San Antonio Magazine September/October 2022

Around the Clock Fun

San Antonio is brimming with so many fun things to do it can be tough to know where to begin. Here, we have a suggestion for every hour of the day, from early morning and evening workouts or walks to foodie challenges and late-night diversions.

IN THE LOOP

Maker

The artist behind Simply Mexicana showcases her heritage through hand-painted goods.

Person of Interest

LiftFund’s president and CEO will retire next year after three decades of granting loans to small businesses.

Business

Cryptocurrency and gas exploration can go hand-in-hand for investors at EnergyFunders.

Influencer

Bohemian Gemme’s owner is unapologetically feminine, fun and bold.

Spotlight

Panfila Cantina brings a taste of Mexico to North San Antonio.

Eat Here Now

Well-executed details spell perfection at Allora, the coastal Italian eatery near Pearl.

Dish

BLTs are more than standard fare in the hands of the right chef.

Shop

The Evolution of Brackenridge Park

A new book out this fall delves into the 120-plus year history of the city’s first urban park. Can the site’s storied past help provide guidance as o cials plan out its future?

Big Give 2022

The annual 24-hour giving day returns with a new time format and more than 400 local nonprofits to support. Get to know a few of them here and find out how you can get involved in the online donation drive.

WORK OF ART

Find a new go-to snack or try a recipe with global flavors at Ali Baba International Food Market. Fl!ght Gallery

Light and sound collide in an interactive exhibit debuting this month in the Blue Star Arts Complex.

On the Cover

Photographer Josh Huskin spent a morning photographing Alanna D’Antonio Garcia, David Garcia Jr. and their 2-year-old daughter, Stella, at Kiddie Park at the San Antonio Zoo.

Iwas situated at a barstool along the counter the rst time I attempted to tackle a full order of challah French toast at Max & Louie’s New York Diner. Each thick piece of bread is perfectly coated in egg custard and toasted on the griddle before being sprinkled with powdered sugar and topped with syrup. My eyes, however, were clearly bigger than my stomach and I made it through only about half of the plate before o ering some to my husband and ultimately requesting a to-go box.

When I saw owner Drew Glick sharing videos on Instagram of customers attempting his Robert Stack Challenge, I knew it had to be included on our 24 Hours of Fun list. To win, the diner must nish a wa e, sausage, pancakes, bacon, eggs, French toast, chicken and an orange slice within 25 minutes. If they don’t, the meal runs $40. If they consume everything (and I’d like to meet the person who can), the entrée is free.

A stop at Max & Louie’s is just one of 24-plus suggestions in this month’s cover feature (page 30). The idea with the story is not that you’ll dedicate one 24-hour period to ticking o every item on the list, though that would be one fun-packed day. Instead, we wanted to provide a glimpse of the dozens of ways to enjoy San Antonio at all hours. From bucket list–worthy meals and free museum tours to downtown mural bike rides, basement jazz concerts and early morning or evening workouts, there’s always something to do in San Antonio—which can be easy to forget in the midst of everyday life.

One way we suggest spending an hour is by volunteering with Meals on Wheels. If that one doesn’t t in your schedule, there are dozens of other ways to give back to the community. This month’s Big Give, the 24-hour online giving day that we highlight starting on page 44, is a reminder of just how much good nonpro ts do in and around San Antonio each week—and how much they need your support.

I visited San Antonio Threads while reporting on this issue and left in awe of the impact they are making on foster children and other youth in the city by providing them with new clothes. For founder Cathy Hamilton, it’s not just about the clothes, it’s about showing youth that they matter, one garment at a time.

Whether you’re nding a new nonpro t to support or discovering a new way to fall in love with your hometown, I hope this issue leaves you inspired by all that San Antonio has to o er.

ONLINE

Fine Arts Guide

Mark your calendars with the 2022-23 performances planned by Ballet San Antonio, Agarita Chamber Players, the Public Theater and others. sanantoniomag. com/22-23-fine-arts-guide

Back to the Office?

Freelance writer Bonny Osterhage talked with some of San Antonio’s biggest employers about how they’re striking a balance between flexible schedules and in-o ce camaraderie. sanantoniomag.com/backto-the-o ce

COMING UP

Discover the best new restaurants in San Antonio.

EDITORIAL

Editor Kathleen

Contributing Osterhage, Jacey Blue Renner, Jill Robbins, Katherine Stinson, Edmund Tijerina, Chris Warren

Copy Patsy Pelton Paulina G. Loyola

Contributing Jason Chetwood, JoMando Cruz, Josh Huskin, Klare

Contributing Vicente Martí

ADVERTISING Kathie Anderson

Vice President James R. Christina Olivarez Kiely Whelan

OPEN SKY MEDIA P. Stewart Ramser

Vice James R.

Editorial Rebecca Fontenot

Director Hollis Boice

CIRCULATION

Audience Kerri

Circulation Julie Becker Lauren Sposetta Sabina Jukovic

IN THE LOOP

Proudly Mexicana

GROWING UP, KAREN NOEMI GONZALEZ always wanted to be an “artsy” kid, but she just didn’t have the knack for it. While studying early childhood education at Palo Alto College, though, she gave it another shot when looking for a hobby that would help her relax during study breaks. She picked up a paintbrush and started experi menting, adding bright colors to canvases, graduation caps for friends and even shoes. “I would paint on anything,” she says. “I

wasn’t good at it, honestly, but I started improving.” The Mexico native who grew up in San Antonio took a job as a daycare teacher after graduation and continued painting on the side, honing her signa ture brightly colored owers. COVID shut downs gave her time to begin taking more orders and after completing a hat that was requested by an Instagram follower, Gon zalez found her best-selling item. She now runs her Simply Mexicana business full time and specializes in hand-painted straw and suede hats imported from Mexico.

“I love being a part of a community that appreciates Mexican and Latin culture,” she says. “It makes me proud to be a Mexicana.”

A Higher Calling

LiftFund President and CEO Janie Barrera found a new way of serving her community after leaving the convent

anie Barrera believes she’s doing God’s work, but certainly not in the way she originally envisioned. The Corpus Christi native became a nun with the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacra ment at 18 and spent 15 years serving the church in telecommunications. When she was presented with the opportunity to earn her MBA at University of the Incarnate Word, Barrera says she realized there might be other ways she could live a life of service. She took a civilian job with the Air Force after grad uation and eventually relinquished her role as a nun before becoming the director of LiftFund, a nonpro t that provides micro and small business loans to those who don’t qualify for traditional nancing from a bank. “I still think I’m doing God’s work in terms of leveling the nancial playing eld of our communities,” Barrera says. “The people we serve are people I would be serving if I was still a sister.” Barrera announced this year that she’ll retire from her role as president and CEO in January 2024. “That will be exactly 30 years with LiftFund,” she says. “I feel like it was just yesterday that we started.”

LiftFund is administering $17 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act this fall and has been instrumental in managing government grants for municipalities throughout the pandemic. How so?

We’ve invested a lot of time, energy and money over the years to create the infrastructure for lending and, in a good year, we were doing $25 million in loans a year. Now, over these last two years, we’ve done over $100 million in grants across all of our locations and states. There is so much need. We did $15 million in PPP loans.

We asked the municipalities to give us the criteria they want to use to disperse the dollars, and they want to reach low to moderate income folks with less than ve employees and whose businesses make less than a million dollars a year.

How did LiftFund (initially known as ACCION) get started?

In the early 1990s, microlending was very popular in developing countries. ACCION International, which was headquartered in Boston, had been doing work in Latin America and wanted to see if it would work in the U.S. They opened a pilot program in Brooklyn. It worked so they proposed starting operations in cities with large Latino populations and San Anto nio was one of those. Each ACCION would be an autonomous 501(c)3.

Councilwoman Maria Berriozábal told me about

FACT FILE

Hometown: Corpus Christi

Major grants: LiftFund is administering American Rescue Plan Act grants for the city and also received a surprise $10 million gift from MacKenzie Scott in 2020.

Retirement: Barrera will take on the title of founder after retiring and Richard Ruebe will become interim president while the board interviews candidates.

it, and I was intrigued. My parents had a Mex ican restaurant in Corpus for 20 years and I imagined how something like this could have helped them. I applied and I got a rejection letter because I’m not a banker. But when they told the city they were still looking for candi dates, Berriozábal asked them to interview me. I was o ered the position in December 1993 and started in January 1994. We rebranded and sep arated from ACCION in 2015. We now have 10 sites in Texas plus in New Orleans, Birmingham and Atlanta. And then we have loans in 15 states.

When a customer or borrower is thanking you because they didn’t have any hope or anywhere else to go, it’s so rewarding. But that’s our job. We exist for these families that have an idea or a dream, but they don’t have the dollars. The bank FICO cut o is 680. Ours is 600. We’ve learned how to mitigate that risk and then to teach people how to use debt to grow their business. We have a 96 percent repayment rate.

Our very first grant came from the Levi Strauss foundation, and it was a $50,000 grant for operations and then we had a $150,000 loan from four banks. Now, our budget is around $19 million and we raise around $7 million in grants every year.

How has technology changed the way you make loans or grants?

