North Central SA - July 2020

LOCA LCOMMU NI TYNE WS.CO M | VO L . 9, I SSUE 1 | JULY 7 - AUG. 4, 2020

COMPLETE CALENDAR LIST TO PLAN AHEAD

HAPPENING LOCAL PG. 03

NEWS BRIEFS AND BUSINESS OPENINGS

LOCAL LOWDOWN PG. 06

PG. 11 | REAL ESTATE HOME SALES REMAIN STEADY, EVEN DURING OUTBREAK ALAMO HEIGHTS • KING WILLIAM • MONTE VISTA • OLMOS PARK • TERRELL HILLS

LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS ALAMO HEIGHTS COUNCIL, AHISD SEE NEW LEADERS

by SUSAN YERKES

RESIDENTS LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING

by EDMOND ORTIZ

TEEN VOLUNTEER AT ZOO A NATURAL AUGUST LAMBRECHT HELPING WITH FINANCIAL-RECOVERY EFFORT

PG. 04 | OPINION

SUSAN YERKES COVID-19 and a better normal

AUGUST LAMBRECHT practically grew up at the San Antonio Zoo. Now the Alamo Heights teen is a standout volunteer and fundraiser for the organization that means so much to him.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed the zoo temporarily this spring, August’s volunteer duties were put on hold. So he started raising money for the San Antonio Zoo Recovery fund, asking friends to honor his birthday with donations.

His goal was $1,000; by his May 2 birthday he had raised nearly

$2,500. Now as part of the online recovery campaign, he’s set a goal of $5,000. By midZOO continues on pg. 12

PG. 02 | TALK LOCAL

THE RIGHT MESSAGE

ALAMO HEIGHTS — Two residents — an attorney and a real estate executive — have assumed additional roles as newly minted public officials.

Blake Bonner, senior vice president and brokerage director for REOC San Antonio, is now the City Council Place 3 representative.

Succeeding the retired Fred Prassel, Bonner was unopposed in the canceled spring council election.

Stacy Sharp, who works with Burgess Law, is now an Alamo ELECTED continues on pg. 13

2 STAFF

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

TALK LOCAL

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

LOCAL

VISIT US ON-LINE TO FIND OUT MORE AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY. EDITOR TH O MAS E DWARDS tedwards@localcommunitynews.com

PUBLISHER Jaselle Luna

Contributing artist

EDITORIAL

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Editor

Senior Media Representative

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Dawn Radick and Joanne Torres

News Staff

Collette Orquiz

Multi-Media Account Representative

Contributing Writers

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Eileen Pace, Edmond Ortiz, Travis E. Poling, Arthur Schechter and Susan Yerkes

Controller

ART

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Phone: (210) 338-8842 Fax: (210) 465-9455 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Advertising@localcommunitynews.com STORY IDEAS: tips@localcommunitynews.com EDITOR CONTACT tedwards@localcommunitynews.com

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OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS North SA: 78213, 78216, 78230, 78231, 78232, 78248, 78249, 78258 Metrocom: 78109, 78148, 78233, 78239, 78108, 78132, 78154, 78266 South San Antonio: 78204, 78205, 78210, 78214, 78223, 78235 Reproduction in whole or in part without our permission is prohibited, 2020 Local Community News LLC, all rights reserved.

ON THE COVER –Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, August Lambrecht volunteered at the San Antonio Zoo, helping out on the Giraffe Feeding deck where Alan (left) enjoys snacks. August loves the long-necked animals and enjoys telling children why they’re important. The zoo has reopened with health and safety measures in place, and the Alamo Heights teen is helping with a fundraising effort. See the story on page 01. Photo by Collette Orquiz

The LOCAL Community News editorial board includes Jaselle Luna and Thomas Edwards.

Speak Up THE FIRST AMENDMENT guarantees the right to “peaceably … assemble” in protest. It does not permit looting businesses, smashing windows and burning cars.

A string of deaths during law-enforcement encounters — primarily Black men — have provoked righteous outrage.

Peaceful demonstrations advocating necessary policing reforms are completely in keeping with the American character.

However, some rallies in U.S. cities that began as nonviolent marches sparked isolated but needless destruction.

Black lives matter. Parents of color should not have to give “the talk” to their children about what to do when dealing with police.

Equal justice under the law is essential to democracy.

However, trashing private property and attacking merchants — often in the very communities where injustice occurs — arguably divides, rather than unites, many of us.

Terrence Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, an African American who died at the hands of white Minneapolis police, asked protesters to stop rioting.

“That’s not going to bring my brother back,” he said, instead urging the election of leaders who support changing the culture and behavior of law officers.

Like peaceful demonstrations, voting is a right. Though it may start in the streets, true and lasting reform happens at the ballot box.

HAPPENING

JULY

PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

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Next City Council/ School District Meetings Alamo Heights: 5:30 p.m. July 13, 27; 6116 Broadway Olmos Park: 6 p.m. July 15; 120 W. El Prado Drive Terrell Hills: 5 p.m. July 13; 5100 N. New Braunfels Ave. San Antonio ISD: 5:30 p.m. July 20; 406 Barrera St. Alamo Heights ISD: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27; 7101 Broadway North East ISD: 5:30 p.m. July 13; 8961 Tesoro Drive EDITOR’S NOTE: THE CALENDAR IS CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME, BUT SOME EVENTS MAY HAVE BEEN POSTPONED OR CANCELED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS. ACCESS TO PUBLIC MEETINGS MAY BE LIMITED OR STREAMING ONLY. CHECK WITH THE LISTED CONTACTS FOR UPDATES.

THROUGH JULY 7

WHO SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO SELL YOUR HOME IN OUR COMMUNITY?

A.V.P.

A. VAN PELT

ANN VAN PELT R E A L T O R®

GOD BLESS AMERICA Bud Light Stars, Stripes & Lights turns Independence Day into a weeklong celebration along the River Walk. It will be decked out in red, white and blue, with patriotic flags and lights. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ events/bud-light-stars-stripes-lights.

JULY 9

C (210) 844-7001 AVANPELT@PHYLLISBROWNING.COM ONE OF SAN ANTONIO’S LEADING REALTORS WITH OVER A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS IN SALES.

