San Antonio Magazine May/June 2023

+ Grown-ups have taken over the sandlot

FEATURES

IN THE LOOP

Maker

A financial analyst turned artist is behind Modernly Planted’s beautiful cement pots.

Person of Interest

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai is approaching his first term with an eye toward equity and families like he served during his decades as a state district court judge.

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Culture

EAT+DRINK

Libations

Enjoy a taste of the tropics without leaving town thanks to La Ruina.

Eat Here Now

Chef Luis Colón is raising the bar with new takes and fresh ingredients at Fig Tree.

Spotlight

Why Breakaway Brewery wants to be a gathering place for craft beer and cycling enthusiasts.

A Trail Lover’s Guide to SA

From picturesque parks with paths for short strolls to treefilled trails perfect for hikes and greenways made for long bike rides, trails abound in the Alamo City.

A UTSA senior worked to bring healing to her hometown of Uvalde through art and found a new purpose for her future career in the process.

16

Live Well

These San Antonio businesses can help those striving for more sustainable living.

18

Influencer

Caroline Garcia-Bowman is behind every Instagrammable corner at Box St. All Day.

Tastemaker

The founder of Lost Buddy Spices turned her family’s staple seasoning into a growing business.

Screen Time

Planet Barbecue is the latest TV show shining the spotlight on San Antonio and raising its profile as a culinary destination.

BLK WHT GRY

Portrait artist James Medrano is the featured artist at this Blue Star gallery known for highlighting pop and street art.

The Sandlot

These San Antonians are reviving the nostalgic backyard baseball games of their youth with a grown-up league for adults who want to compete while still having fun. Sideline burgers and beers included.

Building a Legacy

As Our Lady of the Lake University is poised for growth on the heels of its largest capital campaign ever, President Abel Antonio Chávez says true success will mean building new facilities and new opportunities for both students and the surrounding neighborhood.

6 MAY/JUNE 2023

On the Cover

Illustrator Jacob Stead drew the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge that connects the two sides of Phil Hardberger Park. It’s just one of 23 trails spotlighted starting on page 36.

Iwas nearing the end of maternity leave with my first daughter during the May 2021 election for mayor and city council and figured it was never too early to get her involved in the civic process so we headed to Semmes Library to cast my ballot. I unbuckled her from her car seat that weekday morning of early voting and strapped her into a carrier on my chest, hoping for a short line inside. Despite the lack of cars in the lot, the line stretched to the door. No matter, I thought. She was looking sleepy and would probably be dozing in just a few minutes. How wrong I was. A volunteer holding the door commented not quietly about how sweet she was and, as if to provide a counter argument, Anna began to scream. I was prepared to head back out the door, but the amount of discomfort strangers feel upon hearing a baby cry is apparently high and the kind San Antonians waiting ahead ushered me to the front of the line and insisted I vote. Anna calmed down by the time I was handing over my ID and was asleep before I submitted my ballot (though they still gave her a “future voter” sticker).

Not wanting to wake her up right away, I took the sidewalk over to the loop trails at Comanche Lookout Park and enjoyed a walk under the shade of the trees as she napped. It’s a trail I revisited while working on this month’s cover feature and likely one I’ll hit again this spring during my maternity leave with my second daughter, who I was counting down to meeting while penning this letter.

When we decided to publish a trails guide, we wanted to offer not just places for traditional hiking but also paths for walking, cycling or running. Because while the peace of a dirt trail with rural surroundings is unmatched, there’s also a special charm in urban trails, like the Museum Reach with its paved riverside paths and downtown views. Find some of our favorite places to explore starting on page 36.

Another way locals are finding respite outside is through a growing network of sandlot baseball teams in San Antonio. Rather than the pre-teens you know from the 1993 movie, these sandlot games feature adults from all walks of life who meet for a little competition and a lot of community. Get a look at a night on the diamond on page 48 thanks to photographers JoMando Cruz and Josh Huskin (who also plays in the league), plus freelance writer Travis E. Poling.

ONLINE

Local Gifts for Mom

Looking for something your mom will actually want this Mother’s Day? We round up some of our favorite options from SA makers and boutiques at sanantoniomag. com/mothers-day-giftguide-23.

Menu with a Mission Trailblazer Cafe is as much about serving the community as it is great food. Learn more about the restaurant that opened earlier this year at Stinson Municipal Airport at sanantoniomag.com/ trailblazer-cafe.

COMING UP

The ultimate summer food guide.

MAY / JUNE 2023

VOL. 18, NO. 4

EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief Kathleen Petty

Contributing Writers

Jeremy Banas, Sam Boykin, Bonny Osterhage, Travis E. Poling, Katherine Stinson, Edmund Tijerina

Copy Editor Patsy Pelton

Editorial Intern Paulina Rodriguez

ART

Art Director David G. Loyola

Contributing Photographers

Jason Barnes, Jana Cantua, JoMando Cruz, Josh Huskin, Erika Ramirez, Michael Rodriguez

Contributing Illustrator Jacob Stead

ADVERTISING

Publisher Kathie Anderson

Account Director Dana Horner

Sales Operations Manager

Kiely Whelan

DIGITAL

Digital Managers

Rosie Ninesling, Abigail Stewart

OPEN SKY MEDIA

CEO Todd P. Paul

Editorial Director Rebecca Fontenot Cord

CIRCULATION

Audience Development Director Kerri Nolan

Circulation Manager Julie Becker

EVENTS

Events Director Lauren Sposetta

ACCOUNTING

Accounting Manager Sabina Jukovic

CONTACT US 210-268-1100 sanantoniomag.com

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Story Ideas, Letters to the Editor editor@sanantoniomag.com

Subscriptions, Renewals and Address Changes

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IN THE LOOP

Houseplant Homes

THE LAST WORD LINDSEY PARENICA would ever have used to describe herself was “creative.” “I worked in corporate America as a financial analyst, so I was a numbers person and not creative,” she says. However, Parenica has long been a plant person. After more than a decade of curating her own indoor jungle, she started an Instagram account in 2019 to share her plants. She loved pairing plants and pots, and soon, she began sourcing and selling some of the unique pots and planters she found. Modernly Planted officially launched in 2020, but it wasn’t long before she was disappointed in the selection from wholesalers. Parenica knew what she wanted and decided to make her own. After months of testing different pigments and silicon mold shapes, she started selling her pieces in 2021, and a year later left her job of 18 years to become a maker full time. She now sells solid and multicolored pots and planters plus small trays at shops and markets throughout the area and says she’s learning to balance her new-found creativity with the left-brain tasks of running a business. “I fell in love with the process,” she says. “I want to offer customers statement pieces or functional pieces of art.”

SHOP

Find Modernly Planted at Tillage Plants, Belle & Union Co., Elysia Collective and R&R Collective, or look for her latest pop-up schedule at instagram.com/ modernlyplanted

A Vision for Equity

With every proposal and budget request, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai is considering how it impacts the area’s most vulnerable

fter nearly three decades of acting as the sole decision maker in the 225th State District Court, Peter Sakai is well aware that his voice is one of five now. Elected Bexar County judge last fall following the retirement of Nelson Wolff, who served in the role for 21 years, Sakai is now charged with serving as CEO of the county while working with four county commissioners who also have a vote on every issue that comes before them. “The reality is that I’m the least senior,” says Sakai, referring to time served. “And I am one of five votes, so I tell people who come before me that they need to talk to all of the commissioners.” Still, while Sakai’s tenure on the court may be short, his experience is not. The second generation Asian American and Rio Grande Valley native is bringing his time presiding over children’s welfare issues in district court to ensure the county considers not only the economic impact of every decision it makes, but also the impact it will have on children and residents in need. “I will continue to fulfill my promise to take care of the least of us,” he says. “San Antonio has a big heart. It has so much compassion and people who truly care about our community, and I just want to see us come together so we can make it a better place for our children and grandchildren.”

How does your experience in children’s court impact your priorities?

As a district court judge, I had to learn to listen intently to two sides of a dispute. Often in family and children’s cases, there were swearing matches or mothers and fathers accusing each other of misconduct. After I listened intently, I had to make a decision—somebody has to win and lose. And the final aspect is that I had to explain my ruling so people could understand it and either appeal it or accept it and live by the ruling.

I believe that’s what’s going to make me a great county judge. I’m committed to listening intently and making decisions that people may or may not appreciate, but

Education: University of Texas, University of Texas School of Law

Years as a District Court Judge: 26

Making History: Sakai is the first Asian American to be elected Bexar County judge. He is a second-generation American whose grandparents immigrated from Japan to the Rio Grande Valley.

that I believe are in the best interest of the county. Also because of my district court experience focusing on child welfare cases, I will look at issues, such as economic development, affordable housing, education and workforce, through an equity lens of what’s good for children and families. If it’s an economic development project that is requesting a tax abatement or incentive, I want to know in those requests whether there is a return of investment for the taxpayer. What’s their involvement in the community? Are they working to help and give back?

An example would be the San Antonio Spurs, who have received county and city assistance, but think about how valuable they are from a philanthropic standpoint. Valero and its Birdies for Charity is another example or USAA, which puts its workforce to work building Habitat for Humanity homes and other projects. If you have been a good corporate citizen, then I will support helping you because I want them to be viable and strong and to stay in San Antonio. And that applies to the Spurs. Peter John Holt has assured me they’re staying in San Antonio.

When it comes to equity, you’ve also talked about the need to address the county’s digital divide.

COVID has taught us that we have some fundamental flaws in our community and one is the digital divide, which means some areas do not have high speed internet and wifi. I want to make sure that we are providing high speed internet to all parts of the community.

I’m looking at all of the options and ideas for what we can do to eliminate the digital divide because I see high-speed internet connectivity much as I see water, electricity and sewer. I think it’s an infrastructure issue that government should be involved with, and I’m willing to make a commitment to make sure county government is responsible—not just in San Antonio but in the other 26 municipalities and unincorporated areas that we serve. Development is exploding right now in the unincorporated areas, so the county government has to be nimble enough to meet the needs of these citizens.

We have to do that while still making sure our seniors, disabled veterans and first responders are given protection for their homes so they can age in place. I think the legislature is going to address property taxes, but the other issue is property appraisals. I want our Bexar County Appraisal District to be more transparent in how they assess appraisals and make sure people understand how they can protest and appeal without having to hire a lawyer. It’s incumbent upon us to make the system accessible to all.

When it comes to the jail, where do you begin with staffing and budget issues?

I do not see building a jail as a solution. I believe it would make things worse by increasing the number of people incarcerated and putting a jail out where nobody wants—because I will tell you that most people in this community will say, ‘Please don’t put it in my backyard.’

The jail has to be dealt with from a multi-faceted perspective. I have used the analogy of a stool, which has a seat with legs that support the stool. In this case, the four legs are (one) the sheriff, who is responsible for law enforcement and maintenance of the jail; (two) the district attorney’s office, which files and moves cases through the system; (three) the court system, which disposes of cases and either dismisses them, sentences the person to prison or has them serve their time locally; and (four) the commissioner’s court, which funds these entities. The individual legs cannot support the stool. What’s important is the pegs that connect the legs—good government has to communicate, collaborate and finally, coordinate.

The sheriff and law enforcement need to consider policies that don’t arrest minor offenders, especially those who are indigent. We shouldn’t

lock up a minor offender who is not a threat to the community and is poor. We need to support the district attorney’s office so they have the support to move cases. We have to make sure the court system remains back online. The jury docket was back at full speed in March, so jurors are fully back in the courthouse and more cases can be resolved. Finally, the commissioner’s court has to balance supporting these entities while keeping in mind property taxes and protection for our seniors, disabled, veterans and first responders. That is one tough job that I have to set up and make sure we do the best we can do.

I also thought it was important to make all three roll calls—the beginning of each shift at the jail—and introduce myself. I went with the sheriff and the representatives from the Deputy Sheriff’s Union and told the deputies, I’m here to give you dignity and respect by assuring you that I will always listen to your concerns. But having said that, the sheriff and deputies and union need to work together and be in alignment. I’m hoping I can bring people together and encourage people to respect each other and have more conversations and civility.

The county has also launched its own public health entity. Tell us about that.

Andrea Guerrero-Guajardo, Ph.D., MPH, is director of the new preventative health and environmental services department. I’m excited about it because we need to provide better services to the 26 municipalities and unincorporated areas. We do join with the city’s Metro Health district, but I believe we can do a better job of meeting needs in those areas. Plus, I want to focus on mental health and drug and alcohol treatment and addiction issues. I also want to expand to wellness and nutrition and to eliminate food deserts, or those areas in town that don’t have access to fruits and vegetables. And I want to make sure we deal with diseases in our community, from diabetes to high blood pressure, because education and workforce go right off of that.

Although education is not a county initiative, I believe the county can play a role in making sure the business community works with public education to create cradle-to-career paths. Let’s make sure young kids, right from when they’re born, are given support for development. I want small businesses to partner with education so we can create mentorships and apprenticeships. I hope every kid goes to college, but not all kids do, so we have to find a way to ensure they have a skill set when they finish high school. When we take care of our kids and our children, we’re going to have a healthier community.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

“I’m committed to listening intently and making decisions that people may or may not appreciate, but that I believe are in the best interest of the county.”

Healing Through Art

News of May 2022’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde hit close to home for Alina De Leon. The 26-year-old UTSA fine arts major was born in Uvalde and had attended Robb. So when she was invited to participate in Uvalde artist (and UTSA alumnus) Abel Ortiz’s “Healing Uvalde” series of 21 public murals in honor of the 19 students and two teachers who were killed, she jumped at the chance.

A printmaker first, De Leon was paired with San Antonio–based professional muralist Cristina Noriega to create a mural for Amerie Jo Garza, a 10-year-old shooting victim who was herself a budding artist. The artists learned from the Garza family that Amerie was the type of girl who protected others from bullies without hesitation. She also loved to play, loved art and was fond of the color lavender.

“They gave us words of encouragement and told us a lot of stories about Amerie—what she was like as a kid, and what she got to experience,” De Leon says.

They used a photo of Amerie as the foundation for their work and then included her favorite color

and flowers, painting for more than 30 hours. De Leon also contributed to a public mural in town by San Antonio artist Michael Sanchez, featuring 21 doves on a blue background.

The experience has continued to shape De Leon and inspire her artistic trajectory. In one screenprint, titled “Nopal de Dolor,” she created a cactus with clippings from articles about the shooting, using thorns to represent the pain and strength of the community. And for a final project for her painting class, she drew a fence with the shadows of children who were killed.

As a professional, the UTSA senior says she wants her art to continue to have an impact and to make people feel something.

“There’s been a lot of mass shootings—Parkland, Sandy Hook, Las Vegas and Uvalde,” she says. “Hopefully when onlookers see the art, it will inspire them to see that they can help, too … it can help everyone realize that people who are involved in mass shootings are not alone. There’s a community, there’s a community for healing.”

A UTSA student and Uvalde native finds new purpose in her art after creating a lasting tribute to a victim of the school shooting

“Hopefully when onlookers see the art, it will inspire them to see that they can help, too. ... There’s a community for healing.”

Sustainably Local

Turn to these San Antonio businesses for sustainable living practices to integrate into your routine

Buy Second Hand Without the Hunt

Finding great second hand clothing can often require a lot of sifting through packed racks, bins, or even digital listings to find one piece worth buying. It takes effort, and Caroline Bower, owner of The Bluebird Collective, wants to do the work for interested shoppers. Launched online in 2020 with an appointment-only boutique that opened in Bulverde in 2022, Bower’s business helps women dress sustainably in clothes that actually fit well. She does the hard work of browsing through thrift stores in San Antonio and offers her finds (which often include brands like Anthroplogie and Madewell) through Instagram story sales each Thursday and through personal shopping appointments. Want something specific? She can put together a ThredUp order for you based on your requests and body type. For kids, turn to Hand Me Up, the San Antonio company run by moms Nicole Boynton and Kara Livingston. The two women are out to reduce textile waste (which the EPA reports is as high as 17 million tons annually) by providing families with secondhand capsule wardrobes for their children. Once you receive your capsule containing three tops, three bottoms and a bonus item, you can send in gently used clothes from your own kids’ closet for another family to enjoy. thebluebirdcollective.com, handmeupshop.com

Cut One-Use Plastic Containers

It’s tough to do this entirely, but Emily Larson, owner of Revolutionary Refillery, is making it easy to take some first steps by offering refills of all of your basic liquids: shampoo, conditioner, all-purpose cleaner, dish soap and laundry detergent. Simply bring your own container or purchase one from her, fill it with as much liquid as you’d like to use and then pay based on the weight of the liquid you buy. Each product is plant-based and made with natural fragrances while being priced comparably to H-EB. Larson also sells laundry detergent sheets plus shampoo and conditioner bars that don’t require any containers. Revolutionary Refillery can be found at Elysia Collective Co., Helotes Market Days, and its new brick and mortar on Fredericksburg Road. With the average American throwing away 185 pounds of plastics each year, Larson says anything you can do, from relying on reusable grocery bags to refilling with her, makes an impact. revolutionrefillery.com

Meal Plan and Compost

Make a grocery list (or H-E-B pickup order) based on what you actually plan to eat each week to reduce food waste. Local food and wellness company Fed + Fit sends out weekly emails to subscribers that not only include ideas for meal planning but also shopping lists so you’ll know exactly what you need. Still, it’s tough to completely reduce food waste, even if just the shell of your spaghetti squash or that one rotting banana. To keep those out of the landfill, toss them in your green bin from the city or start your own compost. For $28 a month, San Antonio’s Compost Queens will pick up your food waste in buckets they provide (along with bokashi flakes to help it begin fermenting). They’ll turn the pile at a local farm to create nutrient rich compost and after six months, you can receive compost to use in your own garden or pots. fedandfit.com, compostqueenstx.com

Outside the Box

The Faithful Maker owner Caroline GarciaBowman finds her niche in branding and design at Hemisfair’s Box St. All Day

Box St. All Day is one of the hottest brunch spots in town thanks not just to its mouthwatering menu but also its casually chic, airy, modern vibe that was carefully curated by Caroline Garcia-Bowman. Founder of The Faithful Maker, Bowman helps businesses like Box St. All Day, Sojourn Trading Co. and The Injection Room define their brands through beauty.

“Your brand should be your narrative,” says GarciaBowman, a San Antonio native who studied fashion management and merchandising at University of the Incarnate Word. “It should be an extension of who you are.”

After a few years post-college of working in missions and ministries, Garcia-Bowman found herself unsure of what to do next. She prayed about her next move and received encouragement from her mentors to use her creativity as she chose a career path.

Her prayers were answered when she met the owners of Box St. Social, which at the time was a food truck/mobile catering company with a decidedly masculine vibe and color scheme. What started as work hand-lettering their

menus grew into a partnership that eventually led to her designing a rebrand of the truck with a softer, modern color scheme meant to appeal to women, who her research showed were the main demographic for the truck and its catering endeavors.

When Box St. set its sights in on expanding to a brickand-mortar eatery at Hemisfair, Garcia-Bowman was pivotal in creating its signature vibe. Along with the truck’s light colors, she incorporated an oversized bar that can quickly convert to a counter-service model as needed (like it was for restaurants during the height of the pandemic). A large outdoor patio was added to accommodate two- and four-footed patrons, and both indoors and out, light colors, greenery and a touch of fun, Instagram-worthy whimsy were added throughout with the hope of creating a relaxed, vacation vibe.

The restaurant’s flower logo, also designed and drawn by Garcia-Bowman, has five petals to represent Box St.’s five core staff members. Garcia-Bowman now has her hand in other projects, as well, but says Box St. will always be “her baby” and the one that helped her find her place.

EAT + DRINK

A Tribute to the Tropics

Find well-crafted classics at the downtown getaway La Ruina

THE MAGIC INGREDIENT IN LA RUINA’S cocktail menu? Simplicity. “For instance, we have a rum and Ting cocktail,” says David Naylor, beverage director and general manager. “In Jamaica, you just drink overproof rum and Ting soda. And that’s it. That’s how you drink it. That’s the culture— that’s the ease of it and you still have a good time with it.”

Naylor, who created the menu, says the drink lineup pays tribute to the bar’s Latin American, Caribbean, Mexican and Central/South American influences, which means keeping things authentic, simple and wellcrafted. The piña colada is made with a mix of rums, in an ode to the history of reggaeton, while a satisfying Cuba Libre features a signature rum blend, lime and Coke. “With us, it’s about representing the cultures of where the tropical spirits come from,” he says.

Owners Gerry Shirley and Olaf Harmel, formerly of The Modernist, purchased and renovated the historic Robitzsch Brothers Building downtown, opening in September 2022. Throughout, touches of green and teal help achieve their goal for the bar to exude grace and the fun of a short getaway. And they’re not done yet. Coming soon: a more intimate cocktail space on the facility’s second floor.

Fresh Start

With Luis Colón back in a high-profile kitchen, San Antonio has a better dining scene.

Nearly a decade after a wild ride that included creating the “best burger in Texas” plus a few rough years, Colón has returned to take his place among the top chefs in the city. He’s now leading the culinary team at Fig Tree, giving new life and energy to a formerly staid and predictable menu.

Colón received his culinary training at Johnson & Wales University, interned at Michelin-starred Alinea and Publican in Chicago and has cooked at hotspots such as Pesca, Bella on the River and Biga on the Banks.

In 2014, the Churchill grad took that tremendous potential, talent and experience, and opened Folc. From that Olmos Park destination, he created dishes that captivated me when I reviewed it that year for the San Antonio Express-News. Likewise, San Antonio Magazine honored it in 2015’s Best of the City, and in 2016, Texas Monthly named Folc’s burger the best in the state. Only a few months after that honor, a fire closed Folc and a dispute with the landlord kept it shut for good.

For the next six years, Colón cooked at different places, hosted pop-ups and guest chef dinners, and briefly ran Bexar Pub just east of downtown, but nothing took root. “It was rough. I was trying to survive,” he says. “We were just trying to navigate through everything.”

After he returned to work at Biga, chef/partner Bruce Auden shared that Fig Tree was looking for a chef, made the introduction to the restaurant’s new owners, and recommended Colón for the job. He met with new owner Sam Panchevre, of Sam’s Burger Joint, and his director of operations, Keith Ludwick. The pair wanted to bring a new sensibility to Fig Tree, a fine dining stalwart since 1971, best known for its Continental classics such as beef Wellington and baked Alaska.

Colón did that and more. Today, he brings creativity and a sense of unlimited possibilities to the menu. A brilliant housemade agnolotti with clams, sausage and tomato foam captivated with every bite, and a prosciutto-rabbit saddle displayed high-level technique while still feeling approachable and delicious. The menu is fluid and will likely have changed, but trust that his dishes will delight and captivate.

Some of the former Fig Tree aficionados wish he would go back to the old dishes, but diners who remember Folc or are trying this restaurant for the first time are raving about the cuisine. Meanwhile, brunch is beginning to catch on. “I’m thankful and grateful for the opportunity at Fig Tree,” Colón says. “I want all those past years to come to fruition.”

Passions Combined

The owners of Breakaway Brewing create a community gathering place that fuses their love of craft beer and cycling

Take a gander around the new Breakaway Brewing taproom in Government Hill and the owners’ love of cycling is apparent, from posters and plaques adorning the walls to Tour de France–inspired stripes on the windows and ample bike racks outside. And then, of course, there’s the names of the beers on tap.

“The beer names are either cyclists, cyclists’ nicknames or cycling terms,” says Chris Pal-Freeman, who opened the brewery earlier this year along with his wife, Jean. “The stout that we have is the Singletrack. We made a variant of the Singletrack by adding peanut butter and banana to it, and that’s the Clydesdale, a category in mountain bike racing for heavier riders.” Breakaway has eight taps featuring rotating beers, with one special brew—the Clydesdale this spring—reserved for members of the Podium and Peloton mug clubs.

