes come alive in the sky. Enchanted Trees showcases the work of artist Patrick Shearn and his studio, Poetic Kinetics, bringing 10 artist-imagined tree species to life throughout the garden. These pieces are made of reflective materials that move with the wind, shimmer against the sky, and create shifting patterns on the ground. ■

Fountain Floral, inspired by Texas Mountain Laurel

Chime Tree, which is similar to the curly willow

Spiral Blossom celebrates Cherry Blossom trees

Dichroic Tree

Quiver Evergreen, belonging to the pine family

Wizened Star Tree echoing Niwaki, the Japanese practice of shaping garden trees

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VOTED BY THE LEGAL COMMUNIT COMMUNITYY AS ONE OF SAN ANTONIO’S •2026 RISING STAR LAWYERS •2025 BEST LAWYERS •2025 TOP FAMILY LAWYERS LAWYERS •2025 TOP CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWY Y YERS

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25 ANNUAL NIGHT OF ARTISTS TH

at the briscoe

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By Leslie Foley The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s 25th annual exhibition and sale raised a record-breaking $2.34 million in sales, marking one of the most successful events in the museum’s history. One of the largest Western art exhibitions and sales of its kind, the museum's signature fundraiser and exhibition attracted artists, collectors, and enthusiasts who enjoyed the event’s Small Works Sale (which saw an incredible 93% of works sold), as well as the engaging Luck of the Draw Sale. This year’s exhibition and sale featured over 300 works of art from returning favorites and new voices in Western art. The sold-out event drew over 1,700 collectors and artists, with spirited bidding across the live auction and galleries. ■

Picturedd from top, left to right: Gladys Roldan-de-Moras, Steven Harris, and Mary Ross Buchholz (artist, donor, artist); President and CEO Liz Jackson addressing the crowd; 25th Anniversary ice sculpture; Debbie Montford, Mark Dupre, Mindy Montford, and John Montford; Cindy Schneider and Brad Burke Opposite page (from top, left to right): Sean and Red Madden with entertainment at Night of Artists 2026; Jessica Elliott Middleton, Missie Bowman, and Sherrie Sanderson; Rob McClane, Juan Landa, and Jan Elliott; William and Caroline Carrington

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WOM E N making

WAV E S by Leslie

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DEEPIKA MITTAL “M

y biggest goal is to build a fulfilling life for my family, raise my son with strong values, and leave the world a little better than I found it,” shared Deepika Mittal, founder of CoPlay Cove, a thoughtfully designed space that brings high-quality childcare and a flexible coworking environment together under one roof. It’s built for parents of young children who want to stay productive, connected, and present, without having to choose between work and family. At its core, it’s about creating a supportive community where both children and parents can thrive alongside each other. The idea came to fruition by observing how many families lack a built-in support system; and while traditional childcare options are valuable, they don’t always meet the evolving needs of modern families navigating changing work structures and lifestyles. When Mittal couldn’t find a space like this in San Antonio for her own family, she felt inspired to build it. CoPlay Cove is located at 2106 E. Sonterra Blvd. near the intersection of Highway 281 and Loop 1604, inside a 10,000 square foot space. Accessibility was a key factor in choosing the location, as it allows families easy access from across the city. “My official title is Founder, though right now I often joke that I am the ‘Chief Everything Officer,’ as I am involved in all aspects of bringing this vision to life,” stated Mittal. CoPlay Cove is designed for families with young children, from infancy through early school age, who are looking for a more flexible and supportive way to balance work and parenting. “Many of our members are working parents, whether full-time, part-time, remote, or building something of their own, who value both productivity and connection,” she explained. “This is very much a passion project, and the first of its kind in this format.” Walking into CoPlay Cove, visitors are welcomed by a small café space that Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sceneinsa | Follow us on Instagram @sceneinsamag

sets the tone for a warm, inviting experience. To the left is the coworking area that features a range of layouts, from private offices and quiet workspaces to open desks and meeting rooms. To the right are children’s areas for different ages and stages, along with an expansive jungle themed indoor playground. Supportive spaces on site include a nursing room, a sensory room, and a dedicated “zen room” for parents. Toward the back are flexible community and event spaces for programming and gatherings. A community manager will oversee the coworking experience. In addition, a trained team of “Cove Guardians” will support the children throughout the day to ensure a safe, engaging environment. Membership options and pricing can be found on their website (coplaycove.com); families can sign up directly or visit in person. Mittal shared the driving forces behind CoPlay Cove “On a personal note, my husband and I were raised in immigrant families where our parents ran small businesses to provide for us. Their work ethic and resilience have been a constant source of inspiration. Before becoming a parent, I worked in product management and really enjoyed the pace and challenge of corporate life. After having our baby in 2022, my perspective shifted as I experienced firsthand the realities of balancing work and parenting. When we couldn’t find a space that supported both, it led us to create CoPlay Cove.” Mittal’s military life includes traveling to visit friends and family, she is dog mom to Hershey, and she enjoys Cricut crafting as a creative outlet. She is also the founder of an education nonprofit, and after launching CoPlay Cove, she hopes to dedicate more time to growing that work. Giving back — especially through education — is something that is deeply important to her family, having experienced how life-changing those opportunities can be. “I try to live with the mindset of always being a little better than I was yesterday, working hard while finding joy in the small things,” expressed Mittal. SUMMER 2026 |

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Liz Jackson S

ituated along the winding paths of the San Antonio River Walk, the Briscoe Western Art Museum plays host to thousands of inquisitive visitors each year. “One of my biggest priorities is expanding awareness among both San Antonio locals and visitors,” explains Liz Jackson, President & CEO, Briscoe Western Art Museum. “I want people to understand that the Briscoe is much more than a traditional art museum; it’s a place where art, history, culture, and community come together in ways that are engaging, approachable, and deeply connected to Texas and the West.” “This is not a museum built for somebody else, it belongs to this community. It is your Briscoe, your museum,” shares Jackson. Whether you are a lifelong supporter of the arts, a tourist visiting the River Walk, or a child stepping into a museum for the very first time, she wants visitors to feel a sense of belonging. What shapes her vision is the opportunity to create experiences that connect people emotionally, creatively, and intellectually. Sometimes that happens through a major exhibition; sometimes it happens when a child walks into a museum for the first time and sees something that sparks curiosity or imagination. Becoming President and CEO at the Briscoe was a journey that began years earlier when Jackson was Executive Director of the Museum of the Big Bend in far West Texas. “We had a very small staff and a very lean budget, which meant there was no such thing as staying in your lane,” Jackson reminisces. “One day centered on exhibitions and collections, the next demanded troubleshooting operations, fundraising, staffing, or facilities management. You learned quickly or you fell behind.” That environment forced her to become adaptable, resourceful — comfortable making decisions without perfect conditions. Looking back, “I think that experience shaped almost everything about how I lead today at the Briscoe Western Art Museum; it taught me how to move ideas forward even when resources are tight, and how to build momentum with a team that is wearing multiple hats at once.” “My greatest strength and the one I rely on every day as leader of the Briscoe Western Art Museum is the ability to work with people,” says Jackson. Equally important is her genuine passion for leading teams, shaping vision, setting strategy, and inspiring people to rally around something meaningful. “You have to genuinely care about people and enjoy bringing them together, whether it is staff, board members, volunteers, donors, artists, members, or visitors,” she expresses. “My role is to help connect all those people to a shared vision so everyone feels invested in the mission and the museum’s success.” “Creativity is also one of my greatest strengths. Some days that creativity is focused on developing a fundraising strategy or shaping a major event,” notes Jackson. “Other days it is imagining a new exhibition, solving operational challenges, or finding ways to move ambitious projects forward even when there are obstacles. Museum leadership demands equal parts vision and adaptability. You have to be comfortable shifting between big-picture thinking and very practical problem-solving.” It’s clear that she's on the right track; the results speak for themselves. Under Jackson’s leadership, the Briscoe celebrated the most successful Night of Artists Exhibition & Sale in the museum’s history. It remains the museum’s signature fundraiser and brings together artists, collectors, and patrons from across the country. The momentum from that event was tremendous, and they are carrying it directly into one of the most ambitious years the museum has ever undertaken.

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Capitalizing on the momentum, this month, The Briscoe will open Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story, which marks the largest and most ambitious exhibition that has been produced to date. “I am especially excited about this project because it tells stories that have too often been overlooked," explains Jackson. The exhibition explores the roots, influence, and enduring legacy of Tejano culture through extraordinary works of art and historical artifacts drawn from one of the most significant private collections in Texas, along with loans from museums across the United States and internationally. It is a major undertaking, accompanied by a full-color bilingual catalog and planned as a traveling exhibition. The response from donors and supporters has been incredibly strong, which says a great deal about how meaningful people believe this exhibition is. The Briscoe has also launched a major gallery renovation and expansion project: the Valerie Urschel Guenther Four Pillars Gallery. This new space, due to be completed in fall of 2026, will completely transform the visitors’ introduction to the museum. It is designed to be immersive and experiential, especially for students and first-time visitors. There will be large-scale visuals, sound, music, moving imagery, and interactive storytelling that help bring the American West to life. You will hear hoofbeats, wagon wheels, drumbeats, and layered soundscapes while surrounded by sweeping tableaus of the frontier and the cultures that shaped it. “The goal is to create a powerful introduction to the museum’s four pillars of Western art: Wildlife & the Land, Native Peoples of the Americas, Vaqueros, Tejanos & Spanish Heritage, and Cowboys & Ranching,” details Jackson. “We want visitors to feel the energy and complexity of those stories the moment they walk through the doors.” “At the Briscoe, we’re always looking for new ways to invite people into the story of the American West—especially those who may not realize that the museum is here for them,” Jackson mentions. “We’ve worked to broaden our programming and exhibitions so there are multiple entry points for different audiences.” Someone may first visit because of a major exhibition like what they have on tap for 2026: Selena Forever / Siempre Selena or their upcoming Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story, while others discover the Briscoe through Night of Artists, family programming, free community days, workshops, or community partnerships. Looking ahead, “We want the museum to continue growing as a cultural anchor for downtown San Antonio — a place where education, history, art, and community intersect.” Through major exhibitions, expanded programming, and new immersive experiences, the Briscoe hopes to create opportunities for people to learn, reflect, and engage with stories that deepen their understanding of both the West and themselves. Those experiences create opportunities for people to connect with the museum in personal and meaningful ways. “One of the things I am most proud of is that the Briscoe has developed a reputation as one of the friendliest museums in the Western art world. Maybe part of that comes from being Texan, but I also believe it reflects a culture we’ve intentionally worked to build,” Jackson reflects. Hospitality matters here. Warmth matters. The Briscoe is located on the River Walk in a beautiful historic building, and offers visitors a chance to experience something uniquely Texan and authentically Western. “I want every visitor who walks through our doors to feel genuinely welcomed — not as though they’re entering an intimidating institution, but as guests we’ve been looking forward to seeing all day.”

SUMMER 2026 |

ELISE T

ucked into a corner in the heart of Castle Hills, Clementine has become far more than a neighborhood favorite — it’s one of San Antonio’s most beloved dining destinations. Since opening in January 2018, the familyowned eatery has earned a loyal following through thoughtful hospitality, inventive cuisine, and the kind of genuine community connection that can’t be manufactured. “I love being part of the Castle Hills community, and credit much of Clementine’s success to both our location and the incredible neighborhood that has supported us over the years,” says co-owner and pastry chef Elise Russ. Word-of-mouth praise, glowing social media posts, and enthusiastic recommendations from devoted diners and wine enthusiasts have helped propel the restaurant into the spotlight. Visitors from out of town quickly find out what the locals already know — Google top restaurants in San Antonio, and Clementine quickly rises to the top — and for good reason. At the heart of the restaurant is a commitment to authenticity. Rather than chasing trends, Elise and her husband, co-owner and chef John Russ, focus on creating an experience that feels thoughtful, welcoming, and true to who they are. That philosophy translates into an ever-evolving menu, seasonal dishes, and curated dining experiences that keep guests returning with anticipation for what’s next. “The goal is to keep Clementine feeling dynamic and welcoming while staying true to the creativity and hospitality that has defined us from the beginning,” Elise explains. “I find inspiration in a variety of places, and it often comes from a mix of experiences rather than a single source,” shares Elise. “Travel is especially meaningful for me, as it offers a fresh perspective on how food is approached in different regions and cultures, often sparking new ideas when I return home.” She also loves cookbooks, food magazines, and Instagram, which help her discover techniques and flavor combinations she might not have considered before. Within the restaurant, her staff plays a big role as well,constantly bringing forward ideas, asking questions, and pushing her to experiment with new ingredients and methods, which keeps everyone learning and evolving. “In addition, our purveyors and local farmers are a constant source of inspiration,” states Elise. “The seasonal ingredients and unique products they offer throughout the year naturally guide and shape much of what we create.”

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RUSS Operating and overseeing Clementine is ongoing, and requires consistency and adaptability. “I’m also very proud of building and sustaining a restaurant that has now been open for eight years. Navigating the challenges of COVID and the ongoing realities of the industry has required resilience, and I’m grateful for how far we’ve come,” explains Elise. “I don’t see us replicating Clementine in another location; that said, we are always open to new opportunities, whether that means consulting, collaborating, or being involved in projects that bring something meaningful and exciting to our city,” she adds. “San Antonio has such a vibrant and growing culinary scene, and we would love to explore new ideas and creative partnerships as time allows in the future.” Clementine became much more intentional about supporting organizations that directly impact the local community, especially the people and groups who supported restaurants like theirs during difficult times. “Recently we hosted an industry night featuring red beans and rice, and invited guests to donate to the San Antonio Food Bank’s Summer Meals for Kids program,” shares Elise. Over the past year, they also partnered closely with CASA and Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, and they continue to search for thoughtful ways to support other charities and their important work. A couple of summers ago, Clementine went through an especially challenging season, which propelled the team to create new events and experiences — not only to energize the staff, but also to offer both regulars and new guests fresh reasons to visit. Since then, they have had a great time experimenting with different concepts, including wine tastings, Slice Swaps, themed dinners such as Halloween and Day of the Dead events, tea parties, artist collaborations with Clay & Cuisine, and oysters on the patio. Looking ahead, Elise hopes to continue

building on the foundation that has made Clementine a standout in San Antonio’s dining scene, acknowledging that these experiences allow them to connect with the community in creative and meaningful ways. Elise believes that maintaining balance is an ongoing process, and while the restaurant industry often consists of long hours and the need for constant attention, she has learned the importance of making time for family and volunteerism. One of the accomplishments she is most proud of is serving on the board of Les Dames d’Escoffier International as a Chapter Board Liaison. “Being part of such an inspiring and accomplished community of women has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and has allowed me to contribute to the organization on a larger level,” beams Elise. The most important among Elise’s greatest accomplishments however, is being mother to three amazing children. Balancing work and family is something she is continually working on; running a restaurant is demanding, and it takes a conscious effort to ensure that the challenges of work don’t carry over into time with her children. “One of the best decisions we made was intentionally closing the restaurant on Sundays and Mondays and limiting lunch service to once a month so we could prioritize time together as a family,” shares Elise. “Having children naturally creates balance because it reminds you that there is a full life outside of work that deserves your attention.” And husband time too! At home, cooking is definitely a shared effort. Elise laughs, “I handle the menu planning and grocery lists,

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while John takes care of the shopping and happily serves as her prep cook — he chops garlic much better than I do!” And you might wonder what Elise enjoys eating? “One of my favorite dishes is a simple garlic pasta — especially when the pasta is handmade by my husband. I love it loaded with garlic, good olive oil, and a mountain of parmesan cheese.” If for some reason, you haven’t ventured into Castle Hills lately, what are you waiting for? Choose the signature Feed Me option, inquire about the popular Slice Swaps, participate in a themed dinner; or better yet, sign up on their mailing list for monthly collaborations, offerings to explore new flavors, tantalize your tastebuds, and become part of the community regardless of where you reside. “This city continues to embrace us, and we are grateful to be able to do what we love while contributing to the growing food culture. It’s something I will never take for granted. Bon appétit!” SUMMER 2026 |

Evita Morin

trategist, social worker, nonprofit leader, American culture buff, jazz singer, photographer, actress, mother, wife, and business partner — meet the ever-evolving Evita Morin.

what other mission-driven organizations around me needed too.” Morin shared, “Stepping into MorinCo full time feels less like a career change and more like arriving at a natural next step.”

