Category: Recreation

Texas Pinners Conference & Expo celebrates educators

Texas Pinners Conference & Expo combines shopping and hands-on classes and brings online creativity to life. Photo: Texas Pinners, used with permission.

As the new school year begins and as a way to celebrate Texas educators with a special back-to-school gift, Texas Pinners Conference is providing them with two free general admission tickets to its conference on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. (Texas Pinners Conference & Expo, 2022)

Texas Pinners Conference is an annual fun-filled event focused on artistry, crafting, beauty, fashion, photography, food arts and more, with a trade show inspired by creativity and Pinterest-like projects. In addition, more than 200 vendors and exhibitors will be on site with over 100 Pinterest-based classes and some of the best Texas shopping opportunities.

“As a former educator, I know that teachers are some of the most inspiring individuals, especially in our children’s lives. So, what better way to encourage their creativity and show appreciation than to give them access to one of the largest creative events offline. We’re excited to provide access to Texas Pinners Conference in the hopes they can spend a weekend enjoying our Pinterest-inspired classes, shopping floor, make-and-takes and so much more. We can’t wait for them to experience a fun-filled and creative experience.” – Roxanne Bennett, co-founder of Pinners Conference.

The expo was established in 2013 to bring people together who share the common interest of learning, creativity, hobbies and do-it-yourself projects. The tradeshow floor is a unique design combining a shopping conference environment with hundreds of small business vendors selling various goods and services. Attendees will have a chance to explore their creativity outside the classroom and experience two full event days focusing on inspiring others.

Texas Pinners Conference will showcase learning, connecting and shopping through scrapbooking, arts, fashion, beauty, self-improvement, party-planning, food arts, do-it-yourself projects, home décor, and more. The expo will also have several hour-long classes taught by exceptional presenters.

Texas Educators can get into the event for free and general admission tickets for the public start at $10. Some ticket packages include access to classes and passes to both event days. Helping Texas Pinners Conference host the event through sponsorships include The Home Depot, Ryobi, Chalk Couture, Joann’s, Plaid Crafts, Texas Appliances, Janome, and MakerFlo Crafts.

Texas educators must reserve their tickets in advance of the show by using the code TEACH. Educators are limited to two complimentary tickets and are encouraged to bring their school ID badge with them.

A list of available presenters, classes, exhibitors and vendors is available online as well as tickets and class passes. Texas Pinners Conference will be held on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, located at 3401 W Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, Texas 76107.

Texas Pinners Conference encourages attendees to stay updated with the latest news on all social platforms. Visitors are also encouraged to use the #PinnersTX and #pinnersconf tags to follow and share their content featuring one of the most unique events this fall.

The Pinners Conference features two great events in one—a conference featuring 100+ Pinterest-based classes taught by the best presenters in the nation and a show with 200 top businesses providing beautiful options in the world of DIY, crafts, cooking, self-improvement, photography, party planning, scrapbooking, holiday, beauty and fashion, and more. It will feature local artists, shops and offer awesome creative classes from some of the best presenters that explore creativity and the fun of learning new techniques.

Big Cedar Lodge’s Cedar Fest celebrates the fall season

Big Cedar Lodge’s Cedar Fest is a family friendly celebration that celebrates flannel and pumpkin spice season. Photo: Big Cedar Lodge, used with permission.

The award-winning wilderness resort Big Cedar Lodge is kicking off its annual Cedar Fest celebration featuring pumpkin patches, hayrides, spooky corn mazes, and so much more. As the leaves turn and you reach for that extra sweater for a cozy fall season, there is no better place to celebrate the season in the Midwest than at Big Cedar Lodge. (Big Cedar Lodge, 2022)

Below are some of the festive activities available for both guests and locals between September 18 through October 31.

  • Fall Festivals: Enjoy some good old fashioned fun with a guided tram ride to Big Cedar’s pumpkin patch, where participants can decorate pumpkins, paint pottery, enjoy tie dye and face painting, ride a mechanical bull by day; and roast marshmallows for s’mores and enjoy a movie on the lawn by night.
  • Ozark’s Lost Soul Maze: Get lost in Big Cedar’s iconic, 3,700-square-foot maze that has haunted ghosts and spooky spirits of the Ozarks’ past. Keep an eye out for spiders, skeletons, spooks, and more.
  • Fall Chuckwagon Tour: Back in the beauty of the Ozarks with a relaxing evening tram ride and history tour, a piping hot bowl of soup or chili, and a glass of wine or beer for the adults.
  • Show your Fall Flair: Celebrate your artistic side with instructor-led Fall Wreath Making ($65 per wreath, families and groups welcome) and Fall Centerpiece Building ($65 per centerpiece). Guests can take home their masterpiece to display for the season.
  • Fall Golf Getaway: Big Cedar Lodge boasts one of the leading resort golf portfolios in the country, and there is no better time to tee off than Fall. Enjoy the watercolor foliage on Payne’s Valley, the first Tiger Woods-designed public course, or the award-winning Ozarks National.

