Category: Community news

San Antonio Charter Moms hosts back to school pandemic recovery workshops

Photo: San Antonio Charger Moms, used with permission.

Just as families started to unwind from the stressful school year and settle into a normal summer filled with sleepovers, swim holes and summer camps – STAAR test results flooded in-boxes confirming Covid-slide concerns and leaving parents anxious about the school year ahead. Now with back-to-school season upon us, San Antonio Charter Moms is helping parents prepare for the pivotal year ahead by teaching them how to unlock personalized learning resources from STAAR report cards and decipher valuable data points for pandemic recovery. Virtual parent workshops are scheduled for August 12 and 26 and September 9 from 5:30p.m. to 7p.m. with registration available online. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2021)

While many hold strong opinions about the STAAR test, too few are aware that the report cards provide personalized learning resources built into the results as explained in a recent Charter Moms Chat interview with Dr. Nathan Balasubramanian, Founder, CEO, and Superintendent of 7Cs Academy. Also known as “Dr. B,” Balasubramanian holds a background in psychometrics, is a trained curriculum auditor and a TEA Authorized Provider for evaluating and improving student outcomes. He argues that stakeholders may want to take another look at standardized test results to make them work to the student’s advantage.

“No matter how parents feel about the test, STAAR results offer a significant amount of personalized data which we so badly need after a year of educational upheaval. We encourage families to take a closer look at the results before the school year begins so they can identify problem areas and use the resources available to start the school year informed and ready. Waiting for parent-teacher conferences in the Fall will put students further behind in the race to catch up.”

Inga Cotton, Founder and Executive Director of San Antonio Charter Moms

San Antonio Charter Moms has created a user-friendly step-by-step set of instructions for interpreting the report cards and identifying personalized learning resources for your child. The first step for accessing your child’s report card is to visit TexasAssessment.gov. Once logged in, you can quickly review your child’s performance year to year. From this page, you can download your child’s report card into a printable PDF, a great resource to use during parent-teacher conferences. On the test results tab, the scale score tells us whether a student is in one of four categories: Masters Grade Level, Meets Grade Level, Approaches Grade Level, or Did Not Meet Grade Level. Scroll down a bit, and you will see information on performance and progress, showing where your child’s score falls on the continuum. In a latest information session with San Antonio Charter Moms, local parents, and educators, Balasubramanian stated, “Parents should monitor the child’s progress along the continuum. Even if the child is performing at the highest level, they should continue to show progress along this graph year after year or they are not being challenged to reach their full potential.”

In this section you can also review questions that your child missed; the goal is not to focus on any one question but to identify patterns of challenge. For example, parents can see firsthand whether their child struggled consistently on multiplication in math or metaphors in reading. Having this data allows parents to personalize learning for their child and seek additional resources to help them succeed.

Further down the page, the report card offers Lexile scores for reading and Quantile scores for math. The purpose of these scores is to help match students with reading and math materials that are at the right level of difficulty. Students learn best when they are doing work at their individualized level. If it is fast and easy, they get bored. If it is hard and slow, they get frustrated. If it is exactly right, they will have fun and feel challenged along the way.

The parent portal allows you to personalize learning resources, which is key to keeping students engaged and growing. Within the portal, parents will find a link to literacy and Lexile tools, including a Find a Book Tool that allows you to enter a Lexile score and an area of interest to search for book recommendations on just about any topic imaginable. From there, why not head to your local public library to tap into the endless resources available for free. The parent portal also includes math and Quantile tools. Dr. B recommends using Math@Home to find materials, including videos and problem sets, that will be at the right challenge level and on the right topics to help students get the help they need to advance to the next level. Should parents need guidance with the process, they can join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook for support from parents and caregivers who are walking the same journey to prepare for the challenging year ahead.

In summary, STAAR scores can be an extremely useful tool for setting a path for progress. As parents and educators brace for the pivotal year ahead, communication and engagement between parents and educators is paramount to success. Reviewing previous test results with teachers early in the school year and asking for guidance in problem areas can put students on the right path. More specifically, parents can ask for tutoring recommendations, school library resources, additional books or online games. The important thing is to be engaged and work together to set a course for success. If parents do not receive the feedback they are looking for, Cotton recommends going up the chain of command to see who at the school can help. If no help is available, it may be time to exercise the right to school choice.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find useful information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.