Morin was drawn to service and leadership since high school: head of student council, drum major, school newspaper editor, and class president, which helped pave the way to Columbia University in New York City, where she studied American history and the impact of urban systems on culture and heritage. “I worked for Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a media analyst, which taught me how civic duty, emergency response, communications, free press, and democracy play a part in the environments we often take for granted,” she explained. “It was an education in the interplay between institutions and advocacy, and it shaped how I think about organizational leadership to this day.”

MorinCo equips mission-driven organizations with the tools to grow and the skills to thrive. Every engagement undertaken is anchored to that ethos. In practice, it means working with leaders who are spending significant energy in a reactive state: managing crises that a clearer system would have prevented, leading teams with passion but without the organizational structure to channel it, or operating without the data or strategy they need to make confident decisions and demonstrate impact. Jude brings deep technical expertise as both a software engineer and nonprofit IT advocate, and Morin provides organizational development, executive coaching, and strategic leadership. Together they address the whole picture, the people and the systems, in a way neither of them could alone. “MorinCo grew out of a real-world partnership, built on real-world experience, for leaders navigating exactly what we have navigated ourselves,” explained Morin.

Morin returned home and served at Haven for Hope under the mentorship of philanthropic business titans Bill Greehey and Harvey Najim, experiencing the remarkable privilege of helping build what became the nation's largest transformational campus for people experiencing homelessness. “Being part of building that model from the inside, and watching it become a national reference point for how cities can address homelessness with both scale and humanity is something I carry with me every day,” she shared. An added plus — it was there that she met her husband Jude, who helped build Haven for Hope’s data infrastructure. What followed was a new mission — Rise Recovery, which transformed not only Morin, but San Antonio. She explained, “We opened San Antonio's first recovery high school, a solution for young people falling through the cracks because they previously lacked the behavioral health support needed to succeed in school. We also launched the city's first public Narcan vending machine during the opioid epidemic, a small but mighty innovation offering parents and grandparents free overdose reversal medicine for their children and grandchildren exposed to fentanyl. And, just before I transitioned to MorinCo, we opened the doors to San Antonio's only youth treatment program that accepts Medicaid.” Morin detailed, “Though the work was demanding, I was purposely fueled by two huge facts: we were creating hope where none previously existed, and we were demonstrating an innovative solution to reducing major community issues like youth dropout rates, justice involvement, and homelessness.” Fifteen years in the field made Morin realize she was not just in love with a singular mission, but with mission-driven work of all kinds. She elucidated, “Between running Rise Recovery and raising our family, I started giving my time to the broader nonprofit ecosystem: chairing the Leadership Development Committee at the Nonprofit Council, serving on the Masters Leadership Program board, joining the Rotary Club, Leadership San Antonio, and Impact SA. In those spaces, something became clear. What I had spent years learning, how to run the business of mission-driven work and scale with soul, was exactly 16

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Most organizations can find a technology consultant or a leadership coach. Finding both, fluent in the same language and working toward the same goal, is much harder. That is what MorinCo is. “As a Certified Scale Architect and Certified Executive Coach, I am trained in researchbased frameworks for moving organizations through every stage of sustainable growth, and in designing the relationships and moments that make that growth possible, with funders, civic leaders, strategic partners, and the communities they serve,” explained Morin. “I’ll be the guide who sits alongside you, speaks your language, and helps you build something sustainable.” She further detailed, “I want San Antonio to be a city that can comprehensively serve and care for its people, its neighborhoods, and its businesses. We have every reason to be that city.” “I am not coming into this chapter with the posture of someone who has it all figured out,” stated Morin. “I am coming in as someone who has sat in my own pilot seat, who has felt the weight of trying to lead something meaningful without the right tools, and who came out the other side with something worth sharing. This city deserves more of that kind of partnership, and I intend to spend my time here offering it.” In closing, Morin shared her hopes for the future, “I want to be able to say that less people are going outside San Antonio to get the resources they want and need, that we have the best of the best right here. What I want other leaders in this sector to know, especially the ones who came up through the work the way I did, is that the difficulty you experience learning the business side of missiondriven leadership is not a sign you can’t do this. Resources are just not always built for us. And the turbulence you feel, it’s likely a normal side effect of good growth that just needs to stabilize. That is a solvable problem. It is, in fact, the problem I want to help us solve together as a sector.” ■ More information can be found at morinco.net Subscribe today at www.sceneinsa.com

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SUMMER 2026 |

WOMEN in BUSINESS

CAROLINE DECHERD AND SUSANNE MARCO PARK PROPERTIES GROUP LU X U RY S A N A N T O N I O R E A L E S TAT E

At Park Properties Group at Phyllis Browning Company, we represent San Antonio luxury and historic homes with a boutique, strategy driven approach. Led by Caroline Decherd and Susanne Marco, we combine hyper local expertise, elevated marketing, and thoughtful guidance to help sellers move with clarity and conﬁdence. From Alamo Heights estates to Monte Vista historic homes and distinctive properties across 78209, 78212, and surrounding San Antonio neighborhoods, our approach is never one size ﬁts all. Every home is thoughtfully positioned to attract the right buyers and create meaningful demand.  parkpropertiesgroup.com  Caroline Decherd: (210) 313-2904  Susanne Marco: (210) 632-8400  info@parkpropertiesgroup.com IG: park.properties.group FB: parkpropertiesteam TT: parkpropertiesgroup in:: park-properties-group in 18

| SUMMER 2026

PA I D A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

JESSICA HOPKINS

FOUNDER, URNA: RECLAIM YOUR POWER LIFE COACHING & HOLISTIC HEALING How Clarity Changed Everything Jessica Hopkins is a survivor, advocate, and reclamation specialist dedicated to helping women break free from toxic cycles, reconnect with themselves, and rediscover their selfworth. After navigating her own healing journey, she founded URNA: Reclaim Your Power to create a grounded and supportive space where women can gain clarity, strengthen self-trust, and move forward with conﬁdence and intention. After navigating one of the most transformative chapters of her life, Jessica Hopkins turned adversity into purpose by creating URNA: Reclaim Your Power. As founder, speaker, podcast host, and creator of The POWER Framework, Jessica helps women recognize patterns, strengthen self-trust, and rebuild conﬁdence. Through coaching, education, and community, she empowers women to create lives rooted in clarity, resilience, and purpose because she believes clarity changes everything.  urnareclaimyourpower.com  urna224@gmail.com  (512) 842-9441 PA I D A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

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SUMMER 2026 |

All American Canteen By Leslie Foley

entimental Journey Orchestra and the Memphis Belles serenaded guests in their vintage formal attire to a World War II medley of classic songs and vocal performances.

Dancing the night away and swinging to the tunes were the 2026 military ambassadors, veterans, military supporters, and Fiesta goers who received their exclusive spinning medal at an early official Fiesta party. This feel-good event raised funds for the Foundation for San Antonio Military History. The nonprofit helps save and preserve historical buildings on military installations in San Antonio. Their main mission is to preserve the Stilwell House on Fort Sam Houston for generations to come. ■

Sophie and Murray Francis, Rosanna and Dave Fyffe, Cynthia and Marty Curry, and Eileen and Raul Marin

SSG Shonique English, SGT Alexandria Munoz, SGT Thomas Nugent, PO1 Lauren Duran, PO1 Tanner Peralta, and SGT Hannah Decker

| SUMMER 2026

Memphis Belles Michelle Cole, Juli Brinkley, and Linda Sriro

Victoria Wood, Cindy Naething, and Denise Poppe

World War ll veterans 100-year-old Bill Lozano served in the navy in the Paciﬁc as a radio operator 3rd class, and Col. Bill Barnes, 105 years old, served in the army in North Africa and Italy Subscribe today at www.sceneinsa.com

A World of Wonder A wonderful appetizer

By Leslie Foley

Will's Stream area for desserts

Molly Wilkes and Madeline Proctor CEO Daniel J. Menelly, Chief Creative Ofﬁcer Meredith Doby, and Brian Caron

Guests made their ingress and egress beneath the stunning rainbow of ﬂowers

Lisa Martin-Bomnskie, VP of Finance and Administration Heather Ryniker, Cameron Redding, and Gelato, macaroons, chocolates, and Evie Reichel scoops of ice cream and sorbet

he DoSeum’s 11th Annual Birthday Bash raised funds to ensure all children who visit can explore the limitless potential of hands and minds at play. The fundraiser supported the museum’s programs and exhibits to uphold the steadfast commitment to accessibility that lies at the heart of its mission to grow curious minds and ignite imaginations. The Birthday Bash kicked off with cocktails featuring a “Sip of Wonder” followed by fine dining and culminating at Will’s Stream for whimsical desserts. The DoSeum served 462,490 visitors last year; 18,427 participated in field trips, 23,528 were served by outreach programs, and 39,823 individuals became museum members. ■ Tasty sips in the form of candy-colored signature cocktails

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SUMMER 2026 |

2026

Outstanding Women in Law

Outstanding Women in

Law

Scene In SA is proud to honor women attorneys serving San Antonio and surrounding areas, as nominated by their peers across various specialties in our 6th annual Outstanding Women in Law survey. Listings are alphabetical by last name according to practice area.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Isabel De La Riva

De La Riva & Associates

Heather Clement Tessmer Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Alicia York

Franklin York Mediations

ANTITRUST LAW Leslie Hyman

Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC

APPELLATE

Aimee Vidaurri

Norton Rose Fulbright Us Llp

Natalie F. Wilson

Langley & Banack, Inc.

ARBITRATION & MEDIATION

BUSINESS LITIGATION Sasha Begum

Begum Pelaez-Prada, PLLC

Olga Brown

Law Offices of Olga Brown

Isabel De La Riva

Georgina Elizabeth Buckley-Graham

Catherine M. Stone

Emma Grace Butler

Alicia York

Tiffanie Clausewitz

De La Riva & Associates Langley & Banack, Inc.

Franklin York Mediations

BANKING

Jackson Walker LLP Jackson Walker LLP

Clausewitz Reyes, PLLC

Peyton Blaire Fulgium Jackson Walker LLP

Nadeen Abou-Hossa

Peyton Blaire Fulgium Jackson Walker LLP

Leslie Hyman

Chiscano Hossa & Calve PLLC

Britney Betts

Elizabeth Kreager Langley & Banack, Inc.

Melissa Jordan

Daniels and Daniels Law

Natsumi Covey

BANKRUPTCY

Maria T. LoRusso

Deborah D. Williamson

Emily M. Mann

Natalie F. Wilson

Dyana Mardon

BONDS & PUBLIC FINANCE

Carolyn Mulvey

Valkenaar PLLC

Leslie Hyman

Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC

Hannah Mery

Dykema

Langley & Banack, Inc.

RPSA LLP

Mariana Posadas-Trevino Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Catherine M. Stone Langley & Banack, Inc.

Leslie C. Kassahn Kassahn & Ortiz, PC

Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC Valkenaar O’Donnell PLLC Maria T. Lorusso, J.D., M.B.A., PC Jackson Walker LLP Jackson Walker LLP Jackson Walker LLP

E. Juanita Pelaez-Prada Pelaez Law Firm, PLLC

Disclaimer: The information presented in Outstanding Women in Law is not legal advice, nor is it a lawyer/legal referral service. Scene In SA is an independent magazine published by Scene Monthly, LLC and has developed its own methodology for selecting practitioners for its lists. All practitioners featured were selected by their peers in a survey conducted by Scene In SA. Paid advertising has no bearing on the determination of the list. Scene In SA strives to maintain a high degree of accuracy in collecting and providing the information presented herein, but makes no claim, promise, or guarantee regarding its accuracy, completeness, or adequacy. Outstanding Women in Law is a trademark used by Scene In SA and Scene Monthly, LLC, not a title or moniker conferred upon individual practitioners. The selection of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on the information provided in this publication. No representation is made that the quality of services provided or performed by the practitioners listed will be better than that of other licensed practitioners, and past results do not guarantee future success. Scene In SA and Scene Monthly, LLC are not afﬁliated with any federal, state, administrative, or regulatory bodies or examining, licensing, and/or certifying entities (such as the State Bar of Texas or Texas Board of Legal Specialization). These listings are merely descriptive of a practice area and do not certify or designate a lawyer to be a specialist. Scene In SA does not endorse or otherwise recommend persons who may appear on this list.

| SUMMER 2026

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SUMMER 2026 |

2026

Outstanding Women in Law

Christine E. Reinhard

Stephanie Flores Reyes

Christine Rudy

Cathrin J. Martinez

Fennemore, PC

Endereza Law, PLLC

Elena P. Serna

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law PC

Janicek Law Firm, PC

Benjamin, Vana, Martinez & Cano, LLP

Jacy Pawelek

Janicek Law Firm, PC

Megan Sturm

Malorie J. Peacock

Lauren Valkenaar

Mariana Posadas-Trevino

Valkenaar O’Donnell PLLC Valkenaar PLLC

Aimee Vidaurri

Norton Rose Fulbright Us LLP

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Jana Marie Slimp Richard

Benjamin, Vana, Martinez & Cano, LLP

Maribel Cordova Wasmiller

Laura G. Tamez

CIVIL LITIGATION

Lauren Valkenaar

Georgina Elizabeth Buckley Graham

Aimee Vidaurri

Wasmiller Cordova, Attorneys At Law

Jackson Walker LLP

Katherine Cabello-Flores Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Hannah Cramer

Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & Roalson, PC

Taylor L. Crull

Kustoff & Sanders LLP

Jennifer Espronceda Espronceda Law, PLLC

The Herrera Law Firm, Inc. Valkenaar PLLC

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Alyssa Washburn

Benjamin, Vana, Martinez & Cano, Llp

CITY & MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT Summer Bruington Greathouse Bracewell LLP

CLOSELY HELD BUSINESS Emma Grace Butler Jackson Walker LLP

Carolyn Mulvey

Jackson Walker LLP

Tiffanie Clausewitz Clausewitz Reyes, PLLC

Peyton Blaire Fulgium Jackson Walker LLP

Summer Bruington Greathouse Bracewell LLP

COLLABORATIVE LAW

Elizabeth Kreager

Katherine Cabello-Flores

Carolyn Mulvey

Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Heather Clement Tessmer Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW Britney Betts

Daniels and Daniels Law

CONSTRUCTION LAW Taylor L. Crull

Kustoff & Sanders LLP

Stephanie Lyn O’Rourke Cokinos | Young

CONTRACT LAW Emma Grace Butler Jackson Walker LLP

Langley & Banack, Inc. Jackson Walker LLP

Casandra C. Ortiz

Kassahn And Ortiz, Attorney At Law

Maribel Cordova Wasmiller

Wasmiller Cordova, Attorneys At Law

CORPORATE & TRANSACTIONAL Elizabeth Kreager Langley & Banack, Inc.

