Pearl announces holiday programming and curated gift boxes

Pearl’s December programming includes virtual Chanukah and Posada celebrations. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

This season, Pearl is thrilled to continue offering festive programming with a socially distant twist. The windows along Pearl Parkway will feature vibrant color-blocked holiday scenes and shoppers can stroll through the stores with extended hours or order uniquely curated holiday gift boxes to be picked up from Pearl Farmers Market Curbside. Traditional celebrations like Posada and Chanukah will feature virtual components to ensure a safe and memorable holiday season, and the Holiday Gift Market will allow shoppers to avoid crowded stores. (Pearl, 2020)

Holiday Gifting 4 Good – November 13 – December 10 – Pearl partners with United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County on their Holiday Gifting 4 Good fundraising program. Holiday shoppers can purchase specially curated gift packages from Pearl and other community partners online, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale supporting the nonprofit. Pearl’s package includes tasty treats and fun, food-themed products from Pearl’s restaurants and retailers, including Cured, Feliz Modern POP, Local Coffee Founders, Niche, The Tiny Finch, and Wildflower Caramel Co., all inside a custom Pearl tote. Proceeds from each purchase benefit these local businesses and United Way’s community programs.

Pearl Farmers Market Holiday Gift Boxes – Order November 27 – December 15 for pick up or December 18 for shipping. Pearl Farmers Market Curbside debuts a variety of curated boxes filled with holiday gifts from regional producers and family farms that are perfect for gifting. Holiday shoppers can pre-order their products packaged in a beautiful, hand-printed Pearl gift box starting on November 27. Orders can be placed online.

Holiday Window Program – November 25 – January 8 – Pearl’s inaugural holiday window program will debut on Wednesday, November 25 to transform Pearl Parkway into a festive holiday destination. Conceived by Ginger Diaz of Feliz Modern POP, the initiative is a collaboration with Pearl’s creative retailers to celebrate the holidays. As part of the window program, Pearl is partnering with Wide Awake Creative for a virtual Holiday Donation Station at the corner of Pearl Parkway and Avenue A benefiting SAY Si, the San Antonio Area African American Community Fund, and the James Beard Foundation’s Open for Good Campaign.

Farmers Market: Holiday Edition – Saturdays and Sundays, November 28 – December 20 – Starting Saturday, November 28, Pearl Farmers Market will welcome local artists and makers to participate in the weekend farmers market for the holiday season. Holiday shoppers can avoid overcrowded stores and support local artists each Saturday from 9a.m. to 1p.m. and each Sunday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. With over 16 local additional artisan vendors, shoppers are sure to find a unique gift for everyone on their list. 

Holiday Stroll – Thursday, December 10 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. – Pearl is hosting a festive holiday shopping event on December 10 with extended retail hours, live music and restaurant specials. Shoppers can enjoy the holiday window displays on Pearl Parkway while listening to music from Los Callejeros de San Anto until 8p.m. 

Chanukah – Menorah installed with lighting beginning on Thursday, December 10 – Pearl honors its sixth annual Chanukah Menorah lighting on Thursday, December 10 in partnership with Young & Jewish San Antonio. A special digital message from Rabbi Eli Block will be released on all Pearl social platforms to safely commemorate the start of Chanukah. While there will not be an on-site celebration, the Menorah will be lit and available to visit on the property. 

Posada – Wednesday, December 16 – Traditionally, Posada has been a significant community gathering celebration where participants travel across Pearl property with a final celebration in Pearl Park. This year, Pearl will honor Posada with a special message from Father David Garcia filmed at the doors of Mission Concepcion. The video will be shared across Pearl social media platforms on December16. 

“Pearl during the holidays is always a special time. In addition to honoring some of our most cherished annual traditions like Chanukah and Posada, we are thrilled to debut our inaugural holiday window program along Pearl Parkway and the launch of our curated holiday boxes through Farmers Market Curbside.” –  Pearl Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Fauerso.