GARDEN MEETING The San Antonio Herb Society holds a social time at 6:30 p.m. and a program at 7 p.m. at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels Ave. For updates or cancellations, visit www.sanantonioherbs.org.

HAPPENING continues on pg. 05 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

6061 BROADWAY SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209 WWW.PHYLLISBROWNING.COM

OPINION

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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

A new and better normal

by SUSAN YERKES

NOWADAYS, there’s lots of talk about “the new normal” – a handy description of our altered reality in a post-coronavirus world: Wear masks while shopping, practice social distancing, shelter at home, stockpile toilet paper, don’t touch your face. …

These have become routine in the wake of COVID-19 as we try to keep our communities and ourselves alive and well. Some of them may be around for a while.

COVID-19 isn’t going to disappear in the next few months, no matter how desperately we might want to go back to living as we did before the outbreak, when hugs and handshakes didn’t come

with health warnings. It’s going to take more time. Yet, despite the persistence of the virus, the world is opening up again, however haltingly. As it does, I’ve been thinking about what parts of the new

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normal we might want to maintain.

To me, the most powerful lesson of the pandemic has been a renewed spirit of caring. When times get tough, Texans rise to the challenge. People across the region started thinking about what they could do for others.

Neighbors offered to deliver groceries to those more at risk, folks turned out to donate blood and volunteerism became commonplace. When record numbers hit by the economic shutdown turned to the San Antonio Food Bank, the ranks of volunteers swelled to gather and distribute meals. Others signed over their government stimulus checks to aid the less fortunate. The level of need brought the plight of many families, children and elders into stark relief.

As a journalist, I have the privilege of hearing a lot of people’s stories.

One of the most heartwarming came from a female reader who moved here from another state for a promising job just months earlier. However, when the pandemic struck, her position was eliminated. Reading stories in LOCAL Community News about how neighbors and neighborhoods assisted each other, she too wrote about wanting to help.

“While it’s disappointing and scary (I don’t exactly have a plan yet), I also realize that I’m blessed to receive a severance package that many others who have also lost employment do not have access to,” she told me. “I’d like to use part of my severance to help however I can.”

This spirit of giving is not new, but it

seems stronger and more widespread.

Each act of kindness is an inspiration.

Across town, people are taking the time to show appreciation to essential workers, from health care personnel to supermarket clerks. As Zoom sessions replaced office meetings and support groups, families also started reaching out online, sometimes connecting with distant friends and relatives often out of touch for years.

With classrooms shuttered to avoid the spread of the virus, many parents spent more quality time with their children (OK, not always a blessing, but we’re talking positives here). There was an opportunity to cook meals at home, and with restaurants closed, more reason to do so. Also, I’ve never seen so many walkers or bike riders on neighborhood streets and parks.

Fresh air and exercise lift the spirit while strengthening the body. People are paying more attention to cleaning and handwashing – habits worth keeping. Life slowed down. There were, and still are, hardships, tragedy and pain. For many, the old normal is gone forever. Now is the time to focus on what’s ahead.

As the pandemic passes, life will certainly speed up again. But, we can choose to continue some of the actions and attitudes, which sustained hope and community in these dark times.

We can plan and work to shape a better normal in the future. syerkes@localcommunitynews.com

One of the most well-respected and award-winning journalists in South Texas, Susan Yerkes pens a column each month for LOCAL Community News. A veteran of newspapers, television, radio and online, she calls San Antonio home.

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JULY 9

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS, CAMP 153 Hood’s Texas Brigade, Camp 153, gathers at 7 p.m. in Chester’s Hamburgers, 1006 N.E. Loop 410. No reservations required. For updates or cancellations, visit www. hoodstexasbrigade.net.

JULY 10-12

CHEERS TO CHEERLEADING The Henry B. González Convention Center, 900 E. Market St., hosts a threeday national cheerleading competition.

For a schedule, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www.sahbgcc. com/Events-News/Upcoming-Events.

JULY 11 & AUG. 1 ART FANS

Southtown Arts District First and Second Saturday Markets are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Artisan, 1103A S. Presa St. See drawings, handcrafted items, prints, paintings, ceramics, sculptures, photographs and more at the free event with music. For updates or cancellations, email shop@theartisansatx.com or call 210-962-5560.

JULY 11

KIDS’ GAMES Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, hosts the improvisational animation game show called Scribble Showdown at 8 p.m. For ticket costs, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www. tobincenter.org/box-office/2020-07/ scribble-showdown.

JULY 11

BEGINNERS’ BIRD WALK Led by Barbara Sykes, the free San Antonio Audubon Society outing begins

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at 8 a.m. at the Judson Nature Trails start point, 246 Viesca St. in Alamo Heights. Nonmembers welcome; binoculars can be provided. For updates or cancellations, call 210-3422073 or visit saaudubon.org or www. facebook.com/saaudubon/.

JULY 14, 17

OUTDOOR MOVIES Free monthly, outdoor films will be shown after sunset at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave. July 17, and Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St. July 14. For more including titles, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www. slabcinema.com/.

JULY 14-15

JIMMY BUFFETT The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., hosts Jimmy Buffett’s “Escape to Margaritaville” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $55. For updates or cancellations, visit https:// www.majesticempire.com/shows/ escapetomargaritaville-2020.

JULY 17, 31

PEARL ROTARY The group meets at 11:30 a.m. inside The Culinary Institute of America, 312 Pearl Parkway. For updates or cancellations, call 210-913-7448.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT DENTAL INSURANCE?

YOU DON’T NEED IT. That’s right. If you lack dental insurance, River City Dental Solutions now offers comprehensive dental savings plan to make sure you get the quality care you deserve at a price you can afford.

Depending on the plan, this includes: Up to 2 exams & cleanings.

All necessary X-rays.

1 Emergency care exam.

20% off all other treatment (even cosmetic)!

River City Dental Solutions is open and is seeing patients for all family dental care needs. We continue to closely monitor the recommendations of the ADA and the CDC and have added additional health and safety protocols to ensure our patients have safest visit possible.

JULY 18

OFF AND RUNNING The 41st annual San Antonio RoadRunners Women’s Race 5K/10K & Girls Fun Run is at 7 a.m. at H-E-B, The Shops at Lincoln Heights, 999 E. Basse Road. For this event, only female participants run through the streets of Alamo Heights. For registration, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www.