Melody Nikmaram Begum Peleaz

Christine Rudy

Endereza Law, PLLC

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE Emma Grace Butler Jackson Walker LLP

Carolyn Mulvey

Jackson Walker LLP

Christine Rudy

Endereza Law, PLLC

Elena Villaseñor Sullivan Endereza Law, PLLC

CRIMINAL DEFENSE Pauline Aguilar

The Castro Law Office PLLC

Caitlin E. Bennett Jean Brown Law

Britney Betts

Daniels and Daniels Law

Kyra Falcone

Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC

Kellye Fernandez

Bexar County Public Defender’s Office

Brigitte Garza

Brigitte Garza Attorney At Law, PLLC

Elizabeth Guerrero-Southard Denton, Navarro, Rocha & Bernal

Hannah Hawkins-Cunningham Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC

Ashley E. Morgan

Soyars & Morgan Law, PC

Amy E. Owen Attorney at Law

| SUMMER 2026

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Elizabeth Russell

Law Office of Elizabeth Anne Russell PLLC

Stephanie L. Stevens

CRIMINAL PROSECUTION

Center For Legal & Social Justice

Erika Dinunzio

CRIMINAL DEFENSE — DUI/DWI

EDUCATION LAW

Pauline Aguilar

Daniels and Daniels Law

The Castro Law Office PLLC

Kyra Falcone

Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC

Kellye Fernandez

Bexar County Public Defender’s Office

Elizabeth Guerrero-Southard Denton, Navarro, Rocha & Bernal

Bexar County District Attorney's Office

Britney Betts

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION — PLAINTIFF Melissa Morales Fletcher Morales Firm, PC

Malinda Ann Gaul Gaul And Dumont

ENERGY, OIL & GAS Amy Chance

Santoyo Wehmeyer , PC

Megan Mary Quinn

Valero Energy Corporation

Katy Wehmeyer

Jacqueline Queen

Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Jessica Pilar Rojas Quesada Hailey Petty Law Firm PLLC

Louyse Siegel Fair Winds Law

Santoyo Wehmeyer, PC

Whitney Renee Thomas

ENVIRONMENTAL

Mariana Posadas-Trevino

Kirstin I. Silberschlag Valero Energy Corporation

ESTATE PLANNING & TRUSTS

Whitney Thomas Law Firm Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Patricia Rouse ‘Patty’ Vargas Davis & Santos, PLLC

Amber Whigham Davidek Law Firm

Mary E. Adair Branscomb Law

FAMILY LAW

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION — DEFENSE

Britney Betts

Aisha Aziz Hernandez Leftwich

Daniels and Daniels Law

Graham Family Law

Laura Emadi

Beverly R. Davidek

Pauline Aguilar

Davidek Law Firm

The Castro Law office PLLC

Peyton Howe

Elizabeth Kreager

Brandi N. Aguillon

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Law Office of George C. Ruiz, PLLC

Kyra Falcone

Lauren Howell

Joyce W. Moore

Amber Liddell Alwais

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Orsinger Law

Hannah Hawkins-Cunningham

Christine E. Reinhard

Hella V. Scheuerman

Kristy L. Arellano

Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC

Law Offices of Kristy Arellano

Shannon B. Schmoyer

Pamela Hailey Petty

Caitlin E. Bennett

Hannah Hawkins-Cunningham Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC

Amy E. Owen Attorney at Law

CRIMINAL DEFENSE — WHITE COLLAR Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC

Fennemore, PC Fennemore, PC Fennemore, PC Fennemore, PC Fennemore, PC

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Hailey Petty Law Firm PLLC

Jean Brown Law

SUMMER 2026 |

2026

Outstanding Women in Law

Britney Betts

Jasmine Silva

Sydney Bosworth

Sonja Sims

Daniels and Daniels Law Bosworth Law Firm

Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC Sims & Purzer

INSURANCE DEFENSE — PERSONAL INJURY

Beverly R. Davidek

Courtney J. Schroeder

Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC

Valdez & Trevino Attorney at Law, PC

Jean S. Brown

Lisa Ann Solis

Courtney Grace Cadran

Jodi Soyars

INSURANCE DEFENSE — COMMERCIAL

Rebecca J. Carrillo

Susan L. Watts

Georgina Elizabeth BuckleyGraham

Jean Brown Law

Law Office of Steven C. Benke, PC

The Law Firm of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC The Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo, PLLC

Sara Camille Casas

Michael Ireland and Associates

Laura Castro

Law Office of Steven C. Benke, PC

Audrey Cleveland Cruz Day Law

Maribel Cruz

Cruz Day Law, PLLC

Laura O. Duran

Roberson Duran Law, PLLC

Jennifer Espronceda Espronceda Law, PLLC

Amy Eubanks Perkins Roberson Duran Law

Kathleen Fox-Sanvictores Bashara Schwartz, PLLC

Watts Legal Firm

Valerie Zarate

Manuel Diaz Law Firm, PC Law Office of Steven C. Benke, PC Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Erin Lee Groce Groce Family Law

Casey Colleen Lee Lovorn Law Firm, PLLC

Ava Louviere

Law Office of Ava L. Louviere, PLLC

Karen L. Marvel Marvel Law Group

Aida Rojas Moore Rojas Law Firm

Mariana Posadas-Trevino Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Jacqueline Queen

Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

Jaclyn Y. Roberson Roberson Duran, PLLC

Tracy E. Ross

Jamie Graham & Associates, PLLC

Jessica Rose Sexton Jean Brown Law

Natalie M. Arledge

FRANCHISE LAW

LAND USE & ZONING

Christine Rudy

Nina Prado

GENERAL LITIGATION

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

Endereza Law, PLLC

Savannah G. Garcia

Law Office of Rebecca J. Carrillo, PLLC

Emilie Herbst Branscomb Law

Emily M. Mann

Jackson Walker LLP

Dyana Mardon

Natalie F. Wilson

Brandi Daryl Wolfe

IMMIGRATION

Yvette Changuin RAICES

IN-HOUSE COUNSEL Stefanie G. Box

Pathway Vet Alliance

Melissa Castro Killen

Killen, Griffin & Fairmond, PLLC

Megan P. Lindberg Susan McGee

Attorney at Law

PERSONAL INJURY — PLAINTIFF

Espinoza & Brock, PLLC

Michael Ireland and Associates

Holt Cat Companies

Amy E. Owen

Davis & Santos, PLLC

Kirstin I. Silberschlag

Law Offices of Chavira Brown, PLLC

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Patricia Rouse ‘Patty’ Vargas

Molly Susan Yingling

Damisela Chavira Brown

Carrie James

Whitney Thomas Law Firm

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Brandi Wolfe Law, PLLC

Megan Gherle

Whitney Renee Thomas

INTERNATIONAL LAW

Langley & Banack, Inc.

Maria Gannon

Jackson Walker LLP

Hella V. Scheuerman

Bashara Schwartz, PLLC

Jackson Walker LLP

Marie Galindo

Soyars & Morgan Law, PC

Davidek Law Firm

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc.

Valero Energy Corporation

Killen, Griifen & Farrimond, PLLC

Sela Garcia

Paul Garcia & Associates

LOBBYING & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Ashley Farrimond

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE — PLAINTIFF

Bosworth Law Firm

Leeann De La Garza Wayne Wright, LLP

Meredith Drukker Stratigopoulos Guerra LLP

Stephanie Flores Reyes Janicek Law Firm, PC

Holly Fudge-Stokes

Fudge Nieto Stokes Law Firm, PLLC

Beth Janicek

Janicek Law Firm, PC

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Rebecca J. caRRillo

Amanda Hazleton

Voted Best Lawyer 2024

Janicek Law Firm, PC Lyons & Lyons, PC

Protecting what matters most.

Beth Janicek

Janicek Law Firm, PC

Loan Vo

Lyons & Lyons, PC

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE — DEFENSE Lucretia R. Marmor Langley & Banack, Inc.

Stefanie G. Box

Valero Energy Corporation

Sydney Bosworth

(210 ) 468-1581 rjc-lawfirm.com

Nancy T. Shivers Kirstin I. Silberschlag

Janicek Law Firm, PC

Joy Barrientes

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Shivers & Shivers

Joy Barrientes

Killen, Griffen & Farrimond, PLLC

Megan Mary Quinn

Valero Energy Corporation

Lara Brock

Pathway Vet Alliance

Emma Grace Butler Jackson Walker LLP

PROBATE Katherine Cabello-Flores Tessmer Law Firm, PLLC

| SUMMER 2026

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EVERY CASE. EVERY FAMILY. EVERY FIGHT

Jean Brown Law 40 YEARS SERVING SAN ANTONIO FAMILIES JEAN BROWN FAMILY LAW SAN ANTONIO, TX JESSICA SEXTON, ATTORNEY SAN ANTONIO, TX CAITLIN BENNETT, ATTORNEY SAN ANTONIO, TX

DON'T FACE THE COURTROOM ALONE SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY

210•354•2662 JEAN@JEANBROWNLAW.COM 222 Main Plz E SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205 DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE COURTHOUSE, RIGHT WHERE YOU NEED US Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sceneinsa | Follow us on Instagram @sceneinsamag

SUMMER 2026 |

2026

Outstanding Women in Law

Natalie K. Karam

Laura G. Tamez

Odalys Lopez

Linh Thai

Wayne Wright, LLP

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Desiree Marrufo Davis Law Firm

Jessica Mendicutti Wayne Wright, LLP

Emma Patton

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

The Herrera Law Firm, Inc. Wayne Wright, LLP

Paula A. Wyatt

Janicek Law Firm, PC

Dannick G. Hernandez Espinoza & Brock, PLLC

Wyatt Law Firm

Lauren Horne

PERODUCTS LIABILITY — PLAINTIFF

REAL ESTATE LAW

Loan Vo

Lyons & Lyons, PC

Jacy Pawelek

PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION

Nationwide Insurance

Elizabeth Kreager

Alexandria Rios

Jenna Ard

Emily M. Mann

Sonia M. Rodriguez

Meredith Cooper

Erin Rogiers

Rebecca Couch

SECURITIES & CORPORATE FINANCE

Nicolette Saenz

Carlie Crenwelge

Susan McGee

Juishree Samant

Christina Herrera

Cynthia E. Hujar Orr

Hella V. Scheuerman

Brenda Montoya

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law, PC Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law, PC

Guerra LLP

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock Cowen Rodriguez Peacoock Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law, PC

| SUMMER 2026

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law, PC Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law, PC

Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson

Katherine P. Noll

Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Sara E. Dysart, PC

Brandy A. Anderson

Guerra LLP

Maralicia Martinez

Sara E. Dysart

Malorie J. Peacock

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law, PC

Bracewell LLP

Daniels and Daniels Law

Laura Pazin Porter

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

Summer Bruington Greathouse

Britney Betts

PERSONAL INJURY — DEFENSE

Cowen Rodriguez Peacock

TAX

Peyton Blaire Fulgium Jackson Walker LLP

Langley & Banack, Inc. Jackson Walker LLP

Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. Goldstein & Orr

Valdez & Trevino Attorneys At Law, PC

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Malorie Peacock

Sonia Rodriguez

Laura Pazin Porter

Odalys Lopez

Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock focuses on 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle cases involving death and catastrophic injury, they are the Trucking Trial Lawyers. The success of our firm is shaped by the exceptional women who lead, advocate, and inspire every day. From developing case strategy and leading litigation teams to mentoring colleagues and supporting clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, our female attorneys are instrumental in driving our firm's growth and success. This elite team of trial lawyers has the knowledge, expertise and compassion to provide clients with a special forces level of legal representation.

Natalie Arledge

Juishree Samant

(210) 941-1301 | www.cowenlaw.com Nicolette Saenz

6243 IH-10 W, Suite 801, San Antonio, TX 78201

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Emma Patton

SUMMER 2026 |

Old Fashioned Eats SAN ANTONIO INSTITUTIONS SERVING HISTORY ON THE MENU By Gabriella & Lou Sanchez

San Antonio growth and evolution is constant as the seventh largest city in the United States. However, before trendy concepts, social media buzz, and national chains arrived, family-owned restaurants were serving up meals, building relationships, and creating traditions that still bring people through their doors today. Restaurants where recipes are passed down through generations, owners know their customers by name, and where the walls hold decades of stories, celebrations, and memories: these are some of the last places serving up an authentic feeling of home. They’re an inextricable part of San Antonio’s history and hospitality—no frills, just plain good homestyle cooking with love in every bite.

I recently had the opportunity to visit four of these San Antonio institutions feeding the city—TIP TOP CAFE, MARIA’S CAFE, MA HARPER’S CREOLE KITCHEN, and LA GARDENIA. Each has a unique story, a loyal following, and a legacy built on perseverance, family values, and a commitment to great food. While countless restaurants have come and gone over the years, these local favorites continue to thrive because they’ve never lost sight of what matters most: community, consistency, and heart. Follow along with us as we travel back and take a closer look at four homegrown restaurants that have earned their place among San Antonio’s most beloved culinary landmarks.

TIP TOP CAFE

hen I walked into Tip Top Cafe, it felt like I stepped back in time. A piece of San Antonio history, the DeWese family opened the restaurant in 1938 with a simple goal: serve home-cooked meals people would bring their family to enjoy. Almost 90 years later, that’s still the goal. The restaurant has stayed in the DeWese family through multiple generations – almost 9, actually – and has become one of San Antonio’s visuallyidentifiable landmarks. Tip Top is best known for its chicken-fried steak, homemade pies, and award-winning onion rings! Let me just say, that is 1000 percent accurate. Having had the buttermilk pie, pecan pie, chicken-fried steak and the onion rings—oh, my pregnant heart was happy to say the least. Also, no, I didn’t eat it all, I did share as the portions are very generous!

While many restaurants constantly feel the need to keep up with trends and change their menu or remodel, Tip Top has stuck with what works: consistently good home-cooked food! They are catering to the locals and the ones who keep coming back. The vintage decor, old photos, and memorabilia all tell the story of a restaurant that has stayed true to its roots, even when you go to the checkout you see a case of the coolest trinkets, most noticeable to me was the fiesta medal. I truly felt I walked into a piece of history. While some restaurants have sadly fallen during economic hardships and even the pandemic, Tip Top stands strong, keeping alive the family-owned business with consistently excellent food and an at-home feeling!

2814 FREDERICKSBURG, 78201

| SUMMER 2026

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MARIA'S CAFE

1105 NOGALITOS, 78204

pened in 1989, walking into Maria’s Cafe feels less like entering a restaurant and more like being welcomed into your grandmother’s home. First, if you are lucky, you might be greeted by her husband who will either let you know a table is ready or it will be a few moments. Once you are inside, the room is warm, familiar, quaint, and filled with the coolest old memorabilia . The homemade tortillas, simmering sauces, and traditional TexMex recipes fill the air, while regulars greet one another like old friends and Maria herself comes to say “Buenas Dias.”

To me, when we bring our family to Maria’s—it’s Maria who makes this place so special. The food is on another level; she adds that extra spice. Even decades after opening her doors, she still greets customers, checks on tables, and makes everyone feel like family. During our visit, she came by to ask what everyone wanted to drink. My son confidently ordered coffee, and naturally, we shook our heads and told him no. Maria smiled, nodded, and brought him a cup anyway. And honestly, were we going to argue with Maria? Absolutely not.

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My stomach was bigger than I thought this day and I wanted all the tacos. However, my husband is a frequent flyer and he asked her to surprise him for his second taco. I was curious and followed suit. Oh, I was not disappointed. I highly recommend you try this. Our favorites are the brisket taco, papa y chorizo, and my husband loves the huevos rancheros. Special moments like that are what have cemented Maria’s Cafe as a San Antonio staple for generations. The food is home-cooked and the matching hospitality keeps people coming back. Every plate feels like it was prepared with care, every guest treated like family. I always leave her "home kitchen" (if you will) feeling like I was able to see my grandma. With San Antonio constantly growing and changing, Maria’s remains a reminder of what truly matters: good food, genuine kindness, and a place where everyone feels at home. That’s not something you can put on a menu, but it’s served up Maria’s way.

SUMMER 2026 |

N NEW MA HARPER'S CREOLE KITCHEN 1816 BRAUNFELS, 78208

pened by Alice "Ma" Harper in 1991 has brought the flavors and traditions of Louisiana to San Antonio's East Side. What began as a passion for cooking at 12 years old evolved into one of San Antonio's most beloved family-owned restaurants as Ma Harper’s Creole Kitchen. Unlike many restaurants that chase trends, Ma Harper's built its reputation on classic Creole comfort foods. Customers come from far and wide to try her famous gumbo; the flavors are indescribable. I feel as if she has taken me back to NOLA with her. “Ma” has stuck to constancy and tradition when it comes to her recipes, the flavors are exactly what you imagine when you think of authentic New Orleans cooking. Now, my ultimate favorite is the cornbread... you could eat that alone! With countless loyal customers, notable visitors and awards to her name, Ma Harper is truly a one of a kind staple in San Antonio’s History. Turning 97 this year, she is a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen and still greeting customers with her smile and warmth. One thing that makes her restaurant unique and truly gives back to the community is her secondchance opportunities for those who have made mistakes

in life and ended up in the carceral system to make things right and succeed. She is also known to feed the homeless and support veterans. Her faith in God and love for her community here in San Antonio is just something you don’t see much of these days. She is a true safe haven and a “ma” to all who come in contact with her.

She continues to build her legacy even at almost 97! Today, visitors quickly discover that the restaurant offers more than a meal—it offers a connection to history, culture, and the traditions that have helped shape San Antonio's culinary landscape. Signature dishes such as gumbo, fried catfish, red beans and rice, and other Creole favorites have introduced generations of diners to authentic Southern flavors. Yet, what keeps customers returning isn't only the food. It's the feeling of being welcomed, remembered, and treated like family. More than three decades after opening her doors, Ma Harper remains proof that great food may bring in people, but genuine hospitality is what keeps them coming back. In a city known for preserving its heritage, Ma Harper's stands as a reminder that some of the most important landmarks aren't buildings or monuments—they're the gathering places where stories are shared, traditions are passed down, and communities continue to grow together. While enjoying a good plate at Ma’s, it serves as a reminder that a mother’s love is great and everyone is capable of redemption.

