Category: Outdoor Recreation

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.

 

The Classic Theatre’s ‘Our Town’ opens this Thursday

Performances of ‘Our Town’ will be at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio’s production of ‘Our Town’ opens at the San Antonio Botanical Garden this Thursday, May 13, 2021. It will run until Sunday May 30 with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30p.m. The San Antonio Botanical Garden is the perfect place to physically distance, get some fresh air, and connect with nature, all while enjoying some Theatre in the Rough. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2021)

Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover’s Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. How do the characters find meaning and contentment with their choices as their dreams, relationships, and futures unfold? It is directed by Mark Stringham and cast includes John Boyd, Brian Eanes, Christi Eanes, Sam Egger, Alyx Irene Gonzales, Vincent Hardy, Jonathan McDonald, Michael McCaslin, Adam Ochoa, Magda Porter, Keli Rosa Cabunoc Romero, Ian Rossmeier, Mark Stringham, Cheryl Tanner, Chad Thompson, and Bella Villarreal.

Tickets are available online and range from $24.00 to $39.00. Guests are asked to bring their own chairs and/or blankets to each performance and there will be masks and chairs available for purchase, if need be. There is no intermission for this production. COVID-19 Safety Policies and visitor information can be found online.

Ticket Policies
• Ticket sales are final. There are no refunds. Plays, dates, and artists are subject to change without notice.
• The Classic Theatre of San Antonio reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone.
• No refunds will be issued to latecomers.
• Cell phones and/or recording devices are not permitted to be used in the theatre during a performance. Use of such devices may result in ejection without refund.
• Please do not text during the performance – it is distracting to actors and audience members alike.
• The Classic Theatre of San Antonio reserves the right to make schedule and production changes. When possible, we will call all ticket holders regarding the cancellation of a specific performance.
• Children under the age of four will not be admitted to performances at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio.
• There is no dress code. Many patrons dress in business casual for regular performances.

Celebrate Easter at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is having its 5th Annual Easter celebration on April 1 – 4, 2021. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

With the Easter holiday officially around the corner and families planning nearby Spring Break getaways this year, the stunning, naturally distanced JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is egg-cited to announce its fifth annual Easter celebration taking place April 1-4, 2021. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Available over the holiday weekend across the resort’s 13,000 sprawling acres in the heart of Texas Hill Country, guests will be able to enjoy several events.  

Egg-cellent Dining: From Friday, April 2 – Sunday, April 4, JL Bar will offer a family-friendly feast daily with live music, including a Chicken & Fish Fry (Friday), a JL Bar Saturday BBQ (price: $32.95 for adults $10.95 for children 12 & under), and Sunday Easter Brunch from 10am to 2pm (price: $39.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 12 & under) 

Saturday Play Day: To kick off the weekend of Eggstravaganza, guests and locals are invited to participate in Saturday Play Day on Saturday, April 3, from 12pm to 5pm. There will be a bounce house, water slide, yard games, swimming, and music for everyone to enjoy. Kids (ages 0-12) can also partake in an Easter Egg Hunt on the sprawling JL Bar lawn. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken strips will be served from 12pm to 2pm and our adult friends will have the chance to experience premium drink service from start to finish.  

Adult Day Pass: $65 | Children 6-12: $25 (event included for all guests staying on property)  

Easter Egg Dash: Celebrate Easter with the little bunnies on Sunday, April 4, at the Easter Egg Dash hatching at 2pm. Children (0-6) will be able to search for eggs hidden in plain sight following Easter Brunch. JL Bar Ranch will provide easter baskets for no additional charge. Included with Easter Brunch, parental supervision required. 

Holiday Home Away from Home: The stunning Hill Country resort is offering exclusive Easter weekend rates, starting at $499/night for a multi-night stay and $599/night for one night. Holiday stays can be booked online or by calling 855-414-3337.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio presents ‘Antigone’

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio will be performing Antigone in April as part of their Theatre in the Rough series. Photo: The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is continuing its season of Theatre in the Rough with ‘Antigone.’ This dramatic adaptation by Emily Mann from the play by Sophocles is directed by Kelly Hilliard Roush. It will run from April 8 through 25, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 7:30p.m. at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Cast includes Josey Porras, John Boyd, Kacey Roye, Jon Manzke, Neil Redfield, Adam Ochoa, Gypsy Pantoja, and Marisa Varela. Ticket information and COVID safety protocols are available online. (The Classic Theater of San Antonio, 2021)