HAPPENING continues on pg. 07 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

CHILD PLAN

ADULT PLAN

PERIO PLAN

CONTACT US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT! River City Dental Solutions, Joseph J. Perry DDS 7300 Blanco Rd., Suite 203, San Antonio, TX 78216 210-349-3745 • info@rivercitydentalsolutions.com

LOWDOWN

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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT’S NEW IN THE COMMUNITY FROM OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS TO NEWS TIDBITS.

LOWDOWN SPOTLIGHT

HONEST SOUL YOGA

Open and Opening Soon 1. HONEST SOUL YOGA, 223 E. Hildebrand Ave., Suite 103, has created a studio for classes that uplift, empower and make folks happier, the owner said. Social distancing is maintained, masks are required and deep sanitizing is practiced. Classes are posted online and doors open at least 15 minutes prior. For more, visit honestsoulyoga.com or facebook. com/HonestSoulYogaSATX.

3. LICK HONEST ICE CREAMS, 693 Hemisfair Blvd., opened its second San Antonio shop in Hemisfair June 1. The Texas-based artisan ice cream shop focuses on using clean and regionally sourced ingredients, employees said. It recently introduced an express to-go window at its original San Antonio location at Pearl, where visitors can order scoops, sandwiches and pints without entering the shop. Hours for the Hemisfair locale are noon-9 p.m. daily. For more, call 210-957-4000 or visit https://www.ilikelick.com/.

4. CUCO’S BARBACOA, 2318 S. Zarzamora St., is offering deliveries to residents of ZIP code 78212 including Olmos Park, the Monte Vista Historic District, River Road and other neighborhoods in North Central. Packages feature barbacoa by the pound, tortillas, beans and salsa. Customers can pick up menu items, but online ordering is encouraged. For details, call 210732-0621 or visit www.facebook. com/officialcucos/?tn-str=k*F.

IN OTHER NEWS

OLMOS PARK CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 21 awarded the Ace Co. with a $137,560 contract to oversee street and drainage maintenance across the municipality. The council was briefed on the nearly completed improvements at City Hall. Upgrades have included repairs to stucco walls and repainting the facility and the fire station. However, three areas of the City Hall roof still need fixing. In addition, council members discussed the potential for replacing the town’s aging sewer system. Members agreed the city must address the issue within the next two years, if not annually, after the city has paid off its current bonds.

POLICE CHIEF BILL FOLEY HAS BEEN NAMED the new city manager in Terrell Hills. Greg Whitlock recently retired from the post following 48 years of public service. Roger Mangum, previously a lieutenant and commander of patrol, is the new police chief.

EARLY VOTING FOR THE JULY 14 RUNOFF ELECTIONS for local primaries will be held through July 10. Voters must decide the outcome of a Republican primary runoff for Congressional District 20 between Mauro Garza and Gary Allen. The runoff winner faces Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, in the Nov. 3 general election. Other area Republicans must determine a Congressional District 35 primary runoff victor between Jenny Garcia Sharon and “Guillermo” William Hayward.

The winner faces Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin. Call 210-335-

8683 or visit www.bexar.org for election details.

A DEVELOPER’S CONTROVERSIAL EFFORT to build townhomes in the River Road Historic District hit another setback June 19. The Historic and Design Review Commission voted to deny MNO Partners a waiver that would have allowed the developer to formally submit a new project. The developers won’t be able to try again until February. HDRC approved the concept for The Oaks at River Road, formerly Trail Street Townhomes, last December. But several neighbors concerned about the proposed project’s impact on drainage, parking and density asked the city’s Board of Adjustment to address their concerns. The board in February opposed MNO Partners’ concept as presented, and the developer’s attempted appeal was denied. HDRC in June heard from several residents who said they were not satisfied by the latest concept. The new plan reduced the number of housing units from 24 to 23, lowered building heights from three to two stories, and jettisoned garages facing Trail Street.

BESTSELLING SPECULATIVE FICTION AND NONFICTION AUTHOR WHITLEY STRIEBER, who grew up in Terrell Hills, has released “A New World,” an exploration of lessons he’s learned from what he says are LOWDOWN continues on pg. 14

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THROUGH JULY 26

CALLING ALL ART LOVERS athleteguild.com/running/san-antoniotx/2020-sarr-womens-race-5k10k-girlsfun-run.

JULY 18

TEXAS BIRD WALKING WORKSHOP Come to the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place, at 9 a.m. in the Greenwood Breezeway of the Halsell Welcome Building for a birdwalking workshop starting at 9:15 a.m.

For more including registration, plus updates or cancellations, visit https:// www.sabot.org/walks/.

JULY 18

THE PEOPLE’S CLINIC The Estela Avery Education Center inside Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St., is home to traditional healing practices from 1-5 p.m. For updates, visit https://sariverfound.org/ events/the-peoples-clinic/.

JULY 22 & AUG. 1

LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation offers educational, interactive workshops for children ages 8-10 from 6-8 p.m.

July 22 at the Sherman Animal Care Complex, 1354 Basse Road. At the same place, from 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, adults can learn how to coexist with and appreciate wildlife during a free tutorial. For updates or cancellations, visit wildlife-rescue.org.

THROUGH JULY 24 KIDS’ FUN

Central Catholic High School, 1403 N. St. Mary’s St., hosts, JROTC, athletic camps and summer enrichment for boys in grades three to nine and girls in grades three to eight.

For registration, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www.cchssatx.org/summercamps.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., presents its annual extravaganza, Night of Artists. This year’s multiple events focus on celebrating the beauty and spirit found in the West. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the art sale is online. For more, visit BriscoeMuseum.org or call 210-2994499.

JULY 26

QUINCEAÑERA The Quinceañera & Prom Expo is noon to 5 p.m. at the Henry B. González Convention Center, 900 E. Market St. For updates or cancellations, visit https:// www.sahbgcc.com/Events-News/ Upcoming-Events.

JULY 27-AUG. 7

BALLET SUMMER CAMP Ballet San Antonio, 115 Auditorium Circle, Suite 20, will host a summercamp program taught by Sofiane Sylve, artistic adviser at Ballet San Antonio, plus guest faculty Jeffrey Lyons from the San Francisco Ballet School and Veronika Part of the Atlanta Ballet. Attendees learn classical ballet techniques, as well as pointe work and batteries.

