Bakery Lorraine celebrates Pride Month with cookies for a cause

Bakery Lorraine launches specialty cookie in observance of Pride Month with a portion of all proceeds contributed to local LGBTQ+ organization. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Bakery Lorraine, a local favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop, will offer a rainbow-colored cookie in celebration of Pride Month. They will be joining forces with San Antonio-based LGBTQ+ organization, Thrive Youth Center. (Bakery Lorraine, 2021)

A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Thrive Youth Center, an organization whose mission is to help homeless LGBTQ+ youth in San Antonio. The cookies will be available throughout the month of June starting Friday, June 4, and will be sold in packs of three cookies for $6.50. Cookies can be purchased at all Bakery Lorraine locations in San Antonio and Austin for dine-in or to go. This June Thrive Youth Center aims to raise over $20,000 for its organization. Meeting this goal will allow the organization to accommodate the growing numbers of youth entering their shelter, assist with housing programs, provide funding for increased staffing needs and supply necessary items for LGBTQ+ youth.

Bakery Lorraine is a San Antonio favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons and exquisite French pastries. Owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy Mandrell, and operator Charlie Biedenharn, Bakery Lorraine was named one of the best new bakeries in the U.S. by Food & Wine and CNN’s Eatocracyblog, as well as one of the “13 Destination Bakeries” by Conde Nast Traveler. Bakery Lorraine serves handmade French pastries and macarons using the finest ingredients. The bakery also serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, including items like its breakfast parfait, the quiche Lorraine, chicken potpie, an assortment of salads and soups, and artisan sandwiches. Bakery Lorraine has three locations in San Antonio including one in the Historic Pearl district, one in San Antonio’s Medical Center, and one in San Antonio’s RIM shopping center, including now an Austin location at Domain NORTHSIDE.

Thrive Youth Center’s mission is to provide a safe, effective, and supportive center for homeless LGBTQ youth in San Antonio and Austin, so they may become productive, skilled, educated, and successful adults with the ability, opportunity, and possibility of achieving their dreams. Thrive has 10 beds at their emergency shelter located on Haven for Hope’s campus, and are now in the third year of housing young adults in their own apartments for up to a year through a federal government grant. Thrive Youth Center has served over 200 young adults in 2019 alone.

Father’s Day gift ideas from Twang

Father’s Day gift ideas from Twang. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday June 20 and to help celebrate dads, Twang, a family owned and operated manufacturer of salts, seasonings, michelada mixes and more, has created a bucket full of things beer aficionado dads will love. Twang is offering a limited amount of Father’s Day Buckets for $29.99 a piece, plus shipping. Shipping is free with purchases of $40 or more. (Twang, 2021)

The Twang Father’s Day Buckets include the following items:

• Beer Salt Bucket
• Beer Salt Bandana
• Beer Salt Hat
• 2 Beer Salt Pint Glasses
• 2 Camo Holster Koozies
• 1 Pickle Beer Salt Bottle
• 1 Lemon-Lime Beer Salt Bottle
• 1 Lime Beer Salt Bottle

The Twang Father’s Day Buckets are available for purchase here starting June 1, 2021 and are available for nationwide shipping. Please note that the beer is not included in the Twang Father’s Day Buckets.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Twang Partners Ltd. is a family-owned and operated creator and manufacturer of premium-flavored salts, sugars and seasonings and credited as being “The original beer salt.” Since 1986, Twang Partners has produced the highest quality products designed to enhance the taste, appearance and enjoyment of food and beverages. Brands include Beer Salt, Twangerz, Twang-A-Rita, Clamato Salt, ZAS! Super Seasoning, Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mixes and Cafe Zuca. Find Twang products in grocery, convenience, liquor and specialty store shelves across the country. Twang Partners has successfully collaborated with some of the top food and beverage companies around the world to create innovative custom blends.

Celebrate Father’s Day at iFLY Indoor Skydiving

iFLY celebrating dads with first-time flyer package special for Father’s Day. Photo: iFLY Indoor Skydiving, used with permission.

All dads are unique in their own way, so what better way to show your love for dad than gifting him with flight at iFLY Indoor Skydiving? It is a fun and safe activity to do indoors as a family. In celebration of Father’s Day, iFLY is offering one free video to dads—code “FLYDAD21”—with the purchase of any “First-Time Flyer” package. The offer is valid from Monday, June 14 through Sunday, June 20, and is available for purchase online and at participating local iFLY locations. Simply add a flight video to your online cart and apply the “FLYDAD21” promo code at checkout. (iFLY, 2021)

iFLY is a sports and recreation company with the mission to deliver the dream of flight. The company pioneered the body-flying “indoor skydiving” experience and is the world leader in vertical wind tunnel technology. Guests do not need to be an athlete or in the best shape of their life. iFLY’s world-class instructors are pros at making flying fun for everyone.

iFLY is taking the proper precautions to ensure guests enjoy their flying experience by making an investment in new safety measures to create new ways of keeping people safe in their buildings. In fact, iFLY’s wind tunnels have a fresh air advantage over other experiences. Advanced wind tunnel technology provides guests with clean air while flying by recirculating and refreshing the air from outside the iFLY facilities. Tested and proven, iFLY’s wind tunnels create an environment at least 10x fresher than the average store or gym when flying guests—even at slow wind speeds.