Taco Cabana celebrates Tax Free Weekend

Celebrate Tax Free Weekend at Taco Cabana this Friday August 6 through Sunday August 8, 2021 with special meal deals. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

In celebration of Texas Tax Free Weekend, Friday August 6, 2021 through Sunday August 8, 2021, Taco Cabana is offering a limited-time meal bundle that the whole family will enjoy. Continue the savings all weekend long with two large cheese quesadillas, twelve chicken flautas, and three 3.25 oz. quesos for just $19.99. Offer valid at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of June 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 142 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

First impression: Nerve Coffee

Pastry selections during my visit. Topo Chico is also available. Photo: Sandra Cruz

There seems to be no shortage of coffeeshops in Brownsville nowadays, so it does not matter what part of the city you are in, a java jolt is certainly within reach. Such was the case for me recently when I was at North Park Plaza shopping at Amor Y Pan that I noticed a new coffeeshop. Last time I was in the area, I saw construction going on but this time it was open for business – Nerve Coffee. From the outside, it looked clean, organized, and inviting so I decided to get a coffee to go.

The interior is decorated in neutral colors with minimal furnishings but enough tables to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. At the far corner, there is a retail station where they sell t-shirts and shopping bags with the cute company slogan – “Pa Los Nervios” as well as bagged coffee. With such a cute slogan, you get the feeling that coffee is their number one priority, yet they also sell baked goods and cold beverages. I like that the barista station is close by and out in the open so you can see, or supervise, as your coffee is being prepared. The front counter has samples of their baked goods and during my visit, this included cookies and brownies. I have a feeling the selections change frequently, as with some small businesses. I will have to go back again to verify this.

I knew I wanted coffee, but I was unsure what kind, so the patient cashier guided me with several questions: hot or cold? definitely cold; sweet? Yes, please. Any flavors? I opted for mocha and of course, made with almond milk. It was exactly what I expected – sweet and refreshing because in this South Texas heat, I cannot imagine drinking hot coffee in the middle of the afternoon. I also bought two chocolate chip cookies and lingered awhile to enjoy my coffee and survey my surroundings. I noticed that the majority of the patrons were young, so I get the impression that some do their studies while they are here. Not a bad idea. It might just be a hip place to hang out because a recent Facebook post announced live acoustic music last Saturday. The latte art on their hot coffee is amazing.

Nerve Coffee might be off my usual route, but next time I am in the neighborhood I will no doubt return for an iced coffee and maybe pick up one of their cool t-shirts. Everything is reasonably priced, so it is not out of the question. The customer service is top notch and the baked goods pair deliciously with their coffee. Next time you are craving a treat, stop by and support your local coffee shop. Remember: shop small, shop local. We might just run into each other next time.

Nerve Coffee
800 N Expressway, Ste 10
Brownsville, TX 7520
(956) 443-0101

Business Hours:
Monday through Friday 7a.m. to 8p.m.
Saturday 8a.m. to 8p.m.
Sunday 8a.m. to 4p.m.

Price Range: $ – $$

Rating: 4 out of 5.
  • Retail station
  • t-shirts and shopping bags
  • Barista station
  • Front counter
  • Open concept area

Celebrate International Beer Day 2021 at Krause’s Café & Biergarten

Krause’s Café & Biergarten in New Braunfels. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.

With International Beer Day fast approaching on Friday August 6, New Braunfels based beer garden, Krause’s Café & Biergarten, will be having beer specials all day to celebrate. Krause’s will be offering half price pints on all Altstadt Brewery products with an all-day Altstadt tap takeover. Guests can find Altstadt lager, Kolsch, amber, hefeweizen, pilsner, IPA, and more at Krause’s. Kick off the weekend with Krause’s and get a taste of German tradition in the Texas Hill Country. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2021)

Krause’s Café & Biergarten is a New Braunfels historic restaurant opened in 1938 and successfully run until 1995. Today, Krause’s Café honors the previous traditions of the restaurant with the addition of a ‘biergarten,’ live music, and more. The menu reflects New Braunfels’ German heritage as well as South Texas flavors. Over one hundred beers are available on tap with local, regional, and international options. The restaurant also features cocktails and wines on tap. Krause’s Café is located at 186 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, next to the popular New Braunfels Farmers Market.