Whataburger holiday inflatables and gifts

Whataburger holiday yard ornaments. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner, and for anyone already shopping for good deals, Whataburger has new holiday items and the ‘Whataweek of Deals’. (Whataburger, 2020)

Whataburger is bringing some big holiday cheer this year, with the Table Tent Inflatable and yard ornaments created by Houston-based company, Holiball, who will be featured on Shark Tank on December 4. These festive decorations are perfect for letting neighbors know the answer to the age-old question: “What’s your favorite burger place?” 

Some of the new holiday gifts include a new holiday sweater, nutcracker and Snowbaby, just to name a few.

Whataburger’s Whataweek of Deals includes:
• Monday, November 23 – 20% off Snowbaby and free shipping sitewide with code “20SNOWBABY”​
• Wednesday, November 25 – 20% off all apparel and free shipping sitewide with code “20APPAREL”​
• Friday, November 27 – Holiball yard ornaments available and buy more, save more with code “HOLIBALL”  (buy 2, get $10 off; buy 3, get $15 off; buy 4, get $20 off)
• Monday, November 30 – Table Tent Inflatables available with $10 off and free shipping sitewide​

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas.  He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Whataburger now has over 800 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals every day with superior customer service.  Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Sweet Paris Crêperie and Café launches Holiday for Hunger

The Grinch crêpe at Sweet Paris. Photo: Sweet Paris, Used with permission.

Sweet Paris Crêperie and Café, located on Main Street at The Shops at La Cantera – 15900 La Cantera Parkway, across from Grimaldi’s and two doors down from Sur la Table, is launching Holiday for Hunger.  A portion of proceeds from two holiday crêpes, the Turkey Cran Brie and The Grinch, will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank and Culinaria. (Sweet Paris, 2020)

The Turkey Cran crêpe features roasted turkey, brie cheese, bacon, spinach and fresh cranberry sauce, garnished with walnuts and dried cranberries for $10.95; and The Grinch crêpe is a savory combination of sweet cream cheese, strawberries, red and green M&M’s, and dulce de leche in a grinchy green batter for $9.95. A portion of proceeds from these crepes sold from November 27 through December 23 will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank and Culinaria. To participate, guests must say “Holiday for Hunger” when ordering.  Sweet Paris business hours are 11a.m. to 8p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6p.m., Sunday.

The San Antonio Food Bank fights hunger and feeds hope in 16-counties and serves 58,000 individuals a week in one of the largest service areas in Texas. Sweet Paris shares the belief that no child should go to bed hungry and regularly aids the San Antonio Food Bank’s Kid’s Café and Backpack programs and believes that without awareness of a problem, people cannot take action to remedy it.

Culinaria promotes San Antonio as a premier food and wine destination. The organization supports local dining establishments through its Emergency Relief Fund and scholarships through its Endowment fund with the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Taco Cabana’s Thanksgiving and Black Friday deals

Taco Cabana’s “Drinksgiving” deal for Thanksgiving. Photo: Giant Noise, used with permission.

To celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Taco Cabana will offer three limited-time specials starting Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Taco Cabana lovers can enjoy their favorite menu items at special prices, including signature Taco Cabana tacos, margaritas, Cabana Bowls and more. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

Kicking off the trio of specials, “Drinksgiving” will offer guests their choice of any one Taco Cabana soft taco, excluding brisket and steak tacos, and margarita combination of their choice for only $3. This combo is available on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 only. 

On Black Friday, November 27, Taco Cabana invites guests to enjoy a buy one, get one (BOGO) offer on their signature shredded chicken or ground beef TC Cabana Bowls, available with or without a crispy tortilla shell. This BOGO offer is valid on Black Friday November 27, 2020 only. 

Both the “Drinksgiving” and Black Friday offer can be ordered online for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MYTC! App. When redeeming the BOGO offer online, guests must use “Code424.”  Neither offer is available through third party delivery service providers.

