iFLY presents Valentine’s Day flight package

iFLY’s Valentine’s Day offer runs through February 20, 2022. Photo: iFLY Indoor Skydiving, used with permission.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, iFLY Indoor Skydiving is spreading the love by offering a unique, special “Love is in the Air” package, featuring four flights and two videos for two flyers, which will run from February 4 to February 20. Packages are available for purchase online at iflyworld.com/valentines-day/ and can be redeemed at participating U.S. iFLY Indoor Skydiving locations. iFLY is dedicating the month of February to bringing loved ones together for a unique, nontraditional Valentine’s Day experience that will take love to new heights. (iFLY Indoor Skydiving, 2022)

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

Each iFLY tunnel is taking the proper precautions to ensure guests enjoy their flying experience by making a tremendous 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.

Prices vary per iFLY location. Offer available at participating U.S. iFLY Indoor Skydiving locations, excluding iFLY Detroit.

Twin Liquors’ specials for Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl

Twin Liquors is having specials for Super Bowl parties and Valentine’s Day festivities. Photo: google

Let Twin Liquors be your one-stop-shop when it comes to all things Super Bowl parties and Valentine’s Day festivities this year. Available for pick up in-store or delivery to your door, Twin Liquors has you covered. (Twin Liquors, 2022)

A number of wines + spirits will be discounted for Valentine’s Day from February 3 through February 14, 2022. With complimentary gift wrapping, you can have your gift delivered right to your special someone. Additionally, from February 7 through February 12, save on bottles of spirits for your Super Bowl party to celebrate the biggest sports event of the year. Run out of drinks during the game? No need to miss a play or commercial thanks to Twin Liquors’ delivery service. For more information, please visit Twin Liquors or follow along on social media @TwinLiquors. 

Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has developed into a successful, “home-grown,” Texas family-owned company. Twin Liquors has a unique reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world, and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 100+ neighborhood stores from Austin to San Antonio, the Hill Country to Houston, and the DFW area with their Sigel’s branded stores.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten’s upcoming events

Krause’s Café & Biergarten in New Braunfels has exciting new collaborations, live music, themed dinners, farmers markets, and more coming up. Photo: Krause’s Café & Biergarten, used with permission.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten is excited to announce some of the exciting events that they have coming up in 2022. In the new year, Krause’s will continue to host live performances by nationally, and internationally, renowned polka and folk acts in addition to amazing parties, themed dinners, Dachshund races, and more. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2022)

See below for a sampling of upcoming events:

Mollie B with Squeezebox and Ted Lange – February 4 – 6:30p.m. to 9:30p.m.

In 2022 Krause’s continues to provide its guests with world-class live musical performances. On February 4th, New Braunfels staple Terry Cavanagh will open for Polka Hall of Fame musicians Mollie B and Squeezebox with Ted Lange. Doors open at 4pm. 

Daddy Daughter Dinner – February 9 – 5:30p.m. to 8:30p.m.

Krause’s Café welcomes all father-daughter pairs to their Daddy Daughter Dinner. A dinner for two is available for $50, which includes a 14oz. ribeye, chicken tenders with “stuffed” mashed potatoes, and tableside s’mores for dessert. This special night also includes a performance from All Mixed Up Variety Band. Tickets are available here, with the option to include additional children’s tickets for larger families at $15 per child. 

The New Braunfels Farmers Market (Valentine’s Market) – February 9, 11, and 12

Visit the New Braunfels Farmers Market during the month of February and find local vendors located in the Krause’s Biergarten for a convenient shopping opportunity for Valentine’s Day. Guests can purchase one of a kind baked goods, flowers, chocolates, and many more local gifts to celebrate the Holiday. The schedule is as follows:

  • Friday, February 9th 5p.m. to 9p.m.
  • Friday, February 11th 4p.m. to 9p.m.
  • Saturday, February 12th 1p.m. to 4p.m.

Halfway to Oktoberfest & Masskrugstemmen Season Kickoff – March 11 to 13 

Join Krause’s in celebrating the beginning of the Masskrugstemmen season and begin the countdown to Oktoberfest. Pech & Schwefel will be joining Krause’s all the way from Austria to kick off the halfway point to Oktoberfest, in addition to returning in September for the official Oktoberfest celebrations.

Dachshund Race – March 20 – 2p.m. to 5p.m.

Krause’s is off to races with one of their most popular events. Guests can cheer on the racing pups at 2p.m. until approximately 5p.m. on March 20. Spectator tickets for the event are available on Eventbrite here for $5 (ages 12 and up), or you can choose to register your Dachshund and enter the race online. In addition to the race, Krause’s will be accepting food and supply donations for the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area. Prizes will also be awarded for the best dressed Dachshund as well as the race winner.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten is a New Braunfels historic restaurant opened in 1938 and successfully run until 1995. Today, Krause’s Café honors the previous traditions of the restaurant with the addition of a Bierhalle and ‘Biergarten,’ live music, and more. The menu reflects New Braunfels’ German heritage as well as South Texas flavors. Over 100 beers are available on tap with local, regional, and international options. The restaurant also features cocktails and wines on tap. Krause’s Café is located at 148 S. Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, next to the popular New Braunfels Farmers Market.

WB Liquors & Wine makes donation to Homes For Our Troops

WB Liquors & Wine Representatives John Herrmann, Owner & CEO and Vanessa Munson, Vice President with Home For Our Troops Representatives Matthew Murphy, Corporate Partnership Manager, and Bill Ivey, Executive Director and Marine Corporal Travis Echols, HFOT 2017 recipient and New Braunfels resident.

WB Liquors & Wine, a San Antonio family-owned company, recently hosted a check ceremony, presenting its 2021 WB Cares program fundraising efforts to Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), with the final amount revealed to be $152,000. (WB Liquors & Wine, 2022)

This year’s fundraiser was strong, surpassing the $100,000 mark with this final push for donations. HFOT is a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives.

This year’s fundraising efforts will go to building a home for Texas veteran Marine Corporal Raymond D. Hennagir III who was severely injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion while serving on his second deployment in Iraq. The blast resulted in the loss of both his legs and several fingers on his left hand. Last summer, Hennagir competed at the highest-level winning silver as part of USA’s Wheelchair Rugby team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

WB Liquors & Wine has helped Texans across the state celebrate their special occasions for more than 50 years. As a family-owned business, the brand specializes in convenient locations and a great variety of liquor, beer and wine – along with fast, personalized and expert-level service. As of October 2021, WB Liquors & Wine operates 59 locations across Texas, which includes 34 WB Liquors & Wine stores and 25 WB Liquor stores adjacent to COSTCO.

Good Morning Bedlam’s new album Lulu

Good Morning Bedlam will release full length folk pop album Lulu on February 4, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Folk-pop storytellers Good Morning Bedlam’s shows are known for their contagious energy. With members moving about the stage—jumping and dancing with a wild playfulness—and tight soaring three-part harmonies and thumping kick-drum, they captivate their audience night after night with no intention of slowing down. On February 4, 2022, their brand new album Lulu will bring that energy to anyone and everyone who wants to hear it. (Good Morning Bedlam, 2021)

Like their highly regarded live show, just when you think you have Good Morning Bedlam pegged, they take you in another direction. “We want to surprise our audience from song to song,” says Good Morning Bedlam front man Izaak Elker. “Rather than creating our music to fit a genre, we allow it to be an outpouring of our own stories and unique sound.”

As part of Good Morning Bedlam, Elker, along with his wife Tori on bass and band co-founder Sophia Mae Beyer on fiddle, spent over 200 days playing shows to their ever-growing fanbase in 2019 before the world shut down. In February of 2021, Isaak, Sophia, and Tori returned to Carpet Booth Studios—right where they had left off tracking new songs in March 2020—to work with Zach Zurn on their third full-length record Lulu.

Good Morning Bedlam on tour:
February 4 – Saint Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar and Hall (Album release show)
February 11 – Winona, MN – Ed’s
February 12 – Aurora, IL – The Venue
February 19 – New York Mills, MN – New York Mills Cultural Center
March 12 – Appleton, WI – Poplar Hall

Good Morning Bedlam has become a staying force in the folk genre with a 200 plus show tour in 2019 before the COVID-19 shutdown, claiming the first-place title at the John Hartford Memorial Festival Band Competition, and being finalists at the NWSS Band Competition. GMB has played at festivals alongside artists such as Shakey Graves, Sam Bush, Jason Isabell, The Infamous Stringdusters, Trampled By Turtles, and others. In 2021 GMB ran a successful Kickstarter in July of 2021 for their much anticipated third full-length record ‘Lulu’ where fans from around the world pledged a total of $34,000. GMB has been featured on Bluegrass Today, Relix Magazine, State and Water, and Paste Magazine.

 

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New book release: ‘Harbor City Homicide’ by David Bradbury

‘Harbor City Homicide’ is the new mystery novel by David Bradbury. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

David Bradbury is a former newspaper crime reporter who has long been fascinated with the gang culture of Los Angeles. His new book “Harbor City Homicide” takes readers into the underworld of LA’s gangs. It is available now on Amazon.

“Harbor City Homicide” – Exciting action, danger and crackling dialogue – a reader’s comment.
Early morning. The concrete forecourt of a Los Angeles motel you would not check your family into. The owner, a man with a past who was planning a particular future, has been shot in the back. Career detective Helen Freitag’s investigation of the murder takes her into the underworld of LA’s gangs, as racial tensions and arson attacks rise across the sweltering city. Looming in the background is an official inquiry into her questionable shooting of a bank robber, as well as increasing trauma from her army service. The handsome, disgraced journalist Prentice Taylor is drawn into the inquiry by Freitag when the dead man’s daughter runs away from home.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at a luxury Texas retreat

The Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is a modern retreat in downtown San Antonio. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

This year for Valentine’s Day, couples are seeking romantic weekend getaways for a change of scenery that is still close to home. Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner reservation or planning a sweet staycation, these three Lone Star State destinations are offering the perfect getaways for couples. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, Thompson San Antonio, Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, 2022)

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa | SONORA, TX
Located on 13,000 acres in the heart of Texas Hill Country, JL Bar Ranch is the ideal destination for couples seeking an off-grid getaway this Valentine’s Day. From relaxation at JL Bar’s spa to outdoor excursions on horseback or ATVs, couples can choose their own adventure while visiting the ranch. JL Bar also offers wine tastings with the property’s resident Sommelier, outdoor games, an infinity pool and hot tub with unrivaled sunset views, shooting instruction, romantic outdoor dining, and more. For added seclusion, each of JL Bar’s 32 luxury accommodations boasts a private patio. With Valentine’s Day on a Monday this year, guests can extend their romantic weekend and receive a fourth night free when booking a three-night stay.

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk | SAN ANTONIO, TX
Opened in February 2021, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is a modern retreat soaring 20 stories above San Antonio’s celebrated River Walk– capturing the contemporary spirit of this historic Texas city and this year, promises to be the ideal Valentine’s Day destination. Couples can enjoy a romantic date night at landmark restaurant Landrace, from James Beard Award finalist Steve McHugh, including a Valentine’s Day menu, rose table décor, and special entertainment. The enchanting rooftop lounge, The Moon’s Daughters, which floats high above the River Walk, is going all out with a “Love Stinks”-themed singles vibe Monday – Thursday leading up to Valentine’s Day. Events include pre-fixe menu, live entertainment and a Sexology Pop-Up on January 29, and February 5 and 12. On Superbowl Sunday, February 13, The Moon’s Daughters will be hosting a Thompson Tailgate, with grilled menu items and large format drinks. Guests can also book the Thompson San Antonio Spa Spatastic Room Package, which includes champagne, a $100 spa credit and a spa retail amenity item. Lastly, the hotel is offering a new Thompson Temptation Room Package, which includes a bottle of prosecco delivered to the room, a special amenity from San Antonio’s Sexology Institute, and a late 2p.m. check out on Sundays.

Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection | AUSTIN, TX
With intimate spaces tucked throughout the historic property, Commodore Perry Estate offers the perfect retreat for a Valentine’s Day filled with vintage, one-of-a-kind charm and romantic moments. The resort has special offerings for the holiday, from private couples yoga classes and gourmet fireside s’mores on the Estate grounds, to a ‘crafting your own vintage Valentine’ experience, perfect for families, featuring snacks, beverages and a wide selection of art supplies. Couples can also arrange a romantic picnic on the lawn, featuring a cozy blanket made for lounging and a basket filled with chilled Champagne and a selection of gourmet bites. Feel the warm embrace of romance in the Mansion’s oval library. For the Valentine’s Day weekend, the luxury resort will have a lush Valentine’s floral installation in the sophisticated library that offers the ideal backdrop to snap some instant photos of your romantic moments together. Reserve your experience and savor floral-inspired cocktails paired with a selection of canapes and bite-sized sweet treats.

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Valentine’s Day spa packages from Hiatus Spa + Retreat

Spa packages from Hiatus Spa + Retreat make an excellent Valentine’s Day gift. Photo: Hiatus Spa + Retreat, used with permission.

With Valentine’s Day coming up next month, award-winning Texas day spa Hiatus Spa + Retreat has 2022 Valentine’s Day spa packages available to gift loved ones, or yourself, this year.(Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2022)

Valentine’s Day Gift Card In-Spa Promo
Buy a $250 gift card for $200.

Greatest Love of All
Invest in yourself this year with The Tailor-Made Facial and The Signature Massage. Two hours to just do you. ($179, $220 value)

The Unforgettable
The super-customized Yours Truly Massage is paired with The One & Only Mani-Pedi and The Sparkler Facial for a spa day that will leave you glowing, and forever ours. ($348.99, $420 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 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. 

Yonder Mountain String Band’s new album Get Yourself Outside

Get Yourself Outside will be released February 25, 2022. Photo: Yonder Mountain String Band, used with permission.

From selling out Red Rocks Amphitheatre at a time when that was unheard of for a string act, to standing at the microphone in front of tens of thousands at festivals like Bonnaroo, Yonder Mountain was the initial spark in an acoustic inferno decades ago that endures headlong into the 21st century—one burning brightly in an ongoing tidal wave movement that now includes marquee names like Billy Strings, Greensky Bluegrass, and The Infamous Stringdusters. With their latest album, Get Yourself Outside, Colorado-based quintet Yonder Mountain String Band once again echoes out into the universe its place as not only a pioneering jam-grass act but also one of the most innovative, intricate groups in the live music scene—something the groundbreaking ensemble has proudly held high for the better part of a quarter-century. (Yonder Mountain String Band, 2021)

Coming up on their 25th anniversary as a band, Yonder Mountain String Band continues to innovate and evolve, and on February 25, 2022, will unveil Get Yourself Outside—their first studio album with new member, mandolinist Nick Piccininni. Piccininni joins Aijala, fellow founding members, bassist Ben Kaufmann and banjoist Dave Johnston, and fiddler Allie Kral who joined the band in 2015 for the band’s inspired and energized post-pandemic lineup debut. Relix premiered the first single from Get Yourself Outside, the hard-charging “Into The Fire.” Fans can hear “Into The Fire” now at this link and pre-order or pre-save Get Yourself Outside before its release right here

In addition to the upcoming album announcement, YMSB just dropped a long list of February and March tour dates beginning with their official album release show at Denver’s newly-opened and incredibly popular Meow Wolf Convergence Station where concert-goers will experience a one-of-a-kind immersive music and art experience, before heading down to Florida, through the Southeast, and across to Texas. A full list of dates is below and ticket information is available online.

Catch Yonder Mountain String Band on tour:
1/27 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
1/28 – Seattle WA – Neptune Theatre
1/29 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
1/30 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo House Of Music
2/1 – Arcata, CA – Arcata Theatre
2/2 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
2/3 – Nevada City, CA – Miners Foundry Cultural Center
2/4 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
2/5 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
2/6 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
2/24 – Denver, CO – Meow Wolf Convergence Station – official album release show
2/26 – Steamboat, CO – Winter Wondergrass
2/27 – Steamboat, CO – Winter Wondergrass
3/11 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
3/12 – Immokalee, FL – Southland Bluegrass and Wilderness Festival
3/13 – Key West, FL – Parade Grounds at Fort East Martello
3/15 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
3/16 – Savannah, GA – Victory North
3/17 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Spring Reunion
3/18 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
3/19 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Bluegrass Festival
3/20 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
3/23 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge
3/24 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn
3/25 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
3/26 – Dallas, TX – The Studio at the Factory
4/2 – New Orleans, LA – venue TBA
4/28 – Poughkeepsie, NY – venue TBA
4/29 – Baltimore, MD – venue TBA
5/6 – Black, MT – venue TBA
5/7 – Cincinnati, OH – venue TBA
5/8 – Cincinnati, OH – venue TBA

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Walmart to award scholarships for National Hispanic Institute Leadership Experience

Walmart and the National Hispanic Institute are partnering to provide tuition scholarships. Photo: National Hispanic Institute.

The National Hispanic Institute (NHI), a nonprofit organization providing leadership education to top-performing Latino high school students across the United States and throughout the Americas, is partnering with Walmart to provide tuition scholarships for a select number of students from Oklahoma and Texas to attend a 2022 Lorenzo de Zavala (LDZ) Youth Legislative Session program. (Walmart, 2022)

The program will host 200 top academic students in a weeklong leadership experience on the campus of Austin College in Sherman, Texas, on July 10-17, 2022. The $20,000 in scholarship money from Walmart — $10,000 for Oklahoma students and $10,000 for Texas students — will provide tuition support.

The LDZ program, launched in 1983, is designed to inspire civic engagement and develop public policy skills. The eight-day immersive program, hosted in coordination with universities, uses a format in which participants declare candidacies and run for offices in executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, and work to propose and enact legislation while developing personal and community identity through a series of exercises that culminate in the three-day legislative session.

Through NHI’s signature community equity building approach, students form communities, develop constituencies, and craft strategies to leverage strengths and capacities. 

“The LDZ experience prompts a personal transformation whereby students feel competent, in control of their life direction, valued in the eyes of others and engaged in adding equity and worth to their community. It nurtures young minds to engage in proactive solutions as a lifelong process.”  – Gloria de Leon, NHI co-founder and architect of the LDZ experience.

“Walmart is excited to sponsor this important program and the work that NHI is going to develop future Latino leaders. As an alum, I can tell you first hand that the LDZ program has an established track record of engaging high school students and inspiring them toward greater civic engagement, and we want to enable students to experience this transformative program through this scholarship fund.” – Ivan Jaime, Director of State and Local Government Relations for Walmart in Oklahoma and Texas.

Current Oklahoma and Texas college-bound high school sophomores and juniors with an 88/100 or 3.2/4.0 grade point average are encouraged to apply. Scholarships will support a portion of the LDZ program’s tuition cost — $995 for the full week, including meals, housing, and tuition. A special committee of NHI alumni and community members in Oklahoma is working on additional fundraising if students need assistance with the balance and transportation arrangements. 

Students are encouraged to promptly submit their online application to the National Hispanic Institute for the Texas LDZ. Select “Walmart Scholarship Candidate” if you are from Oklahoma or Texas to be considered for the award. Students must apply with a $25 application fee for consideration.

Students who cannot attend this program due to conflicts in dates may apply to alternate LDZ sites as well, and depending on funding, may be considered for this award. The first round of admissions will be accepted beginning February 4, 2022, and conclude once the program has reached capacity in mid-March.

The National Hispanic Institute was founded in 1979 to establish an institutional presence in Latino community life, with an organized strategy to prepare the next generation of leaders. NHI researches emergent leadership in youth, and guides them to envision their value beyond the attainment of college degrees and careers into the realm of community leadership. 

Courtesy photo, used with permission