Book signing event at the Brownsville Public Library

Lawrence Fernandez, author of “Jackass Flats” will be at the Brownsville Public Library for a book signing event on August 24 and 26. Photo: amazon

Coming up this month at the Brownsville Public Library, there will be a book signing event with Lawrence Fernandez, author of the book “Jackass Flats: Tales of the Deltaland of the Rio Grande.” He will be at the Main Branch as well as the Southmost Branch location on August 24 and 26, 2021 from 7p.m to 8p.m. There will be copies of his book available for purchase on the day of the event. (Brownsville Public Library, 2021)

“Jackass Flats” (amazon, 2021)
This book is a virtual fireside chat with the great storytellers of the delta region of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It is appropriately named “Jackass Flats,” paralleling it with the vanished prairie herds of wild horses and jackasses that inhabited a thin range of land in the Lower Nueces Strip. Just as these mythical beasts are now gone, so stands the feared endangerment of a species of “tellers of yarns” who kept the oral traditions alive, perpetuating a lifestyle that was colorfully filled with customs which were unique to South Texas colonization.

Four or five generations of close friendships, inter-marriages, business dealings, and even the occasional fights bring these accounts over the line, into being “personal stories.” You know it is personal when you open up your family cedar chests and discover a whole cross-section of photographs of non-family, and recognize them for the impact that each one gave to the community at large. You close your eyes and you can still vividly recall the scenes where the old chats were carried out; the chiseled features of the “old folks”, the smell of pipe tobacco, the salt spray of the gulf, mesquite wood campfires. You tried your darnedest to lap up all of the words of these tales.

Even though your grandmother sometimes altered the details with each presentation, you dare not correct her – that was part of the flavor. There will always be something special about reflecting back to what it was like in a bygone era. It is like going to a costume party and dressing out your fantasies. The storytellers are a strong example of reincarnation. They left a verbal, oral legacy that will live for as long as there are those who will light a fire to rekindle the message.

When:
Main Branch – August 24, 2021 from 7p.m. to 8p.m.
Southmost Branch – August 26, 2021 from 7p.m. to 8p.m.

Brownsville Public Library

Main Branch
2600 Central Blvd.
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 548-1055

Southmost Branch Library
4320 Southmost Blvd.
Brownsville, TX 78521

Naco Mexican Eatery’s first brick and mortar in San Antonio

Naco Mexican Eatery restaurant will open in Fall 2021. Photo: Naco Mexican Eatery, used with permission.

Naco Mexican Eatery is excited to announce its first ever brick and mortar location coming to San Antonio in the Los Patios development along the Salado Creek, opening in Fall 2021. Naco Mexican Eatery – a concept by husband-and-wife team Francisco Estrada and Lizzeth Martinez – is a food truck that serves authentic Mexican plates, traditional tacos, tortas, and chilaquiles for breakfast and lunch service. (Naco Mexican Eatery, 2021) 

Naco Mexican Eatery opened for business in San Antonio over three years ago. Its menu focuses on the street foods of Mexico with freshly made items such as chilaquiles using Naco’s own homemade salsas, tacos, and tortas, as well as healthy, keto-friendly and veggie-forward dishes. The menu at the new location will still include all the food truck fan-favorites but also add on all-day chilaquiles with new sauce options such as almond mole, a selection of breakfast egg benedicts made with traditional Mexican toppings including huitlacoche and Naco’s Mexican brisket, Mexican-inspired croissants with options like guava and cheese, all-natural aguas frescas, and more. 

Naco Mexican Eatery will have a relaxed, family-friendly space, with indoor dining of roughly 2,900 square feet, a space for private events, as well as a large 3,000 square foot patio surrounded by natural landscape and a creek-side view. The restaurant will have options for breakfast, lunch, early dinner and brunch service on the weekends. The restaurant will be located in Los Patios at 2015 NE Interstate 410 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78217. 

“We are blessed to be in a wonderful city, surrounded by the most amazing people who have fallen in love with our Mexican food that includes our own family flavors. We can’t wait to be able to showcase even more with our full-service restaurant space.”  

Owner Francisco Estrada

Naco Mexican Eatery will open its brick and mortar location in Fall 2021 and will continue its food truck operations. An official opening date will be announced soon.

Upcoming August events at Hopscotch

Events include a new Human Rights Campaign installation, a celebration of all things LGBTQ+, and more. Photo: Hopscotch, used with permission.

