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letter from the editor by Beverly Purcell-Guerra Saving through giving is the underlying theme of this issue of SAN ANTONIO WOMAN. Our Profile subject, Tracy Frank, has devoted her life to the animals that others abandon, mistreat or simply drop off at her ranch sanctuary. Caring for almost 800 animals, she tells stories of these four-legged creatures and how they respond to loving attention. Of course, there is no greater gift than life itself, and Up Front introduces two women who are alive today because they received organ transplants plus the family of a young man who chose to donate his organs after his untimely death. All, of course, have been profoundly affected by these events, and all view life with newly appreciative eyes. Our Role Model is an exemplary young scholar and athlete who spent her high school senior year recovering from bone cancer and went on to become one of her class’s valedictorians. She’s completed her first year at UT-Austin with a 4.0 average. As the weather begins to cool off, it’s time to think of fall fashions. Trends include romantic details; jewel tones, especially purples and berry tones; luxe fabrics; and bold, statement jewelry. Keeping us warm as fall arrives are dishes smoldering with chiles, from the mildest Anaheim to the hottest habanero. You’ll find the recipes in Focus on Food. Our featured home is the Elm Creek residence of two of San Antonio’s busiest professionals. The garden home, designed for entertaining, occupies the entire lot, so there’s virtually no yard maintenance. Women in Business spotlights marketing professionals, all of whom agree their jobs are never boring. In ArtBeat we meet a theatrical designer whose costumes for productions at the University of the Incarnate Word have won her accolades from her peers. Beauty & Fitness gives advice on whitening teeth — a technique that’s said to make us look 10 years younger. The most effective (and expensive) approach is to have a dentist perform the procedure, but there are do-ityourself products as well. Family Issues confronts the good news/bad news aspects of aging and finds there are benefits along with the losses. Health Issues presents the latest trends for dealing with menopause. Learn more about Meals on Wheels in Giving Back. And consider a weekend trip to Austin and one of its pampering spas. Priscilla has advice on making small rooms appear larger; Biz Coach tells how to welcome a new employee; Dollars & Sense explains how to keep credit scores high (or repair them, if necessary); Book Shelf introduces a new anthology of Texas crime fiction. Finally, be sure to read the two special sections in this issue — about the March of Dimes’ campaign for stronger, healthier babies — and Wheels for Women, with discourses on “green” vehicles and motorcycles — yes, motorcycles — for women. Beverly Purcell-Guerra

Subscribe and read more about these and other features in the current issue. September/October 2008 Features:

Profile: (On The Cover) TRACY FRANK TAKES IN STRAYS - She finds fulfillment caring for some 800 animals at her Southern Animal Rescue Association n the early 1990s, Tracy Frank was working with autistic children and living in an Austin subdivision with a dozen dogs and several cats, all of which were rescued or adopted. Having that many animals wasn’t suitable — or practical... read more

Up Front: THE GIFT OF LIFE - No longer experimental, organ transplants provide hope and prolong life Thanks to the steady advancement of medical research, organ transplantation has become an effective last resort treatment for many patients suffering from organ failure. But the need for organs far exceeds availability, says Pat Giordano, the... read more

Family Issues: GETTING OLD AIN’T FOR SISSIES - But it can open new choices and lead to self-discovery Getting old ain’t for sissies.” That saying is attributed to the late actress Bette Davis, and I first heard it from my darling aunt, who was 90 at the time. Of course, we all start getting old the minute we’re born; that is, maturation, or aging, is occurring. For the early years of... read more

Dollars & Sense: THE LOWDOWN ON YOUR CREDIT SCORE - Finding it; repairing it, if necessary Rising gas prices. Falling home prices. Failing banks. Home mortgage defaults. Higher unemployment. Falling stock markets. A decade ago, we wouldn’t have thought it possible, but here we are. Even if you don’t think you’ve been... read more

Travel: AUSTIN - A capital idea for a weekend away The Texas State Capitol’s sunset red granite dome shimmers pink at sunrise. It’s a glorious September morn in Austin, just 85 miles from the Alamo City, but a world away when it comes to the style, attitude and terrain of this town. Best of all, it feels... read more

Role Model: SHE’S A SURVIVOR - Outstanding in academics and athletics, Janet Jones-Duffey embraces life after bone cancer At an orientation session last fall, Janet Jones-Duffey and fellow first-year college students were asked to tell two truths and one lie about themselves. As each person shared their statements, the others were asked to guess which ones were true.... read more

Biz Coach:WELCOMING YOUR NEW EMPLOYEE - How to plan a great “first day on the job” Do you remember how it felt to start a new job? Did you find your “first day” interesting and exciting? Did your boss and your peers try to make you feel comfortable and glad to be there? Or did you experience a “first day” that made you wonder if you’d made a huge... read more

Giving Back: MEALS ON WHEELS OF SAN ANTONIO - Nearly 700,000 nutritious meals are delivered to seniors each year Palmiera Uvietta was 97 when she decided to stop cooking for herself. After her next-door neighbor’s house burned down, Uvietta’s son suggested that she no longer cook on her gas stove. One of her daughters then... read more

Book Shelf: GREAT FALL READING - Anthology of Texas crime fiction depicts the state in all its warts and glory LONE STAR SLEUTHS The Southwestern Writers Collection at Texas State University, San Marcos, celebrates the publication of Lone Star Sleuths, the anthology of Texas crime fiction edited by Bill Cunningham, Steven L. Davis and Rollo K. Newsom.... read more