For even more Fall Fun, the nearby Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is inviting locals and visitors alike to explore the park’s 10,000 acres covered in magnificent fall foliage; and America’s #1 aquarium, Wonders of Wildlife, is hosting spooky and festive activities including the Out to Sea Shark Feeding, Yarn Pumpkin Crafting, a Halloween Bash Teen Night including a scavenger hunt and mini Fall Festival, and a Bat Bonanza event.

iFLY appoints Michelle Brumley to Associate Product Manager

Michelle Brumley will accelerate the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field trip program. Photo: iFLY Indoor Skydiving, used with permission.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving is pleased to announce that effective immediately, Michelle Brumley will return to the company as its Associate Product Manager to accelerate the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field trip program. Brumley, most recently STEM Education Program coordinator at iFLY, will oversee the implementation of new products from ideation to execution within the STEM program. (iFLY Indoor Skydiving, 2022)

“I couldn’t be more overjoyed to be returning to iFLY to enhance the current STEM product to reach an even broader audience. The future of STEM at iFLY is filled with excitement and new opportunities for teachers. We want to do everything we can to help teachers make the STEM field trips a reality for their students. This will include helping them find and apply for grant opportunities, looking for corporate partners to sponsor schools, and offering products aligned with school budgets.” – iFLY Indoor Skydiving Associate Product Manager Michelle Brumley

Brumley brings to iFLY 11 years of experience as an Aerospace Physiologist in the United States Air Force (USAF) where she developed the curriculum and standardization for the Aerospace Physiology career field during her assignment to the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine. In 2009, Brumley completed an Alternative Certification Program to become a secondary science teacher and taught a broad range of subjects to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. This ignited her excitement and passion for interacting with students to show them the world of STEM.

Ten years later, Brumley joined iFLY as a STEM educator where she presented grade-appropriate lessons and lab activities focusing on STEM topics associated with vertical wind tunnels. From 2019-2021, she served as the company’s STEM Education Program Coordinator and oversaw curriculum development and implementation for field trips conducted at over 30 iFLY locations. She also provided ongoing training and evaluation for more than 50 STEM educators working for iFLY throughout the country. 

“With the new and improved products, we will ensure we have highly qualified educators who get students fired up about STEM,” said Brumley. “The team is always looking for ways to refine the program such as creating new lessons and activities to align with national and state-specific education standards.”

To date, iFLY has hosted over 300,000 students and 10,000 schools for their STEM field trips in effort to increase awareness of exciting STEM careers and how STEM can be used in the real world. Led by a highly trained STEM educator, field trips include an interactive presentation on real-world STEM applications, a grade-appropriate lab activity, immersive experiments, physics demonstrations that come to life in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, and one-on-one flights with a certified world-class iFLY instructor. iFLY STEM curriculum aligns with state-specific education standards while making STEM an exciting, one-of-a-kind learning experience.

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 70 facilities operating worldwide and close to 40 in the US. 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 Franchising enables aspiring business owners to have fun while working and empowering their community with iFLY’s products, which use advanced technologies and engineering to make the dream of flight a reality. iFLY is the world technology leader and operator of body flight experiences and provides potential franchisees with robust and vetted tools and processes ranging from retail location selection to consumer operating models. 

Courtesy photo, used with permission

Beat the heat this summer and save at iFLY Indoor Skydiving

iFLY Indoor Skydiving has a weekday Super Saver Special. Photo: iFLY Indoor Skydiving, used with permission.

Summer is the perfect time to experience something new, and for a limited time, save up to 30% on weekdays. iFLY Indoor Skydiving is offering an opportunity to beat the crowd with a special weekday deal including the Super Saver FTF 2 Flight Package and other select party packages. These deals are offered Monday through Thursday from 12p.m. to 5p.m. at participating iFLY tunnels. Customers can navigate directly to their preferred iFLY location on a chosen weekday, and the special will appear 1st in the booking flow (limited time offer, exclusions apply). Prices vary per iFLY location. (iFLY, 2022)

iFLY is the perfect place to spend some time with your family and friends this summer and regardless of where you are, whether you are escaping the heat or the rain, every day is the perfect day to get in the air at iFLY. In fact, iFLY’s wind tunnels have a fresh air advantage over other experiences. Advanced wind tunnel technology provides guests with fresh, cool 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 70 facilities operating worldwide and close to 40 in the US. 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 Franchising enables aspiring business owners to have fun while working and empowering their community with iFLY’s products, which use advanced technologies and engineering to make the dream of flight a reality. iFLY is the world technology leader and operator of body flight experiences and provides potential franchisees with robust and vetted tools and processes ranging from retail location selection to consumer operating models. 

