San Antonio Taco Rumble announces menus

For the first annual Taco Rumble, 19 celebrated San Antonio and Austin restaurants will bring their boldest flavors to the competition. Photo: google

An acclaimed crew of San Antonio and Austin restaurants will battle for the championship belt during the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance’s (SAFWA) first annual Taco Rumble on Thursday, July 15, from 7:30-10 pm, presented by H-E-B. Limited tickets for the sure-to-sell-out event are available online for $65. (San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, 2021)

The electric competition, the first in-person event for the recently formed nonprofit, will be held at The Espee, located east of Downtown San Antonio. Formerly known as Sunset Station, this historic spot offers a convenient rideshare location.

The menu for Taco Rumble promises to be a true taco lovers delight. Guests can indulge in a dizzying array of styles and flavors, ranging from traditional to new school. Competing to be the taco supreme will be:

Asador, Austin (Chef Joe Becerra) — Grilled Mushroom Taco with Mole Amarillo
¡Bucho! Tejano Street Fare, San Antonio (Chefs Gino Vidal & Jerry Moreno) — Chino Latino Poke Taco with a Tejano Furikake-Dusted Crispy Wonton Shell, Avocado, House Tuna Tartare, Habanero-Mezcal Aioli, & Micro Cilantro
Carnitas El Guero, Austin (Chef Gustavo Reyes) — Traditional Carnitas Taco
Carnitas Lonja, San Antonio (Chef Alex Paredes) — Michoacán- Style Carnitas Taco with Fresh Corn Tortillas
Eldorado Café, Austin (Chef Joel Fried) — Thunderosa Taco with Sirloin, Bacon, Roasted Jalapenos, Sautéed Green Chile and Onion Rajas, & Melted Jack Cheese.
La Fonda de Jaime 2.0, San Antonio (Chefs Jaime Hernandez & Pedro Rebollo) — Birria 2.0 Taco
La Generala, San Antonio (Chef Blanca Márquez ) — Costilla Taco with Pork Ribs Cooked in Signature Blend of Spices & Chiles
Jason Dady Catering, San Antonio (Chef Esteban Valdez) — Smoked Beef Short Rib Taco with Sikil Pak (Mayan Pepita Dip), Avocado, Oaxaca Cheese, & Salsa Macha
Lala’s Gorditas, San Antonio(Chef Steven Anthony Pizzini) — Puffy Tacos Norteño with Shredded Chicken, House Adobo Sauce Curtido, Crema, & Salsa Verde
Milpa (Chef Jesse Kirk), San Antonio — Taco Arabe with Shawarma-Style Pork, Crema Mexicana, Cucumbers, Cilantro, & Chile Arbol Salsa; Flor de Jamaica Taco with Hibiscus Flower con Sazon, Avocado Spread, Cilantro, Queso Fresco, & Salsa Habanero
Naco Mexican Eatery, San Antonio (Chefs Francisco Estrada & Liz Estrada) — “Mexican Grandmother” Dry Fideo Taco with Cream, Avocado, & Chicatanas (Mexican Flying Ants) Roasted Salsa on Heirloom Blue Corn Tortillas.
Paprika, Austin (Chef Margarito Pérez) — Taco de Suadero with Brisket Confit, Cilantro, Onion, and Salsa de Arbol
R19 Taqueria, Austin (Chef Christopher Haydostian) — Báhn Mì Tacos with Twice Cooked Pork Belly, Pickled Jicama Tortilla, Traditional Vegetables, Herbs, & Hanoi Vinaigrette
Texsueño, Austin (Chef Brandon Martin) — Crispy Oxtail Taco
Trill Foods, Austin (Chef Nick Belloni) — Charred Broccoli Taco with Lime, Queso Oaxaca, Smoked Scallop XO Sauce, & Lobster Tortilla
Austin Taco Mafia (Chef Luis “Beto” Robledo of Cuantos Tacos, Chef Anthony Pratto of Discada, Chef Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria, & Chef Gerardo Guerrero of La Tunita 512) — Campechana Taco with Arrachera (Skirt Steak) & Longaniza Confit, Salsa Verde, Habanero Pickled Onions, Cilantro, and Epazote Marbled Tortilla

