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Home , Gregg Popovich, Kawhi Leonard, Tim Duncan

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• 2 • Action Magazine, December 2018 advertising is worthless if you have nothing worth advertising Put your money where the music is. . . Advertise in Action Magazine

• DEPARTMENTS • Sam Kindrick ...... 4

Editor & Publisher ...... Sam Kindrick • FEATURE • Advertising Sales ...... Action Staff ...... Amy Heller Reif Patti Witten ...... 8 Photography...... Action Staff Distribution...... Ronnie Reed Composition...... Elise Taquino Volume 43 • Number 12

Action Magazine, December 2018 • 3 • Sports related subjects published in Action over time. Was Leonard an over-paid crybaby who might the years have been under the byline of one Jacques And then landed in Popovich’s lap, have left the Spurs eventually over some other real or E. Strap. a stroke of sheer luck which guaranteed Gregg imagined affront? That is a possibility. Is he a quitter who It is now time for old Jacques to come out of the Popovich more than a few NBA titles. didn’t care enough about his coach or his team mates closet and confront a nasty, controversial subject in his Donald Duck could have coached a winning to even show up for the Spurs dying gasps in the play - alter ego form which (or course) happens to be me. team with Robinson and Duncan working the boards. offs. That is also a possibility. I have been a Spurs fan since the San Antonio The proof is always in the pudding. These are questions that are certainly worthy team joined the NBA in 1976. It has been many years Old Pop is now experiencing life without a of consideration. since I drank coffee with a young in a Robinson, a Tim Duncan, or a Manu Ginobili. With or Then there is the other awful, ugly, and vey real Wurzbach Road Toddle House. without , the Spurs boat was bound to possibility. Meeting and Manu Ginobili on start springing leaks. Leonard is a two-way Did the greatest Spurs player since Tim Duncan separate occasions in the Apple Store at La Cantera talent, but he lacks the character or the leadership skills leave the team because of a who paid more provided other memories which I will always cherish. to maintain a . attention to bashing than he did to the The measure of greatness reflected in the persona of With electing to finish his illustrious young superstar he once dubbed the franchise face? any truly great person can best be assessed by that per - basketball career in Charlotte, and with Leonard now What really happened between Leonard and son’s humility level. gone to the , the Spurs organization Popovich. Humility is the middle name of David Robinson, needs a fearless and searching inventory of its key peo - The platitude-loaded letter of farewell Leonard Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili, the last superstar to ple and parts. allegedly penned for the team and Spurs fans in San leave the Spurs. These are the players who helped If he ever had any real focus, Pop has lost it. He Antonio is a joke. He obviously didn’t write it shape and define what was once San Antonio’s team. lost it when he divided the Spurs fan base with a need - Kawhi has kept his lip zipped on particulars, but is a personal friend of mine whose less and he has made it obviously clear that he wanted no more majority ownership of the Spurs was a credit to San An - idiotic series of verbal attacks on Donald Trump. of San Antonio and the Spurs. Something happened tonio’s team. And I had the good fortune of meeting and At this , I will reiterate what I have said be - to sour Leonard on Popovich. Bet on it and believe it. learning to love former Spurs coach John Lucas as we fore. I am no fan of President Trump. I did not vote for Kawhi’s disdain for the Spurs and San Antonio has not both participated in a recovery program for alcoholics Trump and I will not vote for Trump, and my personal po - become manifest because Leonard didn’t like enchi - and drug addicts. litical predillections have absolutely nothing to do with ladas and refried beans. With these and many more fond memories of my low opinion of the basketball coach. The elephant of Serbian descent is sitting in the Spurs legend now in jeopardy, I see something in By using his standing as an NBA head basket - the Spurs living room, slurping his wine and putting today’s team which is both sad and infuriating to many. ball coach as a platform for pot-shooting at the president down those he says should be ashamed of being Amer - The Spurs are no longer San Antonio’s team. of the United States, chose to shit on icans. The Spurs are now Gregg Popovich’s team. every Republican Spurs fan who voted for the current Meanwhile, Pop is surrounding himself with a And something is gravely wrong with the Spurs president, and the Spurs who were once San Antonio’s stable of newcomers as the team faces mediocrity or today, a condition which may be attributed to an arro - team and their fans do not deserve this divisive treat - worse. LaMarcus Aldridge, Demar DeRozan, and Rudy gant self-annointed activist who is more demigod than ment. No matter who they may or may not have sup - Gay will have a rough Western Conference road to hoe basketball coach. ported in the last presidential election. This is not about with Golden State, Houston, and L.A. I know the Pop lovers will hiss and spit at this politics. It is about Popovich and the basketball team Hottest prospect going is first round draft pick assessment, and they can take their bile to Walgreens that once belonged to the people of San Antonio. IV, the now-injured youngster with the for all I care. I have no more respect for Gregg Popovich Before the Pop lovers start reminding me of the rooster comb hairdo who says he would never celebrate than he has ever demonstrated for the luckless media NBA greats who say they would prefer to play for the Fourth of July. people he has been treating like sewer scum for many Popovich over any other coach, let us look at the sorry He will probably be a good fit in the Gregg years. situation of today. Popovich culture. Being a Spurs fan was always Coach Popovich had it all planned out when he Kawhi Leonard thought he was disrespected by fun for me. I have Spurs caps and shirts and I have al - was the Spurs general manager with David Robinson those who took dim views of his decision to seek out - ways displayed Spurs emblems on my truck and in the fold. By firing head coach , who by all re - side medical help for a nagging quadriceps injury. car.Being a Spurs fan is getting harder, and we have ports had been doing a good job as head coach, So how about it, Spurs fans? Gregg Popovich to thank for it. Popovich started paving his own street to the NBA big -