For more including registration, plus updates or cancellations, visit balletsanantonio.org/summerintensive.

JULY 27-31 ART CAMP

In this workshop from 9 a.m. to noon at Artpace San Antonio, 445 N. Main Ave., Michael Foerster will teach how to create ceramic sculptures. Cost is $50 (Artpace members $40). All ages HAPPENING continues on pg. 09 LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

SAVOR OUR SUMMER

FLAVOR AT 1917

RESTAURANT Now Open in the heart of San Antonio’s vibrant Brooks community.

From our brick pizza oven, rotisserie, and grill to our vast array of vegetarian and gluten-free options, guests are treated to an adventurous menu selection with a true farm-to-table experience.

REFRESH WITH SUMMER COCKTAILS AND FRESH DISHES

15% OFF YOUR TOTAL BILL (excludes alcohol, cannot be combined with any other offers)

7610 South New Braunfels Avenue San Antonio, Texas 78235 For more offers on the Brooks campus, visit livebrooks.com/offers 1917restaurant.com (210) 534-1000

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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

HEALTH

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

Struggling with COVID-19 economic impact RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES BRACE FOR FINANCIAL LOSSES WITH SURGE

by EDMOND ORTIZ

THE CITY IS HELPING vulnerable community members and small businesses in North Central adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, many local leaders and residents say it’s not enough. Others worry tough financial decisions are needed to counter lost revenues, which some estimate could cost San Antonio $200 million overall.

City Council in early June approved a $191 million plan — partly derived from federal sources — to boost smallbusiness aid, housing security, workforce development and enhanced internet access in the North East Independent School District and other select neighborhoods to help high school and college students with distance learning.

As pandemic cases began to surge, on June 17, County Judge Nelson Wolff issued an executive directive mandating that businesses require employees and customers wear protective masks if they are closer than 6 feet to each other. Each violation is punishable by a $1,000 fine.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg noted folks require support from local government, especially because many workers lost their jobs or were furloughed.

“A majority of people have been affected by this economic crisis and they’re teetering on the edge. They need action,” he added. “They need relief.”

The city’s new assistance package includes grants of varying amounts for eligible small businesses and arts-

related ventures, individual artists and nonprofits.

San Antonio is providing rental and mortgage assistance, plus expanded financial counseling and domesticviolence prevention measures.

The municipality is also leasing more than 300 motel rooms to temporarily shelter the homeless.

In addition, the plan is funding workforce training to help 10,000 people prepare for high-demand jobs.

Money here includes subsidies for trainees to temporarily pay for basic living costs, such as rent and groceries.

About $96 million in the plan comes from federal emergency dollars, including the $270 million in stimulus funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security — or CARES — Act. The rest is from the city’s general fund, which has seen an income drop — especially in hotel-occupancy taxes and airport usage.

Yet, many residents pushed for a delay so the city could reallocate more relief dollars toward emergency housing and

workforce development.

While city leaders endorsed an emergency relief package, some argued for more small business help.

Area businesses including Canyon Cafe, The Davenport, Spaghetti Warehouse, Gourdough’s and the Alamo Quarry Market locations of Papouli’s Greek Grill and Zedric’s all closed.

“Small businesses are the backbone of this community. When you look across all the allocations, it’s one of the smallest allocations here,” District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry said.

“I’m hopeful we can find other resources … to stimulate (small businesses),” District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales added.

District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño said local arts organizations — which saw the city suspend their funding weeks ago — require help.

“We cannot afford to lose who we are as a community,” he said. “We cannot afford to lose the incredible things that artists bring to our community.”

While San Antonio works to safely reopen its public facilities, including libraries, with capacity limits and safety measures, city officials acknowledged the upcoming fiscal year 2021 looks uncertain.

The city projects nearly $200 million in losses because of fewer tourists and visits to businesses, as well as declining CPS Energy income, among other revenue sources.

The city continues to furlough employees, primarily in departments and programs reliant on hotel-occupancy taxes and convention and visitor-related revenues.

“We made the cuts in our budget in order to stay balanced. I think we’re all going to keep an eye on fiscal year 2021,” City Manager Erik Walsh said.

Elsewhere, the state is letting more businesses and cultural recreational venues, such as the Witte Museum, the

San Antonio Zoo, McNay Art Museum and the relocated Kiddie Park, open with capacity limits and safety measures.

Meanwhile, the San Antonio River Walk Association and Centro San Antonio partnered to provide safety measures and resources along the downtown part of the River Walk.

Since March, Centro’s “ambassadors” have used disinfectant to clean frequently touched spots such as handrails, elevators, crosswalk buttons, parking-lot pay stations, scooters, sidewalks and River Walk business entrances several times daily.

“Public safety is top-of-mind as the River Walk and Downtown San Antonio reopen,” River Walk association Executive Director Maggie Thompson said in a news release.

Cities including Alamo Heights, Olmos Park and Terrell Hills have maintained limited capacity and safety protocols in their public facilities, parks and common areas.

Building permits must be applied and paid for online in Olmos Park.

Alamo Heights has been contending with an unexpected type of pandemic fallout. Unable to use traditional forms of public recreation, some children or teenagers installed illegal bicycle ramps on the Jack Judson Nature Trails.

This has resulted in damage to the natural trails, according to Friends of Hondondo Creek, a community group that maintains the trails.

The city and the community group have mulled alternatives, such as possibly establishing a bicycling area outside the trail system, or even an official bike park.

In addition, Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills and San Antonio cancelled their regular Independence Day mass gatherings this year.

Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

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are welcome. For registration, plus updates or cancellations, visit https:// www.artpace.org/artpace_events/ cartoony-ceramics-workshop-withmichael-foerster.

JULY 28

NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OF TEXAS The next meeting featuring a plant exchange is at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. program, in Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway. For updates, visit http://npsot.org/wp/sanantonio/.

JULY 31-AUG. 2 ARTISAN SHOWS

Vendors display and sell handmade merchandise along the River Walk extension close to Shops at Rivercenter, 849 E. Commerce St.. from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, plus 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ summer-artisan-show.

JULY

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., will present The Union Underground on July 18 and Ministry, KMFDM and Front Line Assembly July 26. For more including times and costs, plus updates or cancellations, visit https://www.theaztectheatre.com/.

JULY/AUGUST

MUSIC TO MY EARS Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., hosts numerous entertainers including Long Beach Dub Allstars, July 12; The Great Divide, July 17; Mothership: Tribute to Led Zeppelin, July 18; Josh Weathers, July 23; Eric Schwartz, Aug. 1; and Matt Schofield, Aug. 2. For start times and costs, plus

updates or cancellations, visit http:// www.samsburgerjoint.com/calendar/.

THROUGH AUG. 2 BLUE STAR

Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star St., is home to several exhibitions including Rand Renfrow’s illustrations and Sarah Welch’s comics. For updates or cancellations, visit https://bluestarcontemporary. org/upcoming-exhibitions/.

THROUGH AUG. 2 AT HOME RAFFLE

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SA YES has moved fundraising online.

The organization, which provides school supplies, will have a drawing to win one of five vehicles. Individual tickets cost $25. For more and to make purchases, visit sayes.org.

HAPPENING

in the Fiesta Room at Luby’s, 911 N. Main Ave. Members and guests are welcome to eat at 6 p.m.; no reservations required. For updates or cancellations, visit www. alamocityguards.com.

AUG. 6

NUTRITION DISCUSSION Live with Nature meets for free from 10-11:30 a.m. at San Antonio College’s Sinkin EcoCentro, 1802 N. Main Ave. The group examines nutrition’s role involving health challenges. For updates or cancellations, call 210-492-4620.

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School District continues to provide free meals. The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Seamless Summer Nutrition Program will be available curbside from select campuses and at various SAISD bus stops. For exact times and locations, visit https://www. saisd.net/upload/page/0130/docs/ SAISDSummer2020MealsProgram.pdf.

THROUGH AUG. 23 FEMALE ARTISTS

THROUGH AUG. 7

Artpace San Antonio, 445 N. Main Ave., is hosting an exhibition devoted to women’s artwork. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. artpace.org/exhibitions/hudson_ showroom/hsr_spring_2020.

The San Antonio Independent

HAPPENING continues on pg. 15

SUMMER MEALS

AUG. 5

ALAMO HEIGHTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Luncheons are in a private room at Paesanos Lincoln Heights, 555 E. Basse Road. Arrive by 11:30 a.m. for a meet and greet; a guest speaker follows at noon. Cost is $25. For updates or cancellations, call 210-822-7027 or visit http:// alamoheightschamber.org/.

AUG. 6

SAAS MEETING The San Antonio Audubon Society gathers at 7 p.m. in the San Antonio Zoo Education Center, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. Parking available next to the entrance. For updates or cancellations, visit saaudubon.org or www.facebook.com/saaudubon/.

AUG. 6

ALAMO CITY GUARDS, CAMP 1325 The Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter conducts a 7 p.m. meeting LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

Garden Style San Antonio Your guide to water-saving yards, drought-proof plants & more.

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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

GOVERNMENT

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

Remote control used by leaders during COVID-19

by EILEEN PACE

KEEPING GOVERNMENTS open to the public during a pandemic can be a tall order.

When COVID-19 hit, community leaders scrambled to respond to a problem they’d never encountered before: how to maintain open government while also curtailing public gatherings to limit the spread of the highly infectious strain of novel coronavirus.

One approach involved Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff broadcasting a daily coronavirus update. They advised the community on new outbreak numbers, hospitalizations and deaths.

In addition, Wolff said monthly meetings with the county’s other municipalities increased and he became available for whatever the 26 suburban cities needed.

“Bexar County is facilitating $9 million in funding allocated from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as well as identifying needs within the community to ensure that our citizens are safe and healthy,” Wolff said.

In March, residents were told to stay home unless engaged in an essential business or making a necessary trip — buying groceries, going to a medical appointment and others — and to maintain social distancing and wear protective masks. Many city halls also closed, with permits and services online only.

Classrooms also shut down as students learned from home, often through distance learning.

Technology also came into play to keep people in touch with city councils and school boards. Text messages, social-media posts, automatic phone calls and onlinefacilitated meetings joined streaming services, public-access television channels and the news media to keep residents

abreast of government developments.

According to The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott suspended the portion of the Texas Open Meetings Act that requires the government to provide a physical space for the public to watch or listen to a meeting.

Instead, online or digital services took center stage, allowing for Zoom and other video meetings, or conference calls over the phone.

The provision also requires a government entity to offer the remote meetings publicly and the ability to interact with the governing body during public comment periods.

The governor’s waiver also addressed requirements for a quorum, allowing members of a governmental body to use video or telephonics to attend meetings, rather than being physically present in one place.

San Antonio began assigning half its council members to join sessions by video, which offered space on the dais for 6 feet of required social distancing. It continued to offer its A Session online and in the council chambers, but narrowed its audience space to allow for 6 feet between each guest.

Council’s B Sessions are streamed live at

www.sanantonio.gov/TVSA and available to watch later. All committee meetings are available on that page.

These issues were handled differently by each of the separate municipalities in and around San Antonio.

In Olmos Park and Terrell Hills, council meetings continued in the cities’ regular council chambers.

Olmos Park City Manager Celia DeLeon said they are able to create social distancing by moving some council members around, and all members are still in the room.

“We have only five on the dais, and in front of that, we have one council member sitting down below,” DeLeon said. “We usually have six staff members at the meetings, and they’re able to spread out and remain 6 feet apart.”

DeLeon said only three to four residents typically attend the council meetings.

In Terrell Hills, City Manager Bill Foley said only a few residents typically visit each session.

“It’s the same ... people ... who come to watch just about every meeting,” Foley said.

“We follow social distancing guidelines for everyone in the council chambers,” Foley added. “We have a separate room — a viewing room — where residents can watch the meeting, and we follow social distancing guidelines there.”

On June 19, Terrell Hills held its first council meeting on Zoom. Foley said it was a special meeting to vote on applying for the CARES funds, which will help with extra expenses the city has incurred during the pandemic.

Alamo Heights closed its City Hall March 31. Since then, the city has maintained a telephone meeting over Cumulus HD Audio, a technologybased conference service. City Secretary Jennifer Reyna said the process is easy to work with.

“We set up Cumulus for our telephone conference calls. I log onto our dashboard on the Cumulus website and there, I can see when someone wants to speak or ask a question because they ‘raise their hand’ electronically.”