The play ‘Antigone’ begins with two brothers fighting for the kingship of Thebes. When both men die in battle, their successor and uncle, Creon, decides that one brother will be buried but the other brother will be left on the field of battle. Their sister, Antigone, finds herself having to choose between what she believes to be right: burying her brother, or following the laws of man and facing death herself. What happens when we are forced to choose between doing what we feel is right and what the world is telling us is right?  What forces us to take a stand? What are we willing to die for?

eSkootr Championship partners with Sport and Sustainability International

eSkootr Championship. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The eSkootr Championship™ (eSC) is delighted to announce it has become a member of the Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) association. SandSI is a not-for-profit group that seeks to accelerate sustainability in and through sport – promoting diversity, inclusion, integrity in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Through this strategic partnership, SandSI will support and reinforce eSC’s ongoing sustainability efforts, both on and off the racetrack. Dedicated to transforming the way we move through cities, eSC has committed to achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2022 as part of the UN’s Climate Neutral Now program. (eSkootr Championship, 2021)

According to a Global eScooter Market 2020-2024 Report by market research firm Technavio, the global e-scooter market will grow by 2.13 million units between 2020-2024, presenting a CAGR of nearly 6% during the forecast period*.

“We created the eSkootr Championship™ around the central concepts of sustainability, safety, inclusivity and affordability.” – eSkootr Championship™ co-founder and CEO Hrag Sarkissian.

With the first championship races set to take place in 2021, eSC is leading the way in providing more sustainable and innovative micro mobility solutions for sport as well as for daily city life. Together, SandSI and eSC will endeavor to inspire cities and its people to adopt safer and more sustainable mobility solutions.

“We are very pleased to welcome eSC as our newest member to SandSI. The partnership provides an opportunity to leverage the emerging eScooter market trends we are seeing, and we look forward to supporting eSC in their effort to provide more sustainable solutions for cities – both locally and globally.” – Philippe Duperrex, Secretary-General of SandSI .

Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) is a non-for-profit Swiss association with headquarters based in Lausanne. Founded in 2017, SandSI seeks to accelerate sustainability in and through sport, aligning its activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). A global membership organization, SandSI’s current membership is comprised of sport and non-sport entities as well as individuals representing 40+ countries, across all continents.

Formed in 2020, the Electric Scooter Championship is the world’s first micro mobility motorsport series.
Using high-performance race eScooters, eSC has been designed to champion progressive micro mobility policies and as an advocacy platform promoting smarter, cleaner, and safer mobility in our cities. The series is developing an international sporting calendar and infrastructure that will encourage diversity and inclusivity from a new generation of motorsport competitors worldwide. Formula E champion Lucas Di Grassi and ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz are founding stakeholders in the organization.

Movies by Moonlight in the Garden this Friday at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Movies by Moonlight in the Garden will be this Friday March 6, 2021. Photo: San Antonio Botanical Garden

This Friday, March 5, Movies by Moonlight in the Garden continues with two family friendly movies on the lawn: The Lion King and Glory Road. Cozy up under the moonlight with family or friends for a special double feature at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Guests are encouraged to bring low riding lawn chairs and blankets. Drinks and food will be available for purchase. Guests are asked to follow all COVID-19 visitor guidelines during their visit at the Botanical Garden. (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2021)

Fee: $20 adults ($18 member) and $15 child ($13.50 member). Tickets available online. The first movie will begin shortly after the sun sets around 6:45p.m. Movies are subject to change.

The Lion King (2019) (G) – After the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery.

Glory Road (PG) – In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden was first imagined nearly eight decades ago by civic influences Mrs. R.R. Witt and Mrs. Joseph Murphy. Forty years of planning and partnerships finally blossomed on May 3, 1980 with the official opening of the Botanical Garden. Since that day, the formal gardens and collections of native Texas plants have evolved to make the Botanical Garden one of the most noteworthy botanical centers in the state, educating and inspiring visitors from around the world.

Texas style Valentine’s Day getaways

Commodore Perry Estate in Austin, Tx. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This year for Valentine’s Day, couples may be looking for romantic weekend getaways that are close to home. These two Lone Star State destinations offer couples escapes from the daily grind and are perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa; Commodore Perry Estate, 2021)

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa – Sonora, TX
Lonestar Lover’s Weekend: The boutique ranch and resort located on a sprawling 13,000 acres in the heart of Texas Hill Country is offering several romantic packages for couples seeking a secluded, naturally distanced getaway this Valentine’s Day between February 10 – 14, including:

Romantic Dinner for Two: Guests and locals alike can enjoy an intimate happy hour with live music before enjoying an exclusive 4-course dinner developed by the JL Bar culinary team. The 4-course meal will include an array of Texas’ finest locally inspired dishes alongside elevated favorites, such as Seared Scallop with Citrus Shaved Fennel and Grapefruit; Bone-in Beef Filet with Yukon Gold potato puree, roasted fennel and asparagus, and a red wine demi-glace; and Chocolate Caramel S’mores Tartlet. Seatings at 5p.m. and 7:30p.m. ($150/couple, alcohol not included)

Lover’s Weekend Getaway: Starting at $499 per night ($399/night when booked alongside other couples), guests will experience couples activities and romantic amenities including a “Wine Down Happy Hour” with live music on Friday; a complimentary bottle of Prosecco and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival (option to upgrade with additional bottle of wine, fresh flowers, and more); complimentary Valentine treats in-room daily during their stay; and additional daily activities including horseback riding, hiking, spa and salon services, and wine tasting.