• 4 • Action Magazine, December 2018 Musician compares cancer to runaway train by Jim Chesnut thing. Although it wasn’t a fore I would learn that the would ultimately deter - the impact of the runaway to take that for granted. I Thanksgiving day homerun, it resulted in a cancer cells lived only in mine—a long week later— train that had hit me, I got continue to practice a mo - marked one year since I trip to the doctor for a cure my throat above the vocal that the tumor was on board. I rode that ment-to-moment attitude completed chemo and ra - for what I caught and cords and nowhere else in malignant. It seemed like a sucker bareback, ac - of gratitude that I learned diation for cancer. might have caught. the body. runaway train had hit me! cepted where it was taking while riding the runaway I recall that as I was It turns out that that af - Months before the Treatment soon began, me, and enjoyed a train. being slid into the long ternoon of youthful unpro - scan, I had begun having first, with a Mediport surgi - tremendous reduction of If anything, cancer and and sterile body chamber tected exuberance may problems with sinus cally inserted in my upper my anxiety. the fear of dying have for a scan that would re - have contributed to my drainage and thick mu - chest, followed by nine As I write this, almost a taught me a better way to veal the extent of the can - oropharyngeal cancer di - cous on my vocal cords. weeks of chemo cocktails year since treatment was live. cer crab that had invaded agnosis. I don’t know if My primary care physician and seven weeks of daily completed, it appears that Oh, and the roses my head and neck, I docs even knew about and an allergist failed to tied-to-a-table radiation. I am in remission. How - smell wonderful, and I can couldn’t help but notice HPV back in 1964, but it find the cause, which was Early in treatment, I ever, I cannot allow myself still sing! how cold the tray was on sure stuck around, if that’s a tumor. Through a scope, caught some kind of bac - which I was placed. I when I caught it. Anyway, the allergist thought there terial infection, became couldn’t help wondering if folks need to make sure might be a fungus in - dehydrated, and spent a soon I would be a corpse their kids get the HPV vac - volved, but treatment for few nights in the hospital. being similarly stored in a cine. It reduces their risk that was unsuccessful. During that time, the Medi - refrigerated morgue of getting cancer as As the weeks went by, I port became clogged and somewhere. adults. Ask your doctor noticed a slight change in had to be replaced. More As a 72-year-old about that. my ability to speak certain surgery. Yuk! singer, I was not scared of In a way, life is like that consonants clearly, so I To cope with the emo - death. I was scared of body chamber—a tunnel. washed my hands and tional impact of this expe - dying; and even more We’re born at a tunnel’s stuck a finger in my mouth rience, I began to write scared of having my entrance, and we die at its to see what I could find. and produce a new album. tongue removed. exit. And, if we’re lucky, we Shazaam! I found a lump Did I mention that I am a I don’t know how long I won’t get run over by run - the size of a small, un - singer? was in the tunnel . . . away trains of happen - shelled peanut on the right What? I did? Ok, fine, I maybe an hour or hour- stance while we’re inside. side of the base of my won’t mention it again and-a-half. It seemed But, like the T-shirt says, tongue. (maybe). longer, like the eternity I “Stuff Happens!” By the end of that day, Anyway, the process of experienced waiting impa - After having the full I saw an oral surgeon and writing gave me some - tiently for my first time to body scan, it was a num - was scheduled for a pro - thing I didn’t expect. In - get past first base with a ber of sleepless nights be - cedure that week that stead of surrendering to girl. Now, that was some - Jim Chesnut