Reyna said the city posts meeting notices as always on a kiosk outside City Hall, and she notifies residents by email if they have signed up.

Reyna said neighbors haven’t reported any problems with connectivity or other issues.

In San Antonio, District 1 Councilman Robert Treviño said many residents lack consistent digital connectivity, and the city must work to resolve the issue.

“The video conferencing, though, has given us a lot more flexibility,” he said. “Scheduling is easier because people can join the meeting from just about anywhere, as long as there’s internet.”

As pandemic cases began to spike during a second wave, on June 17, County Judge Nelson Wolff issued an executive order mandating that businesses require employees and customers wear protective masks if they are closer than 6 feet to each other.

Businesses had five days to put the order into effect and post signage for their customers. Violators could face fines of $1,000.

The deadly virus originated in Wuhan province, China, late last year and then spread globally. By mid-June, the death toll in the United States had reached more than 100,000 lives.

Medicaleconomics.com publishes a daily running total. San Antonio also maintains a localized database at covid19.sanantonio.gov/Home.

Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

Pandemic doesn’t stop North Central homebuyers SALES SLOW, BUT BUYERS ARE GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT CLOSING DEALS

by TRAVIS E. POLING

HOME SALES REMAINED STEADY this spring in North Central despite a pandemic and lockdowns, though May saw a dip compared to the same month a year ago.

“We have a lot of serious buyers,” said Joyce Marie Jackson, a Realtor with Kimberly Howell Properties. “Before COVID-19, they were looking. Now they’re serious.”

Sales in North Central San Antonio, which also includes the cities of Alamo Heights, Olmos Park and Terrell Hills, declined in May to 88 in five ZIP codes, compared to 123 in May of last year and 121 the same month in 2018, according to Multiple Listing Service data from the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

Jackson said with more buyers taking the increased downtime to get out of the house and putting home buying at the top of the list, the numbers could rise in the next months as more deals close.

She said one of the hot areas has been from Tobin Hill to North New Braunfels Avenue, where the deals for houses under $200,000 are drawing everyone from first-time homebuyers to investors looking to fix and flip older homes.

Prices across North Central showed a mixed bag.

In the 78204 ZIP code, seven houses sold for an average of $203,557, a 29 percent decline compared to the average of the seven homes sold in the same month last year.

For 78205, which encompasses downtown where there aren’t many

single-family houses on the market, there were two rare sales in May, going for an average price of $398,000 after just 51 days on the market.

The most active was in the 78209 ZIP code, which had 38 home sales in May, but it was still down significantly from 67 in the same month last year. The average price of houses sold for the month was down 7.4 percent to $481,316. The median price, however, was up for the month by 29 percent to $458,750.

In 78210, the average price on the sale of 20 houses was up 8.6 percent in May to $202,840.

The average sold price for 21 houses in the 78212 ZIP code was up a whopping 70.2 percent at $524,765.

That likely indicates a handful of highdollar sales in the mix. The median price in May declined 39 percent to $262,400.

Citywide, apartment rental rates had been climbing for years including reaching new highs by 2020’s first quarter, according to an analysis of a national database from Apartment List/ LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

REAL ESTATE

Rentometer. However, job loss associated with the pandemic, and an overall softening economy, caused a slight drop in average rates in May. Rents declined 0.3 percent from April to May, and were virtually unchanged from last May. The median for a onebedroom and two-bedroom unit is $856 and $1,076, respectively.

Across the San Antonio metropolitan area in May, home sales fell 20 percent from last year to 2,869, according to SABOR. However, it is rebounding from April, when the number of sales dipped to 2,748.

The city and county issued shelter-inplace directives in March, and ordered the closure of nonessential businesses, to thwart the coronavirus spread. Some of those mandates were lifted weeks

11

later, though what some are calling a significant surge is prompting new safety measures.

May’s pending sales, many with closing dates in June, numbered 3,745, up from 2,652 pending sales at the end of April.

“While we saw a little downward trend this month compared to May 2019, if we’re looking at total numbers for the year, the sales numbers are only a 0.3 percent decrease, so we’re near par for year-to-date home sales,” said Kim Bragman, SABOR’s 2020 chair. “Also, we entered into June with (the) total number of pending sales up by 20 percent, which is promising for an upward trajectory to round out the year, as we move into summer buying months.”

Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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PITCHING IN

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

ZOO continues from pg. 01

June, August’s total neared $3,500.

The youth’s connection to the zoo started early, thanks to his mother, Burgin Streetman.

“We went to the Witte (Museum), the Children’s Museum (now The DoSeum), lots of places,” Streetman said, “but by the time he could say where he wanted to go, it was the zoo. We went all the time.

By 14 months he could spot all the 200 animals in his animal dictionary. When he was 2, he got obsessed with birds and could name every single one.”

Love of animals runs in the family.

August’s maternal grandmother was an artist with a passion for wildlife conservation.

“We always had a hummingbird or

a bat or a badger around the house,” Streetman said. “When August was 3, we went to visit and her yard was full of guys with falcons.”

Her son has fond memories of the visits to the zoological gardens in Brackenridge Park.

“Growing up we would go to the zoo every week, sometimes multiple times,” August said. “I did the Roots & Shoots program and the summer camps.”

He wants to work with animals as a career, he said, perhaps as a game warden or a field researcher. He’s especially fascinated with big birds, such as cranes and ostriches, and loves the zoo’s Hixon Bird House.

It was only natural that when he turned 14 last May he applied for the zoo’s Summer Naturalist program, to help

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college interns teach zoo visitors about wildlife conservation. He was selected.

“After his first summer with that program, we could see the breadth and depth and extent of his knowledge and enthusiasm, so he moved up into the year-round ZooTEAM program,” said Lisa Townsend, the zoo’s education director of guest encounters.

As one of a dozen carefully chosen ZooTEAM members, August had to commit to working 12 volunteer hours a month. He often worked 10 hours a week. By March, when the program went on hiatus as the zoo shut down, August racked up 230 hours.

According to Jessica Wolanski, the zoo’s education coordinator for community volunteers, ZooTEAM members perform a wide range of activities, from interacting with visitors at special events such as Zoo Boo and Zoo Lights to helping teach conservation principles and even shadowing zookeepers.