Commodore Perry Estate – Austin, TX
Cupid’s Arrow Heads to Austin: From the rosy hues of the Mrs. Perry Suite to the fragrant rose gardens, every corner of the estate exudes an intimate romance. Spend the day on a sprawling picnic blanket or cuddled up by a fire. Foster harmony in the body and mind with couples yoga or add a little spark with a private tequila tasting. Surround yourself with flowers as you sip on cocktails and chef-prepared snacks in the elaborate Library of Flowers installation by Gypsy Floral. Plan the perfect date or gather for Galentine’s in the Mansion Library for a memorable experience within a cascade of fragrant florals. Abundant range of experiences exclusively available throughout the long weekend. Receive a flexible $200 resort credit to utilize for dining and activities; two night minimum required. Reserve online.

Library of Flowers: Surround yourself with flowers as you sip on cocktails and chef-prepared snacks in the elaborate Library of Flowers installation by Gypsy Floral. Plan the perfect date or gather for Galentine’s in the Mansion Library for a memorable experience within a cascade of fragrant florals. Reservation required, Private bookings for 1.5 hours, Friday 4p.m. – 9:30p.m., Saturday 11a.m. – 9:30p.m., Sunday 11a.m. – 9:30p.m. Includes 2 cocktails per person, spread of canapes and mignardises (5 kinds). Polaroid camera provided to capture snapshots of the experience – Price: $75 pp

Valentine’s Day at Briscoe Western Art Museum

Enjoy Valentine’s Day at the Briscoe’s ‘Sips and Sounds of the West’ this February 12. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Start your Valentine’s weekend under the stars at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s “Sips and Sounds of the West” series on Friday, February 12. With live music, drinks, and tasty bites in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, kick up your heels with your Valentine or enjoy a night out with friends surrounded by the beauty of the fantastic bronze sculptures and lush greenery that create the perfect getaway on the banks of the River Walk. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)

Each Sips and Sounds ticket includes chocolate covered strawberries from Choco Fresitas and a Pony Express Love Letter calligraphy kit with everything you need to pen a love letter to your valentine. A virtual option includes a front-row livestream with contact-less curbside pickup of your Pony Express Love Letters calligraphy kit and sweet treats. The calligraphy kit is a nod to the Briscoe’s beloved annual Pony Express Love Letters program, cancelled this year due to COVID. With the antiqued stationary paper and envelopes, mock wax seal, decorative stickers, calligraphy pen kit and ink, a how-to guide and Western love poetry prompts, everyone who enjoys Sips and Sounds will take home all they need to craft the perfect love letter.

Sips and Sounds of the West is the Briscoe’s seasonal music series that kicked off last fall with a safe, socially distanced, limited attendance sold out evening. The second event in the series is the perfect way to kick off Valentine’s weekend with Ty Dillon, a singer-songwriter who will fill the garden with a fantastic acoustic set. The socially distanced evening features a margarita bar and food available on site by True Flavors. Doors open at 6p.m. with music, drinks, and food until 9p.m.

Sips and Sounds of the West flows in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, a lush public outdoor space featuring a beautiful courtyard surrounded by bronze sculptures that depict iconic figures of the American West. The sculpture garden offers the perfect respite during any River Walk visit, with tables, chairs, and benches to rest and enjoy the view. With the lights of downtown in the background, and the River Walk’s famous holiday lights glowing through Valentine’s, the garden becomes magical at night, making it the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends.

If purchased in advance, tickets for Sips and Sounds of the West are $20 per person for museum members and $25 per person for future members and include an admission ticket to come back and enjoy the Briscoe’s full collection during regular museum hours, as well as a 20% off coupon to the Museum Store. To safely ensure proper social distances are maintained, groups are asked to purchase tickets in one transaction. A minimum of two tickets must be purchased to ensure guests are seated appropriately. Groups of three to five are seated at a larger round table. Groups of two are seated at intimate cocktail tables. Tickets will be sold at the door as available and are $25 per person while supplies last. To enjoy the at-home livestreamed evening, a single ticket reserves your front row seat and includes four chocolate strawberries for sharing, as well as a Pony Express Love Letters calligraphy kit.