The Moon’s Daughters kicks off full moon series

The Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk’s signature rooftop lounge, The Moon’s Daughters is unveiling a new ‘Cosmic Night’ series this Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

The Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk’s signature rooftop lounge The Moon’s Daughters is unveiling a new “Cosmic Night” series that will take place whenever a full moon lands each month. On July 13, hotel guests and the public alike can watch July’s full Buck Moon in all its glory, which will be the biggest and brightest supermoon of the year. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2022)

Inspired by the Greek goddess of the moon, The Moon’s Daughters lives up to its name offering a full celestial experience with the Cosmic series, equipped with a telescope to see the moon glitter along with tarot insight curated by Astrologer & Card Reader Kate Wind. On July 13, guests will find a Cosmic Coaster under their cocktail inspired by the Buck Moon. The Cosmic Coaster adds a flair of entertainment where guests will have the chance to scan a QR code, receive a prompt to think of questions, followed by unique insights, and will conclude with a positive affirmation. The Cosmic Coaster is a perfect ice breaker for a group or first date while The Moon’s Daughters is the best way to experience the full moon overlooking San Antonio’s sparkling skyline.

The July 13 celebration of the full Buck Supermoon, named after the season that bucks grow their antlers, will be the biggest and brightest supermoon of 2022. Fitting for The Moon’s Daughters, the popular rooftop restaurant and bar will be illuminated by the moon, shining its brightest at 9:05p.m. from the top of Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk.

Sound Cream Airstream returns to Pearl for special Bidi Bidi Party celebration

Thursday’s Bidi Bidi Party will be in honor of Selena’s birthday. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl and Park Bar at the Food Hall at Bottling Department are excited to welcome Sound Cream Airstream back to the park to celebrate Selena’s birthday on Thursday, April 21 from 6p.m to 9p.m. Sound Cream Airstream is an “all-in-one mobile discotheque” that puts on a dance party and DJ showcase. DJ Manola Black will be spinning Selena hits, Tejano favorites, cumbia, and more in honor of the Queen of Tejano. The event is free and open to the public.

Enjoy treats from San Antonio’s first food hall, The Bottling Department, which includes the restaurants Tenko Ramen, Mi Roti, Chilaquil and Kineapple. The Food Hall offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with tableside delivery and option to use QR codes for customers seated at select outdoor tables.

Pearl Park
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer. 

Spring Break activities: iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Bring the family together for a thrilling and unique Spring Break activity. Photo: iFLY Indoor Skydiving, used with permission.

For families looking for something new to do during Spring Break this year, iFLY Indoor Skydiving is a thrilling and unique activity to incorporate into plans whether you add it to your vacation itinerary or you are planning to visit your local tunnel as a fun outing. With locations across the U.S., iFLY is a sports and recreation company with the mission to deliver the dream of flight. Guests do not need to be athletes or in the best shape of their lives. iFLY’s world-class instructors are pros at making flying safe and fun for everyone. (iFLY, 2022)

The company pioneered the body-flying “indoor skydiving” experience and is the world leader in vertical wind tunnel technology. Each iFLY tunnel is taking the proper precautions to ensure guests enjoy their flying experience by making an investment in new safety measures. 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 70 facilities operating worldwide and close to 40 in the US. 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 is the world technology leader and operator of body flight experiences and provides potential franchisees with robust and vetted tools and processes ranging from retail location selection to consumer operating models.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers festive and business packages

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is a Texas Hill Country’s luxury resort located in Sonora, Texas. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Texas Hill Country’s luxury resort The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is offering luxurious holiday and private party experiences, allowing guests to make the 13,000-acre, 32-room luxury resort their very own this festive season and as businesses begin planning 2022 travel and team-building initiatives. Ideal for family getaways or an elevated remote working experience, birthday events, bachelorette parties, corporate retreats, intimate wedding ceremonies and other special occasions, The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers customizable packages to accommodate all types of guests. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

The sweeping Texas Hill Country resort is located deep in the heart of Sonora, Texas, and is one of the country’s leading working ranch experiences, naturally distanced destinations, and Texas’ only luxury ranch resort. The naturally distanced boutique resort is a study in rustic elegance, providing a customized, Texan experience that connects guests to nature with activities and programming including:  