Austin-based iFLY Holdings, LLC., is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, sales, and operations of wind tunnel systems for indoor skydiving. The company has flown more than 9,000,000 people in a dozen countries and at sea since launching the modern vertical wind tunnel industry in 1998. iFLY has over 81 facilities operating worldwide with 36 wholly-owned in North America. iFLY supports and utilizes the safety and training guidelines set out by the International Bodyflight Association (IBA) to ensure the safety and progression of the sport of indoor skydiving. iFLY makes the dream of flight a reality by giving their customers “wings” in a safe and reliable environment.

Celebrate Father’s Day at Pluckers Wing Bar

Pluckers Wing Bar is offering a free meal for dads on Father’s Day for Pluckers Club and Pluckers Club Lite members. Photo: Melissa Skorpil, used with permission.

This Father’s Day, treat dad to the best wings in town and all-day sports watching at Pluckers Wing Bar. In celebration of the special day, on Sunday, June 20, Pluckers Wing Bar will offer a free meal (up to a $16 value) to dads who are either Pluckers Club or Pluckers Club Lite members themselves or come with a guest who has a membership. This special will be available for dine-in only. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2021)

Known for their perfect combination of homemade food and a fantastic atmosphere for watching sports, the iconic Pluckers menu includes fan favorites, such as Fried Pickles, Holy Macaroni, the Bypass Burger, and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. Pluckers’s famous wings are offered in-bone or boneless, grilled, and paired with signature sauces, like Buffalo, Spicy BBQ, and Spicy Ranch, along with such unique flavors as Ginger Peach Sriracha, Gochujang, and Spicy Mandarin.

Owners Mark Greenberg, Dave Paul, and Sean Greenberg, 2017 Ernst and Young Central Texas Entrepreneurs of the Year opened their first Pluckers restaurant in Austin in 1995. Over the past 25 years, Pluckers Wing Bar has opened 30 locations, expanding to Baton Rouge, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston Killeen, San Marcos, and San Antonio. Pluckers is known for its signature wings and is consistently recognized as the best sports bar and chicken wing restaurant in the cities where it is located. Offering guests a fun, laid-back atmosphere where friends, family, and co-workers can enjoy a great meal and watch sports, Pluckers has been named in USA Today’s “Top Ten Wing Restaurants,” ESPN’s “Top 5 Sports Bar in North America,” and Dallas Observer’s “Best Sports Bar,” along with being named one of “Austin’s Best Places to Work” for three years by Austin Business Journal.

Lightscape making its Texas debut at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio’s newest holiday event will be making its Texas debut this holiday season. Photo: San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio’s newest holiday event, Lightscape, is making its Texas debut at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Guests will be enchanted by magical light displays set along a beautifully illuminated one-mile path winding through the Botanical Garden. These captivating illuminations will dazzle the senses and the show will proudly include installations unique to Texas created by local and international artists. This exciting display will run from November 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022. (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2021)

The trail will feature a one-of-a-kind experience blending new works, including a field of Texas bluebonnets, with guest-favorites, such as the show stopping Cathedral of Light, an impressive towering cathedral arch tunnel sparkling with 10,000 lights.

This holiday event routinely sells out in other cities, so be sure to mark your calendars and buy your tickets early. Botanical Garden members will receive an exclusive 48 hour pre-sake and ticket discount. Become a member today to guarantee tickets for your preferred date.

Tickets go on sale to Botanical Garden members on Wednesday, June 2 and public on-sale begins Friday, June 4, 2021.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden’s tranquil 38 acres serve as a living museum of native and imported plant life for visitors to appreciate, learn from, and enjoy. Its mission is to inspire people to connect with the plant world and understand the importance of plants in our lives.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar’s Memorial Day deals that give back

Hopdoddy Burger Bar’s Good Cause burger. Photo: Hopdoddy, used with permission.

This Memorial Day weekend, from Friday, May 28 – Monday, May 31, Hopdoddy will donate a percentage of proceeds from all menu items purchased to the SEAL Legacy Foundation, a charity that provides support to families of wounded and fallen U.S. Navy Seals. (Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 2021)

Established in 2011, the SEAL Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization based in Austin, TX. The Foundation was founded by SEALS is run by SEALS, and supports the brave men of the U.S. Navy SEALS Teams by providing educational assistance for SEALS and their families and other charitable causes benefitting the SEAL community.

All Hopdoddy orders can be placed in-person at any one of the burger joint’s restaurant locations or online for curbside or pickup.

In 2010, four friends had a goal: to set a new standard for burger bars. Hopdoddy Burger Bar pushed the boundaries of what is expected by bringing together craft beer and unique burger concoctions – all with high-quality ingredients and even higher standards. With every purchase of a Goodnight Good Cause burger, a portion of the proceeds give back to Hopdoddy’s favorite community charitable organizations.