1805 N PINE, 78208

alking into La Gardenia is like arriving at a family gathering. The dining room buzzes with conversation, regulars greet one another by name, and there’s a sense that everyone belongs. Family has been at the heart of La Gardenia since day one. It all started in 1985, Maria and Manuel Ramos opened their bakery, creating fresh pan dulce and baked goods that quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Let me tell you before I even sit down, I stop by the bakery in the restaurant and secure my conchas before they are gone. As the bakery grew, Maria began serving homemade barbacoa and menudo, her dream of owning a restaurant started taking shape. In 1992, the couple purchased a small building across the street and opened La Gardenia, and her dream finally came true. The restaurant’s success was almost immediate. The day before the grand opening, Manuel quietly promoted the business around Fort Sam Houston leaving flyers on cars. Opening day they had completely sold out by 11 am. What started as a simple takeout taco window quickly outgrew its space. As demand increased, the family purchased the neighboring laundromat and expanded the

LA GARDENIA

restaurant into what guests know today. Maria and Manuel didn’t hire a team of contractors, but instead laid tile, painted walls, completed renovations with their own hands. Their fingerprints can still be found throughout the business, a testament to decades of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. Surviving more than three decades hasn’t come without challenges. The neighborhood looked very different when the Ramos family first opened their doors. Crimes were a common concern, forcing difficult business decisions. Yet, through it all, they remained committed to three principles: authentic food, fair prices, and serving their community. That commitment earned them something every restaurant hopes for but few achieve—multiple generations of loyal customers. What struck me most during my visit wasn’t just the food—it was the atmosphere. There is an unmistakable feeling that you’ve been invited into someone’s home. Regulars have their favorite tables, staff members know many customers by name, and the warmth feels genuine rather than rehearsed. When I spoke with the Ramos

family’s daughter, Yvonne, she summed it up perfectly: “More than anything, we hope guests immediately feel comfortable—as if they’ve stepped into someone’s home instead of just another restaurant.” After spending time there, it’s clear they’ve accomplished exactly that. Today, La Gardenia continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. The family still invests in improvements, the bakery remains a beloved part of the business, and the recipes remain as authentic as ever. Signature dishes like the enchiladas poblanos, carne guisada with cheese, and chilaquiles, and barbacoa (a personal favorite) continue to bring first-time guests through the door and keep longtime regulars coming back. Perhaps that’s why La Gardenia has become a San Antonio institution. It’s not just about the meal— it’s about traditions, creating memories, family, and reminding people what true hospitality feels like. In a city built on family, culture, and community, La Gardenia represents all three. ■

| SUMMER 2026

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Featured

Attorneys Alexander Begum

John S. Gilmore, III

Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Areas of Practice: Criminal Law & Criminal Appeals

2026 Best SA Lawyer 2025 Top Personal Injury Lawyer VILLARREAL & BEGUM  (210) 800-0000  (210) 233-8278  abegum@texaslegalgroup.com  texaslawguns.com

Alexander Begum is a founding shareholder of the Villarreal & Begum Law Firm, with offices in San Antonio, Laredo, and McAllen. Mr. Begum earned a double major in Marketing and Finance at Trinity University. He then attended Harvard University where he studied finance and legal writing. Alex acquired a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Texas Tech. Alexander Begum has devoted his career to helping those injured by negligent drivers, 18-wheelers, and bad corporate actors. Scene In SA has named Alex Begum Best Injury Lawyer from 2014-2026.

2026 Best SA Lawyer 2025 Top Criminal Defense Lawyer GOLDSTEIN & ORR, PLLC  (210) 226-1463  (210) 226-8367  johnstuartgilmore@gmail.com  goldsteinhilley.com

John Gilmore is the Senior Associate at Goldstein & Orr. His practice focuses on state and federal criminal litigation, appeals, and asset forfeitures. He takes pride in discretely resolving allegations in high stakes matters, including the return of over one million dollars in assets for clients. John has been selected as a Rising Star Lawyer each year in practice and was recently recognized as one of the Top 20 Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Antonio.

Damisela Chavira Brown

Gerry Goldstein

2026 Outstanding Women in Law LAW OFFICES OF CHAVIRA BROWN, PLLC  (210) 270-9200  (210) 270-9292  damisela@chavirabrownlaw.com  chavirabrownlaw.com

2026 Best SA Lawyer 2025 Top Criminal Defense Lawyer GOLDSTEIN & ORR, PLLC  (210) 226-1463  (210) 226-8367  gerry@goldsteinorr.law  goldsteinhilley.com

Areas of Practice: Immigration and Criminal Law

Damisela Chavira Brown is the founder of The Law Offices of Chavira Brown, PLLC, serving clients throughout Texas in immigration and criminal defense matters. With more than two decades of legal experience, she is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate complex legal challenges with compassion, integrity, and strong advocacy. Ms. Chavira Brown is committed to protecting her clients' rights while providing personalized representation and exceptional service.

Areas of Practice: Criminal Law & Appeals

Gerry Goldstein is a past President of the National Association of Lawyers and the Texas Lawyers Association. Goldstein is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, was named a Texas Lawyer Legal Legend by the State Bar, and was named to the Texas Lawyers Hall of Fame. He was named to the Top 100 list in Super Lawyers and recognized as the outstanding attorney by the State Bar of Texas. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow in the American Board of Lawyers, and a prestigious Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award recipient.

Laura O. Duran

Maria T. LoRusso, PC

Areas of Practice: Family Law, Mediation

Areas of Practice: Business & Corporate Law, Finance Law

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer ROBERSON DURAN LAW, PLLC  (210) 224-4077  office@rdfamilylawfirm.com  rdfamilylawfirm.com

Laura O. Duran is a Senior Partner at Roberson Duran Law, PLLC, serving families throughout Texas. A South Texas native and proud Aggie, she earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. With more than 20 years of legal experience, Laura has represented hundreds of clients in divorce, custody, support, CPS, and modification matters. She is known for compassionate advocacy, practical guidance, and dedication to achieving positive outcomes.

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer LORUSSO BUSINESS LAW  (210) 404-9200  maria@lorussobusinesslaw.com  lorussobusinesslaw.com

At the intersection of law and finance lies my role as a Business/Corporate Law Attorney. This niche position allows me to develop economic/financial strategies to successfully integrate and coordinate the management of business affairs, analyze contracts and leases, manage litigation, and assist CEOs, CFOs, tax professionals, banking/investment advisors and insurance representatives into the legal and financial infrastructure of a business. Law and finance become the compass and road map to navigate a successful business course.

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SUMMER 2026 |

Featured

Attorneys Harold McCall

Ashley Morgan

Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

Areas of Practice: DWI, Criminal Defense

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer SOYARS & MORGAN LAW  (210) 568-9400  (210) 858-5181  ashley@soyarsmorganlaw.com  soyarsmorganlaw.com

2026 Best SA Lawyer 2025 Top Personal Injury Lawyer WAYNE WRIGHT, LLP  (210) 888-8888  (210) 734-9965  hmccall@waynewright.com  waynewright.com

Harold McCall handles complex trucking accident cases resulting in serious injury or death, as well as dangerous product and drug cases. Mr. McCall is licensed to practice law in 6 states, including Texas; is a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; is listed as a Best Attorney in San Antonio by Scene In SA magazine; and is past President of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association.

Ashley Morgan is a highly educated and highly experienced trial attorney. She has hundreds of trials under her belt and her ability to communicate clearly and effectively with jurors is second to none. Ashley has the unique ability to empathize with clients – a skill often overlooked by other attorneys. She is a ﬁerce advocate and will vigorously defend you. As a former prosecutor, she is able to anticipate strategies and tactics you will face, and this insight into preparation will serve you well. It also means she has the experience needed to negotiate with the State.

Gavin McInnis

Cynthia Orr

2026 Best SA Lawyer WYATT LAW FIRM, LTD  (210) 340-5550  (210) 340-5581  gmcinnis@wyattlawfirm.com  wyattlawfirm.com

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer GOLDSTEIN & ORR, PLLC  (210) 226-1463  (210) 226-8367  whitecollarlaw@gmail.com  goldsteinhilley.com

Areas of Practice: Plaintiff Personal Injury

Gavin, who has been nicknamed “the Law Library” by some of his peers, concentrates his practice in the representation of plaintiffs in serious personal injury, trucking accidents, wrongful death, carbon monoxide exposure, and oil field injury cases. Born and raised in Latin America until the age of thirteen, Gavin speaks English and Spanish. Honors and recognitions include: Super Lawyers, Scene In SA’s Best Lawyers, Top 50 Verdicts (Texas); Texas Bar Foundation Fellow; Order of the Barristers.

Areas of Practice: Criminal Law, Appeals

Cynthia Eva Hujar Orr is the past Chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section and in its House of Delegates, on the Texas Board of Law Examiners, is past President of the NACDL and TCDLA. She founded the San Antonio Lawyers Association and the Texas Innocence Network. She is listed in the Best Lawyers in America, is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a Texas’ Top 100 Trial Lawyer. She is in the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, she was TCDLA 2015 Pro Bono Lawyer of the year, clerked for federal Judge Emilio Garza, and is Board Certiﬁed in Criminal Law and Appeals. She is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and is AV Rated by Martindale Hubble.

Aida Rojas Moore

Amy E. Perkins

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer ROJAS LAW FIRM  (210) 299-4600  (210) 299-4600  aidarojas@aidarojaslaw.com  aidarojaslaw.com

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer ROBERSON DURAN LAW, PLLC  (210) 224-4077  office@rdfamilylawfirm.com  rdfamilylawfirm.com

Areas of Practice: Family Law, Mediation

Areas of Practice: Family Law

Aida Rojas Moore has over 20 years of qualiﬁed experience in dealing with family law cases such as divorce, custody, domestic violence, CPS, child support, and adoptions. Throughout the course of representing clients, Ms. Rojas has gained the reputation of a lawyer who will always ﬁght for justice and will protect the legal rights of Texas families and children.

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Amy Eubanks Perkins is a civil litigator with over 30 years of trial experience, with the last decade focused on family law and serving as a mediator. Amy is a Longhorn and Rattler by degrees, with a fondness for the Roadrunners, as she also teaches in the UTSA Paralegal Program. Amy believes in strong advocacy and thoughtful advice, and has a passion for ﬁnding creative solutions for clients, both as a lawyer and as a mediator.

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Hella V. Scheuerman

Derek S. Ritchie

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer SCHEUERMAN LAW FIRM, PLLC  (210) 741-2233  (210) 735-2235  hella@sch-lawfirm.com  sch-lawfirm.com

2026 Best SA Lawyer THE LAW OFFICE OF DEREK S. RITCHIE, PLLC  (210) 775-2000  (210) 592-4370  derek@derekritchielaw.com  derekritchielaw.com Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense, Family Law

Derek is the founder and managing attorney of the Law Ofﬁce of Derek S. Ritchie. He earned his law degree in London, then made his way to the United States and earned his LLM from the University of Texas School of Law. He handles DWI's, intoxication manslaughter, murders, and sex crimes, as well as all areas of Family Law. He is available to his clients every day, including weekends.

Areas of Practice: Personal Injury, Probate, Estate, Trust and Guardianship Litigation Hella is originally from Managua, Nicaragua. She immigrated to the United States with her family at a young age as a result of the political and economic climate in war-torn Nicaragua. Spanish is her first language and she continues to speak Spanish fluently. In her 28 years of practice, she has obtained significant trial experience as lead attorney in more than 50 jury trials to verdict. Hella is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and frequently counsels and represents clients in both State and Federal Courts. She is licensed in all Texas State Courts, as well as the Western, Northern and Southern Districts of Texas of the United States District Courts.Hella has extensive experience in handling all types of civil litigation, including serious personal injury and death cases, will and trust contests, and probate litigation. She also handles all matters related to estate planning.

Jaclyn Roberson

Jodi Soyars

Areas of Practice: Family Law, Probate, and Estate Planning

Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense, Family Law

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer ROBERSON DURAN LAW, PLLC  (210) 224-4077  (210) 270-9292  office@rdfamilylawfirm.com  rdfamilylawfirm.com

Jaclyn Roberson is a Senior Partner at Roberson Duran Law, PLLC, where she helps lead a successful family law, probate, and estate planning practice. Licensed in Texas since 2003, she brings more than 20 years of legal experience, and is recognized for her strategic advocacy, compassionate client service, and leadership. A Texas Super Lawyer since 2024, she is also an experienced mediator and frequent presenter for professional, community, and nonprofit organizations on family law, mediation, probate, and estate planning topics.

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer SOYARS & MORGAN LAW  (210) 568-9400  (210) 858-5181  jodi@soyarsmorganlaw.com  soyarsmorganlaw.com

Jodi Soyars has gained a reputation for being a strong trial attorney who is not afraid to vigorously defend her clients’ rights. Over the past 15+ years, she has represented defendants accused of misdemeanors and felonies throughout Central Texas. She graduated with honors from law school and was a member of the prestigious Houston Law Review. She has been admitted to practice in the U.S. Western District Courts (federal court). Her practice emphasizes personal attention to each client’s case and prompt communication with her clients. Jodi attributes her success to her pretrial case preparation and her “think outside the box” trial approach.

Christine Rudy

Javier Villarreal

Areas of Practice: Business Law, Franchise Law, Compliance Law, and Corporate Transactions

Areas of Practice: Personal Injury

2026 Outstanding Women In Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer ENDEREZA LAW, PLLC  (210) 866-9936  christine@enderezalaw.com  enderezalaw.com

Christine Rudy is Of Counsel at Endereza Law, where she advises growth-stage and established businesses on entity formation, corporate governance, contracts, compliance, and strategic transactions. Her practice focuses on helping clients build, buy, sell, and scale businesses across healthcare, wellness, hospitality, and service industries, with particular experience in franchise and multi-location business matters. Christine works with founders, operators, and business owners on structuring entities, negotiating key agreements, and supporting expansion through acquisitions, new ventures, and longterm planning. With a creative and intentional approach, she crafts tailored legal documents designed to anticipate needs, support growth, and help minimize future disputes. Drawing on more than a decade of litigation experience and her background as a certified mediator, Christine helps clients identify potential conflicts early and address them proactively before they become long-term disputes.

2026 Best SA Lawyer 2025 Top Personal Injury Lawyer VILLAREAL & BEGUM  (210) 800-0000  (210) 233-8278  texasattorney@hotmail.com  texaslawguns.com

Javier Villarreal received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA in 1995. He then continued his education at Tulane School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1998. Upon graduation, he served as a Brieﬁng Attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In 2001, Javier opened his private practice in Brownsville, Texas and developed his plaintiff personal injury practice. He is licensed to practice law in both the State of Texas and the State of Arizona.

PA I D A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

SUMMER 2026 |

Featured

Attorneys You should be in here!

Wayne Wright

2026 Best SA Lawyer 2025 Top Personal Injury Lawyer WAYNE WRIGHT, LLP  (210) 888-8888  (210) 734-9965  wwright@waynewright.com  waynewright.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Areas of Practice: Plaintiff Personal Injury

Mr. Wright received his law degree from the University of Northern Illinois College of Law, with the honors of Magna Cum Laude, First in Class. Mr. Wright is licensed to practice law in nine states, including Texas; a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked as a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers; and has been listed as a Best Attorney in San Antonio by Scene In SA since 2009.

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Wyatt Wright

2026 Best SA Lawyer 2025 Top Personal Injury Lawyer WAYNE WRIGHT, LLP  (210) 888-8888  (210) 734-9965  wyatt@waynewright.com  waynewright.com

Areas of Practice: Plaintiff Personal Injury Wyatt Wright handles complex trucking accident cases resulting in serious injury or death, as well as dangerous product and drug cases. Mr. Wright is licensed to practice law in 15 states, including Texas; is a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; is ranked as a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers; and has been listed as a Best Attorney in San Antonio by Scene In SA Magazine since 2009.

Paula Wyatt

2026 Outstanding Women in Law 2026 Best SA Lawyer WYATT LAW FIRM  (210) 340-5550  (210) 340-5581  pwyatt@wyattlawfirm.com  wyattlawfirm.com

Areas of Practice: Plaintiff Personal Injury

Paula knows the profound human impact of personal injuries or death. As such, she takes the time to not just get to know her clients, but to understand them. Paula represents individuals and families who have suffered losses from trucking accidents, carbon monoxide exposure, and oilﬁeld and industrial accidents, just to name a few. Rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, Paula has been recognized by multiple organizations, including Super Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

| SUMMER 2026

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Noche del Sol By Leslie Foley The Dela Ritas, named after founder Dela White

Giselle Conlin and Victoria Castillo

unshine Cottage hosted its sixth annual fundraiser alongside presenting sponsor, Circle Bar Foundation, to raise funds to empower children to be confident communicators.

Richard Dullnig and Tammy Dullnig

Bryan Pape, Kerry Pape, Lauren Pape, Kevin Pape, Kristina Kellogg, and John Kellogg

Guests dressed in Fiesta finery, sipped Dela Ritas — named after founder Dela White — and placed bids at the auction table, played heads or tails, and enjoyed a catered Mexican dinner by Absolutely Delicious Catering. The Fiesta-themed event offered colorful piñatas for sale on each table, live music by young mariachi performers and singers, vibrant draped serapes at the popular tequila toss, festive tablecloths in every hue, and cascarónes left on guests’ cars announcing next year’s save-the-date. ■ Grace and Matthew White

Tom and Lisa Sahin

Tammy Monts, Adrian Rodriguez, Executive Director Miriam Elizondo, Briana Mora, Gabi Ibarra, Trinity Carvajal, Hanah Beveridge, and Olivia P.

Board chair Stephen Cavender and Daniel Magallanez

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Lindsay Dimich, Lora Gaytan, Kyra Jones, and Sue Vasquez

SUMMER 2026 |

LIVE FROM LIVE FROM SPURS HQ SPURS HQ 38

| SUMMER 2026

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here to begin? I was tasked with writing about the Spurs’ playoff hopes way back in April without any clue where this run would take our team, the city, and the fans. We were merely approaching the first round when I first began gathering my thoughts on the feeling and air around San Antonio on our first trip back to the NBA Playoffs since 2019. While I sit here today with the knowledge of how this postseason ultimately shaped up for our beloved Silver & Black, let’s start from the beginning. I suppose an introduction is in order: Who am I, and what makes my opinion on this team either of any importance or validity? My name is Aaron Peña, a 38-year-old native San Antonian, entrepreneur, and when called upon, reformed journalist. For those of you familiar with my current line of work as proprietor of Gimme Gimme and Amor Eterno, you may be surprised to learn that I, your humble narrator, was once studying journalism before I dropped out to change the world, one drink at a time. Over the last decade-plus, I’ve made a living opening and operating some notable watering holes in this city, and you can still find me slinging a beer or two inside of these establishments in the present day, or just watching a Spurs game there among fellow fans. My upbringing on the Southside was fostered by the joy surrounding this team and indoctrinated me to many of the traditions that I would later come to hold near and dear about my hometown. Playing hoops was life growing up, and life was good. As a kid, I was raised in the glory days of basketball; the larger-thanlife figures of the late 90s like Jordan, Barkley, Shaq, Penny, and David Robinson were my idols. When I wasn’t actively playing the sport, my days were spent watching any NBA game I could get on my TV, often in my room alone as I tried to emulate Shawn Kemp dunks on the Nerf hoop hanging above my closet during the commercial breaks. Ironically, my earliest Spurs memory is from the 1999 Championship where we faced off against the Knicks for our very first ring, but what I remember most isn’t the Admiral raising his arms in victory, or Avery Johnson’s game winner—it's a small vinyl decal my parents proudly displayed on the screen door of my childhood home that read Party Like It’s 1999. Every day when I returned home from playing basketball in the park or playing video games at my best friend and neighbor’s house, the decal served as a constant reminder that the era of being a championship city was ours to claim now and forever. Every summer of my young life presented an opportunity to taste this glory again and again. As I entered my teenage years after the ’99 championship, my rabid Spurs fandom was full strength on the backs

of Tim Duncan and the Admiral inching ever-closer to retirement. It was not long before a young Argentinian player with long, shaggy hair would enter my worldview and forever alter how I saw basketball. The “Big Three” – comprised of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Emmanuel “Manu” Ginóbili – defined the era of San Antonio basketball that dominated my core memories, evoking feelings of childlike wonder so fond in recollection that I recently remarked that if I had to choose between being a Disney Land kid or running through downtown streets hugging strangers and honking down Military Drive after a Spurs championship, I would have gladly chosen the hand I was dealt in every lifetime. The new millenium was the part of my childhood that felt like magic—almost indescribable to translate in ways an outsider could understand. Every year as spring bloomed, April was there to greet us with the color, sounds, and luring smells of Market Square during Fiesta, topped off by an imminent certainty that our home team would, indeed, be making yet another deep playoff run. Beyond back-to-back playoff appearances, the Spurs of the 2000s delivered the fruit of their labor in the form of three more Larry O’Brien trophies. In 2003, 2005, and 2007, I learned how to celebrate like a San Antonian. Traditions were formed, car horns were blared until they gave out, I learned how to navigate my downtown during the madness of celebration: it felt like this would last forever. In 2013, I was taught a lesson that I was eventually able to thank Coach Pop for in person: how to lose with dignity and class, as we had conducted ourselves in victory. The infamous corner three by Ray Allen sunk a hole in my heart, and I knew the Game 7 to follow would serve the final death blow. I saw a frustrated Tim Duncan slap the court in a rare showcase of emotion – and for that offseason, we would retreat, lick our wounds, and continue to look ahead. The following year taught us redemption, perseverance, and the immense will to reclaim what was left behind in the previous season: the coveted Larry O’Brien we still chase today. I remember exactly where I was when I knew that we would be taking that trophy back home for a fifth time in 2014. Broadcast commentator Mike Breen called it an “avalanche” as our Spurs unleashed three-pointer after three-pointer to bolster our lead out of Miami’s reach. I ran straight out of the door from the house party at my late friend (and Spursdiehard) Brandon Sherhouse’s place on Barrera Street, all the way up South Alamo. Running downtown, feeling all those emotions that I felt as a kid as a then-26-year-old young man was something I had been chasing all those years.

By Aaron Peña

Photography by Christopher Perez / TXTroubleMaker Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sceneinsa | Follow us on Instagram @sceneinsamag

SUMMER 2026 |

After the last of the Big Three bowed out in 2018, the Spurs’ 22-year playoffs streak was broken after 2019. Then, COVID severely disrupted the world and NBA in 2020. But it is always darkest before dawn. The difficult years are part of the story being written and Pop still had a pen. Long before the 2023 draft, the internet was privy to a young 7’4” phenom from France gaining virality for doing a onehanded putback dunk off his own missed three-pointer. The odds of Victor “Wemby” Wembanyama ending up in San Antonio were still very farfetched in my mind, but as fate would have it, the day came. Like all the other memories I’m blessed to have acquired in my life collecting Spurs lore, I will never forget where I was. I was on a rooftop off Congress in Austin, Texas. I had been hired by a mezcal brand to play records for a classy rooftop soirée on a particularly sweltering May evening. Somewhere in between the four-hour gig and the free Mezcal cocktails, I lost track of the date and time. The 2023 NBA Draft Lottery was underway as I meticulously placed my styluses on top of vinyl records, completely unaware of the approaching hour. I looked down to my illuminated phone on the table holding my LPs as it rang, displaying a saved contact picture of myself as a baby held by my mother while I stood on her lap with a dumbfounded expression in a pair of overalls. Anytime the phone says “Mama” with the red heart emoji, you’d better answer... even from a rooftop in Austin. “WE GOT HIM, WE GOT HIM!” she exclaimed. I dropped my phone jumping in excitement and stopped the music, screaming to everyone that the Spurs had gotten the number one pick. Nobody attending the event seemed to care, but I knew right then and there that the future was now. For the first time in my life, I shelled out for season tickets. 40

| SUMMER 2026

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Victor’s rookie campaign in 2023–24 was impressive from a statistical standpoint, as well as visually from the sheer awe of watching him play in person. But as we all can admit, and I’m sure he would agree, it was a disappointing first season in wins. At about five grand for a half-season bundle, I witnessed only two wins. (Vic, if you’re reading this and want to reimburse me, let me know.) We finished the season 22-60, and looked ahead to year two from Victor and these developing Spurs. The sophomore year saw flashes of improvements, but was ultimately met with a daunting diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis for our emerging star—sidelining Victor for the 2024–25 season and leaving his entire future potentially hanging in the balance. In a separately devastating blow to the team and morale, our head coach and beloved leader suffered a stroke in early November 2024, leaving his condition and timetable for return uncertain for the remainder of the season. We finished the year 34-48, seemingly spending most of the year in limbo trying to compensate for absence and uncertainty surrounding Victor and Coach Pop. There was a silver lining to this particular season, though. The moment I realized we were, as the kids say, “so back” were the Paris games in January 2025, which aired locally around 11am. I tried to garner interest in watch parties at my Southtown establishment, Gimme Gimme, and decided to open early that day for the first game. My approach was the same as famously throwing “Spurs parties” at my parents’ house in my youth. I bought a bunch of pizzas, stocked the bar, promoted it online on the forum previously known as Twitter, and opened the doors unsure of how much of a crowd I could expect. The first game, around 30 or 40 people showed up. For the second game a couple days later, there were a few more. It was a realization for me that not only did people want to see Vic and these young Spurs play, we were all emotionally invested again. After years, we wanted to see them win, especially following Coach’s health scare – which we later learned was more serious than the mild

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stroke initially reported. It would end up being the reason he would later announce he was stepping away from coaching and transitioning to his new title, “El Jefe.” Coach Pop had long been the even-keel, stoic presence on the sidelines my entire life, representing winning culture and embodying the excellence I associate with my city and our team. If I appear brief on this subject, it’s because I could speak all day on his legacy and what he means to us and the sport at large—and it still wouldn’t be enough. Something also tells me Coach would appreciate the fact that I’m keeping his portion concise, because he always felt the players and his staff were of the utmost importance. In October 2025, we entered our first full season without him at the helm, and frankly, I was not concerned with his choice for his successor. Coach Pop said Mitch Johnson was the man for the job and his word is law in my book. I remember an early season game this year where Coach Mitch barked at his bench about “embracing the mundane” and emphasizing stops and defense. It was so Coach Pop-esque: I immediately knew that our trajectory was going to surprise a lot of people this season. Truthfully, I still watch that clip for a quick hit of motivation (and it always succeeds in making me feel capable of running through a brick wall). The start of our 2025–26 campaign felt different, but familiar. Watching Victor do the jaw-dropping double pump under-the-rim dunk and hitting a four-point play and a “cooking” motion in the first game of the season against the Mavs, I firmly believed we finally arrived, again. Let’s be honest, no one likes to lose, it is much easier to sell a product when it is good, and I won’t hold anyone who didn’t stick around and support these Spurs during the down years—although I may still call you about a bandwagon fan from time to time. Victor finished that game with 40 points and a bunch of other equally incredible stats, but most importantly in my eyes – as I looked around a packed bar of cheering people – he captivated fans and refueled the fire.

SUMMER 2026 |

The season went on, and somewhere around the All Star break, I think we all started to look around and realize that we were headed back to the playoffs, right back where we’ve always belonged. We’d finish this campaign at a shocking 62-20, in second place in the Western Conference – much to the dismay of the media and other teams who, before the season even began, had us marked as nothing more than a Play-In Tournament team, or a sixth or seventh seed at best. This would not be the case—not for this team, not for these young Spurs. With Fiesta in the air in April, we watched in anticipation during the Play-In Tournament games until our first-round opponent was revealed: the Portland Trail Blazers. Round one of the NBA Playoffs wasn’t without its share of difficulties. In Game 2, we watched our French star’s head bounce off the court in what appeared to be a routine under the basket play – unable to brace himself for impact.

I have no interest in fully recapping each game or series because we all watched them already. This article is about a sport, a team, and its players, but more importantly, I believe it is about the feeling in this city that I feel silly even saying had been “starved” for a playoff berth, or “has been waiting for a championship” because, in reality, it had only been seven years since our last postseason appearance, and a mere twelve years since we raised our last championship banner.

BUT DAMMIT, THE PEOPLE WANTED TO HONK! AND HONK WE DID. Photograph| by Nick Blevins 42 SUMMER 2026

This was the only playoff game I was able to attend: I felt the collective audible gasp of an entire city who just thought to themselves if this was where our first attempt at a championship run would end. We would be without Victor’s services for the third game of the series while he cleared concussion protocol, but still wrapped it up in five. With that, the Spurs had officially made it farther than they did the last time during the summer of 2019.

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SUMMER 2026 |

The first Playoff win erupted the city into a familiar frenzy. With the sweet sounds of horns filling the downtown air, both Commerce and Military alike were packed with cars waving prideful Spurs flags and hoisting oversized, plastic aliens into the air in a new homage to the moniker of our new face of the franchise. Now, I’m not going to die on this hill, or be the middle-aged guy to say “back in my day,” but it is worth noting that, historically, honking had been reserved ONLY for close-out games and championship celebrations in years prior. However, for this particular run, I think we all made an exception. We are living through catastrophically divisive times, and you have to get your kicks in whenever you can.

| SUMMER 2026

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Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, himself, was spotted honking among the people downtown after the Spurs closed out the first series. The next two rounds saw matchups against increasingly tougher opponents, former MVPs, and full-blown superstars. With each win, the city seemed to grow closer, united by that old feeling of knowing that the dream of being capital-C champions was, once again, within reach.

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SUMMER 2026 |

| SUMMER 2026

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Advancing to the NBA Finals seemed overly momentous as is. The emotions surrounding what this moment meant for our young team cautioned me to not celebrate too early, because the job was far from done. We know how this season ended. We tragically came up short, and after some mourning and debriefing to myself and amongst my diehard fans and colleagues, all was pretty quickly forgotten because nobody, including me, thought that this was even possible for a team full of players under 25! This is one chapter of a greater legacy, and besides, to be legendary requires being sharpened by adversity. So, I’m not going to dwell on it (and neither should you). Instead, I’ll tell you the lessons I took away from it. I spent the entire year hyping up watch parties for Spurs during the regular season and promoting the bar as “Spurs HQ,” the finest place to watch basketball in the city. My favorite place to watch the NBA Playoffs and Finals was behind my DJ booth at Gimme Gimme, watching fans in a standing room-only bar react to our wins and losses. (It’s my favorite spot because I can most effectively hide and no one asks me to work.) I must’ve called it Spurs HQ enough, because soon, it was appearing on other people’s posts about the bar and fans were pouring in for the games. I was so proud that the city was back to this moment. San Antonio rallied behind its team again, and the future felt brighter than ever for what is one of the most economically segregated cities in the nation. When the Spurs win, the city wins. This years’ historic championship run had a dramatically positive impact on the local economy and small businesses – from hotels, bars, and restaurants to artists, vendors, and anyone else who got to be part of it. The hospitality industry, which has historically seen a slump in summer sales, experienced a surge instead. The timing is a bit serendipitous as it comes on the heels of a contentious vote on Project Marvel in November last year concerning public funding for the proposed district of the team’s future downtown arena. I think regardless of what side of the argument you fall on in this debate, this year reminded us all that the Spurs are the glue that binds this city together. They form the cultural fabric of San Antonio – providing us, young and old, with cherished memories to last a lifetime. For another year of my life, I was lucky to feel that same thrill of being a kid again, and the best part? We get to do it all over again next year, and

POR VIDa... ■

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SUMMER 2026 |

2026

Outstanding Women in

Medicine

Scene In SA is proud to honor women physicians serving San Antonio and surrounding areas as nominated by their peers across various specialties in our 6th annual Outstanding Women in Medicine survey. Listings are alphabetical by last name according to practice area.

ABDOMINAL

CRITICAL CARE

Alicia Logue, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Erika Brigmon, MD

Megan Parmer, MD

Holly Keyt, MD

BARIATRIC

Stephanie Levine, MD

Monica Anz-Cavazos, MD Sage Bariatric Institute

Elizabeth Scherer, MD, MPH, FACS

Haley Daigle, MD

UT Health Science Center

Meilinh Thi, MD

CARDIOLOGY

Maria Valencia-Velez, MD

UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Sntonio

UT Health San Antonio Trauma & Emergency UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Marie Han, MD

Dermatology San Antonio

Megan Harris, MD

Dermatology Specialist of SA

Brittany Lenz, MD

Dermatology San Antonio

Karis McCarroll, MD Dermatology San Antonio

Allison M. R. Metzinger, MD Sonterra Dermatology PLLC

Aubrey Montebello, MD Dermatology San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Terri J. Nutt-Taylor, MD

UT Health San Antonio

DERMATOLOGY

Mobolaji M. Opeola, MD

Mahi Ashwath, MD UT Health San Antonio

Emily M. Becker, MD, F.A.A.D., F.A.A.P

Sravani Avula, MD Baptist Health Systems

Kate Edwards, MD

Yissela Escobedo, MD

Methodist Health Care System

Jesse Fike, MD

COLORECTAL

Michelle Fricke, MD, FAAD

Ginnie Abarbanell, MD

Jaclyn Hopper, MD UT Health San Antonio

Alicia Logue, MD, FACS, FASCRS UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Dermatology San Antonio UT Health San Antonio Alamo Heights Dermatology

Emily Fridlington, MD

Alamo Heights Dermatology

Annabelle L. Garcia, MD Sonterra Dermatology PLLC

The Skin MD and Dermatology Clinic Westover Hills Dermatology

Ana T. Sauceda, MD Alamo City Dermatology

Catherine M. Tisdall, MD Dermatology San Antonio

ENDOCRINOLOGY Jane Lynch, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Carisse M. Orsi, MD UT Health San Antonio

Lauren Pankratz, MD

Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic, PA

Disclaimer: The information presented in Outstanding Women in Medicine is not healthcare advice, nor is it a physician or healthcare referral service. Scene In SA is an independent magazine published by Scene Monthly, LLC and has developed its own methodology for selecting practitioners for its lists. All practitioners featured were selected by their peers in a survey conducted by Scene In SA. Paid advertising has no bearing on the determination of the list. Scene In SA strives to maintain a high degree of accuracy in collecting and providing the information presented herein, but makes no claim, promise, or guarantee regarding its accuracy, completeness, or adequacy. Outstanding Women in Medicine is a trademark used by Scene In SA and Scene Monthly, LLC, not a title or moniker conferred upon individual practitioners. The selection of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on the information provided in this publication. No representation is made that the quality of services provided or performed by the practitioners listed will be better than that of other licensed practitioners, and past results do not guarantee future success. Scene In SA and Scene Monthly, LLC are not afﬁliated with any federal, state, administrative, or regulatory bodies or examining, licensing, and/or certifying entities (such as the Texas Medical Board or American Board of Medical Specialities). These listings are merely descriptive of a practice area and do not certify or designate a lawyer to be a specialist. Scene In SA does not endorse or otherwise recommend persons who may appear on this list.

| SUMMER 2026

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SUMMER 2026 |

2026

Outstanding Women in Medicine

Megan Parmer, MD

Alexandra Wynn, MD

Karen Hasty, MD

Michelle Cecchini, MD, FAANS

Carolina Solis-Herrera, MD, DABOM, DMDNO

Elliana Kae Yap, MD

Erin Keyser, MD

Joyce Yuen, DO

Anneliese Kistler, MD

NEUROSURGERY — MINIMALLY INVASIVE

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Nicole Mastro, MD

Prabhleen Chahal, MD UT Health San Antonio

Heather Ottmers Caddell, MD

Sajneet K. Khangura, MD

Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio

Sarah Page-Ramsey, MD

Elissa Lin, MD

Sheena Rippentrop, MD

UT Health San Sntonio

UT Health San Antonio

Ann Marie Straight, MD

South Texas Pediatric Endocrinology

Aruna Venkatesh, MD

University Medicine Associates - Texas Diabetes Institute Adult Endocrinology Clinic

FAMILY MEDICINE Claudia Aguero, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Mary Faith Casiwa, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Analicia De Los Santos, MD University Helath North

Jasmine Garcha, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

Dinah George, MD

University Health- Dominion Crossing

Andrine Grant, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Priya Indira, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Vadean L. Jackson, MD WellMed Medical Group

Monika Kapur, MD

University Health at Inwood

Marie Mae Martinez, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Tamre McClelland, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Priti Mody-Bailey, MD

University Medicine Associates - University Family Health Center - North

Thanhvi D. Nguyen, DO

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Marianne Padolina, MD University Health Sysytem

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors University Health Systems UT Health San Antonio

Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio

Zarema Singson, MD

Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio

Allison Sirakos, MD

Gastroenterology Clinic of San Antonio

GENERAL MEDICINE Monica Anz-Cavazos, MD Sage Bariatric Institute

Alison Barron, MD Texas Oncology

Haley Daigle, MD

UT Health Science Center

Brittany B. DeBerry, MD, FACS The START Center For Cancer Care

Maryam Elmi, MD, MSc, FRCSC The START Center For Cancer Care

Andrea Garcia, MD

South Texas Surgical Group ( Affiliated with Baptist Health System )

Ashley McGinity, MD UT Health San Antonio

Subhashini Valavalkar, MD

Four Seasons OB/GYN Brooke Army Medical Center Seven Oaks Women’s Center Seven Oaks OBGYN

Northeast OB/GYN Associates, PLLC UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

Tiffany Satterfield, DO Seven Oaks Women’s Center

Ora l. Schwope, MD

Lone Star OB/GYN Associates

Ivette Suber, MD

Lone Star OB/GYN Associates

GYNECOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY Caela Miller, MD

UT Health San Antonio

GYNECOLOGICAL SURGERY Troy Robbin Hailparn, MD, FACOG

Cosmetic Gynecology Center of San Antonio

INTERNAL MEDICINE

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Holly Keyt, MD

San Antonio Medical Associates UT Health San Antonio

Health Texas Medical Group

GERIATRIC

Michelle Carol Scanlan, MD

Stacey Saunders, MD

Denise Dahm, MD

Mae Sepulveda, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Ashley Sommerhalder, MD Cibolo Family Medicine

Iveth Soza, DO

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Sherida Suarez Dinzey, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

April Hain Trevino, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Archana Varma, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Mayralis De Jesus, MD

| SUMMER 2026

NEPHROLOGY Lisa Cabrera, MD Azura Vascular Care

ONCOLOGY Melissa Crawley, MD Texas Oncology

ONCOLOGICAL BREAST SURGERY Rachel Kaczynski, MD Texas Oncology

OPHTHALMOLOGY Mamta Agarwal, MD University Health System

Lisa Marten, MD, MPH South Texas Eye Institute

Martha Schatz, MD

UT Health San Antonio / I Care Affilate

Maria T. Whitney, MD Shavano Eye Center

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors Pasteur Medical Associates

NEONATAL

Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center

Kristin S. Held, MD, OPH

Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center

Jana N. Waters, MD

Stone Oak Ophthalmology Cente

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY & SPORTS MEDICINE Alaina Brelin, MD Tru Ortho

University Medical Associates

Cynthia L. Blanco, MD

Jamie L. Lynch, MD

GYNECOLOGICAL & OBSTETRIC

Amy Quinn, MD

Liliana Ogden, MD

Ursula Balthazar, MD

NEUROLOGY

Julia Pring, MD

Okeanis Vaou, MD UT Health San Antonio

Lindsay Stevens, DO

NEUROSURGERY

ORTHOPEDIC

Joanna Gernssback, MD

Alaina Brelin, MD

Aspire Fertility

Susan Ann Crockett, MD Virtuosa GYN

Michelle Cerny-Leecock, MD Lone Star OB/GYN Associates

Elizabeth De La Garza, MD Seven Oaks Women’s Center

Baylor College of Medicine SA

OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SURGERY

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Dina Goytia-Leos, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Melissa Svoboda, MD

Kristi Clark, MD

Lenibet M. Montemayor, MD

Health Texas Medical Group

UT Health Science Center

Allison P. Young, MD

Health Texas Primary Care Doctors

Zam Dental

Vanessa Sanchez, MD

Haley Daigle, MD

Ana Maria Calderon, MD

Christus Children’s Hospital

Melody Zamora, DMD

Texas Neuro Spine

UT Health San Antonio UT Health San Antonio

UT Health San Antonio

Tru Ortho

Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio

Tru Ortho

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•; TRUORTH0 Scene In SA

Congratulations for being voted as

Outstanding Women in Medicine

Outstanding

Women In Medicine

San Antonio's Most Trusted Orthopaedic Specialists At TruOrtho, we are committed to providing the highest quality of orthopaedic care. Our team of experienced specialists are dedicated to helping our patients achieve the best Jamie l.'/nch, MO

possible outcomes by providing personalized concierge-level treatment and advanced medical technology. Whether you're dealing

Dr. Alaina Brelin

with a hip, shoulder, elbow, or knee issue, we

Dr. Jamie Lynch

Dr.Amanda Marshall Rodriguez

are here to get you back to your active lifestyle as soon as possible.

At TruOrtho, we are the first and only multi specialty, all-woman fellowship trained orthopaedic surgery

Our Services

practice in the nation. Founded in 2018 by Dr. Amanda MarshallRodriguez, the practice has quickly

• SHOULDER • ELBOW

grown to include the expertise of Dr. Alaina Brelin and

• SPORTS MEDICINE

Dr. Jamie Lynch. Our focus is on Minimally Invasive

• HIP

Hip and Knee Replacement, Shoulder and Sport

• FRACTURE CARE

Injuries, and Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine.

• KNEE

We strive to provide top-quality care and to help our

• ORTHO BIOLOGICS

patients lead healthier, more active lives.

Hardy Oak Medical Building

18626 Hardy Oak Blvd, Suite 101 I San Antonio, TX 78258

(210) 878-4116 I tru-ortho.com

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SUMMER 2026 |

2026

Outstanding Women in Medicine

Tina Creekmore, MD

Methodist Healthcare Pediatric Orthopedics

Amanda Marshall-Rodriguez, MD TruOrtho

OTOLARYNGOLOGICAL Jennifer L. Bergeron, MD Ear Institute of Texas

PAIN MANAGEMENT & INTERVENTIONAL Ellen Wantin Lin, MD

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION

Sheena Rippentrop, MD

Audrie Chavez, MD

TRANSPLANT

UT Health San Antonio Dept. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Madeline Flores, MD

UT Health San Antonio - Mays Cancer Center

Monica Gutierrez, MD UT Health San Antonio

Susan Kim, MD

South Texas VA Hospital Dept. of PM&R

Advanced Spine & Pain Center

Anjali Sivaramachrishna, MD

PEDIATRIC

Christine Vidouria, DO

Ginnie Abarbanell, MD UT Health San Antonio

Sarah Alpini, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

Shannon Austin, MD

Southwest Children's Center

Tina Boylston, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

Heather Gardner, DO UT Health San Antonio

Joanna Gernssback, MD UT Health San Antonio

Andrea Grant-Vermont, MD

University Medicine Associates - Medical Center Pavilion Express Med

Rachel Aubrey Gravel, MD, FAAP ABCD Pediatrics, PA

Kimberly Henrichs, MD Southwest Children’s Center

Aleli Masajo, MD Firefly Pediatrics

Shelly McNair, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

Maria Victoria Rodriguez Munoz, MD Centro Med

UT Health San Antonio

Kelsey Sherburne, MD UT Health San Antonio

Liz Vazquez Smith, MD Southwest Children’s Center

Krista Vizuete, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

Elizabeth Yust, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

PEDIATRIC SURGERY Katie Wiggins, MD UHS Pediatric Surgery

| SUMMER 2026

UT Health San Antonio

Stephanie Levine, MD UT Health San Antonio

Elizabeth Thomas, DO UT Health San Antonio

Maria Valencia-Velez, MD UT Health San Antonio

Erika Brigmon, MD

Oriana Haran, MD

UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

PODIATRY Divya Asti, MD

The START Center For Cancer Care

Carissia Calvo-Strube, MD, FACS UT Health San Antonio, Zeller Building

Brittany B. DeBerry, MD, FACS The START Center For Cancer Care

UT Health San Antonio Trauma & Emergency

Elizabeth Scherer, MD, MPH, FACS UT Health San Antonio

UROLOGY Patricia J. Cecconi, MD Urology San Antonio, PA

WOUND CARE Manjulatha Badam, MD

Vayu Advanced Wound Care Clinic & Hyperbarics

Caroline Gaynor-Elko, MD San Antonio Foot and Ankle

PSYCHIATRY Melissa Deuter, MD

Sigma Mental Health Urgent Care

Michelle Mercado, MD CHCS

Amy Mulroy, MD Amy Mulroy, MD

Amalia Ochoa, MD SIGMA

Shelia Habib, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

Holly Keyt, MD

PLASTIC & COSMETIC SURGERY

Stephanie Reeves, DO Kara Lin Root, DO

UT Health San Antonio

TRAUMA

PULMONOLGY & PULMONARY DISEASE

UT Health San Antonio

Danielle Fritze, MD

Physcial Medicine and Pain Associates

Tiffany Ponzio, MD

Southwest Children’s Center

UT Health San Antonio

Holly Keyt, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Stephanie Levine, MD UT Health San Antonio

Meilinh Thi, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Maria Valencia-Velez, MD UT Health San Antonio

REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY & INFERTILITY Ursula Balthazar, MD Aspire Fertility

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Featured

Doctors Marque Allen, DPM

Jamie Lynch, MD

2026 Scene In SA Top Surgeon 2026 Best SA Doctor SPORTS MEDICINE ASSOCIATES OF SAN ANTONIO  (210) 699-8326  (210) 561-7121  allenmarque@gmail.com

2026 Outstanding Women in Medicine TRU ORTHO  (210) 878-4116  (210) 878-4113  jamie.lynch.ortho@gmail.com  tru-ortho.com

Specialties: Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgery

Specialties: Foot and Ankle Surgery

Dr. Marque Allen is fellowship-trained and double Board Certiﬁed in both Foot & Ankle Surgery. He has over 20 years experience in practice in San Antonio, TX and is one of the four founding partners of Sports Medicine Associates. Dr. Allen and his partners have been team physicians for the San Antonio Spurs for over 20 years. Dr. Allen is also an expert in the cutting-edge bunion procedure, 3D Lapiplasty, which has revolutionized the successful treatment of bunions. He is one of the top 20 surgeons in the US in the number of successful Lapiplasty procedures performed. Dr. Allen believes that every patient is an athlete because life is a competitive sport.

Dr. Jamie Lynch is a board certiﬁed, sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with a focus in shoulder and knee pathology. She has over a decade of experience in treating orthopaedic disorders and sports injuries of the upper and lower extremities, all shoulder injuries, knee ligament ruptures, meniscus tears and various fractures. She additionally employs the use of orthobiologics to help support healing and reduce pain.

Troy Robbin Hailparn, MD, FACOG, FAACS

Amanda Marshall-Rodriguez, MD

2026 Outstanding Women in Medicine 2026 Best SA Doctor COSMETIC GYNECOLOGY CENTER OF SAN ANTONIO  (210) 615-6646  info@cosmeticgyn.net  cosmeticgyn.net

2026 Outstanding Women in Medicine TRU ORTHO  (210) 878-4116  (210) 878-4113  Ldiaz@truortho.us  tru-ortho.com Specialties: Orthopaedics

Specialties: Cosmetic & Reconstructive Gynecologic Surgery San Antonio's only board-certiﬁed OB-GYN dedicated exclusively to cosmetic gynecology — with 9,000+ procedures and six consecutive peer-voted Top Surgeon awards. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists chose Dr. Hailparn as the sole author of their ﬁrst-ever labiaplasty e-module. Services include vaginal rejuvenation, labiaplasty, incontinence treatment, hormone therapy, skin tightening, and medically supervised weight loss. Two-hour consultations. No judgment. "She is truly the best." — Recent patient

Dr. Amanda Marshall-Rodriguez is a fellowship-trained joint reconstruction specialist and founder of TruOrtho in San Antonio. Her medical training began at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston where she graduated with a Ross C. Sterling Award granted to the top graduate selected by the academic faculty. After extensive training in minimally invasive hip and knee replacement and complex revision joint reconstruction at Rush University’s world renowned joint fellowship, Dr. Marshall-Rodriguez returned to her home state of Texas. After serving 8 years as faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, she established TruOrtho’s concierge minimally invasive joint practice.