Action Magazine, December 2018 • 5 • • 6 • Action Magazine, December 2018 Action Magazine, December 2018 • 7 • Witten dog rescue not for faint hearts or weak stomachs

by Sam Kindrick liever in rescuing stray and mange, tick borne ill - If you love dogs you abandoned dogs that no - nesses, gun shot wounds, have to love Patti Witten. body will save. starvation/dehydration. She is the Florence “I guess I have taken “That’s all I can think of Nightengale of dogdom in them all in over the years,” right now,” said Witten. “I Southeast Bexar County says the tall redhead. “I am sure there are more.” and beyond. grieve for them all, and I Witten owns and oper - When we say “and be - have cried myself to sleep ates Witten Pest Control yond” we mean far past on many nights just be - in Adkins, a family busi - the customary parameters cause of what people do ness which has continued for canine salvation. to innocent and defense - non-stop since 1948. Witten would probably less dogs.” She points out that she drive her car to the North The conditions in which is not the only dedicated Pole to rescue a dog suf - she finds many of her res - dog rescue figure in San fering from severe frost - cue subjects are daunting: Antonio and Bexar bite. We know of instances broken legs, broken County. She is the only where she has driven pelvis, deep wounds, se - one we have know, how - Patti Witten, the Florence Nightingale of more than halfway across vere worms, severe ane - ever, and we known dogdom in Bexar County. Texas to complete a res - mia to the point of death enough about her to more cue. . caused by fleas and ticks, than justify this article. since she was 16. official with the Texas organization, but she still Patti is a hard core be - parvo, distemper, severe She has been saving dogs Patti Witten is now an Great Pyrenees Rescue Continued on pg. 9