Hopscotch, the immersive art gallery in downtown San Antonio, is excited to announce a variety of programming, specials and more for the month of August including a new LGBTQ+ celebration, new installation from the Human Rights Campaign, yoga, nonprofit partnerships and more. The gallery will also begin opening its doors to the public on Thursdays at 2p.m. starting August 5. These are some of the events coming up in August and beyond. (Hopscotch, 2021)

Human Rights Campaign Installation
Hopscotch will officially debut its newest installation on Thursday, August 5. The gallery has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign to bring GAZE to San Antonio. GAZE transports guests into a world that encourages them to see beyond their own experience and into a future that is full of light, love, and acceptance for all. Rainbow colors shine on through designs etched into acrylic panels illuminated by a programmatic array of LED lights. The subtly shifting colors make for an ever-changing and layered experience that mirrors the ever-changing exterior world.

Equality is on the move. This installation will change over time, progress is the ultimate interactive experience. Guests can become a member of the Human Rights Campaign in the Hopscotch Gift Shop. Their participation moves equality forward and helps the change occur.

The Human Rights Campaign and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation together serve as America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQ+ equality. They have spent 40 years creating the most powerful movement for equality that the world has ever seen. By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

ThursGayz at Hopscotch – 7p.m. to 11p.m. Ongoing – First Thursday of each month.
In addition to opening to the public on Thursdays, Hopscotch is implementing Thursgayz on the first Thursday of every month starting August 5. Thursgayz is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and allies that will feature DJs, dancing, drag queens, drink specials, diversity, disco, and more. For the special price of $20, guests will get exclusive access to the entire gallery and all festivities. Specialty cocktails, including the Rain on Me Rita, Pride Paloma, and Seltzers will be available for purchase at happy hour pricing at the bar. There is no cover charge for the lounge or patio. All guests over the age of 18 are welcome. The $20 tickets for Thursgayz are available online. 

For the inaugural Thursgayz event on August 5th guests can expect:
• Music by DJ LilLatinPup
• Entertainment from drag queen Maria Maria Whitney
• Food from Backwoods BBQ available for purchase
• Complimentary cookies from Tiff’s Treats (while supplies last)
• Photo opportunities that celebrate all things pride
• Be some of the first to experience the new GAZE art installation in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign.

Sunday Storytelling – The Warrior Women Project: A Sisterhood of Immigrant Women August 7 from 3p.m. to 5p.m.
Hopscotch will be hosting a book signing event with Dr. Lulu, AKA the Momatrician, on Sunday, August 7. Dr. Lulu is a board-certified pediatrician and mom of three. She is proudly Nigerian and a youth suicide prevention activist. As the CEO of Teenalive.com and Dr. Lulu’s Youth Health Center, she is dedicated to youth suicide prevention. She is a TEDx, United Nations and Global Pan African Speaker, a 3-time bestselling author and a freelance writer. Dr. Lulu tells the story of twenty-two immigrant women from thirteen different countries and their plight with joy, pain, success, failure and love in “The Warrior Women Project.” This book takes readers on a journey in an attempt to educate, entertain and emphasize the embodiment of strength within immigrant women. Guests are encouraged to stop by, grab a copy of the book and get it signed by Dr. Lulu.

Hopscotch plans to do more regular storytelling events and artist talks to continue to highlight and uplift the amazing voices in our community.

Cocktails for a Cause – Martinez Street Women’s Center
Hopscotch is continuing its Cocktails for a Cause campaign. Each month, a different nonprofit is highlighted through various activities such as providing discounted or free tickets for members, sending staff to volunteer for the organization, sharing information about the non-profit on social media, and collecting physical and monetary donations on behalf of the organization. Through the “Cocktail for a Cause” series, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the Cocktail of the Month goes directly to the non-profit. This August proceeds from the “Solidarity Spritzer” help support the Martinez Street Women’s Center. The cocktail can be purchased in Hopscotch’s lounge for $12.

Solidarity Spritzer – Waterloo No. 9 Gin, House-made Blackberry Sage Syrup and Fresh Lemon Juice topped with Prosecco.

Tiff’s Treats + Hopscotch Collaboration
Tiff’s Treats is partnering with Hopscotch for a variety of upcoming events. Starting in August on Sunday mornings, Hopscotch ticket holders can enjoy complimentary warm cookies from 10a.m. to noon while supplies last. Hopscotch will also be hosting an Instagram giveaway in honor of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day on Wednesday, August 4 for two tickets to the gallery and a $100 Tiff’s Treats gift card on Hopscotch’s Instagram page.

Cookies for Community – Martinez Street Women’s Center
During August, Hopscotch visitors will receive a code to use when they purchase Tiff’s Treats. 20% of the sales from those cookies will be donated to Hopscotch’s non-profit of the month – Martinez Street Women’s Center.