Back in 2010, we had an intern from UT and I asked him to run our data and create pro les

of a good paying customer (or borrower) and a not so good one. And that has evolved over the years into an algorithm and it’s always evolving and the system is learning based on new data. We now have a data scientist on sta with a master’s from UTSA and that’s all she does. We’ll also be SOC II compliant by the end of the year, which is important in the banking industry because it says that we are being good stew ards of the data we’re collecting.

That’s how I see the future— using those analytics to help make decisions faster. It’s been happening for a long time in consumer lending, but it’s been di erent for business lending.

We’ve created our own API (application programming inter face) and my dream is one day that a credit union or bank would have our API as part of their o ers, so that on the application at bank x it would say, if bank x can’t help you, we’re working with a nonprofit organization that could possibly help you. May we share your information? That way a customer wouldn’t have to apply separately for a LiftFund loan.

How else has the microlending business changed?

The business model we started with was that we would borrow money to lend and then grants would help with operations.

About four years ago, we changed the business model so grants could be used for lending. And as a borrower pays o their loan from that fund, it can go out to another person.

We’ve also had people leave us gifts in their will and that goes into the loan fund and is revolv ing. There are so many people out there who are generous and it’s about people helping people.

A lot of people who help us are businesspeople themselves and they remember times when they were starting out and could have used a LiftFund and they want to pay it forward.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

EnergyFunders’ oil and gas investment portfolios now include bitcoin that’s mined on the same site as natural gas

A Mining for Money

s a geologist, Laura Pommer jokes that she’s uniquely quali ed to explain bit coin to investors.

The CEO of San Antonio-based Ener gyFunders, Pommer earned a master’s in geology and spent years working in the oil and gas industry.

“We always joke that it’s dark down there, because you can’t see where you’re drilling,” she says. “It’s the same with bitcoin.”

And just because you can’t see something, Pom mer says, doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. “Basically, it’s designed to be a currency that can’t be tampered with or changed,” she says, of bitcoin.

So how did an oil and gas geologist get into bit coin? Aside from a personal interest in the currency, Pommer learned about bitcoin mining while trying to gure out how to mitigate some of the are at a gas drilling site she was managing in Wyoming. Rather than producing less gas, they decided to bring in a mobile bitcoin mining unit—basically a large com puter in a modular home—whose generator could be powered by the excess gas. “We were paying them to take the gas so we would meet state regulations,” she says. “But we were basically paying them to make money, so we decided to do it ourselves.”

She brought the idea to EnergyFunders when she was recruited to lead the investment company in the spring of 2021. Originally founded in 2013 by real estate attorneys, EnergyFunders allows accredited investors (those worth more than $1 million or mak ing $200,000-plus annually) to put their money into oil and gas operations without having to own part of the land or operating company. It was set up similar to online real estate investment platforms. Without energy experience, however, they often invested in wells that turned out to be dry holes, Pommer says.

The company was acquired by energy industry executives in 2020 who brought in Pommer to work with clients and ensure they were investing in sound oil and gas operations. Once a well is identi ed, EnergyFunders takes a working interest in the site, or buys a percentage of it, and then its investors receive a percentage of the pro ts. For the operator, it’s advantageous because it provides them capital upfront with which to drill.

“You just click a button, and you can invest in something you normally wouldn’t be able to,” Pom mer says. “It’s a great idea if you’re putting your money into a good well.”

Along with oil and gas, Pommer also wanted to o er bitcoin mining investment opportunities to their clients. EnergyFunders purchased bitcoin min ing units and currently has one stationed on a gas site in South Texas. “I call it a digital pipeline,” she says. “We can have our gas go to a physical pipeline and make (the market price) or we can send it to our digital bitcoin mine.”

Pommer says most of their clients don’t have any energy industry experience and are simply looking for ways to diversify their investments. Some opt only to put their money in oil and gas while others invest in oil, gas and bitcoin. Eventually, Pommer says they hope to o er wind and solar energy options, as well. “We want to be the place people come for any energy investment,” she says.

“I call it a digital pipeline. We can have our gas go to a physical pipeline and make (the market price) or we can send it to our digital bitcoin mine.”

Beautifully Bold

Bold, colorful, and not afraid to be noticed. That’s how Florence Barrera, jewelry designer and owner of Bohemian Gemme, describes her customers, but those words could easily apply to Barrera herself.

This vibrant San Antonio native sparkles with personality and creativity that she channels into every statement-making piece of jewelry she designs, whether giant acrylic ower studs in eye-popping color combinations or dangling geometric shapes covered in head-turning fabrics. Her works instantly add a touch of whimsy to any out t.

“I’ve always gravitated to bright colors and bold prints,” says Barrera, who developed a love of fashion at the age of 16 when her grandmother taught her how to sew. She honed her skills further in home economics at Harlandale High School, and after graduation even made some of her own clothes. And while her future in fashion looked bright, it wasn’t until years later that she got serious about her hobby.

In August 2016, while enjoying a successful cor porate career at Wells Fargo, the creative Barrera returned her attention to style, only this time, her

focus was jewelry. Her fun, fashionable designs caught the attention of her co-workers, and by October that same year, she had launched Bohemian Gemme. The venture began as a website but soon led to pop-ups and, nally, her small St. Mary’s Street boutique. The girly haven that opened in 2019 showcases not only her jewelry but also clothing and accessories that are bold, bright and unique while also being timeless.

“I have three sons, so when designing the space, I didn’t care if it was practical. It just had to be pretty,” says Barrera. “When you live with all boys and nothing in your house is girly, you do what you have to do.”

Barrera’s keen eye for style and innate talent has made Bohemian Gemme such a success that she and her husband recently left their full-time careers and set their sights on expanding their brand across the county. A bigger hope for this entrepreneur is to set an example for her sons.

“They have watched me build this business from the ground up,” she says. “I want them to understand that anything is possible when you work hard for what you want.”

“When you live with all boys and nothing in your house is girly, you do what you have to do.”

EAT + DRINK

A Taste of Home

CHEFS AND CULINARY INSTITUTE OF America – New York grads Charlie Gonzalez and Gabby Hinojosa rarely waste time on fancy restaurants when they travel to their hometowns in di erent regions of Mexico. “We go to hole-in-the-wall places and see what they’re making,” says Gonzalez. “That’s the most authentic Mexican food experience.” The couple opened Pan la Cantina earlier this year to give San Antonians a taste of real Mexi can food. Hinojosa, a Signature alum who also worked at Noma in Denmark, leads the kitchen while Gonzalez, who came to San Antonio to work at Sweet Fire Kitchen at La Cantera, handles operations. The menu includes favor ites from their childhoods and trav els—but with an elevated twist. Try the tacos de canasta appetizer paired with the Loved By All, a hibiscus-infused vodka drink with lime juice, pineap ple Jarritos and a touch of cinnamon syrup. Gonzalez says, “We never really thought that we would fall back into Mexican cooking because we worked in ne dining, so we took the avors we know and used the techniques that we learned to bring it up a notch.”

All in the Details

Allora’s coastal Italian cuisine is on point

In dining, as in life, mastering the details propels good into the realm of sublime. For Robbie Nowlin, a focus on the ne points goes back to the earliest days of his work ing life. In his rst job at 14, he remembers helping his mom at an Olive Garden, sometimes making bowls of the chain’s famed never-ending salad. Instead of merely plopping the greens into the container and moving on to the next one, Nowlin made sure to place exactly two green olives on top of each large bowl and fan out the sliced tomatoes.

Once Nowlin’s culinary career began for real, he honed that obsession with details as a young chef at Jason Dady’s The Lodge and later at the pinnacle of nesse, The French

ALLORA 403 Pearl Pkwy. 210-979-9950 allorapearl.com Lunch Tues-Fri, dinner Tues-Sun, brunch Sun

Laundry in Napa Valley, California. Most recently, he served as chef de cuisine at Otium in Los Ange les, under former French Laundry chef de cuisine Timothy Hollingsworth.

“I think I have always had that attention to detail,” says Nowlin, a San Antonio native. “Spending three years in a 3-star Michelin kitchen really made me take it to a di erent level.”

Now at Allora, where Nowlin serves as executive chef and partner in the restaurant, those details shine throughout the dining experience.

The dishes showcase the artistry of his approach, without being fussy. Perhaps the best example of this on the menu is the grilled octopus appetizer, which celebrates the details brilliantly with its deeply satisfying mixture of avors. The meatiness of the octopus contrasts with a light crunch of crisp smashed potatoes, all tied together with a bright yet earthy fermented romesco sauce. It’s simple elements

elevated with thoughtful and well executed highlevel chef touches. Nowlin notes that it’s by far the restaurant’s most popular dish. And for good reason. It’s fantastic.

An understated eloquence sings clearly in the array of housemade pastas, such as a light and u y gnocchi that’s elevated by a sophisticated sauce of pecorino Romano with an ever-soslightly funky lardo. In the fettuccine di mare diavolo, Nowlin features a mixture of seafoods that dance with avor in a bright and spicy tomato sauce. “I really wanted it to be about the pasta,” he says. “I wanted it to be the star of the menu.”

The coastal Italian inspiration comes through most vividly in the precisely cut and plated raw seafood from the crudo bar that greets patrons almost as soon as they pass the host station and displays an array of fresh sh nestled in pillows of crushed ice. You could make an entire meal

out of several artfully and cleanly sliced raw sh dishes and a couple of glasses of sparkling Italian wine.

Of course, Nowlin’s team beautifully ren ders entrees, such as a sautéed ounder with a hazelnut brown butter sauce and a surpris ingly sophisticated bone-in pork chop with a ham-infused bordelaise and a pop from bal samic cippollini onions.

Even a simple farro salad appetizer turns into a craveworthy dish, deftly balancing a cit rus-in ected dressing with the sweet crunch of candied pecans and dried cranberries and the topping of shaved and fried parsnips. And an impossibly light textured chicken liver mousse pairs gorgeously with a deep and rich cherry jam when spread on some butter-toasted bread.

Meanwhile, the dishes receive an appropri ately respectful presentation from a knowledge able, friendly and attentive service team. In a time when restaurants struggle to sta and show high-level hospitality, this place is pulling it o and making it look easy, all in a beautiful environment.

The building near Pearl boasts high ceilings, o -white exposed bricks that bring a feel of antique marble and lots of sunshine-evoking yellow umbrellas on outside tables. Pops of pas tels throughout the interior evoke the feel of the Amal Coast.

For the rst time, Nowlin’s in uence goes beyond the kitchen in a move from chef to restaurant partner, with Maverick Restaurant Group and Pete Selig.

“I think it was a natural progression. I’ve been doing this for 24 years,” he says. “I think it helps with maturity. As a chef, you worry about the food costs and now as a partner you think about the entire bottom line.”

After such a strong start with Allora, it’s clear that the next phase of Nowlin’s career is just getting started.

Classic Comfort

The BLT is more than just an old standby at these three eateries

WHEN I GO TO A LOUSY DINER WITH OVERCOOKED EGGS, FLAT PANCAKES, and bad co ee, I know the BLT will usually come through. It’s a forgiving sandwich that elevates simple ingredients, so even rea sonably fresh vegetables, overcooked bacon and plain white bread can still turn into a satisfying dining experience.

But in the hands of a skilled chef working with excellent ingre dients, the BLT turns into a canvas for making magic. Here, nd a few of our favorites. Who knows—one of them might just be the reason you fall in love with this old favorite all over again.

3 GREAT BLTS

Extra Fine

Thick slices of housemade sourdough bread lovingly toasted on a flattop grill serve as the anchors to a remark able example of this classic done right. The housemade aioli and hefty tomato slices combine to create a delight fully juicy mess that con trasts with the thick, meaty bacon. 138 E. Mistletoe Ave., extrafinesa.com

Peggy’s on the Green

It figures that the owner of San Antonio’s best steakhouse would highlight extra thick bacon in a superb example of what this sandwich can be. Mark Bohanan’s upscale o shoot in Boerne includes their BLT on the lunch menu only, so consider this an excuse to make a special weekday trip. 128 W. Blanco Road, Boerne, peggysonthegreen.com

The Good Kind

The key to this sandwich is the outstanding housemade aioli. Of course, the pristine veggies, grill-toasted artisan bread and thin slices of avocado all do their part to make this sandwich special. But we can’t forget that aioli. 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., eatgoodkind.com

Global Flavors

Explore the Middle East and Eastern Europe through fresh spices, snacks and more at Ali Baba International Food Market

KNOWN FOR ITS HALAL-CERTIFIED FRESH MEAT, STORE-BAKED breads and bountiful array of Middle Eastern spices, Ali Baba International Food Market has become a destination as much as a grocery store since opening in 1999. Look for snacks and avors you won’t nd at H-E-B or go armed with a shopping list inspired by a recipe from India, Pakistan, Turkey or Eastern Europe.

6 ITEMS TO TRY

1. Sesame Murukku

If you’re looking for a crunchy snack to replace your daily Lay’s fix, try a bag of these sesame sticks that are billed as a South Indian delight. They’re allergy friendly, too, with sesame as the only known allergen.

2. Shahi Kulfi Bars

Frozen kulfi dessert bars are common in India, but this version is made in the U.S. using a traditional milk-based Indian recipe. They come in chocolate, coconut, strawberry and pistachio. We love the tropical vibe of the mango variety.

3. Chana Dal

These are crunchy fried split chickpeas with a kick of spice. If veggies don’t sound like an appealing snack, trust us and just try these.

4. Freshly Baked Pita Bread

Ali Baba sells warm, freshly baked pita bread daily. Try pairing it with hummus topped with the spice of your choice from the store’s extensive spice aisle or add meat from the butcher for a hearty pita wrap.

5. Alreef Premium Date Syrup

Dates are rich in nutrients like iron, potassium and calcium, but turning fresh dates into syrup at home is a hassle. Pick up this premade version and use it as a substitute for your normal sweetener or in place of honey while baking.

6. Sirma Sparkling Mineral Waters

Topo Chico fans will love this Turkish natural mineral water brand that comes in refreshing flavors like mandarin and sour cherry. There is also an unflavored version.

SHOP

9307 Wurzbach Road alibabasanantonio.com

10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

Anyone who says they’re bored in the Alamo City hasn’t done their homework. With a renowned culinary scene, world-class museums, hiking trails that make you feel like you’ve escaped the city and a few late-night diversions, there is literally something to do at any hour of the day. Here, we outline a few suggestions for a full 24 hours of fun (though realistically, you’ll need a full month to tackle it all!)

Try Body Pump at the YMCA of Greater San Antonio

Meet your move goal before most people are out of bed thanks to this full-body workout class that incorporates repetition (think multiple sets of squats or curls) and light to moderate weight exercises all set to high-energy music. Members can register for the 5 a.m. class at the Mays Family Y on Thursdays or the 5:05 a.m. class in Schertz on Mondays and Wednesdays. Not a Y member? The Les Mills–style course is also o ered at Life Time Fitness and Gold’s Gyms. ymcasatx.org

5:30 a.m.

Cycle to the Beat at Amp

Whether you want a high-energy cycling class, a course that combines on-bike and circuit-style o -bike workouts or a full 50 minutes of weight and functional movement exercises, Amp Studio (formerly JoyRide Cycling) has you covered. amp-studio.com

5:45 a.m.

Sweat at FitFusion

Weekday mornings are for workouts at this boutique studio that started 12 years ago in a parking lot. Through its variety of classes, students work their whole body with movements drawn from barre, cardio, cross training, Pilates and more. fitfusionsa.com

6 a.m.

Stand in Line for Tacos and Donuts at The Original Donut Shop

Both the drive-thru line and queue inside can be formidable, but don’t let that scare you away. The apple fritter is baked to perfection and includes actual chunks of apple while the cake donuts are a treat without being too sweet. Housemade tortillas elevate the San Antonio classic to another level, whether you’re ordering a bean and cheese, chorizo and potato, bacon and egg or weekend-only barbacoa. facebook.com/theoriginaldonutshop

7 a.m.

Explore with America’s Walking Club

WITH 200 CLUBS ACROSS THE nation and close to 2,000 des ignated walks, Henry J. Rosales says there’s no excuse not to hit the trail (or the pavement) regularly. The CEO and pres ident of America’s Walking Club, Rosales runs the non profit based in Southtown that encourages people to walk and explore both in their own hometowns and as they’re trav eling around the world. He says many of their retired members plan their vacations around walks they want to complete, whether self-guided trails mapped out by local club mem bers or big events were as many as 1,000 other members will gather at landmarks like Crazy Horse Memorial. With all of the miles they regularly clock, Rosales says “some have walked around the world already.”

Established in 1976 as the American Volkssport Associ ation, the club was brought to the U.S. by military personnel

who encountered German soldiers in Europe who would regularly volksmarch or volk swalk from town to town. Now known as America’s Walking Club, it’s become the largest non-competitive sports group in the country.

On Feb. 19-26, it will host the 2023 IVV Olympiad walk ing event in San Antonio, making it the rst time such an event has been held in the United States.

Until then, get moving with one of the self-guided walks set up by local clubs at ava. org. There’s a route across the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge that begins at Phil Hardberger Park plus a route that goes from Mission San Juan to Mission Espada. Become an o cial member and check o routes in your passport while earning pins and patches as you go. “Walking is the healthiest thing you can do,” Rosales says. ava.org

8 a.m.Find Your Favorite Coffee Stop

San Antonio’s co ee scene continues to boom with more than 30 local shops plus an increasing number of transplants, like Dutch Bros. and Scooter’s. These are just a few to consider on your search.

Clear Light Co ee Co.

This 1-year-old café boasts plants to admire, pastries, smooth co ee and plenty of space to relax or work. Regulars love the oat-chata. clearlight.co ee

Cultura

Order a drip co ee made with the South Side outpost’s Café Cultura 210 beans or try a specialty iced latte, like the Mexican mocha. instagram. com/cultura_sa

Jubilee Co ee Pure Heart baked goods plus well-crafted co ee and espresso drinks featuring local Tag Co ee Co. beans make this trailer a must-try. ins tagram.com/ jubileeco eesa

Vice Versa Beauty Haus opened a cafe below its St. Paul Square salon where locals can order a fresh cup while browsing vinyl records. instagram. com/viceversa. sanantonio

or 9 a.m.

Take the Robert Stack Challenge at Max & Louie’s New York Diner

The wa es here are so good that we’d normally recommend savoring each bite, but during this challenge you’ll have to indulge quickly. To conquer the “Stack” challenge, guests must consume a wa e, sausage, pancakes, bacon, eggs, French toast and an orange slice—all stacked atop one another—in just 25 minutes. Emerge victorious and the meal is free. Can’t stomach the feast? Order it for $40 and share with a friend (or two). maxandlouiesdiner.com

Learn Something New at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Its beautiful 38 acres are reason enough to visit this local gem, but it’s also a hub for stretching your mind and muscles, whether you want to learn about irrigation and Texas plants or join others for a yoga class or guided walk. The o erings vary from month to month, but during a typical week it’s common to find a 9 a.m. yoga class with Alamo City Yoga, a sustainability hike through the grounds, a Master Gardeners–led class on local plants and more. sabot.org

10 a.m.

Attend Service at a Historic Church

San Antonio was founded 300-plus years ago with its missions, many of which still welcome worshippers. Mission Concepción celebrates a bilingual Mass at 10 a.m. every Sunday, or visit Mission San José for Mass at 9 a.m. or noon. Downtown, St. John’s Lutheran Church, established in 1857 by German immigrants, worships on Sundays at 10 a.m., and First Presbyterian Church, which was established in 1846, hosts services at 9 and 11 a.m. each Sunday.

11 a.m.

Deliver Meals on Wheels

Around 4,000 San Antonio seniors and disabled residents receive five meals a week from Meals on Wheels San Antonio and the nonprofit relies on volunteers to pick up and deliver the food between 11 a.m. and noon each weekday. Along with providing much-needed nutrition, volunteers also o er a few moments of personal connection for people who are often homebound and living alone. Drivers must be at least 18 and pass a screen ing process. mowsatx.org

Get to Know Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin Through her Food at Best Quality Daughter

AT FIRST GLANCE, CHINESE FOR LUNCH MIGHT not seem classic San Antonio, but Best Quality Daughter is no ordinary Chinese restaurant. Open since 2020, the dishes here are rooted in founding chef Jenni fer Hwa Dobbertin’s Chinese heritage and infused with avors and worldwide in u ences of today’s San Antonio.

“The food is uniquely San Antonio because I am uniquely San Antonio,” says Dobber tin. “I was born and raised in San Antonio. Raised by a Chinese mother but grew up going to Fiesta and hanging out in Taco Cabana parking lots. The menu re ects my personal experiences growing up in a bicultural city in a Chinese American home.”

Still, the life of a chef is not one Dob bertin expected to build.

“I grew up in restaurants and come from a long line of cooks and chefs, so of course I wanted nothing to do with the industry when I was younger,” says Dobbertin. “I went to college and grad school for non pro t management, which I did for about a decade, but the entire time I was always drawn to food and cooking. In my late 20s, unhappy with my then career path, I bit the bullet and quit my day job to become a line cook. And now, here I am.”

Her restaurant boasts inventive delights such as egg rolls lled with crab meat, Cajun boudin and gooey queso, mochi cheddar hush puppies, beef short ribs served with pickled chilis, curry mayo and fries plus a selection of unique ice cream sandwiches. Dobbertin’s top picks include the salt and pepper shrimp, Brus sels sprouts and cashew chicken.

Although food is clearly the star, the restaurant also houses eclectic, meaningful art. “My current favorites are Resistance Virgin and Resistance Matriarch,” she says. “I think both are on point for the current mood for most women in America.” bestqualitydaughter.com

2 p.m.

Level Up Your Next Theme Park Adventure

Bundle up in SeaWorld San Antonio’s parkas and boots for an up-close encounter with its pu ns. The experience is returning this fall after a temporary hiatus and allows visitors to feed, pet and even take selfies with the feathered arctic creatures for an added fee. At Six Flags Fiesta Texas, reserve a VIP experience and enjoy a private tour that provides new glimpses of the park plus front-of-the-line access, valet parking and unlimited snacks. seaworld.com/san-antonio; sixflags.com/fiestatexas

1 p.m.

Take a Hike at Comanche Lookout Park

This 96-acre park in Northeast San Anto nio has 2.3 miles of mixed surface trails (including several accessible by wheelchairs and strollers) that are shaded by oak and juniper trees plus other native trees and vegetation. It’s perfect for a post-lunch walk or easy hike. Don’t miss the Tower Trail, which leads to a 30-foot stone tower. There’s no climbing allowed, but it’s a fun photo spot and you can enjoy the views of downtown San Antonio beyond its fence. The Library Trail leads to Semmes Library, which o ers a variety of activities to pair with a hike, such as a table tennis club, patio storytimes and family game days. sanantonio.gov/parksandrec

3 p.m. Experience the Future and Past at the San Antonio Zoo

The zoo’s Project Selva 4D Theater o ers 15-minute immersive movie experiences with sensory features like bubbles, water mist, FX lighting and wind. This fall, catch the Halloween-themed Happy Family 4D, playing during Zoo Boo! Once you’ve finished there, head to the adjoining Kiddie Park. It o ers nostalgia for any San Antonio adults who visited its original location plus old-fashioned fun for kids, who can ride retro attractions (with modern safety upgrades). We recommend the $14 unlimited rides wristband so they can hop on the carousel or Ferris wheel as many times as their stomach can handle. sazoo.org

4 p.m.

Head to the McNay

ART AND ARCHITECTURE LOVERS alike admire the contrast between classic and modern at the McNay Art Museum. Explore the 1927era mansion and 25-acre grounds and take in a mix of static and rotating exhibits.

Classic works (including pieces by household names like Picasso, Rodin and Van Gogh) are paired with traveling exhibits intended to broaden one’s appreciation of art. New this year is The Studio, an interactive space designed to help visitors have a more immer sive and personalized interaction. This month, Something Wicked, which showcases 30 designs made by Susan Hilferty for the 2004 Broadway production of Wicked, opens. Admission is free each Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. mcnayart.org

Any longtime San Antonian has their favorite local museum. Find yours by checking the major ones o your list during free hours. San Antonio Museum of Art o ers free admission from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. are free at the Witte Museum. First Mondays are free family days at The DoSeum and the perfect opportunity to explore the interactive mecca for kids.

5 p.m. Happy Hour at Bar 414 in the Gunter Hotel

Named for blues legend Robert Johnson, who recorded songs in room 414 in the 1930s, the décor is classic speakeasy and the perfect stop for an after-work drink or a glass of wine before a show at the nearby Majestic Theatre. sheratongunter.com

5:30 p.m. Take a San Antonio Mural Ride

From left: A cos tume design sketch by Susan Hilferty for Elphaba in Wicked, on display Sept. 8-March 26 at the McNay’s Something Wicked; “True Believer,” a collage on canvas by Deborah Roberts, will be on display Oct. 6-Jan. 22 in the True Believers: Benny Andrews & Deborah Roberts exhibition.

Brian Benavidez is a business analyst by day but during the evenings (and on weekends) he leads locals and tourists on group rides that begin and end in the King William Historic District and provide a look at some of the city’s continually growing public art portfolio. Expect stops at Hemisfair and Travis Park Church (where six locals created stained glass window-inspired outdoor murals) plus a look at a few Spurs murals, some of the San Antonio Street Art Initiative’s work and Rudy Herrera’s “The Last Parade,” on the Kress Building. Bring your own bike for a discounted rate. sanantoniomuralride.com

6 p.m. Snap a Photo at Elsewhere

Pop by Museum Reach favorite Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen for a strawberry thyme or watermelon cucumber boozy lemonade and stay for the ethereal (read: pure magic) setting overlooking the River Walk. Along with numerous Insta-worthy backdrops, illuminated art installations and florals, there’s giant Jenga and Connect Four, plus swings for relaxing while taking in the river. Tuesday nights, bring your pups and friends for trivia. On Fridays and Saturdays, come for the DJled house music, aerial acrobats and fire dancers. Ciders, shandys, beers and more are available daily plus a menu with plenty of tasty eats. A North Side location, Elsewhere Too, is in the works, and we hear it may have a Ferris wheel. elsewheretexas.com

7 p.m.

Sweat at Black Swan Yoga

For an afterwork refresh, drop into Black Swan Yoga’s nightly Flow class, o ered at its downtown and Stone Oak studios. The all-level vinyasa course includes the emphasis on breath and movement you’d expect, but it takes place in a 90-degree room and each instructor brings their own personality to the practice. Bring your own towel, mat and water (or buy them there). Classes are donation based ($15 is suggested). blackswanyoga.com

7:30 p.m. Jam with José Amador at Jazz, TX

JOSÉ AMADOR BELIEVES “LIVE music is the soundtrack to our city,” and he’s doing his part to keep the beat going with his two bands, NATIAO and Terra Nova, named for the Puerto Rican neighborhood where he grew up.

The initial inspiration to get into music came from his father’s extensive jazz collection, which included some 5,000 records by greats like Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, the Ohio Players, the Temptations, Tito Rodríguez, and loads of boleros, whose romantic arrangements Amador loved. But the retired Army intel o cer and current healthcare executive took a 30-year hiatus from it during adulthood. A gift of congas from his wife led him back, and locals can now see him play them front and center during select Wednes day Latin Jazz Night and Salsa Night shows at Jazz, TX.

Amador says he aims to bring Latin jazz tunes to people who didn’t know the genre even existed, and Doc Watkins’ swanky club housed in the basement of the Bottling Department at Pearl, is the perfect venue for his art.

NATIAO is known for getting guests onto the dance oor while Terra Nova, which also has played at JazzS’Alive, often performs songs arranged for Amador in Puerto Rico.

COVID shutdowns gave Ama dor the opportunity to focus on Terra Nova, which is in the pro cess of recording its rst album. “People in San Antonio are the best. I’m trying to bring a little happy music to their lives,” he says. If you’re not heading out on a Wednesday, check Jazz, TX’s calendar. The venue hosts live music Tuesdays through Satur days, including late night shows on the weekend. jazztx.com

8 p.m.

Reserve the Chef’s Table at Bliss

Gather nine of your closest friends and make reservations for the chef’s table at the awardwinning Bliss in Southtown. The table includes a seven-course chef’s tasting menu that varies by season and occasion plus a front-row seat to all the action in the kitchen. For smaller fêtes, share the thoughtfully crafted charcuterie and artisanal cheeses, with the recommended wine pairings from their extensive European list. Call 210-225-2547 or email info@foodisbliss.com for reservations. foodisbliss.com

10 p.m.

9 p.m. Book a Nighttime Tour

Delve into the city’s haunted history with a Sisters Grimm Ghost Bus Tour. With stops at the haunted Menger Hotel, San Anto nio’s most historic cemetery and elsewhere, it’s a unique 2.5-hour lesson in history and spook (and recommended only for ages 13 and up). Those 21 and older can burn some calories while bar hopping with CycloFies ta’s Party Bike. Its Social Mixer Pearl Brew ery District Restaurant & Bar Tour includes nine stops over 2 hours. Feeling like some thing more bespoke? Book SA Sidecars for a private date night. Fully customizable, the Mancha family will help you create a Vespa outing with stops curated to your interests. sistersgrimmghosttour.com, cyclo esta. com, sanantoniosidecars.com

Enjoy Elevated Views at Otro

A short walk from San Fernando Cathedral (where you can catch The Saga light show each Tuesday evening and on week end nights), Otro Bar at The Canopy by Hilton o ers open-air elevated views of downtown in a vibrant atmosphere. Order an agave-forward cocktail like the No Seas Fresa, or wind down for the night with a zero-proof Sin Crudo mocktail. Mexi can shrimp cocktail and other small bites hit the spot when you’re hungry. Monday is industry night starting at 8 p.m. domingorestaurant.com/otro-bar

Practice Your Pickleball Skills

The pickleball manager at the Northside Chicken N Pickle, Justin Reynolds, insists that the game truly is for anyone. A Navy veteran and hospitality industry pro, Reynolds says while he’s now certified to help others master the art of pickleball, he’d never even picked up a racket before joining the restaurant and fun center last year. “I just want to put as many paddles in hands as I can,” says Reynolds. “It’s super unique. It’s an awe some sport and it’s meant for everybody.” Reynolds and his team can show you the basics if you want some help, but he says plenty of families, friend

groups and couples also just learn on their own by reserving a court and reading over the basic rules. He suggests booking (in advance) a onehour slot that not only gives you unfettered access to an air-conditioned court, but also to a bar and food menu that you can enjoy between games (or while you’re playing if you really want to. Reynolds says they don’t judge if you want to compete with a racket in one hand and a beer or soda in the other). “As long as you’re open to learning, you’ll be able to pick it up,” he says. Lessons also are available. chickenn pickle.com/san-antonio

12 a.m.

Yell Bingo!

Starting at just $4 a session and lasting well past our regular bedtime, the latenight games at San Antonio’s Bandera and Ingram bingo halls provide the chance to fuel your taco habit thanks to cash prizes o ered nightly. Play paper, pulltab or computer. BYOB is permitted and there’s a snack bar on-site. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. goldenbingo family.com/san-antonio-halls

1 a.m.

Play Pac-Man at the Bang Bang Bar

The loungey, late-night and vintage vibes at this self-proclaimed “dive bar” will leave you wishing you’d stopped by sooner. Play an old-school arcade game, listen to vinyl tunes or relax on a green crushed velvet sofa. These aren’t just any drinks either. Order something garnished with chamoy rings, gummy bears, boba or Pop Rocks. Hungry? Order in from The Dogfather next door. The whole experience is a late-night win. thebangbangbartx.com

2 a.m.

Grab Some Tacos and Head Home for an HGTV Rerun

If you’re still out during an epic night, take a ride share to the St. Mary’s Strip to order takeaway mini asado tacos at Tacos el Regio food truck. Once you’re home, devour your eats while watching San Antonio de signer (and former Survivor winner) Kim Spradlin Wolfe on a rerun of her HGTV show Why the Heck Did I Buy This House? You might just see one of your neighbors’ homes as it goes through a reno. Too tired for a full episode? Browse Wolfe’s Instagram (@kimspradlin wolfe) feed for a truncat ed version of her work. tacoselregiosatx.com

3 a.m.

Tuck Yourself in with Local Bedding and PJs

Book a daytime appointment at San Antonio–based Lili Ales sandra’s Wetmore Road boutique to nd the kind of sheets that will make you want to get in bed long before 3 a.m. They’re 100 percent Egyptian sateen cotton and nished with hand applique or embroidery. Soft and simple, they’re the best way to set the tone for your room. Of course, you can’t turn in without something comfy to wear. For that, look to Dos Carolinas’ shop at Pearl to nd cotton seersucker drawstring pajamas and guayabera robes that are comfortable while light enough to wear even when it’s hot out. lilialessandra.com, doscarolinas.com

4 a.m.

Watch an Artist Talk by Ruby City

When counting sheep has little e ect on insomnia, stay up and learn something by logging onto Ruby City’s Facebook page and listening to candid conversations with local and global artists (including José Villalobos, Jennifer Ling Datchuk and Isaac Julien). Hear them chat about their career, works on view in the San Antonio contemporary art gallery and more. facebook.com/ rubycityart

The history of Brackenridge Park is deep and complicated. As city officials and advocates look toward the park’s future, the past might just provide the inspiration needed to balance growth and conservation by Chris Warren

When the idea of chronicling the 120-plusyear history of Brackenridge Park rst bubbled up among members of the Brack enridge Park Conservancy, Lewis F. Fisher knew he would have to clear his schedule. A member of the conservancy board, Fisher is also an author of numer ous books about the city, including American Venice: The Epic Story of San Antonio’s River and Saving San Antonio: The Preservation of a Heritage

Still, as a veteran author who is steeped in city history, Fisher expected the research and writing to be relatively simple and unlikely to reveal much he didn’t already know. “I thought it would take three to six months, but I ended up nding myself in wonderland,” Fisher says, with a laugh. “Like so much in San Antonio, things had not been carefully documented and written down and you nd things that nobody knows anything about.”

Rather than a few months, Fisher ended up spend ing nearly two years producing Brackenridge: San Antonio’s Acclaimed Urban Park, which will be published in October by Trinity University Press/ Maverick Books. Of course, some of the basic history of the park is well known. Created in 1899 thanks to a bequest from the city’s rst real mogul, banker George Brackenridge, the park occupies land that has been coveted by a succession of Native Americans, Spanish explorers and pioneers—all of whom were attracted to the area’s water.

But as Fisher really dug into his research, he kept uncovering nuggets and gems that were entirely new to him. Many of these nds were from the time before the park’s o cial creation. For example, about halfway through the Civil War, the Confederate Army wanted to harness the water available in what is now Brackenridge Park to power a tannery, cotton mill plus wool, clothing and shoe factories that would supply goods to troops west of the Mississippi River. A tannery was eventually built, but the grander plans had to be abandoned as the Confederacy steadily lost the Civil War.

Another revelation for Fisher was the full history of the Jockey Club and the horse and bicycle racetrack it established in 1893 in a section of what is now Brackenridge Park Golf Course. “Everybody knew there was a track there. But nobody had a

Photos on opening spread, clockwise from bottom left: As early as 6500 B.C. members of semino madic tribes were camping along the river in the presentday park, the Schoefer vertical kiln was built in 1881, Japanese Tea Garden today, a train system added in 1957, families picnick ing in the park in the early 1900s.This spread from left: Parks com missioner J. Ray Lambert at the north entrance, Brackenridge Park Bridge, Japanese Tea Garden

clue about why it was there,” Fisher says. The short version of the story is that the track was a more accessible venue for San Antonians to see races than privately owned Riverside Park (now Roos evelt Park) a few miles south of downtown. Estab lishing the track in Brackenridge Park was also an attempt to steal from Riverside Park the popular International Fair, an event that attracted tens of thousands of visitors and was sponsored by the city and the Mexican government.

In many ways, the fact that Fisher kept uncovering new tidbits about both the park and the history of the land is a re ection of the city itself and the park’s unusual development. Far from being holistically and comprehensively planned like Central Park in New York, Brackenridge Park has emerged through the years in an eclectic and novel but ultimately inco herent fashion. New attractions have been driven by a combination of the personalities involved and the circumstances at the time.

For instance, as a stonecutter turned politician, J. Ray Lambert didn’t have the resumé one would expect of a parks commissioner. But Lambert’s ten ure, which started in 1915, was frenetic and included

the creation of a golf course, zoo, Japanese Tea Gar den and what is today Lambert Beach. “He was a uke as parks commissioner and just happened to be there,” Fisher says. “But he was a human dynamo and full of ideas.”

Now, long-running themes of Brackenridge Park’s history are relevant again as the city considers how to prepare the park for the future. Since its incep tion, for instance, the park has lacked the nancial resources it needs to maintain the unique ecology and history packed inside it. The city government has never had the tax base that could support the services and improvements required, Fisher says, so supplemental private funding is needed. Addi tionally, the eclectic and often unplanned devel opment within the park poses its own challenges. For instance, controversy swirled around plans to remove some heritage trees in order to rehab the park’s stone pump house built in 1878, the Spanish Acequia and the swim beach retaining walls—all projects funded by the 2017 bond project but not yet completed. Plans to modernize and expand the Sunken Garden Theater have also attracted debate.

To Lynn Osborne Bobbitt, the director of

Brackenridge Park: San Anto nio’s Acclaimed Urban Park, by Lewis F. Fisher, is out Oct. 18 from Trinity University Press/Maverick Books. tupress.org

The Witte Mu seum will host a Brackenridge Park–focused exhibit in con junction with the new book. See it Oct. 22-April 16 in the South Texas Heritage Center. wittemuseum. org

development and special events at the Brackenridge Park Conservancy, funding and the past evolution of the park pose challenges that must be surmounted. “The many periods of signi cance have resulted in the distinctive character of the park. However, the layering has presented a challenge in which the history and ecology are threatened,” she says. “The park has been used continuously and maintenance has not been able to keep up with heavy usage. The city leadership understand that there is much to do to revitalize the landscape and preserve the historic structures before they are lost, but the nancial need is so great that investment from the private sector is critical.”

That’s already happening, thanks to a $1 million grant to create the H-E-B Cultural Trail, which will allow visitors to take a self-guided tour of the park’s history and nature with the help of educational photos and signage. But much more needs to hap pen, according to Bobbitt, including improving and creating trails so that people can walk from one side of the park to the other without getting in a car, removing invasive plants, improving the San Antonio River’s water quality, and creating an endowment to fund maintenance.

Bobbitt also would like to see the park become Texas’s rst National Heritage Area (NHA), which would require an act of Congress. “NHAs are lived-in landscapes and are an approach to heritage conser vation, recreation, educational projects, economic development and more,” Bobbitt says. She explains that such a designation would open up a host of public-private partnerships that the park doesn’t qualify for currently, including national founda tions and corporations that could be approached to fund projects.

For his part, Fisher knows how much work will be required to prepare the park for the long haul. But he can see what is possible when history is taken into account, like it has been in the projects emerging on the northern reaches of the park. “Everything comes together with the pump house, plaza and river walls all restored. It combines the park landscape and distinctive resources and usability at many levels,” he says. “It’s a massive project, but you have to start it and do it one step at a time.”

It was just before midnight on Sept. 23 last year when the Big Give team logged on to kick o the annual 24-hour giving day with a Facebook live video. After months of buildup and work by them and the 400-plus participating nonpro ts, they couldn’t wait to o cially get things started. But when they looked to see how many people were online watching, they realized only a handful of individuals had stayed up to join them.

So, they decided to make a change.

When the Big Give returns this year on Sept. 22, it will begin at 6 p.m. and run through 6 p.m. on Sept. 23.

“That way it opens up when people are awake, and it nishes when people are awake,” says Scott McAninch, CEO of the Nonpro t Council, which organizes the Big Give.

McAninch says he consulted with other cities around the country and learned that many had experienced increased success by running their 24-hour online fundraising drives over two days, rather than one day from midnight to midnight.

At a time when nonpro ts need all the support they can get, McAninch says they want to do whatever they can to help them continue serving the community.

As COVID-19 lingers and inflation persists, organizations are seeing record levels of need, whether for food from the San Antonio Food Bank, mental health care through the Children’s Bereave ment Center of South Texas or support

for homeless individuals at places like Communities Under the Bridge, Haven for Hope or Thrive Youth Center.

Many of the federal and state emergency relief grants that were available during the rst phase of the pandemic are no lon ger an option, McAninch says, so support from individuals in the community is cru cial to help make up the di erence.

Around 400 nonprofits in Bexar County and 16 surrounding counties will again participate in the Big Give this year. Supporters can give $10 or more to one or multiple organizations through thebiggivesa.org, and funds are being raised to support 26 di erent cause areas, from youth and education to health and wellness to animals and ne arts.

By coming together on one day, McAninch says they hope to raise mone tary support while also increasing aware ness of the good work these organizations do every day.

“It’s more important than ever that this program exists,” he says.

Giving Through the Years

Since 2014, more than 262,000 donors have given over $35 million to local nonprofits

2014: $2,095,606 raised from 21,909 donations

2015: $4,334,561 raised from 39,394 donations

2016: $4,302,417 raised from 40,400 donations

2017: $4,681,522 raised from 43,400 donations

2018: $5,110,741 raised from 43,834 donations

2019: $4,711,825 raised from 28,826 donations

2020: $5,064,079 raised from 31,150 donations

2021: $5,222,1000 raised from 23,000 donations

Big Give

6 p.m. Sept. 22 through 6 p.m. Sept. 23

Giving opens on Sept. 15

Donate at thebiggivesa.org

Watch for Match Minutes: Throughout the day, sponsors will offer to match donations made to any participating nonprofit during certain minutes. The matches are only available until the sponsored gift runs out, which can happen in 30 seconds or less.

A Place to Thrive

Thrive Youth Center works to get LGBTQ+ young adults off the street and on a path to self-sufficiency

Growing up in rural Texas in the mid-1970s, she was known as the fast kid and after partic ipating in the Junior Olympics had hopes of becoming an Olympian one day. At 13, though, she was caught kissing girls and sent to a men tal institution.

“It was horri c, to be honest. If you did something wrong, they’d put you in a two-by-four padded cell and kind of forget about you,” says Whitley, now the founder and executive director of Thrive Youth Cen ter, which serves homeless LGBTQ+ 18- to 24-yearolds. “Everybody said I was a homo or queer and I didn’t even know what that was. I thought I was the only person who felt this way.”

She o cially came out as lesbian in college and was disowned by her parents. “We didn’t speak for 20 years,” Whitley says.

Still, she adds, it was those experiences that shaped her and eventually led her to the work she does today.

After spending her 20s and 30s traveling and running businesses, Whitley was ready by 2013 for a change. She started researching LGBT issues and learned that 40 percent of the then 1.4 million homeless youth identi ed as LGBT.

Back in Texas at this time and reconnecting with her family in San Antonio, Whitley began volun teering with StandUp for Kids and discovered that not only were those statistics representative of SA, but there was also nowhere for those youth to go.

“There is this incredible epidemic of homeless LGBT youth,” she says, adding that many leave or are asked to leave home because of their identity while others become homeless after aging out of the foster care system. “I thought, ‘I’m an entrepreneur. I can at least nd them a place to be.’”

It took a lot of work but in 2015, Whitley opened Thrive Youth Center at Haven for Hope. The non pro t can house 14 homeless youth in its emer gency shelter inside Haven for Hope, and thanks to Department of Housing and Urban Development grants, it also places 45 young adults in apartments each year. Big Give donations help to cover costs that grants do not, including household necessities for those moving into apartments for the rst time.

Along with housing, youth in the program are o ered case management, counseling and life skills training. Whitley says they start by asking young adults what they want—a degree, a job, training for a speci c eld—and then they help them pursue those goals. Mostly, Whitley says, they want them to know they’re accepted in the way that she was not.

“It makes a huge di erence,” she says. “Just being able to be in an environment where we’re not judg ing them for who they are.”

Sandra Whitley spent about a decade working as a paralegal before becoming an entrepreneur, running an auto detailing operation and later a mobile dental business. But if you’d asked her what her dream job was, Whitley always knew she wanted to spend her days helping kids like her.

Equipment for All

Project MEND is out to ensure everyone who needs medical equipment has access to it, regardless of financial status

Technicians inside stand ready to collect them and to assess whether the bed frames simply need to be cleaned or if major repairs are necessary before they can be given to clients who are waiting for the item so they can live comfortably at home.

“It’s such a needed thing in our community, and in every community,” says CEO Cathy Valdez. “And it makes an immediate impact on someone’s life.”

The nonpro t that turns 30 next year provides medical equipment—from hospital beds and wheel chairs to walkers and tub transfer benches—to indi viduals in need who are living with disabilities or illnesses.

Launched in 1993 by Murlin Johnson, who had a rare vitamin D de ciency that prevented him from walking without assistance, Project MEND for years operated in a former 18-wheeler engine repair shop near the Pearl. Johnson had seen while volunteer ing with the state, that there was a lack of medi cal equipment and wanted to ll the gap. As word spread about his organization, requests grew, and by 2010, it had to move its administration o ces to free up more space in the warehouse. By 2015, it was clear a more permanent home with even more space was needed, so the board launched a capital campaign in 2018 and its new headquarters opened at the start of 2022 on Wurzbach Road.

Valdez says they continue to pursue Johnson’s mission of improving the quality of life for those

with disabilities by refurbishing and distributing both medical equipment and assistive technology to those in need. In Bexar County, there are over 288,000 individuals living with disabilities, 22 per cent of whom live at or below the poverty level. Last scal year, Project MEND served 1,500 people

“It’s everyone,” Valdez says, explaining that their clients include elderly individuals, veterans, chil dren and others. “We don’t have income guidelines. If you’re in need, you just have to present a prescrip tion and pay an annual $20 administration fee to have access to any durable medical equipment.”

Donations of equipment come from hospitals, nursing homes, families and elsewhere. Valdez says it’s not unusual for a wheelchair to arrive looking like it could never be used again only to nd new life after being combined with parts from another chair by technicians. “I’m every day amazed by what they can do,” Valdez says.

Project MEND is licensed by the state to pro vide equipment, which means after something is repaired, it has to go through a stringent cleaning process that includes being zapped with UV light from a donated Xenex robot to get rid of any lasting bacteria. At the new facility, equipment in repair is kept on one side of the warehouse and pieces that are cleaned and ready for clients are on another. The need is so great that often a wheelchair in a cer tain size is already spoken for before it ever arrives on a shelf in the distribution warehouse.

Ultimately, Valdez says, they hope to expand into other cities, from El Paso to Dallas, since they know the need exists. For now, they can deliver to clients in the San Antonio area and o er items to be picked up for those elsewhere.

“Nobody does what we do in this state—especially the way we do it,” she says.

The loading dock leading into the warehouse at Project MEND’s new headquarters is open as a truck pulls up, stacked with medical beds to donate.

The Purr-Fect Home

Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas places over 100 dogs each year with new families

AN ABRUPT BARK BREAKS IN AS Kathie McGowan attempts to finish her sentence.

“That’s Cinnamon,” she says. “She’s a diva.”

The dachshund first came to McGowan as a 6-week-old foster puppy and now, at 4, is a permanent member of the McGowan household, which includes five dogs.

“It’s what I refer to as a foster fail,” says McGowan, the volunteer executive director for Diamond Dachshund Rescue of Texas. “I don’t think there’s any of us that do this that haven’t had at least one.”

A retired Air Force o cer and attorney, McGowan didn’t grow up with dogs but says as soon as she got her first pup as an adult, she was hooked. She’s been volunteering with rescue organizations and shelters for about 25 years and says Diamond Dachshund is a passionate group that works to find exactly the right family for each dachshund it places.

The nonprofit rescues dogs from shelters, including the city’s, and also takes them in when they’re found on the street or when a pet owner dies or has to give them up. It took in nearly 200 dogs last year and placed 181 in new homes. The remaining dachshunds were still in foster care, often so

that they could have a surgery or receive medical care.

“We just want to make sure we’re doing everything we can for these dogs,” McGowan says, adding that while they’re based in San Antonio, they rescue dachshunds from just north of Austin over to Kerrville and all the way down to the Gulf Coast.

Around 100 volunteers help with fostering, completing administrative work or organizing transportation and adoptions. McGowan adds that there is always a need for more foster and adoptive families.

The nonprofit relies on the Big Give and other fundraisers to cover things like veterinary care for its dogs. It spent $106,000 on medical care last year, more than half of which was raised during the Big Give.

Once a family expresses interest in adopting, Diamond Dachshund asks that they complete an application, a veterinarian check and a home visit. They want to make sure that the dogs and owners are good fits for one another. “Each dog has a distinct personality,” McGowan says.

With five dogs, McGowan says her house is full for now, but she never regrets adopting Cinnamon, whose sass keeps her on her toes. “She’s a pistol,” she says.

A Symbol of Worth

San Antonio Threads uses new clothing to help show foster youth they’re important

YOUTH WHO WALK INTO SAN Antonio Threads often pause in awe at the racks of clothing before them—which is exactly what founder Cathy Hamilton wants.

Hamilton noticed while serving as a volunteer with Child Advocates San Antonio that the foster youth she worked with were often dressed in whatever they were o ered from donation bins. With her own kids grown, she thought there must be a way she could draw on her experience man aging retail stores to help.

“When you’re in foster care or you’re homeless and you’re given a box of T-shirts that don’t fit to sift through, it brings you further down,” she says. “I couldn’t let it go.”

She learned about nonprofits in other cities that provided new clothes to foster children and six years ago decided to create her own: San Antonio Threads.

Those first few years, Hamilton served as the unpaid founder and director, operating out of borrowed o ce spaces and providing 150 to 300 children a month with new clothes. A generous philanthropist stepped in as the need grew and helped Hamilton secure a headquar-

ters where they could curate a boutique-like environment.

The facility is set up like a store, only there are no cash registers. Kids who are referred work with a sta member or volunteer to pick out two tops, two bottoms, toiletries, undergarments and something seasonal, like a swimsuit or jacket. Clothes are displayed on racks, mannequins are dispersed throughout and women’s, men’s and children’s sections are split into di erent areas—just like they would be at a department store.

Professional attire and work boots are available for youth aging out of foster care, and items are donated new or bought by the pallet at lower costs through places like Delivering the Good.

The nonprofit, which has a second shop in Houston, still serves foster youth but also now provides for students at Title I schools, families impacted by a fire or natural disaster, homeless youth, victims of sex tra cking and others. Hamilton estimates they’ll help around 15,000 youth this year.

“A lot of times, we see kids on their worst day,” she says. “We want to lift them up a little bit.” ANTONIO

Assistance League®of San Antonio

OUR MISSION

Volunteers transforming lives through community programs.

Assistance League of San Antonio operates seven charitable programs designed to provide for the needs of our community. Our agship program, Operation School Bell®, focuses on children in grades K-5. Providing quality new clothes, shoes, and books helps these children feel better, giving them more con dence and encouraging them to participate in school.

Togs For Tots focuses on children preemie to pre-K, providing new clothes, supplies, and books. We work closely with area school districts and Bexar County agencies to identify those children and families with the greatest need, and we help them overcome the problem of not being able to provide su ciently for their children.

2611 West Ave. San Antonio, TX 78201 210-732-1200 assistanceleague.org/san-antonio

Blessed Sacrament Academy

OUR MISSION

Blessed Sacrament Academy has a mission of building a strong community through a foundation of compassion, respect and acceptance, and equips children and families with education, resources and support. Our programs provide early childhood education and parental engagement in a nurturing environment that stimulates creativity, growth and kindness. The gates of learning open wide when children and families come to expect unconditional love.

Join us in our ministry as we open the doors to the magic of learning, loving, self-worth and self-belief. Donate to change the future—one child, one family and one precious moment at a time.

1135 Mission Road San Antonio, TX 78210 210-532-4731

blessedsacramentacademysa.org

Divinity Family Services

OUR MISSION

FOSTER CARE! GROW HOPE! ALWAYS SERVE! Divinity Family Services' primary goal is to lead the State of Texas in providing hope and healing for children who have been removed and placed in foster care. Divinity addresses the needs of Kinship care, that is, those who can least a ord to care for their relative fosterchild. We help families with whatever is needed to secure placement for children, including home repair and even helping to provide a vehicle to a foster family. Our motto is “getting to yes.” Defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

102 9th St. San Antonio, TX 78215 830-890-5838 divinityfamilyservices.com

Good Samaritan Community Services

OUR MISSION

Good Samaritan Community Services (Good Sam) mission is to serve as a catalyst for change, supporting youth, individuals, and families by providing excellent community services to overcome economic poverty.

Good Samaritan was established in 1951 by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. They began as a downtown mission of the historic St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in 1939 and today operates as a 501(c)(3) not for pro t entity that provides comprehensive services to more than 3,500 individuals and 1,200 families in South and West Texas. They focus on serving the social, educational, and health equity needs of our neighbors so that they are the decision-makers in their lives. Good Sam’s vision is Empowering Communities to Thrive, and their work is centered by this focus. Good Sam honors the communities they serve by empowering individuals towards success through their Early Childhood Development Center, Youth and Teens Program, and Nationally Accredited Senior Center.

1600 Saltillo St. San Antonio, TX 78207 210-434-5531 goodsamtx.org

The mission of AugustHeart is to provide free heart screenings to teenagers to identify selected heart abnormalities in an e ort to reduce the risk of sudden

San Antonio Council on Alcohol & Awareness

Empowering our community to live healthy lives by providing prevention, intervention and recovery support services for chil dren and adults.

7500 Hwy. 90 W., Ste. 201 San Antonio, TX 78227 210-225-4741 sacada.org

4940 Broadway, Ste. 226 San Antonio, TX 78209 210-267-2771 Ste. San Antonio, TX 78229 210-564-7255 TX

Alamo City Arts

2800 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. 307 | San Antonio, TX 78218 210-369-8311 | alamocityarts.org

Assistance League®of San Antonio

2611 West Ave. | San Antonio, TX 78201 210-732-1200 | assistanceleague.org/san-antonio

AugustHeart

4940 Broadway, Ste. 226 | San Antonio, TX 78209 210-267-2771 | augustheart.org

Blessed Sacrament Academy

1135 Mission Road | San Antonio, TX 78210 | 210-532-4731 blessedsacramentacademysa.org

Cibolo Center for Conservation 140 City Park Road | Boerne, TX 78006 830-249-4616 | cibolo.org

Divinity Family Services

102 9th St. | San Antonio, TX 78215 830-890-5838 | divinityfamilyservices.com

Northeast Senior Assistance (NESA) 2903 Nacogdoches Road | San Antonio, TX 78217 | 210-967-6372 | neseniorassistance.org

Good Samaritan Community Services

1600 Saltillo St. | San Antonio, TX 78207 210-434-5531 | goodsamtx.org

Hallmark University hallmarkuniversity.edu 210-690-9000

Meals on Wheels San Antonio

4306 N.W. Loop 410 | San Antonio, TX 78229 210-735-5115 | mowsatx.org

Rise Recovery P.O. Box 15322 | San Antonio, TX 78212 | 210-227-2634

SA Threads 10446 Sentinel St. | San Antonio, TX 78217 210-600-3989 | sanantoniothreads.org

The Salvation Army 521 W. Elmira St. | San Antonio, Texas 78212 210-352-20000 | SalvationArmySATX.org

San Antonio Council on Alcohol & Drug Awareness 7500 Hwy. 90 W., Ste. 201 | San Antonio, TX 78227 210-225-4741 | sacada.org

San Antonio Pets Alive! 5545 Fredericksburg Road, Ste. 240 | San Antonio, TX 78229 210-564-7255 | sanantoniopetsalive.org

Thomas Je erson High School Lasso Alumni Association (LAA)

P.O. Box 690184 | San Antonio, TX 78269 210-355-7970 | lassos.org

For a full list of nonpro ts participating in The Big Give and to donate on Sept. 22-23, visit thebiggivesa.org.

JENNIFER BROWNING SHEMWELL | PHYLLIS BROWNING COMPANY

Jennifer Browning Shemwell is one of the most respected names in San Antonio real estate. Following closely in the footsteps of her mother Phyllis Browning, Jennifer is a luxury real estate agent and community leader known for selling some of the city’s most elite addresses. The innovative thinking, solution-based negotiating and strategic marketing tactics that Jennifer employs ensure clients receive The Very Best deal in the shortest amount of time. Her clients call her to find that dream home that is not yet on the market. Jennifer is a graduate from Yale University, Harvard Business School, Leadership San Antonio and the President’s Program in Leadership, as well as being fluent in three di erent languages. She has been honored with the 2018 REALTOR® Broker of the Year award from the San Antonio Board of REALTORS®, the 2018 C-Suite Award and the 2019 Women’s Leadership Award from the San Antonio Business Journal 824 7878 BROADWAY, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209 of ESTATE

MARGARET & DAVID JABOUR | TWIN LIQUORS

Margaret and David Jabour, siblings and third-generation co-owners of Twin Liquors, are passionate about the wine and spirits industry. They have grown their Austin-born-and-raised family business from one store in 1937 to now over 100 locations across the state. This year, they cel ebrate their business’ 85th anniversary and the hard work that went into making Twin Liquors what it is today.

In 1982, David and Margaret rebranded the family business as Twin Liquors in honor of their father, Theodore, who was an identical twin. They set a goal to elevate the liquor industry by introducing fine wines and premium spirits into the Texas market in refined, education-oriented retail stores. Margaret, originally poised to enter the fashion industry, brought the fine department store ambiance into the business. She and David, who worked in the banking industry for many years, were able to work synergistically to bring their shared vision to life. At the core of it all, the Jabours believe the importance of relationships and giving back to their communities—values they have instilled in their entire team—is what has made Twin Liquors a special Texas family-owned company for 85 years.

TINSMAN & SCIANO,

Tinsman & Sciano, Inc. has been representing clients in San Antonio and throughout the state of Texas for more than 50 years. Our dedicated attorneys and legal support sta work tirelessly to provide our clients with the best legal representation possible. Obtaining justice for individuals and family members who have experienced catastrophic injury or loss of life due to defective and unsafe products, negligently operated company vehicles, and industrial accidents can be very expensive due to the powerful corporations and business interests that oppose such claims. Tinsman & Sciano, Inc., has the financial resources and skilled personnel that allow the firm’s attorneys to stand toe-to-toe with the most powerful adversaries. you need legal representation due to you or a family member having been harmed by a defective and unsafe product, vehicular collision, medical negligence, or unsafe premises condition; you have been deprived of your rights under a will or trust; or you have not received oil and gas royalties owed to you, the attorneys and sta at Tinsman & Sciano are ready to provide the legal representation you need and deserve. Our unwavering goal is to see that our clients receive the full measure of justice they deserve for the harm or loss they have su ered.

LEESA AND D’ANN HARPER | COLDWELL BANKER D’ANN HARPER REALTORS®

Leesa Harper Rispoli has had the pleasure and recognition of continuing her mother’s iconic legacy—becoming president and broker at a company that has received prestigious national level recognition. Alongside her trailblazing mother, D’Ann Harper, Leesa displayed tenacity and strength of character, achieving new heights and continuing the family name and spearheading Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REAL TORS®(CBDHR). Founded in 1986 with a principle of heart and work ethic to succeed, our concierge brokerage knows the value of having a supreme work culture and providing excellent customer service. Leesa continues to surpass the rest, recently being recognized as a Top Executive in our community by the San Antonio Business Journal.

With now 11 o ces, CBDHR continues to extend these values through Central and South Texas. The brokerage services over 500 agents and divisions, including Global Luxury, Property Management, Commercial, Farm and Ranch, and an award-winning Relocation team. Above all, by leading with a servant’s heart, CBDHR has served the community with involvement and donations through our partnered charities. With over a billion dollars in sales, year over year, the numbers assure what our great city has acknowledged over the past three decades: CBDHR is a family-owned, women-owned business that knows how to sell real estate. 483 7070 CBHARPER.COM 18756 STONE OAK PKWY., STE. 101, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78258

DR. GABRIELLA DÍAZ OAK HILLS PERIODONTICS

When it comes to the field of periodontology, teeth are always in style—at least that is the mantra Dr. Gabriella Díaz lives by. Dr. Díaz has a bachelor of science degree from The University of Texas at Austin along with a doctor of dental surgery degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Dentistry, where she contin ued her advanced training in periodontics.

As one’s personal style develops, so has the dental field. “Our field is continuously advancing as we turn our attention to minimally invasive surgical tech niques and innovative digital technology, all while meeting the multifaceted needs of our patients.” Fu eled by her holistic approach to oral care, Dr. Díaz never looks at two smiles the same. Recognizing the synergistic connections between periodontal disease and systemic health, each patient inter action extends beyond the oral cavity. “I strive to recognize and treat each patient to improve overall well-being.” As her professional style continues to evolve, so does the environment at Oak Hills Peri odontics. Even in the face of an ever-changing den tal field, we can all agree on one thing: teeth will never go out of style. of

The of

KAYLA GOLLIHER, AU.D. ACRO AUDIOLOGY

Kayla Golliher, doctor of audiology, founded Acro Audiology in 2020. Having grown up working at her parent’s store in Fort Stockton, Texas, the importance of small-town customer service has been ingrained in her character. Her goal was to combine that experience with her knowledge to provide exceptional and transparent hearing health care to the residents of San Antonio. Acro means top-most or highest; that is the minimum standard of care every patient receives from Dr. Golliher and her team.

Acro Audiology is equipped with the latest in hearing technology, providing the ability to evaluate and treat patients of all ages ranging from pediatrics to adults with hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or cognitive decline. As a self-proclaimed bad salesperson, Dr. Golliher’s primary focus is to help her patients hear their world better. “I’m a clinician; not a salesperson.” Dr. Golliher understands purchasing hearing aids in today’s market can be very confusing and she strives to help patients navigate the market and provide a solution that best meets their specific communication and financial needs. Dr. Golliher also specializes in veteran services. She has helped over 6,000 veterans obtain compensation and navigate the VA to obtain hearing aids. Dr. Golliher encourages you to contact her with any questions you or your loved one may have about their hearing health! 239 OAK STE. 220 SAN ANTONIO,

DR. PARKHURST PARKHURST NUVISION

Greg Parkhurst, M.D., FACS is a San An tonio eye surgeon recognized globally correction LASIK Parkhurst LASIK

Parkhurst NuVision has been voted “Best LASIK in San Antonio” multiple years in city-wide polling maga zine.

CYNATICA CONDUCTOR , THE LATEST INSTALLATION AT FL!GHT GALLERY, IS AN INTERACTIVE EXPERI ence that invites spectators to step into the role of an orchestra conductor. However, this “orchestra” is not the typical one you might be imagining. Rather than a company of human musicians, this interactive experience allows viewers, or conductors, to manipulate beams of light—each of which contains their own piece of fractured melody—to build a new composi tion. As the viewer continues to interact, the piece grows in complexity and vibrancy, giving each gallery visitor a truly unique experience. Local artists Diego Chavez and Daniel Stanush, who say they share a passion for “the place where songwriting and visual art intersect,” utilize machine learning and live coding, alongside a blend of guitar and piano recordings, to create this interactive orchestra experience. The result is almost indescribable. It’s a one-of-a-kind immersive web of colorful light that moves with the viewer across a distinct soundscape. Between the rich medley of fractured melodies and the stunning visual landscapes, Cynatica Conductor o ers an immersive experience its “conductors” won’t soon forget. It’s on display at the gallery in the Blue Star Arts Complex Sept. 1-25.—Paulina Rodriguez