Atlas is visual proof that dog rescue is not Here is a shot of Atlas after Witten and her for pussies. The German Shepherd was re - rescue people saved him from a sad death. ported and picked up as a dead dog by An - Witten went into action as only she can do. imal Care Services (ACS) in San Antonio. She found the funding to save the dog, she But an ACS worker friend of Patty Witten found a foster home for Atlas where he re - could not bear to watch Atlas go to the eu - covered, and she located a forever home in thanasia slab. a northern state for the now handsome boy. • 8 • Action Magazine, December 2018 finding homes for them. TGPR. It is 100 percent dogs this year with parvo, crochips for all dogs, food, fore being placed in adop - Dog rescue She lived in Schertz, volunteer. Nobody bene - broken bones, distemper, heartworm meds and flea tive homes. All fosters are continued from pg 8 when her eyes really fits from donations but the behavior issues due to meds equal expenses volunteers and we have opened regarding the dogs. My biggest accom - abuse/neglect, and has thus far of $206,000 and rescue hubs in Dallas, comes to the aid of aban - abuse, neglect and in - plishment at TGPR is set - provided all vaccinations, the year isn’t over yet! San Antonio, Houston and doned street dogs that creasing dog homeless ting up the TGPR Rescue spay/neuter as needed, “TGPR does not have a Austin with teams of appli - cross her path. population. Support Team where we and general vet care to all brick and mortar facility. cation processors, home “I started picking up It was at this point that can now transport dogs dogs placed in adoptive Each rescue dog goes checkers (all fosters and street strays 25 years she and a couple of across the state utilizing homes. Total vet bill thus into foster care to allow adopters receive a home ago,” Witten says. “With a friends opened the 300 volunteers to run relay far this year: $160,000 the dog to stabilize from visit and reference couple of other friends, I Schertz Humane Society. transports which has al - and total expenses which emotional trauma and be - checks), fundraisers, shel - helped found the Schertz “Rescue is hard if you lowed us to really increase include boarding, mi - come medically stable be - ter evaluators, social Humane Society which is really put your heart and the numbers of dogs we Continued on pg. 10 known today as Homes soul into it. And this is can help. Our group ran For Pets. Fund raising was something I seem power - over 150 transports in different and hard back in less to regulate or control,” 2017 and to be honest, I those days. Now we post Witten said. haven’t had the time to on Face Book but I can re - At one point, Witten count this year. I plan and call standing on a street said, she had to leave the monitor all of the trans - corner wearing a dog cos - Schertz group because “I ports.” tume and holding a sign was too in.” Patti Witten sustains which read Will Wag for She explained: “Res - herself with the family Cash.” cue can really be hard. It business. Witten is a 56-year-old can rip your head and “As far as the work I do divorcee and says she will your heart wide open. I re - that pays the bills,” she probably be single the rest ally needed a break from said “I’m the sole owner of of her life because “not too the Schertz group. I was Witten Pest Control after many men would be will - having horrible night - my dad’s passing in Janu - ing to be put on the back mares of bathing puppies ary. I’m the 3rd generation burner and tolerate me and having them slip out owner of the family busi - dropping everything and of my hands in the ness after my grandpar - running for a dog in need garbage disposal. I would ents opened the doors in and I’m okay with that. wake up screaming be - 1948. I can’t say for sure “I’m a San Antonio girl cause in my dream I but believe we are the old - through and through (born would be covered in est pest control company and raised here) and 7th blood.” in San Antonio. My family Riddled with mange in the upper photo, Murphy generation Texan. Unfortu - Witten said the Schertz has always been gener - nately, living in Texas was slated for Euthanasia in another city when group is still a very active ous in our business deal - means residing in a state and successful group, but ings and so I too follow Patti Witten set up relay transport to get him into that has the worst dog that she worked rescue as suite by donating our serv - overpopulation problem in San Antonio. The healing was long and hard, but an independent until ices to a few rescue shel - the United States. about three years ago ters as well and offer Murphy responded with a foster family. Now you My interest in saving ani - when she started volun - rescue discounts to dog mals began when I was see him in the bottom photo, happy in his nor for - teering for duty with the rescue volunteers.” about 16. At that age, I ever home in the Dallas area. Texas Great Pyrenees Witten explains the think I knew my mark in Rescue organization. background of her chosen the world wasn’t going to It wasn’t long before life’s work: include being a beauty the Pyrenees organization “Texas Great Pyrenees queen, famous singer or asked Witten to apply for a Rescue (TGPR) is a Texas marketing executive on board position based on based 501c3 dog rescue the 15th floor of a fancy of - her business experience organization committed to fice building in New York. and background in rescue. the welfare of dogs, What I did know is that I specifically Great Pyre - had a passion for the un - “Besides being a board nees dogs and/or mixes. derdogs of the world and member with Texas Great TGPR along with a base that helping those in need Pyrenees Rescue,” Witten of volunteers across the was my passion. I think I said, “I’m also the state and 9 board mem - choose dogs because Fundraising Chairman, I bers work together to res - they don’t have a voice oversee our Social Media cue, rehabilitate and place and I wanted to be that team. We pull dogs from abused, abandoned and voice...for them.” shelters, transport dogs injured dogs in long term About 25 years ago, and I handle a lot of the loving homes. Witten said, she began marketing and promotion “TGPR has rescued saving street dogs on her of the organization. In over 350 dogs thus far this own, finding them aban - other words, I put about year. doned here and there and 40 hours a week into TGPR has taken in many

