Spa For A Cause during Earth Month benefits Charity:Water. Photo: Hiatus Spa + Retreat, used with permission.
Earth Month, celebrated annually in April, serves as a global reminder of our planet’s fragility and the urgent need for environmental stewardship. It’s a time for individuals, communities, and organizations to unite in sustainable actions, raising awareness about pressing environmental issues like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Earth Month is a call to action, inspiring collective responsibility and fostering a deeper connection to nature, emphasizing the importance of sustainable living and conservation efforts year-round.
Hiatus Spa + Retreat, the award-winning Texas day spa with eight locations across the state, is delighted to announce its annual Spa for a Cause campaign to celebrate Earth Month, taking place from April 1-30. Each Hiatus Spa location and online will raffle off one of their most popular HydraFacial services, with 100% of ticket proceeds benefiting Charity: Water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to millions of people around the world. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2024)
The Change Your Life HydraFacial®, valued at $305, is the ultimate treatment that includes all the luxurious essentials of the HydraFacial System while balancing performance and relaxation. Guests can purchase one raffle ticket for $5 or five raffle tickets for $20 at any of the eight locations or online throughout April.
Since 2016, Hiatus has funded two wells through Charity: Water, one in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and one in Jahapur, Bangladesh. This has given over 700 people access to clean water.
Hiatus Spa + Retreat was founded in Dallas in 2007 by longtime friends Sheila Garrison, Kristin Heaton Peabody, and Bill Garrison. With eight locations across Texas, eight years on Inc. 500’s fastest-growing companies list 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 environmentally friendly 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.
The annual events is aimed at raising awareness for Texas wines and funds for hospitality workers. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Texas Wine Auction, an event aimed at bringing together Texas wineries and winemakers to raise money for wellness programs and research to enhance the Texas wine industry, is excited to announce their auction items and the addition of two new chefs to the event, taking place on Saturday, April 29 from 6p.m. to 11:30p.m. Chef Luis Villalva of El Come Taco in Dallas, TX and Chef Austin Simmons of TRIS in Houston, TX will join the ranks of the eight incredible chefs participating in this year’s auction. (Texas Wine Auction, 2023)
Both of the recently announced chefs will participate in a competition to present the best dish of the night, voted on by event goers. They will join the previously announced Chef Angie Ragan, Chef Mike Hall, Chef Krystyna Cibelli-Pettus, Chef Roshni Gurnani, and Chef Matt Church.
In addition to enjoying incredible food and wine, attendees will also be able to bid on incredible auction items throughout the night. This year’s featured auction items include:
• Tasting the Stars of Texas: Co-sponsored by FlavoryTX and Feast & Merriment, the auction item will be a memorable experience enjoying Texas wines paired with ranch-to-table dinner, followed by a guided star party with sparkling Texas wines. • Texas staycation: A luxurious three day, two night stay in Fort Davis, Texas with a wine tasting by Chateau Wright. • VIP Napa Trip: A VIP trip to Napa in California for four. The trip includes a three day, two night stay at Auberge Du Soleil with private transportation to six wineries. • Hill Country Tour: An exclusive tour of Hill Country wineries via helicopter with Aero Vino. • VIP Wine Weekend: Feature winery, William Chris Vineyards, will host a Barrel Tasting for eight, and private dinner at their vineyard. They will also host tastings at all three of their properties and a two night stay at Carter Creek Winery & Resort. • Wine Cases: Feature winery Inwood Estates will offer two cases of their ultra premium wine and dinner at a location to be revealed at a later date.
Vista Oaks Event Center 8192 E. Highway 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Texas Wine Revolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating consumer education and awareness of Texas-grown wines as well as giving back to the industry and communities we operate within. In 2022 Texas Wine Revolution announced its inaugural Texas Wine Auction, an event supporting community and industry through a showcase of Texas wine and world-class cuisine presented by top culinary talents from around the country.