  • Indoor and outdoor site options for big parties
  • Dozens of outdoor-driven activities for guests, ranging from ATV adventures and a pro-designed putting green to hikes, swimming, outdoor yoga classes, horseback riding and horse psychology, wine tasting, guided shooting instruction and 3D archery, and cooking classes.
  • On-site salon & spa allows guests to unwind. Services include massages and spa treatments alongside a full nail/salon menu. 
  • Archer’s Nest Villa, a seven-bedroom villa with a private swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, home theater, and more; it’s perfect for partial buyouts, bachelorette parties, family vacations, bride’s quarters, and more.
  • A private FBO airport hangar, allowing guests to charter a private plane and avoid large airports. 

 

Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving’s Black Friday exclusive package

iFLY Indoor Skydiving has an exclusive Black Friday package perfect for holiday gift giving. Photo: google

Just in time for holiday shopping, iFLY Indoor Skydiving’s Black Friday Exclusive Package features savings of 50%-off. The package is available for purchase online and will run beginning Black Friday (November 26) through Cyber Monday (November 29).

The package includes the following and is valid *Monday – Friday at participating US locations: 

  • 10 Flights Shared by 1-5 people
  • 5 Amazing High Flights
  • 5 Videos from Flight Session
  • Flight Gear Rental
  • Pre-Flight Training
  • One-on-One Flight Instruction
  • Personalized Flight Certificate

*Blackout dates include 12/20/21-1/2/22 and guests will need to fly by 5/27/2022 to redeem the offer.

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.

Photo: iFLY Indoor Skydiving, used with permission.

Pearl celebrates the holiday season with various events

Pearl to celebrate the holiday season with Posada, Chanukah Celebration, Holiday night markets, and more. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce various programs and events happening on campus this holiday season. The property will begin the festivities with the installation and lighting of the Christmas tree later this month. In December, Pearl will provide guests with Holiday Night Markets, Chanukah celebration, Posada carols, and more. (Pearl, 2021)

The 2021 holiday programming is as follows:

CHRISTMAS TREE INSTALLATION & LIGHTING – November 19
Pearl will welcome a 25-foot Fraser Fir sourced from the mountains of North Carolina later this month. Following delivery, Ginger Diaz, owner of Feliz Modern POP and Rancho Diaz at Pearl, will decorate the tree, which will be officially lit on November 19. The tree will stay up in Pearl Park throughout the holidays for guests to enjoy.

CHANUKAH – December 1 from 6p.m. to 8p.m.
Pearl and Young & Jewish San Antonio will gather to celebrate Chanukah with the lighting of the menorah on property as well as a special message from Rabbi Eli Block about the meaning of the holiday. Austin-based Klezmer band Mazel Tov Kocktail Hour will also perform at the lighting ceremony from 6p.m. to 8p.m. The menorah will be lit at the Pearl Shade Structure each night of Chanukah.

HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKETS – Wednesdays in December leading up to Christmas at varying times
Each Wednesday in December leading up to Christmas, Pearl will host its Holiday Night Market featuring a wide variety of local vendors to help make holiday shopping easier. Guests can find unique gifts ranging from pottery and fine art to artisan chocolates and much more. Local bands and musicians will also be onsite throughout Pearl to perform festive sets. See below for specific times and dates for the Holiday Night Markets and the music performances.

December 1, 6p.m. – 8p.m.
Mazel Tov Kocktail Hour
Location: Near Menorah
In coordination with Chanukah

December 8, 5p.m. – 8p.m.
Noah Harris
Location: Parkito

December 15, 5p.m. – 8p.m.
Mariachi Las Coronelas
Location: Gustav’s Geysers / Park

December 22, 5p.m. – 8p.m.
Groupo Tan Tan
Location: Parkito

HOLIDAY STROLL – December 9 from 5p.m. to 8p.m.
In addition to its Holiday Night Markets, Pearl is also hosting Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 9, a special shopping event with extended retail hours, retail and restaurant specials and live music. Guests can shop local while enjoying the sounds of San Antonio-favorite Buttercup.

POSADA – December 16 from 6p.m. to 7:30p.m.
In honor of the traditional Latin American Christmas celebration, Pearl will once again host the Mission Concepcion choir for an evening of carols in Pearl Park. Since 2017, Pearl has partnered with Father David and the Mission Conception’s choir and congregation to share a message of welcoming and inclusion. The procession, representing the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking refuge, will begin at 6p.m. on December 16.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.