“There is some grunt work, like cleaning out enclosures or preparing food or washing dishes, but it is really exciting to be there,” August said. “I have gotten to help feed endangered animals and go into areas the public never gets to see. I got to feed seahorses with this very long tube with bloodworms in it, and you get right it up in their face to feed them.

I got to hold a baby flamingo that had been operated on for a broken neck, and now it can live a normal life. And I get to help on the Giraffe Feeding deck, making sure people don’t get too close.”

Volunteers learn early to take their jobs, and the animals, seriously.

“When a giraffe hits you with its (heavy) head it could kill you. I’ve had them swing at me,” August said. “One time I wasn’t paying enough attention and a giraffe bit the back of my shirt and twisted his tongue around it and

started dragging me backwards. They have their own personalities, and sometimes they have off days. I feel like I know their whole life stories.”

Townsend has seen August in action.

“One day last fall I watched him at the giraffe exhibit telling a group of children everything he loved about giraffes and why giraffes are important,” she said. “Fostering that love and respect for these iconic animals is so important. And as a little kid, to have a big kid tell you that what you think is important can influence your life. To little kids, these teens are superstars. The animals need advocates, and they have a great advocate in August.”

Wolanski said August is amazing.

“He was one of the very first to start raising money for the zoo’s emergency relief fund,” she added.

Getting donations for the zoo is great, August said, but by mid-June he was champing at the bit to get back to volunteering in person. He and his mom did the Zoo Drive-Thru twice and continue to visit now that it is opening up.

“The second day we were open to foot traffic, there was August just walking through,” Townsend said.

“The passion that brings him here fits hand in glove with our real mission, securing a future for wildlife. It’s going to be their future, too. To see young people so engaged and responsible responding to that mission and sharing the message inspires us all.”

To donate to the zoo’s recovery campaign on August’s page, visit connect. sazoo.org/site/TR/Events EmergencyFundsCampaign;jsessionid=00000000. app20005b?px=1213411&pg=personal&fr_id=1060&NONCE_TOKEN=7B1723C4CE6839101830593E4F3F2FE5 Find this story and more at www. localcommunitynews.com.

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

ELECTED continues from pg. 01

Heights Independent School District board member.

Succeeding Olmos Park resident Margaret Judson, Sharp is also an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Sharp was unopposed in the canceled May 2 school board election.

Born in Houston, Bonner earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising at UT Austin. He transferred to San Antonio in 1985 and moved to Alamo Heights five years later.

Post-college, Bonner spent several years in Denver working as a landman, leasing various mineral interests across the Rocky Mountain region.

“Once I decided to return to Texas, the oil and gas industry was in recession and I was able to translate my experience leasing minerals to leasing, managing and selling commercial space throughout Texas,” Bonner said.

Bonner worked with the Horne Co. for eight years before launching The Bonner Group in 1992, transforming it into a regional company with offices in San Antonio and three other cities.

His firm managed and leased more than 3.5 million square feet of office, industrial and retail space and more than 1,200 multifamily units. Today he is active in sales, leasing and new business development with REOC San Antonio.

Bonner is an active volunteer, including coaching Alamo Heights Little League, and serving on the boards of the Bexar County Chapter of the American Red Cross and San Antonio Public Library Foundation, among other organizations.

Having had friends engaged with Alamo Heights city government spurred Bonner to get involved. This is his first time holding elected office.

“My main concern, at this point,

centers around my belief that propertytax rates are too high in Texas and are putting undue pressure on both residential and commercial property owners and renters,” Bonner said.

He added: “That said, I hope to help to resolve this issue in Alamo Heights by strengthening our local business core, thereby increasing sales-tax revenues to the city and alleviating upward pressure on property taxes.”

Sharp was born in Dallas.

However, her parents and both sets of grandparents attended AHISD schools, so her family moved into the area while she attended primary school.

An Alamo Heights High School alumna, Sharp studied math, Spanish and vocational studies at Vanderbilt University before attending the UT Austin School of Law, from which she graduated.

Although she always had an interest in the law, Sharp recalled she “had no realistic idea of what a legal career would involve.”

“I now have a legal-writing and consulting practice for commercial and employment litigation, which was not something that I envisioned when I launched my career,” she added.

However, Sharp was an educator before becoming a lawyer, teaching in Honduras, South Bronx in New York City and Austin. During her tenure, her respect for the teaching profession grew, as did a conviction public education is critical to the health of communities, she said.

In law school, Sharp focused on educational and juvenile jurisprudence, including school leadership and policy. Following several years of practice, she returned to education by joining the UT law school faculty.

Sharp and her husband, Nathan, a fellow educator, lived in Austin for 12 years before returning to LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

LEADERS

Alamo Heights in 2014. When they began their own family, the Sharps concentrated on how best to use their backgrounds to effectively serve youth.

The Sharps and their three children became a foster family for kids no longer living at home. Those foster children eventually returned to live with someone from their own biological families.

Stacy Sharp said running for the school board “felt like a natural bridge between these professional and personal experiences.”

With their three children attending primary AHISD schools, the Sharps have served as district volunteers.

Sharp joins a school board now led by David Hornberger. She was impressed by the district’s handling of

13

distance learning during school closures prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With AHISD facilities reopened for intersession, Summer at Heights and other summer programs, Sharp hopes campus doors stay open into the fall “if we can safely and lawfully do so.”

“While no one can fully predict what the semester will bring, I am supportive of the district’s current approach, which is to convene an advisory team to investigate and structure a series of contingency plans for each alternative scenario that could arise,” she said.

Sharp said she also plans to address state funding, school safety, mental wellness, racial equity, and increased technology use at homes and in schools.

Find this story at www. localcommunitynews.com.

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L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

LOWDOWN

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

LOWDOWN continues from pg. 06

otherworldly beings who have been staples of many of his past books. The San Antonio native has said “A New World” is designed to provide more information and insight about the experiences he has had with these strange visitors, who have formed the basis of such hit novels as “Communion” and “The Greys.” “A New World” is available for purchase from a variety of bookstores and online stores.

HEMISFAIR’S YANAGUANA GARDEN IS ONE OF EIGHT public spaces in the United States and Canada

selected as finalists for the Urban Land Institute’s 2020 Urban Open Space Award, a global competition recognizing vibrant public open spaces promoting “healthy, sustainable and equitable outcomes in communities.” ULI will announce the winners by October, and the jury will allocate a purse of $10,000 to one or more winning project teams.