The two organizations partnered to serve a signature cocktail exclusive to the resort using Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Pollinator spirit, the third Texas Sotol variation in Desert Door’s Conservation Series. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and Desert Door Texas Sotol have pollinated a partnership to serve a signature cocktail exclusive to the resort using Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Pollinator spirit. The cocktail, Paloma Preserve, will be available on the menu across all of the resort’s restaurant and bar outlets: 18 Oaks, Cibolo Moon, Crooked Branch, High Velocity, Rivertop, and Replenish. (JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 2023)
Desert Door Texas Sotol’s Pollinator is a sotol spirit made from the West Texas-grown evergreen sotol plant and is similar in profile to agave-based spirits, tequila, and mezcal. Pollinator was created with mesquite, persimmon and honeysuckle, which are native plants that are pollinated by Texas bee species.
The Paloma Preserve cocktail will feature the Pollinator Sotol, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, topped with soda and garnished with a lime wedge, and will be served in signature blue porcelain tumblers.
The partnership between JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and Desert Door Texas Sotol was established from the organizations’ common mission of the preservation of Texas bees.
According to Texas Master Gardeners within Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services, development and pesticides have ravaged Texas bees putting not only honey prices at stake, but the pollination of native Texas plants, since bees play a key role in pollinating, and the pollination of around $587 million worth of crops every year in Texas.
Desert Door’s nonprofit foundation Wild Spirit Wild Places (WSWP) is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of wild lands across Texas and the U.S. through research, education and conservation practices, and spearheaded the planting of pollinator gardens across Central Texas as part of the release of Pollinator. Desert Door regularly releases limited editions of its Texas Sotol with a portion of its proceeds directly funding the foundation’s future land conservation projects. Pollinator is the third spirit variation in the Conservation Series and highlights one of the overlooked heroes of the earth’s ecosystem, bees.
According to WSWP, bees are experiencing a steep decline which poses a serious threat to global food production. In Texas, 40% of the honeybee population is being lost every year. Reasons for the decline vary from pesticides, drought, habitat destruction and disease.
“Desert Door’s nonprofit foundation and third Conservation Series spirit directly aligns with the resort’s missions to protect bees in Texas and to establish local community partnerships. We are proud to have them as a partner and are confident our guests will enjoy the exclusive Paloma Preserve cocktail using Desert Door Texas Sotol’s new Pollinator spirit.” – Adam Tyler, director of food & beverage at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s food and beverage team and Culinary Gardener are responsible for providing regional bees with the home they need to thrive by maintaining beehives on the resort’s property and harvesting honey from them. Recently, honey harvested at the resort was used in the brewing process of a new beer, Hill Country Honey Blonde, in partnership with Freetail Brewing Company, a company that actively builds awareness for wildlife conservation through the development of their products.
Both the Paloma Preserve and Hill Country Honey Blonde beer are part of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s Conservation Series aimed at creating a positive impact in the local community.
The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is an award-winning luxury resort encompassing 600 acres of rolling hills, meandering creeks and Live Oak trees in the Hill Country. The resort is a sophisticated but relaxed destination with 1,002 guest rooms; seven restaurant and lounge options; 9-acre water park experience; TPC San Antonio, a 36-hole PGA TOUR golf facility; full-service Lantana Spa; and more than 265,00 square feet of customizable meeting and event space.
The recipe for the Paloma Preserve cocktail is:
1 ½ oz grapefruit juice
½ oz lime juice¼ oz agave simple syrup
1 ¼ oz Sotol
Build in glass rimmed from 12-6 with salt, fill with ice and top with soda
The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents The Children’s Nutcracker and Holiday Market, a magical holiday extravaganza. Photo: Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.
An enchanting tale filled with all the magic of the holidays, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker has been captivating the hearts and minds of audiences for decades. This timeless story of a young girl whose beloved doll comes to life and takes her on wonderous journey has inspired many a young dancer to take the stage and has fostered a love of the arts in the young, and young at heart. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2022)
This year, the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio will return to the Lila Cockrell Theatre to present a Broadway level production of this favorite holiday family tradition. Combining immersive and interactive elements each performance is an event that includes shopping, sweets, and Santa. With a condensed 1.5 hour run time, it will keep event the youngest theatregoers engaged.
The fun starts from the moment guests enter the theatre and discover themselves in a festive holiday market where they can browse the extensive selection of dress-up items, including tutus and Sugarplum Fairy wands, Mouse King swords, as well as home décor including ornaments and, of course, nutcrackers. Hair and makeup stylists will be on site to offer magical makeovers transforming little ones into regal royals for a glittering good time. Key cast members from princes to queens, and fairies, along with Santa himself, will be on hand for photos on a first come first served basis. Because no holiday is complete without treats, there will be plenty of holiday fare including cocoa, holiday cookies and other seasonal favorites along with hot dogs, mini-burgers, and popcorn.