Third Eye Awakening – Saturday, August 28 at 8:30a.m.
Guests are invited to make their way down the Hopscotch rabbit hole and unroll their mat in a consciously curated yoga and art experience designed to awaken the mind and body while inspiring the soul with the immersive masterpieces at the gallery. Inspired by the mural Conscious by local artist Los Otros, the yoga class led by Mobile Om will interweave breath, mindful movement and meditation into a holistic experience aimed to unlock guests’ connections to their third eye consciousness, the home of their intuition and imagination. After a blissful savasana, guests can awaken their taste buds with a refreshing Rabbit Hole Rita to sip while they enjoy exclusive access to browse the Hopscotch gallery. The yoga sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and space is limited. Guests are required to bring their own mats.

Tickets for Third Eye Awakening are $45 and are available online. 

Food Trucks
ChipKabob and Backwoods BBQ will make their respective returns to Hopscotch in August. See below for dates that they will be serving at Hopscotch.

Backwoods BBQ:
• Thursdays, 2p.m. – 11p.m.
• Fridays, 1p.m. – 11:30p.m.
• Saturdays, 12p.m. – 11:30p.m.
• Sundays, 12p.m. – 7p.m.

ChipKabob:
• Friday, 8/6: 12p.m. – 7p.m.
• Saturday, 8/7: 12p.m. – 5p.m.
• Sunday, 8/8: 12p.m. – 5p.m.
• Saturday, 8/21: 12p.m. – 7p.m.
• Sunday, 8/22: 12p.m. – 5p.m.
• Friday, 8/27: 12p.m. – 7p.m.
• Saturday, 8/28: 12p.m. – 5p.m.
• Sunday, 8/29: 12p.m. – 5p.m.

San Antonio Museum of Art announces fall exhibition

Lady Arundel restoration. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art, used with permission.

Over the course of its 40-year history, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) has developed an expansive 30,000-object collection that represents human creation and experience from across thousands of years and from cultures spread across six continents. In its upcoming exhibition, 40 Years, 40 Stories: Treasures and New Discoveries from SAMA’s Collection, SAMA will present works from the collection that are currently held in storage and that have been selected by members of the Museum’s curatorial team as works of particular personal interest, inspiration, and fascination. Many of the 40 objects chosen for the show have been off view for numerous years, while others are being presented for the first time. In other instances, artworks capture little-known or under-studied artistic and cultural narratives. Together, the works engage audiences anew with SAMA’s broad-ranging holdings and highlight the depth, range, and dynamism of the collection. 40 Years, 40 Stories will be on view from October 16, 2021–January 2, 2022. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021)

Among the highlights in the exhibition is the reinstallation of the monumental painting Mary, Lady Arundell of Wardour (1767) by the famed English painter Sir Joshua Reynolds. The full-length portrait was acquired by SAMA in 1981 and held a prominent position in its European decorative arts gallery for many years. In 2016, the painting was sent to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston for a multi-year conservation project, which was completed this year. The newly conserved painting reveals a new depth of detail and color within Reynolds’ composition. The removal of old, discolored layers of retouching and varnish has given the portrait a fresher and more balanced look. Another work in the exhibition that is being presented following recent conservation is the late 17th- to early 18th-century Chinese handscroll, Peach Blossom Spring. The work depicts the tale of a fisherman who discovers a utopian community. The handscroll, which has been in storage for many years, was repaired and remounted, so that it can be safely unrolled for viewing.

40 Years, 40 Stories also presents for the first time several new acquisitions, including an exquisitely carved Islamic amulet that was acquired in 2013. The amulet is inscribed with 63 Names of God and a verse from the Qur’an, and was intended to invoke divine protection. The exhibition will also feature a recently acquired Petrosphere, a massive stone sphere that weighs more than 600 pounds and was produced by the ancient inhabitants of Costa Rica. Found in groups, these spheres demarcated features of the landscape for communities in the Diquís region, though their precise meaning is not yet understood. The exhibition will also be the first occasion to show Celia Eberle’s sculptural installation Moss Grotto (2016) at SAMA. Recently acquired in 2019, this monumental work invites contemplation of the inevitability of Nature and of human loss.