BREAKAWAY BREWING

1518 E. Grayson St. 210-255-1149

breakawaybrewing.us Open Tues-Sun

The couple hails from Portland where they fell in love with both cycling and craft beer. Chris began homebrewing there 25 years ago while in college after receiving a homebrew kit as a gift. His hobby grew, and eventually he partnered with a friend to build a large stainless brewing system. “At one point we were brewing so much that we almost came close to the legal limit for homebrewers in Oregon,” he says.

Life took the couple to Pittsburgh for a few years, where Chris continued to brew incessantly and even was asked to serve as assistant brewer at a soon-toopen new brewery. Instead, Jean took a job with an oil and gas company in San Antonio about five years ago, and she and Chris decided to launch their own venture, thanks in part to encouragement from Longtab Brewing’s Mike Brown.

COVID hit shortly after they’d made the decision to open a business, giving them extra time to work on their business plan and look for the right location. Knowing cycling would have a place at the brewery, the Pal-Freemans wanted to be in a neighborhood where cyclists as well as families, coworkers and neighbors could gather together. Chris hopes to foster the kind of atmosphere that was common at small public houses popular years ago. In Government Hill, he says they found a neighborhood that’s central and convenient to Pearl, downtown and Fort Sam Houston.

Clear Your Spice Rack

Lost Buddy Spices promises its dry rub and garden salt are all you’ll ever need

Sarah Wilburn assumed her wedding gift from her parents would be the family’s coveted dry rub recipe. A four-generation staple that her dad perfected while working for a German butcher in his 20s, the seasoning was one she grew up eating on almost everything and her family had even made several batches for her and her husband to hand out as favors after their reception. The recipe, however, was not turned over.

With her parents—and their seasoning supply— nearby, the Boerne resident didn’t think much of it again until she was at home with her newborn son six years later and reading You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. Though a behavior analyst who already co-owns a business that supports adults with developmental disabilities, the book had Wilburn thinking about what else she could do.

She called up her dad and asked why they’d never sold their dry rub. They knew it was good, and it was something friends and family were constantly asking for. He replied that he’d just never thought about it, but he was supportive of her distributing it if she wanted to.

That was all it took. With the recipe finally in hand, Wilburn tweaked and tested it a bit before beginning production. Lost Buddy Spices officially launched in Boerne in 2016, with her sister and a family friend assisting with marketing, web and other business details.

“We put it on everything,” says Wilburn, explaining why she knew it was something others would love. “I mean I don’t know if I’d put it in coffee, but we put it on fish, in hamburgers, on everything.”

Just more than six years later and the dry rub is now carried in boutiques in Boerne and Spring Branch while also being sought out by online shoppers. One family in Austin orders a bulk 1-pound bag every month.

In 2021, Wilburn partnered with personal chef Jared Campbell to add a garden salt to Lost Buddy’s offerings. Campbell, a family friend, had taken to using Lost Buddy dry rub on most of his dishes at home and told Campbell he thought the salt could be a good complement to her offerings.

The two now work together to produce both the salt and the rub, mixing it in a commercial kitchen before packaging it and labeling it for consumers. This past holiday season was the first since launching

that Wilburn worried they wouldn’t be able to keep up with demand, so she’s focusing this year on how to strategically grow.

Eventually, she and Campbell would like to add a few other spices to their lineup and to see the dry rub and salt on shelves at H-E-B. However, they know that will require more than just the two of them mixing and packaging product once or twice a week. Still a behavior analyst at her other business and a team member at Babes Support Babes community and coworking space, Wilburn has plenty to keep her busy. But she says she dreams of Lost Buddy Spices being the project that she can pass on to her boys, now 4 and 6. “Hopefully it’s their legacy and they can work there if they want to,” she says. “I want to show them they can do anything.”

SHOP

Find Lost Buddy Spices at Opal & Onyx Cookie Co., Assemble Cocktail, Texas Gourmet Pantry, Common Roots Boutique or lostbuddyspices.com

Made for TV

San

t’s not yet 9 a.m. on a cool Sunday in January, but Steven Raichlen is already well into his first shoot about beef ribs.

The host of the new series, Planet Barbecue, which airs on PBS starting Memorial Day Weekend, stands behind an oversized wooden table with state-ofthe-art grills situated to his right. There’s just enough space in the makeshift outdoor kitchen at the Spanish Governor’s Palace for Raichlen to welcome the many San Antonio chefs who will appear on the show’s first season, from Johnny Hernandez, of La Gloria, to Nicola Blaque, of The Jerk Shack, and Andrew Ho, of Curry Boys BBQ.

“We picked San Antonio (for filming) because this show is called Planet Barbecue, and if there is one place that has a global feel, that is certainly San Antonio,” says Raichlen. “It has one side looking to Mexico and Latin America and the other side looking to Texas and the American heartland.”

The 13-episode season aims to highlight not just traditional barbecue (for which they turned to Two Bros. BBQ’s Jason Dady) but also world barbecue cuisine like Curry Boys BBQ or Chama Gaucha, which is known for its Brazilian take on carved meats. It also will spotlight San Antonio and the growth of its food scene that local chefs say they’re glad to see gaining national attention.

“Not only does it continue giving credibility and validation to the city, but it’s also tangibly exciting to know that your city is thought of as a culinary hot spot,” says Curry Boys’ Sean Wen.

Planet Barbecue is certainly not the first (or last) show to recognize the Alamo City and its chefs. Since 2007, more than a dozen local restaurants have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Dady competed on Iron Chef in 2017, Hernandez has been on several shows including Beat Bobby Flay in 2019, and other businesses have been on episodes of shows like Best Thing I Ever Ate, Man vs. Food and Drinking Made Easy

Leo Davila, of Stixs & Stone, appeared on Food Network’s Big Restaurant Bet in 2022 and says it brought a significant boost to his Asian-Latin fusion eatery that opened in 2021.

“It was just a surreal experience and brought a lot of people in,” he says, adding that they can tell when a rerun has played because they’ll get busy on Wednesday nights, which are usually slower.

At Con Huevos, Raymundo Garcia says they saw an influx of people who their social media channels would never have reached after appearing on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles alongside several other local restaurants.

While many shows are highlighting the city’s diverse culinary offerings, Garcia says Netflix focused on places like his that are serving the “simple, humble” Mexican food that the city has long been known for.

Davila says it’s that mix of authentic taquerias and other cuisine, like at The Jerk Shack, that shows San Antonio’s culinary scene has truly grown—and that national networks are recognizing it. “Just to see where we’re at now is truly amazing,” he says.

Raichlen, also an award-winning cookbook author, agrees. “It’s a nexus of cultures,” he says.

“Not only does it continue giving credibility and validation to the city, it’s also tangibly exciting to know that your city is thought of as a culinary hot spot.”

TEXAS GETAWAYS

Are you ready to hit the road? Find inspiration for your summer travel from our advertising partners on the following pages.

F O L L O W P AT H T H E

From short strolls at city parks to long bike rides and running routes on the city’s greenways, these trails give ample opportunity across the Alamo City to enjoy the outdoors

HIT THE TRAILS AT THESE 10 PARKS

APACHE CREEK PARK

Located on the city’s West Side, south of Elmendorf Lake, this trail is indisputably urban, and it’s a convenient spot to get in a 5K (or a little more—the trail stretches 3.38 miles) with views of Apache Creek. 2901 El Paso St.

A bike rack means you can ride and then hit the basketball court afterward.

Bamberger is equipped with a bike rack and a somewhat hidden Little Free Library surrounded by seating so you can read before resuming your walk.

BAMBERGER NATURE PARK

Though small, Bamberger Nature Park is full of options. Combine the South and Main loops for a short walk (about 0.75 miles), or make plans for a hike or bike ride thanks to the park’s access to Leon Creek Greenway North—either take the Babcock Connector Trail to the greenway or hop off the South Loop and onto the Leon Creek Connector Trail. Once on the greenway, walk or ride 7.7 miles.

12401 Babcock Road

COMANCHE LOOKOUT PARK

Park at the Julia Yates Semmes Library and follow the Library Main and Library Loop trails into the park. Once surrounded by juniper, mesquite, hackberry and other trees, it will be easy to forget the traffic of nearby Nacogdoches Road. Stop at fitness stations along the less than 1-mile Library Loop but leave time to continue your trek up the Tower Loop trail, which summits at 1,340 feet in elevation—the fourth highest point in San Antonio and home to a stone tower built by retired Army Col. Edward H. Coppock. Back down amid the trees, hikers can veer off onto the Deer Loop (yes, you may see deer) before returning to the Comanche Loop and eventually the library. Hitting every trail, some of which are unpaved, will mean you’ve walked just over 4.5 miles throughout the park’s 96 acres. 15551 Nacogdoches Road

The property where the park sits was once owned by the second president of the Republic of Texas (in the 1840s) before it was purchased by Coppock. He had visions of creating his own castle on the hill, but he and his construction partner passed away before that happened, leaving just the tower completed.

CROWNRIDGE CANYON NATURAL AREA

On paper, the Bear Grass Trail looks like a short bookend to a peaceful hike at this 200acre preserve that was developed as part of the Edwards Aquifer Protection ballot initiative. It is that—but the level four trail also features a few inclines that will provide a challenge and a rewarding view. To get there, start on the flat Red Oak trail that features a bridge overlooking the canopy, grasslands, canyon bottoms and plenty of hills. The full loop of both trails runs just short of 2 miles. 7222 Luskey Blvd.

MADLA PARK

 Crownridge is the perfect alternative to facing the crowds you’ll find at the nearby Friedrich Wilderness Park on weekend mornings.

Take the East Bend Trail to Warbler Way and then around the Jon Allan Loop trail before heading back toward your car on Prairie Path. An alcove off Warbler Way is your best bet for spotting the endangered golden-cheeked warbler while an overlook along the main Jon Allan Loop affords a panoramic view of the Hill Country valley nearby. Bicycles are not allowed on the 1.5 miles of trails. 9780 Menchaca Road, Helotes

MUD CREEK PARK

If you’re a regular at McAllister Park, you may have driven by this gem tucked between neighborhoods without knowing what you’re missing. While its main trail is just 1.4 miles long, the unpaved terrain includes some inclines, views of limestone cliffs, a usually dry creek bed and plenty of shade. From the main trail, there are some offshoots that can add another mile to your trip. 16675 Jones-Maltsberger Road

O.P. SCHNABEL PARK

An ideal starting point for families or novice runners and cyclists, O.P. Schnabel offers access to five short trails (ranging from the 0.7-mile Bluff Loop to the 1.6-mile Sleeper Trail) that are perfect for daily exercise or for stringing together to create your own 5K. It’s also a popular spot for hopping on Leon Creek Greenway North, where you can ride, run or walk up to 7.7 miles in one direction. Most of the trails are paved or asphalt, and the terrain is fairly flat.

9606 Bandera Road



Officially Senator Frank L. Madla Natural Area, this park is named for the late senator whose family were longtime residents of the area. It celebrated its 10th anniversary this spring.



The park’s almost 70 acres, set behind the Mud Creek Dam, was donated to the city by the San Antonio River Authority in 2001.



The park formerly known as Bandera Road Park was renamed in 1977 for a man known for his work to beautify and clean the city.

Spanning 202 acres, the park is also home to a YMCA and fitness classes.

A GYMNAST TURNED TRAIL RUNNER

An injury led Amanda McIntosh to professional running and coaching

Since the age of 6, Amanda McIntosh had one goal: to become a professional gymnast. The Denver native was well on her way when an injury sustained during her junior year of high school derailed her plans. After undergoing surgery to repair a damaged knee, the 5-foot-tall, 90-pound McIntosh gained 15 pounds, grew 3 inches and was unable to get back into her beloved sport. “I was devastated because I had planned to go to college and continue competing,” she says. “I had no backup plan.”

That changed when she met an exercise psychology professor at the University of Denver who encouraged her to look into the program. “I loved it so much that I finished my undergrad requirements in only two-and-a-half years,” she says with a laugh.

Degree in hand, McIntosh moved to New Jersey where she worked at a sports training facility as a strength and training coach with professional sports teams. It was there that she was introduced to the world of racing. She began competing in marathons and duathlons, but it wasn’t until completing the Sun Mark 50K trail race in Huntsville, Texas, that the former gymnast realized she’d found her new sport.

Today, the 58-year-old McIntosh lives in San Antonio and is a professional runner, athlete and coach with an impressive number of titles under her running belt, including the 2005 World Masters Association 100K World Champion. She stopped racing professionally in 2011, but you can still find her regularly running her favorite local trail at Government Canyon State Natural Area.

“It’s not too far out of town, but it’s still considered back country,” she says. “It feels like being out in the mountains.”

She also specializes in heart rate–based training and recommends that anyone interested in trail running consult a coach who can put together a well thought out plan.

“You have to be careful when transitioning to trails,” she cautions, explaining that trails use completely different muscles than road running due to the varying terrain. “Even the most experienced road runner has to start off easy and take it slow.”—BO

+4 Tips for Trail Running

Running on trails requires a different level of planning. Even designated trails are off the beaten path, and you need to be prepared for everything from the terrain to unexpected injuries, or even getting lost. McIntosh offers a few tips to traverse the trails safely:

Dress appropriately. In San Antonio where temperatures tend to be warmer, you will need a breathable pair of running shorts, a light shirt and sunscreen. It is also a good idea to take a 100 percent waterproof jacket or an outer layer just in case.

Always make sure you have plenty of water, especially in the summer, along with any snacks or gels you might need. When you are out in the back country, you do not have access to drinking fountains or convenience stores.

Invest in a good pair of trail shoes. These have a lower profile than a running shoe, to prevent you from turning your ankle easily, and a knobbier sole for traction.

For safety, always run with a buddy or group, tell someone where you are going and use a navigational system either on your phone or fitness tracker. Should you get lost you want to make it as easy as possible for someone to find you.

PANTHER SPRINGS PARK

Officially, there is a 3-mile paved trail that will take visitors at this 300-acre North Side Park to the Parman Library (and back). Cyclists, though, point to this acreage as a favorite place for exploring the various dirt paths and offshoots from the main trail that allow them to add some mileage and experience a bit more of nature (including views of the area’s covered caves). If your pup is one who can handle a walk, take them on the trails and then reward them with a stop at the on-site dog parks that are divided between large and small dogs.

PEARSALL PARK

Between the two splashpads, the city’s largest playground and the skatepark, it can be easy to forget that Pearsall is also one of the only parks in town where runners have multiple options for completing 5K without having to cross any streets or roads. Looking for a more leisurely stroll? Play the 18-hole disc golf course and you’ll have walked just more than a mile.

4838 Old Pearsall Road

VETERANS PARK/ UNIVERSAL CITY PARK

The 8-acre Veterans Park also boasts a fishing area while Universal City Park is connected to a disc golf course that has players weaving through the trees and trails.

Find respite and quiet like only exists outside the city on the just-morethan-3-mile outand-back Cibolo Creek Nature Trail in Universal City. Whether starting at Veterans Park or Universal City Park, the trail offers plenty of shaded paths, sprawling oak trees, views of the creek and rock formations. Several smaller trails and loops exist between the parks to add mileage and adventure. Consider Blue Angel from Veterans or the Cave Trail at Universal City that leads to the Universal City Caves. 737 E. Aviation Blvd.; 305 North Blvd., Universal City

 If you love these trails and want a nearby alternative, consider Stone Oak Park, which offers 2.7 miles of similar terrain.

WHAT’S IN KIRSTEN MENGDEN’S BACKPACK?

The operating partner of Fleet Feet San Antonio has covered a lot of ground over the last decade participating in 5K to 50K races. Here’s what she packs when hitting the trail with her favorite running buddy, her pit bull named Lola—BO

Sunglasses

“San Antonio is almost always sunny, so I rarely leave the house without a pair of Goodr glasses. Plus, they come in a ton of fun colors!”

$25

Lights

“Don’t get caught unprepared after dark. I prefer a handheld light, and my favorite is the Nathan Zephyr Trail 200 R Hand Torch. It offers varying levels of light.”

$35

Socks

“The thing to remember with socks is that you want them to be a good, moisture-wicking, non-cotton, performance running sock. My favorite is Wrightsock.”

$11-$18

On Cloudultra Trail Shoe

“This is my go-to trail shoe because it is durable enough for the toughest terrain but is a nice ride on firmer surfaces, as well. It is handy on several of San Antonio’s trails that have both dirt and paved paths.”

$180

Hydration Vest

“I prefer a vest over a waist pack because it has plenty of extra storage for long runs and can hold my phone, water, nutrition, sunscreen and my puppy’s treats. Your vest should fit snugly and stay in place while you run rather than like a loose, bouncing backpack. I love the VaporHowe 4L from Nathan.”

$165

Nutrition

“Your body needs fuel for long runs, and my favorite is Maurten gel. It is flavorless, goes down easy and doesn’t cause me any GI distress.”

$3.90 per single serving packet

GPS Running Watch

“More than just tracking your speed and distance, a good GPS running watch can serve as a navigation tool if you get lost and even alert someone if you fall. I’m excited about the new Coros Apex 2. The top-notch navigation features let you see where you are on the landscape or topographical maps. Plus, it can alert you if you get off course and show you how to return to your original destination. It also has one of the longest lasting batteries and can be fully charged in two hours.”

$400

5 STANDBYS THAT ARE WORTH THE HYPE

EISENHOWER PARK

Varied terrain, gorgeous views and the peace of a rural park without the drive make this destination a go-to for a reason. The nearly mile-long Cedar Flats Trail takes visitors to the observation tower, which sits at 1,280 feet and offers gorgeous views of the city, while its 2.6-mile Hillview Trail provides a look at the back half of the park plus plenty of rocky terrain, towering trees and vegetation. Hikers, walkers and runners can tackle 6 miles in total if they hit every trail. 19399 N.W. Military Hwy.

FRIEDRICH WILDERNESS PARK

Though there are “level one,” handicap-accessible options near the entrance, the majority of trails in this park’s 10-mile system on the Northwest Side include some inclines and rocky terrain that require some focus. The effort is worthwhile. The park’s beauty is unmatched, and it’s known outside of SA as a bird watching hot spot, especially for sightings of the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo, which are both endangered.

21395 Milsa Drive

Leaving No Trace

3 tips for enjoying nature without damaging it from Jennifer Smith, Ph.D., wildlife ecologist and assistant professor in UTSA’s Department of Integrative Biology

Don’t Litter

This seems like an obvious one, but research shows it’s not: 70-80 percent of plastic debris in the ocean comes from land sources, such as coastlines and rivers. Plastics and microplastics, which can be 5 millimeters or smaller, are increasingly found in the digestive systems of wildlife. “Litter’s not just impacting the trail,” Smith says.

Stay on the Trail

That applies to your dog, too. Smith says whether to preserve nesting spaces or simply so as not to disturb animals who call parks home, it’s imperative that people stick to marked paths. That also means observing wildlife you do spot from a distance and not leaving food out for animals.

Tread Quietly

Remember trails are also used by animals to access other natural areas, and just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not nearby. Be respectful and keep noise levels low; avoid shouting or playing music on speakers. Bonus: It gives you the opportunity to really listen to and appreciate the natural sounds.

GOVERNMENT CANYON STATE NATURAL

AREA

You’ll need a state park pass to explore every inch of this retreat’s 40 miles of trails that traverse grasslands and canyonlands on the city’s Far Northwest Side. Not sure where to start? Join a First Saturday Guided Hike (offered monthly at 8 a.m.) and let a park ranger take the lead. 12861 Galm Road

GET OUTSIDE WITH A GROUP

6 meetups for walking, running or biking

Second Pitch Beer Co. Run Club

Fleet Feet hosts an about 3-mile run from this brewery through McAllister Park each Wednesday evening. After, enjoy happy hour prices from the bar. There’s also a cycling club that meets on select Tuesdays. secondpitchbeer.com

SATX Social Ride

Just as it sounds, this meetup is for cyclists who want the chance for a somewhat leisurely ride with friends. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram for specific dates, and then meet downtown for urban riding in a group. facebook.com/groups/ satnbc

San Antonio RoadRunners

This group hosts training sessions, meetups and more. Try one of its fun runs, held the first Saturday of each month. They take off from McAllister Park’s Pavilion 1 and have options that range from 0.5 to 3 miles. runsignup.com/club/tx/sanan tonio/sanantonioroadrunners

HARDBERGER PARK

The dog parks and Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge that takes visitors from one side of the park over Wurzbach Parkway to the other side are often the draw here, but its other trails are equally worthwhile. Bikers and runners love the 2.2 miles of paved Salado Creek Greenway near the Blanco Road parking lot while the shaded Water Loop is a leisurely walk to the land bridge. 8400 N.W. Military Hwy. or 13203 Blanco Road

MCALLISTER PARK

With 8.5 miles between its Blue Loop and Red Trail, the park offers plenty of options and terrain for cyclists and walkers/hikers. Though nestled in the city, visitors find deer, scenic views and plenty of primitive-feeling paths. It’s family and dog friendly, is the site of multiple free fitness classes and running/ biking group meetups, and it provides access to the Salado Creek Greenway on days when you want to tackle a longer ride. 13102 Jones-Maltsberger Road

+2 TRAILS WORTH THE DAY TRIP

Overlook Trail at Canyon

Lake Gorge

View waterfalls, limestone cliffs and more at this trail that opened in the fall of 2021. A massive 2002 flood caused the ground at this site to literally split open, revealing ancient fossils, Cretaceous limestone and dinosaur prints. Take a self-guided walk on the 2-mile trail or book a tour at canyon gorgetours.com to learn more about the geology of the area. 16311 S. Access Road, Canyon Lake

Balcones Canyonlands

National Wildlife Refuge

For a true hike, take the 1.6-mile Rimrock Trail at this wildlife refuge’s Doeskin Ranch and then continue on the half-mile Shin Oak Trail and the nearby 1.5-mile Indiangrass Trail. You’ll encounter a bit of elevation and rocky terrain plus views of rugged landscape, Texas plants and nearby hills. The refuge has a total of 10 miles of trails between two entrances. 10645 FM 1174, Bertram

Walk Fit

Fitness in the Park and Mobile

Fit host (nearly) weekly walking groups from Perez and New Territories parks. Join them most Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in Perez Park or 5 p.m. at New Territories. sanantonio.gov/ parksandrec

Cycle Club at Roadmap Brewing Co.

Meet at Roadmap for a 10-mile ride through downtown. The cyclists often stop somewhere for a drink and then enjoy $2 off Roadmap pints when they return. Or try its run club on Monday evenings. roadmap brewing.com/weekly-events

America’s Walking Club

While this international walking group has formal events, it also creates trails you can follow at your leisure. One of its most popular routes goes along the Mission Reach from Mission San Jose to Missions Concepcion, Espada and San Juan. my.ava.org/find-an-event.php

JOSH

BAUGH

DOESN’T WANT SAN ANTONIO TRAILING BEHIND

Cyclist and STORM board member loves the city’s trails but says the potential for growth remains

San Antonio native Josh Baugh might be the communications director for VIA Metropolitan Transit, but his favorite mode of transportation isn’t a bus—it’s a mountain bike. A former newspaper reporter, Baugh was introduced to the sport through a story assignment in Denton and became instantly hooked. However, a horrible crash on the trails at OP Schnabel Park almost caused him to give up his beloved hobby.

“My daughter was very young at the time of my crash, so I decided to quit,” he recalls.

More than a decade later, during the pandemic in 2020, the former collegiate baseball player and CrossFit coach jumped back in the saddle, this time riding with his daughter. Her interest in the sport didn’t hold, but Baugh rediscovered his love of cycling, and the rest is history.

“I love the level of concentration, skill and talent

you have to bring to it,” he says. “You must constantly be looking ahead, predicting how the terrain will affect you and deciding what gear you need to be in.”

Baugh often rides with his 72-year-old father and has regular weekly rides with a group of mountain bikers. He is passionate about the stewardship of the region’s trails and serves on the board of STORM, South Texas Off Road and Mountain Bikers, a nonprofit group that advocates for the expansion of the city’s trail and off-road systems.

“The biggest gift to cycling in San Antonio is the greenway system,” he says, adding that OP Schnabel and McAllister Park are his two favorite areas for single-track mountain bike trails. “You can string together a ton of miles through some really pretty country in San Antonio.”

Baugh says there are plans for further developing the Howard Peak Greenway along the Southwest Side, and there is bond money and plans to further develop dirt trails. Without civic funding, the work would fall to volunteers, which makes the process significantly slower and more difficult.

“There is a lot of potential here, and we need to keep growing and bring all these visions and plans to reality,” he says. “We must keep pressing forward to make San Antonio everything it can be.”—BO

GET TO KNOW THE MAJOR SA GREENWAYS + REACHES

Salado Creek Greenway

There are 10 trailheads on the north reach of this greenway, which stretches from North Loop 1604 to Rittiman Road. A few to consider: Eisenhower Park (19399 N.W. Military Hwy.), Loop 1604 (3104 N. Loop 1604 W.), Oakwell (150 Ira Lee Road) or Walker Ranch Park (12603 West Ave.). On the Southeast Side, a 3.1-mile extension opened at the start of this year that leads from Southside Lions Park (4008 Pecan Valley Drive) to Southeast Military Drive (4226 S.E. Military Drive). There are also trailheads at MLK Park (3503 MLK Drive) and Jack White Park (3803 Seguin Road). Locals can now go up to 11 miles in total on the Salado Creek Greenway South.

Leon Creek Greenway

Ride, run or walk up to 19 miles through parks like Cathedral Rock, O.P. Schnabel and Pearsall. Some of our favorite spots to access this greenway include the Valero Trailhead (5902 N.W. Loop 1604), O.P. Schnabel Park (9606 Bandera Road) and the VIA Transit Center (3215 Northwestern Drive). There’s also a 2.6-mile southern trail that starts at Levi Strauss Park (6100 Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy.).

Medina River Greenway

Travel up to 17 miles from Medina River Natural Area (15890 Hwy. 16 S.) to just south of Mission Espada. There are also several trailheads between those points, including at Mitchell Lake (13855 S. Hwy. 281) and Old Applewhite (2440 W. Jett Road).

Mission Reach

Officially stretching from Lone Star Boulevard to Mission Espada, this southern reach of the San Antonio River offers 16 miles of trails for walking, biking or running, plus 8 miles of paddling trails. We suggest starting at Blue Star (1414 S. Alamo St.) and exploring from there. Along with access points to the city’s historic missions, the trail also features multiple public art pieces.

Museum Reach

Begin at Pearl (303 Pearl Pkwy.) and head south toward the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts for a 3-mile round-trip walk or ride that will take you past public art pieces, the San Antonio Museum of Art and more.

Westside Creeks

These make up over 11 miles of multi-use mid-range trails along the Alazan, Apache, Martinez, San Pedro and Zarzamora creeks.

As sandlot baseball takes root in San Antonio—not among youth playing backyard scrimmages but with adults looking for camaraderie—the number one rule is to have fun

T T

THE CRACK OF A WOODEN BAT PROVIDES THE PUNCTUATION TO outfield and dugout chatter most Monday nights at PittmanSullivan Park. In between innings, it’s the pop of cans of local beer being opened that signals these baseball players are serious—serious about their love of the game and simply having fun.

This is San Antonio Sandlot Baseball. The group started a few years ago when Aaron Coronado and Micah Simms, who both worked in brewery tap rooms and craft beer bars, got together with a handful of friends to throw the ball around like they did in their youth. The two thought maybe the informal gathering could become some sort of bar league as it grew. But the swath of people showing up quickly expanded beyond their industry, and the city’s first modern sandlot baseball team, the Texas Dingers, was formed.

“We’re like ‘Come out, drink beer and have fun while playing baseball,’” Coronado says of the league ethos.

Now in its second year of organized league play, the Alamo City has six formal teams, many growing out of that first group. Each team plays the other twice during both a spring and fall season, but scrimmage games form most Monday nights of the year with players teaming up informally regardless of which team they call home. Participants still include plenty of brewery and bar industry folks but also construction workers, photographers, graphic designers, engineers, artists and more.

Along with league play in San Antonio, the Alamo City teams also have additional matchups against out-of-town visiting teams and during road trips to Marfa and Austin.

Matt Dixon, an original Dinger and a founder of spinoff team the San Antonio Roses, says he first encountered sandlot baseball seven years ago when he and his wife, who runs Wildflower Caramel Co., were vendors at the Trans Pecos Music Festival in Marfa.

Part of the festival entertainment was a sandlot baseball game between the Marfa Gallos and Austin’s Texas Playboys. Returning to the festival each year, Dixon was enamored with the aesthetic of “drink beer, eat hot dogs and watch a bunch of old dudes play baseball.”

“We’re like ’Come out, drink beer and have fun while playing baseball.’”

He got to know Jack Sanders, founder of the Playboys and the person considered the Godfather of the Texas sandlot movement. “I was fascinated by the community and camaraderie and thought it would be good to have an extension of that in San Antonio,” Dixon says. Sanders’ advice for getting started: “See if your buddies want to get together and play catch.”

Dixon, who runs the San Antonio taproom of Driftwood-based Vista Brewing Co., heard from a friend in the beer world about Coronado and Simms and was quickly folded into their small group of baseball-bonded friends. The rest, as they say, is history.

Although still new to San Antonio, the so-called Sandlot Revolution has been building for nearly 20 years, beginning in Austin with the Texas Playboys, which formed in 2006. The movement that prides itself on making the sport accessible and fun for adults has led to the formation of more than 100 teams in cities large and small across the U.S. and even Canada and the United Kingdom.

Like in many communities, the teams in San Antonio also give back with proceeds from ticket sales going to several causes, including the Saint City Culinary Foundation.

Joel Rivas, founder of the organization that provides low-cost or free counseling and health care services to members of San Antonio’s hospitality service industry, is a baseball fan and thinks the league is giving something more than just money to help the service industry because so many of its players come from that line of work.

“We love to see people in the service industry get out and do something,” says Rivas, adding that’s true whether it’s sandlot baseball, a run club or yoga. That kind of activity and community helps the physical and mental well-being of workers who have sometimes high-pressure jobs and long hours, he says.

With growth in the league, Dixon is observing a wide range of talent—from former college baseball players to those reconnecting with a childhood pastime. Some teams take themselves and winning very seriously, while others are focused on a good experience, win or lose, he says.

Regular season games can now draw 300 friends, family and fans of a good,

Clockwise from far left: San Antonio Roses vs. Lockhart Hawks at Pittman-Sullivan Field.

The Roses dugout during their game vs. the Lockhart Hawks.

Micah Sims of Los Slowpokes with his son during Slowpokes vs. Tigres de San Antonio at PittmanSullivan Field.

Rod Jimenez at bat, during Los Slowpokes vs. Oak Cliff 86ers at Colt 45 Field.

Keeping score during Los Slowpokes vs. Oak Cliff 86ers.

old-fashioned ball game to the stands. There are also vendors, concessions and a festive atmosphere that has gone far beyond what Coronado foresaw thanks to marketing partnerships and team sponsorships by businesses like DeuxSouth, Josephine Street, Xylo Bats and others.

Judy Carrizales, a project manager for a Fortune 500 company, is one of four women playing for the Abejas (Bees), a team started by the pastor of her North Side church. While there aren’t many women on San Antonio sandlot teams, she says they are welcomed on the field.

“This brings that kid out in you,” says Carrizales, a McAllen native who grew up playing sports but didn’t try baseball until her adult years. She and others say while there is a competitive spirit, it’s mostly the camaraderie that has made the league thrive in San Antonio and around the country.

Leaving an informal Monday night scrimmage earlier this year, she looked at her teammates for that evening and pointed out that they were a mix of players from several teams. In getting to know each other socially during scrimmages, it’s more like facing off against “a buddy” when they see one another in league play, she says. Carrizales adds that members of other teams will even step up and substitute if someone from another team can’t make an away game because of work or other commitments.

For Coronado, those Monday night scrimmages are still the heart of sandlot’s origins.

“I enjoy the Monday nights more than the big games,” he says. “It’s an underlying thing that somebody is going to know somebody. Monday nights are just super chill. It’s almost like a party, but not quite. Everyone is here to play this one game.”

“This brings that kid out in you.”

Charting a Course

Our Lady of the Lake University President

Abel Antonio Chávez celebrates one year on the job while looking ahead to a future of improved retention rates and broader community impact

GROWING UP IN DENVER, ABEL ANTONIO CHÁVEZ LIVED IN A blue-collar neighborhood, with his dad doing whatever was necessary to make ends meet, first working at a meatpacking plant and then, after a back injury, taking on a series of jobs, including as a locksmith and mechanic. Young Abel was frequently recruited to help, and the whole family often worked at a flea market, selling discarded items.“I remember working during a lot of blazing hot summer days, from early in the morning ’til late in the afternoon,” says Chávez, who was appointed president of Our Lady of the Lake University in July 2022. “Or on those cold, wintry, snowy days. That’s what lit a fire in me. I mean, I knew I didn’t want to do that.”

His own journey to higher education administration guides Chávez as he looks toward the future at OLLU. The 128-year-old university surpassed the goal $50 million of its capital campaign that closes in May. The largest in the institution’s history, it will help fund two ambitious on-campus projects, including a center to serve the surrounding community. But Chávez is also charged with managing costs and outcomes at the private, Catholic university, which has about 2,300 students.

The majority of undergraduates, 88 percent, are students of color and roughly 60 percent are eligible for Pell Grants. In addition, 40 percent of undergrads are the first in their family to attend college. These factors together contribute to the challenge of retention at OLLU, as many not only fund their own education but also provide support to their families. The university’s retention rate is around 63 percent and its graduation

rate just 38 percent over a four-year average. Chavez is determined to not just improve those numbers for the university that’s recognized as the first Hispanic Serving Institution (there are now around 600 HSIs nationwide), but to also become a national leader when it comes to helping students like the ones they serve succeed.

In the process, he also wants the university to become a beacon for the largely underserved West San Antonio neighborhood where it’s located. “Our obligation is to understand and acknowledge the challenges the area is facing, from food and transportation infrastructure to access to healthcare and education,” he says. “We’ve got to do something about that. My call to action is to help make the university and neighborhood better, which will help make San Antonio and the state better.”

Course Correction

Chávez’s parents were both immigrants, and he and his family, including his older and younger sisters, lived in a minority neighborhood in Denver, where many parents worked multiple jobs to cover basic needs.

And while Chávez says his childhood was filled with good times—he recalls playing sports and cooling off during the summers on a slip-and-slide, riding bikes with friends to the corner store to play video games and buy giant Pixy Stix—his family’s struggles motivated Chávez. His mom never finished middle school and his dad was a high-school dropout, so Chávez made education a top priority. While he says his parents couldn’t “chart his path” to education, they helped him the best they could.

“I had this grand vision to go to one of the top engineering schools in the nation. I was accepted but didn’t have the money to go, so I pivoted and went to community college,” he says. “That was a very important part of my trajectory, and the resilience that Mom and Dad showed me helped me along the way.”

In the ensuing years, he earned three degrees, including a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado Denver, an MBA from the University of Houston, and a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Colorado Denver.

He launched a successful career as a scientist and engineer, with stints at Dow Chemical in Freeport and as a project manager for Anheuser-Busch in Houston. But he says those jobs mostly showed him what he didn’t want to do. “I realized that wasn’t my path,” he says. “I knew I had to do something else.”

That something else was higher education. He started as a researcher at the University of Colorado Denver and eventually became an assistant professor at Western Colorado University in 2014, working his way up to become vice president for enrollment and student success, using his own experience to mentor students like himself. He was serving in that role when an executive search firm called in the fall of 2021 about a potential job at OLLU.

Chávez says he had his sights set on a university presidential position, and OLLU met all the criteria he was looking for in an institution. What followed were several months of “rigorous, intense” interviews before Chávez was hired. Replacing Diane Melby, who retired after seven

years of service, he started in July 2022 as the 10th president—and the first Latino.

“I feel very fortunate to be where I am,” Chávez says. “This is why some creator put me on this Earth—to influence education and to provide pathways to opportunities and growth for families who live here.”

The Path Forward

As Chávez looks to the future after his first school year, he has several top goals.

For one, he wants to renovate the aging Sacred Heart Chapel Auditorium, which serves as a community gathering space, hosting a variety of fairs, workshops and other meetings. Chávez says the 10,000-square-foot auditorium needs about $5 million in repairs and upgrades. The university has about 70 percent of the funds but still needs to raise approximately $2 million to transform it into a space that can host both local as well as national and international meetings.

The capital campaign will also help pay for the construction of the new Center for Children and Family planned for the corner of 20th and West Commerce streets. Chávez says the center is intended to serve as a one-stop shop for disadvantaged families, offering mental health, speech, language and hearing services at little or no cost. Between the capital campaign funds and a $3.5 million grant the university received last year from Bexar County, OLLU has around 50 percent of the funds it needs to complete the facility.

“Our community is desperate for these kinds of mental

Our Lady of the Lake University Students

2,326

undergraduate and graduate students were enrolled in 2022-23

57.2%

are eligible for Pell Grants

67%

49% 40%

counseling and health services,” he says. “I’m also hopeful that the center will serve as a catalyst for the infrastructure transformation that the West Side needs so much to be a healthier community.”

At the same time, Chávez says he continues to invite external partners to help offset the financial barriers that many students face—just one step needed to improve retention and graduation.

Since July 2022, Chávez has led efforts to secure more than $20 million in donations and grants. He has also established the Futuro Leaders Scholarship, which covers the full tuition cost for first-generation college student recipients, as well as one that covers half of the tuition costs for students interested in STEM fields.

“In the brief time that Abel has been at the helm of Our Lady of the Lake University, he has already energized the community about the future of the institution and the critical role it should play in the resurgence of San Antonio’s historic West Side,” says San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “He is wasting no time in articulating a vision of the university that grows the academic impact and reach while establishing a deep connection with the city’s efforts to build a highly skilled, equitable workforce pipeline.”

Chávez says the more he and his family explore their neighborhood and the areas that OLLU serves, the more he appreciates the work and opportunity that lies in front of him and the university.

“We are building something phenomenal,” he says, “and I want us to become a national model for education.”

are from San Antonio and an additional 39 percent are from elsewhere in Texas are first-generation college students SAN ANTONIO MAGAZINE 59

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The Gallery: BLK WHT GRY

The Artist: James Supa Medrano

The Work: “Bowie”

EVER SINCE SEEING LABYRINTH ON VHS AS A KID GROWING UP ON SAN ANTONIO’S WEST Side, James Supa Medrano has been a fan of David Bowie—though he admits it wasn’t until he was a teenager that Medrano even realized Bowie was best known for being a musician.

A Bowie portrait painted by Medrano on a 9-by-12-inch wood panel will be among the pieces on display during his May solo exhibition at BLK WHT GRY. Named Sound and Vision for a 1977 Bowie song, the exhibit will include several acrylic portraits in Medrano’s signature style plus larger paintings that use imagery to reference meaningful song lyrics and pop icons. “It’s influenced by music and songs that I hear constantly when I’m painting,” Medrano says.

In his portraits—including a recent series on basketball players such as Manu Ginobili and Michael Jordan—Medrano paints the person in black and white and then incorporates colors that reference his subject. Ginobili’s, for example, featured Spurs’ Fiesta colors. Each work also has an element of abstraction, like Bowie’s eye being cropped and set on his forehead in the painting shown here.

Medrano says he’s known the owner of BLK WHT GRY, fellow local artist Rigo Ortiz, for years and that he’s honored to have a show in his space at the Blue Star Arts Complex. The gallery hosts a new exhibition each month, typically dedicated to one “lowbrow” street, pop or pop surrealist artist. In June, Ortiz says they’ll open a show featuring Stephen Longoria, a San Francisco–based artist/illustrator who travels around the United States and works from various areas, including San Antonio.—Kathleen Petty