Award-winning dancers and a talented array of young performers share the stage for this production filled with dazzling costumes, multimedia integrated scenery, and even an interactive surprise or two for the audience members. More than just ballet, The Nutcracker celebrates the traditional dances of cultures around the world, showcasing a variety of disciplines and talents including vocalists, actors, gymnasts, special needs artists and more. CBSA founder and former Prima Ballerina Vanessa Bessler, leads the talented youth who range in age from 3-19 and include internationally acclaimed classical dancers alongside gifted special needs artists. A seven-time Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award winner, Bessler created CBSA to serve as a gateway for young artists interested in pursuing a professional dance career. The elite artists have had the privilege to train in some of the world’s best academies including the Royal Ballet School in London, the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia, and the School of American Ballet in New York City, to name a few. Through recognition, awards, and scholarships from the most prestigious ballet competitions and schools in the world for many of its dancers, CBSA has elevated San Antonio to the world stage, making it a strong player in the arts world.
Friday, December 9, 7p.m. Saturday, December 10, 2p.m. Saturday, December 10, 7p.m. Holiday Market and Photos with Santa and cast opens one hour prior to showtime.
The Lila Cockrell Theatre 200 E. Market Street San Antonio, TX 78205 Tickets are available online.
Admission proceeds and holiday market profits directly benefit CBSA in fulfilling its mission to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds. Donations from the event will benefit dance scholarships for special needs and underserved youth, as well as the transportation and organization of several hundred Title 1 school students to attend each performance. Funds also go to the production costs of theatre, costumes, lights, and special effects that allow these dancers to perform in San Antonio’s top theatres in professional productions as part of their professional level training.
The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3.
The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) seeks to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.
Olympic and World Champion Gold Medalist Bode Miller will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas (CBCST) will host its 25th Anniversary Luncheon from 11:30a.m. to 1p.m. on Thursday, October 27, at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. For 25 years, the CBCST has provided critical support services for grieving children. This year’s event commemorates that milestone and will feature guest speaker Bode Miller, an Olympic and World Championship gold medalist in alpine skiing, who has personally experienced the tragic loss of a child. (Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas, 2022)
Bode Miller and his wife, former pro beach volleyball player Morgan Beck, are parents to eight children. In 2018, they suffered devastating loss after the tragic drowning of their 19-month-old daughter, Emeline. Miller will host a question-and-answer session during the luncheon, sharing his message of resilience and hope.
During the luncheon, attendees may purchase a limited edition necklace specifically designed for the CBCST by local jewelry artist, Lee Ann Jones, as part of her #ShareYourSparkle line. Featuring a lone Fresh Water Pearl and signature Diamond Fairy Dust Bead on a delicate gold chain, the necklace will sell for $500. One hundred dollars from each sale will be donated directly back to the CBCST.
“We are thankful to observe 25 years of helping San Antonio and South Texas youth who have had to grapple with unimaginable heartache. It has been a privilege to be trusted by families from all socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnicities in helping them navigate the uncertainty of grief. This annual luncheon allows us to acknowledge our years of service with the community that has done so much for us.” – CBCST Executive Director Marian Sokol
Tables of eight and individual tickets are still available and may be purchased online.
The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas’ mission is to foster healing for grieving children and youth, their families and the community. As the sole provider of grief support programs for children through young adulthood in South Texas, CBCST wholeheartedly devotes itself to addressing the bereavement needs of children from every culture and social circumstance to help them heal and move forward. CBCST believes that each person’s journey through grief is unique and therefore deserving of a distinctive approach. Their goal is to help children and their caregivers understand the depth of their grief, stabilize and preserve family relationships, and develop healthy coping skills after the death of a loved one.
Share Your Sparkle necklace by Lee Ann Jones. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
For the month of September, Bakery Lorraine is donating a portion of all proceeds from their SA Phil Mocha Macaron to San Antonio Philharmonic. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.