Tempering the spice will be a delectable variety of sweet treats from San Antonio favorites, including:

Bakery Lorraine (Chefs Anne Ng & Jeremy Mandrell) — Assortment of Mexican Chocolate, Churro, & Piña Colada Macarons
Lick Honest Ice Creams (Chef Anthony Sobotik) — Horchata Ice Cream
Paletería San Antonio (Chef José Rodriguez) — Assorted Artisan Paletas

In addition to showcasing the best in taco craftsmanship, Taco Rumble will feature an impressive selection of wines, craft beers, and premium spirits tastings including Chawar Andean Agave, Bribón Tequila, Dandy Rosé, Dahlia Tequila, Doña Vega Mezcal, Lone Star Rio Jade, Lone Star Seltzer, Mijenta Tequila, Milagro Tequila, Pearl, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and more.

The unique VIP experience includes early entry from 6:30p.m. to 7:30 p.m., a stainless-steel YETI wine tumbler, and access to an exclusive agave spirits lounge with a tour of Mexican street fare from celebrated San Antonio restaurant Cuishe Cocina Mexicana and tastings of fine spirits from Chacolo, Gusto Histórico, Patrón, Real Minero, Rey Campero, Sotoleros, and Uruapan. The Taco Rumble VIP experience is $150, and only 100 passes are available.

An esteemed crew of celebrity judges including Texas Monthly Food Editor Pat Sharpe, San Antonio Express-News Food Critic Mike Sutter, Latin Grammy Award-nominated musician Gina Chavez, San Antonio-based blogger and influencer Stephanie Guerra, and Texas Eats host David Elder of San Antonio’s KSAT. Event attendees also will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite taco as part of the final score.

Taco Rumble is a fundraiser for the San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, the culinary nonprofit dedicated to fostering awareness, support, and innovation in the South Texas food and beverage community. SAFWA is the culmination of 34 years of pride, innovation, and talent that reflects the unique culinary landscape of the great state of Texas. Beginning with the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival — one of the nation’s longest-running food fests with 26 years —the organization transitioned to the Austin Food & Wine Alliance in 2011 to be the sole beneficiary of the Austin Food + Wine Festival. In 2020, the nonprofit formed a statewide organization and expanded throughout Texas’ major cities including San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.

Proceeds from the signature tasting event will help SAFWA give back to the local culinary community through a vibrant grant program for chefs, farmers, artisan producers, and nonprofits by funding projects focused on culinary innovation that support the community.

SAFWA hosts engaging culinary events throughout the year to raise funds for grants that will be awarded specifically to the San Antonio culinary community. The unique grant program that started with the Austin organization has now extended to Texas’ top cities and is the nation’s first based on culinary innovation and community giveback. Since 2012, the Austin Food & Wine Alliance has awarded $367,500 in grants to fund local culinary projects.

The Alliance continues to win tremendous community support with H-E-B as presenting sponsor and other key supporters, including American Lamb Board, Bribón Tequila, Chawar, Canopy by Hilton, Doña Vega Mezcal, El Silencio Mezcal, The Espee, Fever-Tree, FreshPoint, Giant Noise, Heavy Métl Premium Imports, Mijenta Tequila, Milagro Tequila, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Pabst, Patrón Tequila, Sage & Honey, Siete Foods, Sysco, Tender Belly, Texas Beef Council, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Twang, Unifresh, and US Foods.

The San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness, support, and innovation in the Central Texas culinary community through grants, educational programming, and events. Guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees made up of culinary- and community-minded professionals, the Alliance’s commitment is to support, inspire, and showcase Texas and beyond through the power of our diverse culinary communities.

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San Antonio Taco Rumble

The Espee

Levitt Pavilion in Los Angeles announces free outdoor concert series

Levitt Pavilion announces concert schedule for 2021 summer concert series in MacArthur Park. Photo: google

After a spring filled with local pop-up concerts, Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles (Levitt LA) is thrilled to celebrate the return of live music by gathering this summer in MacArthur Park for a booming season of free concerts beginning July 30. The in-person concert series will be followed by the online premier of Barrio Fino, a 5 part docu-series diving into the vibrant and distinct communities in and around MacArthur Park, Levitt LA’s home of 14 years. (Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles, 2021)

Levitt LA’s in person concerts will once again transform MacArthur Park into a sonically charged urban oasis presenting free, live music under the stars with established and emerging artists. The electrifying 2021 lineup features international greats as well as LA’s own superstar talents who perform a wide variety of genres including cumbia, rock, soul, ska, mariachi, electronic dance music, folkloric music from Mexico and Central America, Tejano, reggae, and many more. Levitt LA’s high-caliber free music programming offers all Angelenos access to the arts, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds in a bilingual (English/Spanish) setting. Levitt LA is also pleased to announce the concerts will be live-streamed online, expanding the accessibility of free high quality music programs for all.

Barrio Fino is a five-episode docu-series premiering on Levitt LA’s YouTube channel beginning August 30, 2021. Developed during the pandemic as a collective love letter to the near-and-dear communities surrounding MacArthur Park, each 60-minute episode dives into the music and cultural diversity of Westlake, Koreatown, Historic Filipinotown, the North American Indigenous populations of Los Angeles, and the legacy of Youth & Hip-Hop in the park. Live-streamed and screened at sundown from the rooftop of Walter J. Towers, Barrio Fino features popular live musical performances and creative video segments highlighting the food, fashion, art, and history of these communities with dynamic interviews by community leaders, culture bearers, and artists. Levitt LA co-curated each episode with longstanding collaborators United American Indian Involvement Inc., Asian American eXchange Media, FilAm Arts, Carmelo Alvarez, and Sunset Ecléctico. Full episode details, artists and musical act line up announcements to follow.

In Person 2021 Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles schedule is as follows:
(July 30) La Banda Elastica Presents – Flor Amargo & DJ set by La Banda Elastica
(July 31) Office of Councilmember Gil Cedillo Presents – Selenamos
(August 1) Little Ethiopia Cultural & Resource Center Presents – Ras Michael and The Sons & Daughters of Negus, King Malik, and Guade
(August 6) Evoekore Media Presents – The Paranoias + Friends
(August 7) IMG Records Presents – Mariah Avila & Angel City Soul Band with DJ set by Ruben Molina
(August 8) Mundo Mayan Foundation Presents – 4th Annual Mundo Maya Day featuring Lucas Critchfield, La Flor de Yucatan, Freddy Ucan & Juli Dzul, California Mesoamerican Ballgame, Kalpulli Teotlalli Tepeyollotl, Hermano Jose Ajpu Munoz, Tata Guillermo Hernandez, Abuela Sara Z Mijares & a Mayan Fire Ceremony
(August 13) Lethal Amounts Presents – DJ set by Lethal Amounts
(August 14) Subsuelo & Late Night Laggers Present – Son Rompe Pera with Djs Subsuelo & Late Night Laggers
(August 15) Organización Regional de Oaxaca Presents – Banda Filarmónica Herencia Zoochileña, Grupo Folklorico Huaxyacac, Grupo Folklorico Princesa Donaji, Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera
(August 20) Globalista Presents – With Love from LA – Rashaan Ahmad & Mark de Clive-Lowe
(August 21) Goethe Institute, La Junta, & Pacifica Music Group Present – Isaac Torres y Su Alianza, Maxi Pontigratz – DJ set by La Junta
(August 22) Mi Linda Nicaragua Presents – Gustavo Bucardo

The 2021 Levitt LA concerts are presented free of charge, and an RSVP is recommended for event updates. Audience members are welcome to bring their own picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs. All concerts will be live streamed on Levitt LA’s YouTube Channel. As public health measures from the County of Los Angeles are rapidly changing, information on social distancing and/or mask requirements will be clarified closer to the beginning of the series. Two parking lots located less than two blocks away from the venue stay open late every night during the concert season. The MacArthur Park venue is also fully accessible by Metro rail and bus lines. To RSVP and for the full 2021 series lineup, live stream instructions, and safety guidelines, please visit Levitt Pavilion online.