Yanaguana Garden, according to a press release, was chosen for its incorporation of family friendly activities with the larger effort to revitalize Hemisfair, the site of the 1968 World’s Fair.

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB, A 47-YEAR-OLD restaurant/bar

based in Brackenridge Park at 3506 N. St. Mary’s St., will open a second location in Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden in spring 2021. Hemisfair’s redevelopment organization chose Bombay following a solicitation process, making the watering hole the latest commercial tenant in the public park. Bombay will occupy the 1,464-square-foot Espinoza House at 607 Hemisfair Blvd., sharing a wooden deck with CommonWealth Coffeehouse and Bakery.

Owners Bill Leighton and Satchie Seidlits will team up with Paula Sullivan of Carmen’s de la Calle to develop a menu reflecting Carmen’s empanadas and Bombay’s burgers.

THE OWNERS OF W.D. DELI HAVE PUT the restaurant and the

CBD COLLECTIVE 914 E. Elmira St., #104, San Antonio, TX 78212 P: (210) 451-5050

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property at 3123 Broadway up for sale separately. According to media reports, current owners Michael Bobo and Wayne Beers have said they hope the new owners will keep W.D. Deli alive at its Broadway location or elsewhere. Bobo and Beers originally opened the delicatessen in 1990 in Olmos Park before relocating it. W.D. Deli temporarily closed this spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deli reopened to dine-in service in early May, and will operate 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays until the sale is completed.

SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE IS ONE OF 10 FINALISTS FOR THE 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high

achievement and performance among community colleges.

The 10 Aspen Prize finalists were chosen from the top 150 of the nation’s 1,000 community colleges in a process that included data analysis and engaged more than 30 experts in the field, officials said. The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program sponsors the prize. In early 2021, a jury will meet to select the winner, finalists with distinction and a rising star and allocate a $1 million award among them. The winner will be announced at a May 2021 event in Washington, D.C.

GIRLS INC. OF SAN ANTONIO TEAMED UP WITH THE LOCAL science, technology, engineering and math community — including schools, research centers, nonprofits and corporate partners — to launch the Virtual Science Festival: STEM On-Demand series to provide free STEM content for home learning. The series features more than a dozen videos offering a wide variety of information and activities to engage girls and boys at both the elementary and secondary levels to participate in STEM fields. Users can visit the Girls Inc. of San Antonio YouTube page at rebrand.ly/ girlsincsastemondemand and click on the Virtual Science Festival: STEM On-Demand playlist to view.

Find LOCAL Lowdown at www.localcommunitynews.com.

JULY 07 - AUG. 04, 2020

L O CA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

HAPPENING continues from pg. 09

THROUGH SEPT. 6 RIDE ‘EM COWBOY

The Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., hosts Still in the Saddle, an exhibit and film series examining the Hollywood Western from 1969-1980. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. briscoemuseum.org/.

THROUGH SEPT. 7, 27 WITTE’S CREATURES

The Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, presents “Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs” through Sept.

7. This display examines the only vertebrate to develop the ability to fly, besides birds and bats. While there, also view “King of Beasts,” through Sept. 27, for an exploration of lions using artwork. For updates or cancellations, visit https://www. wittemuseum.org/.

TUESDAYS

ROTARY CLUB The Alamo Heights Rotary Club meets at noon in the Petroleum Club on the seventh floor of the north building in Energy Plaza, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave. For updates or cancellations, visit http://www.ahrotary.org/.

Vibes in the Garden. Experience music, yard games and more from 6-10 p.m. For updates or cancellations, visit https:// eatgoodkind.com/events/ wednesday-vibes-in-the-garden/.

The Alamo Kiwanis Club gathers from noon to 1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room at Luby’s, 911 N. Main Ave. Meetings open to everyone. Each week features an invited speaker.

For updates or cancellations, visit www.alamo-kiwanis.org.

selections and more at The Alamo Heights Farmers Market, 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 130, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot in front of Whole Foods Market in the Alamo Quarry Market.

For updates or cancellations, call 210-704-8212 or contact AlamoHeightsFarmersMarket@ gmail.com. Also, Four Seasons Markets runs a vendor-oriented operation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Carousel Court shopping center, 1888 Nacogdoches Road. For updates or cancellations, visit www. fourseasonsmarkets.com.

SATURDAYS

ONGOING

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the parking-lot area near Green Vegetarian Cuisine, 200 E. Grayson St., has reopened to seasonal produce and freshly cooked and prepared foods from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Curbside pickup will continue, too, through online ordering at pearlfarmersmarketcurbside.com.

For updates or cancellations, visit atpearl.com/farmers-market.

The McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New

THURSDAYS

KIWANIS MEETING

PEARL FARMERS MARKET

SUNDAYS

YOGA CLASS

San Antonio Farmer’s Market Association offers area growers’ farm-fresh produce from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 100 Jackson-Keller Road.

For updates or cancellations, visit sanantoniofarmersmarket.org.

During the coronavirus pandemic, free sessions, normally 10-11 a.m. at Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St., will be online.

Focus on the fundamentals of yoga. For more and to participate live at 10 a.m., visit https://www. facebook.com/MobileOm, or any time after on Mobile Om’s YouTube channel.

WEDNESDAYS

SUNDAYS

The Good Kind Southtown, 1127 S. St. Mary’s St., hosts Wednesday

Vendors offer farm-fresh

TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS OLMOS BASIN FARMERS MARKET

GOOD VIBES

HAPPENING

ALAMO HEIGHTS-AREA FARMERS MARKETS LOCALCOMMUNITYNEWS.COM

ON EXHIBIT

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Braunfels Ave., has extended the exhibitions of Goya’s Capricho and the Human Condition through Aug. 9; Robert L. B. Tobin: Collector, Curator, Visionary through Aug. 30; Spotlight: San Antonio’s K-12 Artists Embrace Diego Rivera through Sept. 6; Fashion Nirvana: Runway to Everyday through Sept. 13; 2020 CAM Perennial: Topographies of Truth through Sept. 13; and Selena Forever/Siempre Selena through Jan. 10. For more, visit https:// www.mcnayart.org/.

SUBMITTING EVENTS: Email all the details along with your contact information two months in advance to tips@localcommunitynews.com.

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