Local businessman wins sailing title

Keith Zars of Keith Zars Pools won the master’s division of the 2008 J/22 World Championship Regatta in Rochester, N.Y., in late August. Held at the Rochester Yacht Club, more than 100 J/22 sailboats from seven countries, including Argentina, Canada, France, Netherlands, South Africa, the Virgin Islands and the United States, participated in the annual race.

In order to qualify for the master’s division, the skipper must be 55 or older. This is the fourth J/22 World Championship Regatta for Zars, but the first time to sail with both his sons. Brian Zars, 33, and Charles Zars, 28 — both employees of Keith Zars Pools — helped secure the championship, beating a boat from France.

Zars has been sailing since age 12. He won the Snipe District Championship in 1972 and 1980, competing against seven states. In 1985, Zars took a 17-year hiatus from sailing to spend time with his family and grow his business, but he could not ignore his passion for sailing and returned to the sport six years ago. Zars sails in at least 10 regattas a year. He also raced in The Leukemia Cup Regatta in Austin last month.

Openings, closings

Gianni’s Italian Cuisine, 2602 N. Loop 1604 West, has opened. It offers lunch Tuesdays through Fridays and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. Call 233-9240 for details.

Hair Studio Sonterra has completed its move to its new location in Stone Oak. Individual areas give guests more privacy with their stylist. Hair Studio offers complimentary services such as paraffin wax hand dips, mini manicures, massages, pedicures and facials.

Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse hosted a soft opening Oct. 27 at 18318 Sonterra Place.

Panera Bread is expanding with a new location at The Vineyard at Blanco Road and Loop 1604. The restaurant and bakery tentatively plans to open by Nov. 20.

Marty’s New York Deli at 18360 Blanco Road has closed.

Tesoro Homes tops Aggie 100 List

Tesoro Homes and Development, founded in 2002 and based in North San Antonio, topped the fourth annual Aggie 100 List, which honors the 100 fastest-growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world. According to its Web site, Tesoro Homes and Development has a “goal of bringing home ownership to every person regardless of their situation.”

Tesoro Homes currently operates in San Antonio, Del Rio and the Rio Grande Valley with plans to expand into other Texas markets. Homes in these markets are priced from $60,000 to $100,000.

The corporate office is located on north Broadway. President/ Chief Executive Officer Clay Schlinke lives in the North Central San Antonio area. For more company information, visit www.tesorohomes.net.  

Marmon Mok wins award

Marmon Mok Architecture, the San Antonio firm that designed the Alamodome, Hemisfair Park’s U.S. Pavilion, San Antonio International Airport Terminal 1, the Toyota visitors’ center and, recently, the future Texas A&M University at San Antonio campus, has been awarded the highest honor for an architecture firm bestowed by the Texas Society of Architects.

At an Oct. 24 dinner in Fort Worth, Marmon Mok accepted the Texas Society of Architects’ Architecture Firm Award for 2008 in recognition of the company’s accomplishments and service throughout its 55-year history.

The TSA created the award in 1996, evaluating candidates on their performance in three areas: service to the profession, quality of design and community involvement. Marmon Mok’s other notable structures in the area include the Security Service Federal Credit Union c orporate headquarters.