The museum’s health and safety protocols require that both staff and guests wear masks. Temperature checks are also part of this protocol.

JL Bar Ranch is Texas Hill Country’s undiscovered luxury retreat

JL Bar Ranch is located deep in the Texas Hill Country. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, used with permission.

This year, as Americans continue to practice social distancing and seek destinations that are in remote, outdoor-driven locations, one of the U.S.’s hottest regions is the Texas Hill Country and its stunning, off-grid JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Set on 13,000 acres and a short drive from Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas/Fort Worth areas, and accessible via private airplane thanks to its on-property hangar (FBO), The JL Bar Ranch offers an off-grid yet luxurious experience for those seeking to reconnect with themselves and the Great Outdoors. With the following new amenities, offers, and activities for 2021, The JL Bar Ranch is a prime destination for a naturally distanced getaway in the heart of Texas.

Luxury Meets Texas Ranch: The 32-room boutique property acts as guests’ home away from home to relax, unplug and enjoy the tranquility of West Texas. With scenic views in every direction, JL Bar’s grounds offer rolling acres of oak trees and wild grasses to spot local wildlife.  JL Bar’s cuisine is reflective of the current seasons with an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients.

A True Texas Adventure: From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, The JL Bar Ranch’s slew of activities and programming take place primarily outside for the ultimate safe cation getaway. Guests are invited to embrace the Texas Hill Country lifestyle, even if it is just for a weekend stay.

Cowboy Cookout: The culinary team at JL Bar Ranch has designed a decadent and interactive social distancing-approved dining experience with its new Cowboy Cookout. Guests can take in the Texas Hill Country views with a horseback ride to the property’s cookout camp, enjoy cocktails and snacks as the culinary team prepares a lavish steak dinner, and relax to country music while taking in the magnificent sunset.

Wellness Weekend, Anyone? To balance its outdoorsy and adventure programming, JL Bar Ranch guests can unwind and practice self-care at the property’s full-service spa, which offers luxurious massages and spa treatments alongside a full nail/salon menu. Guests can reconnect with themselves and the natural world with one-of-a-kind immersive programming, ranging from a horse psychology experience to spa treatments that incorporate ancient healing traditions.

Set amidst 13,000 breathtaking acres deep in the heart of the majestic Texas Hill Country, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is one of the country’s premier working ranch experiences and the state’s only luxury ranch resort. Fulfilling the dream of owners James and Lois Archer, the 32-room resort is a study in rustic elegance, providing an intimate, customized Texas experience while connecting guests to nature through a variety of guest offerings and amenities such as equine experiences, hiking, swimming, biking, yoga, and a sporting clay complex. The resort features a spa, outstanding culinary offerings at The Restaurant at JL as well as Lonesome Creek Lodge for dinner series and private events; a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) private airport with a 5,300-foot runway, a general store and more than 35,000 square feet of unique indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, making it the perfect place to relax, unplug and experience the beauty and serenity of West Texas.

Reconnecting with my home town: Veterans Park

Veterans Park in Brownsville. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Part one in a series of posts meant to help me reconnect with my home town and the areas around it while educating the public about the numerous places to see and experience. First of is Veterans Park in Brownsville. Last week I took a trip to see it for myself since I have never been here before, having been gone from the area for almost 20 years. What I found was a respectful and educational memorial to the areas’ veterans.

Veterans Park is located next to the city library and shares an entrance drive and parking.  It consists of veteran memorial walls and placards, a multi-purpose lawn, a walking path, and landscaping. Celebrating the rich heritage of veterans from the Brownsville community, this park is a beautiful living memorial. (City of Brownsville, 2020)

The park focuses on large concave concrete slabs that include the names of Brownsville area veterans from World War II to Afghanistan with each slab holding 40 names each. Currently there are more than 50,000 names of both living and deceased soldiers native to Brownsville. The center of the memorial contains three large flag poles centered on a concrete base with a start embedded within it. There is also a memorial to Medal of Honor Recipient, and Brownsville native, Sergeant Jose M Lopez.

The monument honors veterans from World War II to current conflicts, including the Afghanistan War and its Operation Enduring Freedom. The American Legion aimed to make the park an educational extension of the library by creating two murals showing the locations of conflicts on world maps from the 18th century to present.

If you decide to visit a park or trail, please abide Second Amended Emergency Order guidelines.  Protect yourself and others. Make sure you are wearing a face mask (face covering) and always practice social distancing.  Maintain distance–Stay 6 feet away from other people.  Avoid mass gathering. No crowds, no groups