Lastly, starting Black Friday, November 27, 2020 and running through Cyber Monday, November 30, 2020, Taco Cabana will offer a $0 delivery fee on all online orders with a minimum of $10 purchase. The offer is available when purchasing online, through the MYTC! App, DoorDash, Uber Eats or GrubHub.

Offers are valid at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas. Select Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios are now open for dine-in. More information on Taco Cabana’s offerings is available online.

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.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering.

Twang launches new seasonal cocktail rimmer

Twang’s Twang-a-Rita Cranberry Cheer. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Twang Partners, Ltd., a San Antonio family-owned company known for its product line of premium salts and seasonings, is thrilled to announce a new seasonal margarita salt launched in partnership with Rancho La Gloria. Twang-a-rita Cranberry Cheer is available now exclusively at H-E-B for a limited time throughout the 2020 holiday season. (Twang, 2020)

The newest cocktail rimming blend includes ingredients reminiscent of holiday favorites like cranberry, cane sugar, salt, and natural orange flavors. Twang’s Cranberry Cheer was created to be paired with Rancho La Gloria’s new Spiced Cranberry Margarita Wine Cocktail but can complement a variety of seasonal cocktails. Twang-a-rita Cranberry Cheer comes in a six-ounce tub for the convenient rimming of margarita glasses. The new blend retails for $3.98 and is available exclusively at all H-E-B locations now through the end of the year. 

Cranberry Cheer is the latest addition to Twang’s line of premium Twang-a-rita cocktail rimmers. Other Twang-a-rita flavors include Paloma Love, Citrus Splash, Sunrise Spice, Nectarberry and Unwind Lime and are available year-round.  

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, Michelada Mix, Twangerz, Twang-A- Rita, Clamato Salt, ZAS! Super Seasoning, and Cafe Zuca. Twang products are available in grocery, convenience, liquor and specialty store shelves across the country or online. Twang Partners has successfully collaborated with some of the top food and beverage companies around the world to create innovative custom blends.

San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot registration

Registration is now live for the San Antonio Food Bank’s 10th annual Turkey Trot. Photo: google

This is the race that puts the “turkey” in Turkey Trot: the 10th annual San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot. Registration is now live and walkers and runners are encouraged to sign up early. Presented by H-E-B, the 2020 event on Thanksgiving will be virtual due to the pandemic, so participants can walk/run the 5K from anywhere in the world on Thanksgiving Day. Every registration provides a turkey for someone in need in our community. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2020)

Walkers and runners can receive a Turkey Trot tech running shirt, finisher’s medal, and more as part of their registration. They also can opt to provide more than the one turkey provided from their registration.  Walkers and racers will be asked to post their day-of photos in their social media platform of choice and tag the Food Bank (safoodbank) or hashtag the race (#turkeytrotsatx). Registration information is found online.

“While we truly miss the annual event from the H-E-B headquarters and Commander’s House, this virtual event means that so many more can participate. We would expect more than 5,000 in-person, but this virtual option to run or walk a 5K (3.2miles or so) means that anyone can participate from anywhere they happen to be on Thanksgiving Day. We hope to see families participate with multi-generations that have never come downtown for the race. It could be huge. And it all benefits those facing hunger.” – Eric Cooper, President/CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non‐profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 530 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long‐term food security.

Holiday Movies by Moonlight at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Movies by Moonlight in the Garden will take place November 27 and 28. Photo: google

Movies by Moonlight is back at the San Antonio Botanical Garden (555 Funston Place) this month. Cozy up under the moonlight with family or friends for a magical holiday double feature at the Botanical Garden. Movies by Moonlight in the Garden features two family-friendly movies on the lawn, hot cocoa, s’mores, as well as movie-inspired drinks and food available for purchase. Dates: Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28 from 5p.m. – 10 p.m.  Prices: $15 adults ($13 members), $10 children ($8 members) (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2020)

Guests are welcomed to bring low riding lawn chairs and blankets and are asked to follow all COVID-19 visitor guidelines during their visit at the Botanical Garden. Movies subject to change.