In person concerts begin at 7p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4p.m. Sundays. Concerts will also be live streamed on Levitt LA’s YouTube Channel. Episodes of the docu-series Barrio Fino begin at 7p.m. on Levitt LA’s YouTube Channel.

Marking its 14th season in 2021, Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles makes live music accessible to all, creating stronger and more connected communities while celebrating the diversity of our city and beyond. Every summer, a full season of concerts is presented at the Levitt Pavilion, featuring acclaimed, emerging talent to seasoned, award-winning performers in a broad range of music genres. Since 2007, over 500,000 people have gathered in MacArthur Park to enjoy the free concerts, cultural celebrations, and multigenerational atmosphere offered at the Levitt Pavilion.

MacArthur Park

San Antonio’s artistic institutions team up to present fall gala

San Antonio Museum of Art. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This September, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA), Ballet San Antonio, The Public Theater of San Antonio, San Antonio Chamber Choir, and Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA) will join forces to produce “Celebration,” a one-night collaborative arts showcase and fundraising spectacular. Taking place on September 16, 2021 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, doors will open at 6:30p.m. and the show will begin at 7p.m. The event will celebrate the arts in San Antonio through an evening of performances, food, and fun. Tickets are on sale now. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021)

“We are thrilled to come together with these extraordinary performing arts nonprofits to empower the arts in our community,” said Dr. Emily Sano, Co-Interim Director, Coates-Cowden-Brown Senior Advisor for Asian Art. “We have much to celebrate after this past year. We hope people will join us in supporting the arts in San Antonio.”

Throughout the evening, gala attendees can enjoy performances by participating organizations in the Tobin’s H-E-B Performance Hall, as well as a live auction, catered dinner, and a live performance by renowned 10-piece band, Professor D., at the conclusion of the evening in the Carlos Alvarez Theater overlooking the Will Naylor Smith River Walk Plaza. Tickets are on sale now including individual and VIP options, as well as sponsorship options. Purchase tiers are available below:

Individual Ticket – $300
- Includes audience seating in the H-E-B Performance Hall for the arts showcase
- Cocktails and a buffet in the Red and Charline McCombs Lobby
VIP Tickets for Two – $1,000
- Includes cabaret seating, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails during the artists showcase
- Cocktails, buffet, and a reserved cocktail table in the Red and Charline McCombs Lobby
Tiered Sponsorship Packages
- Sponsorship levels are available ranging from $2,500 to $10,000
- More information on each sponsorship tier is available online.

The “Celebration” gala is chaired by Kristin and Dick Tips. Funds raised during the gala will support the missions of the San Antonio Museum of Art, Ballet San Antonio, The Public Theater of San Antonio, San Antonio Chamber Choir and YOSA.

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.

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

First impression: Main Street Deli

Another Friday night meant another chance to venture out into the city and find a new and interesting place for dinner. This time it was Main Street Deli in downtown Brownsville. We had noticed this restaurant the last few times we were in the area and decided to throw caution to the wind and give it a chance. As usual, the parking in the area is challenging but we managed to quickly find a spot. It is located on Market Square in the area that has become the focus for downtown revitalization.

The inside has a charming deli atmosphere and as soon as we walked in, to the right, there is a bright pink neon sign that reads “this must be the place” – so obviously I knew then that we were in the right place. I was impressed by how neat, clean, and tidy everything looks which is always a good sign. There are more than enough seating options so we chose a table right next to the window. The walls are mostly glass and it is on a corner lot, so customers can see traffic go by as they are enjoying their meal.

Menu options, as with other delis, include salads (Caesar, Market Square, and Main Street), wraps (turkey, chicken, and veggie), and pasta (fettucine Alfredo, Cheesy Fettucine, and Spaghetti and Meatballs). I ordered the Veggie Wrap and the Market Square Salad and my husband ordered the Cuban Sandwich and since the salad is big enough, we ended up sharing it. I am usually hesitant about ordering salads because more often than not, the greens are not fresh but in this case every ingredient was fresh: the greens, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers and it comes with a side of cilantro sauce. Wanting to save room for the salad, I ended up taking half of the veggie wrap to go. The Cuban Sandwich is delicious too, and it comes with a cup of lentil soup. It would have been nice to have a separate dipping sauce for it, but overall it was good.

As a deli/sandwich shop, it was a pleasant experience. In business for a couple of years, owners Hector Zavala and Diana Medina should be proud of what they are offering downtown patrons. It is a nice place to sit, slow down for a bit, and have a tasty meal. Service was fast and the staff is friendly and helpful. We went in early in the afternoon so it was not too crowded and by the time we left, at around 6p.m., it was starting to get busy. Next time you are in the area, stop by Main Street Deli for lunch or dinner; the lemonade looks so refreshing for these coming hot months. Remember: shop small, shop local, and support your community.

Price range: $ – $$
Main Street Deli
1157 E. Washington St.
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 551-9498

Business hours:
Monday through Saturday 11a.m. to 8:30p.m.
Closed Sundays

East Washington Street

Tickets for ‘My Fair Lady’ at the Majestic Theatre go on sale Friday

Leslie Alexander as Mrs. Higgins, Shereen Ahmed as Eliza Doolittle and Kevin Pariseau as Colonel Pickering in The Lincoln Center Theater Production of Lerner & Loewe’s ‘My Fair Lady.’ Photo: Joan Marcus, used with permission.

North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio is pleased to announce that the North American tour of Lincoln Center Theater’s critically acclaimed production of Lerner & Loewe’s ‘My Fair Lady’ relaunches the Majestic Theatre 2021-2022 Broadway in San Antonio season. Directed by Bartlett Sher, the North American tour will play eight performances September 21-26 at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets start at $45 and are available online, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982.ARTS (2787), or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. The Majestic Box Office does not accept single ticket orders over the phone; all ticket sales must be made in person. Majestic Box Office hours are noon to 5p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10a.m. to 5p.m. Friday. Weekend hours vary, call (210) 226.3333 to verify. Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2021)

Tickets go on sale this Friday July 9 at 10a.m. Performance times are 7:30p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 8p.m. on Friday; 2p.m. and 8p.m., Saturday and at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. Welcoming audiences, artists, staff, cast, and crew back to the Majestic Theatre at full capacity safely and responsibly remains Broadway in San Antonio’s top priority. Masks will be required while in the theatre for this performance. Health and safety protocols are subject to change and will be clearly communicated to ticket holders in advance of each performance. Current protocols are available online.

Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Lerner & Loewe’s ‘My Fair Lady’ is the winner of 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Revival of Musical and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, 5 Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical Revival and 3 Drama League Awards including Best Musical Revival. The production, which premiered in the spring of 2018, ended its long run at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater on July 7, 2019 after playing 548 performances.

Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion, ‘My Fair Lady,’ with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, premiered on Broadway on March 15, 1956. The legendary original production won 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical and ran for 2,717 performances making it, at the time, the longest-running musical in Broadway history. The story concerns Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins so that she may pass as a lady.

Boasting a score that contains such now-classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” Lincoln Center Theater’s production of ‘My Fair Lady’ was hailed by The New York Times as “Thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was. A marvelous and transformative revival.” New York Magazine described it as ‘Enthralling,” adding that “Bartlett Sher’s glowing revival proves that a beloved musical from another era can keep on kicking.” Entertainment Weekly raved “A sumptuous new revival of the most perfect musical of all time. A masterful piece of entertainment.”

Majestic Theatre

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Opening night of ‘My Fair Lady’

Twin Liquors presents Italian Wine Month

Twin Liquors’ Italian Wine Month features 20% off sales and virtual tastings with Italian winemakers. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.

Beginning today, July 6, Twin Liquors is excited to announce the launch of Italian Wine Month in all Twin Liquors locations. Now until July 31, all Italian wines will be 20% off 2+ bottles. For those who may not be familiar with Italian wines, this is the perfect time to try something new. Twin favorites include the Natale Verga Governo Red Blend, Prosecco Rosé, and the Sorrentino Southern Italian Red Blend. For the full list of Italian wine offerings, please visit Twin Liquors online or stop into your neighborhood Twin. (Twin Liquors, 2021)

Additionally, Prosecco week is July 19 – July 24 and to celebrate, Twin Liquors is hosting a virtual prosecco tasting with winemakers from Italian wineries Mionetto, La Marca, and Natale Verga on Wednesday, July 21. The virtual tasting will kick off at 6p.m. CDT and viewers can RSVP in the link provided here.

Be sure to also check out the Twin Liquors Summer Entertaining Guide designed to provide advice on hosting this summer season. Whether “Entertaining at Home” means having a few friends over for dinner or inviting your closest friends to a backyard get-together, Twin Liquors has you covered with everything you need for beverages. Featuring cocktail combo packs with recipes, wine pairings (including Italian wines!), and tips for hosting, the entertaining guide has something for everyone!

July 6 – July 31: Italian Wine Month
Wednesday, July 21: Virtual Prosecco Tasting

Twin Liquors is open Monday – Saturday from 10a.m. to 9p.m. Online hours are 11a.m. to 8p.m. To find a Twin Liquors store near you visit Twin Liquors online. You may also through their website or Twin Liquors app, which is available on IOS and Android stores. Twin Liquors also offers online ordering and in-store pickup and/or delivery to all stores.

Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has developed into a successful “home-grown” Texas family-owned company. It has developed a unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world, and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 100+ neighborhood stores from Austin to San Antonio, the Hill Country to Houston, and the DFW area with their Sigel’s branded stores.

WellMed and Blessed Angels Community Center offering COVID-19 vaccination

WellMed Charitable Foundation is teaming up with Blessed Angels Community Center. Photo: google

WellMed Charitable Foundation is teaming up with Blessed Angels Community Center to offer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 shot. Everyone who gets the vaccination will receive a free Fiesta Texas ticket provided by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, and will have a chance to win one of 100 Visa gift cards worth $50, courtesy of Kym Rapier Verette. People who pre-register will receive a box lunch from Jason’s Deli, provided by the community center. Visit SignUp to register. Walk-ins will also be accepted. (WellMed, 2021)

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 8a.m. to 12p.m.

Blessed Angels Community Center
14078 Nacogdoches Road
San Antonio, TX 78247

There will be a drawing to win $50 Visa gift cards every 15 minutes until all 100 are given away. Insurance is not required. Vaccines are free to anyone 18 and older who has not previously received a COVID-19 vaccine. Proof of Texas residency required.

Blessed Angels Community Center

SAY Sí student receives globally competitive Adobe Design Circle Scholarship

San Antonio resident Jonathan Rodriguez selected as one of ten students from around the world. Photo: google

SAY Sí is thrilled to announce that recent high school graduate and SAY Sí alum, Jonathan Rodriguez, has been awarded the Adobe Design Circle Scholarship, a globally competitive design scholarship. To help reach untapped youth communities and foster diversity in the design industry, Adobe’s Design Circle Scholarship awards 10 annual college scholarships – up to $25,000 per year, for each year of the recipient’s undergraduate education (up to four years or $100,000). Rodriguez’ application was selected as one of 10 students from around the globe and will be applied toward his studies in UX Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) this fall, which intersects with his web design background and passion for creativity, technology and leadership. (SAY Sí, 2021)

As an industry underrepresented by Latinos, Rodriguez believes he will make a difference in driving UX Design innovation of products, services and systems inclusive of his culture, which will help to be made possible by this generous scholarship.