Ellen Lin, MD

Alaina Brelin, MD

2026 Outstanding Women in Medicine 2026 Best SA Doctor ADVANCED SPINE & PAIN CENTER  (210) 690-0777  (210) 545-3671  paindoctorellen@gmail.com

2026 Outstanding Women in Medicine TRUORTHO  (210) 878-4116  (210) 878-4113  tru-ortho.com Specialties: Orthopaedics

Specialties: Pain Management

Dr. Ellen Lin is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio. She is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a subspecialty certification in Pain Medicine, and is the founder of Advanced Spine and Pain Center in San Antonio, Texas. She was the first person in the history of the program to graduate from the Department of Anesthesiology Pain Management Fellowship with a background in PM&R. Dr. Lin is now a part of the team at Advanced Spine and Pain Center as the board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional pain management specialist, and enjoys serving the San Antonio area providing the latest in medical treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Dr. Lin has been recognized by her peers for the past 17 years as a Top Doctor in San Antonio.

Dr. Alaina Brelin is a board-certiﬁed orthopedic surgeon at TruOrtho specializing in minimally-invasive hip and knee replacement surgery. Fellowship-trained in adult reconstruction, she completed her residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and served as an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Army, including deployment to Afghanistan. Known for her precision, compassion, and patient-centered approach, Dr. Brelin is dedicated to helping patients restore mobility, reduce pain, and return to active, healthy lifestyles through advanced orthopedic care.

PA I D A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

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SUMMER 2026 |

Living &

GIVING

UNIVERSITY HEALTH DOCTORS PERFORM NATION'S FIRST SEVEN-PAIR LIVING DONOR LIVER TRANSPLANT

by Nick Blevins Photography by Bethany Castro and Nick Blevins 54

| SUMMER 2026

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n April 2026, Dr. Tarunjeet Klair, surgical director of University Health System’s Living Donor Liver Transplant program and his team became responsible for successfully completing the largest living donor liver transplant chain to date in the country, granting seven recipients a renewed lease on life, and seven donors the opportunity to enact one of the most profoundly empathetic gestures of altruism a human can perform. Scene In SA spoke with the good doctor to understand some of the intricacies behind this monumental achievement, as well as Dr. Klair’s experiences and thoughts on the field today. This interview has been edited for clarity.

First, what is a living donor liver transplant? In a living donor liver transplant, we remove either the right lobe of the liver or the left lobe of the liver. We can also donate a smaller part of the liver called the left lateral segment if the recipient is a baby. In our program here at University Health, we have a living donor liver transplant program for all age groups, starting from infancy to adulthood. We have the whole range of living donor transplants available. Now, if it is an adult donating to an adult — which is the most common variant — we can remove as much as 70% of the liver, as long as the liver is healthy enough. That's why we have a slew of testing that is performed. As long as the liver is healthy enough, the liver cells, called hepatocytes, start the regeneration process about 24 hours after the surgery. The process is so rapid that one cell becomes two, two becomes four; it's a process called hyperplasia of the liver. The remaining liver that's left behind in the donor would double its size in about two to three weeks after donation. The process of regeneration is the most rapid in the first couple of weeks. In fact, the liver function in the donor returns back to its baseline about 14 days after the donation process. That is the scientific basis of doing living donor transplantation. If the liver did not regenerate, we would not be able to do living donor liver transplantation. Usually by about six to twelve months after the donation process, the liver has reached at least 80% of its original size, if not larger. As long as the donor's liver is healthy, they will always achieve this. This is an operation that's been around for more than 30 years. 1000s of living donor liver transplants have been worldwide in multiple different countries, and now we have data from 1000s of cases re-demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the procedure.

So, is there an infinite supply of livers? First of all, not every liver transplant center in the country can perform a living donor transplant. It is something a minority of centers have the ability of performing. The surgical skill set, the infrastructure, the support services, and the logistics that are needed to perform living donor liver transplantation are quite separate from that of a deceased donor liver transplant center. We have a system in place where the donors can apply through an online portal. Our team reviews their applications, then we bring them in for a thorough evaluation. If everything is found suitable by the committee, then we move forward and perform the transplant. This is a very coordinated process, and a very expedited process, so that no time is wasted. We have dedicated people working on this, which leads us to being one of the largest volume living donor programs in the country, with one of the best outcomes.

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Congratulations on your team’s incredible achievement: the seven-pair living donor liver transplant. What we did was a seven-way liver pair exchange. Paired exchanges are basically modalities where incompatible donors are able to still get their recipients transplanted by switching with another pair. Typically, those occur in a "two-by-two" format, which means two donors, two recipients. That's the most straightforward way of doing a paired exchange. Say there are seven different pairs out there, and they cannot directly donate; the donors cannot donate to the recipients. In this particular circumstance, we were able to arrange a sequence of events where all seven of those donors were able to move forward with donation, not directly to the recipients, but through a chain — through a paired exchange — and those seven recipients who would have otherwise not received a transplant were able to get a lifesaving transplant. Our center did the first liver paired exchange in the United States in 2019, and those were the simple two-by-two formats. Over the last few years, we have become more experienced, more sophisticated, and I've been able to do these pairs with increasing frequency — and with more pairs involved.

You're setting up this framework that efficiently maximizes donations. Who knows in the absence of a paired exchange how long they would have had to wait? Some may have never received one, and some would have had to wait on the deceased donor wait list, for years, potentially. Some people even lose their life while waiting. Doing the seven-way paired exchange significantly compressed the timeline in which [our patients] were able to receive a lifesaving transplant.

How do you encourage people to undergo liver donation surgery? [Champion for Life is] a very valuable [donor advocate] program, because as you would imagine, if somebody was a recipient who was in need of a lifesaving transplant, it would not be easy to communicate that to your loved ones, to be your donors. After all, it's asking somebody to make a huge sacrifice from their daily life. Even though living donor liver transplants have now been around for more than 30 years — it is a very well established and standardized surgery — at the end of the day, a healthy person is coming forward, undergoing a major operation; it's a huge sacrifice. That is not an easy ask for a recipient to make of somebody in their community, or even outside of their community.

SUMMER 2026 |

Dr. Klair, center, and team at work

I think this program has been hugely successful because altruistic people, people who would like to help others, exist in our communities. It's just about getting the message to them, and the Champion for Life program enables recipients of different personality types to overcome their hesitation and get the message out. That allows us to get the donors in, and we take it from there.

tools, the right team, and we have excellent outcomes for both the donors and the recipients. Unfortunately, living donor liver transplantation is not widely available in the country. If you end up going to a center where they don't have living donor transplantation, you will not be offered that modality, so there’s a bit of a geographical variation.

Do you find that there are folks out there who may be hesitant to donate simply because they don't understand how it works?

I've noticed that there is an increasing interest in living donor transplantation across multiple centers in the country. Every year we are seeing a slight increase in the national volumes. I have colleagues across the country who have shown a lot of interest, and have spoken to other centers regarding the best way to start and run a successful program.

Definitely. First of all, there is some misinformation also out there, and there is some information that is a decade old in its accuracy. Previously, the surgeries carried a bit higher risk, and they were done with the open technique, where the donors receive a relatively larger incision on their abdomen to undergo the donation. Over the last year and a half, our center has adopted the robot-assisted donor hepatectomy, where we are now able to do donation surgeries using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. This allows us to make much smaller incisions in the donor, which translates to a better recovery for the donor. Not only that, but because of our experience, the complication rate in the donors is very low. If this type of information is accurately presented, a lot more people would be interested. That's why one of our big jobs is to get the right information to the referring doctors and the community: what does this surgery look like in 2026? What are the outcomes? What is it that you're able to do? So, yes, I do think there is hesitancy, because not only are the patient population not fully informed, a lot of people in the healthcare sector also don't really know about living donor liver transplantation. If you’re a doctor and you weren’t trained in a center that did living donor transplantation, you wouldn’t really know about that; and if you don't know about it, it's hard to talk to your patients about it. That's why it’s on us as those who are in this field, to not only help the patients, but also help our colleagues catch up with the information.

Have you seen an increased interest in living donor transplants? I think it varies depending on which part of the country you are in, and which hospital you get referred to. If you were referred to our hospital in our program, we would be really encouraging living donor transplantation, because we have it available. We know we can do it well. We have the right 56

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I can imagine that with your team's recent success, you would have other health systems reaching out. Is that happening? With a system so rooted in communication, networking, and plugging disparate pieces together, do you foresee a greater reach for this specific program? I think so, and I hope so. Over the last many years, we have been starting to get a lot of inquiries from donors and recipients outside of our catchment area. We've had patients from bigger cities in Texas, and sometimes outside of our state, reach out to us because of our expertise in this surgery, and they've traveled all the way over here to get their surgeries done. I would like that to become more prominent, because I feel that we have the ability to help a greater number of people. We are working with our marketing team to spread the message about our abilities to the other bigger cities in Texas and beyond. Other centers have also reached out to us, centers in Dallas and Houston have referred patients to us for living donor transplantation, which they found too complex to do. Because of our experience, we've now performed more than 500 living donor liver transplants in this center. I think only two other centers in the country historically have performed a greater number. So, because of our experience, we do get patients referred from other centers to us. Patients try to find us online or through social media to get referred to us. But I feel that we can grow that. I feel that the word needs to get to a greater number of people, because there's still a fair number of people who are suffering because of lack of transplantation. I feel if they knew about living donor transplantation and if they knew about the current data, about the outcomes in the donors and the recipients, they would be a lot more interested in pursuing this modality. Subscribe today at www.sceneinsa.com

What is your perspective on the state of the field?

How would one initiate the process of donation?

There have been a lot of developments in the last couple of years that have advanced the field of liver transplantation, but all the modalities need to move forward — not just one — because what may work for one patient may not work for the other.

Individuals who are considering liver donation — whether it’s for a given recipient, or to somebody on the waitlist, which we call “anonymous nondirected donors” — are Good Samaritans who are helping somebody in need. Any type of donor can feel free to apply.

Some of the modalities in deceased donor liver transplantation that have carried the field forward significantly are the newer pumps that are out there. Now, we can put the livers removed from deceased donors on pumps, which have the ability of preserving the livers for a longer period of time, and sometimes, making livers that were not so good for transplant being good enough for transplant.

Once an application is submitted online, our coordinators will reach out to provide a thorough education about this procedure, so that the individual can figure out whether it's the right thing for them to do or not. It is a safe and effective procedure, but it is not a minor thing. It’s a major abdominal surgery, done with a robot-assisted technique. It has excellent outcomes, but it has to be done in a person of sound body and mind, because the health and safety of the donors is our number one priority.

We have also increased the number of liver transplants through what we call donation after cardiac death. There’s liver transplantation that is also a curative modality for certain cancers; liver cancer, for example, for which it was around for quite some time, but now with newer medications and technologies, we are able to help patients who have a much more advanced stage of the cancer. Because of newer immunotherapy modalities and local regional treatments, these people can become eligible for liver transplantation. Some patients with colon cancer, where the cancer has spread to the liver, can also be eligible for liver transplantation, and we offer that here in our center. We also offer liver transplantation for bile duct cancer. In the last couple of years, we’ve been able to help people who are challenged with very high amounts of obesity. People who were previously declined for liver transplantation because of challenges with their weight have now been able to receive a combined living donor liver transplantation with bariatric surgery. You might have heard about sleeve gastrectomy, or “sleeve surgeries”. We've now performed a pilot series of eight such surgeries, combining the sleeve gastrectomies with living donor liver transplantation. We have embarked on what we call the “metabolic optimization program” for patients with fatty liver disease or obesity, who have had challenges in obtaining liver transplants, to find a way to optimize their health to allow for liver transplantation. The field is growing in multiple different areas, whether it be in cancer, metabolic, machine profusion, donation after cardiac death, robotics. Each one of those modalities has been adopted here at University Health. We have physician champions, and others, who are championing these areas, and we are really excited because I think if we continue to embrace all these areas, we'll be able to stay competitive in helping our patients.

Now, there are donors and recipients I know in other centers across the state and the country, who might have been declined for a living donor liver transplantation. Because this modality is not so frequently available, I encourage such pairs to contact us for a second opinion. We are able to offer transplantation, even when they've been declined at another center. We can offer a second opinion purely through a virtual visit. Donors and recipients can send us their records online, and we can do the visit without having them come in person. We don't want people to just get declined and not seek a second opinion.

You're extremely busy saving lives. When I started here in 2016, we were doing five living donor liver transplants a year. Now, it's closer to 80; this year, we'll probably do 200. The program has become busier, because for every patient that we transplant, we probably receive 10 referrals. The beautiful part of this field though, is that even though we are very busy, the satisfaction at the end of the day is so huge that it makes up for all the work. The team has doubled in numbers since I joined. We have a lot of young, talented surgeons who've joined in the last four years. That is key, because this is a team sport. Even though I'm sitting in front of you talking about the program, there are other really amazing people who are working on it, day in and day out. We divide and conquer our responsibilities, and that's the way to do it. Younger surgeons are doing more work. They're learning the newer technologies. Someday, they will be taking the torch forward. I think by building the team and the infrastructure, we've been able to do more and more. We don't want our workforce to be a limitation for our patients. So, as we've seen the program grow, we are trying to grow the infrastructure to catch up with the work that we’re doing and the volumes that we’re able to maintain. ■

If you are interested in becoming a donor or would like to learn more about the Champion for Life program, visit universityhealth.com/ services/transplant-care/livingdonation/champion-for-life

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SUMMER 2026 |

Euro Tour of Texas

If you can’t get to Europe, bratwurst and scones are right here. Take a summer road trip through Texas towns honoring their European roots.

Photograph by Nick Blevins

By Berit Mason

FRANCE Castroville, TX

26 miles west of San Antonio

lsace-Lorraine is the beautiful, if troubled, northeastern region of France. Back and forth it’s been, under the sovereignty of both France and Germany. Twice, Alsace-Lorraine was owned by Germany before permanently becoming French.

Henri Castro was a French entrepreneur from Alsace who dragged along Catholic French farmers, the founders of Castroville in 1844, “Little Alsace of Texas.” The Steinbach Haus is Castroville’s prized historical possession.

This typically Alsatian home is from France. Built by the Steinbach family in Wahlbach, France in the early 1600s, it was disassembled and shipped to Texas in 1998, a transatlantic gift from European cousins. It has a free visitor’s center and museum, open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Castroville offers self-guided tours of their many original homes. Castroville is a short drive down US 90. Henri Castro would be pleased as its population is up 11% since 2020; “urbanites” seeking a small town feel.

Steinbach Haus in Castroville, TX (courtesy Pat Marince)

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SUMMER 2026 |

ENGLAND San Antonio, TX Home!

an Antonio has a Spanish name and German settlers — but the British were here, too. 1860s San Antonio had only 68 English-born citizens, but their contribution was outsized. Sheep and England are practically synonymous, and Englishman John James brought the sheep industry to Texas, the land surveyor becoming a prominent rancher and importer of Merino sheep.

Today’s Anglophiles can zoom up US Hwy 281 N to the Old English Tea Shoppe and Cafe. Dr. Robb Kelly has the total British accent as he and his staff serve afternoon tea and the typical English breakfast. “I cannot believe how many Anglophiles there are in San Antonio, and how many English people there are,” he ruminated. The tea shop hosted a Titanic-themed party, a nod to the ship’s departure from Southampton, England. “We do themed parties,” Kelly averred, “princess parties, and Harry Potter parties for children. When you come in here, you hear the real English accent!” What’s on the menu? “Fish and chips, bangers and mash, Sunday roast. We have lots of sandwiches.” In 1762, England’s Earl of Sandwich requested meat tucked between two slices of bread, creating the sandwich. Tea scones and tarts are fresh daily, and a big map of England is full of pins where local travelers have been. “Guests come ‘pre-vacation’ and we tell them the best places to go in London,” says Dr. Kelly. “People come in to get educated and to eat as well.” Afternoon tea is “low” tea with scones, finger sandwiches, and pastries. High Tea is a heavy dinner to fortify working-class families.

Smack dab in the middle of London, England

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Photograph by Nick Blevins

For the evening pub experience, visit local franchises of Lion & Rose Restaurant & Pub.

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GERMANY Comfort, TX

47 miles northwest of San Antonio

ith a population of 3,000 — and wanting to keep there — Comfort is very protective of their German roots. Local historian Anne Stewart is with the Comfort Heritage Foundation.

“The Chamber of Commerce will have self-guided tours. But we at the Comfort Heritage Foundation always want to send a person along. The last home tour we had, we had about 65 volunteers to be docents.” Comfort has “over 100 structures, homes and business buildings, that date back to the 19th century.” Visitors get a close-up look at German craftsmanship, evident at the Deutsche Evangelist Kirche built in 1892. “The ceiling beams are numbered in Roman numerals! There is magic in Comfort,” Stewart marvels.