Other objects in the exhibition include embroidered textiles made by Salvadoran refugees who fled their country’s civil war in the 1980s that have never previously been shown; a mosaic depicting a Nereid that was thought to be an ancient Roman work but was later discovered to be a 20th-century copy after a floor in the Baths of the Seven Sages, Ostia; a richly carved Yoruba veranda post; and a painted portrait of Pola Negri, a femme fatale of 1920s and 30s Hollywood who retired to San Antonio and left her glamorous portrait to the Museum.

Works in 40 Years, 40 Stories will be organized loosely by subject, function, and aesthetic resonance, capturing the ways in which seemingly disparate objects relate to and connect in dialogue together. The exhibition is curated by Powers, with objects selected by members of SAMA’s curatorial, collections, and education teams.

40 Years, 40 Stories is generously supported by the Sue Denman Memorial Exhibition Fund, the Helen and Everett Jones Exhibition Fund, the Amy Shelton McNutt Exhibition Fund, and the Daniel Sullivan Exhibition Fund.

“All of the artworks featured in the exhibition have a story to tell about culture, community, and history. The exhibition provides an exciting range of creative and technical innovation through time and captures the ways in which material culture has always been and continues to be essential to both constructing and understanding the world in which we live. At the same time, re-examining our collection felt like the perfect way to celebrate the Museum’s 40th anniversary. It’s an opportunity to explore how the collection has evolved and is also instructive as we continue to bring works into our holdings that capture the diversity of artistic production across time, geography, and media.” – Jessica Powers, Interim Chief Curator and The Gilbert M. Denman, Jr. Curator of Art of the Ancient Mediterranean World.

The San Antonio Museum of Art serves as a forum to explore and connect with art that spans the world’s geographies, artistic periods, genres, and cultures. Its collection contains nearly 30,000 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of San Antonio’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art is committed to promoting the rich cultural heritage and life of the city. The Museum hosts hundreds of events and public programs each year, including concerts, performances, tours, lectures, symposia, and interactive experiences. As an active civic leader, the Museum is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the city and the region, and to supporting its creative community.

 

Celebrate National S’mores Day with La Panadería

La Panadería’s S’more cookie. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

National S’mores Day on August 10 recognizes the most popular campfire treat. Millions of people of all ages love this gooey, toasted treat which consists of a roasted marshmallow with a layer of chocolate bar sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. The origin of the s’more is credited to entrepreneur Alec Barnum. (National Day Calendar, 2021)

National S’mores Day is coming up and while it may not be ideal to sit around a campfire with this Texas heat, you can still satisfy your S’more craving this summer with La Panadería’s delectable treat. La Panadería invites customers to indulge in their signature S’more cookie, their take on the gooey, toasted treat, made from scratch and packed with chocolate chunks and toasted marshmallows. La Panadería’s unique approach to baking results in artisanal pastries like no other, and their unique S’more cookie is no exception. (La Panadería, 2021)

You can purchase the S’more cookie for $3.60 at one of La Panadería’s three San Antonio locations, or order online for pickup.

Since opening La Panadería in San Antonio in 2014, the Cáceres brothers’ mission has been to share Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” bringing the art of their beloved pan dulce items to the Texas market that have since become a culinary staple for residents and visitors to San Antonio alike. La Panadería has seen great success in San Antonio and has shown resilience throughout the uncertain times the global coronavirus pandemic has brought on. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. All three of La Panadería’s locations offer indoor and al fresco dining as well as online ordering.

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Two-step back into concert going mode at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

The beautiful JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

This year, concerts are coming back in full force with new events like Stagecoach and national tours being announced weekly. For those who are excited to return to concerts but are not quite ready to commit to a sold-out stadium, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in the heart of Texas Hill Country is offering a more intimate and distanced approach to concerts this year. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021) 

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa—a 32-accommodation retreat on 13,000 acres in the heart of West Texas—has deep roots in country music and draws top talent to perform on its multiple indoor-outdoor “stages,” which include a private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) airport hangar and the resort’s sprawling main lawn. The resort is offering an intimate alternative to major concerts as music fanatics ease their way back into concert-going, with recent concerts featuring Shenandoah and Radney Foster. Most concerts are accessible both to locals and overnight guests and are offered either on the resort’s main lawn or in the spacious FBO airport hangar, with VIP tables featuring dinner and cocktails available for each event. The next scheduled concert is Labor Day Weekend, with additional ongoing private concerts at the resort throughout the year.  

For those enjoying a concert in tandem with an overnight stay, guests can embrace the West Texas lifestyle with horseback riding, cowboy cookouts, ATV adventures, trail and bike riding, archery, and more.