Bakery Lorraine, a local favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop, is partnering with the San Antonio Philharmonic through the entire month of September to donate a portion of all sales from their mocha macaron. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the organization whose mission it is to involve new audiences in the transformative power of music. Offer good at all Bakery Lorraine locations. (Bakery Lorraine, 2022)
The SA Phil Mocha Macaron will benefit the SA Philharmonic throughout the month of September. It will be sold as a single macaron priced at $2.65 or available to be included in their assortment boxes. Assortment boxes can be purchased in two different sizes, holding 6 macarons for $14.00 or 12 macarons for $26.00. The SA Phil Mocha Macaron will be available at all Bakery Lorraine locations in San Antonio for dine-in or to go. Portions of sales will be donated to the SA Philharmonic through September 30, 2022.
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 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 serves an all-day menu including items like its Croque Madame, the quiche Lorraine, an assortment of salads and soups and artisan sandwiches. Bakery Lorraine has four locations in San Antonio including one in the Historic Pearl district, one in the Medical Center, one in the RIM shopping center, and one inside The DoSeum. Bakery Lorraine also has an Austin location at the Domain NORTHSIDE.
Two PR executives turned co-founders create canned cocktail brand with built-in grant program that supports women entrepreneurs. Photo: Chase Hall, used with permission.
Despite the explosion of canned cocktail offerings in recent years, Nicole Craven and Alexis Smith found themselves waiting for their favorite libation — the espresso martini — to appear in a convenient, ready-to-drink format. After months of waiting, hoping someone else might bring their vision to life, the two publicists quit their agency jobs to pursue a profit-promising gap in an already booming market, and Après Hours was born. (Après Hours, 2022)
Après Hours is a new line of ready-to-drink, canned espresso martinis designed for a gluten-free, dairy-free lifestyle. The brand officially launched in Dallas on August 1 is now available in select liquor stores throughout the city and online with nationwide shipping to 39 states.
“We’ve always preferred our espresso martinis with tequila instead of vodka, which is where we got the idea to use agave-wine as our base,” says co-founder Nicole Craven. “It gives the entire cocktail a smoother, rounder flavor and allows us to be sold in grocery stores as well as liquor stores.”
Après Hours is available in three gluten-free and dairy-free flavors — Salted Caramel, Classic, and Vanilla. Each 12-ounce can is 10% alc/vol and contains 40 mg of Colombian caffeine, slightly less than a standard shot of espresso.
However, building a business was not as easy as balancing a beverage. Craven and Smith ran into multiple roadblocks along the way, especially with funding. These initial difficulties made the sudden success and warm reception of Après Hours by Dallas shoppers even sweeter. Their first run sold out the day it hit store shelves. According to a recent study by BevAlc Insights, less than 2% of companies with an RTD offering are owned by women. Hence Après Hours’ tagline, “It’s time to shake things up.”
“We wanted to honor the tradition and craft of bartending while communicating a greater message to aspiring female entrepreneurs,” says Craven. “We’re so proud of the work we’ve done to build this brand and we hope to inspire other women and girls to do the same. That’s why we’ve established our “Après Hours Grant Program” to help fund female-founded start up businesses.
The goal of the program is to streamline the fundraising process for women and girls to create businesses of their own. Applications will be accepted via the Après Hours website beginning in September 2022.
Après Hours is currently available in bars, restaurants and liquor stores across the Dallas area, including POGOs, Dallas Fine Wine and Spirits, Roots Market, Uptown Liquor, Monticello Liquor, Cafe Duro, Castle Spirits, Lucky’s Liquor, Buddy’s Booze, Jerry’s Liquor and Biagio Wine and Spirits. Retail prices range from $13.99 per 4-pack to $55 per 12-pack.
Founded by two female marketers turned entrepreneurs, Après Hours is a Dallas-based spirits and lifestyle brand born from Nicole Craven and Alexis Smith’s obsession with espresso martinis and a lack of the classic caffeine-infused cocktail in the ready-to-drink spirits industry. As female community leaders who are always on the go, Smith and Craven developed a sophisticated yet convenient canned espresso martini cocktail that combines daytime fuel with a wind-down buzz, perfect for any after hour activity. Providing the pick-me-up needed to take on the day or night, Après Hours is available in three dairy-and-gluten free flavors: Classic, Salted Caramel and Vanilla. Après Hours and its social club seek to create a culture that empowers change, encourages women to break boundaries and levels the male-dominated playing field to change the dynamics of drinking overall.