Memorial day activities at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in the Texas Hill Country has activities planned for the long Memorial Day weekend. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Memorial Day is right around the corner, and JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is offering an exciting weekend full of festivities and outdoor-driven activities that everyone in the family can enjoy. From concerts in the private indoor/outdoor FBO hangar to special holiday dining options, Memorial Day Weekend with JL Bar will kick off summer on a high note. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Across the resort’s 13,000 sprawling acres in the heart of Texas Hill Country, guests will be able to take part in: 

Music & Memories: On Saturday, May 29, Shenandoah will be performing a live concert at JL Bar’s Private FBO Hanger in honor of the men and women who gave their lives serving our Country. The concert is fully open to the public with general admission tickets available for $75 and VIP Tables available for $1200. Additionally, Hotel guests can upgrade to a table for just $480. Tables will be exclusively roped off near the front of the stage and can seat up to 8 people. The concert doors open at 6:30p.m. and Shenandoah takes the stage at 9p.m.

Firework Food: JL Bar’s Chef Sergio has curated a special menu for dinner on Saturday, May 29. For only 32.95/adults and $12.95/kids, guests can indulge in a few of his signature dishes – southern style catfish and shrimp, fried country potatoes, and more. The resort will also offer a brunch from 11a.m. to 2p.m. on Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Stay Awhile: The stunning Hill Country resort is offering an exclusive Memorial Day weekend rate starting at $499/night – book 3 nights and guests can receive their 4th night free. Holiday stays can be booked online or by calling 855-414-3337.. Resort guests will also receive free general admission tickets to the concert.

Hill Country Adventures: On top of all the holiday activities, the resort will be offering outdoor experiences including horseback riding and a horse psychology experience, off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting.

 

San Antonio Museum of Art honors military personnel with free admission

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

This year, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will once again participate in Blue Star Museums — a national collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across the U.S. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, SAMA will offer active duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves and their families, free general admission into the Museum. This summer, visitors to SAMA can explore new and current exhibitions on view, including Movie Metal (on view through June 20, 2021) and America’s Impressionism: Echoes of a Revolution (on view starting June 11, 2021) as well as SAMA’s collection of works. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021)

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.

 

Twin Liquors’ upcoming events

Upcoming events include a virtual wine event and a Memorial Day sale. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.

On Wednesday June 2, Twin Liquors will be hosting a virtual wine event with international man of winemaking, Nick Goldschmidt, as he guides viewers through a tasting of his wines from New Zealand, to Argentina, to California. Born in New Zealand, Nick Goldschmidt has been making wine in both hemispheres for nearly forty years; first corporately, and now for his own Goldschmidt Vineyards brands, since 1998. Nick is hands-on from vine to bottle, and has a deep passion for single-vineyard Cabernet. You will often find him in the vineyard pruning vines or in the cellars crushing and racking his top wines. To register for the free event, please visit the link here. (Twin Liquors, 2021)

Additionally, beginning next week on May 24, Twin Liquors will be offering its annual Memorial Day sales which features specials on spirits and wine. The special promo will run through May 31. For more information on specific sale items, visit Twin Liquors online.

Be sure to also check out Twin Liquors newly launched Spring into Summer Entertaining Guide designed to provide advice on hosting this spring 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. Featuring new spring cocktail combo packs with recipes, wine pairings, and tips for hosting this spring, the entertaining guide has something for everyone.

May 24 – May 31: Memorial Day Sale
June 2: Around the World with Nick Goldschmidt, Virtual Wine Event (6p.m. CT)

Customers are able to shop through the website or the Twin Liquors app, available to download on iOS and Android app stores. Twin Liquors will continue to offer online ordering for in-store pickup and/or delivery in 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. Twin Liquors has 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.

Mother’s Day brunch at The JL Bar, Ranch, Resort & Spa

Spoil mom this Mother’s Day with a Texas Hill Country Brunch at The JL Bar, Ranch, Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner on Sunday, May 9, and  what better way to celebrate mom than with a Texas Hill Country brunch at the stunning, 13,000-acre JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora Texas. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Families can treat mom to a blissful brunch on The Ranch on Sunday, May 9, with two exclusive seatings between 10a.m. to 2p.m. (locals and day visitors can book, too!). For $39.95 and $12.95 for children, guests and locals will be treated to a special menu of signatures dishes from their expert culinary team. There will be two reservations from 10a.m. to 11:30a.m. and 12:30p.m. to 2p.m. with limited seating for both.

For those staying for the weekend, there’s an activity for every type of mom. From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, spa treatments, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, families can make new memories at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

The horse psychology experience is led by the working ranch and resort’s equine experts Jon Joseph and Sydney Béïque. Guests can learn about horse psychology, the basics of horse behavior, and how to be comfortable around horses; for example, guests will learn that a round pen makes it easier to train horses as well as techniques for optimal upkeep and engagement. This experience provides a deeper appreciation for the majestic animals as well as a fun, engaging way to immerse yourself in Texas Hill Country ranch culture. Guests and locals can partake in this special one-hour course for as low as $50 and gain a deeper understanding and comfort level when interacting with horses.  

The horse psychology experience is one of the many services guests can enjoy at The JL Bar, Ranch, Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission.