Arts + Culture

Beyond The Bell

The red kettles disappear after Christmas. The work they make possible in San Antonio doesn’t. Article by Lisa Zambrano The shoes made her faster. At least that’s what one little girl believed when she walked out of The Salvation Army’s Shoe In event wearing her brand new pair. Rebecca Mayberry, Director of Development for The Salvation Army of San Antonio, remembers watching her leave. The girl was so excited about her new shoes that she wore them out of the building, along with the school...

Arts + Culture

Dressed for What’s Next

San Antonio Threads is helping teens move forward with confidence, one outfit at a time. Article by Erin Lyons | Photography by Nichey Brown As a Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) volunteer, Cathy Hamilton noticed children’s shoes falling apart and jackets missing in the winter. One kid described digging through boxes of dirty, decades-old clothing, hoping never to have to do it again. For a while, Cathy thought, How can this be ok? Everyone knows that’s how these kids are getting their...

Arts + Culture

The One-Hour Vacation

A short trail in Stone Oak offers a different way to think about getting away Article and Photography by Caroline Heiberg “I just need a good vacation.” It is an easy thing to say at the end of the long week, usually with a destination far from home in mind. But some of what people hope to find on vacation might be found much closer to home. A vacation offers permission to step away from the usual demands and embark on something new, emerging refreshed. That permission does not require a plane...

Arts + Culture

A Platform with a Purpose

For Shawn Ryan, gratitude means using his reach to help others. Article by Chelsea Humphreys | Photography by Tim Furlong There is gratitude that says thank you. And then there is the kind that looks at what you’ve been given and asks what you’re going to do with it. For Shawn Ryan, host of The Shawn Ryan Show , that question has become important as an audience that began within the veteran community has grown into the millions. Ryan hasn’t forgotten who showed up first. “Veterans and...

Arts + Culture

A Different Kind of Victory

How a Spring Branch racing community is giving veterans a new team and a renewed purpose. Article by Lori Naughton For Chris Carroll, racing runs in the family. His father served in the Navy, and Melanie Carroll’s grandfather also served in the Navy. Chris has spent more than three decades around race cars. Yet the work that matters most to him today is not measured in laps or trophies. It happens when a veteran joins a team and discovers a renewed sense of purpose. That is the idea behind...

Arts + Culture

A Dinner to Remember

One vineyard dinner delivers comedy, craft and unexpected flavor Article and Photography by Caroline Heiberg Can you remember what you ate last week? What about yesterday?  Most meals fade into the background noise of life. The exceptions that stand out often have something else attached: a much-needed date night, dinner under a full moon in a vineyard or a wine-and-chocolate tasting with a chocolatier. A culinary experience turns dining into an occasion. The appeal is participation: diners...

Arts + Culture

Where Great Drinks Meet Great Memories

Serving up thoughtful cocktails and genuine Hill Country hospitality Article by Bartenders And Dreams Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in Boerne, Bartenders And Dreams believes a great bar should do more than serve drinks. It should add to the experience. As a family owned business, the team brings professional bartending together with genuine hospitality, creating a welcoming atmosphere where guests can gather, connect, and celebrate. From weddings and private parties to...

Arts + Culture

The Sweet Spot

MilkShake Factory is blending delicious drinks with the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back. Article by Erin Lyons | Photography by Nichey Brown When Anahi Pineda and Sergio Leyva first considered a career change, owning a milkshake shop wasn't on their list. But they knew they wanted to open something in Stone Oak that would bring people joy and give them something fun to do. And as Anahi said to me, “What’s more fun than milkshakes?” In 1914, Charlie and Orania Sarandou...

Arts + Culture

Katerina

Come for Dinner. Stay for Everything Else. Article by Chelsea Humphreys There are restaurants you visit because you’re hungry. And then there are restaurants that make you want to settle in, order another glass of wine and stay awhile. Katerina is definitely the latter. Tucked into Stone Oak, Katerina Restaurant & Bar feels special almost immediately. It’s beautiful, yes. But not in that slightly terrifying way where you suddenly wonder if you’re dressed well enough to order the chicken...

Arts + Culture

Raise a Glass to Texas Wine Country

Discover why Johnson City is becoming Texas' newest must visit wine destination. Article by Chelsea Humphreys When most people think of wine country, they picture California's Napa Valley or perhaps the rolling vineyards of Europe. But just an hour west of San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country has quietly built a reputation that's turning heads across the country, and Johnson City is right at the heart of it. That reputation recently received national recognition when Texas Wine Jam was named...