Action Magazine, December 2018 • 9 • month old cover boy! (pic - Patti Witten continue as a ... Dog rescue tured with Witten on the patron saint for stray Patti Witten says: continued from pg 9 cover of this issue of Ac - dogs? Anyone interested tion Magazine). He was She said “I plan to save media, transporters, etc. in donating, foster - underweight, had mange, dogs for as long as I pos - This is a 100% volunteer ing, adopting or vol - kennel cough, was full of sibly can. When I’m at my run organization and as a worms and was on the eu - wits end, I look at my unteering in our dog board member I can say thanasia list in Houston. dogs and think about all of rescue program can we are the biggest penny We believe this boy to be those out there that still contact www.tx - pinchers you have ever a Great Pyrenees/Brittany need help. When I think I met; all funding goes to pyrs.org, or find me Spaniel mix. He is very can’t do it for one more the dogs! on Facebook or happy and healthy and is day, I head to the bath “TGPR has been in ex - email me at now in puppy training which is where I do my istence for 15 years and is best crying. I cry it out and mystuff@witten - classes. He will grow to be experiencing a huge get back to work.” pestcontrol.com close to 100 lbs. He came growth rate due to de - from a horrible shelter mand. TGPR receives be - which is very loud and he tween 4-12 owner still is fearful of loud and surrender (we don’t want unexpected noises. The our dog anymore) intake puppy classes will help requests 7 days a week in - build his confidence and cluding holidays and an help him overcome his additional 4-6 shelter in - fears. I plan to document take requests per day. his training process to ed - “Although we are Texas Witten picks Oliver up at the ucated people about the Great Pyrenees Rescue, value of training. Many airport before deciding to add our presence is invaluable dogs are dumped or because for every Great him to her San Antonio house - turned in to shelters for Pyrenees we pull from a minor issues that could be hold. He is now six months of shelter, we save 2 dogs; addressed with training. the dog we pulled from the age and can be viewed with his “Frankie, my cat, is shelter and the dog that forever mama on the cover of named after Frank Sinatra does not have to be euth - (he was my crush) and is this month’s issue of Action anized that day due to about 15 years old. He is a overcrowding in shelters.” Magazine. yellow manx and was Witten’s love for ani - given to me as a stray kit - mals is reflected through ten prior to weening. He the three dogs and one spent the first year of his rescue cat she lives with in life keeping me up all night her home. sucking on my blanket in She has this to say bed. He keeps the dogs in Oliver was scheduled for eu - about her family of pets: line and is the alpha ani - “Eli is my 14 year old thanasia in Houston because of mal in the house. senior boy. He is a his mange. Only 12 hours before “I couldn’t ask for better Labrador/Golden Re - pets; they are like my chil - his date with death, Patti Witten triever mix. He was a 3 dren! Yes, they all get month old puppy when a pulled him from the Houston along and sleep in bed couple that adopted him with me!” shelter and brought him to San from a shelter decided And just how long will they no longer wanted Antonio. him. They told me to take him or they were dumping him. 651-4541 “Natalia is my 3 year old Catahoula/Blue Heeler 4810 FM 1518 N. mix. I got her from Poteet 1/4 MILE EAST after a customer called to report that she was aban - OFF IH35 doned at a drug house. She was malnourished, HOURS: terrified, abused I believe 7 DAYS and was pretty emotion - ally and physically A wrecked. Today she is happy and healthy. WEEK “Oliver is my apprx. 6

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Action Magazine, December 2018 • 11 •