The Hygieostatic Bat Roost near Comfort has stood for over 100 years

“If we are going to install AC, let’s please do it as invisibly as possible.” Comfort was founded in 1854. By 1860, some 40,000 Germans colonized Texas. Comfort is 50 minutes north on Interstate 10. From there, take US 87 N to Fredericksburg for a typical sausage and potatoes meal at The Ausländer Restaurant, Der Lindenbaum, and Old German Bakery & Restaurant. Boerne, Comfort’s large cousin, is 30 minutes north on I-10, with several “Gaststätte” serving dishes from Deutschland. Email comfortheritagefoundation@gmail.com for more information.

German settlers were thrifty. “They built tile towers to catch water in. They had the first water-catching systems in Texas.” Stewart is a real “steward” of the town. “Other towns have changed a lot — Boerne and Fredericksburg — and we are working really hard not to be that way. Comfort works hard to maintain its integrity.” Her home is from 1899. Even installing air-conditioning was a matter of integrity.

The Hygieostatic Bat Roost near Comfort has stood for over 100 years Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sceneinsa | Follow us on Instagram @sceneinsamag

The Hygieostatic Bat Roost near Comfort has stood for over 100 years

SUMMER 2026 |

SWEDEN Round Rock, New Sweden, and Palm Valley, TX

100 miles northeast of San Antonio (Round Rock and New Sweden); 254 miles south of San Antonio (Palm Valley)

wedes started arriving to Texas in the late 1840s. Swedish settlements were mostly in central Texas, in Travis and Williamson counties, colonies such as New Sweden, Lund, and Govalle near Austin.

Former Austin American Statesman food columnist and Substack author of The Invisible Thread, Addie Broyles’ great-great-grandmother hailed from Sweden. As a food editor, her culinary curiosity led her to discover her ancestral Swedish food and culture. “It stirred up this wonderful maternal ancestral story. It was a subculture in Texas, right underneath my nose.” Her reportage expanded well beyond Texas Swedish emigrants. “I’ve traveled to Sweden three times. And I’m actually learning Swedish!” she says. The Austin area was the epicenter of Swedish emigration, among their founding fathers Christian Bergstrom of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and midcentury architect Leonard J. Lundgren of both the Adams Extract Building and circular Holiday Inn Town Lake. Summer in Sweden celebrates the rare sun. New Sweden celebrates Midsommar, as does The Williamson Museum. Austin’s Solstice Night Market at Uncommon Objects on June 21st has vintage vendors, music, and food. Early fall are kräftskiva gatherings with cold dill crayfish, singing, and schnapps, hosted by the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce Texas. Round Rock and San Antonio both have IKEA stores with eateries serving traditional Swedish meatballs, potatoes, and lingonberry jam.

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former

CZECHOSLOVAKIA West, TX

198 miles northeast of San Antonio

ho says Americans can’t speak a second language?

Because nearly 13,000 very special Texans speak Czech.

Dancers partaking in traditional steps (courtesy Tammy Holocek)

They mostly reside in West, Texas, near Waco. Population 2,600, they celebrate old Czechoslovakia all of the time.

A mouth-watering assortment of kolaches from Czech Stop (courtesy Czech Stop)

Westfest is their yearly festival featuring heritage, culture, and food. 2026 will be the 50th celebration on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-6. Keep an eye out for the ornate “Kroj,” their traditional costume. Tap your feet to polka music and indulge in kolache pastries from West’s Czech Stop, Slovacek’s West, and The Village Bakery, one of the state’s oldest such bakeries.

This former cofﬁn store --- since funeral homes weren't a thing, yet --- now serves as the site of the History of West Museum (courtesy Nancy Hykel)

Sit-down meals of typical Czech dishes are served at the Czech American Restaurant. Owner Jenene Picha Gueringer’s greatgrandparents were from Czechoslovakia. “And does Czech food sell?”

Front facade of Picha's Czech-American Restaurant (courtesy Picha's)

“Oh, yes! 100%!” says Gueringer. “We are in a century-old building on Main Street. Our number one seller is sausage and sauerkraut with Czech fries.” Czech sauerkraut is sweet and tangy unlike neighboring Germany’s “sour” kraut. “We have stuffed cabbage rolls, which are very Czech.” Visitors from Dallas and Austin drive all the way to the Waco area just to eat. The History of West Museum presents this Czech Heritage Capital of Texas. La Grange has the Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center, tiny Ennis hosts the National Polka Festival in May, while neighboring Flatonia has the October Czhilispiel — a trip to Slavic Central Texas. ■ A traditional Czech dress, called a kroij (courtesy Nancy Hykel) Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sceneinsa | Follow us on Instagram @sceneinsamag

Cabbage Roll, sausage and Czech fries combo plate at Picha's Czech-American Restaurant (courtesy Picha's)

SUMMER 2026 |

Empowering Minds By Leslie Foley

he Winston School San Antonio celebrated 40 successful years during its annual auction and gala, raising more than $75,000. The evening reflected on four decades of transformative education and community.

Founded in 1985, the Winston School was built on the idea that every student, regardless of how they learn, deserves an education that meets them where they are. Its mission is to provide college preparatory education to those with learning differences. Guests were encouraged to dress in the school’s colors: white, ivory, blue, or orange. This fundraiser assisted with tuition assistance and operational support for programs at the Winston School. ■ Dawn Hooker, Shelly Guzman, and Heidi Johnson

Lucila and Steven Gonzales, won the Port Aransas Getaway during the Live Auction

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Kristen Arnold, Jessica Fredericksen, Cathy Klumpp, and Glenn Pavlicek

Emcee Leslie Bohl Ojeda

Bob and Sybel Pici with Rey Feo LXXVII, Dr. Damaso Andres Oliva, Jr

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SUMMER 2026 |

2026 Joci Awards

By Nick Blevins

he 2026 Joci Awards took place at the Majestic Theatre, and it’s never been more clear that San Antonio is serious about cultivating its young performing talent.

Showcasing a wide array of themes and emotional tones, students from high schools across the city took to the stage in solo and ensemble acts across a range of disciplines, All the performers of the night were winners: each of the students took home a scholarship, ranging from $1000 up to $5000. ■

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Daisies & Dresses

W H E R E FA S H I O N M E E T S C O M PA S S I O N

By Leslie Foley

wo nonprofits joined together to host Daisies & Dresses Fashion Show presented by DaisyCares and Dress for Success San Antonio. The unique runway experience featured confident models alongside adoptable rescue pets, celebrating compassion, confidence and second chances. Guests enjoyed two fashion segments with pet-focused vendor shopping. The first collaboration was deemed a success with close to 200 attendees dressed in colorful garden party attire at the beautiful San Antonio Botanical Garden. Dress for Success San Antonio’s mission is to empower women through career development and DaisyCares’ mission is to save pets’ lives and keep them in their loving homes and out of shelters. ■

Pretty pittie in pink!

Models Bianca and Sophia DeLeon

Model Chris Sykes

Model Yolanda Edwards with a furry friend

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Emcee Michael Quintanilla with event co-chair Marla Rodriguez

Chief Program Officer for Dress For Success worldwide Arlene Lozano, Jennifer Bigler, and Dress for Success San Antonio Executive Director Liz Murcia

SUMMER 2026 |

The State of Your Estate An expert's Guidance in the world of estate planning By Hella V. Scheuerman, Attorney at Law

et’s face it: getting your financial affairs in order is painstaking, even in the rosiest of times. Wrapping one’s mind around concepts like preparing an estate, how and whom to appoint to tie up your loose ends, and which legal forms are necessary to get the ball rolling in the first place can all add emotional labor to a task that many would prefer not to think about at all — but absolutely should. Having a plan provides a clear path forward for your loved ones in the future, and gives you peace of mind today; that’s a win-win. We asked estate expert Hella V. Scheuerman to provide her insight for those unfamiliar with what they need, and what to do next. She’s graciously provided handy tips and terms for beginning planners.

DO I NEED A LARGE ESTATE BEFORE PREPARING AN ESTATE PLAN? Everyone should consider an estate plan, regardless of whether you are single or married, have minor or adult children, or are single with no children. You do not have to have a large estate before preparing your estate plan. By providing clear instructions regarding your healthcare decisions and the administration and ultimate transfer of your assets at death, the purpose of the estate plan is to provide peace of mind to you and your family when you are unable to make healthcare decisions for yourself and/or unable to manage your assets due to illness, disability or death. The goal of the estate plan is that your instructions are followed, that the intent of your estate plan is honored, and that the property that you intend to pass to your heirs/beneficiaries does indeed pass to them, rather than to someone else that was unintended. Each state has their own laws regarding estate planning and transfer of assets. If you have 68

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an estate plan and you have had it for several years or you had one prepared in another state and have moved to Texas, it is important to review your estate plan, to ensure that it still fits your needs.

WHY NOT LET MY HEIRS FIGURE OUT WHO WILL MAKE MY HEALTHCARE DECISIONS AND HOW TO TRANSFER MY PROPERTY AT DEATH? An estate plan helps to prevent disputes among your loved ones regarding who will make your healthcare and financial decisions when you are unable to make them due to aging and other health issues. Additionally, an estate plan prepared to transfer your assets after you die also prevents disputes regarding who will administer your estate after your death and to whom your estate (real and/or personal property) will be transferred. It is a better practice for you to prepare for these life events, according to your wishes, and that your estate plan is carried out by your loved ones, rather than leaving no estate plan. Subscribe today at www.sceneinsa.com

So, with an estate plan, is litigation eliminated over my person or estate? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Even with the best intended and written estate plan, litigation can still arise. However, the likelihood of litigation over who will be your agent or guardian of your person and estate, and who should inherit your estate after your death, is higher without an estate plan. The person that does not get designated as your agent, guardian, executor, or administrator, and expected to be designated by you, may file a petition to contest your estate plan. Additionally, when persons that anticipated to inherit from you do not, litigation can arise. Most of the areas of litigation by the contestants are based upon allegations of undue influence, lack of contractual capacity and lack of testamentary capacity.

How do I choose the legal documents that best fit my estate plan? Consideration of the following mechanisms available is important in your decision of what type of estate plan fits your needs: Statutory Durable Power of Attorney: In this legal document, you can designate a person your trust as your agent, to make financial decisions for you. The Texas Estates Code provides a form in Chapter §752.051. The form allows you to choose who to designate as your agent and what powers to give the agent, as well as the effective date that the power of attorney begins (immediately or upon your incapacity). Generally, the agent's authority continues until you revoke the power of attorney, you die, your agent resigns or a guardian is appointed for your estate. Medical Power of Attorney: In this legal document, you can designate a person your trust as your agent, to make healthcare decisions for you when you become incapacitated. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter §166.151, provides a form. The form allows you to choose who to designate as your agent and what powers to give the agent. Generally, this power of attorney exists from the date you execute the document until you revoke it, unless you establish a shorter duration time. Last Will and Testament: This legal document allows for the transfer of your property through probate after you die. Probate refers to the process in court where the Will is validated, and the executor administers your estate (the process also includes your executor preparing an inventory of your assets). In preparing a Will, it is important to make a list of your real and personal property (your assets). Examples of lists may include real estate, vehicles, accounts (savings, checking, investment, retirement), businesses, jewelry and other property. Just as important is your decision regarding who will inherit your property. You may wish to leave all of your estate to your spouse, but if your spouse does not survive you, then you should consider contingent beneficiaries i.e. your children. Another key aspect of an estate plan is who you will designate to carry out your estate plan i.e. as executor or administrator. While you may designate your spouse as your first option, it is important to have alternate designations, in case that person is unable to serve in that capacity.

Trusts There are many different types of trusts, including testamentary trusts, revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts. Within each of those general categories, there are many forms of trusts. Regardless of your choice of trust, the grantor (creator of the trust) will designate a Trustee to administer the trust. Regarding the types of trusts available, generally, a testamentary trust is included in your Will, and is not created until after your death. It is common to see a person create a testamentary trust for minor children or young adults, so that the designated trustee can administer the decedent's assets, until those children reach a certain age as adults. On the other hand, a revocable trust is created during the grantor's lifetime, with assets being transferred into the trust during the grantor's lifetime and/or at death through a pour-over will. It becomes irrevocable at the death of the last grantor of the trust (if the revocable trust is created by a married couple, it becomes irrevocable upon the last grantor/spouse's death). During the life of the grantor, the revocable trust can be revoked or dissolved by the grantor. Irrevocable trusts are their own separate legal entity, where the grantor no longer owns those assets placed into the trust. Unlike the revocable trust, the irrevocable trust does not allow revocation of the trust after creation and offers additional benefits that the revocable trust does not.

Can I transfer the money in my accounts without a will? In Texas, a person can transfer assets outside the probate process. Even if you have a Will, your Will does not control any assets governed by a contract that already has a beneficiary designation by way of signature card. These are called “non-probate assets” such as life insurance policies, financial accounts with rights of survivorship or pay-on-death designations, retirement accounts, etc. It is very important that you check with each financial institution to see if your account has a named beneficiary and/or if your beneficiary designation is up to date. ■

Scheuerman Law Firm, PLLC 4358 Lockhill Selma Rd, Ste. 102 San Antonio, Texas 78249 (210) 741-9000 (phone) (210) 735-2235 (fax) hella@sch-lawfirm.com sch-lawfirm.com Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sceneinsa | Follow us on Instagram @sceneinsamag

SUMMER 2026 |

BLOOM FOR GOOD SCHOLARSHIP By Leslie Foley

anhellenic Association of San Antonio (PASA) hosted the Bloom for Good Scholarship Luncheon at Anne Marie’s Catering & Events Center. Attendees designed individualized floral bouquets before lunch, which was followed by speaker Nicole Czelusta from The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation. Patti Massey awarded Laura Gonzales the Merit Award, and Hilary Patton presented scholarships to Hope Jenkins and Rachel Sherman. Delta Delta Delta’s Keitha Clayton was installed as the new president by outgoing PASA president Miranda Nelka, Alpha Chi Omega. ■

Merit Award winner Laura Gonzales and guest speaker Nicole Czelusta

Scholarship recipients Hope Jenkins and Rachel Sherman

Hope Jenkins, Claire Jenkins, and Leslie Hidalgo

Panhellenic president Miranda Nelka welcomes Keitha Clayton as the new president

| SUMMER 2026

Becky Walker, Joy Fuhrmann, and Maria Morgan

Wanda Thomas, Anne Inscore, and Rachel Baker Subscribe today at www.sceneinsa.com

Diana Nieves with her lucky Bingo hat-she won the first bag!

Bingo babes in their tutus: Erin Woods, Michelle Salazar, Rosalinda Trujillo, Leticia Mendoza, Maribel Garcia, Samantha Compa, Desiree Harris, and Candice Vega

Nicole Bar and Raven Santos

Bingo, Bags & Bubbly

Pretty in pink: Elizabeth Magnabosco, Emily Sprout, Jordyn Weis, and Jackie Dipaola

By Leslie Foley

his year’s third annual bubbly bingo bag event benefiting Kinetic Kids was a packed house. Attendees dressed in their finest, while playing 10 rounds of bingo for a chance to win a designer handbag, as they sipped bubbly, grazed on charcuterie snacks, pizza, and sweet confections.

Kylie Meier, Terrie Butcher, Wendy O'Kane, and Kacey Wernli, Kinetic Kids Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director

In attendance were rockin’ grannies, pink flamingos, Bubbly Bingo Babes, champagne heads, jungle cats, pink-haired ladies, sparkly folks, and dancing tutus, all dabbing their bingo cards for a chance to scream “Bingo!” A whopping $58,428 was raised for kids with special needs! Kinetic Kids’ mission is to enrich the lives of special needs children and their families through sports, fine arts, and educational programs. Kinetic Kids aims to foster the development of courage, confidence, fitness, pride, joy, and community. Whether challenged with spina bifida, autism, Down syndrome, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs, they are enabled to become athletes, dancers, artists, and more. ■

Ashly Bown, Laura Sutton, and Grace Berios Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sceneinsa | Follow us on Instagram @sceneinsamag

SUMMER 2026 |

Kudos

& Where to Find Us CVS

Great issue this month. So informative. ICE feature was powerful. Hardberger Park was an enjoyable read.

Lainey Berkus I am impressed with the artwork and article about ICE detention centers.

Jan Realini You really captured the spirit of the park, and of me! What y’all are doing now, is capturing this moment of time.

Fmr. Mayor Phil Hardberger

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| SUMMER 2026

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