“This award means I will be able to do what I love doing, which is being a creative professional. I was so happy when I found out that I called my mom right away and messaged my two SAY Sí Instructors, Stevan and Ned. I will be studying UX Design at SCAD, and with the Adobe Design Circle Scholarship Program, I will have the opportunity to job shadow and be mentored by creatives at Google, Adobe and many other companies. This is a life-changing award and sets a new standard and path forward.”
scholarship recipient and SAY Sí alum, Jonathan Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is one of SAY Sí’s studio liaisons, acting as an ambassador for the nonprofit arts organization. SAY Sí’s mission is to support and amplify the voices of young artists, regardless of their socioeconomic status by providing hands-on training in digital and tech-based work, visual arts and new media. Rodriguez credits SAY Sí for encouraging and helping him to achieve his goals and hopes his success story will inspire others to do the same.

Founded in 1994, SAY Sí is a national award-winning, art-based nonprofit youth development program located in San Antonio, Texas. The goal of the organization is to provide San Antonio area students in grades 6-12 with the opportunity to develop artistic and social skills in preparation for higher educational advancement and career building. SAY Sí programs serve over 200 students from all of San Antonio’s school districts – in addition to serving 4,000 youth in community programs. SAY Sí’s unique approach to education has placed the organization on the national stage, with recognition as one of the top out-of-school-time organizations in the country by The Wallace Foundation, as well as serving as one of seven international youth arts organizations chosen to receive an inaugural Creative Catalyst Award by Adobe Project 1324 in 2016.

Project Pollo’s Fourth of July event

This Fourth of July, Project Pollo is offering 1,000 free Smart Dogs, tasty menu samples, a chance to shop local vendors, and a hot dog eating contest to support local nonprofits. Photo: Project Pollo, used with permission.

This is a July Fourth celebration that is going to the dogs—hot dogs, that is. On Sunday, July 4, from noon to 4p.m., San Antonio’s only vegan chicken fast food restaurant chain invites the public to its 303 San Pedro location, where 1,000 Vegan Lightlife Smart Dogs will be given away. The free dogs are part of a day filled with food, philanthropy, and doggone fun designed for both the plant-based and plant-curious diners alike. (Project Pollo, 2021)

Project Pollo has been disrupting the fast-food industry with its vegan chicken concept since opening its doors in the fall of 2020 and it shows no signs of slowing down. With five new restaurants throughout San Antonio, nine more scheduled to open across Texas by the end of the year, and a long range plan of 100 locations in the U.S. by the year 2024, the locally based restaurant is committed to making plant-based options affordable, accessible, and most of all, delicious.

FOOD
Smart Dogs are not the only thing on the holiday menu. Guests will be able to try FREE samples of some of Project Pollo’s newest items, including the decadent double chocolate cookie or creamy strawberry shortcake milkshakes made with Oatly Milk. In addition, the full menu, complete with the signature Original Project Chickn sandwich, the loaded Papas smothered in Credo Cashew Queso, and the vegan Mac n Cheese will be available for purchase. It is the perfect time to exercise your freedom to explore just how good plant-based eating can be.

PHILANTHROPY
What is a Fourth of July party without an eating contest? Project Pollo is inviting representatives from local nonprofits to participate in a “dog-off.” For every Smart Dog consumed, $25 will be donated to the organization. The grand prize winner will walk away with a $500 donation. A supply drive will be held for supporters to drop off donations and show their support for the participating organizations. It is all part of Project Pollo’s “people over profits” philosophy that extends to the community year-round. Through the “People Project,” charitable initiative, Project Pollo donates two additional sandwiches for the sale of every $5.50 People Project Crispy Strip sandwich. This effort allows the company to give away a minimum of 1,000 sandwiches on a designated day each quarter to those in need. In addition, for those who cannot afford the $5.50 cost, a “pay what you can” option is available, making it easier for everyone to enjoy sustainable foods.

FUN
Ate too many Smart Dogs? Walk it off as you browse local vendors who will be showcasing their wares during the Fourth of July event. Artists, plant sellers, and other merchants will be on hand with unique items to purchase. Shop, snack, and support local.

Established in 2020 by vegan entrepreneur Lucas Bradbury, Project Pollo gives a cluck about the planet and the people who inhabit it. The first of its kind plant-based fast-food chicken concept, Project Pollo is built on bold flavors and bolder principles, including fair wages, sustainability, and people over profit. The scratch-made menu offers delicious vegan chicken sandwiches, wraps, and strips, as well as plenty of mouthwatering sides, including crispy Papas, smothered in cashew queso, and Mac N Cheese. Project Pollo is committed to changing the face of the fast-food industry by offering affordable, delicious, convenient access to quality, plant-based options that everyone from the veteran vegan to the curious carnivore will enjoy. With locations across Texas (some drive-thru), Project Pollo hopes to spread its wings to 100 stores by 2024.

Project Pollo

Summer Speaker Series at Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park. Photo: google

As a history enthusiast, I enjoy visiting historical sites and learning all I can about them. Unknown to some residents, this area has an extensive amount of history, historical markers, and parks. One example is the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park. On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park preserves the site of this battle and examines the causes, events, and consequences of the U.S./Mexican War. (Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, 2021)

This park is hosting a Summer Speaker Series to educate and inform the public about the Battle of Palo Alto and related topics. I have attended the previous two lectures and sincerely appreciate the effort put through by the volunteers and speakers to bring us these events. These presentations are very interesting and appeal to local history buffs. They are held in the visitor center at 10a.m. and seating is limited to 25. Below is a brief synopsis of each.

Saturday June 19 Riverboat Trade
Joe Matthews, a valley native, presented the discussion about riverboats of the Mexican-American War, including the history of riverboats and the people involved. As a visual aid, Aurelio Romo brought in his 7ft. replica of Bessie, a shallow-draft boat, which he put together during the COVID quarantine. Riverboats like these were first used mostly by ranchers and small businesses to move supplies. During the Mexican-American War, they were used to move troops up and down the Rio Grande River. Back then, the river was so much wider and ferries were commonly used. Some of the earlier traders included Charles Stillman, who came from Europe at the age of 18 and was instrumental in setting up the riverboats. After the war, the riverboats were used mostly for trade and during the Civil War, they helped smuggle cotton into the South by “Confederate sympathizers” who most likely were only interested in making money.

Highlight: General Zachary Taylor developed a reputation as an outstanding man, known for upholding treaties with the native people and often stated “we’re at war with the Mexican army, not the people.”

Saturday June 26 – Texas Rangers, Scouts, Spies of the U.S. Mexican War
Wade Marcum, a teacher, presented the discussion about the early Texas Rangers in three parts: ranger history, ranger descriptions, and a show and tell/Q&A. Visual aids included several pistols, rifles, and revolvers as well as two different horse saddles.

Most of the early Texas Rangers were volunteers, which was Stephen F. Austin’s idea. Their reputation was that they “ride like a Mexican, trail like an Indian, shoot like a Tennessean, and fight like the devil.” They took the best from each culture that they came across. In 1846 with the Mexican/American War looming, these volunteers operated under the Law of Retaliation because they had scores and grudges to settle with the Mexican people.

The introduction of horses in the area made a difference in how Indians did battle and a revolution in firepower came with the invention of the Colt 5 shot revolvers by Samuel Colt. Captain Jack Hays bought them for this troops in the Texas Navy but when it disbanded, Colt was out of luck. He later met with Samuel Walker up east and designed the 6 shot .44 caliber revolver.

Coming up next: Saturday July 3 Grenadiers in the Mexican Army

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
7200 Paredes Line Road
Brownsville, TX 78526
(956) 541-2785

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

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