The Polar Express (G) 5:30p.m. – 7:30p.m. – On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

Elf (PG) 8p.m. – 10p.m. – After discovering he is human, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole decides to travel to New York City to locate his real father.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat offers three packages this holiday season

Hiatus Spa + Retreat has holiday gift packages. Photo: Molly Culver, used with permission.

This holiday season, Hiatus Spa + Retreat has created the perfect packages to give loved ones a day of self-care. Spa packages include two-plus hours of one-of-a-kind experiences with The All About You, three of the most in-demand spa services in The Peace, Love, Joy, and more. Below is more information on this year’s holiday packages. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2020)

The Merry + Bright – Two is better than one. Pick any two Essential Services–The Signature Massage, The Tailor-Made Facial, The One & Only Mani-Pedi, or The Body Wrap–and make a day of your getaway. 2+ hours, $179 (up to $220 value)

The Peace, Love, + Joy – Our three most in-demand services —The Signature Massage, The Tailor-Made Facial and The One & Only Mani-Pedi — are bundled up and tied with a bow, for your sugar plum. 3.5 hours, $259 ($320 value)

The All About You – Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience with The You Dew You HydraFacial® and The Yours Truly Massage. We love this journey for you. 2+ hours, $329 ($380 value)

With eight locations across Texas, eight years on Inc. 500’s fastest-growing companies, and an innovative spa subscription model, Hiatus Spa + Retreat is a fresh kind of full-service spa that has changed the wellness industry. Powered by products with real green ingredients and a high-touch experience, Hiatus’ personalized approach to wellness is driven by the view that regular relaxation should be an empowering part of a healthy, happy lifestyle. 

County Line Community Band’s upcoming concert

The County Line Community Band will perform a free concert on Saturday, November 21, 2020. Photo: County Line Community Band, used with permission.

The County Line Community Band will perform a free “Thanksgiving Concert” this Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 3p.m.  This concert celebrates the many gift we have had during this difficult year and selections will include “Amazing Grace,” “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” and a special tribute to veterans.  It will take place at the St Hedgwig City Park, 1346 FM 1518 St Hedwig, TX  78152 and will abide by strict “social distancing” rules.  The concert will be broadcast on short wave FM radio so attendees can listen to the music in their car while watching the band perform from the safety of their car.  Shakers Smoke Shack BBQ truck will be onsite for any attendees wishing to purchase food.  This concert is free and open to the public. (County Line Community Band, 2020)

The County Line Community Band is a versatile musical organization that uses the modern concert band repertoire and set up to entertain San Antonio and the surrounding communities.  This versatility allows the band to perform a variety of music in different genres.

Taco Cabana’s special offers for veterans and active duty military

Taco Cabana celebrates veterans and active military with special offers. Photo: Giant Noise, used with permission.

To honor and show its gratitude for members of the armed services, Taco Cabana is inviting veterans and active military members to enjoy half-priced enchiladas this Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at all locations in Texas. Veterans and active military members can order a two-enchilada or three-enchilada plate for 50% off the regular price. The popular Tex-Mex chain is offering its cheese enchiladas with a choice of six sauces and guests can choose to add shredded chicken, ground beef, chicken fajita or steak fajita as well. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

Offer is valid Wednesday, November 11, 2020 only when ordered at the TC front counter or via the convenient TC drive-thru.  Not available through online ordering or the MYTC! App.  

In addition to the Veterans Day offer, Taco Cabana celebrates members of the US Military every day with a 20% discount (excluding alcohol and gift cards). Taco Cabana also celebrates Military Appreciation Day on the second Tuesday of every month where military personnel can enjoy a free shredded chicken taco or ground beef taco all day. 

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 Nov. 1, 2020, Taco Cabana operates 144 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering.