In a recent article in Newsweek it seems that with the latest surge in gas prices you'd think that SUVs must be an endangered species, right? Well, not exactly. SUVs are continuing to fly off car lots. Grousing about gas prices has become our new national pastime. As it turns out, we're griping while we guzzle. Since Katrina gave us our first $3 pump prices last fall, gasoline consumption in this country has actually risen, confounding the energy experts who recall how much we throttled back on our gas usage following the '70s oil shocks. Where are we burning all this gas? In big, powerful cruisers. One in four new models today comes equipped with a gas-thirsty V-8 engine—which is unchanged from last summer, before gas prices spiked, according to new data from J.D. Power. Meanwhile, last year's "it" car, the hybrid, is becoming a harder sell. For all their megawatt buzz, hybrids still account for just 1 percent of U.S. auto sales and are outsold by SUVs 23-1.

Detroit once thought $3 gas would be our ultimate pain threshold, forcing us to finally give up the keys to our big rigs. But it turns out our oil addiction is harder to kick than anyone expected. Although pump prices have nearly doubled in the last three years, we're driving more than ever. Today's cars average 12,190 miles on the road annually, up 24 percent from 1980, according to federal statistics. And the models we buy now have more horsepower and heft than those of a generation ago, which explains why gas mileage is headed in reverse.

A generation ago, gas misers ruled the road. And that put Toyota and Honda on the map in America, as boomers embraced their little fuel sippers. But today's gas crisis is playing out very differently: "Just because fuel is moving from $2 to $3 a gallon, everyone is not going to go back into cars. People will continue to buy big vehicles." And gripe about gas prices.

Tired of watching Monday Night football in front of your small T.V. at home? Looking for a different kind of sports bar to try? Then head to The Lion and Rose, located in Alamo Heights or their new location at Blanco and 410. It is the place to catch all the upcoming sports action. Featuring a full menu, a full bar and daily specials. The Lion and Rose is a classic English pub right here in San Antonio, playing football, NFL and ESPN college ticket with Direct TV so you don't have to worry about missing any of the action. On Monday's Alamo City Poker Club Presents: Your Majesty's Monday Night, with of course football, margarita and draft beer specials, no limit Texas Hold 'Em and cash prizes. Wednesdays are pint night starting at 7 p.m., buy the pint and keep the special glass it comes in. Happy Hour at The Lion and Rose starts everyday from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturdays featuring live music. So grab a few friends, a few beers and relax with some authentic British and American favorites any day of the week from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. For more information and locations visit: http://www.thelionandrose.com

Yellow Pages generally evoke images of 5-lb. collections of cookie-cutter listings. And let's face it, that's what the Internet's for. But San Antonio's pint-sized, northwest neighbor is taking a bland tradition and turning it into a movement.

City of Helotes Yellow Pages ’09, developed by The MightyGroup, isn’t your mom’s phonebook. It’s nice to look at, lightweight and is specifically tailored to its local and visitor audience, including not just directory listings, but a roadmap to the fun stuff. It comes at a perfect time as the progressive hamlet - home to famous honky-tonk John T. Floore Country Store - is redefining its image by offering all sorts of off-the-beaten-path delights for the Hill Country crowd. Whether it’s two-steeping under the stars, chowing down on Texas barbecue or shopping for one-of-a-kind treasures, Helotes is a good place to spend a weekend or a lifetime. Now there will be a publication to show you how. The directory will also be posted online at www.helotesyellowpages.com, which is still under development. SS

Did you know that there are more captive tigers in the US than there are wild ones in Asia? According to a 2004 report from the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, there are an estimated 5,000-7,000 tigers; as well as 10,000-20,000 large cats and at least 3,000 great apes.

The Wild Animal Orphanage is a sanctuary for unwanted, abused, or neglected animals. Many of the animals that arrive at the sanctuary have been displaced by the exotic pet trade, roadside zoos, and breeding facilities. Additionally, hundreds of primates are sent there for retirement from the medical research community, the pet industry and the entertainment industry. Several domestic and over fifty feral cats also call the sanctuary home.

Founded in 1983, the sanctuary utilizes 112 acres between two facilities. Of these 112 acres, 102 are heavily secluded and house the majority of the animals who call the Wild Animal Orphanage their home. This area is not open to the public. However, the other ten acres are maintained as an educational facility. The sanctuary offer guided tours to schools and the public in an effort to teach everyone that wild animals do not make good pets.  Magda Gonzalez