Pet adoptions by: Austin Boxer Rescue and Lucky Spot Dog Rescue
Dog-themed décor and t-shirts by Autism Treatment Center Adult Services
Healthy Homemade Doggie Treats by Love Puppy Bakery
Handmade bandanas and bowties by Their Beautiful Voice
Pet sketches by artists
Location: Autism Treatment Center,15911 Nacogdoches Rd., Building 2, San Antonio, TX 78247
Event summary:
Whether you are looking for a dog to adopt or just want to shop for the one you have, “Going to the Dogs” has it all. You and your pooch are invited to join the fun at the Autism Treatment Center on Saturday, August 27 from 9a.m. to 1p.m. for this inside event. Austin Boxer Rescue and Lucky Spot Dog Rescue will have a selection of dogs available for adoption. Austin Boxer Rescue is an affiliate of Lonestar Boxer Rescue, which serves all of Texas and the Austin chapter is the one that serves San Antonio.
You can also shop for healthy homemade dog treats and dog-themed gifts, décor, and clothing from partnering vendors. Be sure to bring a photo if you would like to get a custom sketch of your furry best friend.
Everyone is invited to visit with dogs that are available for adoption and shop for a variety of dog-related items: healthy homemade dog treats; doggie bandanas and bowties; and dog-themed gifts, home décor, and T-shirts made by adults with autism. We will also have an artist doing custom pet sketches.
Whether you are looking for a dog to adopt or just want to shop for the one you already have, “Going to the Dogs” has it all.
Why ATC is partnering with the rescue groups:
Dogs have a special way of making our lives better. Everyone can benefit from their unconditional love and companionship and this is especially true for children and adults with autism.
That’s why the Autism Treatment Center is partnering with Austin Boxer Rescue and Lucky Spot Dog Rescue for “Going to the Dogs”, a sensory-friendly, pet-friendly adoption and shopping event at our facility on Nacogdoches Rd. on Saturday, August 27th.
The adults in ATC’s weekday program have created some dog-related products on sale. The clothing is bandanas and bowties for dogs and T-shirts for people.
In addition, through the weekday program, they also have created wreaths, terrariums, home décor and customize items such as cups, bags, and T-shirts as part of their independent living and live skills training.
Landrace’s A Night at the Chef’s Table will kick off Hunger Action Month. Photo: OpenTable
Enjoy an extraordinary evening with four acclaimed San Antonio chefs and James Beard Award nominees on Wednesday August 31 when they join forces to collaborate on one unforgettable dinner. Chef Steve McHugh welcomes friends and culinary talents to the kitchen at Landrace: John Russ of Clementine; David Caceres of La Panaderia; and Esaul Ramos of 2M Smokehouse. (Landrace, 2022)
This diverse culinary lineup will prepare a special four-course dinner to kick off Hunger Action Month in September, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about food insecurity in San Antonio. With a portion of event proceeds going to the San Antonio Food Bank, guests can help fight hunger and feed hope together.
The evening begins with a welcome cocktail at 6:30p.m. followed by dinner at 7p.m. Tickets are $400.00 per person with a wine pairing add-on available. Book on OpenTable.
Tapping the Source is an online event taking place this Saturday July 16, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Join Dr. & Master Zhi Gang Sha on Saturday July 16, 2022, from 12p.m. -5p.m. ET for a cutting-edge summit led by a panel of world-class scientific leaders and spiritual teachers, including Dr. Rulin Xiu, Ervin Laszlo, and special guest Deepak Chopra. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from some of the greatest minds (and souls) on the planet who will help you unlock your potential and exceed your limitations. These four distinguished scientists, doctors, and leaders are coming together for the first time to share their distinct wisdom and show you how to create change in your own life. Stay tuned for a special free showing of the film Tapping the Source at end of the event. (Tapping the Source, 2022)
All proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations. Visit Tapping the Source to reserve your spot. Ticket includes full access to the Live Summit, free Tao Quantum Healing session, exclusive gifts from the speakers, and access to the replays for thirty days.
Tapping the Sourceis a live online event taking place on Saturday July 16, 2022. Viewers will get to experience a panel of world class speakers in real time. For everyone who registers, a full recording of the summit will be made available for up to 30 days following the event. You can watch the parts you missed or re-watch the talks that were most inspiring.
SA Examiner 